UL

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Regulations for the

I A'^ARY

ADOM^D (861.

-\ 'ARTICLE I.
All Books, Manuscripta^«awiuKS, Eiigravingrs, Paintings, Models, Fur-
niture, and other articles^pertaining to the Library, shall be confined
to the special care of the Committee on the Library.
ARTICLE II.
When any books or publications are added to the Library, a list thereof
shall be posted up in the Library Room, and all such additions shall be
withheld from circulation for the term of one month.
ARTICLE III.
The following Books of Record shall be kept:—
N^o. \. A Catalogue of the Books.

No. 2. A Catalogue of the Manuscripts, Drawings, Engravings, Paint-
ings, Models, and all other articles.
No. 3. A list of all Donations, Bequests, Books, or other articles pre-
sented to the Society, with the date thereof, and the name
and residence of the donor.

ARTICLE IV.

Rare and costly books shall not be taken from the Library Room. A
list of such works as are to be withheld from circulation shall be made
out from time to time by the Library Committee, and placed in the hands
of the Librarian.

ARTICLE V.

No more than two volumes shall be taken out by any member at one
time, or retained longer than three weeks; and for each volume retained
beyond that time a fine of ten cents per week shall be paid by the person
so retaining it. And a fraction of a week shall be reckoned as a whole
week in computing fines.

ARTICLE VI.

Every Book shall be returned in good order (regard being had to the
necessary wear thereof with proper usage), and if any Book shall be lost
or injured, the person to whom it stands charged shall, at the election of
the Committee on the Library, replace it by a new volume or set, or pay
for it at its value to the Society.

ARTICLE VII.

All Books shall be returned to the Library for examination on or before
the first Saturday in July, annually, and remain until after the third Sat-
urday of said month, and every person neglecting to return any Book or
Books charged to him as herein required, shall pay a fine of twenty cents
per week, for every volume so retained. And if at the re-opening of the
Library, any Book shall still be unreturued, the person by whom it is
retained shall pay for the said Book or set, as provided in Article VI
together with any fines which may have accumulated thereon; and a
notice to this effect shall be forthwith mailed to him by the Librarian.
ARTICLE VIII.

No member shall loan a book to any other person, under the penalty of
a fine of $1.00.

ARTICLE IX.

When a written request shall be left at the Library for a particular
Book then out, it shall be retained for the person requiring it, for one
week after it shall have been returned.

ARTICLE X.
Every book shall be numbered in the order in which it is arranged in
the Books of Record, and also have a copy of the foregoing regulations
affixed to it. o » &

m^m;m:A

rf

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

VOLUME THE SEVENTH.

JULY TO DECEMBER, MDCCCXXXVII.

LONDON:
OFFICE, 19, OLD BOSWELL COURT, STRAND,

MAY BE HAD BY ORDER THROUGH ALL BOOKSELLERS.

LONDON :
PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROQERSON,

24, NOBFOLK-STREKT, STRAND,

--0

/ ( '(''; / , t

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1837.

No. I.] [Vol. VII.

THE PLATE.

The subject of the plate* which forms the frontispiece of our present number, is a bull of
the short-horn breed, the property of the Marquis of Exeter, and is thus described, in the
supplement to the Herd Book : —

EMPEROR.

(1014.) Roan : calved in 1821, bred bj',and the property of the Marquis of Exeter, <i,ot by
Meteor, (l»i26) d. (Empress) by Atlas, (42) g. d. by Windsor. (698) gr, g. d. by Wind-
sor, (698.)

From this statement it will be seen, that Emperor is now 16 years old, and is a remarkably
fine animal. The Marquis, whose celebrity as a breeder is well known, has a fine herd of
animals, mainly the offspring of this bull, and notwithstanding that some of the cows which
are descendf^d from him, are on tiie " aged'' list, Emperor is still doing work. Some
idea may be formed of the estimation in which this ..^nimal is held by his noble owner, from
the circumstance of his having refused 500 guineas for hi:n, and 250 guineas for his dam.
The following is a list of animals got by Emperor, to which prizes have been awarded at the
Smithfie'd Shew :—

1830. The first prize in class 1, "for the best ox of any breed," a premium of twenty
sovereigns was awarded to the Marquis of Exeter, as feeder, and the silver medal as
breeder. Also the first prize in class 2, " for the best ox or steer, not fed upon cake, corn,
&c., a premium of twenty sovereigns to the Marquis of Exeter, and also the gold medal for
" the best animal shown in any of the classes."

183.3. The first prize in class I, " for the best ox of any breed," a premium of twenty sove-
reigns was awarded to Mr. Baker as feeder, and also a silver medal as breeder. This ox
had gained the first prize at Oakham, on the 3rd December, preceding.

1834. The first prize in class 5, " for the best fat ox or heifer, under five years old," a
premium of fifteen sovereigns was awarded to the Marquis of Exeter as feeder, and also a
silver medal as breeder.

18.35. A silver medal was awarded to the Marquis of Exeter, for his three years and three
months old free martin Durham heifer, which also won tlie ten pounds match against Earl
Spencer's three years and six months free martin Durham heifer, iiis Lordship allowing
the Marquis six stone, from the difference of age. The extraordinary interest which was
excited by this sweepstakes between t!)e two noble lords, and the admiration bestowed upon
both the animals, will be in the recollection of all those who were present at the shew.

Some estimate may be formed of the value of the short-horn breed, from the prices realized
at the sale of Mr. Colling's stock, which took place on the Utli October, 1810, an account
of which will be found in page 49, of this Magazine.

* The drawing- for the piate was taken expressly for " The Farmers JMagazine," by jMr. Strafford, and is
engraved upon steel by Mr. Beckvvith, in his usually spirited style.

HINTS ON FEEDING SHEEP V\' ITIl i in twenty uiulerstands the rudimentary principles on
TTTRNIPS which sheep feeding should be conducted, 'ihey

are unac(iuainted with the habi*s of the wild animal.
What is till? least understood depa.tnient of sheep and, unlike aiiv otiier class of men, interest them-
husbandry ? Vou are half way to ainendment when , selves little in the fundamental study of their culling-,
the deficiencies are known ; but the same ignorance ' There is not a showman, or a bird fancier, but knows
that cherirdies faults in a system, pci s too far to pre- ; to a tittle the peculiarities of the creature that he has
vent their discovery, so that you m..-v' guess in vain, in charge, and endeavours, to the best of his ability,
^Vell, then, the point in sheep management in v/hich to provide such food as its instincts crave. Not so,
our farmers are most deficient, is turnip feeding ; one j however, with the store farmer. He cares not to in-
upon which most will pique themselves as being] quire whether the sheep is naturally calculated to
perfect, though, speaking guardedly, hardly one man subsist on one kind ot nutriment ; and if so, whether

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

they will, when left to the exercise of instinct, resort
to turnips of their own accord, whether the slieep is
usually restricted to confined localities similar to
our fields, or is the unrestrained rover over an ex-
tensive pasture. Yet it is from investigations of
this kind that we are to derive our mode of treating
the creatures, and are to form plans beneficial to
ourselves, from their being, in a manner, improve-
ments upon nature. We find, from a perusvil of the
works of travellers, and from tbe anatomical pecu-
liarities of the sheep, that it is fitted for residence
in countries precipitous in surface, and scantily sup-
plied with herbage ; consequently, it must range
over a vast extent of ground for a subsistence, and
its food must, owing to the varied features of the
country, consist, not of one or of a few plants, but
of a most extensive mixture of herbage. Experi-
ment also points out that the deductions from these
observations are correct. Sheep, in fact, consume a
greater number of plants than any other domestic
animal. Linnseus, in examining into this subject,
found, by offering fresh plants to such animals, in
the ordinary mode of feeding, that horses ate 262
species, and refused 212 ; cattle ate 276 species,
and refused 218 ; while sheep took 387 species, and
only refused 141. We find, too, great difficulty in
preventing sheep from springing over the dykes and
Ledges that we place as boundaries to their rambling
habits, yet how seldom do we see the true cause of
their determination to set them at defiance. We
may partly account for it by considering their ana-
logy to the goat, and their propensity to scale rugged
eminences ; but I think these movements rather in-
dicate an anxiety to change a pasture already ex-
hausted of variety, for fresh fields, and herbage
abounding in thai miscellaneous provision which
nature apparently reckons essential for them. Shep-
herds own as much, and will tell you that frequent
change of pasture is the soul of sheep husbandry,
though they see no reason why sheep should not be
kept for many successive weeks on a patch of tur-
nips. They admit the necessity of a frequent shift-
ing in the one case, but deny it in the other. Ma-
gendie, a celebrated French physiologist, has shown,
by experiment, that it is impossible to keep an ani-
mal in a healthy state longer than six weeks on one
article ofdiet.death frequently taking place even before
the end of that period ; but ou r sheep farmers, in happy
ignorance of the fact, confine their flocks for months
to turnips only. And what, may I ask them, is the
consequence of the practice ? Why, that it is not
unusual to meet with sheep-owners who lose at least
one out of every fifteen, and all owing, as easily may
be proved, to this mode of management. In the first
place, the turnip is a kind of food entirely foreign to
the nature of the sheep, and one to which, at first,
they evince great repugnance. There are many va-
rieties of sheep incapable of feeding on turnips, ow-
ing to the form of the face, the upper jaw projecting
considerably past the lower, and hindering the
chisel-shaped teeth from being brought to bear upon
the root. None of our British breeds certainly have
this as a regular feature, nevertheless they are liable
to it ; and there are few farmers that have not, se-
veral times in their lives, met with griin-moitthed
sheep, as they are called in Scotland, from their
profile resembling that of a pig, and suiting them
for poking in the earth, rather than for eating in the
usual way. Again, if the structure of the sheep's
mouth proves that it is not adapted for eating tur-
nips, the composition of the turnip no less satisfac-
torily shows that it is not calculated as food for
sheep. Bitterness is essentially necessarv in the
food of all herbivorous animals ; without it, indeed,

they sooner or later fall into ill health. This pro-
perty is shown by chemists to reside in the extrac-
tive matter of plants, which has, therefore, been
called hitter extractive. The quantity is also found
to be in the inverse ratio of the nutritive power of
the plant ; that is to say, where the plant abounds in
alimentary matter, the proportion of bitter extractive
is small, compared with what it is where the former
is deficient. Turnips contain a large quantit}' of
matter capable of affording nourishment to the body,
but they yield little or none of the bitter principle.
In consequence of this, sheep acquire fat rapidly for
a time, when placed on turnips ; but, experiencing a
want of the medicinal bitter, begin with equal rapidity
to lose the advantages they so recently gained.
Their appetite becomes depraved, and, from being
shut out from access to the stomachic intended for
them bv nature, they take to devouring earth, or any
substance capable of seiving as a substitute for it.
" With regard to the natural use of bitter extractive,
it may be laid down as a truth, that it stimulates the
stomach, — corrects putrefying and unwholesome nu-
triment,— promotes tardy digestion, — increases the
nutritive powers of those vegetable substances to
which it is united, — and furnishes a natural remedy
for the deranged functions of the stomach in parti-
cular, and through the sympathetic medium of that
organ, for the atony of remote parts in general." —
(Paris's Pharmacologia, Vol. i. p. 146.) All, indeed,
concur in setting a high value ©n this constituent of
plants — all, with the exception of those whose in-
terests are most deeply concerned in a knowledge of
its importance. Farmers, in general, cannot perceive
the utility of attending to concerns apparently so
trifling, though on the right conduct of these thej
depend materially for success. Nay, I have knowu
men arguing, that in six weeks they have given or-
dinary sheep an excellent coating of fat, by keeping
them on turnips only ; though, on strict inquiry
being made into the nature of the field in which they
had been penned, it has always turned out that the
sheep had access to other things, their owners having
wilfully shut their eyes to the true circumstances of
the case. Depend on it, no sheep will continue in
health during six weeks on turnips alone, much less
will it continue throughout that time to take on fat.
Much of the mischief attending a want of bitter mat-
ter is obviated by the plan of allowing the sheep
coin, salt, oilcake, and hay, which serve, especially
the last, as tolerable substitutes for it. Good hay
ought always to be plentifully supplied to sheep on
turnips, as, from the variety of the plants composing it,
it contains much that is not to be found in turnips.
Besides, one of the most useful bitters with which
we are acquainted (the Bogbean — Menj'anthes Tri-
foliata) occurs in meadow hay, and it is a plant suffi-
cient of itself to save the animal from the conse-
quences of neglect. Whenever you hear of remark-
ab'e instances of sheep becoming quickly fat on tur-
nips, you may safely believe they have had liberty
to nibble something in addition to the ordinary pro-
vender. They have had access to broom or whins,
perhaps only to bushes that are laid as a defence on
dykes, or only to the scanty pickings on the edges
of fields — still they have by such means in a manner
satisfied the craviog for bitter aliment, and enabled
their stomncbs to turn to better account the other-
wise unprofitable turnips. Broom, is at all times,
an excellent medicine for sheep, and one which they
are partial to, and which ought, therefore, to be
placed, if possible, within their reach. Give your
flock a fair allowance of such medicaments, and tur-
nips will tell on them to your satisfaction.

SYLVANDER.

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

RABBIT SHOOTING.

(Plnle.)

Of all known quadrupeds, none is equal on the
score of fecund ty to the little aniiniil which forms
the principal subject of this disquisition. The rabbit,
it would appear, is capable of jirocreation when six
months old, and will bring forth, we are credibly
informed, seven times durina- the year; however,
the period of genial approximation, as well as the
produce of young, are mucli iniluenced bv the wea-
ther ; and we are well aware, from long exj)erience,
that if the atmesphere throughout the yeir be cha-
racterized by general coldness and severitv, young
rabbits will be few in proportion. Those who have
written on the subject, and Daniel amongst the num-
bfr, state that the rabbit produces five or six young
at a litter ; we, however, ieel no hesitation iu assert-
ing that this is incorrect: we are of course f>peaking
of tlie wild rabbit, whose average number of young
at a litter will be found to he four ; we have seen five
in a nest, but scarcely recollect an instance of six —
sometime we have found only three; but in gi-Mieval
four is the number. Unfortunately most of our pub
lications on natural history have been put together
by men who possessed no personal or practical know-
ledge of the subject which they had undertaken to
illustrate, and thus error is propagated, and handed
down from one ignorant scribbler to another.

We are told that by castration the weight of tlie
wild rabbit will be increased to six j)ounds ; we can
very readily believe (thougli we never tried tlie ex-
periment) that the bulk of the little animal wilithus
be much increased, because we perceive the same
effect produced by this operation on the ox, the hog,
the cat, and indeed upon every creature subjected to
it at an early period of life. In a tame or domestic
state the rabbit attains an incredible size; no animal
appears so susceptible of change as the creature
under consideration. When subjected to a domestic
life, under the immediate superintendence and di-
rection of man, it is made to assume every variety of
colour, according to the fancy of its human director ;
and even its very form is seen to undergo a greater
change than could be thought possible by those who
have not liad ocular demonstration of tlie fact; but,
above all, its increase of size is the most surprising ;
we saw a tame rabbit, nine months old. vvliich
weighed sixteen pounds, and we believe instances
are not wanting wliere these animals have reached
twenty pounds in weight.

It is very well known that the rabbit forms itself
a burrow, and it is generally supposed the little ani-
mal prefers this subterranean receptacle for its do
micile or abode ; but those who have devoted prac
tical attention to the subject are very well aware it
prefers continuing above ground for the purpose of
repose, and, if altogether divested of fear, would
never form for itself that asylum beneath the surface
of the earth wijich affords it protection against its
numerous enemies. We see, it is true, the rabbit-
warren perforated like a honeycomb, but wo also ob-
serve that the nimble little tenants of tlie porous
domain, if free from alarm, prefer sunning them-
selves or gamboling above ground. Even the female,
when she prepares a nest for her expected progeny,
avoids the bunow if possible, and scratches a shallow
hole in whicli she deposits her ])recio'is charge, upon
abed of .--oft materials, and covers t' cm com|}letely
with earth, during the day, for a shoit |)eriod. . As
the young rabbits acquire strength, which they do
very rapidly, the entrance to the nest is left partly
open, the opening beiui'; incrpasfd daily, Mil at length

the young altogether quit the place where they were
originally deposited.

The rabbit, completely defenceless except against
its kind, has numerous merciless enemies continually
on the alert for its destruction. The glead or kite,
the buzzard, and all the bascjr sorts of hawks, as well
as tlie barn and wood owl, prey upon the rabbit ;
the raven, the crow, the magpie, &c., consider the
rabbit delicious fare, to say nothing of the wild cat,
the polecat, the weasel, and the stoat.

Where rabbits are very numerous, and their prin-
cipal resort or haunts not inclosed by a wall, the
neighbouring hedges, to the distance of a mile or
more, will be found to shelter or contain very con-
siderable numbers. Under such circumstances the
iKOSt interesting and the most sportsmanlike shoot-
ing is to be obtained. A terrier under good com-
mand, or an old, slow, worn out pointer, is the only
canine assistance necessary. If there be only one
shooter, vne beater will be sufficient; if two shooters,
two beaters should be employed, who should always
keep opposite to each other, and a very short dis-
tance behind the sportsman. On a rabbit jumping
out (indeed the very mo:nent it is heard to move)
the signal is given, (mark'.j when of course the
shooter inst intly prepares for business.

Rabbit shooting offers a striking contrast to the
use of the fowling-piece for every other kind of game
(rabbits are game if shot). In pointing the deadly
tube at grouse, partridges, pheasants, woodcocks,
snipes, and even at the hare, (though a haro ought
not to be shot), deliberation is essential to satisfac-
tory and successful performance ; while in rabbit
shooting rapidity of execution becomes indispensable
to the accomplishment of the object. We had been
shooters many years before we tried our hand regu-
larly at labbits ; in our excursions we had many
times met with these sijuirting diminutive creatures
in the fields, and generally succeeded in stopping
them ; but then they presented what might be called
fair shots, having a considerable distance to run be-
fore (hey reached anything in the form of cover ; the
case is different under other circumstances. Some
years have elapsed, and indeed the effects of " Time's
defacing finger" have been rendered manifest on our
frontispiece, since we first tried our hand at rabbits
in what may be called a systematic and regular man-
ner. We had been shooting for an hour or two upon
the well stocked manor of a friend, whose kindness
we many times experienced, had killed a good bag
at an early period of ihe day, and gave up the sport,
much against the wish of two keepers by whom we
were attended. However, as a well-stocked rabbit
warren was situated at no great distance from tlie
road by which we were about to return, the keepers
prevailed upon us to while away an hour in rabbit
shooting. The warren was uninclosed, and the
hedges for soTie distance were full of these animals.
We commenced (in the manner already described),
and missed a considerable number of shots succes-
sively. We weic a little mortified ; but easily per-
ceived the business offered a difiTerent character from
shooting winged game. We [laused, when the elder
keeper, who had witnessed our performance in the
preceding jrart of the day, observed — " You shoot
remarkably well at partridges, but are too deliberate
for rabbits, you must slioot much quicker, or you'll
not kill one to- day." We took the hint, and the
next signal no sooner rrached our oars, than the gun
was up, and a rabbit instanily rolled over before us;
the sjjell was broken, and we continued to tumble over
these little animals almost unerringly, till we became
tired of slaughter. Theiabbit on being disturbed,
bolts from the hed.'e like lightning, runs parellel

B 2

THE FARMEirS MAGAZINE.

with it (the hedge) for a few yards, and disappears,
ao tliat deliberate aim is out of the question, and if
the shooter be not on the alert, lie will not bag- many
rabbits.

The einbeilishnient which accouipaiiies our pre-
sent number represents a gamekeeper on the look-
out for rabbits on the approach of eve, wlien they
leave their day retreat for the purpose of feeding.

Kabbit shooting with a ferret we do not admire.
In such case the business necessarily occurs amongst
the burrows ; and many rabbits, though mortally
wounded, will contrive, in the agonies of death, to
shuffle into their boles, where they continue and rot,
and in consequence no living rabbit will come near
the place.

Many parts of England abound with rabbits,
where the soil is light or sandy, as on the clay lands
they are not able to form those subterranean asylums
to which they fly for refuge on the least alarm.
Some years ago the grey rabbit only was to be met
with in the warrens of this country ; but the silver-
haired, as well as the black rabbit have since been
introduced, and constitute variety if not improve-
ment.

An epidemic sometimes makes its appearance
amongst rabbits, and warrens sulFer severely on such
occasions. "The spring and summer of 1798, were
so favourable to tlie breeding of rabbits that the war-
rens in all parts of the kingdom were judged to have
never been more plentifully stocked ; but great num-
bers of the young ones perished by a disorder sup-
posed to have been produced by excessive wet in
the following autumn. It was infectious, and the
first symptom was a swelling in the glands of the
neck, the rot ensued, and death quickly followed."

At the first blush of the case, it would seem very
difficult to take stock of rabbit farms between an in-
coming and outgoing tenant, but the estimate is made
with astonishing accuracy. Persons who understand
such matters place themselves in a situation wliere
they can survey the vrarren without alarming its in-
habitants ; this is done early in the morning, and on
the approach of night, when the rabbits are on the
alert, and it has been ascertained that judgments
thus formed have proved remarkably accurate;.

Dr. Darwin observes that the rabbits cannot easily
articulate sounds, and therefore experience some dif-
ficulty in communicating an alarm to each other.
He continues, "Rabbits are formed into societies
that live under ground, and they have a pecu-
liar method of warning their brethren of the approach
of danger. When they are apprehensive ('continues
the Doctor}, they thump on the earth with one of
their hind feet, and produce a sound capable of being
heard a considerable distance by animals near tl)e
surface." 'ibis may seem very pretty, like many
other fancies promulgated by Darwin, but it lacks
that spicy quality, truth. The rabbit, like the bare,
thumps with its feet, but it is a mark of anger, and
affection, or excitement ; when preparing to fight
with each other, this signal is used ; and when the
male approaches the female, he thumjis with his feet;
but on these occasions, if we be not greatly mistaken,
the fore feet are principally used for this purpose.

The age of the rabbit is said to be eight or nine
years.

The celebrated Major Cartwright, when residing
at Labrador, made the following remark upon the
rabbit, as appears by his journal : " I have got a
buck and a doe left of the rabbits which 1 brought
from England, and as the latter has run loose about
the house all winter, and kindled in a box in the
dining-room, I have had opportunities of making
90IR9 ebseryations on her and her young ones. She

went twenty-nine days with young ; and the young
ones not only came into the world blind, but their
ears were also shut, nor could they move them until
the tenth day ; on the eleventh day they began to see,
on the twelfth their ears were quite open, and on the
thirteenth they could erect their ears. The doe did
not continue in the box from the time she kindled her
first young one until she had got quit of the last, but
came out at intervals; nor did she ever afterwards
stay with them longer than a minute or two at a time
to give them suck, always covering them well up with
fur which she pulled from off her body and sides
with lier mouth. They have a very singular way of
chewing their cud, if it may be so called, for they
receive their own dung into their mouth and eat it.
The doe, both before and during her first pregnancy,
preferred spruce beer to every other liquor, but after-
wards became fond of warm water."

In the " Recreations of Agriculture," Dr. Ander-
son mentions a variety of the rabbit with only one
ear. A gentleman of his acquaintance, observing
one that had but a single enr amongst his stock of
rabbits, watched the next litter of the animal, and
found a youngbuck in asimilarly imperfect state: be
put these two one-eared rabbits together, and pro-
duced a breed of single- eared rabbits which were
equally prolific with their two-eared progenitors.

In December, 1802, a ferocious murder was com-
mitted in the rabbit warren of Mr. Little, of Bly-
borough, Lincolnshire. In consecjuence of frequent
depreciations, the warreners were ordered to watch
the tipes (traps), when a man was observed, and
one of the warreners (Lidgett) seized him. The
ruffian immediately plunged a sword into Lidgett's
left breast, who fell dead at the murderer's feet. The
other warrener, who was armed with a gun, threatened
to shoot the assassin if he attempted to escape, and
he thus forced him to the warren-house, but while
the door was o|iening, he made ofl"; the warrener
fired, and the villain received the contents of the
gun in one of his arms. I'he fellow, however, got
completely away. A surgeon who was employed to
dress the wound having heard of the murder, and of
the perpetrator of the horrid deed having been shot,
procured his immediate arrest. " Upon the trial it
came out that Wilson, who was only twc-nty-one
years old, had procured the svi'ord on Monday the
21st of December, on Tuesday he ground and shar-
pened it at a blacksmith's shop ; Wednesday he
stabbed Lidgett, and was liimself shot in the arm ;
on Thursday was apprehended, Friday committed to
Lincoln Castle, and on Saturday his arm was ampu-
tated near the shoulder. He was executed the 11th
of March following."

A sart of grey brown (too vt ell knowa to need par-
ticular description) seems to be the natural colour
of our rabbits ; and even when domesticated, this
colour is found, more or less, amongst the young in
every litter, though the parents may be black or
white. M. Moutier, who bred some tame rabbits for
his amusement, gives the following account of their
production : — '' I began (says hr-) by having one
male and female only ; the male was entirely white
nnd the female brown ; but in their posterity the
number of the brown far exceeded those of any other
colour; there were some white, some party coloured,
and some black. It is surprising how much the
descendants were obedient and submissive to their
common parent ; he was easily distinguished from
the rest by his superior whiteness, and however
numerous the other males were, he kept them all in
subjection. Whenever they quarrelled among them-
selves, either about their females or in regard to pro-
visions, as soon as he heard the noise he ran up to

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tbem with all despatch, and, ti]ion his appearance,
all was instantly leduced to peace and order. It' he
caught any of them in the tact, he immediately
punished them as an example to the rest. Another
instance of his superiority was that having accus-
tomed them to come to me wilh the call of a whistle,
the instant this signal was given I saw him marshal-
ling them up, leading them foremost, and then suffer-
ing them all to file off before him."

The rabbit is a native of the warmer climates, and
■was originally imported into this Kingdom from Spain.
In that country, and in some of the islands of the
IMediteiranean, we are informed that they once multi-
plied in such numbers as to become an absolute
nuisance to the inhabitants ; till at length they called
in the aid of that little fierce blood-thirsty animal, the
ferret, who very soon neutralized the calamity.
Rabbits are evidently fond of the warmer regions of
the earth, nor can they exist in a state of freedom
in Sweden and the more northern latitudes.

However, the rabbit assumes a different appear-
ance, according, as it might ajipear, to the country
or climate which it inhabits ; thus in Syria the rabbit
is remarkable for the length of its hair, which falls
along the sides in wavy wreaths, and is in some
places curled at the ends like wool ; it is shed once
a year in large flakes, and it often happens that a
rabbit, dr.igging a part of its robe on the ground,
seems as if it had got another leg, or a longer tail.
Originally there were no rabbits found on the vast
continent of America, nor yet on the large and
numerous islands which belong to that quarter of the
globe ; but those which have been taken from Europe
to the West India islands have multiplied abundantly.
America produces few animals in common with the
rest of the world ; and though, as we have already
observed, no rabbits were originally observed here,
an animal somewhat similar was not uncommon,
which appeared fierhaps more like the hare, or which
might be regarded as a connecting link in the wonder-
ful chain of nature to render the gradations almost
imperceptible.

THE NEW POOR-LAW.

(From the Hertfm-d Reformer.)

DINNER OF THE GUARDIANS OF THE HERTFORD
UNION.

The guardians of the Hertford union, on Saturday,
the 10th June, gave a dinner to their chairman, vice-
chairman, and treasurer, at the Shire-Hall, which was
attended by about thirty members of the board.

Mr. E. Lewis took the chair, and in proposing
" The health of the Chairman of the union, Sir Cul-
ling Eardly Smitli," remarked, that the cause of the
inefficiency of many hoards was, that due attention
liad not been paid to this matter ; but he was happy
to say that the choice of the Hertford board had
fallen upon a chairman who understood the new law
•n all its bearings ; the board of guardians were much
idebted to him, as were also the poor ; and the rate-
liyers owed a debt of gratitude to him for the man-
"r in which he had fulfilled the duties of his office.
( ■■npUmse.)

n acknowledging the compliment paid to him Sir
C-''.. Smith said : — I have ahvays held that if there
IS oe collateral pfl'ect ot the new ])oor-law more iiii-
portit than another it is that it brings thf varioui
class; of the community into frequent contact, and
niaketljein acquainted with one another's wants and
wishei But, in speaking of the indirect, let me not

forget the direct efiects of this law. In the first
place It has been the cause of a vast saving, amount-
ing in this union to little less than fifty per cent, on
your former expenditure. (Applause.) You have
not only been the cause, in the working of this mea-
sure, of a large saving to the rate-payers, but you
have also, by causing the employment of much more
labour on the soil, and by facilitating the letting of
land, conferred a substantial benefit on the owners
of the soil. But this is nothing as compared to the
beneficial effect on the labouring class itself. I, for
one, would not be concerned in the administration of
the law if I did not believe that, so far from injuring
them, it is calculated to make the poor good, useful,
and happy members of society, by raising the la-
bourer to an independence which he before never ex-
perienced. After adverting to the kind support and
assistance which he had uniformly received from the
other guardians present — without which he would
not have been able to overcome the difl!iculties which,
as their chairman, he had had to encounter — he
added : We have, however, this satisfaction, that in
the successful carrying out of the poor-law you are
rendering the greatest possible benefit to your coun-
try ; for I do say, at the risk of being thought to
attach too much importance to the subject, that there
never was a measure so calculated to moralise and.
regenerate the community. Tlie state of England
under the old law' always reminded me of a splendid
edifice, rich in architectural beauty, but where the
dry-rot had penetrated into the basement. Com-
merce and manufacture, talent and wealth, give to
our country an appearance of unprecedented pros-
jierity ; but beneath this promising surt'ace you had
a demoralized peasantry. Gentlemen, it has been
your business to underpin the building, and I thank
God that the operation has been successfully con-
ducted.

Captain Hotham, the vice-chairman, in returning
thanks, his health having been drunk, stated that
when the board of guardians first elected him to the
vice-chair he felt unwilling to accept the office, en-
tertaining as he did some doubts as to the new poor-
law bill. He acknowledged that he had entertained
serious misgivings as to the operation of the measure
when it was first introduced ; but when a man finds
himself in error it is his duty to acknowledge it in a
straightforward manner ; and when he considered
the beneficial effect the new law was producing, he
felt that at first he had come to a wrong conclusion,
and he was not ashamed to confess that he had been
mistaken as to the utility of the bill ; and he was
bound to add that, take it in the gross, he did not
think a better law could have been framed, or one
which would prove more beneficial to the country at
large.

Mr. Spenoe, the auditor of the union, after advert-
ing to the jiecuniary advantage resulting from the
poor-law amendment act, said he had the testimony
of all the overseers in the union, without a single
exception, to the beneficial working of the measure,
not enly as affecting the interests of the rate-payers,
but also the moral character of the poor.

Sir C. E. Smith, in proposing " The health of the
poor-law commissioners, and of Colonel Wade, the
assistant commissioner for the district," observed in
giving a toast : It is always satisfactory to be able
to appeal to the sympathy of those to whom it is of-
fered ; and 3'ou, gentlemen, have had so much obloquy
and niisrepresentatioii to endure, that I am sure you
will syiupathise wilh parties who have suffered
similar treatment. I will therefore give you the
health of three public officers, who have had unpre-
cedented difficulties to encounter in the execution of

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their arduous duties, I mean the poor-law commis-
sioners. It is a very easy thing for persons to sit
down and pick lioles iti matters of detail ; but it is
one thin;:;: to lind fault, and another thing to grapple
with such a thing as the poor-laws. The poor-law
comniissioners have had to deal with a variety of op-
ponents. They have encountered in some quarters
the complicated opjiosition of rich and poor, and have
had to deal with a state of pauperism almost beyond
anything which we in Hertfordshire can conceive.
In Sussex, particularly near Pelwo)th, such was the
atate of the peasantry, that Lord Egremont actuated
bv a most patriotic spirit, fitted out yearly vessels
to convey emigrants to the Canadas. So completely
liad the regulations of the commissioners succeeded
in improving- the condition of the poor, that the guar-
dians have found it unnecessary to avail themselves
anv longer of Lord Egremont's generosity, as there
is now plenty of employment for the labourers. In
Hampshire I regret that even the most exemplary
portion of the clergy, under the impression, I am
3\!re, that they were discharging what thev conceived
to be their duty, havo availed themselves of their in-
fluence to set the minds of the labourers against the
operation of the poor latv. I am happy to say that
their success has been indifferent, and that the poor
themselves are becoming convinced of the utility of
the measure. In the manufacturing districts the
system has been subjected to the greatest opposition
from the mechanics; but both at Nottingham ar:d
Stoke-upon-Trent, though nearly the whole popula-
tion were at one time in the habit of reiving upon
the public for assistance, the great principles of the
work-house system have been steadily carried into
execution. In Sheffield there are a class of men
called dry-grinders, whose average earnings are about
'2LotSL per week, and so little were they disposed to
save anything out of these large earnings for any
exigency, that they habitually fell back on the rates
when temporarily out of employment. I he commis-
sioners have had to ovei'come the interested opposi-
tion of such persons as these ; and now I understand
that the dry-grinders are becoming, as much from
the anticipation as from the operation of the law, a
sober and provident class. In the West Hiding of
Yorkshire persons have done their utmost to agitate
against this system, but the good sense of the com-
munity has signally triumphed. In Xottingham 16
or 17 poor-houses, sooner than relinquish the work-
house principle, were opened for the able-bodied ;
the majority of them are now, I understand empty,
and the poor law may be considered to have gained
a most valuable victory. In London, too, the most
violent opposition has been raised, but as far as I
have been enabled to learn, it has been confined to
those who were more or less interested in the old
system. The commissioners have still much to con-
tend with ; the incongruous anomaly of an old and a
new system going on together. Gilbert's act in one
union, and the poor-law in another, can never be al-
lowed to continue. There are also the difficulties of
the medical question to be counteracted ; and all the
evils connected with the old parochial machinery to
be got rid of. The cemniissioners, I believe, think,
the time has now arrived when the board of guar-
dians should take into their own hands the collection
of the rates by a paid officer. In a few days I un-
derstand an order will be issued authorising the guar-
dians to divide unions into districts, and to appoint
assistant-overseers ; and I have no doubt the assist-
ance of such an officer will be of the greatest ad-
vantage. The poor law commissioners have exten-
sive details to attend to, and great responsibility at-
taches to them in answering questions which may be

addressed to them. If then any delay has occurred
in the business of our union with the poor law com-
missioners, you will agree with me that it has been
caused by the unavoidable circumstances in which
tliey are ]:ilaced. I havemj'self seen the multiplicity
of business which is daily to be done at their offices,
not only mere matters of form, but on subjects which
require the greatest attention ; and I feel convinced
that both tljey and their secretary are sacrificing their
iiealth by the assiduity of their application. No less
than '2,000 letters are weekly dispatched from the
department.

Sir Culling Eardley Sjiith afterwards proposed
" The health of the Duke of Wellington," which he
divested of partjr er political feeling, by observing
on the advantage of the new poor law had derived
from the advocacy of his grace, and the determina-
tion he had ex])ressed in the House of Lords to re-
sist all attempts for its repeal, come from what quar-
ter tliey might.

Several other toasts were drunk in the course of
the evening, and the company separated at a late
hour.

STATE OF THE POOR IN IRELAND.

Compiled and abridged from Appendiji F. to the Reports
of the Commissioners of Irish Poor Inquiry.

CON- ACRE.

Con-acre is a mode of letting land which, as it is
practised in Ireland, is peculiar to that country.
The " allotment system," or letting small pieces of
land to labourers, wliich has been resorted to in many
parts of England of late years, is the nearest approxi-
mation to con-acre. But although the allotment sys-
tem resembles con-acre in furnishing employment as
well as food to the labourer and his family when they
might otherwise be unemployed, yet the difference
vv'hich, fortunately for the Englisli labourer, exists
between the two countries is, that in Ireland con-
acre is the source whence the labourer who holds no
land derives the chief part, and, in many cases, the
whole of vvhat forms generally his only food (pota-
toes) ; whereas in England, his means of employ-
ment and subsistence are almost entirely derived
from his wages, his piece of ground only furnishing
hirn with vesretables and with occasional emj)loy-
meut for his children, or for himself during the com-
iiaratively short time when he cannot procure work
from his usual employers. The practice of letting
and of hiring con-acre seems to arise, on one side,
from want of capital and skill in the farmer, letting
con-acre enabling him to have profitably manured
and prepared for wheat, or other corn crops, a much
larger extent of land than, in the absence of turnips
and other cleansing and improving crops, of the
cattle fed thereon, and of the manure derived from
them, as is the case in Great Britain, he could other-
wise manure and prepare. On the part of the la-
bourer not holding land, the inducements to hire con
acre seem to be — 1st, profit, as far as he can scra-e
together manure for the ground, the portion of ie
con-acre manured by himself bein^;- usually letto
him rent free ; 'idly, to increase his means of ni-
ployment, both in the cultivation of the cropand
(as he often does and always hopes to do) b^con-
tractinc;', or subseijuently being permitted 1 the
farmei In woi k out a part or the whole of 1p con-
acre leut, which, in the general dearth of loploy-
ment, is almost so much additional work, ^d con-
sequent clear gain to himself and family ;^dly, to
secure food for a great part — and, if h^'an take

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enough con-acre for almost the whole — of the year,
and at the low autumn price of potatoes : whereas
he would otherwise be subject to the fluctuations of
the market, and to a certain great increase of price
in the spring, besides the danger of spending his
harvest earnings in drinking and dissipation, if he
had not constantly pending over him the idea of his
own con-acre rent. Con-acre is, therefore, very
prevalent in every part of Ireland, except in those
districts where the whole population consists of
cottiers, or small occupiers, who, only holding a few
acres of land, are able, with their families, to culti-
vate it themselves without the aid of labourers.

Con-acre consists of old grass land which, being
rich from long pasturing, requires no manure, or of
other land manured for the purpose by the farmer,
except that part of it for which the labourer can pro-
cure manure himself. The land is usually ploughed
and prepared for the potatoe crop by tlie farmer ex-
cept in those districts where the spade is more used
than the plough, in which case the ground is dug by
the labourer. The labourer always furnishes and
plants tlie seed, and tills and takes up the crop. The
quantity hired by each family usually varies from
half a rood to an acre ; half an acre is probably tlie
nearest average. The price of rich grass land and of
manured ground land, ploughed and prepared for
the crop by tlie farmer, is from ol. to 13/. per acre,
according to local and other circumstances. We
have already stated that tlie part of the land for
which the labourer finds manure is usually let to
him rent free ; near towns and where there is much
competition for con-acre, howe\er, he sometimes has
to pay from 10s. to 21. or 3/. per annum for it, as
■well as to cart his manure to the land at his own
expense. Except where the con-acre is let by the
farmer to one of his own constant labourers, the
agreement is generally that the rent should be paid
in money; but from tlie poverty of the labourer, and
the little employment obtained by him, the farmer is
frequently obliged to take more or less of that rent in
labour. When, as is sometimes the case, the crop is
not worth the rent, some farmers sell the crop, and
proceed against the unfortunate labourer for the ba-
lance; but it is not usual to take the crop for the
rent without putting the labourer to any further loss
than that of his seed and labour. In almost every
case of such failure, the loss and consequent distress
to the labourer are of course very great ; and when
be is sued for the balance, his total ruin is inevitable.
It appears from the evidence, that the inducements
we have mentioned are the only ones which the la-
bourer has to take con-acre beyond, at least, the ex-
tent of ground for which he can furnish manure,
inasmuch as the value of the average con-acre crops
is little or no more, at the usual autumn price of po-
tatoes, than the amount of the rent, seed, and labour.
There can be no doubt of the evil effects of con-acre,
n encouraging premature and improvident mariages,
y facilitating the means of subsistence ; but, on the
'.her hand, it could not be dispensed with in the
■esent state of Ireland; and this system, or that now
i'sued in England, of small permanent allotments
land, will be found absolutely necessary to assist
^labouring classes in the transition which Ireland
^it undergo, from her present state of small hold-
"^ and minute subdivision of land, to that of larger
''^s, if her population is ever to emerge from con-
^'^^ privation and periodical famine. We subjoin
^^^ts from the evidence, and from the personal
*'"^ation of the Assistant-Commissioners : —

CON?(jjj.j,^ COUNTY OF GAT.WAV, EARONY OF KIL-
CONNELI,.

" -acre is defined by the witnesses to mean the

taking of land merely for the crop or for the season,
and the term is applied equally to potatoes and to
oats. Pastuie or lay land is usually set for con-acre
and permission is given to burn it. Potatoes are
grown the first year, and generally oats the second.
The con-acre system is universal in all parts of the
barony, and even many of the shop-keepers in various
villages resort to it. The cumbrous nature of pota-
toes, and the consequent expenditure of time on the
carriage, does not oblige the labourers to take con-
acre rather than purchase in the market, as unfortu-
nately the labourers have but too much spare time.
The chief objects gained by the labourer are, that he
obtains thereby a large proportion of year's food for
himself and family; that he is able to dispose of his
own labour in the rearing of it ; and, above all,
that he gains time by the mode of payment. In
hardly any case does a labourer take con-acre with a
view to profit. The usual quantity of con-acre
taken by a family is from one to three roods, but
most persons find some difficulty in obtaining as
much as they desire. The bargain for con-acre is
generally for money, and a note for the amount is
sometimes given at the time of letting ; afterwards
the latter often consents to take labour in part pay-
ment, and there is no doubt the labourer would al-
ways gladly give work on account. If the crop be
not worth releasing the landlord may sell the pro-
duce, or process the labourer for the rent ; but such
a proceeding is almost unknown. The labourer is
always permitted to dig the potatoes, but not to re-
move them from the field until the rent is paid ;
during the time of digging he is allowed to carry off
as much as his daily wants require, and this per-
mission is continued if he consent to pass his note
for the rent." (Messrs. Donellan and French.) All
the witnesses are of opinion, that could employment
for wages be substituted for the con-acre System, it
would be most desirable. The witnesses allow that
the con-acre system has the effect of increasing the
population, but seem to think that the ease with
which farms have hitherto been subdivided have been
more productive of increase.

WOODBRIDGE SHEEP-SHEARING
ASSOCIATION.

The first general meeting of this association was
held at Woodbridge on Wednesday, June 14, when
the attendance was numerous and highly respectable,
fully realizing the expectations of the projectors of
the association. There were 27 competitors for
prizes, amongst whom were several adepts in the art
of clipping from Norfolk. The sheep were shown in
a meadow at the back of the Crown Inn, presenting
a very gratifying and interesting scene. The
shearing occupied about five hours. The work was
executed very much to the satisfaction of the judges ;
and it was a subject of genetal remark that the
Suffolk men executed their work in a manner very
little, if at all inferior to the Norfolk shearers, who,
it has been generally considered have greater ex-
perience in their favour, owing to the more exten-
sive breeding of the sheep in the latter county.

The four prizes offered by the society were award-
ed to Davey P>axter, of Burford, near Norwich;
John ftlayes, of Fnlkenham ; Samuel Jacob, of
VVicklewood, near Wymondham ; and Wm. Mea-
dows, of Gedgrave. Besides these a premium
oflered by Lord Rendlesham, for the best sheep-
shearer in Loes and Wilford Hundreds, was award-

g

THE MRMEH'S MAGAZINE.

©d to James Cook, of Sutton ; one by R. N. Shawe,
Esq., for Colneis and Carlford Hundreds, to John
Mayes, of Falkenharn ; and one by Mr. Crisp and
other gentlemen, for Plomesgate Hundred, to Wm.
Meadows, of Gedgrave. A premium of three
guineas offered b\' A. Arcedeckne, Esq., for the
oest nine fleeces of Southdown lioggett wool, was
awarded to Mr. Edwards, of Wood-hall, Sutton.

At six o'clock upwards of 100 gentlemen partook
of a sumptuous dinner at the Crown Inn, wliich did
great credit to the landlord, JNIr. Cundy. VV. A.
Shuldham, Esq. took the chair, supported on the
right by J, P.Barclay, Esq., and Major Pytches,
and on the left by Major Schreiber and G. Badham,
Esq. The attendance of Lord Remllesham was
prevented by indisposition.

On the chairman's health being drunk he observed
that it must have struck all persons acquainted with
the mode of shearing sheej), and particularly those
who liad attended Mr. Coke's sheep-shearing in
Norfolk, and other exliibitions of a similnr nature,
that hitherto sutficient attention had not been paid
to the art in the eastern divisio i of Suffolk. It had,
therefore, been thought expedient to offer premiums
to stimulate the sheep-shearers, to do their work in
the best possible style, and instead of drinking a
good deal of gin and beer, and occasionally cutting
a hole in the skins of the sheep, to clip the whole of
the wool off the back, without either lacerating the
sheep, or disgracing themselves. He hoped that
one consequence of the institution would be, that
they would have the pleasure to see in a short time
amongst them a far better set of sliearers than those
w])o bad hitherto perambulated the eastern division
of the county under that name. (Cheers.) It was
another branch of their business that day to give
premiums for the exhibition of the best fleeces. He
was happy to say that the article of wool had been
immensely improved in quality of late, even in this
pait of the kingdom ; for he was almost old enough
to remember the period when people were not en-
abled to make a distinction betvi-een fine wool and
coarse. If ordinary pains were taken to accelerate
the progress of improvement, there would be as good
wools produced in Suffolk as in any other part of
the kingdom, or perhaps of the world ; for he did not
know how the article of wool came to excel in ether
quarters unless great care and attention had been
paid to its growth.

On the health of tlie judges being given, Mr.
Etheridge said it was now about 20 years since
he began to purchase wool in this countv, and there
was at that time a very considerable improvement
both in quality and condition — he thought mor<a in
the condition, than in the quality of the wool. The
samples he had ins])ected that day, showed a great
improvement upon what was produced 20 years ago,
but he hoped and he had no doubt the meeting would
excuse him when te said that there was still room
for great improvement. Norfolk was declining
in Southdown sheep, and Suffolk was becoming
superior, for there was no better Southdown
wool to be had than that produced in the county of
Suflx)lk. (Hear, hear.) It was nearly 20 years
since he travelled over a great p-irt of the county,
accompanied by a gentleman from Yorkshire, one
of the best judges of wool, and who, he believed,
was one of the first to introduce the Southdown
wool into SuflblV. That gentleman observed to him,
in the course of tljeir ride:-', that (he Suffolk wool
was the softest (which he supposed was produced
by the quality of the soil), that was grown in any
part of England,

Mr. Revans said his friend had left him to per-

form a somewhat unpalatable task — namely, to ad-
vert to the prices of wool. He had been asked why
wool had become so depressed in value to the extent
it now was. The state of America, and the mone-
tary state of the country were sufficient reasons why
the demand had been lessened. When they might
expect an improvement, was an exceedini,ly difficult
question to answer, the matter depending, probably,
upon themselve,s ; for if thev firmly resisted the
prices now offered, and kept their wool from market,
they would, he thought, do more to improve the
value of it than they could accomplish by any other
course. It was his decided opinion, that if wools
were brought to market as they had been for the last
three or four years — the clips being sold almost as
rapidl}' as they came off the backs of the sheep —
the present depression must continue, and perhaps
prices would go down even lower than was indicated
by the present quotations. {Hear, hear.)

The number of subscribers to the association is 73 ;
and from the manifestation of spirited support at the
meeting, it bids fair to be attended with the most
beneficial results.

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 1836.

EXTRACT FROM EVIDENCE OF MH. JOHN ELLIS.

Farmers in Leicestershire not worse off now than in
1833 — More Lime is used in improvinp: Land now
than twenty-five years ago — Great Benefit of a Rail-
way— Drainincr has been soing on rapidly the last
two years— Advantage of it on strong- Land found
out — Drains Chatmoss — Mode of Draining' and Cul-
tivation— Corn Laws — Fixed Duty best — Present
System holds out delusive Hopes — Very high Prices
not advantageous to Farmers — Steady Prices most
important — Could not do at present without Protec-
tion, but trusts to come to that ultimately, and by
Degrees— Average Price of Wheat will not be above
50s. — Averages now not unfairly taken — Best for the
Legislature to let Agriculture alone — Agitation of the
Question injurious— Average Produce, per Acre, of
Wheat, twenty-eight Bushels — Clay Farmers at a
low Ebb, but benefited by late fine Seasons — Rot
among Sheep two Years ago caused a Rise of Price
— Deficiency is now replaced.

Chairman. — Where do you live? — At Beaumont
Lavs, near the town of Leicester.

What is you occupation? — Until within the last
three years I have been a farmer entirely ; I still oc-
cupy about 400 acres of land, but I have other busi-
ness now ; I am a coal and lime merchant, and I an
concerned in the cultivation of a farm at Chatmos'
in Lancashire.

In what part of the county is your farm situate'
— Within two miles of Leicester.

Is that an arable farm or a grass farm ? — AMt
150 acres arable, and the rest grass.

Can you state from your own experience wl 's
the condition of the farmers in that part of the '^^-
try, as compared with 1833? — I should say it "ft
at all worse than it vras in 1833, rather better<'nd
I can give a re'.ison for coming to that concluf" '• I
am a lime merchant as well as a farmer, and t I'me
that I sell goes chiefly anrong the agriculturi'> and
I find they u^e quite as much as they did, '' tJ^cy
]>ay quite as well for it, and therefore I iclude
that l! I'y are not in a worse situation than V were
tu'o yiars ago.

Is there a greater quantity of lime const''' ^^ the
improvement of the soil ?— What I sell i^nsumed
almost entirely in the improvement of tH*^''> '' 's

THE FARiMER'S MAGAZINE,

rather a new thing in Leicester ; it is brought there
in consequence of the opening up of a railway.

In what description of soil is that lime applied 1 —
This liind of linae is applied more particularly to
strong heavy land, clay land.

Mr. Cayley. — How far used the lime to come be-
fore the railroad was made? — It would have been
about '20 miles to fetch the lime by land carriage be-
fore this railroad was made.

What would it have cost to have fetched a ton of
lime to your farm before this railroad was made"! —
It would have cost me at least lOs. a ton.

What does it cost now? — It has now a land car-
riage upon it of about three miles before it gets to
the railroad, which is at '2s. 6d., and it is brought on
the railway at 2d. a ton per mile, tliat will make it
about 6s. 6d. ; it is a saving of one-half in the ex
pense of transit.

The cost of carriage was a virtual prohibitic n ? —
Yes, I never used a pound of it.

Lord John Russei.l. — Comparing the present
time with twenty or twenty-five years ago, do you
think there is more lime used for the improvement of
the soil by the farmers or less ? — 1 think more now
than tvrenty-five years ago.

With regard to expensive manures generally, is
there more or less used 1 — In my neighbourhood
more used, for this reason, that I live within two
miles of the town of Leicester ; that town of Leices-
ter in more than twenty veais has mere than doubled
itself, tiiat is, it has risen from SSJ.OOO to at least
'15,000 now. I have been a large purchaser of
manure ever since I was a farmer, and I find that
the demand for manure is as great as ever it was,
and that it all goes upon the land in the neighbour-
hood of Leicester ; and, th'^refore, the demand must
have increased rather than decreased, because the
supply has doubled.

Mr. Loch. — Have thire been considerable im-
provements made upon the lands in draining and
otherwise in the last thi-ee years? — Yes, I think the
improvemen<^s have gone on more rapidly the last
two years. In reference to draining, people have
found the great advantage of having the strong land
drained.

What is tlie system of draining pursued in your
district? — It varies a good deal; I introduced the
system used in Essex, that is, of draining with
straw, and that has been of great advantage. There
is a great deal drained with stones, and some with
tiles, and a good deal with turf.

Do you drain up the furrows ?— Yes, now almost
invariably.

What is the expense per acre ? — It depends upon
the width of the lands ; ours is an old tillage coun-
try drawn into lands of very different widths ; it will
vary from 25s. to 35s. an acre draining it in the
cheap way with straw.

With tiles? — It would cost twice as much with
tiles.

What is the depth .' — I drained it deeper than I
should again ; they were put in nearly two feet ; I
should not drain that land more than 18 or 20 inches
if I did it again.

Mn. Mii.es. — Had you any outfall ; did you lay
tiles? — No; the straw is of no use but to support
the clay above it till it adheres together; if you were
to lay files it would stop it up.

Mr. Ci.ivK. — Then your principle is this, that the
straw preserves the clay for a certain yieriod, and
then the clay becomes hardened, and it forms a fiim
drain? — Yes; if you open the diain in about two
years, you will find that it adheres together ; I ge-
nerally contrive to do it when the field has had

wheat, and a moderate crop of stubble will drain a,
whole field.

Mr. Miles. — Does the clay above the straw not
get so adhesive as to prevent the water getting
through it into the drain ? — Draining with straw has
an advantage over tiles in that respect ; when you
put in a tile, you put in clav upon it again, and that
soon becomes so adhesive that nothing can get
through it ; but in draining with loose straw it leaves
pores in the clay, and leaves a possibility of the
water getting down, and it has the effect that it
drains better.

Mr. Cr.iVE. — Then the stubble may be from six
to eight inches long, and that laid up in the drain
causes an aqueduct which brings the water down
the drain? — Yes. We take out a narrow spot at
the bottom of the drain, as if we were going to do it
with turf, and push the straw into that, and it will
stand twenty years.

Mr. Miles. — What depth of straw do 3'ou lay at
the bottom of the dr.dn ? — Three or four inches.

What is the present state of cultivation in Chat-
moss .' — It is a speculation that I and some friends
of mine entered into there in consequence of the
Liverpool and Manchester railway going over that
moss ; we fancied that it would some day turn to
account, and we took 660 acres upon a long lease
for 68 years, at a progressive rent amounting ulti-
mately to 5s. an acre, and we commenced four or five
years ago to cultivate the land.

What was your first process? — I cannot exactlv
state the expense ot it. First we drained it ; that
bog is 30 feet deep ; we did not take all the water
off, but we drain it three or four feet deep : we drain
it with the bog itself.

Will you explain that? — That bog cannot be
treated as other land is ; a man goes and takes out a
sod a foot deep, and lays it upon one side, and it lies
there two or three v.-eeks, till the bog has emptied
itself of its immense body of water to that depth ;
then after that a man comes and takes out another,
and lets it lie another fortnight or three weeks, till
the water is drained out; then we take a narrow
spit out of the bottom ; then we turn the first piece
upside down, and lav it on like common turf drain.

How long after that process is it before you can
get uj)on the land with any irajjlements? — It is bet-
ter that it should be done two years before, but I
think that in six months we can plough it.

You plough it with pattens upon the horses' feet !
—Yes.

Is that very slow and expensive? — No, it costs
about 10s. an acre the first ploughing.

Are your horses liable to accidents ? — No, I can-
not say that they are ; we find that we have scarcely
any accidents.

How many plojghings do you require before you
venture any crop upon it ! -We give it three.

At what intervals? — Three ploughings and three
harrowings ; we plough it in the spring generally ;
we let it lie twelve monihs if we can; we grow
]70tatoes the first time, and some had wheat the first
time.

Then from the commencement of the draining to
the first return what lapse of time is tliere? — There
ought to be two years, at least, or two and a half to
do it fairly.

Do vou find that it requires liming or m-inuring^
— Lime is of no use ; that is a curious thing; we
manure it very highly from Manchester, this i.s six
miles from Manchester, and we get the manure by
the railvvay ; we put on 40 tons an acre, but we
marl it very highly : the next process is marling it;
we put on 120 tons of marl an acre; under our lease

10

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

-What description of marl is it 1 —

we have power to take out of Mr, Trafford's estate
as much marl as we want, paving him for the land
that we take away that is all round the moss, and
then we have laid a railway upon the moss, and we
have temporary railways about the field in which we
do the work.

Mr. Saxford
Good clay marl.

j\Ir. Handley. — Have you heard of an invention
of a steam plough of jMr. Heathcote's, on Redmoss,
near Bolton ? — No.

Is it a brother of yours who resides upon Chat-
moss 1 — A brother-in-lav.-, his name is Evans.

He has not communicated to you that sucli an in-
strument is in existence, and is working now up«n
Redmoss '! —No.

Should you conceive that a steam-engine vrorkino-
ploughs by seven men, and burning peat such as you
yourself have upon Chatmoss would be a very valua-
ble instrument in moss cultivation?—! should think
it would, if you get coals cheap.

Have you ever tried draining moss by pressure?
— Never.

What may be the produce of your potato crop upon
the average? — It varies exceedingly, accordin"- to
the season, because if there comes a very dry season
after we have ])lanted with potatoes, the moss is re-
duced into soil ; we have pulled it to pieces, and
tilled it full of marl and full of manure, but still the
moss is all fibres, and if it comes very dry, the little
rain that comes never gets into it, and we almost
lose the crop ; if it come a good, fair season, such as
the year 18o0, we get a very good crop, a crop of
'250 bushels an acre, or from that to 300.

For which you have a good market at Manches-
ter ? — Yes.

Are those potatoes of a quality used for household
purposes ? — Most of them.

You succeed that by wheat ? — Yes, we sow it
partly with wheat iirst ; it is a great job to get it
ready for potatoes.

What is the amount in point of bulk when taken
up with wlieat? — It is not a large crop ; it will not
grow more than 16 to 24 bushels an acre.

Is tliere a great proportion of straw ? — No, a very
small proportion of straw.

Does the wheat after potatoes generally answer
better than wheat taken the first crop? — Quite as
well .

What is the next? — Clover; it grows remarkably
well.

Red clover ? — Yes.

Do you mow or graze the clover ? — We mow it,
and send a part of it into Manchester Green, and-
mow the rest for lay.

Do you let it remain more than one year ? — Yes,
but we find it does not answer at present.

\^'hat do you then take it up with ? — With wheat;
that depends upon the season ; sometimes it has an-
swered well, and sometimes not so well.

Do you find that a crop of wheat upon the clover
lays is better than the first crop? — We have hardly
gone round enough yet ; I think it is about the same ;
the fir^-tcrop we had' was in 1829, and then in 1830.

Is it your intention then to revert to potatoes, and
make the course potatoes, wheat, clover, wheat ? —
Yes, I think so

When you speak of lime not being suitable for
that moss, is the water that is expressed from that
moss generally prejudicial to vegetation? — I do not
think it is ; we should see it in the ditches if it v, as ;
but the ditches grass down to the very spot.

Have you found any of the drains close ? — Yes,
they close for this reason ; that if we drain that moss

a yard deep, being a sponge full of water in the first
instance, when we have got the water out it com-
pres.es, and in the course of three or four years we
should get the plough into these drains ; in the
course of four or five years it would want draining
afresh.

Have yon any means of judging how much the
surface has sunk in one course of cropping ? — I
sliould think from 9 to 12 inches.

Do you know whether the value of Chatmoss has
increased since you made your bargain ? — Yes, very
much ; there is a great deal come into cultivation
since.

'J'here is a belief that Chatmoss will be studded
with villas soon, is there not? — It will be no doubt ;
there are a number building upon it now ; we have a
pretty place upon it already,

Mr. Sanfohd. — Will trees grow upon it? — We
have planted it ,vith hedges and tliey grow as well as
anywhere.

Chairman. — Do you observe any great improve-
ment in the land as you go on farming it? — Yes,
there is a part of it that Mr. lloscoe commenced
farming in the war, and lost a great deal of money
by it, but he brought a certain small part of it into
cultivation, and jNIr. Baines, the member for Leeds,
has it ; he bouglit the lease when it was sold, and he
goes on cultivating it ; he has it in his own hands,
and that which has been in cultivation now twenty
years he has got into something approaching good
land, and got as fine crops of wheat as you could
wish to see.

Rlr. Loch. — With regard to the question of low
prices, have you ever considered how those low
prices might be aflected b}^ thd present system of
corn laws ? — Latterly, they have not been affected
at all by the corn laws, because we are living entirely
on our own growth. I have thought a good deal
upon the corn laws, and if 1 had been asked that
question two years ago, I should have said without
hesitation that it would be desirable to abolish the
present system so as to have a fixed duty, but since
I have seen that we cannot grow so much more than
we want ourselves, I doubt whether that would be a
safe plan to resort to. But I think the present duty
is too high for this reason, that I think it gives a
fictitious value to land, that it gives the farmers an
expectation that something is to come to their relief
that can never arrive, and on that account it holds
up the value of land fictitiously.

Then you think it induces the tenants to make
larger offers than in the result they have been able
to pay ? — I think so ; farmers are naturally prone to
expect high prices, and they have been expecting
something that was not likely to happen.

Then what alteration would you recommend ? —
I\Iine is a vague opinion, but I should propose to
retain the fluctuating duty, and to reduce it one-half.
I think that that would be all the protection that we
ought to have.

Mr. Clay. — When you say "reduce it one-half,"
do you mean that you would make it begin at 60s.
instead of 70s.? — Yes.

Mr. Clive — Would you take ofi^the extreme ends
of the duty altogether .' — I think it might be left
where it is, only changing from 70s. to 60s.

CuAiRJiAN. — Would you stop at the last two stages
of the scale, and have a fixed duty of 5s., and never
a lower duty than r>s.? — That is a point upon which
T have not thought ; but I should not think that
would he a bad plan, because I think the 5s. would
be no injury to anybody.

]Mb. B. Baring. — Y'ou object to the present scale
of corn laws, because ic encourages delusive hopes

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

11

in tbe farmer's mind ; is not the farmer undeceived
at present ? — I think the farmer is anxious for some
change in the corn laws, he does not Vnow what;
but he iinds that he lias not got the advantange that
he expected to get. The fact is, that it is the sea-
sons and himself that have brought these low prices
upon him.

The present corn laws no longer conlinue to raise
their delusive hopes ? — I cannot say ; the men that
occupy tlie poor soils are not very intelligent men.

Would not any change encourage otlier delusive
hopes? — Not if you were to lower the duty.

It is for the advantage of the farmer to raise prices,
is it not? — I do not think so, I am not of that opinion,
I do not think it is the advantage of the farmer to
have very high prices.

What do you consider most advantageous to the
farmer ? — A steady price ; that the farmer Mhen he
goes to take land should look to some steady price,
and not look to adventitious circumstances to lielp
liim out of a difficuU3\

What is the effect upon the market of the present
corn law ? — It has no effect at all now ; the supply
of corn is a mere supply and demand amongst our-
selves.

In the long run what has been the effect of the
present corn laws ? — It has tended to keep up the
price when we have had bad seasons.

Do you think the present scale has had the eflect
of creating greater fluctuations of price than there
would have been under a more reduced scale? —
That is a question tliat I cannot answer, not having
been in the corn trade, but I am certain that the corn
laws have raised delusive hopes in tlie farmers.

Mr. Clay. — You are decidedly of opinion tliat
steadiness of price is the circumstance most impor-
tant to the farmer ?— My opinion is not in accord-
ance with that of most people with respect to tiie in-
terests of landlord and tenant ; up to a certain point
I hold that they go together, that it is the interest
of the tenant to keep the land in good condition as it
is of tbe landlord that he should do so, but his land-
lord s interest is to have a higii price to enable him
to pay a high rent, I do not think it is tbe tenant's
interest to be clamorous about a high price, it makes
very little ditfprence to me whether I pay a higli
price or a low price, and I think the country thrives
better all around me if the price is a moderate one ;
it is better for me not to have a high price, provided
my expenses are in proportion.

The farmer is a capitalist, and it is of importance
to him to be able to calculate the returns upon his
capital ? — Just so.

He would do that better and feel more certainty if
he were sure of a steady price of wheat? — Yes, he
■would.

Supposing that the present system or any system
of corn laws tends to produce fluctuation in the inice
of wheat, that must be ruinous in its consequences
to the farmer? — There is no doubt of it.

-Mr. Miles. — Do you think you could do without
protection altogether? — Not in the present state of
things, I think we must come to that ultimately, but
we must go by easy steps.

But you think that the poorer class of farmers at
present look at 60s. as the price at which wheat can
be maintained ? — Yes.

Is it your opinion that upon the average of years
prices can attain to that height ? — It is my opinion
that they cannot, and that they will not attain 508.
with fine seasons.

And the consequence is that tbe poorer farmers
have fallacious hopes raised ? — Yes.

Mk. Sanford. — You stated that you would like to

see a fluctuating scale, of duty with tbe highest point
at 60s., what is the average price that you think that
would be likely to produce in the market ? — I think
it would not produce aa average of more than 30s. a
quarter; 1 think tliat we ought to have expenses
brouglit down till we can grow wheat at oOs.

Mr. Clive. — Are you satisfied that the averages
are fairly taken? — I think that they are not unfairly
taken now, but a great part of the corn sold in coun-
try markets is never included.

If the seller as well as the buyer was to give in
return, would that be a satisfiictory arrangement? —
It would create a great deal of trouble, and I ihink
it is better to throw the onus upon one party, and to
attnch a penalty upon it. 'i'here is a penalty, but it
is hardly ever inflicted.

I\Ir. Clay. — Do you think under tbe present sys-
tem it is possible to detect a well-concerted fraud ?
— It would be very difficult to detect it.

Sir RonERT Plel. — You think upon the whole
the Legislature can take no better course than to
leave agriculture alone ?— No, that is just all I should
ask as an agriculturist, that 30U would be so good
as not to meddle with us at all ; tbe thing is in a
natural course of adjustment ; I consider it a matter
now resting between landlord and tenant, and only
let the thing alone, and it will adjust itself ; but if
the Legislature interfere with it, my opinion is that
they will derange tbe thing.

Do you not tliink it is much better that tbe agri-
culturists should understand that they will be let
alone, and that they must trust to their own resources
than to excite in them false expectations of relief?—
Yes, I do, and I was very sorry to see this Commit-
tee appointed upon that account, and I should be
glad to see the question set at rest.

Mr. Cavley. — Do you think you would be so
prosperous, even if your rent was reduced, if you
lived 20 or 25 miles from Leicester ? — It would de-
pend upon how much it was reduced ; if it was re-
duced in a fair ratio.

Do you consider that your land producing 06 or
08 bushels per acre of wheat, and 51 or 50 bushels ot
barley, is land of an ordinary description? — It is
land of fair quality, neither tbe best nor the worst.

What shouM you consider the average production
upon average description of land ? — I think the aver-
age of wheat has been very much under-rated in the
evidence before these Committees ; I should say it
was 28 bushels an acre.

Do you think you would be able to make that land
so productive if it was not for tbe manure you have
from the cows you keep ? — If it were not for the
manure I purchase and bring from the town of Lei-
cester I should not.

You were understood to say, that you furnish the
town of Leicester considerabl)' with milk ? — Yes ; I
keep a breeding stock, and I sell my milk at the
town of Leicester.

Would you have had such a demand for milk hod
you not been so near the town of Leicester! — Cer-
tainly not.

Therefore that is an advantage which ordinary
farmers have not ? — It is.

Do you tl ink the late extraordinary fine seasons
for clay land have tended to improve tbe condition
of the land ? — I think they have, but tbe mere clay-
land farmers had got to a very low ebb.

Would a clay-land farm generally produce more
than 20 bushels an acre without draining? — Cer-
tainly not, because it depends almost entirely on the
seasons without draining.

Do you think the prosperity of the clay-land

12

THK FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

farmer has arisen mainly from a succession of extra-
ordinary seasons^ — It has.

Was not his condition two years ago, one of a
state of suffering not only from a fall of prices, but
from three or four very wet seasons? — Most certainly
it was.

Did not those wet seasons produce a great pesti-
lence among- the sheep tlocks? — Yes, in my neigh-
bourliood ; but from having drained my land I only
lost one, and mine was as rotten a farm as any in the
countv of Leicester.

Speaking of the farmers generally in the county of
Leicester, did they lose very considerably ? — Yes.

Do you think the rot in sheep tended to incro;ase
the price of sheep f — Very much.

Do you think that tliose ]iarties who did not lose
their sheep would have been benefited by the rise
that took place?- — Yes, I benefited myself.

Do you think that loss has been supplied ? — I
think at present, with the present crop of lambs, the
country is as lull of sheep as I ever knew it. I
think it has just now regained the point.

Can you speak of the crop of lambs in any other
district than your own 1 — I cannot tjiis year ; I have
no doubt there has been a great loss in many parts
of the country.

CASE OF A COW DESTROYED BY
THREE PINTS OF VINEGAR.

BV MR, PROCTOR, OF SOLtHULL.

(From the Veterinarian.)

The subject of this misfortune was a cow, seven
years old, and in excellent condition. She belonged
to a gentleman near this place, who, in the hearing
of Colonel S."s groom, signified his intention of dry-
ing her for i'eeding, when he very knowingly recom-
mended the outrageous dose of two quarts of vine-
gar aa a sure drying drink ; " for (said he) it will
dry all her milk up in a few hours." However,
•when tlie two quarts were prescribed, the owner of
the cow said he thought three pints of his vinegar,*
which was very strong, would be quite enough ;
and eventually it proved sufficient for the object in-
tended, and tlie destruction of life too.

'J he vinegar was warmed, and given to the cow
at nine o'clock on the I'ith instant, and she was then
left. At ten o'clock the servant saw her again, and
found her very ill : he communicated this to his
master, who thought that she might be affected from
the vinegar, but that it would be of no consequence :
however, the cow grew rapidly wor-;e, and I was
sent for, but was from home.

I siw her at 5 p. si., being eight hours after the
acid was given. On entering her shed, I found my
patient breathing most laboriously : in this sh ■
much resembled a broken-winded horse. In fact, I
for once could have fancied I saw a broken-winded
cow. J'he respirations were not much augmented ;
the inspirations were sudden and short ; ex])ira-
tions laborious, broken, spamodic ; her breathing
loud, sonorous, groaning, and it could be heard at a
considerable distance. She stood with her head

* The proprietor of the cow told me that he pur-
chased the vineg-ar six years ago, and that the person of
whom it was bought promised to supply hiin with some
vinegar strong' as it could be made. I saw a sample of
it : it was the colour and clearness of brandy, and ex-
cessively strong on the palate.

elevated in the natural way : there was a peculiar
alertness and anxiety of countenance ; nostrils dis-
tended ; she hoosed a great deal, and the cough was
remarkably hoarse, sore, and inward, but much
stronger than that of consumption. At times the
tongue was protruded, and the mouth which was
often opened as wide as it could be, and with ex-
panded nostrils, seemed not to afford a sufficient
aperture for respiration. The pulse when I first
saw her was quick, small, and irregular ; after-
waids the quality improved, but the frequency
was kept up to the last. Ears and extremities
deathy cold throughout ; appetite gone. At first
there was an increased action of the bowels, but she
did not purge, and latterly nothing passed. The
urine at first was voided in small quantities, and had
the exact appearance of the vinegar which she had
taken. Some time after I witnessed a rather fre-
quent and copious flow of urine, and it had a healthy
appearance: her being drenched with much gruel
might account for this. Moving or exciting her,
by drenching her, aggravated her distress of breath-
ing and sense of suffocation, which last symptom I
should have mentioned before. Several times she
lay down, when the tympanitic state of her body,
which had presented itself all the time of her illness
from the first six hours, would rapidly increase, with
other distress, an-d then she would start up with a
convulsive spring. On applying my ear to the
trachea, I at once felt convinced that serious mis-
chief was going on there, from the noise I heard,
but which it is not very easy to describe.

Treatment. — Fluids and medicines vere thrown
into her to dilute, and neutralize and soothe. Vene-
sectioH was performed, and the blood was dark in-
stead of the bright red of health, and often even of
disease. Counter-irritants were applied to the
throat and to the course of the windpipe.

Post-mortem Examination. — In this I was kindly
assisted by a medical gentleman of this place. On
laying open the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes,
a novel appearance (to me at least,) presented itself.
The epiglottis was free from lesion, but from thence
through the whole course of the larynx, trachea, and
bronchial tubes, a false membrane composed of
thick and firm coagulated lymph, had been formed,
and in its appearance greatly resembled the true
mucous membrane of respiratory passages. Re-
moving it, the mucous membrane of the trachea, 6lc,
was found to be highly inflamed throughout. Dis-
placing this, the cellular tissue connecting it with
the cartilaginous ring of the windpipe was greatly
infiltrated with yellow serum. These changes di-
minished the natural calibre of the trachea and
bronchial tubes to one-half, and many of the small
air passages were altogether obliterated. The oeso-
jihagus was next examined, and was found entire.
The rumen was the greatest sufferer of all the di-
gestive organs, being the first to receive this dele-
terious draft. Its cuticular coat was easily triturated
between the thumb and finger, when the sensible
coats presented a highly injected appearance, and
were softened and tender, as if partly boiled. The
reticulum was slightly affected ; the inanyplus
healthy, its contents comminuted with the reticulum
pulpy ; the other [lart contained dry and hard food.
The abomasum and intestines were healthy ; the
liver much enlarged, particularly the large lobe, but
sound ; the gall-bladder was enormously distended ;
and, 1 might add, tlie lungs were free from lesion,
excepting one iioition, wl ich Lad become hepatized ;
but this alteration of structure had nothing to do
with the present affair.

Remarks. — Had timely treatment been employed

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

13

this cow might have been saved ; but beginning, as
I told her ov^ner, in the eighlh hour, seemed to me
perfectly useless, when the acid drinlv had done its
deadly work — had done all that it was capable of
doing, as shown by the train of mortal symptoms.
Yet I am particularly anxious now to tlirect the at-
tention of my brethren to its curious effects upon the
body. I admit there was nothing more discovered
than might be naturally expected in the rumen, liver,
&c., but its eflfects upon the air-passages are the
most extraordinary and striking. It may be thought
by some, tliat, in drenching the cow with the vine-
gar, some passed into the trachea, and thereby pro-
duced this morbid change ; but such an occurrence
never took place, as the master and servants were
by at the time, and no unpleasantness or uneasiness
were manifested by the beast. How, then, to ac-
acount for this eftect upon the air-passages, in my
opinion resembling croup, only in a more extended
degree, and pervading their whole extent, instead of
the upper part, I leave for more learned j)ersonages
than myself to explain, and to them also I leave it
for a term.

N.B. It is necessary to state, to prevent niisunder-
standing, thisis a dififerent manure to what is selling
for animalizcd carbon, as a sample of the latter was
taken by the write/ from a sea-port in England, and
given to one of the lirst French chwmists to analyze,
who pronounced it not to have a particle of carbon in
it, observing, at the same time, it possessed qualities
sup^jrior to bones, as the latter he called the refuse of
the animal.

NEW MANURE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir. — I notice in your valuable paper of the 5th
inst , you allude to the unquestionable and eminent
chemist, Lavosier, as to the example in cultivating
lands on chemical principles. I have bad occular
demonstration of the fact, both in France and Eng-
land ; and am sorry the limit of time prevents me
giving you a more lengthened account, which I shall
have pleasure in doing in a short period ; and I beg
to state, from the knowledge I obtained in France,
and regular correspondence since I laft that country,
added to which the successful experiments tljat have
been followed in England, it will not be difficult to
prove land managed with chemical compost we
should ultimately produce one-sixlh more grain and
seeds than we do at this time, without any additional
expence to the farmer. Referring you to the an-
nexed, I remain. Sir, your obedieni: servant,

J. H. SHEPPARD.

Unslet, June 15, 1837.

IMPORTANr TO FARMERS.

Patent animalized black, which has proved so
effectual in all parts of France, where adopted, for
upwards of eighteen months back, possesses the
following advanta|;es over bone manure: —

Firstly, It is applicable to the strongest as well as
tlie lightest soils.

Secondly, One ton is equal to thirty tons of com-
mon fold yard manure ; can be drilled with the
present drills as used for corn or seed ; or applied as
a top dressing, immediately after the plant appears
above ground.

Thirdly, The proportion is as half a ton English
per hector French, being equal to about two acres
two roods English land measure.

Fourthly, Insects do not lodge in carbonized
substances, the animalized black being nothing else.

Fifthly, To use half animalizcd black, and half
boiled bone-dust, is a certain preventive against
insects.

Lastly, Five cwt. of animalized black costs no
more than the same weight of bone-dust, but pro-
duces much greater effect, in point of produce, on all
soils.

Ploughing. — At the annual meetings of the North-
amptonshire Farming and Grazing Society, it has
always been considered a perfection to plough u
narrow stitch, and to lay it on edge as much as pos-
sible, that the harrows may draw a sufficientquantity
of mould over the seed corn. This is all right and
proper for broad-cast sowing, but as I think drilling
better than broad-cast, I like a wide furrow best,
and laid as flat as possible. Deep ploughing, where
there is any depth of soil, is beneficial for all crops ;
but particularly for green ones, care being taken not
to burv a fertile soil, and bring to the surface a
sterile one. I have had attached to the right side
of a plough-beam a curved piece of timber, to which
are fastened, one on each side, by strong screws, to
let them up and down, two strong iron duck's-foot
shaped miners, which penetrate and loosen the sub-
soil be fo;e the shell-board throws the surface soil
over it, in which should there be any twitch, it can
be got out, instead of burying it, as is by some er-
roneously supposed a method of getting rid of it.
Some persons like to sow on stale furrows for all
corn crops ; I like it on clover ley for wheat, but on
no other occasions. Scufflers are now ma !e, which
will answer the purjjose of stirring land that lias
been ploughed, and thus save the labour and ex-
pense of a ploughing. When land has become very
full of twitch, it is a good plan to half-plough it —
that is, turning over one furrow, and then another
opposite to meet it ; this done in November will
check the growth of the twitch during the winter.
The land when ])loughed in a contrary direction,
early in the spring, will lie in heaps, and thus be-
come quite dry, when the twitch may easily be got
out, and a good turnip fallow made. A sandy soil
is the most liable to be overrun with it, but it is or.e
from which it is easily extirpated. It appears extra-
ordinary, but many of the foulest and worst-managed
farms I have ever seen, have been occupied bv the
owners themselvps, and by those too, who had been
brought up farmers. The only way I could account
(or this was, that the farms must have had burthens
on them ; that ready money being scarce, the owners
had not the means of keeping the requisite number
of horses, or expending so much as was necessary
in labour by fifty pounds per annum, thereby losing
annually full one hundred pounds in value of pro-
duce, besides injuring their laud from want of better
cultivation. I have lonj; been convinced that a
steam-plough might be constructed to plough a
dozen furrows at once. I hear one is likely soon to
be brought forward, and I should think it would
well answer on the large open arable farms in Hamp-
shire, and other counties. There is still a great
deal of jiloughing with three horses at length that
might as easily be done with two horses a-broast.
Different soils require differently constructed
ploughs : the Norfolk plough appears an unwieldly
and certainly a most unsightly plough ; still 1

believe it the best for ploughing Norfolk land.

Skim coulters, to turn in dung or tu:f, are most

useful. — HiUiiard's Praclical Farming,-.

14

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON SHOEING HORSES.

Nothing- engenders so friglitful ;i chain of diseases
in a horse, all tending to disable him, as improper
treatment of the aniraal's feet. Nature had never
taken greater pains to form an exquisite anatomical
specimen of mechanical power tlian v\-h*;n it formed
the foot of the horse; and to this beautiful, delicate,
and complicated formation, does he owe las power
of speed over most others of the brute creation.
In a state of nature, the horse's foot is seldom if
ever diseased, in a state of domesticity it is more
or less unsound, in seven cases out of ten.
In a sate of nature, the foot, being unencumbered
by a shoe, is not prevented from assuming that posi-
tion on the ground which keeps it in a sound condi-
tion, and enables each of its component parts to dis-
charge their several functions. In a state of do-
mesticity, tlie animal is obliged to wear a shoe, for
the purpose of protecting its hoof from the rough •■
ness of harsh roads; and this shoe is generally so
constructed, as to inflict considerable injury upon
the foot, by incapacitating its several component
parts from performing their functions, thereby pro-
ducing a staie of disease. Contracted hoof, sand-
crackfl, thrush, grease, stiffness in the flexor tendon
of the leg, weakness in the pastern and knee joints,
and a tendency to genu-flexion, are some among the
various disturbances produced by improperly shoe-
ing a horse, so as to impede any of the necessary
actions of the foot. And yet, most of the London
farriers, totally ignorant of the anatomy of the
horse's foot, and of the various uses of its several
parts, apply the shoe so as always to produce tlie
effecls we have just endeavoured to describe. Hav-
ing- often before observed that we nowhere find such
bad horsemanship as in the London parks, — we may
here add, that whenever we see an awkward fellow
gallop by, riding upon his curb, and allowing his
snaffle rein to hang loosely upon the horse's neck,
we are sure, on further examination, to find the poor
animal suffering from bud shoeing. Ignorance in
riding seems always the concomitant of ignorance in
treatment of tho horse ; and he who takes no trcuble
to learn to do the former with the least possible in-
convenience to the animal, will pay little or no at-
tention to the latter.

One of the most important orgrns of the foot of a
horse is that portion which every body knows under
the designation of the frog. U jjon the health of this
organ depends that of the whole foot ; and yet, the
ignorant farrier seems to have conceived so violent
an antipathy to this frog, that he always endeavours
to cut as much of it away as he possibly can, with-
out actually wounding the animal ; and as, from the
mode of shoeing generally adopted, a great portion
of the frog is often dried up and decayed, the black-
smith finds no great difficulty in paring it away to
almost nothing. The consequence of this we shall
endeavour to explain, by describing the use of the
frog.

This organ is seated at tlie heel just beneath the
hoof and behinds its b-ars. It forms a sort of case for
the end of the flexor tendon, which it covers like a
bulb. It likewise secretes an unctuous liquor,
which serves to keep the horn of the hoof moist and
to prevent it from cracking. The frog is also an
elastic wedge, v.hich contrasts and expands with
the hoof, and when this wedge receives its due
pressure as the animal walks, it keeps the bars in
their proper state of expansion, and counteracts any
tendency in the hoof to permanent contraction. Thus
then, its functions are indispensable to keep the foot
sound ; for, if It were destroyed, the bottom of the

flexor tendon of the leg would be exposed to dis*
ease ; again, if it did not secrete oil to keep the hoof
moist, the latter would crack, as is often the case ;
lastly, if it were dried up and deprived of its elastic
power, the foot would become permanently con-
tracted, and the liorse lame, which is a matter of
very common occurrence.

Two tilings are avident from what we have just
stated : — 1. The secretion, elasticity, and mechanical
action of the frog, are absolutely necessary to keep
the foot of the horse in a sound state. 2. If, from
improperly placing the slioe, or from any other
cause, the frog should be deprived of the stimulus
necessiry to enable it to carry on its natural action,
the foot must fall into a state of disease. With
reference to this latter, from the position of the foot
and the resources provided by nature, it can occur
hut very seldom that any accidental cause deprives
the fiog of its power of action ; and, as it is an un-
doubted fact that the shoe, when improperly put on
(as it is in seven cases out of ten) produces this
effect, by raising the heel and preventing the frog
from receiving the slightest pi-essure — and the ne-
cessary pressure can alone give the proper stimulus
— it is reasonable to conclude that, in most cases of
diseased feet in horses, the diseased action is the
effect of bad shoeing.

If the farrier would observe the horse in a state of
nature, — if he would examine the yet unbroken, and
consequently unshodden colt, he would find that the
broad, circular foot presses fully on the ground, the
frog receiving, as the animal walks, at each elastic
rebound caused by the play of the pastern, a slight
pressure against the ground, which excites it, keeps
it in healthy action, and indeed preserves the
whole foot from disease. He would also perceive,
afier a more minute observation, that not only is the
frog an elastic body, but that the hoof itself,
though a horny substance, is elastic, and that it con-
tracts and expands by the action of the muscles of
the sensible foot, of which it is only the case or
covering, preserving it from injury, but yielding to
all its imjiulses. lie would then, if he were not a
dolt, reason upon what he had observed, and infer
that for a horse to be sound upon its feet, it must
walk in that exact position which nature designed
for it: and that any deviation from that position is
unnatural, and deprives the horse of a portion of its
power. He would also think that nature, by placing
the animal firmly on its heels, and not on the front
edge of its hoof, as most horses stand when impro-
perly shod, did so for some wise purpose, and that
the sliglit blov.'s given to the frog as the animal
walked, were not without an object, and therefore
ought to be continued even when the shoes were on,
— unless indeed he had the presumption, like the
be-breeched and be-booted louts in London livery
st-ables, to fancy that he knew better than nature.
He would at last conclude that the shoe ought to be
made to fit the horse's foot, as shoes of Christian
folks are made, not the foot pared and burned down
to fit the shoe: and that in fitting on the latter,
idiosyncrasies (dear reader excuse the term) must
he as fully attended to, as would be done by the
fashionable boot m-iker in Regent-street, when tak-
ing account of bunions and other peculiarities on the
feet of one of his fashionable customers.

Unhappily for the poor horses, there are but fe«v
observing farriers in London, for there are too many
cockneys who ride in the pai-k on their curb rein, and
know nothing of the habits or comforts of the poor
animal they bestride, to allow farriers time for im-
provement in their craft ; and, as we have before ob-
served, the oracular sayings of ignorant grooms being

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

1*

received in preference to the dicta of men of informa-
tion, there is no encouragement held out to those
who would otherwise devote tlieir time and energies
to the question.

It is much to be desired that a shoe were invented
which should have the faculty of yielding to the dif-
ferent impressions which the hoof would impart to it
through its elastic action, which action, however, is
but slight. In applying- a hard, unyielding- iron shoe
to a horny substance which gently contracts and ex-
pands during the action of walking, a degree of in-
convenience must always be felt by the animal .: but
this inconvenience is greatly increased when the
natural position of the foot is -idtered. It becomes,
therefore, a matter of vital importance to the well-
being of the animal that the shoe should be so formed
and fastened on as to allow that action to continue
unimpeded which nature has imparled to the horse's
foot. For this purpose we offer tjie followinnf direc-
tions, lioping that, as we have called the attention of
, our readers to the subject, they will give it their
earnest attention.

The horse's foot being circular and not oval, the
shoe should be made in that form ; or rather tiie hoof
should be measured, and the shoe made exactly to
correspond. An oval or elliptic foot is generally,
nay, we ma)^ say always, dise-ased. It has assumed
that shape in consequence of the contraction of the
bars, brought on solely by a diseased state of the frog
for want of pressure ; and in no one instance of oval
formed feet will the frogs be found healthy. 'J'iie
moment the foot is lifted from the ground, the smell
indicates the diseased frog, though perhaps cockney-
equestrians consider this the natural perfume of the
organ when in health.

The shoe should be as light as possible consistently
with the labour the animal has to undergo. Before
it is put on, the hoof should be pared away towards
the heels, in such a manner that with the shoe the
horse should stand with the frog close to the ground,
as when in a state of nature ; when the shoe is on, it
should be filed away towards the heels, being left
only sufficiently thick to enable the frog in the natural
position of the animal without a rider or burthen,
just to clear the ground ; so that when the horse
bears its burthen or its rider, the frog of the shoed
foot should receive the same pressure from the ground
that it would do if the shoes were taken off and the
animal turned loose. When a horse is shod accord-
ing to the present system, besides the various diseases
brought on by the want of the action of the frog, the
animal walks upon its toes (the expression cannot be
misunderstood), and the proper muscul-ar action of
the foot and leg- is perverted. Hence many horses
fall dead iame without the farrier being able to assign
any cause for it, although he will talk dogmatically
enough on the subject, to confound those who know
no better than him jelf.--iVa5asiHe(i/ Domestic Ecomimi/.

Green Crops. — It may appear somewhat ex-
traordinary that, in every spring, as regularly as the
cuckoo is heard in our fields, so is the Irish wail upon
the scarcity of fodder, scarcity of grass, and tlieir
natural consequences, lean and half- famished cattle.
If, during the Spring months, a man wants to buy a
milch cow, in good condition, for the immediate pur-
poses of his family, he may go to fair after fair, with
the money in his pocket, and return to his home with-
out being able to procure such a cow at anv price
whilst the fair ground -w-ill be filled with black cattle of
all ages, but reduced and emaciated for want of
feeding. If a farmer has a favourite horse or cow of
his own breeding, which he desires to put to good grass,
he is often two or three days traversing the country in

quest of so rare a commodity. Whilst he is eagerly
employed in producing corn, potatoes, bacon, &c? for
exportation, the providing sufficient food for his cattle
is frequently a remote object cf his consideration.
Now, this should not be so ; bad feeding cannot be
allied to good husbandry. If cattle are well fed, they
will make grateful return in plenty of milk aad plenty
of manure ; and a abundant supply of manure will pro-
duce abundance of corn. Within the last sixty years
the circumstances of the country have undergone an
important change ; and we must adapt ourselves to
altered circumstances, or if not, our stationary position
will not be an envious one. Ireland has trebled her
her population within that period, and along with that,
has changed her character from an importing to that
of an extensively exporting country. To meet those
increased demands, a much greater portion of the farm
must be now under tillage than heretofore, and a leaser
proportion devoted to pasture. Now, larger stocks of
cattle would be required to meet the various wants of
a threefold population, as well as larger quantities of
manure to support a greatly extendea tillage. Thus,
to maintain a double number of horses and of black
cattle on reduced portion of the farm allotted for their
support, the land must be made to yield three or four
times the quantity of feeding it formerly did, and
that is only to be effected by sowing artificial grasses
—by clover, vetches, turnips, mangel wurzel, &c.
One acre of the farm appropriated in this way will
yield more feeding than many acres under the old
system. In many districts, at this early season of
spring, one may ride through the country, and scarcely

observe a green spot upon which to rest the eye

nearly all under corn tillage and potatoes. In the name
of common sense, how are live stock to be fed on such
parts .' _ Certainly not well. The present season ex-
hibits, in bold relief, the improvident character of the
old system :- the stock of hay eaten up ; the straw
consumed ; much potatoes given to cattle to keep them
alive, which would have obtained fifteen pence per
bushel in any quantity ; the scanty portion of grass
allotted for the summer nearly devoured in many places
already. What mistaken management is it to rely
upon dry straw for the maintenance of farming stock .'
Now, there is one means yet within the power of the
farmer to avoid, or at least diminish, the evil of an
apparent scarcity of food for the cattle during the
ensuing winter, by sowing a greater or less quantity
of turnips, which may be done from the beginning to
the aoth of June, and the best kind is the yellow Aber-
dec;n. The small farmer will say, his limited farm
does not permit him to indulge in green crops ; but it
is just to such a class these observations are particular-
ly addressed. Although the system is good for all, it
is chiefly beneficial to the small cultivator, on the
principle of a lesser quantity of land yielding a greater
portion of feeding, and on this principle the farmer is
exhorted to adopt the system of green cropping.—
Downpatrick Recorder.

Bedfoud Sheei> SiiEAKiNG. — The four pre-
miums, consisting of one of 4/., 3/., 2/., and ]/., to the
Bedfordshire labourer who shall, within the space of
two hours, shear three sheep in the best manner, were
contended for on Rlonday by 28 competitors, at the back
of the Swan Inn. The premiums were offered by Lord
John Russell, ]\I.P. Three large tents were provided
by Mr. Iliggins for the accommodation of the company
as (he weather was unfavourable, 'i he judges were
Air. Bodger, jMr. Chapman, and I\lr. Clayton, and
jMessrs. Anderson, Manning, and Bennett, were the
stewards. The visitors dined at the Swan, and after
dmner, A. Sharman, Esq., the hon. secretary to the
Agricultural Society, read the namts of the successful
candidates. 1st prize of 4/., to John Cousins, of Cople,
shepherd to Mr. Thomas Street; 2nd prize of 3/. to T.
Monk, of Lidiington, last in the service of Mr. Barnes •
3rd prize of 2L, to Thomas Carter, of Northill, shep'
herd to Mr. Sandon ; 4th prize of 1/., to Edward Laven-
der, Harrowden, sliepherd to Mr. Street,

16

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE HOG.

After the carcass has hung all night, lay it upon a
strong table or bench, upon its back ; cut oft' the
head, close by the ears, and cut the liiiider feet so
far below the houghs as will not disfigure the hams,
and have plenty of room to hang them by : then take
a cleaving-knife, and, if necessary, a hand-mal!et,
and divide the carcass up the middle of the back-
bone, laying it in two equal halves : then cut the
ham from thii side, by the second joint of the back-
bone, which will appear on dividing the carcass :
then dress the ham, by paring a little off the flank or
shinny part, so as to shape it with a half round point,
clearing off any top fat that may appear. The curer
will next take off the sharp edge along the back-bone
with a knife and mallet, and slice off the first rib
next the shoulder, where he will perceive a bloody
vein, which he must take out; for, if it be left in,
that part is apt to spoil. The corners must be squared
off when the ham was cut out.

In killing a number of swine, what sides you may
have dressed the first day lay upon some flags or
boards, piling them across each other, and giving
each flitch a powdering of saltpetre, and then cover-
ing il with salt. Proceed in the same manner with
the hams themselves, and do not omit giving them a
little saltpetre, as it opens the pores of the flesh to
receive the salt, and besides gives the ham a plea-
sant flavour, and makes it more juicy. Let them lie
in this state about a week, then turn those on the to])
undermost, giving them a fresh salting. After lying
two or three weeks longer, they may be hung up to
dry in some chimney or smoke-house. Or, if the
curer chooses, he may turn them over again, without
giving them any more salt ; in which state they may-
lie for a month or two, without catching any harm,
until he has convenience for drying them. I prac-
tised for many years the custom of carting my flitches
and hams through the country to farm-houses, and
used to hang them in tlieir chimneys, and other parts
of the house, to dry, some seasons to the amount of
500 carcasses. 'J his plan I soon found was attended
by a number of inconveniences, yet it is still com-
mon in Dumfriesshire.

About twenty years ago, 1 contrived a small smoke-
house of a veiy simple construction. It is about
twelve feet square, and the walls about seven feet
high. One of these huts requires six joists across,
one close to each wall, the other four laid asunder at
proper distances. To receive five rov\s of flitchi-s,
they must be laid on the top of the wall. A piece
of wood, strong enough to bear the weight of one
flitch of bacon, must be fixed acrcss the belly end of
the flitch, bv two strings, as the neck end must hang
downwards. 'I'he piece of wood must be longer than
the flilch is wide, so that each end may rest upon a
beam. Tliey may be put so near to each other as
not to touch. Tlie width of it wiil hold twenty-four
flitches in a row, and there will be five rows, whicli
will contain 1120 flitches. As many hams may be
hung at the same time above the flitches, contrived
in the best manner one can. The lower end of the
flitches will be within 2f orS feet of the floor, which
must be covered five or six inches thick with saw-
dust, which must he kindled at two different sides.
It will burn, but not cause any flume to injure the
bacon. The door must be kept close, and the hut
must have a small hole in tlie roof, so that part of the
smoke may ascend. That lot of bacon and hams will
be ready to pack up in a hogshead, to send off, in
eight or ttn days, or a little longer, if required, with
very little less of v.eight. After the bacon is salted,
it may lie in the salt-house, as described, until an order
is received, then immediately bang it up to dry.

I found the smoke-house to be a great saving, not
only in the expense and trouble of employing men to
cart and hang it through the country, but it did not
loss nearly so much weight by this process. It may
be remarked, that whatever is shipped for the Lon-
don market, or any other, both bacon and hams, must
be knocked hard, and packed into a sugar hogshead,
or something similar, to hold about ten hundred
weight. Bacon can only be cured from the middle
of September until the middle of April. — Henderson s
Treutheon Swine, p. 39.

Agricultural Notice — .Tune. — Wheat, although
not in a forward state, has by no means an un-
healthy appearance. Early sown oats have a pecu-
liarly thin and sickly braird. Many fields have been
ploughed a second time and re-sown. That the har-
vest will be unusually late is no longer doubtful.
Flax is making rapid progress after having been
much retarded by a cold ungenial JMay. Potatoes
are becoming less subject to disease only in propor-
tion as everything deserving the name of potato is
vanishing from the land. The country everywhere
presents a scene of life and exertion, now at the
turnip drills ; to such as have not a sufficiency of
farm yard manure at command, bone dust will be
found to be a cheap and effectual substitute. Bone
dust has beed used in this neighbourhood for some
tune with almost general success. A challenge of
" Bone dust against farm yard or animal dung, Jar the
best crop of turnips ," which took place some years ago,
between two gentlemen of Tirkeeran, is particularly
worthy of note. It is but justice to state that the.
former liad all the advantages of the rich loam of an
old orchard, while the latter had to contend with a
light soil, not unfavourable to the growth of turnips,
but incumbent on a cold and retentive sub-soil.
Both crops were extremely abundant. The challenge,
however, taking all tlie circumstances into con-
sideration, was decided \n favour of bone dust.
The usual quantity, per Cunningham acre, for land
not too far worn, is thirty bushels : while fifty will
be found sufficient for the most exhausted. To such
experimentalists as these is this district chiefly in-
debted for its accelerated pace in the march of rural
improvement. It must be, however, admitted that,
previous to the formationof the North-west of Ireland
Society, and its branches, such characters in the
vicinity of Londonderry were extreniily rare ; like
green spots on the side of a barren mountain, the
blooming luxuriance of which serves only to illus-
trate by contrast the surrounding sterility.— X^err?/
Standard.

Templemovle Aguiculiur.m, Seminary. — A gene-
ral meeting of the committee of this unobtrusive but
valuable institution was held at the establishment on
Saturday last, pursuant to notice from the Secretary,
for the purpose of taking into consideration the pre-
sent state of repair of the house. The architects'
reports having been made, and the committee having
viewed tlie premises, were of opinion that, to cor-
rect the damp which appeared in several parts of the
building, it would be necessery to plaster and rough-
dash the exterior ; but the Accountant having stated
to the committee that they were already so much
indebted to their Treasurer, owing to the deficiency
in last year's crops, that it could not be expected he
would make the necessary advance for the purpose
of repairs, the consideration of the question was, in
consequence, postponed, until the funds of the Se-
minary were able to meet tlie expen.se; which Mr.
Arthur Sampson's prompt payment of the grant from
the Fishmonger's Company of 40/. for the education
of four of their tenant's sons, give hopes they will
soon be able to do. — lb.

The FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

17

THE SETON.

(from the veterinarian.)

The seton consists of a piece or linen, or lape, or
riband, or cord, or leather, introduced into the sub-
cutaneous or other tissues, in order to accomplish
some therapeutical indications. It is often resorted
to, in veterinary medicine, as a derivative in inter-
nal chronic diseases, and in internal acute diseases,
when the intensity of the inflammation has diminish-
ed— to irritate the lining membrane, and to get rid
of fistulous openings — to promote the adhesion of
tlie walls of certnin cavities which it is desirable to
obliterate — to re-establish suppuration in a part
where it has disappeared — to disperse chronic en-
largements— and to remore certain pains and dis-
eases, the precise seat of which cannot be deter-
mined. It is attended with decided advantage in the
greater part of the cases in which it is employed.
Vesicatories act only on the surface of the skin, and
cannot be long continued. The seton acts on the
skin and the cellular tissue at the same time, and, if
it is necessary, can be carried to the greatest depth.

It may be readily conceived that, if it is employed
in order to remove some pain or disease, it should be
applied at a certain distance from the suffering part.
This also should be case when it is designed to allay
chronic or acute inflammation any where ; neverthe-
less it should not be too far from the seat of dis-
ease : but when we wish to establish a certain eva-
cuation or suppuration from any part, or to close
fistulous openings, or to reduce certain engorge-
ments, or to produce adhesion of certain tissues, it
must be applied to the actual seat of disease.

Setons mav be placed under the skin in all parts
of the body that are provided with a sufficient quan-
tity of subcutaneous cellular tissue. They may
sometimes be passed across muscular parts ; they
may be placed on or under the jaws, in the poll, on
the side of the face and neck, in the front and on
the sides of the chest, and on the inside of the
thighs.

The material of the seton will vary with many cir-
cumstances. It consists ordinarily cf a piece of
riband or tape. In large animals it should be almost
of the size of the finger, and of a proportional size
in smaller animals. Its length will necessarily vary
according to the place at which it is applied, and the
manner in which its extremities are disposed of, in
order that the most abundant suppuration may be
established.

The necessary instruments are, a pair of scissors,
a bistoury, and needles of various lengths ; and the
material of the seton should have one end brought
to a point, the more easily to pass through the needle,
and a knot tied at the other end, that it may not be
drawn through in any of the struggles of the animal.

The twitch, and the holding up of one leg, will
usually place the horse under sufficient restraint,
when setons are to be passed along the jaw, or the
neck-, or at the brisket; the side line and other re-
straints will be necessary in severer cases.

If it is necessary to pass a seton through the dew-
lap, or the integument covering the brisket of an ox,
an assistant must be placed at the left side of the
animal, opposite to the shoulder. He must seize the left
Lorn with his left hand, while with the right hand he
seizes the muzzle, introducing the thumb into one
nostril, and the two fore-fingers into the other ; and
by these means depressing the Iiead of the animal,
and bringing it towards the left side. In order to
introduce a seton into the inside of the thighs, the
same method must be pursued as for the horse, the
mule, or the ass.

Hogs and dogs must be laid on the right side,
when it is necessary to pass a seton in the integu-
ment at the point of the breast, or at the poll. Horses
or beasts are sometimes met with so irritable or
vicious, that, in order to insert a seton iu the requi-
site part, it is necessary to cast them, or at least to
place them in a trevice. Oxen are sometimes at-
tached to a carriage, or they are fixed by the horns
to an upright post or to a tree.

Before passing a seton, it is requisite to clip the
hair at tlie points at which it is to be introduced and
brought out.

In order to pass a seton through the dewlap or
over the brisket, the left fore-leg must be lifted by
an assistant ; a fold must then be made in the skin
by means of the thumb and fore-finger of the left
hand, superior to and in the centre of the brisket, if
it is designed to insert one seton only ; but a little
on one side, if it is intended that two shall be in-
serted. The fold of the dev>lap is then pierced by
the point of a bistoury, from within outwards. The
second incision, for the escape of the needle, is to
be practised eight or ten inches posteriorly to the
first. Some veterinarians, when they are about to
insert this kind of seton, make but one incision with
the bistoury, and accomplish the other by means of
the needle ; but this renders the operation somewhat
more difficult, especially if the point of the seton
needle is not somewhat sharp ; and if the upper
part of the needle is not larger than the tape, the pus
which will be secreted will have some difficulty iu
escaping. These setons are never to be made across
the brisket or dewlap, but in a direction from before
backwards.

The incisions being made, the needle is introduced
by the right hand into the superior orifice, its con-
vexity being towards the muscular substance be-
neath ; the left hand is at the same time employed,
in order to direct the point of the needle between
the skin and the muscles to the other incision. As
soon as the needle has been drawn through the inci-
sion, the tape is to be withdrawn from its eye. A
knot is then tied at each end of the tape, or a bit of
stick is tied at the end, by which means the animal
will be unable to withdraw or tear out the seton,
which he will sometimes attempt. The knot or stick
must be sufficiently far from the lower orifice to per-
mit the suppurative matter to escape, and also to
allow for the engorgement that will often follow the
insertion of the seton, and to permit the seton lo be
drawn sufficiently upwards and downwards, to allow
of the application, if necessary, of some digestive or
stimulating ointment.

The worthy professor, after describing the manner
of inserting setons in the dowlap of cattle, the shoul-
der, the jaw, and the thigh of the horse, and the poll
of the dog, proceeds to speak of their intention and
effect. The apparent effects of setons are immediate
pain, and considerable inflammation, which are fol-
lowed in due time by suppuration. All these, pro-
duced by the presence of a foreign body, sooner or
later, lead to certain secondary effects, and on ac-
count of which we had recourse to the seton. 1st,
The cessation of local pain. 2nd, The determina-
tion of certain of the circulatory fluids, whether
habitually or periodically, towards the place ia
which the seton is inserted, as in inflammation of the
conjunctiva, or the lining membrane of the ear, or
in chronic bronchitis, &c. 3rd, Adhesion between
the walls of a cavity that it is wished to obliterate,
as in certain fistula;. 4tl), The re-establishment of
suppuration at a part from which it had disappeared,
oth. The resolution of chronic enlargements, by the
irritation which they set up, or the discharge in the

C

18

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

immediate neighbourhood, wliich must have some
influence on them ; or, finally, by that wliich is di-
rectly applied to them, when the seton passos through
the substance of the tumour.

The time that the seton should be continued must
depend on the nature of the disease. Chabert ad-
vises that it should not be left too long, lest by habit
they should become necessary to the constitution of
the part. It will always be proper to remove them
when the discliarge begins materially to diminish, or
wlien the skin between the two orifices begins to
ulcerate, or to be in any way disorganized ; but they
may be renewed afterwards in the same or in neigh-
bouring parts, if it should be deemed expedient.

When several setons liave been introduced into
the same animal, they sliould not be all withdrawn
at the same time, but one after another, beginning
witli those that have been longest worn, or yield the
least discharge.

Setons are occasionully followed by certain acci-
dents, and haemorrhage, depots of purulent matter,
farcy cords, fungous growths, and malignant tu-
mours.

Hamorrhuge to any considerable extent rarely fol-
lows from the division of a minute arterial or venouS
branch ; but mostly in a kind of a sheet of blood
when the seton has passed through a part that has
been the seat of some infiltration. This is arrested
by introducing a pledget of tow or amadou into the
course of the seton, and which may be withdrawn at
the expiration of a few hours.

An Abscet^s is sometimes produced when the seton
is not kept sufficiently clean. It assumes the form
of a round or elongated tumour along the course of
the seton. It usually contains a white and foetid
purulent matter. An incision sliould be made into
it with a bistoury, and the state of the part must be
more carefully attended to. When these depots of
pus are multiplied, and tlie skin becomes thin, or
assumes an unhealthy character, the seton must be
withdrawn fiom that place, and inserted into ano-
ther, if the nature of the malady should still require
a drain of this kind.

It sometimes happens, either while the setons re-
main or after thoy have been withdrawn, and espe-
cially when they have been situateil in the breast,
that induratiiuis or kinds of cords are formed, by
means of the infiltration of the cellular texture or the
thickening of the skin at those parts. Some veteri-
narians call them farcy cords, but somewhat errone-
ously. They will generally yield to oily frictions,
or at least to frictions with mercurial ointment, the
hair being previously cut away from the part.

The fungous growths which sometimes sprin.;- so
plentifully from the openings that have been made
in the skin should be cut closely off, and lightly
touched with the cautery, the sore's being afterwards
dressed for some days with asgyptiacum and burnt
alum.

Setons, according to some authois, can scarcely
ever do harm. Gilbert considers them, with refer-
ence to epizootic diseases, as the principal, and per-
haps the only recourse— medicines in these cases
being little more than subsidiary ; nevertlieless, in
gastroenteritis, attended by debility, the use of them
is exceedingly dangerous. At other times it is not
Tare to see setons in the chest and the thighs pro-
ducing malignant engorgements or ulcerations about
the fourth or fifth day after their application. This
is particularly the case with the dog, in whom these
ulcerations sometimes occur without previous en-
gorgement.

General bleeding must be resorted to, restricted
diet, and emollient injections, especially if the fever

is considerable. The immediate part should be
washed with warm vinegar and water ; or, if the
swelling is considerable, scarifications of the part,
more or less deep, must be eifected. If these means
do not presently succeed, the cautery with points
must be applied to the skin and subjacent tissue.
When, however, the engorgement continues to in-
crease, and there is an evident emphysematous state'
of the subjacent and surrounding cellular tissue, and
the pulse is intermittent, &c., there is reason to fear
that the animal will not be saved.

BEET ROOT SUGAR IN FRANCE.

Tiie French Ministry is placed in an extraordinary
position by the turn which the sugar question has taken.
The measure under discussion is pretty nearly the same
with that proposed last session by M. Duchatel ; but the
rapid improvements which have taken place in the do-
mestic manufacture have so far alarmed JM.deLaplag-ne,
the new Minister of Finance, as to the safety of an im-
portant branch of the revenue, if something- more were
not done than the mere reduction of one half of the
duties on colonial sug^ar, that he has found it necessary,
in the interest of his department, to declare that the new
law must contain at least an acknowledgment of the
principle that sugar, wherever or however manufactured,
is an article eminently suited to the purposes of revenue
and taxation. The Minister of Commerce, on the other
hand, M. Martin (du Nord), from the circumstances
of his representing in the Chamber one of the depart-
ment-! of France where the culture of beet and the
manufacture of sugar have of late been carried on so
successfully as to have added in a remarkable decree to
the profits of the farmer and the rent-roll of the lauded
proprietor, finds that his convictions are all on the side
of high import duties, to the extent of the statu quo,
combined with the absence of all fiscal restraint on the
development of the domestic manufacture. As the
Treasury cannot afford to sacrifice tlie fifty or sixty
millions of revenue which it now draws from the article
of sugar, and which, in the face of a greatly increased
consumption, has fallen oft' during the last year to the
extent of five millions, as compared with 1835, M. de
J^aplagne is desirous of warning all those who may be
preparing- to embark in this prosperous branch of in-
dustry that they must not expect the continuance of such
an amount of protection as even the half of the present
duties would afford. Without this salutary %varning,
he is afraid that his fifty millions may escape from him
altogether, and that the sugar interest may find itself in
the situation of the Greek philosopher who resisted his
mother's entreaties that he should think of marriage so
long, under pretence of his being too young, that he
found himself too old before he could be prevailed on.
It is probable, however, that the Chamber will content
itself for the present session with a sort of mezzo termine,
in the recognition of the principle suggested by the
Minister, and that no attempt will yet be made to levy
an excise on the produce of the beet. As to foreign
sugar, the new law contains a series of provisions for its
admission in a raw state for the purposes of the refiner,
on security being- found for its subsequent exportation.

This plan of M. Duchatel is, 1st, to protect the colo-
nies, by not allov^'ing beetroot sugar to be made and
sold without paying a duty. 2nd. To ])rotect the beet
root sugar manufacturers by imposing a duty on colonial
sugar so as not to allow the home manufacturers to be
ruined by a superabundant supply from abroad. 3rd.
To protect the colonists from the evil consequences which
would arise from their sugar being taxed too high, or
from beet root sugar being taxed too low. 4th. To en-
courage this new and useful, profitable, and national
manufacture of beet root sugar on conditions which
shall prevent it from being injurious to vested interests.
5th. To relieve the pressure which weighs down the
colonists, in consequence of the heavy duty on sugar,
by diminishing that duty, and by equalising, as near as

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

19

possible, the duties on colonial and home sugars. 6.
To take care of the interest of the treasury, wliich would
suffer from the reduction of the duty on colonial sugar,
unless counterbalanced by the duty laid on sugar made
in France from beet root.

In the course of Wednesday's debate, which was
ilmost exclusively kept up by gentlemen who are either
candidates for the office of Minister of Finance, or have
already enjoyed that distinction, some allusion was made
ly M. Passy to a recent improvement in the manufac-
ture of sugar from beet root, by which no less than 10
per cent, has been obtained on the weight of the root,
instead of something like 1 per cent., which luis hitherto
been the average product. Two companies, the one in
Baden, the other in VVirtemberg, have been formed
under the patronage of the two Governments, and pro-
vided with sufficient capital for carrying the new system
of M. Schuzembach into effect; and as its efficacy has
been proved by experiments on a large scale, performed
in the course of the present season, it can scarcely be
doubted that slave-made sugar is destined, in a very few
years, to be driven out of the market by tlie cheaper
and better produce of free labour. Besides, by the
system of M. Schuzembach a much greater portion of
the work than heretofore can be executed by machinery ;
thus affording another guarantee in favour of the interests
of humanity, although it may possibly take the business
out of the hands of the small farmer to throw into those
of the landed proprietor in the shape of rent, and of the
monied interest in the form of profits on capital.

CHEAP AND DEAR SEASONS IN THE
NORTH OF IRELAND.

1722,1723. — Very cheap years, particularly the latter

1728, 1729. — -Years of great scarcity. The importa-
tion of grain into Ireland, for eighteen months, ending-
September 29th, 1729, amounted in value to the sum of
274,000L Prior to the former year, landlords only per-
mitted their tenants to plough five acres of land out of
every hundred acres. — Boulter's Letters.

1730. — By the public papers of this date, it appears,
that Ireland imported, annually, corn and flour to the
value of lOO.OOOL

1738. — -Oatmeal about 8s. per cwt.

1740, 1741. — Years of great scarcity, in which
thousands are said to have perished from want.

1743.— Wheat sold in Belfast market at 6s.6d.for the
stone of 20 lbs.

1744.— From the wetness of autumn this year has been
commonly distinguished by the name of the rot, much
corn having been spoiled in the fields ; provisions were
very dear the following season.

1747. — In October, oatmeal sold from 4s. 6d. to 4s.
lOd. per cwt.

1749. — A very cheap year.

1750. — A cheap year ; oatmeal commonly 7s. per cwt.

1755.- — September 2nd, much corn destroyed by a
high wind. In the following year oatmeal rose to 3s.
6d. per 18 lbs., and potatoes to 2s. per bushel. The
dearth of provisions created great mobs in Belfast, but
vigorous measures having been taken against them, and
a subscription having been entered into, peace was re-
stored. The number that claimed relief was about 500
persons, and 1,094/. was subscribed. In 1758, the dearth
still continuing, 438/. was also given for the use of the
poor.

1765.— The potato crop failed ; markets roseveryhigh,
and distillation from grain was prohibited.

1766. — Markets still high ; oatmeal imported into Bel-
fast from Wales.

1770, 1771. — Dear years. In the former year a vast
quantity of potatoes was imported into Dublin from
Chfistpr

1778,"l779.-Cheap years.

1783.— In consequence of the harvest of 1782 having
been wet and cold, about the beginning of May, oat-
meal advanced to I/. 10s. per cwt. Fifty tons of oatmeal

were sent by the government to Belfast, and sold to the
poor at the rate of 12s. per cwt.

1799. — This summer having been wet and cold, the
crops were very defective. On the 1st of August, 1800,
oatmeal sold in Belfast market at forty-seven shillings
and sixpence per cwt. qfll2 lbs. !

1800. — A very dry summer, and the crops almost as
defective as in the preceding year. In January, for
three days neither meal nor potatoes were exposed for
sale in Belfast market.

1801. — A cheap year. In November, oatmeal sold at
Is. lOd. for 18 lbs., and potatoes at 8d. per bushel.

1812. — Avery dear year ; in April, potatoes were sold
at 3s. per bushel ; and in July, oatmeal advanced to 6s.
IQd.for IQ lbs.!— Northern Whig.

Planting Thees. — He who plants trees upon his
paternal estate, repays a debt to his posterity which
he owes to his ancestors. A gentleman whose lands
were more extensive than fertile, used to plant 1,000 trees
on the birth of every daughter, upon his waste grounds
— which were on an average worth one pound each on
her coming of age ; thus enabling him to give her a for-
tune of 1,000/ without any extraordinary economy on
his part — the regular thinning of the trees at proper
seasons, with barking, &c., paying off all the current
expenses, besides yielding him a small rent for the land.
In the year 1758, ninety-two fir trees were planted upon
a piece of ground, about three-quarters of an acre in
extent. The land was waste and poor ; no extra ex-
pense was incurred, and no further attention was paid
to the young trees. In 1813 they were cut down, and
yielded 90 tons of timber, then worth 4/ per ton, giving
a round sum of 360/, which was equal to a rent of 6/ 19s
during the intervening' 55 years. Can a more con-
vincing proof be given of the facility with which a man
may save a fortune for his grandchildren? It is, indeed,
long to look forward ; but who is there that does not
extend his family hopes much beyond that period ? In
Yorkshire, very recently, 5,000 oaks were cut down,
which yielded the sum of 100,000/ ; and as recently, in
Somersetshire, the timber of an estate of 2,000 acres was
refused to an offer of 50,000/. Even in Scotland, a piece
of ground not worth 30s per acre for agricultural pur-
poses, was planted with sycamore, and at the end of
sixty years the trees fetched such a sum as paid 14/ per
acre per annum during that period. There are many
ways, however, of making land, apparently fit for no-
thing else but planting, yield even an immediate profit,
by a very simple process ; for it has been ascertained that
a pound of turnip seed sown after harvest, upon an acre
of light, sandy, and gravelly land, wliich had been
worn out by over ploug-hing, and ploughed in after two
months' growth, leaves, roots, &c,, had as fertilizing an
effect as could have been produced by twenty-five loads
of manure upon that quantity of land. The practice,
we believe, has not been uncommon in some parts of
Surrey. — The Economist.

Extraordinary Rapidity in the Growth
OF A Cucumber. — A few days since, a bet of
51. was made with Mr. Ely Allen, late gardener to
the Rev. M. G. Edgar, and who now resides
at Whitton, that he could not produce by his system of
culture, a cucumber twenty inches in length, in the
space of eight days from the time of setting the blos-
som. The wager was accepted, and within five hours
of the period named, as choice and handsome a fruit as
was ever seen, and in length twenty one inches, was
cut from the bine. This extraordinary specimen has
this week been exhibited in the window of Mr. Wild,
Fruiterer, Tavern-street, aud excited the admiration of
all who viewed it. It ought to be mentioned that no
lining was used, and that the frame in which it was
grown was of the commonest description, and not the
better for its wear.— Suffolk Chronicle.

c 2

20

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE DRY ROT IN POTATOES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE YORKSHIRE GAZETTE.

Sir, — The extensive failures in tlie potato ciop
which have occurred for the last three or four yeara,
may be considered of national importance, and as I
have taken some pains in collecting- evidence of the
probable causes of the disease called dry rot, I am
anxious to comniunicate my mite of informfltion to
the ao-ricultural public, at a season when the potato
planting is about to commence.

I shall confine myself to the consideration of three
points. The nature of dry rot, its causes, its cure,
first — the nature of the disease. There is some rea-
son to believe that dry rot in potatoes, and dry rot
in wood are oneand the same disease. The character
and effects of the two (making allowance for the dif-
ference of iibre) are extremely similar, and the fol-
lowing experiments, made in 1836, seem to shew that
the same remedy which Kyan's patent has made so
notorious a cure for dry rot in wood, is of equal effi-
cacy when applied to the potato. A field of potatoes,
which came up badly, was examined, and found to
be infected with dry rot; many of tlie sets were more
or less in a state of decay. The diseased part of some
of them was removed, tlie set dipped in a solution
consisting of half an ounce of corrosive sublimate to
a quart of water, and replanted. Others were pared
down to the healthy part and replanted without
being washed. Tlie latter, without exception, were
re-attacked by the disease and perished, whilst a
considerable portion of those which were dipped,
grew and produced a fair crop. Blue vitriol was
applied to some : these all died. A few were soaked
all night, in the solution of corrosive sublimate, but
they also perished. These experiments are, I believe
new ; and at all events they are valuable (as far as
they go) in advancing us a step towards an acquaint-
ance with the nature of the disease ; but, before we
can safely argue upon them, they must be verified
by repetition on a larger scale.

Secondly — What causes the complaint ? I answer,
everything which tends to exhaust the juices of the
set. There is, before me, a mass of evidence from
different quarters, in which the dry rot is attributed
by some to improper treatment of the seed potato
during the winter ; by others, to late planting, to un-
suitable manure, to using cut sets instead of whole
ones, &c. Not only are these causes various, but
the statements made respecting them are contradic-
tory, because the author of each, confident that he
has discovered the occasion of failure in some cases,
endeavours to prove that a similar cause has been at
work in all cases where dry rot has appeared. If,
however, we examine the several causes, with re-
ference only to their eflfect upon the seed, all incon-
sistencies vanish, and we shall at once perceive, that
in certain localities and seasons, each one may in its
turn be the cause of failure, and that the influence of
each in producing dry rot, is to be measured by its
tendency to exhaust the juices, and consequently the
vitality of the set. 1st — Improper keeping. If po-
tatoes intended for seed are heaped together in large
t|uantities, or not kept sufficiently cool, their sprouts
will probably be many inches long before the time of
planting. These are necessarily broken off before the
seed is placed in the ground ; and thus the set is
weakened and rendered less able to withstand dis-
ease. Sndly. — Time of planting. If planting be de-
layed till the middle or latter end of May, the land
(in average sensons) will be much drier than it
would have been a month earlier, and the probabili-
ties of a drought following will be much increased.

In any part of the country, therefore, where farmers
neglect their seed potatoes during winter, and plant
them late in sping we may feel pretty sure that they
will not escape dry rot whenever a mild winter sliall
be followed by a d-'oughty May and June, as the ex-
haustion of the sot, by a premature growth, renders
it incapable of .supplying; that nourishment to tiis
young- plant, which in a dry season, is long necessary.
If, in addition to these error-.;, they commit other
more palpable ones, such as selecting dry sunny
weather for setting their seed, opening the trenches
several hours, or even days, before planting, and
using dry, unfermented manure, the question will no
longer be, whether the crop will be defective, but
whether any individual plant will be found to sur-
vive such a complication of mismatnigement.

Thirdly — Its cure. This may be considered under
two heads — the best Biethod o;' keeping the seed, and
the best method of planting it. la the report* pre-
sented to the Highland Agricultural Society, on the
failure of the potato crop, it is recommended that the
potatoes should he stored in narrow pits, or that a
few rows should be left in the ground during tlie
winter, provided the situation be shady. Mr. Stentf
has published a pamphlet in which he recommends a
ventilating chimney to be placed in the centre of the
potato heap, and to be stepped up by a wisp of straw
during the winter. Doubtless these methods de-
serve attention ; but as the limits of a letter preclude
me from entering into their merits, I beg to refer
your readers to the authorities themselves, and just
observe, tliat the main object is to prevent the
growth of the seed, that this can be attained only by
keeping it perfectly cool, imd, to ensure this, it is
absolutely necessary that only small quantities
should be stored together. 2ndly., planting the
seed. In all the operations connected with planting
the potato, it is more than usually necessary to vary
our practice according to circumstances. Early
planting is insisted on by most of the great authori-
ties, but in many situations it is scarcely possible to
bring the land into a proper state by the beginning
or middle of April, which is the time generally con-
sidered most eligible. Where the soil and situation
admit of it, there can be no doubt that early prepara-
tion of the land is a great point gained, there being
few seasons indeed in which, between March and
June, no favourable opportunity offers for setting- po-
tatoes ; but if it is systematically delayed till late in
May, there will often be no escape from an unpropi-
tious seed time. If, from press of work, or other cir-
cumstances, late planting is unavoidable, and the sea-
son should be dry and warm, the greatest pains
should be taken to retain the moisture of the soil.
Fresh long dung would then be improper, well rotted
manure containing much more moisture. The
trenches should be opened only as they are wanted,
and filled up as soon as the manure and seed are
planted in them ; numerous experiments having
shown that cut sets planted in dry mould will perish
by dry rot, whilst others planted in newly-turned
soil vegetate readily. Rolling after planting- is also
useful in preventing sun and drying winds from af-
fecting the set. The last remedy I would projiose,
is to plant the potato whole. This is a point which
cannot be too strongly insisted on. It is an expe-
dient of the last importance, where the soil or the
season is unpropitiouf. I have never seen or heard
of one who has tried it without success. A friend
of mine, an eminent agriculturist, has grown pota-

* Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, Marth, 1837.
t " Stent on the Failure [of the Potato Crop," Simp-
le'n and Marshall.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

21

toes for more than twenty years, always using wliole
sets, and has never, to his knowledge, had a failing
plant. It is important also to observe, that the sac-
rifice of seed is by no means so great as would, at
first sight appear. The trendies admit of being
placed at greater intervals, and the sets farther from
one another. The produce also will be greater. To
establish this fact, the following experiment was
made in 1834. Two portions of tlie same field were
planted on the same day, one with cut sets, the
other witli whole ones, of the same kind of potato,
with with same quantity and quality of manure ; in
sliort under precisely similar circumstances. On
weighing portions of the crop, the cut sets produced
at the rate of 3;),1361bs. or (at 70lbs. to the bushel)
502 bushels per acre ; the whole sets, ■18,0431bs. or
686 bushels; showing an excess of 184 bushels per
acre in favour of the whole sets. I will conclude
with begging your readers not to despise the remedies
because the}^ are simple and easy of application, but
to try them, and if tliey fnil it will then be time
enough to npjjly to the quack for his " patent antisep-
tic fluid, warranted to exterminate dry rot."

An early insertion of the above article will oblige
Your obedient Servant, 11. S. T.

MR. GILL AGAIN.

Sir, — My friend Mr. Gill seems determined to pro-
long our controversy on the turnip plant louse (Aphis
Bmssicce) being a cause of the failure of that crop,
but he must pardon me if I say that his last letter
does not refer in ihe least to the point at issue.

His long letter which appeared in this journal of
the 14th inst., makes it imperative on me to repeat,
that however diseased the plants may be, so long as
they are alive, or from whatever cause thev may have
become so diseased, it does not go one iota to prove
that the aphides are not a cause of the failure. For
instance, the crop looks sickly, — the drought is in-
tense,— the winds cold and piercing, — disease spreads
over the plants, and then those minute, almojt in-
visible insects appear,^ — the crop goes off. What then ?
Did the insects do it no injury, because it was before
unliealthy ? Did not tlieir sucking the juices from
the enfeebled plant still further exhaust it 1 Does
not the surgeon who abstracts the blood from every
vein of a consumptive patient, liasten his dissolution 1
Is he not a cause of his death.

If Mr. G. cannot show " tliat it feeds only on pntres-
cencii" as he at first asserted, and which in his last
two letters at least, he hns not contended for, but
enleired into another subject, it is quite useless to
waste our time and paper. He bring-^ tlio evidence
of the conversation of two farmers respecting the
weather during the turnij) season, wliich is quite
useless, for it would be a degree of folly, of which
1 have the pride to think I am not capable, to say
that the weatlier has no influence upon them, but he
is only weakening his previous assertions, by calling
up this kind of evidence, for he calls all the opiniens
of the farmers, hop growers, naturalists, &c. in
question, when they say the fly injures the crop. But
by the way, the conversation alluded to, is in re-
ference to the ravages of the little jumping beetle,
whicli attacks the seed leaves, and vot to the aphis,
and that too in the months of May, June, and July,
when aphides do not appear.

He states very minutely that the diseased cuticle
forms a nidus to the parent insect. But does this refer
to all insects, or only to tliis species? Providence,
it is true, does provide for the carrying off ef pu-

tridities, but he also provides for the prevention of
excessive vegetation. Are the clouds of locusts
attracted by any diseased cuticle T Did the black
caterpillar destroy ourcrops last year, because a nidus
was formed for it in the diseased plant. To be sure
this argument is useless, because I never denied that
the plants might be diseased. That I say is not in the
slightest degree fatal to my case ; all I contend is,
that the aphides naturally feed on living, and not
dead matter, and therefore are a cause of dissolution.

With respect to the apple tree mentioned, it cer-
tainly could not be quite healthy when these little
voracious " smothering" rebels were feeding on its
Very vitals, it was not to be expected, but then it
was not in the least degree putrid or even dead. The
immortalized geramiun too, might be diseased, but it
was never dead, and they were feeding on it when in
an apparently healthy state, therefore could not be
feeding on putrescency or carrying off the effects of
some other cause ; all this is in harmony with my
"old school" thing, and all I contend for,
Your's respectfully,

M. M. MILBURN.

Thorpjield, near Thirsk, Yorkshire, May2i, 1837.

Bees. — The hives most preferable for keeping bees
are flat, having wooden tops fixed on with wires. The
inside should be twelve or thirteen inches clear, and
about seven inches high, the top having a centre hole,
and three or four others round it near the outside, each
hole being two or three inches diameter, and fitted with
nice bungs. If no swarms are wanted, a large glass or
small straw hive may be put on the top about the end of
March, or a small glass to each hole, previously pulling
out the bungs, gently turning them round first, each
glass having a bit of paper pasted on it stating its weight
when empty; such glasses being kept from the light by
an empty hive being placed over them. Every ten or
twelve days they should be examined, and when filled
may be removed, and others put on as long as the season
permits. If a stock is weak a new swarm or a cast may
be put on the top of it, and the entrance closed till eight
or nine the following night. These stocks may be pre-
served seven or eight years, but should be kept in a
house or shed; and when the winter begins, the bungs
having been replaced, should be covered over with
sacking or other warm articles. Glasses may be put on
a swarm immediately after hiving them, removing them
in three or four weeks to enable the bees to procure
enough for the winter. By pursuing this plan any
number of stocks may be kept with but little trouble,
and the bees saved. But the glasses or empty hive
sliould be placed on early ; this is essentially neces-
sary.

Toe Cork Tree (Querciis Suber). — Mr. Pe-
rcira gives the following description of this tree in his
Lectures on Materia Medica. It is a native of the
northern parts of Africa and the southern parts of Eu-
rope, especially France, Spain, and Portugal. The sub-
stance called cork constitutes that part of the tree
known as the cellular envelope, originally situated be-
tween the cortical layers and the cuticle ; but owing to
the drying and cracking of the latter, the cork generally
becomes the most external portion of the stem, 'i'his
envelope comes away naturally every eight or nine
years, but for commercial purposes it is usually removed
a year or two before this period. The season for ga-
thering is selected when the bark adhei-es most firmly
to the wood, in order that the cork may be raised with-
out endangering the separation of the liber from the
alburnum ; by this precaution the tree is not injured by
the corking process ; it is even said to be more healtliy
and vigorous, than when the cork is allowed to accu-
mulate on the stem. The tree continues to yield this
product from tlie age of fifteen to one hundred and fifty
years.

90

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURE OF THE ISLE OF
AXHOLME.

(From the History and Topography of the Island,
Part I., by the Rev. W. Stonehouse.)

Some of the higher parts of the country, such as
Haxey Field, Epworth Fields, Belton, and Beltoft
Fields, and Crowle Field, are remarkably fertile, and
deservedly rank among the richest and finest soils in
England. They consist of black sandy loams, brown
sands, and rich loams, soapy and tenacious. Others
are composed of strong clay, which, if not so valuable,
are nevertheless capable, with proper cultivation, of
producing good crops of grain, and of affording excel-
lent pasturage for cattle. A very rich soil extends
along the bank of the river Trent, " commonly called
the Trent side land,'' which is formed of the aUuvial
soil deposited by the flux of the tide, mellowed by the
sun, and enriched by cultivation through a long series
of years. The best lands in the fields, and along the
Trent side produce excellent crops of potatoes, wheat,
beans, oats, barley, flax or line, and also, on the
most fertile spots, onions, turnips for seed, and car-
rots.

The usual method of cultivation is this. Clean the
land for a crop of potatoes, which, when set, ought to
have from ten to fifteen loads of good manure ploughed
into the furrows. After that a crop of wheat is taken,
and then a crop of barley and seeds. Some of the old
warp lands, which by long cultivation have acquired a
mellowness and fertility peculiar to themselves, are
reckoned the best adapted to the growth of potatoes ;
and which, being well manured every time the patatoes
are set, has borne a crop of that useful vegetable, and
a crop of wheat alternately, for a number of years.
This however, is reckoned an exhausting system, and
it is far better to take a crop of beans after potatoes,
and then a crop of wheat, taking care not to plough
the bean stubble above half the usual depth. The best
method is, after the crop of wheat, to sow the land
with flax and seeds, and to pasture the clover
produced from those seeds in the following years. The
great defect in the present system of agriculture, as
pursued in the Isle of Axholme, is the continued crop-
ping of the land, without sowing seeds at the proper
intervals, or pasturing the lands with sheep for a suffi-
cient length of time. On these lands, when well
managed, one hundred sacks of potatoes per acre is
reckoned a good crop, four quarters of wheat a fair
crop, from eight to ten quarters of oats, four quarters
of beans, and about two tons of clover. A good crop
of flax would produce from thirty-five to fifty stones
per acre.

It appears from the Nona Villarum, which is a va-
luation made in the reign of Edward III., A.D., 1340,
of the ninth sheaf, the ninth lamb, and the ninth fleece
in every village through the kingdom, that hemp and
flax were grown in all parts of the Isle, even at that
remote period, to a very considerable extent; for that
is one reason given why the value of this ninth was, in
this part of the country, less than the value of the tenth
or tithe. This continued to be the practice until the
introduction of potatoes about forty years ago. The
great fertility of the soil made it unfit for the cultiva-
tion of corn, the crops being so heavy that in wet sea-
sons they rotted on the ground. Hemp and flax there-
fore were resoited to as yielding a more certain and
profitable return. Potatoes have, however, completely
cured this evil ; and will, wherever they are planted,
cause the richest soil to produce no more corn than can
very well stand to get ripe.

When hemp and flax were the principal products of
the country, the inhabitants during the winter months
used to prepare them for the market. The hemp mar-
ket at Gainsborough began as early as five o'clock in
the morning. The importation of foreign hemp from
Riga and other places, together witli the cultivation of
potatoes, has very much diminished the growth of these
articles, and for some years scarcely any was produced.

Fields of hemp are now no longer to be seen ; but line
or flax is still grown to a very considerable extent, and
affbrds much employment for the poor.

This is the common method of cultivation for a crop
of flax. The land, usually wheat stubble, is cleaned in
the Usual manner ; the seed is sown in May, after-
wards carefully weeded, and then, when the plant is
gone out of flower, about a week after Midsummer, it
is pulled and bound in sheaves or beats ; then carted
away to thepits or dikes, covered with sods, and left to
steep in the water from ten days to three weeks, ac-
cording to the weather. After the line is taken out of
the pits, it is spread on grass land for about three
weeks, then again bound up in sheaves, taken home,
and stacked for dressing.

The expense of an acre of wheat stubble to grow a
crop of flax the following summer, is as follows, when
the land is hired for that specific purpose : —

£. s. d.

Seed 0 15 0

Weeding 0 8 0

Pulling 0 6 0

Leading and retting 0 5 0

Getting it out of the dikes, spreadina:, and

turning '. 0 12 0

Taking up and leading home 0 7 0

Rent of the land including ploughing 6 0 0

Hackling 4 7 6

Expenses £13 0 6

Value of thirty-five stone, at 9s 15 15 0

Expenses 13 0 6

Profit 2 14 6

Total £15 15 0

On the strong rich soils onions are frequently grown,
from the extent of a rood to that of one or two acres.
When persons hire land for this purpose, they give, for
taking one crop, from eight to twelve pounds per acre,
according to the condition and fertility of the land.
The owner of the soil prepares it for the seed, and in
order to do this most etfectually, and consequently to
obtain the highest price, this preparation must com-
mence the autumn before. One thousand pecks of
onions per acre would be a very good crop, — five hun-
dred pecks would be reckoned a bad one, — from seven
to eight hundred an average. The expense is as fol-
lows : —

£. s. d.

Rent 10 0 0

Seed, twelve pounds at 4s 2 8 0

Sowing 0 6 0

Weeding 3 15 0

Pulling 1 5 0

Dressing 3 10 0

Measuring and putting on board vessel .... 0 10 0

Expenses £21 14 0

Value of seven hundred pecks, at Is. per peck 35 0 0

Expenses £21 14 0

Profit 13 6 0

Total

35 0 0

This calculation allows nothing for tithe, for if the
land was liable to tithe in kind, less rent would
be given. The parish taxes are paid by the owner.
When a man grows onions on his own land, or on land
which he rents from year to year at forty shillings per
acre, of course the profits are greater, but we must
bear in mind, that the land which is sufliciently rich
and good for this purpose is only found to the extent
of a few acres here and there.

Sometimes by what is usually termed a lucky hit,
such as a man having a very good crop of onions when
the crop in general is a failure, and the price rising to
half a crown per peck, a person may make even more
of a single crop than the fee simple of the land is worth.

Land is frequently taken in the same manner for the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

23

growth of turnips, intended to stand until they ripen
their seeds. This crop was iutroduced into the Isle of
Axholme by Mr. Joseph Barnard, late of Kelfield, in
the parish of Owston. The most approved method is
to transplant the turnip in November : and in order to
furnish plants sufficient for an acre of ground, another
acre ought to have been sown with seed about the be-
ginning of August. The expense of the plants, if they
have to be put chased, depends entirely on the season.
When transplanted there should be one plant to every
■square foot of ground. The seed ripens about midsum-
«ier. A good average crop would be twenty strikes,
which is worth from sixteen to eighteen shillings per
^strike. This crop is much more certain than the onions,
•and is very useful to a small farmer, as the seed is gc-
'nerally turned into money as soon as it is ready for
sale, which furnishes him with a little cash wherewith
to get in his harvest. The seed comes off as soen as it
is ripe, the land therefore may he summer-fallowed,
and a better crop of wheat obtained on the following
year than if no turnips had been planted.

Carrots are grown in the same way. The land is
prepared by deep ploughing, and the seed drilled in.
Carrots require to be well weeded, and sixteen tons per
acre is a very good crop ; about twelve tons per acre is
perhaps an average one. The value of this crop is ex-
tremely uncertain, as it varies in price from five and
twenty shillings per ton to three guineas, according as
turnips and other fodder are plentiful or scarce. A ge-
nial spring might ensure a good crop of carrots, when
dry weather in July and August might almost destroy
the turnips, and then the carrot grower must look for
his harvest. The value of them depends also, in some
measure, on the situation in which they are grown ;
for, as they are a very heavy and bulky produce, if
they have to be delivered at any distance the ex-
pense is considerable. The following may be consi-
dered as a tolerably correct statement of the value and
expense of an acre of carrots when a good crop has
been obtained.

£. s. d.
Rent of land prepared by deep ploughing .. 7 0 0

Seed, six pounds at 2s. each 0 12 0

Drilling- 0 9 0

Weeding-.... 2 0 0

Pulling, leading, and delivering 4 16 0

14 17 0

Sixteen tons at 25s. per ton 20 0 0

Expenses. £14 17 0

Profit 5 3 0

Total -20 0 0

These descriptions of agricultural produce, carrots
and onions, as well as potatoes, are generally delivered
at the Trent side, put on board vessels, and taken to
the great markets in the west of Yorkshire. Large
quantities of potatoes are shipped for the London mar-
ket ; Hnd those grown upon the warp land are gene-
rally disposed of for seed to the market gardeners an 1
others.

MANAGEMENT OF ARABLE LAND.

The grand desideratum of -arable land is, to Lave
it free from couch, and weeds of all kinds ; Avell
drained where necessary, and sufficiently manured.
Much arable land n.ay be over manured lor pro-
ducing- a good quality of corn, but not for the pro-
duction of green crops ; the more luxuriant ;uid
abundant they are the better, and the greater will oe
the return of nourishment to the hind. A great part
of a good Swedish turnip crop may be carted oft' to be
consumed in the fold yard, to turn the straw into
good manure for the next year's crops. No one can
doubt that eating oftturnips on sound, dry land, does
much good ; but ploughed land may be so over-
manured as to produce an -abundance of straw, with

a short quantity of an inferior quality of grain ; and
the clover cro]), from being- smothered in its growth,
spoiled. On the rich, sandy lo-am of Thorpehinds [
have frequently had two good green crops together,
with manuring only for the first ; nearly the whole
or both of them has been carried off", and I have had
the next year as good and clean crops of wheat or
barley as I could wish ; such in fact, I have at this
time, from having turnips first, mangel wurzel the
next year, and wheat sowed as soon as the mangel
wurzel was carted off". If a farm is kept free from.
twitch, and other noxious weeds, and produces good
crops, the system acted upon — if not more than
ordinary expensive — cannot be bad, be it what it
may. I'lie best course of cropping- for the poor light
soilsis— turnips (eaten on the land by sheep,) barley,
seeds two years, eaten off" by sheep ; and wheat.
For better soils — turnips, barley, clover mowed,
wheat. The land all round Ilolkham, which is a
poor sandy soil, is— excepting in one instance — farmed
beautifully on the drill system, and so is the greater
part of Norfolk ; but it is a large county, and in
some parts of it I have seen some as bad farming- as
I ever saw. I think it vrould be difficult tj find in
any part of the kingdom, for ten miles togetlier,
much better arable land than there is on both sides
of the road from Northampton to Wellingborough.
Some parts of it are very well cultivated, other parts
might be better managed. It is not keeping to a
good course of cropping that will make good farming.
i'lie farmer's best exertions, thought, and forethought,
are requisite to insure that all the labour bestowed
on the farm is done in the wtiy tlie most likely to
turn to the best account. The master's eye is con-
tinually necessary ; there are but few even of the
best labourers that do not need direction as to the
manner in which the w-ork they are about is to be
done. Boys from 12 to 16 years of age, at wages
from one-fifth to one-third of men's, may be profit-
ably employed, if the master will take the trouble of
looking sharply after them. It is a stipulation with
all Mr. Coke's tenants, that they are never to have
two white grain crops in succession. On some parts
of some of the best farnif, it would perhaps do no
injury ; still, however, it is quite necessary to have
one general rule laid down for the whole of Mr.
Coke's numerous tenantry. The object in view in
having two crops of white grain in succession, no
doubt is profit. Now in my farming- calculations
near the end of the book, and which 1 flatter myself
are pretty correct, I make it appear tliat the four-
course system will produce one-fourth more profit
than the six-course. A six-course system may be
arranged by having one field in its turn cultivated in
this way. Immediately -after harvest, dung a part of
the stubble, and sow rye ; (one bushel will be suf-
ficient for spring- fodder for four cart horses) ; half
of it for the first spring cutting, the other half with
vetches for the second cutting : the rye and vetches
together are better for the horses than the vetches
are by themselves when cut before they are in flower,
and are so very succulent ; besides which the rye
holds the vetches up in their growth : then sow as
many vetches as may he wanted for green food for
horses, or to be eaten oflf by sheep in the spring, or
to stand for seed — sowing as the rye and vetches are
mowed or eaten off in the spring and summer, com-
mon white turnips. The first sowing might be
Swedes, at one ploughing with a skim coulter; thus
the roots of the vetches or weeds will be placed at
tlie bottom, and be as manure : without the skim
coulter the weeds would he likely to spring up in the
seams of the ploughing. On other parts of this field
potatoes may at the proper time be planted (with

24

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

dung), to produce as many as are likely to be wanted
for consumption in the house, or by pigs. On the
oiher parts of tliis field might be sowed, in the pre-
vious crops of white grain, rye-grass for seed, or
trefoil for sheep, or trifolium harrowed or scuffled in
after harvest, on a stubble. Common turnips after
these, and if the land is clean, and in a fnir state of
cultivation, a useful crop of tliem may be obtained,
even without manure, if none can be had. Should
the land be in a neighbourhood where lime is to be
had at a moderate price, it would be a good time to
make use of it. Of course the next vear barley or
oats, and the year after a regular turnip fallow. By
an arrangement of this kind, landlords' objections to
two crops of white grain in succession are removed.
Restrictions as to the course of cropping on poor
light soils can be adhered to, but on poor stubborn
clay land they frequently cannot ; it often proving
from the state of the weather quite impossible to
give the land the necessary stirrings for the intended
crop. All the conditions which tenants of such land
can be expected to enter into are, not to let the farm
be in a foul state, or impoverished by over-cropping.
Although I never occupied a clay-land farm, I had
('until I laid it down in permanent pasture) a small
quantity of very stubborn and difficult land to work.
The conclusions I have come to for the management
of clay land are these. It is my decided opinion, in
opposition to some agricultural writers, that summer
fallows on most strong clav land are indispensable ;
not all to be what is called a dead fallow, for, as

vetches are so essential for soiling the cart horses,
and making a good yard full of manure, and also for
slieep in the spring, I should sow a great portion of
the fallow land with them, and as soon after harvest
as it is possible, for the earlier they are fit to stock
with sheep or to cut, the greater their value. The
vetch land, of course to be manured, the other part,
for which there may be no manure, to be folded. I
should grow as many potatoes as would be wanted
for family use, and for ])ig"s, and as I know that
mangel wurzel will grow on stronger land than it is
generally supposed it will, I should try to raise it,
for on such a farm it would be most useful for milk-
ing cows and weaniag calves. As the seed shoot
has great difficulty in getting out of strong land, the
best way to raise a crop is, to h,v. .• a piece of land
well manured and pulverised, ior the seed to be
sown in the middle of April, and transplanted when
the size of a radish, either on manured ridges of the
usual width, or on ti)e level, fourteen inches asunder.
A few cabbages also would be useful, even if they
did not grow to any size. No one can tell how to
manage a clay land farm so well as the occupier of it,
if he really has a knowledge of farming ; for different
kinds of clay land differ so much in their power of
production, and in the necessary management. The
different rotation of crops which I have to suggest,
are these : — Fallow — wheat or barley — clover ("two
years^ — wheat — beans, or peas, or oats, or fallow —
barley — clover (one year) — wheat — beans— oats. —
Hillijard's Practical Farming.

WOOL AND WOOLLEN MANUFACTURES

AN ACCOUNT of the QUANTITY of SHEEP and LAMBS' WOOL IM
PORTED into tlie UNITED KINGDOM in the Year 1836: specifvinjf thi
Countries from which it came, — tlie Quantity that paid a Duly of One Penn;
per Pound, and the Quantity that paid a Duty cf One Halfpenny per Pound
of the Quantity of Foreign Wool Re-exported durinsf the same Period, and thi
Countries to which it was sent ; and of the Quantity remaining Warehouse(
under Bond on 6th January last.

Quantities of Sheep ano
LiAMBs' Wool Importkd
INTO THE United King-
dom, from

Russia

Sweden

Denmark

Prussia

Germany

Holland

Belgium. . .

France

Portugal and Madeira

Spain

Gibraltar

Italy

Malta

Ionian Islands

Morea

Turkey

Syria

Morocco

Cape of Good Hope

St. Helena and Ascension.. ,

Mauritius

East India Co. 'sTerritoriee. .

New South Wales

Van Diemen's Land

Swan River Settlement

British North American Co-
lonics

British West Indies

United States of America. . .

Columbia

Brazil . . .

States of the Rio de la Plata.

Chili

Peru

Guernsey and Jersey

Foreign Wool

Produce of the Isles of
Guernsey, Jersey, & JMan

Total quantity Imported..

Year
1836.

64,239,97:
32,413

64,2/2,390

JUANTITIES OF FOREIGN

Sheep and Lambs' Wool
retained for Ho.mb Con-

SU.MPTION : —

Charged with duty at Id. a lb.

Ditto at a |d. per lb

Ditto at 6d. per lb., being Red

Wool

Duty free (lieing the Produce

of British Possessions) ....

Total Quantity retained for
Home Consumption

Year
1836.

Quantities of Foreign
Sheep and Lambs' Wool
Re-exported, — to

Germany

Holland

Belgium

Fiance

British Noitli American Co-
lonies

United States of America.. . .

Isles of Guernsey, Jersey, and
Man

7,134
63.197
40,74,N
43,819

2,566
447,602

8,646

Total Quantity Re-exported 613,707

Quantity of Foreign
Sheep and Lambs' Wool
remaining warehoused
under bond on Fifth
January, 1837

6,111,252

AN ACCOUNT of the QUANTITIES
of BRITISH SHEEP and LAMBS'
WOOL and WOOLLEN YARN
EXPORTED fn.m the UNITED
KINGDOM in the year 1836 ; speci-
fyin;;- the Countries to which they
were sent.

COUNTRIES

TO

WHICH EXPORTED

Russia

Sweden

Xorway

(icrinany

Holland

Belgium

France

'Portugal, Azores, and
Maderia

Spain and the Cana-
ries

Gibraltar

Italy

liast Indies and China.

\'nn Diemen's Lnnd

Southern .Australia....

Western Coast of Afri-
ca

British Colonics in
North America

British West Indies. . .

foreign West Indies. . .

United States of Ame-
rica

Brazil

States of the Rio de la
Plata

(•iles of Guernsey, Jer-
sey, Alderney, and
Man

UJ

lbs
11,619

252

21,853

2,281,794

1,621,622

3,689

99,224

2,206

Total.

.3,942,407

= ;:; '^■^.

■- &
■a

-s g

lbs.

127,730

318

80

1,45'(,588

413,060

146,793

35,144

2,701

985

84

09,242

15,016

40

803

17,950
30

807

231,770
336

27.884
2.546,177

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

25

EXPORTS OF BRITISH WOOLLENS.

AN ACCOUNT OF BRITISH WOOLLEN MANUFACTURES EXPORTED PROM THE UNITED

KINGDOM IN THE YEAR 1836.

.

Snudi

ICS ;

"

s

^

consis

intr

Declared

o

!§

u

0

Stulfs,

Hosiery;

of Hosiery ;

value of

!.« •

'Z

C/3

Wool-

Blan-

Carpets

Wool-

viz.

not otl

er-

Britisli

COUNTRIES TO

■3

S

"a

len

Flan-

kets &

and

lens

Stock-

wise

de-

Woollen

WHICH

t.-.

f.T^a

a?

or

nel.

Blan-

Carpet-

mixed

ings,

scrib

'd.

Manufacture

EXPORTED.

-^ ^

C

m

Worst-

keting.

ing.

with

Woollen

Rug

s.

Exported

■§

~

«

N

ed.

Cotton.

or

Covej-

ids,

from the

S

e

'S

Worsted

Tapes,

and

United

S

CJ

M

small ware.

Kingdom.

Pieces

Pieces

Pieces

Pieces

Pieces.

Vards.

Yards.

Yards.

Yards.

Doz. Prs

^

s. d.

^ 8. d.

Russia

2731

18

151

38548

5436

4169

13480

7566

1.30 0

550

10 0

123043 0 0

Sweden

153

39

3862

1754

1115

1382

2000

35 0

249

19 0

9652 10 2

Norwav

/!6

120

1

9942

43
4

7147

45

7

3
6984

33
396

4104

732

82

271123

1170

290

90

268568

1854

360

70

6845

430

367

12

33608

3557
24

184437

1122 6

52 0

6846 0

313 0 0
71 0 0

7S7S 10 0

15252 12 0

Dcninaik

2687 15 6

Pi'ussia

225 10 0

Oennany

581837 13 0

Holland

1614
1039
()28

7716

5623

131

984
869
255

10510
170
115

71888
63469
20994

217294

171555

13560

1470
6060
470

51135
7069
10752

23526
137875
35303

9893 3

6740 0

105 0

2173
2341

657

0 0
0 0
5 0

245835 8 0

Belgium

161054 5 0

France

55870 17 0

Ponugal, Azores, &

Madeira

20120
2135

294
46

1309
357

9649
497

25268
13372

3926
9317

11854
22600

16652
5462

56858
1280

203 0
36 0

2022
177

1 0
5 0

202377 6 0

Spain & Canaries...

52628 5 0

Gibraltar

2806

12083

1308

267

29

3
67

269

1266

349

22

172
30

4

7230

92S89

2226

721

3299

13296

1055

3470

1170

3397

150

1300

1244

11565

3114

481

56729

85000

300

725

262 0

1753 0

241 0
169 0

978

3516

293

453

0 0
9 0
10 0
0 0

39159 3 0

Italy

241619 19 0

Milta

13329 0 0

Ionian Islands

4315 10 0

Turkey and Conti-

nental Greece

1037

190

42

62

8966

9504

2200

35306

2000

87 0

220

10 0

32276 10 0

Mo re a and Greek

IslRnds

14
139245

30

6

39s

478

18
1 45578

800
273760

50260

200
3589

400
73603

125 0

862 10

126
5056

0 0
13 2

£03 0 0

East Indies & China

990135 17 2

NewS.VVales&Van

Dicraen's Land, &

Swan River

3370

28

281

121

4579

78325

140313

25508

3697

4275 0

3200

14 0

65004 210

Cape of Good Hope.

3298

450

(i84

1116

8416

60944

16168

5301

4031

452 0

2222

10 0

49975 I 0

Other parts ot' Africa

1645

154

14

5134

7846

5110

1780

2566

139 0

1629

0 0

27137 4 0

British Colonies in

North America.. .

50917

681

816

239

51629

703663

362576

139462

38862

22802 3

25601

5 9

52547318 10

British West Indies.

9821

202

8122

19402

81726

200596

4051

13566

1100 3

12106

16 7

140047 2 3

Foreign West Indies

6320

50

115

354

11507

12578

180207

11406

30702

226 0

2494

0 0

74683 18 0

United States of

America

356740

10015

439

460751

146051

3118968

679886

384086

99.327 6

49600

2 0

3173644 180

Brazil

47866

255

1448

8388

45831

16966

146770

5596

161338

3003 0

10009

5 0

379653 18 0

iMexicoand States of

9

South America . .

41878

2497

4203

24528

22555

30190

20688

157096

3148 6

7309

10 0

391237 0 0

Isles Guernsey, Jei -

sey.Alderney, and

Man

2779

43

413

3172

61210

17634

17427

800

46 4

2201

14 0

40687 12 5

TOT.^L ,.

720587

22814

29610

45555

1406000

2190008

4333876

1108013

1467927

163182 5

142553

0 6

7639353 16 2

WILLIAM IRVING, Inspector-General of Imports and Exports.
Inspector-General's Office, 'Custom-House, London, 10th May, 1837.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN FAVOUR OF
THE NEW POOR-LAW.

PltESEN^ATION OF PLATE TO THE CIIAIKMAN OF THE
HOXNE UNION.

A public dinner, attended by the rate-payers aud in-
habitants of the Hoxne Union, was given at the Queen's
Head Inn, Stradbrook, on Friday, the 2d instant, in
erder to present a handsome service of plate to the
Rev. Henry Owen, th* chairman of the board of guar-
dians, as a testimonial of their approval of his valuable
assistance in carrying' into execution the provisions of
the Poor-law Amendment Act.

The plate consisted of a most maq-nificent silver cen-
trepiece, forming' both a candelabra and eperprne, vvith
a pair of candlesticks to match. Also fourricldy-chased
and scroll-pattern dishes, covers, and warmers, en suite.
The plate displayed the most elegant and finisiied
workmanship ; its value is estimated at upwards of
200/. ; and it weighed altogether 300 ounces.

About 3o0 persons partook of the dinner, at which
Sir Augustus Ilenniker presided.

An address to the Rev. H. Owen, which had been en-
grossed on vellum, was then read by Mr. Fiu-.ur, express-
ing the gratitude and I'cspcct entertained by the large body
of subscribers, for the salutary and judfcious manner in
which he had carried into efTectual operation the principles

of the Poor-law Amendment Act. The address continued
— " Amongst the most prominent who felt the deep im-
portance of this measure, as a potent means of advan-
cing the moral welfare of the poorer classes, you, sir,
have conferred the greatest benefit not merely on this
district, but on the country at large. The just prin-
ciples you have ever advocated and maintained your
ardous and succesful endeavours to ameliorate the con-
dition of the poor, by inculcating sound principles of
I moral conduct— by allaying excitement, encouraging
I industry, restraining idleness and vice, and rescuing
I them as far as possible from the evils of pauperism—
I have been signally regarded by us as conferring lasting-
i benefits on the community at large. (Lmul cheering.)
' Be assured, sir, that we feel truly gratified with the
correct views wliich you took of the principle of the
Poor-law Amendment Act, and with the manner in
' which you have subtantiated tTiose views, by the as-
\ siduous and unremitting attention you have bestowed
upon the working of it ; satisfied as we are that the
I more the operations of this act are brought under pub-
I lie notice, the more will they approve themselves to
every humane and reflecting mind. There is before
I the country the largest and most irresistible body of
1 facts and evidence ever offered on any subject to prove
that no measure has ever produced such vase, such
univer,-al, such beneficial effects— not only in its finan-
\ cial but more especially in its moral results. {Cheers,}

26

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

We have caused an inscription to be engraved u])on
this testimonial of our esteem, which, though concise,
embraces the substance of our eulog-y. It is as foliows :

'A. D. 1837,

Presented to the

Reverend Henry Owen, M. A.,

Rector of Williy, in the county of Suffolk,

By 340 Owners and Rate-payers

Within the Hoxne Union ;

In testimony of the high sense entertained by tiieni

of his general conduct as a Magistrate,

of ins invaluable services as Chairman of the Board of

Guardians,

and

of the firmness, perseverance, and zeal,

with which he has carried into safe and effectual operation

The Poor-law Amendment Act"

To this inscription we have appended the following
short but encouraging motto, ' Confide recte agens!'
FoUovvmg up this maxim, we solicit you, sir, still to
maintain the same course of public rectitude and duty,
alike honourable to yourself and gratifying to us."

The testimonial was presented amidst loud and lon"--
continued cheering. ^

The Chairman pronounced an eloquent eulegium on
the zeal, energy, and activity of Mr. Owen, in proposing
the health of that gentleman, which was drunk with
much enthusiasm.

Inreturningthanks.theRev. H.Owen, who appeared
much overpowered by his feelings, said : Conscious,
however, though I am of my own unworthiness, I ac-
cept these memorials of your regard with pride and
gratitude ; and I assure you tiiat I shall ever set the
utmost possible value upon them— they shall, indeed
be handed down as long as there is a descendant of my
taraily remaimag, that they who follow after me may
know the kindly hearts and feelings possessed by those
to whom I owe this debt of gratitude. (Reiieu-ed
cJieeriiig.) He then adverted to the successful and
happy results of the poor-law mei'tsure, which had for
Its object the removal of evils of the most disastrous
character, not only to property, but to the independence
and moral condition of the poorer classes. He was far
from undervaluing the effect of the diminution of poor-
rates ; but when he looked at the higher and nobler
aims which had been accomplished by the operations of
this bill— when he saw that his poor but deserving
countrymen had been raised by it from the wretched
state ot degradation into which the hopelessness and
helplessness of pauperism had cast them— when he saw
the moral reformation which had been effected by the
checks given to vice, improvidence, and indolence—
when he saw the stimulus offered to industry, and that
the means were now left in the hands of the rate-payers
to reward that industry, he had, indeed, cause to rejoice
that he had lifted up his feeble voice in support of a
measure fraught with such good and important results,
not only to the community at large, but especially to
the poor tkemselves-a measure which had been the
means of rasing thousands of his industrious fellow-
countrymen from pauperism to a state of independent
labour. After adverting to the de-raded state of the
labourmg population in that district whilst under tlie
demoralising inffuence of the old system, the rev. gentle-
man said : But let us now turn to a more pleasing
picture. At the period to which I have alluded there
were, upon an average, in the Hoxne Union upwards of
800 able-bodied men, with their families, in the reg-ular
weekly receipt of parish relief. Gentlemen at the
present moment there are absolutely none. I rejoice to
say that our able-bodied labourers are emancipated from
the horrible slavery into which the former system had
plunged them, and are now reaping the just rewards of
their honest industry at the hands of their employers ■
having thus exchanged the degrading situation of
paupers for a station amongst the independent industrious
working classes. (Cheers.) To what cause, then let
me ask, is this change in a district which had long the
reputation of being one of the most pauperized in
England to be ascribed ? 'Jo what cause are we to
attribute the improved moral condition of our labourers

— their increasing industry, sobriety, and respectability,
and, above all, the vast diminution of crime and offences
of every kind, to which latter fact I am enabled as a
magistrate to bear the most decided testimony! To
what cause, I ask, are these happy changes to be attri-
buted but to the operations of the new poor-law ?
(Loud cheers.)

The health of the chairman. Sir Augustus Heniker,
having been drunk, he said, in his reply : Gentlemen.
we all stand forward as the open and avowed advocates
of the new poor-law. Hear, hear.) Onthis point, gentle-
men, there is no mistake. (Hear, hear.) Butinthe
able and eloquent address made by the chairman he
has told you that he will not allude to that opposition
which has been felt here, as well as in other quarters.
Gentlemen, that opposition has been like a shapeless
and ill-begotten monster enveloped in various guises of
presumption and conceit, encouraged by those who
conceived that they had a knowledge of the principles
of the bill, but with which they were utterly unac-
quainted, and at the same time spitting forth all the
venon and supporting all tiie prejudices and evils of
the old destructive system. {Loud Cheers.) But that
opposition has now been so reduced by sound argument,
sound sense, and experience — it has been so phleboto-
missd, and purged, and blistered, as that it has been
reduced to a more comely shape, or in other words —

"Fine by degrees and beautifully less"
( Loud laughter and cheers.) The proceedings of the
day gave universal satisfaction.

PRESENTATION OF A PIECE OF PLATE
7 0 THECHAI^tMAN OF THE WESTBURY
UNION.

FROM THi: GLOUCESTER CHRONICLE.

On Thursday, the 11th ult., a dinner was given by
the guardians and principle rate-payers of the Westbury-
on-Severn Union, at the Bear Inn, Newnham, to the
Rev. Charles Crawley, their excellent chaii'inan ; on
the occasion of their presenting him with an elegant
silver tea urn, which cost upwards of one hundred
guineas, as a mark of their respect and esteem. Seventy-
one persons partook of the festivity.

Joseph Py rke, Esq., who presided, after pronouncing
an eulogy on the ability, assiduity, and courteous be-
haviour of the chairman, remarked, that the establish-
ment of this board had proved itself really beneficial
to the rate-payers, while it had been at the same time a
considerate and hnmane one in the management of
those whose poverty had placed them under its control.
And those effects had been produced, not by the su-
perintendance of a person void of employment, but of
a father of a family, a zealous clergyman, an able and
active magistrate.

In returning his acknowledgments for thii munificent
testimony of their approbatian, the rev. Chairman said
that was neith^' the time nor place to descant at any
length upon the merits of an act of Parliament which
would always be an honour to the statute book, and one
of the noblest proofs of British Icgislaton. But he
could not help adverting to what appeared to him a
peculiar and eude$ring feature in it — the associating so
many men of the highest respectability in frequent and
friendly communication, for the most humane and
charitable purposes. With minds far superior to all
party spirit, personal jealousy, and local prejudice,
their business had been conducted, not only with benefit
to others, but with the best kind of advantage to them-
selves, inasmuch as the recurrence of each weekly
meeting brought with it an increase of mutual confidence
and mutal good-will. The remarks of the reverend
gentleman were received with reiterated applause.

Eggs.^ — The immense number of eggs continually
imported at Ramsgate from France is truly astonishing.
Scarcely a day passes that does not witness the arrival
of one or more vessels laden with them. They are care-
fully packed in long wooden boxes, put on shore there,
examined by the Custom-house officers, and immedi-
ately shipped for London by the hoys. In this manner
upwards of 20 vessels are constantly emidoyed.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

27

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERDEEN
JOURNAL.

Sir, — I observe another letter in your Journal from
Mr. George Ritchie, regarding a new shaker for a
thrashing machine. It is with reluctance I again
intrude on your columns regarding a matter so well
and so publicly known in this neighbourhood; and
how far Mr. Ritchie could be ignorant of its inven-
tion, the public shall be left to form their own judg-
ment from the following statement of what took place
at tlie time, and since.

In the end of March, 1829, Mr. James Andrew,
millwright, was employed by Rlr. Longmore of
Rattie, to alter or improve the shakers of liis tlirash-
ing machine; and a conversation took place between
Mr. Andrew and me, regarding the best metiiod by
which that could be done ; and, in the course of a
few days, I invented this new shaker, of which I
sent Mr. Andrew a model, along with tlie following
letter : —

" My dear Sir, — I endeavoured to rectify the old
shaker, but could not fall on any alteration to make
it much better. I therefore set to the making of a
new one, of which I have sent you a model. The
principle I followed was to ascertain what action had
the best effect to shake the straw cleanest, and in
what manner such a machine can be practicably ap-
plied. The model will let you understand the me-
thod, and the calculation will be best acquired by
practice; but my idea at presentis, that 3 inch cranks
are sufficiently long — each revolution of them would
discharge the straw one foot, or this would be at the
same rate the rollers feed. But let them make double
the revolutions of the rollers, and then the straw
would be only half the thickness it is fed, and attliis
rate the splits would act sufficiently smart on the
bottom of the straw, so as to make the grain separate.
You will, no doubt, have an objection to the ma-
chine, from want of the cross splits, to keep the
straw from falling through ; but this may be remedied
by putting short teeth, say two inches high, on the
top of the splits, pretty closely set, say three inches
asunder, and a long straw will have a very difficult
task to escape all the teeth ; for if one but catch it,
the revolving of the splits will bring it up. For this
reason, I would recommend the splits pretty close,
and the teeth thick set. As to the making of the
shafts and cranks, and putting them together, and
placing them in the mill to work, I shall make no
remarks, but reserve that part of the subject for ano-
ther occasion ; and what I have taken the trouble to
invent, Mr. Longmore and you may execute. If
Mr. L. afford materials and j'our board, you may
work without wages. This shaker is put in the place
of the old riddles, and supplies the place of riddles
and shaker both — the cranks on the lower side.
I am, dear Sir, your most obedient servant,

WM. DOCKAR.
To Mr. Jas. Andrew, at Rattie.
Findon, Sd April, 1829."

To which letter I received the following answer
from Mr. James Andrew : —

" Rattie, 4th April, 1829.

" Dear Sir, — I received your esteemed favour and
the model, for which I return you Mr. Longmore's
and my hearty thanks. Although I understand the
model and description, I think an interview would
be necessary, and I am to be in Turriff market on
^Vednesday, entirely for the purpose of seeing you.
The idea is quite new to me, and, according to my
judgment, if I get the calculation and workmanship
properly done, it will be the most perfect shaker I

ever heard of. As there will be plenty of room for
8 feet of splits behind the second shaker, I would
attach it there, if you approve. To prevent mistakes,
I shall take the relative velocities of the different
parts of the mill with me upon paper, so that you
may see the whole, and favour me with your opinion
accordingly. Your proposal of Mr. L. giving ma-
terials and my giving workmanship is cheerfully
agreed to. ' 1 am, with esteem.

Your obedient and obliged Servant,
(Signed) JAS. ANDREW.

To Mr. Wm. Dockar, Findon."
Tliis shaker was accordingly approved of, both by
Mr. Longmore and the millwright, and ordered to be
made. The shafts and cranks were finished, or
nearly so, when the millwright left Mr. L.'s service.
They were then allowed to remain in the smith's
shops, and the model in a wright's shop in Banff,
for a number of years ; and it is strange indeed, if
Mr. Ritchie, as a millwright, and deeply interested
in all improvements in these machines, should have
never so much as heard of this new invention, for a
period of up wards of seven years after being exhibited
in tliese smith's and wright's shops — two places, one
would have thought, the most public and patent to
be found, and seeing he himself and friendsreside in,
and so near Banff".

Mr. Ritchie (soon after the invention,) had the
erection of a threshing-mill at Eden, where Mr.
Andrew had the superintandence, and who was the
very person to whom I sent the model and descrip-
tion ; and being fresh in his recollection, it is strange
if Rlr. Andrew never so much as hinted at this new
invention during the whole time they were then em-
ployed together ; and equally odd if Mr. Ritchie did
not' inquire after it, or hold some conversation re-
gardmo- the nature of his employment at Rattie. Mr.
George Ritcliie is a respectable millwright, and I
have no wish to detract from his merit, but on the
contrary ; and therefore will allow that it is quite
possible for two individuals both to fall upon the
same invention, and it is possible at the same time,
too, but there is a very strong probability that either
Mr. Ritchie or his friends must have seen my model
or cranks, or heard them described, long ago. At
all events, they are involved in the absurdity of now
inventing a thing, invented seven years before by
me. The arguments urged regarding my never hav-
ing- adopted it myself, or attached it to the machines
of^any of ray neighbours, are not worth notice ; that
does not prove its non-existence, and I shall there-
fore refrain from stating any reason why I did not
adopt it myself, and admit that Mr. Rilchie is the
iirst to have done so, but without alteration in prin-
ciple. The gearing may be different in part ; but,
so far from improving the working of the machine,
the practical millwright and public will be able to
judge, from the following description of both; —

In my original invention, the shaker consisted of
a number of thin boards, placed side by side, and
lying horizontally upon their edges, fixed upon cross
bars, by being set upon pillars of rod iron, 6 inches
high, but into two separate parcels, every alternate
spHt to each parcel, and each parcel having two
cross bars of its own. These parcels of splits make
a circular movement of about 5 inches diameter —
each parcel at opposite sides of the circle, moving
forward at the top, and backward at the bottom. By
this movement, the straw resting on their top is al-
ternately lifted by ihe ascending splits, and carried
forward to the extent of a diameter of the circle, and
when descending, meets the ascending splits, which,
by the concussion, has a powerful effect of making
the "-rain fall from among the straw, and still carries

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

forward the straw as before. To keep the straw from
falling through, teeth or spikes are placed upright
on the top of the splits, say 2 inches high, and S
inches asunder. To accomplisli the movement of
this shaker, I adopted two shafts, with a two-throw
crank on each end ; and, to make the shafts move
together, they were connected by a bar upon two
cranks, at right angles to the other cranK-s. By this
method, there were ten cranks, and four journals of
shafts.

On the other hand, the shaker as adopted by Mr.
Ritchie at Avalds, consists of sixteen bars or splits,
about 2| inchss broad, by about 1| deep. These
bars are moved singly by two eccentric pulleys to
each bar ; these pulleys are about 8 inches diameter,
and placed on two shafts, every alternate pully to
opposite sides of shafts. That the shafts may move
together, they are connected by a shaft and miter
wheels, of about 5 inches diameter. This shakjr
has 3'2 pulleys to work dry, besides 6 other journals
of shaft. When we take to account that these pulleys
are bound to two unturned shafts, and are coupled
together by bars 16 times, and connected to these
bars by suspended frames, which encircle them, and
the one shaft working the other by pinions of 5 or 6
inches diameter ; and to bring the shaker to a requi-
site degree of proficiency, would require double that
number of splits, and consequently double the num-
ber of pull »ys. These shakers require to make 80 or
90 revolutions jier minute. The friction of these
large pulleys and the journals of their shafts, are
stated by Mr. Ritchie and his friends as trivial,
while their candour has denounced as impracticable
the oi'iginal invention by me, having little more than
one-tijird of the journals, and these only instead of
the large pulleys introduced by Mr, R.

Had these opinions been from farmers, who are not
expected to be versant in mechanical inventions, it
would not Iiave been wondered at, but coming from
practical scientific gentlemen in Banft", it aj)pears to
me to be for other purposes.

The shaker is exactly the same in principle, by
whatever gearing it may be wrought j and had Mr.
Ritchie adopted it without saying a word about the
invention or the inventor, 1 should have made him
perfectly welcome to it ; as it always gives me
pleasure to promote the interests of my neif;hbours,
and with that I think he miglit have been satisfied,
particularly as the above correspondence with Mr.
Andrew was communicated by me to hira, before he
laid public claim to it, through your journal ; and he
was also made aware that a great number of the
farmers, as well as others around Banff, had seen the
model, &c. in the smith's and wright's shops above
mentioned. With these remarks, the public are left
to draw their own conclusions.
I am, Sir, your's, &c.

WM. DOCKAR, Farmer, Findon.

nth May.

The Game (Scotland) Bill, by Mr. Fox
Maule, is a bill to enable tenants in future to recover
from their landlords reparation for the injury done to
the lands in the tenants' ocoupation by game. It pro-
vides that this may be done by a simple form of arbi-
ti-(ttion, on the application of the tenant, stating liis

Him, and naming- an arbiter ; the landlord is then to
name his arbiter, and in the event of the arbiters dis-
agreeing, the sheriflT is to appoint what in Scotland is
called an oversman, but we should call an umpire.

VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINA-

TION — May 10, 1837.

(rnoM THE veterinarian.)

The

Mr. Jex's Essav on Tetanus was discussed,
following is an abstract of it.

I'etanus is a fixed spasmodic contraction of the
muscles of voluntary motion. No person who has
once seen a case of tetanus can forget the appearance
of the animal, the haggardness of the countenance,
and, with the exception of the quivering tail, the ri-
gidity of every limb. The earliest symptoms are
stiffness about the jaws, the neck, and the extremi-
ties— the belly is strangely tucked up — the horse is
unwilling to move, and, when he does move, it is
with an awkward staggering gait — the nostrils are
dilated — the respiration hurried, and the bowels con-
stipated— the least noise alarms him, and, for a mo-
ment, wonderfully quickens the pulse, and sets the
tail quivering. TJJe jaws are the parts usually first
affected ; and the progress of the strange spasmodic
action, and the duration of the disease, difier mate-
rially in different cases.

It follows a prick of a nail in shoeing, or a wound
in any part. It is consequent on docking or nicking.
It is produced by exposure to cold, partial or general,
or by the sudden stop])age of perspiration generally
or in any particular part. 'J'hese causes will produce
traumatic tetanus. When there is no detectable pre-
disposing cause, but it arises from some internal dis-
arrangement, it is said to be idiopathic.

Should the disease follow docking, another joint
of the tail mustbe excised, and the dock leftto bleed.
If the foot has been punctured, the caustic or the
cautery should be applied, and a healthy discharge
attempted to be introduced. AVe must next have re-
course to general bleeding, and to a considerable
extent, according to the judgment of the operator.
It is of the greatest importance that the bowels
should be opened as soon as possible. The spasms
are sometimes mitigated from the moment'that the
bowels are called into action. Ten or twelve drachms
of aloes with a drachm of calomel may be given with
perfect safety and goodeftect. Thecrotonseedhadbeen
recommended by some, but it had deceived him. The
horse should be kept quiet ; he should be touched as
little as possible. Setons on each side of the head
are useful — blisters may be applied along the neck
and spine, and warm sheepskins placed on the loins.
The patient should be turned into a well ventilated
box, and warmly clothed ; and be allowed bran or
ha3r-tea, of which he will contrive to suck a little,
even when his jaws are most firmly closed. The
appetite seldom fails ; and it is painful to see the
eagerness with which he endeavours to allay his
hunger.

Opium, in drachm doses, combined with a small
quantity of aloes, should be frequently administered.
'J'hrowing cold water on the patient has had its sup-
porters ; but it has rarely or never effected the de-
sired purpose, and the agony of the animal under
the operation is truly dreadful.

The average duration of the disease is from ten
days to a fortnight, when the patient, worn out by
long fasting and constitutional irritation, dies. If he
survives this time, and is somewhat relieved by the
means resorted to, be will probably recover. As
soon as he begins to recover the use of the muscles
of mastication, his strength should be recruited by
nutritive food, somewhat sparingly applied at first.
The tonics to which many now have recourse are
highly objectionable. If the weather permits, the
convalescent may be turned out a few hours in the

TH£ FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

29

day into tolerable pasture : he will here have the
proper food ; his muscles will recover their tone by
the exertion which ho must use in gathering las i'ooci,
and nature will rarely fail to do the rest without our
absurd and dangerous stimulants. The post mortem
ajjpearances I leave to those who liave seen many
more cases than I have.

JMv. Dauber asked, whether tetanus was an affec-
tion of the motor nerves alone ?

Mr. Jex. — No. The sentient nerves are con.inonly
involved, and subsequently the organic ones. Tlie
pulse was olten atfected in an early stage of the di-
sease, from tlie great pain which the animal endureil,
and tlie constitutional irritation that was soon set up.
He had never seen the disease supervene on nicking,
but he strongly reprobated an operation so useless
and so b.\rbarous.

There was little difference between the symptoms
of idiopathic and those of traumatic tetanus ; and the
constitutional treatment would be alike.

Mr. HuRFORD referred to a case tliat had lately
occurred at the College. It arose from a fall, and
terminated fatally. The membrana nictilans did not
protrude over the eye when the head was elevated or
the animal incautiously approached.

Mr. Sparrow described the post-mortem appear-
ances in this case. The abdominal viscera were
healthy and the lungs sliglitly inflamed. The brain
and its meninges, with the spinal marrow so far down
as the dorsal region, presented no abnormal appear-
ance ; but here the tliecas of the cord were turgid,
and the cord itself highly injected.

A drawing of the diseased part, taken by Mr.
Eathe, was here exhibited to the Association.

Mr. Arjistrong asked, whether these appearances
might not be connected with the fall, since the wounds
received in the fall appeared to be the causo of the
disease.

Mr. Faulkner thought that whei'e tetanus seemed
to arise from punctured wounds in the feet, neurotomy
would be an experiment worth trying, at least a di-
vision of the nerve.

Mr. Jex suggested the extirpation of a portion of
tlie nerve. In simple division the edges would unite
in fourteen or sixteen days, and the tetanic symp-
toms might return.

Mr. Armstrong doubled that. If the chain of
morbid action was broken by the division of the
nerve, he should consider the horse perfectly safe.

Mr. Dauber asked how the constipated state of
this disease was to be accounted for.

Mr. Hurford said, that there was the same in-
crease of nervous energy as in other parts — the same
constriction and rigidity of the muscles, and conse-
quent diminution of the calibre of the intestines, and
obstruction to the passage of the fasces.

In discussing the treatment of tetanus, Mr. Jex re-
lated a case that had lately come under his observa-
tion : — A cart-horse was well at his usual work in
the morning, and in the afternoon tlie jaws were
locked. No cause of the complaint could be assigned.
The horse was sent to the infirmary ; he was copiously
bled — three setons were placed on each side of the
head — the occipital region was blistered, and a drachm
of the farinaceous residue of the croton-seed was ad-
ministered : this the horse managed to suck in. On
the following morning, the bowels not having been
acted upon, he repeated the dose, and ordered ene-
mas of warm water to be frequently thro.vn up. At
night anotlier drachm was given, and still a fourth
drachm in the morning ; but the bowels were not
excited to action. lie then had recourse to aloes,
and by means of a probang he administered twelve
drachms. This proved effectutil, and no sooner were

the bowels opened, than the tetanic symptoms were
materially diminished. He, however, found it neces-
sary to administer a laxative almost daily; for with
any thing like a constipated state of the bowels the
unfavourable symptoms of totanus would return. At
the expiration of three weeks, the animal returned
to his labour. This case increased his dislike to
croton as a purgative. At times he had found it to
act violently, and to threaten the death of the animal
by purgation. At other times it seemed to be abso-
lutely inert.

Mr. Sparrow had been very successful in the
treatment of tetanus by croton oil. He had selected
some cases at the knacker's yuid. He gave the oil
in doses of from twenty to thirty drops on the animal's
tongue, repeating the dose from time to time, so as
to keep the faeces in a soluble state. They all did
well.

The SiCRETARV said, that since the fact of placing
croton oil on the tongue of the liorse had been men-
tioned by Mr. Sparrow, it had been repeatedly tried
in the infirmary, and with success, except in the
case of tetanus that had been alluded to ; for on the
withdrawal of the tongue there was an escajte of a
considerable quantity of saliva, bearing the oil with
it, and he feared that this would too frequently be the
case with tetanic horses.

Having met with some experiments of the Presi-
dent's on the power of the wourali or ticunas poison
in this disease, he would, in the absence of the Pre-
sident, take the liberty of reading them.

Case 1. — A horse suffering fro.ij a severe attack
of tetanus, and the mouth being too firmly closed to
admit of the introduction of either food or medicine,
was inoculated on the fleshy part of the shoulder
with the point of an arrow dipped in the wourali
poison.

In ten minutes apparent death was produced.
Artificial respiration was immediately commenced,
and kept up about four hours, when re-animatiou
took place. The animal rose up — appeared perfectly
recovered — and eagerly partook of corn and hav.
He was plentifully supplied with it during the
night ; the consequence of which was, that over-
distention of tlie stomach took place, and he died on
the following day, without the slightest recurrence
of tetanic symptons.

Case II. — An ass was brought to the College
labouring under an attack of tetanus in its severest
form. 'I'he animal was in an emaciated state, ap-
parently from iiard labour and a scanty supply of
food, and, being unable to walk, was brought in a
barrow, the disease had existed forty-eight hours.
The wourali poison was employed as in the
former case, and with the same effect, and artificial
respiration produced re-animation in about the same
time. The long-continued irritation of the disease
had, however, produced too great exhaustion of the
system in this debilitated subject to allow of a
sufficient recovery of strength to enable the animal
to rise ; nevertheless, during twenty-seven hours he
was enabled to take a little food, and he died with-
out having shewn a single symptom of tetanus, sub-
sequenc to inoculation with the poison.

Mr. Daws inquired what was the proportion of
the recoveries to the deaths in the practice of Mr.
Jex.

Mr. Jex replied, that the greater number of cases
which he had seen were those of idiopathic tetanus,
and which he believed to be less fatal than the
traumatic. His cases of recovery had been, he
thought, in the proportion of two to one.

Mr. Daws confessed, that this proportion of suc-
cessful cases was greater than what he had observed.

3d

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Duiino- tlie last six months, six cases had fallen
under his notice four out of which had died. The
disease, he confessed, arose froni wounds in all these
cases, and he thought that this was hy far the most
formidable variety of the disease.*

His mode of treatment had been to bleed in the
first instance, and largely — to apply mercurial fric-
tions along- the spine, and to clotlie warmly. As
for medicine, his almost sole reliance had be^n aloes
in combination with calomel, in doses of from six to

* Mr. Daws has kindly favoured the reporter with
the post-mortem appearances that were presented in
these cases, and the treatment in another case : —

A bay gelding, about nine years old, received several
slight lacerations on the fore arm and the thigh by the
kicking of another horse, while they were together in
harness, on Oct. 20th, 1835. The wounds were treated
in the usual manner, and the horse had resumed his
work.

Nov. 17th. — Twenty-eight days after the accident,
it was observed that he moved rather stiffly, and could
not drink his water as he was accustomed to do ; in
fact, the symptoms of tetanus began to present them-
selves, and were rapidly established. His head and
tail became in nearly a direct line— his nostrils were
very much expanded — his respiration rather quickened
—his pulse was 38, and full : he walked very wide
and with a staggering gait, all the muscles of voluntary
motion were in a state of great rigidity, and the mem-
brana nictitans was drawn over the eye, presenting p
ghastly appearance.

He was bled freely : 5xij aloes, 5iiij hyd submur.,
and jiiij ext. bellad., were given, the wounds were
dressed with tartar emetic ointment, and he was
removed to a loose box.

18th. — Bowels relaxed — wounds dressed as before;
pulse 68.

19th. — Pulse 60. He manages to suck a little bran
sop. Aloes, 5iiij hyd. snbmur. 5ij were given. He is
in a very excited state, and particularly by candle-
light.

20th. — Bowels relaxed — rigidity decreased — sucks
eagerly at his mash — pulse 60.

22d. — Pulse 50, legs and sheath swollen : give aloes
3iiij, hyd. submur. 5ij, tereb. commun. 5iiij

This treatment was continued until Dec. 4th, when
he was discharged as convalescent. His owner, how-
ever, disposed of him by auction soon afterwards,
alleging as a reason that his courage was toe great for
him to overcome. At the time of sale he exhibited, to
an experienced observer, slight traces of the disease.

Jan. 22d, 1836. — An aged grey gelding was attacked
with this disease, in consequence of a slight superfi-
cial abrasion on the withers, caused by the pressure of
the collar. He was treated in the usual manner, with
aloes, calomel, and belladonna, and plaisters of bella-
donna were applied to the wound, with a view of reliev-
ing the nervous irritability of the part ; but he died on
the 4th of February, being thirteen days after the
commencement of the disease.

June 26th, 1836. — A grey gelding, aged, died of
symptomatic tetanus in five days : corns were sup-
posed to be the exciting cause. The vessels of the
brain and spinal cord were turgid, and there were slight
extravasations.

Sep. I6th, 1836. — A bay gelding had broken knees.
The interval between the accident and the appearance
of the disease is not known, but tetanic symptoms
evidently appeared to-day ; and they continued to in-
crease in severity until the 22d, when the horse died.

The stomach was distended with a sourish, semi-
transparent greenish fluid, rather viscid. The villous
coat was highly inflamed. The thoracic cavity was the
seat of difi'use inflammation. The lungs were ulcerated,
and there were ecchymoses on the surface of the heart ;
there was general turgidity of the vessels of the brain.

The horse had been unwell for some time previously
to the accident. He evidently had severe navicular
disease.

eight drach.ms of the former with from two to four
drachms of the latter ; to these were added copious
injections by means of Read's pumj). He confessed
that, with Mr. Jex, he had found both the farina
and the oil of the croton nut unworthy of confidence.

He had tried the hydrocyanic acid in doses of a
drachm, and, this not being productive of any good
effect, he had increased the dose to two drachms.
An ounce of tlie diluted acid had caused death ; but
the sufferings of the animal were so proti-acted and
severe, that he would never again have recourse to
it for this purpose.*

He was somewhat averse to the removal of another
portion of tlie tail, when the disease apparently pro-
ceeded from docking ; and would much rather, by
the aid of fomentations and digestives, endeavour to
excite healthy suppuration in the part. To
neurotomy he more decidedly objected. The casting-
of a tetanic horse, in order to perform the operation,
would give a shock to the S3'stem from which the
animal would scarcely recover.

JMr. Jex was lately consulted respecting- a horse
witli tetanus : some one had advised the owner to
take the horse to the side of the canal and plunge
him suddenly in, or to fire a pistol between his ears.

Mr. Clark had once seen the operation of cold
affusion tried. The fright and the sufferings of the
animal were so dreadful, that nothing could ever
induce him to have recourse to such a remedy.

Poultry and Eggs. — The present Earl Spencer
who has always warmly interested himself in every
species of rural and domestic improvement, a few years
ago instituted a poultry show at Chapel Brampton, in
Northamptonshire. As it is always desirable to have a
standard in view, raised as high as the most approved
system will carry it, we give the weight of the fowls
which gained the prizes adjudicated in 1829. The best
turkey weighed 20lbs. 4oz. ; capon, 7lbs. 14§oz. ; pul-
let, 61bs. 35OZ ; goose, 18lbs. 2.jOZ. ; couple of ducks,
15lbs. lOoz. Some very interesting experiments on
the production of eggs have recently been made by Mr.
Mouatt, of Stoke, near Guildford. He received three
pullets of the Polish breed on the 1st of December,
1835, which had been hatched in June previous, and
they commenced laying on the 15th of December. The
number of eggs which they laid between the 1st of De-
cember, 1835, and 1st December, 1836, was 524 or
174 and 175 each, and only one of them showed a desire
to sit. During twelve months they consumed three
bushels of barley, seventeen pounds of rice, and a small
quantity of barley meal and peas, the cost of which
amounted to I6s lOd. The number of eggs being 524,
there were 32 eggs produced for each shilling expended.
Assuming the weight of each egg to be Ifoz. there
would be 4 libs, of food of the most nutritious kind
which it is possible to obtain at a cost of less than 4i|d.
per lb. ; or if these eggs, instead of being used for fa-
mily consumption, had been sold to the huckster, a
profit would have accrued of at least 100 per cent. ;
for the trouble of attending to so small a stock of poul-
try scarcely deserves attention. If the barley had
been purchased in a larger quantity, it could have been
obtained at 4s. per bushel instead of 4s. 9d., and there
would then have been 36 eggs for each shilling ex-
pended.

* The reporter can give painful confirmation of the
propriety of this resolution. He gave an ounce of the
medicinal hydrocyanic acid to a horse, for the purpose
of destroying life. The poor fellow lay a full quarter
of an hour in the agonies of death. On another occa-
sion he gave two ounces of the poison for the same
purpose 1 the struggles were fully as violent, and
nearly as protracted.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

31

THE FURROW PRESSER.

At the General Agricultural Association for Ayr-
shire, held in May, a Report was rend of the Judges
appointed to examine the Agricultural Implemeats
exhibited at the September Show. From tliis report
we copy the following- account of the Furrow Pres-
ser : —

" Preiser exhibited by Mr. Hamilton, Rozelle. For
a proper description of this valuable implement, so little
used in this part of the country, the Judg-es cannot do
better than refer to the following- communication made
to Mr. Hamilton, by Mr. Graham, sometime overseer
to Captain Barclay, thereafter land-grieve to the late
Earl of Cassillis, and now residing- at Yonderton, Dal-
rymple : —

" Yondjrton, 3d October, 1836.

" Sir, — In consequence of having- seen your furrow
presser tried on Saturday, and having- tor the last four
years known its great usefulness to the farmer, I have
taken the hberty of enclosing- a note of a few cf the ad-
vantages for your consideration ; having often proved
them [myself, I shall have pleasure to lay them before
any farmer, who has not yet had an opportunity of know-
ing them, I was so anxious some years ago to have the
presser introduced into Ayrshire, that I took a plan of
ours and forwari-led it to JMr. M'Clymont, along with
observations recommending it, but I suppose tlie want
of the models for the castings, or the distance the farmers
would have to send for one, has prevented the presser
from being introduced until you have done so. Our
joiner has the models, and he also has made many of
them to the farmers in Aberdeenshire, &c., who are now
reaping the benefit ; and 1 believe he could send them
to Glasgow for about 41. each, so should any gentleman
wish one, I could cause it to be forwarded.

" I did not mention in my observations the effects of
the presser on loose deep soils, which are apt to throw
out the plants. By pressing such soils while ploughing,
and by rolling well after sowing, a good crop is gene-
rally insured. Rolling weLt is also of great advantage
to the farmer, — I am, &;c.

(Signed) "A.GRAHAM.

" The furrow presser is of greatest advantage to the
farmer, for the following reasons : —

*' In all old grass land to be broken up, it is impos-
sible for the plough to lay it so closely over as it ought
to be, in consequence of the old foggage, and rough
surface upon it ; but by applying the presser, the furrow
is so firmly pressed and closed up, and the rough fog
and grass so completely covered in from air, &c., that
instead of growing up among the crop, and causing the
greatest foulness m the land, it rots away and acts as a
manure to the crop, and leaves the land perfectly clean.

" Old rich pasture land, or even clover lea, ploughed
up for cropping, is very apt to be destroyed by the grub
and wire-worm ; but when pressed, not a particle of
turf is raised with harrowing, to harbour the eggs or in-
sects under it, (and it is always under the clod or turf
in lea that these insects are found) ; but never having
seen a field that was pressed destroyed by wire-worm
or grub, and having seen that such destruction in un-
pressed fields by these insects, I am satisfied that the
eggs must either be destroyed in pressing, or that by the
land being so consolidated, they are allowed no shelter,
and prevented from committing- their ravages.

" In stiflf clay and damp soils, lea land is never so
closely ploughed as to prevent a quantity of the seed
going down the back of the fuiTows, which either pe-
rishes, or comes up in an after-growth ; but by ai)plying
the presser, this is completely obviated, and also a great
quantity of seed saved.

" In giving the fallow and the seed furrow for wheat,
&c. where the dung has been applied, in such cases the
dung is often rough, (being made after the turnip dung,)
aind cannot be so well ploughed in as it ought to be ;
but by applying the presser it is completely covered
under, and neither exposed to the sun, nor torn up by
the harrow while sowing. 'J'he presser will also iiave
the same good effect where sea-ware is applied for a
manure.

" When a field is to be sown down with grass-seeds,
by being pressed the grain is caused to braird so neatly
in rows, that the grass-seeds are sure to take well, as
more air gives them a decided advantage.

" From the above hints the experienced farmer will
easily estimate the great advantages derived from press-
ing land. Ca'pt. Barclay of Ury, one of the most ex-
tensive, experienced, and enterprisinggentlemen farmers
in Scotland, never allows a handful of grain to be sown
without previously pressing the land. A single horse
will draw a presser after two ploughs, and must be
going along with them. Pressed land, and particularly
lea, is so easily harrowed, that the farmer requires no
extra strength, but, on the contrary, there is a great
saving of labour.

(Signed) A. GRAHAM.

" The judges after fully considering the above ob-
servations, and having also seen the presser at work,
and heard Mr. Hamilton's statement as to the successful
useofitbyhim during the two last seasons, have no
hesitation in recommending it as a most excellent and
useful implement, and one which the farmers of this
country ought generally to be possessed of."

ON

OF

AN IMPROVED METHOD
MAKING CLOVER HAY.

BY MR. JOHN PROUDFOOT, INVERESK.

(Froifi the Qaarterlii Journal of Agriculture )

[Hay-making is perhaps the worst conducted operation
in Scottish husbandry, and the object of the society in
offering premiums for essays on the best method of
making- both clover and meadow hay, is to urge the
general adoplionof a superior management in securing
the crop of that valuable and nutritious winter proven-
der. It is to be hoped that the success attained by the
writers ol the following ess-ays will prompt other hay-
makers to adopt the practice described by them. A
premium of ten sovereigns was awarded foi- this
essay.]

The present practice of making- hay in the neigh-
bourhood where I reside (and, I believe, it is much
the same throughout Scotland) is liable to many ob-
jections. The chief of these are, 1st, That of allow-
ing the grass to be " too ripe," as it is generally
called, before it is cut. 2d, Allowing the grass to
be on the ground till it be either rotted by bad wea-
ther, drenched with rain, or dried up by too long ex-
jiosure to the sun.

The method I have adopted for the last three years
is very simple, but, in my opinion, a very secure
one for our changeable climate. It is as follows : —
This year, (1836) I commenced cutting- a field of
grass of ten acres, on the 1st of July, just when the
flower was going off the rye-grass, which I conceive
to be the true criterion for cutting. This field was
sown down with 12lb. of the best Dutch red clover,
and lib of white ditto, with g^ pecks of best Ayr-
shire annual rye-grass jier imperial acre. It was a
most excellent crop, and, as quick as five men could
cut it down, women put it up close behind them in
the following manner : — taking liold of the grass by
the top, and placing it neatly round the left foot,
keeping the foot steady in the heart of the handful,
then tying a little band round the top to keep it
steady in the upriglit conical position, and when the
foot is removed the aperture serves for a ventilator.
Thus nearly all the surface of the grass is exposed
to the air, and if the hollow cones are neatly put up,
they will be almost safe from the weather, as in case
of rain, it runs off as fast as it falls.

If the weather is at all favourable the conical
handfuls will be ready, in twenty-foar hours, fov

32

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

turning out, and putting- up into small cocks tLe
same day ; but they may, with greater safety, be
allowed to remain in the first position until ready
for putting up into large cocks. I am of opinion
that the less turning clover-hay gets the better, as
the oftener it is turned its value is deteriorated,
more especially after getting ruin.

One-half of the field was turned out of the hand-
fuls, the other half allowed to remain until it was
ready for being put into cocks, and my manner of
making cocks is this : — A man stands at the cock,
to whom the women bring the handfuls, which he
puts up, always keeping the tops of them to tlie
centre of the cock, in a direction sloping upwards
from him, so as the slope may throw off the rain. In
thus carefully constructing the cock, little vacuities
will be left belwem the handfuls to act as ventilators,
the influence of which will very soon render it pro-
per to put the hay into larger cocks. In one week
I had all the hay of the ten acres put into ricks of
130 or 140 stones, in which state 1 conceived it to
be proof against ant/ kind of weather, — indeed, were
it not that purchasers were expected to take it " off
the rick," it might have been put into the stack. I
may mention, that the rain fell less or more almost
every day, excepting on Sunday the 3d, and Monday
the 4th, but on the 5th there was a severe thunder-
storm, and, 7iot with standing this most inipropitious wea-
ther, I made nearly 4,000 stones of hay in the finest
condition, in one week from the time it icas cu'- : and as
to its quality,* I think I am not too bold when I say, that
I am not afraid to challenge the county of Edinbnrgli,

The great advantage of this system over the com-
mon one in a bad season is, that one hour's sunshine
will have mote efi'ect in drying the hay than a whole
day ; I have this year seen hay lying on the ground for
weeks together, and theaftermath growing up through
it, which is destructive both to the hay and the second
crop ; but if the system which I have described he
followed out, I will venture to say that the hay will
not only be infinitely superior, but in the end will be
put up at less expense than in the old system, under the
most favourable circumstances.

I have also converted the second crop into hay
over the same ground with equal success, notwith-
standing the bad weather, and all the obstacles inci-
dental to making a second crop of good hay.

ON AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
MAKING MEADOW-HAY.

BY MR. JOHN IRVING, FARM-OVERSEER A1 CLOSEBURN
HALL, DUMFRIESHIRE.

(From the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture.)

[The Society's Silver medal was awarded for this
Essay.]

It is too much the prevailing opinion in Scotland,
tliat meadow bay cannot be secured there as
effectually as it is in England. The cause of this
prevalent opinion, it is apprehended, is the want of
knowledge in the art of making meadow-hay. The
usual pnictice of making every kind of hay in Scot-
land is, to allow the grass to stand too long befoie
it is mowed, and in the case of meadow-hay until
August, when the seeds of the grasses are nearly

ripe, and the stalks have lost almost all their succu*
lency ; and to allow the swath to lie for some days
till a considerable part of its moisture is evaporated.
The cut crop is then shaken out and turned over
when it again lies for some days till it is thought
sufficiently dry for ])utting into large cocks. The
hay frequently remains in these cocks, in the field,
for two or three months. It is then carried and
made into a stack, when it is expected that no fer-
mentation will take place, Scotch farmers imagining
that fermentation in hay should always be avoided.

A method of making hay similar to that practised
in England has been adopted by C. G. Stuart Men-
teath, Esq., of Closeburn, by whom I have been em-
ployed for some years past as farm-overseer. This
method practised over an extent of water-meadow,
(chiefly consisting of peat-moss of 20 feet in depth,
and upwards of 100 imperial acres in exteat,) is to
cut the grass as early in July as the weather will
permit. The grass mowed in the morning before
twelve o'clock, is carefully shaken out upon the
ground by hand, and that mowed after twelve o'clock
is allowed to remain in the swath till next morning',
when it is likewise shaken out. If the weather is at
all dry, the hay that has been shaken out is always
put into small cocks for the night, so that the ground
may be sooner dry the next morning to receive the
hay for its exposure to the sun ; and after two dry
sunny days' exposure, it is frequently, and always
upon the third day, carried to the hay barn, where it
undergoes a trifling fermentation, which is a desira-
ble process when hay is made with its natural
juices. If the weather prove rainy, the hay
should remain in the small or hand cocks till a dry
day allow of its being shaken out, and in the even-
ing, carried to the hay or Dutch barn. This barn is
formed of larch poles, set upright, 15 or 18 feet in
height, including a space of 15 feet in breadth and
60 feet in length, and supporting a light roof of thin
boards, or a slight covering of straw stitched upon the
rafters. No person who expects to have good mea-
dow-hay should be without such a Dutch barn.
Salt is generally sprinkled amongst the hay when it
is packing up in the hay barn, in the proportion of
about 161b to the ton ; and, should the hay have
been exposed to much wet weather, a double quan-
tity will be adviseable. Hay has thus been made
here, under my directions, for many years, without a
single ton of it ever having been spoiled.

* Teslinionials of the superior quality of the hay were
furnished to the society by the author, from Sir John
Hope, of Pinkie, and William Aitchison, Esq., young^er,
of Dromore. — Ed.

THE UTILITY OF A RURAL POLICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORWICH MERCURY.

Sir, — In consequence of the numerous offences of all
descriptions which were committed in a hundred near
Norwich, between the first of January, 1836, and the
following Michaelmas, amounting, I believe, to one
hundred and tioenty , the inhabitants were induced to
establish a small Police force. So effective has been
this force, that from the time of its coming into ser-
vice in November last, to the first May, (a long and
dreary winter) there have been hut fifteen depredations
committed in the 18 parishes, (out of 22) which joined
the association ; and in two of these cases, the offend-
ers were apprehended by the police, and transported
for life ; and all this good has been effected at the small
expense of about two-pence upon the acre for the year.
I am Sir, your obedient Servant,
AN INHABITANT OF THE HUNDRED.

THE fARMEK'S MAGAZINE.

A WORD OR TWO UPON HUS-
BANDRY.

' Ye Bi'itons, venerate the ploug'b,
And o'er your hills and long- withdrawing' dules.
Let Autumn spread her treasures to the sun."

I'liO-MSOX.

When I was lately travelling throiig-h the south of
England, I was much astonished, though it was not
tor the first time, at seeing the extraordinarily ex-
jiensivc process of agriculture which was going on.
in the county of Sussex, I saw various fields in the
course of culture bv ploughs, some drawn by five
oxen, others by four horses ; and in every case two
]:ersons were operating, one holding the plough, and
the other driving the animals. When the ploughs
were j)ulled by horses, these animals did not go in
l)airs, but singly all in a row. This was not the first
time I had seen four horses and two men engaged in
the process of ploughing in ICngland. 'I'en years
ago, the same thing had excited my surprise ; but I
imagined that by this time the farmers and jieasantry
would have known better, and have adopted im-
proved practices in husbandry. Yet, as I say, tliis
was not the case. Here I saw what was evidently
not a veiyhea'jii soil undera processof culture which,
for its clumsiness, has been exploded many years in
the northern parts of England, and ti,e south, if not
all parts, of Scotland ; while I also could not help
remarking, that the corn every where in the district
through whicii I went continued to be thiashed with
the flail, and afterwards winnowed by the hand. The
existence of such antediluvian practices in England
in the year 1034, must seem incredible to those who
are acciuainted with the husbandry of the counties of
Norfolk and East Lothian.

The surpiise which 1 felt on beholding such cu-
rious instances of wastefulness of capital, naturally
led me to talk upon the subject to those about me,
and to inquire whnt could be the reasons of contin-
uing to throw away money upon four horses anu two
men for a plough, when half the number ought to
suliice. But to all inquiries of this nature 1 was met
with the answer, that it would certainly be impos-
sible to do the work with eilher fewer horses or men.
I then meatioiied tlii'.tin Scotland, which I knew better
iibout than Morfolkortheotheriniprovird English dis-
tricls, I never saw four horses in a plough, except
perhajis on some very rare occasions, when the land
was duiicuk to be cu(, and that a tvvo-horso plough
with one man to hold and drive was there in uni-
versal use. Of course this assertion was looked
upon as a sort of patriotic rodomontade, and the con-
viction was complete, that to j)lough with four horses
in a line was the best of all possible modes of culti-
vation, and ought not to he abandoned. As I had
no means of enlarging upon the accuracy of my state-
ment at the time, I now beg to do so for the benefit
of that large class of individuals in Englund who
either do not know or do not believe that the Scotch
jilough their lands with only two horses and one
man, thereby efiecting a great saving in ca])ital as
well as in toil.

ilntil within about tho last forty years, the Scotch
generally pursued the same clumsy mcclnuiism in
agricultural affairs as that which I saw in th^i south
of England. But considerably before that distance
of lime, improvements began to be made in East
Lothian, where tiic^y were ultimately carried to tijo
greatest length. The Ivast Lothian agriculture has
since been a model to that of all Scotland. In the pre-
sent day, what with the eflbrts of spirited individuals,

and the elfortsof agricultural societies, the emulation
stirred up at ploughing matches, and the patro-
nising exertions of the Highland Society, the whole
of the arable part of the country, from the borders
to a district pretty far north, is enclosed and cul-
tivated like a garden. Capital, science, and natural
ingenuity, have conspired to render North Britain
one of the best and cheapest cultivated countries on
the globe. But it could not h.-,ve attained this
character had it not possessed the two-horse plough.
Let us consider what a plough is. The plough is
a moveable wedge, and all the parts attached to it are
no other than necessary appendages to direct, re-
gulate, and drag the wedge forward through tho
soil. Viewing the plough, therefore, simply as a
wedge, two things have to be considered : First, of
what shape ought the wedge to be in order to cause
the least possible friction in its progress ? Second,
how the draught should be disposed so as to require
the least possible exertion. A knowledge of the
mechanical powers has proved of great value in ad-
justing these particulars. Tho handles of a plough
are of no other use than to guide its motion — the iron
sock to give it a hard, sharp, and penetrating point —
the mould-board to throw ofl^' and turn up the furrow-
slice — the coulter to cut the land, and save the waste
of animal exertion — and the beam, with its notched
and moveable muzzle, to regulate and govern the line
of draught. It has been the object of improvers of
the plough to regulate the angularity of the sole and
body of the wedge, in a way most calculated to pro-
duce the smallest degree of friction. This and other
objects were accomplished about the year 1768, by a
iMr. Small, a ploughmaker in Berkwickshire, who
constructed what is called the chain-plough, which
is allowed to be better calculated for arable land,
free of natural obstruction, than most other instru-
ments. It received its name from the chain upon
which the stress of draught fell whenever it met
with any uncommon obstacle ; and thus the size and
weight of its beam could admit of material reduc-
tion. This was, however, among the least of its pie-
eminent merits. By attaching a" feather to the sock,
of such projection as to cut the bottom of the furrow
the whole width, by contracting both the length and
brendth of the sole, and by giving to the mould-board
a waving line, it lessened the friction, and improved
much the execution of the work. Before its intro-
duction, a jiair of horses and two oxen were consi-
dered indispensable to the diawing of a plough in
common use, and often four or six oxen were em-
ployed, invaribly with a driver. After it was intro-
duced, two horses, and no driver, were found quite
sufficient ; and since it began to be used, it has un-
dergone improvements which render it still easier to
draw. At first it was composed of wood and iron,
and weiglied not altogether seventy-six pounds;
latterly it has been constructed solely of iron, and
has a lighter, firmer, and more durable appearance.
The most recent improvements in the plough have
been made by Mr. Wilkie, of Udingstone, near Ha-
milton ; in particular, by bis introducing a wheel
under the j>lough, on the bottom of the furrow, by
which the friction is gieatly lesseDed. It has been
calculated, indeed, that, with this improvement, a
plough is drawn with one-fourth, and in some cir-
cumstances nearly one- third, less power than one of
the former construction. Of the various ploughs for
special kinds of work, I do not require to say any
thing.

In all parts of Scotland, great pride is taken by
ploughmen in having their furrows straight and trim,
and the fields neatly tucked in at the ends by head
ridges. In working- the plough, the off-side horse

.'54

Tlli^- FAPaiEIl'S MAGAZirsTx

walks iatlie furrow already made, tlje near-side horse
on the unfilled land, and "the ploughman in the new
furrow. The width and depth of the furrow, slice
are ordinarily determined by the nature of the yoil,
and the crop to be produced." In first fallow plough-
ing-, the width of the furrow is generally about ten
iriches, and the de'.th varying from six to eight or
nine inches. In several districts in England, as in
Norfolk, where the land us dry, and, conseiiueutly
does not reijiiire ridges, or where the seed is depo-
sited by the drill or dibble, it is usual to lav the fur-
row-slice quite flat ; but in Xoitliumberland and ia
Scotland a contrary system is adopted. It is founded
on the idea, that, as two of the principal objects in
ploughing are to exposa as much surface as possible
to the influence of the atmosphere, and to lay the
land so tljat the hairows may in the most efficient
mannf-r raise mould to cover the seed, these objects
are most eflectuaily accomplished when the furrow-
slice is raised with a proper shoulder, forming an
angle of forty-five degrees. The depth of the furrow
for that purpose ougLt in general to bear a due })ro-
portion to its breadth ; that is, about two-thirds, or
as si.xth inches deep are to nine broad.

We m.ay now ascertain how much work a plough
of tht kind we meniion should execute in a dav. A
pair of horses vvith n smart ircn plougli and one man
can execute a statute acre per day, in twe journeys
of nine hours in all, provided the soil is not obstina'te
and tenacious. That extent is two chains long, and
one chain or sixty-six feet broad. There are eighty-
eight furrow slices, nine inches wide each, in sixty-
six feet, so that the horses ploughing a furrow-slice
of that wiuth travel eleven miles in ploughiuo- an
acre, exclusive oftuniings. If die turnings are e'ciual
to one-tenth, the horses travel twelve miles and one
hundred and seventy-six yards in ploughing a statute
acre. In ona day that is very gooU work for two
horses ; yet it is a very slow pace when divided into
nine hours' work. In a dry fine soil, and on level
ground, a pair of good horses will plough twelve
chains ; on wet heavy land, nine, but sometimes not
more tli; n eigiit chains. In crossing or stirring tur-
nip land in summer or spring, they will do sixteen
chains, and in some very fine land, two acres. The
common dviy's work in Norfolk is fiom an acre to an
acre and a half, 'i'he cheapest ploughing, in any part
of the United Kingdom, I am tuld, is upon the light
lands of Norfolk. It was formerlv as low as from
three to four shillings an acre, but now or h.tely two
liorses and one man cost the farmers at the rate of
nine shillings per day; hence, astliev generally plough
an acre and a half a-d-iy, the expense is about six
shillings an acre. The expanse of ploughing in Scot-
land, from the difference ofsoil, and the greater depth
to which the operation is carried on, is higher than
in Norfolk. A ploughman, with a good pair of horsf-s
properly fed, including the expense of the plough,
the harness, &c., must, on an average, cost the
farmer about 115/. per annum;* and deilucting from
the year fii'ty two .Sundays, and allowing other tliir-
teen days to be lost on different occasions, and sup-
posing the team to be constantly employed, the ex-
pense of ploughing an acre, averaging "tiie different
states of the soil when ploughed, "and the different
objects in view, cannot be estimated at less than eight
shillings and sixpence, and in many cases it exceeds
that sum. According to the Middlesex Agricultural
Report, by an experiment made in Oxfordshire, it
appeared that with four horses, an acre could not be
doneunderfourteenshillings. AccordingtoIMarshalls

Norfolk, vol. i. p. 143, in Derbyshire and Kent, the
cost is fioin twelve to tit'teen, and in many cases
sevfiiti'ea shillings ]5er acre ; in the latter county,
from four to six horses are employed to plough even
a loamv soil. But it is in JMiddlesex fsee Middlesex
Report, p. 104) where the most expensive sj'stem of
aration is carried on. lliere four horses at length
(such as 1 saw a few weeks ago in Sussex) at no less
than fourteen shillings per day, a man at two shillings
and sixpence, and a driver at one shilling — total
seventeen shillings and sixpence — plough sio little
that the expense is calculated at twenty-one shillings
per acre.

It would be needless to produce additional in-
stances of the expensive and clumsy system of field
labour still pursued in some parts of England. Enough
has been said to convince unprejudiced persons that
there are dislricts in this island wliere the practice of
ag'iiculture is a hundred years in advance of other
quaiters. The advantages gained by the farming-
classes by employing- two-horse ploughs are too ob-
vious to require particular notice. When two horses
and one man can do the work of four horses and two
men, the saving is so great as to materially better the
circumstances not only of farmers, but landlords;
while the food consumed by tbe extra horses is more
usefully directed to the support of a population >-)f j
liuman beings. I am perfectly aware that the farmers I
in Kent, Middlesex, and some other counties of i
England, are in some measure prevented from intro-
ducing improvements. I know full well that the
peas-antry who now live by the antiquated practice
of thrashing with tlie flail, winnowing with the hand,
and assisting in various ways in rural aflTairs, are
prone to destroj^ machinery when attempted to be in-
troduced; and this furnishes a reason, poor though
it be, why some of the improvements of East Lothian
have not been adopted in the south. But I can find
no exeuse for employing four horses instead of two,
neither can I discover any rational apology for yoking
these same four horses lengthwise. Two horses
yoked abreast to the muzzle of the common improved
plough exert their power so uniformly, so readil}',
and so evenly, upon the resisting body, as to drag
the wedge forward with the smallest loss of power.
When four horses are yoked in the manner I have
described, the execution of tie work is often laid
very much upon the shoulders of the animals nearest
the pleugh. There is, besides, a great loss of lime ;
the team is unhandy, and cannot be readily or
sharply turned, consequently the field cannot be
ploughed so closely up to its terminating boundaries.
— Chambers's Journal.

* Tins is Sir .John Sinclair's calculation, which many
will thinfc too hia-h.

TITHE COMMUTATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Siii, — When the price of Wheat fell below 6s. ths
imperial bushel, a great part cf my land would not ])ay
the expense of cultivation, and for some years back I
have been laying- it down to grass. By the bill for the
commutation of tithes the charge for tiie tithe will ex-
ceed the ann-aal value of tiie land. I should like to have
your opinion wl-iat I am to do, as I see clearly my inte-
rest in the land is g-one. W'lien land is converted into
hop, orchard or garden g-round, the act has provided
for the tit!:e receiver, but when it ceases to grow corn
with profit no jirovision is made for the tithe payer ;
there certainly ought to have been a clause, when the
land cannot be cultivated with profit it oug-lit to be
tithed as when in grass ; my land is titheable to lamb
and wool, therefore there can be no evasion with laying-
it down to grass. Your advice will g-reatly oblige a
Constant Reader,

May 22. B. R.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

35

SUSSEX.

(from KhNNEDY AND GRAINGER's CUSTOMS OF
COUNTIES, 1828.)

The manners and customs of the inhabitants of
Sussex differ but little from iliose of their neigh-
bours; but it has been generally complained that
husbandry, though forming the chief employment of
the people, and so highly useful to all ranks of so-
ciety, lias not met with that encouragement in this
county which it has in other parts of the island,
in consequence of the people here being too much
attached to ancient customs, and too little to modern
improvement : this complaint, however, may be
equally applied to many parts of the adjoining coun-
ties of Kent and Surrey.

The inhabitants, generally speaking, enjoy a good
state of health, although the air materially varies in
diflferent situations : in the northern districts, where
the country is more flat than otherwise, dense fogs
are veiy frequent, but in the interior the air is pure
and serene ; on the sea-coast, and in its immediate
neighbourhood, strangers are frequently afflicted
with agues, whilst those who constantly reside upon
the spot are seldom subject to that disorder.

The soil varies extremely in the different (juarters
of the county, comprising, as it does, some of the
very bast and worst descriptions of land. In the
north a great extent of ground is occupied by St.
Leonard's Forest, which is, in some places, partially
cultivated, but its soil being of a very poor nature,
its natural productions, such as heath, birch, and
rabbits, have been, in general, more for at least as
much) relied upon than any return it was possible to
derive from such land, by means of an expenditure
devoted to agricultural operations.

The land also, for some distance round the forest,
is very different, it generall}' consisting- of a mixture
of clay and gravel ; the eastern and interior districts
are principally of a clayey nature, but the soil is of
a much better quality, and is here and there inter-
spersed with sindy spots ; the west and southern
parts of the county are, in this respect, very supe-
rior, the one containing as fine turnip land, and the
other as rich grazing land, as any in the United
Kingdom — the latter extends with the sea-coast to
tlie eastern and western extremities of the county.

The South Downs, which in various parts have of
late years been rapidly brought into a state of cul-
tivation, produce an abundance of corn, and feed
immense flocks of sheep ; but, unfortunately, the
value of the flocks, through the depression of the
wool-trade, has been so greatly reduced as to occa-
sion a serious lo:ss to the farmers, who are thus, from
necessity, obliged to seek other means of making up
tlie deficiency, and this they endeavour to do by ex-
tending the cultivation of the land.

Sussex, it is well known, has been always celebra-
ted for its breed of slieep, (tlie South Downs,) which
is considered superior to any in England in point of
flavour, an advantage they are believed to obtain,
like the mountan sheep, from the herbage upon which
they feed. Should, however, the same necessity
continue during several years to come, for enlarging
the proportion of the down-land subjected to culti-
vation, that has existed for some years past, this va-
luable breed of siiee}) must be ii ovitablv lost; and
it is very doubtful, at least a(( ording to present
prices, whether the produce of the soil will ever re-
munerate the farmer for the expenses of cultivation
in any proportion equivalent to what would be rea-
lized by rearing these useful animals, were the wool
sufficiently protected. The loss thus arising, in the
first instance, to the fanner, will ullimnlely entail a

much greater loss upon the country generally, not
only from the very deficient supply of good and nu-
tritious mutton, but from having to depend upon
foreign importation for the short wool which is so
essential to many branches of manufacture.

In addition to the sheep, this county is likewise
noted for its breed of cattle, which are not surpassed,
in point of beauty, by any in the United Kingdom.
Many of the oxen arrive at a great weight ; the
breed very much resembles that of Herefordshire as
to the deficiency in the dairy, with regard to the
cows, whilst the oxen are equally valuable either for
fatting or for work ; they are remarkable for affording
the butcher more roasting beef than any other kind
of beasts, as they invariably fatten and become mel-
lower on the back much sooner than on any other
point.

The only manufacture of any note carried on in
Sussex is that of gunpowder j the people not em-
ployed in that, either depend upon husbandry or fish-
ing, according to the situation of the places in which
they reside.

Practice of Tenancy. — The most usual time for
entering upon a farm in this county is Michaelmas,
when possession is taken of the whole of the land ;
but the outgoer bus the option of retaining part of
the house, with the occupation of the yards and out-
buildings, until May- day, for the purpose of thresh-
ing his corn, and using his straw.

It is a common practice for the incomer to pay
for thresliing this last crop, and to carry the corn to
market, in return for which he has the straw and
dung made from it for hia own use; but where an
outgoer feeds his last crop upon the premises until
May-day, (which he has the option of doing,) he
pays for the threshing of the corn himself, and is
paid for the dung arising therefrom, according to
valuation, by the incomer.

A large proportion of the land in Sussex is now
occupied by tenants at will; the rents are gene-
rally received once a year; the poor-rates are col-
lected quarterly ; the' highway-tax has, in many-
places, of late years, been p-aid by composition, and
the work performed for hire, which has been the
means of greatly improving the roads ; but in some
of the parishes in the northern part of the county
the tax imposed upon the farmers, merely for the
benefit of a few individuals, has been nearly, if not
entirely, the ruin of them ; the tithes are chiefly
commuted.

Customs between Landlord and Tenant, and
THE Incoming and Outgoing Tenant. — The re-
strictions upon a tenant in Sussex are not only very
insuflicient in themselves, but even, such as they
are, they are seldom or ever enforced, 'i'he reason
why so little -attention is paid to the mode of farm-
ing pursued by the tenants is, that, from the heavy
entry with which a farmer is compelled to commence
business, he is depiived of his capital, and is, there-
fore, obliged to do as he can, not as he wishes, which
is the case with the greater part of the tenantry in
the weald.

In many places a tenant is prohibited froai remov-
ing either' hay or straw, but, generally speaking-, he
is allowed to sell hay, provided he draws a load of
dung b-ack upon the land for every lead of hay which
he sells ; he is, likewise, restrained from taking more
than two straw crops to a fallow, and is, in general,
bound to manure his meadow land once in three
years ; hut there is no restriction as to taking- two
white crops successively, nor as to the quantity of
wheat or seeds to be sown every year. In the
eastern extremity of the county, however, a tenant
is bound to leave, at the expiration of his term, a

D 2

36

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

stated number of acres of seeds and wheat land for
his successor to enter upon, and which are to be left
in specified parts of the I'arrn : this prevents an out-
goer from taking tlie best of the land for his last
crop, and leaving the worst for the incomer to com-
mence with; but the restriction, which is only for
the last year, is but partially in use. It may appear
to some unnecessary, and that it might be dispensed
with, but upon farms where tlie land difi'era mate-
rially in quality, it is essentially requisite, as what-
ever rotation a tenant is bound to farm his land in,
there is nothing in that to prevent him from regu-
lating- bis own crops and taking the benefit of the
best of the land when lie quits: such a restriction,
thereibre, is of great importance to an incoming
tenant, who has not merely to look anxiously to his
iirst year, but must witness tJie lapse of several, be-
fore he can properly equalize the best and worst of
the soil.

The outgoer, when he pa\ s for the tlireshing of
Lis last crop, and uses the straw upon the premises,
demands of his successor the value of the dung that
is left in the yards at May-day, together with the
expense of casting it, which is called a second valu-
ation ; but if the incomer pays for the threshing, and
carries the corn out, he is allowed the straw by way
of remuneration, and, therefore, has no duug to pay
for at Blay-day, he having already purchased the
straw by theshing and cairving out the corn.

According to the custom of the county, an outgoer
is paid by the incomer for every time the laml is
plougbed, harrowed, or rolled, during the last
twelve months ; on turnip or wheat fallows, tLe full
value ; likewise the full value of seed and labour on
turnips, grass seeds, or corn in the ground, and also
for all manure laid out upon the land for turnip or
Michaelmas crops, together with the expense of
carting attending it : in addition to this he is paid
half the value for all manure, as just described, which
■was expended on tJie f.n-m during the year preceding
the last twelve months, and for all manure laid out
upon meadow land, the full value being allowed in
this case before one crop of hay is taken, but only
half after one crop.

An incomer in Sussex cannot, generally speaking,
enter before Blichaeliniis, though he is subject to the
rent and taxes (during his predecessor's terra J) due
from the land that has been left as fallow from the
time it was first ploughed. He has to take, by valua-
tion, the clover or otlier grass seeds on the ground,
also clover lays, which are valued according to ao-e
and the times they have been cut for hay, and the
rowens in the meadow, if kept free from haying-time
till JMichaelmas ; he is likewise compelled, by the
custom of the county, to take all the crops that are
sown, with every expense attending them.

A leaving tenant being allowed, through the cus-
tom of the county-, to make so heavy a demand, and
for such a time gone by, of course gets over his fal-
lows and other work, as often as he possibly can, but
which, in consequence of this hurry, are frequently
very much slighted, and thus the extra w^ork which
an incomer is obliged to pay for is not of the least
benefit to him.

A practical appraiser can doubtless set a just and
proper value upon things he sees before his eyes;
but when he h;s to value a field of wheat, together
-with the manure laid out u])on it, and every plough-
ing, harrowing, or rolling it has undergone, how is
it possible for any man to have, in this respect, any
other guide to value than v.hat he is told ? A man
m-ay, it is true, be placed on a farm by the incomer,
Avhen the outgoer will permit it, in order to see that
the work is really and properly done ; but it more

frequently happens than otherwise, that distance, or
some other inconvenience, prevents an incomer from
knowing, when het-akes a farm, what has been done,
excejit through what he is told by the outgoer, or
some of his servants. I'o give, however, this prac-
tice of entry every favourable allowance, let it be
supposed that the shortness of the distances will
allow the incomer to see that the fallows, and the
other work which he has to take or pay for, have
been properly dene, and that thus no demand is made
upon him except for wlat has been actually per-
formed, -and what, therefore, -will be for his benefit —
can there bo a doubt that he could have !i d the work
done at a cheaper rate, and with gre. ;yr advantage
tc himself, than by paying for it in t'lis way ! Is it
likely, too, that he should be avv-are -.-.hat quantity of
manure had been carried out upon ihe land the }ear
before for all the crops'? — but for -which manure and
expense of carting, he has to pay half the value,
though the labour may date its commencement two
years before the change of tenants!

Mode of Fauming, T.mpleiments, &c. — Agriculture
in this county has been long considered ti-- be in a
very backward state with regard to improvement,
and until the practice of tenancy is entirely altered,
no change, in this respect, for the better can be ex-
pected.

In the first place, nothing tends more to improve
the agriculture of a county, than farmers settling
there from distant parts, and exerting themselves to
carry into effect their respective systems ; but of
this advantage Sussex is completely deprived, on
account of the heavy sum of money an incoming
tenant is obliged to pay on entering upon a farm.
By the latter part ofthis remark it is, of course, not
intended to be implied that there is ho improvement
derived from this source to be met with hi Sussex ;
but there are known and authenticated instances,
where farmers from Lincolnshire, Berkshire, and
Gloucestershire, have looked over farms here, and
haye had no objection to tlie soil, but, on learning
the practice at entry, have immediately declined
taking them, observing that the whole or the greater
part of their money v.-ould be drained from them,
before they had even commenced their business.

In the second place, let any one go through the
weald of Sussex, and notice the state of the gene-^
rality of the farmers. Every means must be resorted
to for the purpose of raising money sufficient even
to enter upon a farm, and what is the consequence 1
The farms are not half stocked ; the land cannot be
improved, for want of capital. A farmer so situated,
cannot do as he would wish, and if the markets are
against him, the iirst year he becomes involved in
embarrassment and can never recover. Thus it is
imjiossible that, under such circumstances, the land
can be improved, the occupier having to contend
with difficulties as long as he remains, and with diffi-
culties that he cannot surmount, but too frequently
sinks under them and fails altogether.

The farmers in Sussex are not wanting in a pro-
ber system to act upon, and, generally speaking,
they do more, considering their privations, than is
dons by many others who have superior advantages ;
the only way, perhaps, to discover what people can
do, is to put thtm to the test, as, by exertion, what
may almost appear wonderful, is frequently accom-
plished ; but there must, neyertheless, be something
to cheer and support those efibrts ; and would it not
be belter to render assistance to the farmer, instead
of depriving him of it, in order that he mviy be en-
abled to perform his duty, which is as beneficial to
tbe landlord as it is to the tenant 1

There is, indeed, no class of farmers who, in

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

37

general, considering what they have to contend with,
arranges and conduct business in a cheaper or lietter
manner than those of Sussex, tliey have nothing to
assist them but actual hard labour and exertion ;
whilst being deprived of tlieir capital, they have not
the means of taking advantage of the markets, or of
making a purchase, though certain of a good bargain.
Necessity, therefore, compels tliem to make the best
of things' as they are, a\Kl to act upon the most rigid
principles of economy ; were there more liberality, it
is well known that the land would make an adequate
return ; and if the situation of the farmer in this
county was generally appreciated, the want of im-
]3rovement, which has been so long a matter of com-
plaint, would, doubtless, be attributed to its actual
and sole cause.

The hill f;irms are, man)'- of them, very extensive,
and require a considerable capital to meet the neces-
sary expenditure ; but in the weald they are generally
small and very much inclosed. Great quantities
both of turnips and of rape are grown upon the hill
farms for the support of the sheep. The rotation on
them generally is — first, turnips; second, barley;
third, "seeds ; fourth, wheat; lifth, rape, or other
green crop. In the weald — first, fallow ; second,
■wheat; third, seeds; fourth, oats; or third, oats;
fourth, seeds. The latter is not so kindly either for
a crop or for the land, but on the heavy soils it is
frequently practised.

Beans would suit some of the lands much better
than sowing so many oats ; but this being a breeding
county, the farmers are obliged to grow a great
quantity of the latter for the sake of the fodder, and
there is not a county in England where the stack
yards, straw, and manure, are kept better together,
or made more of, or the comfort of the cattle more
studied, than in Sussex.

A great quantity of lime is used in the weakl,
which the farmers generally burn themselves from
the chalk, being enabled to do this in most parts, by
growing sufficient underwood ; but a manure more
commonly used than any other, is a mixture of dung
and mould ; the latter frequently consists of the
head-land of a field where it becomes too high, and
of all the clearings of the ditches that can be scraped
together.

Sussex is well stocked with beautiful timber, and
the under.wood in many parts is very good, but
nothing equal in value to what it is in Kent, and in-
deed it is converted to a different purpose, that in
Kent being used for hop-poles, whilst in this county
an extensive trade is carried on in the manufacture
of hoops, a large proportion of which are exported
to the West Indies.

The pasture land is in general very much neglected,
and does not produce the feed it might be made to
do, were the farmers enabled to lay out a little
money in draining, the drains chiefly consisting of
black thorn bushes or stone ; but in reality ihey have
not the means to make any improvement, and the
whole of the expense generally falling upon the
tenant, very little m that way is attempted.

The outbuildings, which are spacious, particularly
the barns, are invariably thatched and weatlier-
bnarded ; the quantity of timber they sometimes con-
tain is enormous ; the repairs are most commonly
kept up by the tenant, the premises having been pot
into a proper state at the time of his taking jiosses-
sion ; but the landlord finds all rough timber for the
purpose, which is converted at the expense of the
tenant.

experienced trapper in all that relates to his pursuit,
that he can detect the slightest sign of a beaver, how-
ever wild : and although the lodge may be concealed,
by close thickets and overhanging willows, he can
generally at a single glance make an accurate guess at
the number of its inmates. He now goes to work to
set his trap ; planting it upon the shore in some chosen
place, two or three inches below the surface of the
water, and secure? it by a chain to a pole set deep in
the mad, A small twig is then stripped of its bark,
and one end is dipped in the "medicine," as the
trappers term the peculiar bait which they employ.
This end of the stick rises about four inches above the
surface of the \^ater, the other end is planted between
the jaws of the trap. The beaver, possessing an acute
sense of smell, is soon attracted by the odour of the
bait. As he raises his nose towards it, his foot is
caught in the trap. In his fright he throws a somer-
set into the deep water. The trap, being fastened to
the pole, resists all his efforts to dras- H to the shore ;
the chain by which it is fastened defies his teeth ; he
struggles for a time, and at length sinks to the bottom
and is drowned. Occasionally it happens that several
members of a beaver family are trapped in succession.
The survivors then become extremely shy, and caa
scarcelv be "brought to medicine," to use the trapper's
phrase 'for "taking the bait." In such case, the
trapper gives up the use of the bait, and conceals his
traps in the usual paths and crossiKg places of the
household. The beaver now being completely " up to
trap, '' approaches them cautiously and springs them
ingeniously with a stick. At other times, he turns the
traps bottom upwards by the same means, and occa-
sionally even drags them to the barrier and conceals
them in the mud. The trapper now gives up the con-
test of ingenuity, and shouldering his traps, marches
off, admitting that he is not yet " up to beaver."—
Adventures of Capt. Bonneville, hy ]Vashington Irving.

Trapping the Beaver. — Practice, says Captain
Bonneville, has given such a quickness of eye to the

Enlargement of Smithfield Market.— The
Report of the Market Committee on the petitions
for and against the removal of the Smithfield
Market, and on an offer for sale to the city of the site
of the Islington Market was brought up in the Court
of Common Council on Thursday. The committee ex-
pressed their opinion that the present locality of the
market was best suited to the public convenience. —
Mr. Hicks, the chairman of the committee, said that
it had been industriously circulated that the present
market could never be safficiently enlarged, because
the city could not demand tolls for standing out of the
bounds of the city. He had obtained the opinion of the
high legal authorities of the city on this point, which
was, that tolls might be legally collected from places
lying within the county of Middlesex, providing the
ground was part of the old forty acres called West
Smithfield when the market was chartered. The
market at present spread over only four acres. The
report was agreed to.

Another Wonder. — A cow which first saw the
light in the Highlands, and which was cut in both ears,
somewhat in the manner in which sheep are marked in
the South of Scotland to denote the persons to whom
they belong, was, some time ago, parehascd by Mr.
John M'Clounie, Auchenyleocli, Eankhead, parish of
Glencairn. The said cow lately calved a calf, the ears
of which, when it came into the world, were marked
in the very same way as those of its dam ; and this cir-
cumstance connected with the calf, however marvel-
lous it may be deemed, is altogether tme.—Dianfries
Times.

38

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

ON THE FEEDING OF CATTLE AND
HORSES.

(from lewis's observations on an experimental

FARM.)

The importance of this branch of agriculture is
aclinowledged by all. It is at once the finishing
process, by which the benefits of the several pre-
paratory steps are realized, and upholds the active
machinery by which all of them are carried on.
And although, from its being almost wholly a na-
tural process, it may be supposed that a greater
degree of uniformity may obtain in practice than
in those departments of the profession which are
more dependent upon artificial aid, this is by no
means the case, and tlie advantages of an experi-
mental farm will be here found as numerous and
great as in any of those branches that have liitherto
come under our consideration.

With regard to the fattening of cattle, the three
great points are — certainty, economy, and dis-
patch.

Now, it may be safely affirmed, that agricultu-
rists are unanimous in thinking that calves, for
the first three or four months, should be nursed
with a plentiful supply of milk, or of such artificial
food as bears the nearest resemblance to it in its
effects, and we grant that there is a very consider-
able degree of attention generally displaj^ed in
seeing that such is the case. But so much incon-
sistency is there in practice, that here the foster-
ing care of the farmer generally ceases, and the
calves that are comparatively well nursed, and in
good order, are afterwards in many cases so much
neglected, and allowed to fall into such reduced
condition, especially towards the commencement
of spring, that the vital spark is all but fled, and a
stranger, not initiated into the mysteries of the
art, would be induced to suppose that this extreme
state of poverty was essential to the future well-
being of the animal. Yet nothing can be more
detrimental, whether we look to the interest of the
owner or the state of the animal. By subjecting
the latter to these severe periodical privations, not
only is its future developenent impeded, but its
constitution is injured. Therefore, independent
of the risk of a premature death, by the time it is
put up to feed, the owner sustains a positive loss
in its diminished size and inaptitude to fatten. The
greatest profit will therefore be realized, and the
least risk sustained, by feeding- from the commence-
ment, and we are glad to perceive that the starving
system, as it may not inaptly be denominated, is
begiiming to be discontinued in some of the more
improved districts of the country, although the
departure from the old and still prevalent practice
is by no means general. In truth, it is scarcely
possible that it ever can be so, to the extent sup-
posed, in the present state of the soil, for there are
certain descriptions of land that are incapable of
keeping on young cattle in fine condition.

But were these poor and barren soils jircparcd
in the m<anner already described, this objection
would in a great measure be obviated, for it is a
well known fact that some of the finest grasses
flourish nowhere more luxuriantly than on those
soils which, previous to their improvement, pro-
duced only a scanty crop of the coarest herbage.
But even in the ])resent state of the soil much
might be done — extreme poverty of condition at
any rate can always be avoided, which of itself
would be a great advantage to the breeder. It may
be here also remarked that were the soil improved

in the manner proposed, the tendency to produce
and propagate disease, which is peculiar to certain
descriptions of soil, would be altogether removed.

In these principles, whatever may be their prac-
tice, agriculturists arc generally agreed. The di-
versity of opinion relates not so much to the time
at which feeding should commence, as to the man-
ner in which it should be done. While the com-
mon ])ractice is to allow a dozen or more of the
cattle to mix indiscriminately together, and thus to
give full power to the stronger to molest and an-
noy the weaker, and after arriving at a certain ago
to tie them up in stalls i)reparatory for the butcher,
an opinion is daily gaining ground that it would
be more advantageous to divide them at an early
period into smaller lots — say into parcels of two
and three, by means of convenient and well shel-
tered cribs or sheds. This opinion, where it has
been proceeded upon, appears to he confirmed by
fact, and it would certainly be a matter of no
small importance to have it put beyond the reach
of dispute, which could be very easily and speedily
accomplished by the operation of an experimental
farm, innsmuch as feeding, in the general accep-
tation of the term, is, as we have already said, not
confined to a few months previous to the animals
being sent to the shambles, but should commence
with their existence and only cease with it.

In connection with this part of our subject it
may be stated, that many are of opinion that soil- J
ing during the summer months is preferable for \
many reasons to pasturing, especially after the '
animal has attained its first year. For it has
been rendered more than probable that cattle,
when kept in the ntunbers and manner above
mentioned, not only retain their health as well as
when they arc allowed to pasturage at large, biit
attain a greater weight of carcass and aptitude to
take on fat, even although they are thus treated
from the period of their being calves. But as it
may be presumed that exercise and liberty are
more natural and beneficial to cattle during the
first year, where the farmer possesses the neces-
sary facilities for so doing, it may be as safe per-
haps, at least in the present state of our knowledge
upon the subject, to suffer his young stock to go at
large during that period. And if it should be
found that soiling is then a more advantageous
mode of feeding than the manner in which it is
conducted at present — if it should be ascertained
that the weight of the animal is increased while
its health remains uninjured, and that the culti-
vation of the soil is rendered more easy and eco-
nomical, from the absence of all waste in the ap-
plication of manure, and the absence of all poach-
ing during the growth of the crop, &c., we have no
hesitation in saying, that it would be an object of
great importance to the farmer, greater perhaps
than at present could be accurately estimated ;
for if the soil were prepared in the manner which
we have advocated, it would be in the power of all
to supply their cattle plentifully and regularly with
food of a superior description to what is at present
produced, on the medium or average soils of the
country, inasmuch as a great portion of the land,
which has hitherto been incapable of affording a
succession of cuttings of inferior herbage, would
then carry abundant crops of the most nourishing
artificial grasses.

It has indeed been objected to the practice of
soiling, i'iiat cattle will not touch indifferent food
in honses and stalls, which, in the open air they
would readily eat. But this objection would not
apply in the circumstances supposed ; for were

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

39

the land r;o far improved as to carry iiotbiiig but
food of a superior dcscriptiou, none of an indifl'cr-
cnt quality would be given them, and even in the
present condition of the soil, we are not to suppose
that the food which has been rejected by one class
of animals would therefore become useless, for it
is a well known fact that grass which has been
breathed upon for any length of time by one de-
scription of animals, and even defiled, so much so
as to become an object of loathing and apparent
disgust to every individual of the same class, ac-
quires an additional relish for stock of another
variety. Hence the very refuse of their food, by
a little attention and care, might afford a pleasing
repast to the animals of a different species kept
upon the farm, which in other circumstances — in
the field for example — would have been lost.

It has been also objected that in wet seasons the
aftermath is much injured by the cartage neces-
sary for carrying the grass when cut. Whatever
force may be in this objection, the injury which is
thus occasioned cannot be equal to that which
arises from the jjoaching of the ground and the
destruciion of food by the treading of a numlier of
cattle, &c. upon the same field.

Perhaps the most material objection to the soil-
ing system is the expense necessary for erecting
and keeping Tip the buildings requisite for its
adoption, and the additional labour necessary for
cutting and carting the grass, &c. But in our
opinion this objection is more imaginary than
real. We have now practised the system for a
l)eriod of twenty years, and although we have in-
stituted no direct experiments to ascertain the
comparative expense and benefits of soiling and
])asturing, we are perfectly satisfied that any ad-
ditional labour and outlay necessary in the former
are far more than counterbalanced by the saving
in food that is effected, both in regard to its in-
creased production and diminished waste, (three-
fifths of an acre on clover growing soils affording
more real nourishment under the soiling system
than a whole acre by pasturing), by the superior
condition of the cattle, and the absence of acci-
dents, and many diseases consequent upon their
exposin-e to our variable climate, by the making
of the dung under cover, and its economical and
effective application afterwards, and lastly, by the
formation of pits to receive the liquid manure,
which, when applied to the grass in the si)ring
months, so materially enhances the weight of the
crop, and hastens its maturity. But these, and
whatever other objections the system is liable to,
would come under the cognizance of an experi-
mental farm ; and the experiments instituted, and
the decisions given — so su[)erior both iti accuracy
and authority to the results of individual investi-
gation, where the opinions come to often partake
as much of the nature of a guess as of a demon-
stration— could not fail of discovering the merits
of every disputed ])oint, and, by consequence, be
productive of a more certain and systematic
course of procedure than has hitherto bce;i at-
tained. Nor is this the only point to which its
operations \\oul(l be confined. The rival, and as
yet undecided claims of those who advocate the
several ad\antages of law and boiled food, the
real and comparative merits of oil-cake, &c.
liitherto very inii>errc(;tly known, would all (;ome
under review ; and in the course of time it is to
be expected that the farmer would be ])rovidcd
with a manual of feeding adapted to every exi-
gency, whether as regarded the different propor-
tions o\ food he ought to administer, or the mode

in which it should be administered, and on which
an unlimited dependence could be placed.

But if the operations of an expc-imental farm
would be advantageous, in so far as regarded the
feeding of cattle, it would be much more so as re-
garded the feeding of horses. From the anato-
mical structure of the former, less delicacy in the
preparation of their food is required. In fact there
is a natural provision for this purpose contained
within the animal itself. In the digestive appara-
tus which they possess, although the food may in
the first instance be swallowed without much com-
minution from mastication or otherwise, they have
the power of sending it from the stomach again,
until the whole is reduced to such a state of fine-
ness as to admit of being acted upon by the gas-
tric juice. Artificial preparation, therefore, may
be in a great measure dispensed with, especially
when it is considered that the time of all ruminat-
ing animals may be wholly devoted to the comple-
tion of this process, and that they suffer little or
no interruption on the part of man in carrying it
on. Far otherwise is it in the case of the horse.
From the structure and operation of its digestive
organs the food requires to be comminuted to a
considerable extent ])revious to its being received
into the stomach, otherwise the digestive process
will not take effect. This of itself would afford a
istrong presumption that the artificial preparation
of their food v.ould prove highly advantageous.
I5ut when it is considered that a very great pro-
portion of their time is occupied in the service of
man, and in many instances to the material inter-
ruption of the masticatory process, which is so
essential to their being ])rescrved in that condition
and habit of body necessary to the fuil performance
of their work, without any undue fatigue on their
part, what before was a matter of presumption
merely becomes a matter of certainty, and the far-
mer is bound as much from the high calls of hu-
manity, as from the selfish considerations of in-
terest, to uphold the strength and provide for the
comfort of such a useful servant by every means
in his j)ower.

Now we deem it beyond the possibility of dis-
pute, that in general much negligence prevails in
the feeding of horses. The common jiractice is to
give them hay and straw and grain without any
previous pre[)aration. The consequence is, that
after the laboiu's of the day, ahnost the whole of
the horses' time is occupied in masticating the
quantity of food necessary for their support.
This, especially in the case of horses, is a matter
of peculiar hardship. I'esides, there is always a
considerable waste of food, both of the hay and
grain, when it is administered in this way, and
consequently a direct and irremediable loss to
their owners. For practical men do not require
to be told that when the hay or straw is supplied
in the ordinary manner, from 25 to 30 per cent, is
regularly destroyed. The animal, therefore, de-
rives no benefit from the wasted portion, although
its intrinsic value remains undiminished. And in
the case of grain, that portion of it only which is
crushed in mastication affords him nourishment,
but a very great proportion of it passes into the
stomach without being masticated at all ; and on
this the digestive organs exert no action what-
ever, as is manifest from the grain passing through
the animal unchanged. Many indeed suppose
tl'.at the nutriment has been extracted from the
grain, rlthough it ap]:ears to a superficial ob-
server to be unaltered. But this is a mistake. For
it has been satisfactorily established by direct ex-

40

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

peiiment, that the germinating properties of grain
in tliese circumstances are not in tlie least affected.
It is then impossible that the animal could have
derived the slightest hencfit from it.
These two things then are evident :
1st, That the anotomical structure of the horse
warrants us in stating that tlie artificial prepara-
tion of their food is necessary; and,

2dly, That in the present mode of feeding, a
great and needless waste is incurred. The question
no^v comes to he how is this waste to he avoided,
and th« health and strength of the horse at the
same time preserved.

By the enterprise of a few spirited individuals,
and the experiments they have instituted, as much
has already been accomplished as to warrant the
belief tliat this question is susceptible of a satis-
factory solution. We had lately an opportunity
of seeing Mr. Croall, an extensive coach proprie-
torin Edinburgh, and of visiting his stables. This
individual cuts all his hay, and bruises his oats
previous to their being given to his horses ; eight
pounds of the former, and sixteen pounds of the
latter mixed up together, is the stated allowance
of each per day ; and he finds that he effects a
saving in his way of more than a fourth in his
establishment, and at the same time preserves liis
horses in better condition than under the old
piactice. He mentioned also that on a farm which
lie rents about eleven miles from town, instead of
giving the horses which he uses the.e cut hay, he
finds cut straw to be quite sufficient for keeping
them in condition, and for their performing with
ease all the work of the farm.

In a paper by iMr. Dick, contained in the 3d
volume of the Agricultural Journal, it is stated
that Captain Cheyne, who is connected with the
posting establishment, has adopted a system some-
what similar to that of Mr. Croall. After various
trials, he at length changed the system of feeding
to the following. Each horse was given 15lbs. of
the following mixture : —

10 bushels cut straw 90 lbs.

G do. bruised oata, 291bs. per bushel 174
1 do. bruised Leans 59

■.',2?, lbs.
And at night, in addition to the above, about
of the following mixture : —

One boll steamed potatoes .")G01bs.

Fine barley dust Sfi

Cut straw 40

Salt ()■

The cost for each horse was therefore about five-
pence for supper, and about Is. for daily forage ;
in all, about one shilling and fivepence halfpenny.
During grass, each horse got about lOlbs. grains,
and 201bs. grass during the day; and at night
from 35 to 40 lbs. grass were put into tlieir racks.
On this feeding, however, they rather lost flesh ;
but they had been doing more work than on the
former diet. Captain Cheyne has also substituted
bruised barley and hay when oats and straw were
dear with equal success ; and in these experiments
it ought to be particularly observed, that the
horses were enabled to go through their work
with as much facility as before, and the attend-
ance of the veterinary surgeon was all but dis-
pensed with.

We are aware that the use of cut hay or straw
and bruised oats was recommended a considerable
time ago, l)nt as yet it has not met with general
adoption. In fact only a very few individuals

have condescended to give it a trial — there is a
host of objections on thescoreoftheadditional trou-
ble, attention, &c., which this system would entail
u[ion the farmer and his servants. But these are
not the times in which the pleas of mere supineness
are likely to be sustained. We would, therefore,
repel all such objections simply on the ground of
irrelevancy. Another objection of a more serious
character is, that if horses are thus fed their health
will be injured, and they will be unable to do fast
or severe work.

Now we willingly admit tliat the digestive organs
of the horse, from their size and capacity, are in-
tended to receive a large proportion of matter,
containing comparatively a small proportion of
nutriment. In the words of Mr. Dick, than whom
there is none better qualified to give an opinion
on such subjects, " It the food u'pon which they
are made to live is of too rich a qualit}', there is
by the excitement produced an increase of the
l)eristaltic motion, in order to throw off the super-
abundant quantity which has been taken into the
stomach and bowels. It is necessary to give,
therefore, a certain quantity or bulk to separate
perhaps the particles of nutritious matter, that the
bowels may be enabled to act properly upon it. A
horse could not live so well on oats, if fed entirely
u])on them, as when a portion of fodder is given
with them, because a certain bulk is required.
But this may be carried too far, and the animal
may have his bowels loaded with too large a quan-
tity of unnutritious food, and nothing less than
such a mass as will render bim incapable to per-
form any active exertion, will be able to afford hira
even a scanty degree of nourishment."

According to these principles, a certain propor-
tion of bulk and nutriment is essential to the
health of the horse ; but those who object to tlic
system of JMessrs. Croall and Cheyne appear to
overlook the probable fact, that this proportion is
preserved, inasmuch as it is and has been all along
conformable to the experience of these gentlemen,
that their horses ha\e been freer from constitu-
tional disease than when fed according to the old
system, and as capable of performing the fast and
severe work in which they are em])loyed.

But as the object of this treatise is more imme-
diately connected with agricultural than posting
purposes, it is of considerable importance to as-
certain the comparative merits of soft or mashed
and hard or dry feeding, especially when steamed
roots, &c., are included under the former description
of food. In connexion with thissnbject, we maybe
permitted to observe, tliat, for the last seven years
all our farm-houses, consisting of from ten to
twelve, have been fed entirely on a mixture of
steamed turnips and potatoes, without oats or any
thing else— their fodder being sometimes hay, but
more frequently straw, supplied in the ordinary
v/ay ; each horse receives a mash of the above
mixture three times per day ; and although hay
was occasionally substitufeJ for straw, yet were
14 or l.Mbs. of cut straw added to the mixture, we
are perfectly satisfied that the former might en-
tirely be dispensed witli.

We confess that we entertained some fears that
so great a change on their food might have had a
tendency to engender disease ; but in this we were
most agreeably disapj)ointed. The horses im-
proved in condition, and in winter, instead of get-
ting hard dry coats as formerly when fed on oats and
raw potatoes, their skins were uniformly sleek and
kindly; they also proved themselves more capable of
nndergoingfatigue and severe labour:all which were

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

41

satisfactory proofs that the food given them was
congenial to their constitution. But in order to
satisfy ourselves of the saCcty of the by&tcni, wc
stated our fears to Mr. Rohinson, a veterinary
surgeon, who then resided in the neighbourhood,
and is now attached to the 9th Lancers, who gave
it as his oj)iiiion, that so long ".s the animal kept
condition there was no ground for a])prchensir,n ;
hut that, in order to prevent any tendency to di-
sease, six ounces avoirdupois of salt should be
given to each horse per day. This recommcnda
tion was followed, and during the above ]!criod
tl)e whole of on.r horses were never less affected
with disease ; and what at first originated from
motives of economy had thus continued to he ad-
hered to, as tlie best and healthiest mode of keep-
ing farm-horses which \\c have hitherto been made
acquainted Mitli.

We are aware that steamed potatoes were given
to horses by several individuals so far back as, twenty-
eight years ngo, but slea.ned potntoes of themselves
are injurious to tlie geuei'al health of the horse, and
tins was very soon discovered. I'lie ju-actice was of
course discontinued, and a prejudice was excited in
tlie minds of maiiy against the use of all steamed
food, which, to a certain extent, still exists. V\ hen
mix-ed, however, with turnips, it is very probable
that there is nt.t a more nutritious diet. H;id tiiis,
tberetbi-e, been known at the period to which we
have referred, and which would have been the case
liad an experimental farm been then in operation,
when the high prices of grain are taken into account,
compared wiih those of turnips and potatoes, the
saving to the country must have been very great ;
and were such an establishment voiv in oiieration,
every doubtful point would he satisfactorily esta-
blished by a comiietent authorit^r, go that no indi-
vidual would be left to grojie among the contradic-
tory conclusions of private practice in order to dis-
cover a s_ystem which he could adopt with safety and
success. Nor would its jurisdiction be confined to
those modes of feeding orly which we have cursorily
attempted to discuss, but no hint would he allowed
to fall to the ground unimproved, and no recommen-
dation pass unheeded.

We shall draw this part of our subject to a con-
clusion by shewing the beneficiil consequences that
might be expected from such an establishment, in
discovering tlie qualities of salt as a condiment and
ingredient in the food of animals — qualities, we ap-
prehend, which as yet are very little understood;
but that it might be so employed with great advan-
tage, the following extracts go far to prove : —

It is stated in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia " Tha
salt given with the food of cattle augments its nourish-
ment.

" That in proportion to the quantity of salt eaten
by cattle, tlje effects of the augmentation are per-
ceived.

" That no ill consequences follow its use, even
when given without stint.

" These propositions are supported by unquestion-
able evidence, and the trials of very many persons.

" Cran, in the jurisdiction of Aries, in the county
of Provence, France, has an extent of six leagues
by three, the whole surface of which is covered with
small rough stones, and not a tree or a hush is to be
seen upon the whole district except a verj' few scat-
tered on the border; yet on this ajiparently barren
spot, by the free use of salt, moi-e numerous flocks
of sheep are bred and reared than upon any other
common of equal extent in the kingdom; and what
is not less remarkable, the sheep are healthier,
hardier, and endure the severity of winter with less I

loss, though they have fewer sheep cotes for cover-
ing than those fed and bred on more luxuriant pas-
tures, and that have the advant;ige of convenient
shelter. Add to this that the wool of the Hocks bred
and brouglit up in the Cran is not only the finest,
but bears the highest price of any in France. It is
concluded tli;it these surprising effects are coiisequent
upon the u)ilin)ited use of salt, for it frequently hap-
pens that liie Cran is so parched up in summer that
the animals are obliged to turn up the very stones to
get tlie few blades of grass that grov/ round them,
and yet none perish for want of food. Allowing
every excellence that can possibly be supposed in-
herent in the herbage, yet the quantity is so small,
that without the abundant use of salt, a fourth part
of the sheep kept in the Cian could not subsist on it.

" In Spain, where the finest wool in the world is
produced, large (]uantities of salt are given to the
sheep, to which they attribute in a great measure,
the fineness of the wool.''

Lord Somerville, who was among tlie first to inti'o-
duce the practice of giving salt to sheep in England,
states in a communication to the board of agriculture,
that " he purchased 200 merino sheep in Spain, at
about 22/. 10s. each, which he brought to England ;
and, as they had been accustomed to receive salt in
S|)ain, he continued the practice when he brought
them to this country, and he also extended the prac-
tice to his other sheep. Ilis Lordship some years
ai'terwards removed from the rich vale of Taunton,
in Somersetshire, to an estate which he had pur-
chased in Surrey, and this being a dry light sandy
soil, he did not think it necessary to go on at such a
hn-ge expense, as salt then was so heavily taxed, but
for some years afterwards he lost many of his young
sheep, winch he was afterwards inclined to think,
might have been saved, had he continued as before
to give theni salt, and he afterwaids reverted to his
former mode of giving his sheep th;^ir regular supply
of this useful ingredient. He says, that sheep re-
quire more salt in the autumn and spring months,
when the dews are heavier flian in summer or winter,
and that they consumed at the rate of one ton for
every thousand sheep annually."

Lord Somerville, together with Mr, Curiven, Sir
John Sinclair, and others, all unite in recommending
the use of salt as a preventive against the diseases
incident to wet situations, and their experience
almost proves the necessity of it.

Sir John, in his Agricultural State of tte Nether-
lands, says, " that at Mr. Mosselman's farm at
Chenoi, beyond \Vavre, he found that salt >vas used
for sheep, and that by allowing them to lick it the
rot was effectually curred."

Mr. Bracebridge, of Walton-on-Thames, also was
induced to drench some sheeji, which were affected
with the rot, night and morning with strong brine,
after which he did not lose one; they became fat, and
the meat was as fine and good as if the animals had
never been affected. " In strong pastures," observes
Lord Somerville^, " when seasons are wet, the rot
ol'tcn spreads destruction over whole tracts of coun-
try ; here salt must be beneficial. It is supposed,
and with great truth, to correct acidity in the sto-
mach, a disorder common to sheep even in Spain,
but of a much more serious nature in the damp cli-
mntu of Great Britain, more particularly when stocked
on moist green food, such as turnips, vetches, and
young clover. In Sweden, in Saxony, in Silesia,
and in France, salt is given to sheep. They require
it most when they are languid and out of order,
which happens in fogs, in heavy rains, and snow."

Now, when wo consider these unequivocal testi-
monies in favouiof the free use of salt, we cannot but

42

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

express our surprise with Mr. Artbur Young- that
" this practice should he common management in
almost every country in tlie world, England ex-
cepted." From the evidence given before the com-
mittee at present enquiring into agricultural distress,
there cannot be a doubt but that immense numbers
of sheep perish from the rot, so much so, indeed,
that it would appear England has not 3'et recovered
from the loss sustained during the year 1831. And
if salt be both a preventive and a cure from this fatal
disease, we may have some idea of the great saving
that would attend its free application, from the fact
that more than five years are necessary to replace the
deaths among the sheep stocks in England during
one year alone.

We are perfectly aware that in many parts of Eng-
land the practice of giving salt to sheep is now be-
coming more general, but that it is administered
with that necessary attention to the health of the
animals we are rather inclined to doubt. For exam-
ple, rock salt is put down in its unrefined state, in
large pieces, 'oy the hedgerows, instead of being-
crushed into a pow^der, and put under covered
troughs for the ready use of the animals. For, it
must be obvious that if a certain quantity of salt be
requisite to preserve tlie health of the flocks, the more
readily they can supply themselves with the desired
quantity, so mucli the more likely will the object of
the farmer be obtained. We would not be under-
stood as advancing that salt under every circumstance
would be sufficient for preserving the health of sheep,
but have no doubt when the food has a natural ten-
dencv to scour, and more especially when the strength
and condition of the animal is mucli reduced, that
food of a more nourishing nature, such as bruised
oats and cut hay, with a liberal use of salt, will in
the generality of cases prove eflfectual in preventing
such devastations among tlie flocks.

It would appear, then, that salt is at all events
useful as a condiment. We admit that additional in-
formation is necessary regarding the quantity, &c.
and that the mere presumption in its favour, afforded
hy these statements, is insufficient to warrant any
farmer to place such an unlimited reliance upon them
as to adopt at once the system that might be founded
thereupon to its full extent ; but in making this ad-
mission we furnish an additional proof of the advan-
tage of an experimental establisliment, to ascertain
the real benefit that mav result from the use of this
article, to fix the time and the circumstances during
wliich it may he administered with the greatest effect,
and to proportion, by direct experiment, the quan-
tify necessary to the state of the animal in any given
circumstances. For it must be recollected that salt,
unlike many other medicinal substances, can be pro-
cured in any quantit}', and at comparatively little
expense. It must therefore be of great importance
to ascertain it inherent projierties, in so far as regards
the feeding of cattle and the most effective mode of
applying it.

A Live Rat Esibedded in Stone. — Yesterday
vveek, at two miners, of the names of Jonathan
Thompson and George Douglas, were occupied in blast-
ing- a drift in a strata of solid stone, called the scar lime-
stone, at Alston jMoor, six fathoms below the surface, tliey
shot into a small cavity of the rock, out of which, to tlieir
surprise, sprung a full-g-rown rat. The miners endea-
voured to take the animal alive, but in tlieir attempts to
do so it was killed. How long the rat h-ad been em-
bedded in its living grave, and in what manner it had
contrived, in such a situation, to exist (considering tlie
organic formation of the aniiual), are questions that
must be left to conjecture. On examination, the strata
around the cavity was found to be perfectly solid and
close in every part. — Newcastle JournaL

ON SCOURING IN CATTLE AND
SHEEP.

BY MR. HAWLINGS, BniSTOL.

To the President, Vice-Presidents, and Members of the
Bristol Agricultural Society.

(rnOM THE VETERINAr?IAN.)

GenteE-men, — In the Bristol Journal of the 19th
instant, I perceive an advertisement offering a re-
ward for the care of scouring in cattle and sheep. I
could liave written much more satisfactorily to my-
self if the competitors had been called upon to state
the proximate, predisposing, and exciting, &c. causes.
Tliat not being required by the advertisement, 1 shall
proceed as though I was called in to attend a cow or
sheep with the above disease.

First. I will treat of the cow: — Take gum arable
2 ounces, and dissolve it in a quart of strong decoction
of wormwood ; add one ounce of aromatic confection,
and two drachms of gum catechu. Give this astrin-
gent drench in linseed tea, and repeat it every sixth
day for three times.

After the second dose, if the cow gets no better,
add too scruples of powdered opium, and from one
to four drachms of jirepared chalk, which I have
known to have a good effect. After the first or se-
cond dose of the astringent drench, a judicious dose
of calomel, conjoined with opium — say frotn ten
g-ains of calomel to forty, and opium from ten grains
to sixty, and in desperate cases from ninety an-d
even one hundred and twent\^ of the latter drug.

Sheep should have the same mixture prepared for
them, and have a tea-sj oonful given them as often as
may be required.

Tlie cow should be housed, and kept as much as
possible on straw ; and the sheep's pasture should
be changed to a high and dry situation.

I have known these medicines succeed in curing
numberless cases in my own practice, w'hen all other
means liave failed.

I l-.ave the honour to remain, gentlemen, your's
obediently,

RICHARD RAWLINGS, Sen., V.S.

Nov. jOlH, 1836.

N. B. — The premium of three sovereigns was
awarded to me ; and since publicity has been given
to the above remedies, one of the members of the
society has liad his flock aflfscted with what he terms
the scour, and lost fifty-five before he had recourse
to the medicine (conceiving in his own mind there
was 7!() cure, having tried every tiling, as he thought).
He tried the above remedy, which cured all the rest.

Extraordinary Rise in the Value of High-
land Estates. — In the year 1787 the estate of
Glengarry produced 800/. a-year — the present
rental is upwards of 7,000/. In 1799 the estate of Cas-
tlehill, in Inverness-shire, was sold under the authority
of the Court of Session for 8,000/.— in 1804 it produced
80,000/. In 1781 Glenclg-, in Inverncss-shire, produced
an income of 600/. a-year ; in 1798 it was sold for
30,000/.; in 1811 Lord Glenelg gave 100,000/. for it.
and his lordship lately sold it for 77,000/. In 1777,
Fairbarn yielded 700/. a-year ; in 1824 it sold for 80,000/.
In 1799, Redcastle in the same county, sold for 25,000/. ;
in 1824, it sold for the large sum of 135,000/. The ren-
tal of the estate of the oentJeman calling himself The
Chisholm was 700/, in 1783, and at present it exceeds
5,000/. per annum. In 1791, the rental of the Orkney
Islands was 19,000/., now they produce 70,000/.; and
in 1760 the rental of Argyllshire was under 20,000/,,
now \92fi00l..— Aberdeen Herald.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

43

AYRSHIRE AGRICULTURAL ASSO-
CIATION.

It may seem invidious to institute a com-
parison between the English and Scotch agri-
culturists, as regards the spirit with wliich im-
provements in tlie science of Agriculture are
promoted, but at present it does not occur to
us tliat we have ever heard of a district society in
England which can boast of having 1,200 mem-
bers, this being tlie stated number of subscribers
to the Ayrshire Agricultural Association. We
very much ai)prehend tliat the owners of land in
England do not support Agricultural Associations
with that zeal and liberality which bodi tiieir duty
and their interest dictate. It may not be generally
known to our readers that the Highland Agricul-
tural Society, which formerly held its meeting in
one tixed place now migrates, holding its annua!
meetings in different districts. Last year the
meeting was held at Perth : in October next it
will be held at Dumfries. Before a district is
considered qualified to ask for the meeting to be
held within its limits the parties requesting that
favour must be prepared to contribute £300, to be
expended in premiums for that year, in addition
to those provided outoftlie funds of the Highland
Society itself. Notwithstanding the impediment
which the contribution of so large a sum would
seem to throw in the way, there are always several
districts the agriculturists in which are anxious to
have the meeting held within their limits upon the
required terms. If the sum of £300 be raised by
the contributions of the tenantry it woidd seem to
bear out the evidence given by the Scotch farmers
before the Commons Committee of 1836, and
which lias since been much sneered at, nay even
discredited, that they (the Scotch farmers) are
doing well. If the money be not raised by llie
tenantry it must be contributed by the landlords,
who by so doing display a clearsighledness to
their own interests, which English landlords
would do well to imitate. Few tenants, beside
those who possess odier means than what they
derive from the profits of their farms can afford
to journey from Durham or Cornwall to London
to attend the Smithfield Show. Consequently
but a small number are enabled to embrace the
opportunity of obtaining the inormation which
may be gained by attending that meeting. Were
that Show held in different parts of the country,
so tliat the farmer might mount his horse and
reach it in a days journey, thousands would avail
themselves of the opportunity where dozens only
now can. We hear much of " bringing justice
home to every man's door," we should rejoice to
see the English landlord more zealous in bringing
" improvements" home to the farmsteads of their
tenantry.

WELSH FARMERS AND ENGLISH
MERCHANTS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRFSS.

It is stated in the Merthyr Guardian, a short time
ag'o, that the loss of oxen and cows on the Glamorg-an-
shire coast from want of keep, has been dreadfully
severe ; one farmer at Lantwit Alajor having' lost iifly
head of cattle ; that outiiouses have been unthatched to
-f . irnish food, and every descriptiou of veg'ctation, hitherto
considered as refuse, has been brought from g-reat dis-
tances, but not in sufficient quantity to sustain life."

Now as the Glamorganshire coast is assessibie for
vessels in various places, between which and the Port
of Bristol there is frequent and regular communication
by water, the Welch farEiers might easily have relieved
themselves from this distressed state of things, for in the
Bristol market there has been and still is, plenty of
good feed barley offering for sale at the low prices of
from 3s. to 3s. 3(1. the Imperial Bushel. This can be
conveyed to Lantwit Major and the other places alluded
to, at a comparatively small expense so that there was
no occasion for unroofing outhouses, er for a single head
of cattle to perish for want of food, as barley sent to the
mill to be crushed makes excellent food for all descrip-
tion of stock. If a farmer has not cash to go to market
with, he could sell part of his stock, which is always
saleable, and then not only keep the remainder alive
but in good condition at a moderate expense.

The following liint to English jMerchants may also be
useful. In the London market fine red wheat is now
selling at 56s. per imperial quarter, the price in Dublin
being 64s. This fine wheat can be shipped to Dublin
at a charge from 2s. to 4s. per quarter more than to
London, making a diflference in the market price at
Dublin in favour of the seller, of from 4s. to 6s. per
quarter, with the probability of their being a further ad-
vance in Dublin.

Watering Plants.— Making a bason round the
stem is the most ridiculous step that can be taken ;
the water is wanted at the points of the root and not
next the stem. If anything be done to confine water, it
should be done as far out as the roots reach, but one
good soaking all over a bed to saturate it like a shower
of rain, is worth twenty partial waterings iit the stems of
plants or trees. — Gardener s Gazette.

Catcuing a Horse in Nova Scoria. — Most
of them are dyke marshes have what they call
" honey pats" in 'em ; that is a deep hole full of squash,
where you can't find no bottom. Well, every now and
then, when a feller goes to look for his horse, he sees his
tail a sticking right out an end from one of these honey
pots, and wavin like a head of broom corn; and some-
times you see two or three trapped there, e'en a most
smothered, everlastin' tired, halfswimmin, halfwadin
like rats in a molasses cask. When they find them in
that are pickle, they go and get ropes, and tie 'em tight
round their necks, and half hang 'em to make 'em float,
and then haul 'em out. Awful looking critters they be,
you may depend, when they do come out , for all the
world like half-drowned kittens — all slinkey slimey —
with their great long tails glued up like a swab of oakum
dipped in tar. If they don't look foolish its a pity !
Well, they have to nurse these critters all winter with
hot mashes, warm covering, and what not, and when
spring comes, they mostly die, and if they don't, they
are never no good arter. I wish with all me heart half
the horses in the countiy were barrelled up in these
here " honey pots," and then there'd be near about
one-half too many of them left for profit. Jistlookat
one of these barn yards in the spring — half a dozen half-
starved colts, with their hair looking a thousand ways
for Sunday, and their coats hanging in tatters, and half
a dozen good for nothing old horses, a crowdin out the
cows and sheep.— iSVnn. Slick.

Veterinary Lithotomy. — Mr. Roberts, the
veterinary surgeon of Charlton Kings, has suc-
ceeded in performing tliis dangerous operation on a fine
and vaboiablc black mare, from wliich lie took a ralciihis,
weighing twenty-one ounces, and measured fourteen
inches and a half in circumference. The animal, which
is the property of Mr. Turner, has recovered, and is
now at work. — Cheltenham Chronicle.

44

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

STATE OF TRADE IN LEICESTER-
SHIRE.

We are liappy at length to say that, as far as
Leicestershire market is concerned, we have every
reason )o believe tbat the worst is gone b}^ and
there are grounds for a rational hope of gradual
improvement. The commercial earthquake which
ha« shaken the transatlantic world to its centre,
and which has spread ruin and dismay amongst
the capitalists, merchants, bankers, and specu-
lators in England, has only been felt here by a
cessation of orders, the usual customers being
unable to purchase at the usual season for the
American market. From Christmas last, up to the
present time, the whole of the bad debts made by
the Leicestershire trade with American houses,
directly and indirectly, are less in amount than
ten thousand pounds ; and upon tliis amount a
small ultimate loss only is probaiile. It is true
that some of our manufacturers more immediately
dependent upon shipping business will have, from
the cessation of demand, to lose interest upon the
stock adapted to that market, which they had, in
expectation of demand, previously prepared, and
which now, as the season has gone bj', they will
have to hold over till ne.xt year. But as the indi-
cations of limited demand appeared very early,
their workmen were only partially employed, and
the quantity made is altogether very trifling,
so much so tnat the whole worsted and woollen
shipping stock in Leicestershire, in all kinds of
goods made for the American market, is under
fifty thousand pounds; and the only inconvenience
i-esulting from it to the manufacturers is, that the
dozen houses by whom this stock is held, and to
whom holding it is a matter of no consequence,
must lay it by till the Americans can bring monev
to purchase it, or they must take it over and sell
it there themselves. The greatest loss has been
sustained by the operatives, in consequence of
non-employment ; but as this shipping season has
now gone by, their labour (which has been sus-
pended during the absence of the usual export
orders) will be directed, as soon as confidence is
restored, to the customary channels in which
in former j^ears it has always been engaged after
the shipping months have passed by, and they
will, in all probability, have some amends for pre-
sent privation in full employment another season ;
for, as last year one-third of the orders for Ame-
rica could not be supplied, and were not executed,
and as it is known that the stocks of Leicester-
shire woollen and worsted goods left over in Ame-
rica after the fall trade closed were comparatively
small, and as none have been sent out this 3'ear to
increase them, it is fair to conclude that as there
are as many legs thereto supply as usual, or more,
%\hatever goods are left over will be used up, and,
unless they go barefoot, that a fair average sup])ly
will be ordered for next year's fall trade.

Why, then, in this country, need we be alarmed
about American affairs ?— what have we to suffer,
what have we to lose ? Listead of being afraid of
shadows, and losing all confidence, we have only
to meet the emergency, to investigate, to think,
and to act with some little nerve and comprehen-
sion. The end of the world is not come— popula-
tion is still going on and increasing in all our fo-
reign markets, its wants must be still supplied,
and Heaven has not by charter made the supply of
these wants to depend ui)on either the Bank of
England, or the half dozen American houses who
have been lately bestriding the commercial world.

It was the trade that created the houses of Wildes,
and Wiggins, and ^Mlson, and not, as it seems to
be conceived, these houses that created the trade ;
and the trade will exist and increase when these
houses are forgotten. The manufacturers of Eng-
land are not in leading strings; they have real
capital, sufficient in every district, to carry their
products to the ends of tlie earth, if need be ; let
them rely upon their ov^'n resources, rest upon
their oars for a few months, take breathing time,
and all will be well. The whole annual return of
Leicestershire, in all kinds of manufactured goods,
is but one million and a quarter per annum. Her
trade is safe, useful, and neccssiiry ; her manufac-
turers prudent and cautious, and possessed collec-
tively of a real capital, greater in amcunt than the
, v.hole of her yearly return.

But instead of reflecting upon these things, and
judging from acknowledged facts, what has been
the course pursued ? Men of business, although
they would not buy themselves, have thought that
they could induce purchases by otliers, when no
orders w^ere in the market, and when rumours of
failures and embarrassments were doating upon
ever}^ wind, while distress in its last agony has
appealed for aid to the Bank of England, and
while her helping hand, like the hand of death,
with a touch withering and fatal, has crushed
those she covenanted to save. In the midst of a
general commercial wreck, when every house has
been looking to existence, and not to profit, they
have expected the usual business of the country-
to be transacted, and in every newspaper of the
kingdom have been putting forth weekly gloomy
paragraphs upon the state of trade, when no trade
was likely to be done, which have only tended to
increase disiray. Foily ! — expect active business
with a state of insecurity I — expect light in an
eclipse ! The home market as far as this trade
is concerned promises a fair demand in one sea-
son, unquestionably. Consumption will be les-
sened by non-employment in the manufacturing
districts to some extent ; but, on the other hand,
production has been limited. In November last
there were comparatively no home goods on hand ;
since then seven months have elapsed, and, upon
the average, not more than half work has been
produced. Taking all the manufactures of home
goods together, there is not now in Leicestershire
in stock above afoiu-teen weeks' production — very
little more than what has been held at this time in
former years — the workmen are not more than
half employed, and will add but little to this stock
during the months of hay and corn harvest— the
retailers throughont the country have bought little
in worsted and woollen goods since Christmas,
and the wholesale houses have bought less. To
exhaust stocks to the lowest practicable point has
been the policy of every factor, and at the present
tiir.e, upon the best evidence, there is not held in
the warehouses and shops of the distributors of
our manufactures one-third of the worsted and
woollen stock they have held at this time in former
years. It matters not this year to the home trade
of the country about the shipping goods remain-
ing in stock ; they r.re not suited to the home
trade, and will not interfere with it; the hands
who would have made them in quantities, had
they been ordered, have not made home goods ;
they have not been employed at all ; hence the
stocks here, if the factors and distributors had
bought and held their usual moderate assorted
stocks, would have been much less, instead of
greater, than in former years at the same time.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

45

With respect to a decliue in prices, labour, it is
acknowledged on all hands, is within 10 per cent,
of the lowest point at which it has been for years ;
and this 10 per cent, upon labour, if tlic manujac-
turers reduce it, will, let it be remembered, produce
upon ars average only 3i per cent, upon the article
when material is added. Long wool may possibly
give way if the farmers have taken leave of their
senses, or if Ihey are bankrupt in pocket, but not
other\iise. There has been little or no manufac-
turing in woo], or in anything else latterly, and
few or no sales of that or any other material ; but
there is little doubt, from the experience of the
last few years, of the consumption upon an average,
keeping pace with the production. Sales ha\e
been attempted by woolstaplers, and have not
been made at the intended prices ; have been
again attcmi)ted, and again and again, when mills
were still and money scarce, and orders absent,
and failures frequent, luid distrust general ; and
from such premises the conclusion is drawn by
fear, and not reason, that wool must go doun.
The wonder is not that sales should be impossible,
but that wealthy men, who have marked the long
wool business for the last few years, should have
attem])ted them at such times ; the natural conse-
quence has been that a want of confidence has
been engendered, and we all know that when this
is once weakened it is difficult to restore it. Long-
wool, however, has peculiar advantages : a raw
niatei'ial, the distinguishing [)roduct of our native
isle, it cannot for jcars to come (even from the
Antipode), be increased by inqiort to any extent;
it is seldom, if ever, that a year's stock is held a-
head of the demand; and the greater part, while
it remains with the growers, is held by men who
think little or nothing about the interest of money,
provided there is any probability of an improval
in price, however remote and distant. A wealthy
farmer must hold his property in something; and
he reasons rightly that long wool is the one of his
products which affords the most eligible and se-
cure investnients.

Farmers, you are about to clip, andsoraeoi you,
as usual, to sell your wool as soon as it is clipped ;
and unless you bestow this year a little more
thought upon the subject than you are in the habit
of doing, you will make sales at ruinous prices.
T/ds you need not do. Acquaint yourselves with
the (piantity on hand in the manufacturing dis-
tricts : yon will find there that tlie idea of a stock
of long wool being in the hands of staplers is a
fallacy, and that little except skin wool is held by
the spinners : you will find that the needy holders
have been sending all the skin wool to market,
and that they have forced it in at whatever price
they could get : but you will find also that the
supply now has ceased, they have now no more
to send — you will find tliat the wool dealers think
because tliey have l)Ought jobs in skin wool, that
long wool nmit follow, and they will not get it
out of their heads till you undeceive them. And
when they hear from you that in a state of things
like this, at a crisis like the present — when peojile
are nnemjiloyed, when A;holesalc houses are mak-
ing no purchases, when merchants are making no
shipments, when manufacturers are making no
goods, when spinners are woriiing half-time, when
bankers are maldng no advances — when they hear
you say that, at a crisis like tiiis, you do not con-
sider it the best time to sell your long wool, wldch
nature sends you only once a-j-ear, and when you
tell them tiiat jiopulation and its wants aie going
on much as usual, and that a few months since

you sold your wool for Is. 8d. a pound, and that
you will give it a fair chance, by holding it till
next clip, of fetching Is. 8d. again, they will be
struck dumb with astonishment ; and then let
them keep their astonishment, and you keep your
\yool till they come to you in January next, with
Christian views and Christmas prices.

If you think, upon reflection, that prices may be
maintained, and that the chances aie in favour of
holding, hold and keep all the wool you can out
of the market— out of the dealer's hands ; try for
once, amidst tliis general wreck in the mercantile
world, whether you cannot assist one another. If
one cannot, hold, and must sell his few fleeces, let
him sell them to a neighbour who can ; and let all
the farmers who cannot, sell to those farmers who
can, in their own neighbourhood, and, for your
own interests, be a little more united. You have
plenty of wealthy men amongst you, and your
wealthy fnrmeis cannot make a better or more
profitable investment than to hold wool over a
state of things like this, at a time when all traders
are afraid of their own shadows. At Is. 6d. a
l)ound, as it averaged last year, the clip from the
loiig-v.'ool sheep of the kingdom (as you will find
by the best calculators) would amount to three
mllions sterling; at is. a pound, at which the
buyers expect to get it this year, it would only be
two millions ; so that, in fact, in order to turn
your wool into money now, you are requested by
your regular customers to sacrifice one miUinn out
of three. Now, out of the farmers who clip, we
will say, to be safe, there are one-third who cannot
hold ; but tiiis third, mind, do not clip one third of
the wool— they are mostly very small holders, and
though one-third in number, they will not clip,
according to the best information, one-sixth in
amount ; but, to l)e perfectly safe in our calcula-
tion, say they do clip one-sixth, and say they must
sell at Is. a pound if the staplers will not give
more. ^Viiat then .' Why, it follows that this
sixth part of the clip will for some months regulate
the price of the whole, and that (in the present
stagnation of business) upon this sixth part, which
at Is. i)er lb., only amounts to about '333,000/., rests
the question whether the British long clip v.'ool of
1837 shall be sold for two millions or for three
millions, as it was last year. The annual agricul-
tural produce of the country is estimated by
IVl'Culloch at 200 millions. This year, it is true,
may be an exception ; but all will not be barren-
ness from Dan to Beersheba — things cannot be
worse, they may be better, and the best way to
insure their being so, is for every man to give to
the public as \na,uy facts as he can command, that
folks, instead of IJeing visionaries, may be prac-
tical. It matters not now what causes have led to
this state of things ; the evils of the monetary
system may be descanted on here.d'ter. "What is
necessary, is to sec what ratiorial grounds there
are for confidence in an improved state of things.
The causes of tlie late panic are matters of his-
tory : wo are in the midst of the effects : it matters
notliing to us now aljfut the quarrels of the Bank
of England proprietors with the joint-stock banks,
or about their mutual recklessness, ignorance,
short-sightedness, and incapacity. All that we
have to do is to take care that these pianks of
theirs do not lo'-e r,s our money if we can help it.

A r\J ANLlFACruREll AND LANDOWNER.

46

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THE FORESTS OF IRELAND.

The j)resent aspect of the surface of Irelaiul, al-
most eve'-ywhere denuded of trees, with scarce a
relict of a natural forest, with very few plantations
whose age exceeds a century, exhibits a very unfa-
vourable contrast with the richly wooded and orna-
mented state of Eng-land. Strange as the fact may
appear to our English readers, it is certain, that, at
no very remote period, Ireland was far more abun-
dantly furnished with natural woods than almost
any European country. Noble forests once existed
in every province, and even on the western shores,
so exposed to the violence of the Atlantic gales,
stately pines flourished, in situations where it is now
imagined tliat no tree can vegetate. The most au-
thentic evidence of the antiquity of our forests, and
of the nature of the trees which composed them, may
be obtained from an examination of their remains,
which have been inhumed in the bogs. The great
extent of sin face covered by bog is well known to
every one ; and although it would be absurd to as-
sert, that in every case it owes its origin to the fall
of forests, still, in very many instances, its produc-
tion can be attributed to no other cause. Bog timber
occurs in every county in Ireland, and often in great
abundance. In the county of Kilkenny, the remains
of the oak, tlie fir, and the birch, are found under
the bogs, and sometimes even at a depth of thirty
feet from the surface. This fact clearly establishes
the great antiquity of isuch trees ; for if we allow so
very rapid a rate of growth to the peat as a foot in a
centur\ , the age of the timber, in the present case,
must be dated farther back than the commencement
of the present era. The timber found in the bogs
consists chiefly of the oak, the fir, and the vew, while
the remains of the elm or the ash are of very rare
occurrence. Some idea of the abundance and mag-
nitude of the ancient timber, may be inferred from
the following observations : —Smith, in his excellent
History of Kerry, informs us that there is an im-
mense quantity of bog fir to be found in the morasses;
which inexhaustible magazine of under-ground tim-
ber might be sufficient to repair the loss of the noble
forests which formerly covered the mountains, and
supply wood enough for many liouses. In Clare,
we are told that fir, of very large dimensions, is
found under the bogs, and that most of the farmers'
houses are roofed with it. One fir tree is mentioned,
which was thirty-eight inches in diameter, and which,
at a length of sixty-eight feet, still retained a diame-
ter of thirty-three incites. The origin of many bogs,
from the decay of ancient forests, is strikingly illus-
trated by the fact, that the roots of successive gene-
rations of trees have been found resting upon each
other. A beautiful instance of a succession and re-
production of forests, upon the same spot, occurs
near Portmore, in the county of Antrim. The su-
perficial stratum of bog timber, in this district, con-
sists of oak, often of very great dimensions ; beneath
this, we find another stratuna of timber, consisting
almost entirely of the trunks of fir trees. In the
Parliamentary reports, concerning the bogsof Ireland,
there is an account of a bog in which there is a succes-
sion of three layers of roots of firs, proving that three
forests have flourished in succession, on the same
spot, [n Westmeath, according to Archdeacon Vig-
noUes, three layers of trees are to be found alter-
nating with as many beds of peat, from three to five
feet in thickness. The trees in each layer appear to
havo arrived at maturity, and could not have been
co-existent. These trees are of enormous size, and
many of them bear the marks of fire. Fir seeds, if
committed to the earth, can retain their vitality for

many years, and afterwards vegetate, when called
forth by favourable circumstances. The following-
statement affords a very curious illustration of this
remark. On taking in a common, near Maryborough,
trees were found at a depth of five or six feet. On
tlie reclaimed portion, an infinite number of young
Scotch firs sprung up. The names of places afford
good evidence of the former wooded state of the
country, especially, as this evidence is in harmony
with w-hat we know from other sources to have been
the case. Thus, the word daragh, an oak, is an ele-
ment in the appellatives of many places, as Kildare,
Derry, &c., obviously indicating, that the places so
designated were remarkable, either for the abundance
or magnitude of their oaks. In like manner, the word
Jur, a yew tree, has been employed to designate
many places, as Newry, Na Jur, or the yew trees ;
Ballynure, Killynure, &c. Forests abounded in
Ireland during the reign of Henry the Second, and
down to a much later ])eriod, Shillela('^/?e /((iru'ooc/^,
in the county of VVicklovv, was famed for its beauti-
ful oaks. " Tra lition," says Mr. Hayes, " gives the
Shillela oak the honour of roofing Westminster Hall,
and other buildings of that age ; the timbers which
support the leads of the magnificent chapel of King's
College, Cambridge, which was built in 1444, as
also the roof of Henry the Eighth's Chapel, in West-
minster Abbey, are said to be of oak brought from
these woods." The destruction of our forests did
not proceed with rapidity, till the commencement of
the seventeenth century. According to Boate,
Wicklow, King's County, and Queen's County,,
were, throughout, full of woods, "some whereof are
many miles long and broad." At this period there
were also great forests in Donegal, in Tyrone, and
along Lough Erne, and in many other places in
the province of Ulster. In 1697, we find that wood
was equally plentiful in jMunster ; for in that year
a Committee of the House of Commons estimated the
injury done to Lord Kenmare's forests at 45,000/.,
and that those of Lord iMassey, in Cork, had suffered
to the amount of 25,000/. But a better idea of the
extent of the forests may be formed, when we exa-
mine the causes which led to their destruction.
Great quantities of wood were formerly exported
from Ireland. When Boate published his work, the
exportation of pipe staves was one of the ordinary
branches of industry, so as a mighty trade was driven
in them. Whole ship loads were sent into foreign
countries yearly, which, as it brought great profits
to the proprietaries, so the felling of so many thou-
sand trees every year, did make a great destruction
of the forests in the tract of time. In 1669, the Earl
of Straflford furnished Lawrence Wood, of London,
with pipe staves, to a great amount, at the rate of
10/. per thousand. Many parts of Ireland contain a
great abundance of iron ore, of the very best qualit}^,
which is now a useless and unavailing treasure, as
there is, unfortunately, no corresponding supply of
mineral fuel. Formerly, this want was less severely
experienced, as the wood aflforded a ready supply of
charcoal ; and, when the iron-works were situated
near the coast, or had the advantage of water carriage,
the iron trade could he conducted with great advantage.
The iron trade appears to have commenced early in
the seventeenth century, and to have been carried on
with great spirit, till the unhappy events of 1641
suspended every branch of national industry. On the
restoration of tianqiiillity, the manufacture of iron
was resumed with increased vigour. Sir William
Petty, himself a manufacturer of iron, infoi ms us,
that they were no less than 6,000 iron forges in Ire-
land, which gave occupation, in various ways, to no
fewer than '»;i,000 persons, either in attending to the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

41

furnaces or in cutting- down the trees, and preparing
charcoal. Boate, to whoni we are indebted for most
of these interesting details, states, that the manufac-
tured iron cost Sir Clrarles Coote from ten to eleven
pounds per ton, and was sold at the rate of seventeen
pounds per ton. " The Eai'l of Cork, whose iron-
works, being seated in Munster, afforded him very
good opportunity of sending his iron out of the land
by shipping, did, in this particular, far surpass all
otiiers, so that he gained great treasures thereby ;
and knowing persons, who had a particular insight
into his affairs, do assure me, that he had profited
above one hundred thousand pounds by his said iron-
works." Smith, in bis history of Waterford, says,
that the destruction of the woods was chiefly intended
in the erecting otiron furnaces. I'he forest of Ire-
land consisted chiefly of the Scotch fir, the oak, and
the yew; but the ash and the elm were probably rare.
The splendid oak of Portmore, in the county of An-
trim, which was cut down onlv a few years ago,
measured forty-two feet in circumference. Ireland
can boast of several magnificent specimens of the
ash and the elm, the most of which still subsist, or,
at least, did so, till a very rf^cent period. At St.
Wolstan's, in the county of Kildare, there was an
elm, perbups the finest of the kind in this or any
other country. — Several beautiful specimens of the
ash occur in Ireland. The old ash of Donery has a
circumference of forty-two feet. The trunk, as is
the case with many old trees, is hollow, and for-
merly served as a scljool. Near Kennely church, in
King's County, there is an ash, celebrated for its
great dimensions, and for certain religious ceremo-
nies, which have for many years been observed re-
specting it. The finest tree of the kind in the empire,
is the ash of Sein, Queen's County. The yew tree
was formerly very common in Ireland, and many
fine specimens of this beautiful, but sombre tree,
still exist. The abbey of Newry has derived its
name from the yew trees which grew in its vicinity ;
Lence it was called in Irish, Na Jur, or the newries,
or yew trees — an appellation still applied to the
town of Newry, by the country people. The seal of
the abbey was a mitred abbot sitting in a chair, sup-
ported by two yew trees. — Dublin Univenity Ma-
gazine.

The Vis Vit.t: of Plants. — One of the things
which is most deserving of our observation at this
season (winter) is the wisdom of Providence display-
ed ill the provision made for the preservation of all
vegetable productions. Seeds are secure in the earth
or in the care of man ; herbaceous plants have died
down to the root, which, secure in their underground
retreat, are preparing their fresh shoots, leave«, and
flowers in secret, to burst forth at spring with renewed
splendour. But herbs and trees which are exposed to
all the severity of the open air are not the less secure ;
their bud* are compactly defended by a strong coat of
resinous matter, which may be abundantly seen in the
horse chesnutat the time of its unfolding, and moreover
by that vis vitie which vegetables as well as animals
possess. This last wonderful powerimparted to plants
by our beneficent Creator has been most clearly shown
by an experiment of the simplest kind. A bud cut off
in a sharp frost, and suspended trom its parent tree
during the night, will be fo«nd to be completely frozen
through, while its fellows still upon the tree will not
be in the least injured. — HowitVs Book of the Seasons.

Tithe Survey. — It is estimated that four-pence
per acre throughout England, paid by the country, in
addition to two-pence paid by the locality, would fur-
uish an excellent survey and valuation, for the purpose
not only of tithes, but all local taxation.

THE SHAMROCK OF IRELAND.

It would appear that our friends the Irish labour
under some mistake at the present day regarding
the antiquity of the trefoil plant which they have
adopted as a national emblem. I. E. Bicheno,
Esq. F. R. S., in a paper in the Journal of the
Royal Institution, has the following observations
on the shairirock, which inay be interesting to our
Irish readers : — " The festival of St. Patrick has
been so long recognised by those who traverse the
streets of this great city, by the clover they see in
the hats of the Irish, that any one who should en-
tertain an opinion that this plant is not the origi-
nal emblem of Ireland, will be thought to have no
ground for difiering from the established belief;
yet I think I am in a situation to prove, by abun-
dant testimony, that the irifoHumrepens'is not that
shamrock of the Irish nation, nor any other clover,
but that the wood-sorrel, the Oxalis acetosella, is
the plant originally intended. It would seem a
condition, at least suitable, if not necessary, to a
national emblem, that it should be something fa-
miliar to the people, and familiar, too, at the sea-
son when the national feast is celebrated. Thus
the Welsh have given the leek to St. David, being
a favourite oleraceous \\tvh, and almost the only
green thing which is to be found in Wales at the
season of his feast ; the Scotch, on the other hand,
whose feast of St. Andrew's is in the autumn,
have adopted the thistle (])robably the cardims lan-
ceolatus), a plant most abundant at that period of
the year. Our own patron, St. George, is a saint
who has fallen so much to the leeward with us,
that I do not derive any assistance from him; and
I am not aware that his warlike temperament was
ever represented by a plant or flower. If the national
emblem may be expected to be seasonable and fa-
miliar, the trifoUum repens is not a happy choice ;
for its leaves are scarcely expanded in the middle
of iMarch, and it produces its flowers in the sum-
mer— its great merit in agriculture being to pro-
duce herbage during the droughts of summer and
the autumnal months. Hence, even in London,
about which the earliest cultivation is found, we
sec in the hats of the me^'i Hibenii very starved
specimens of the white or Dutch clover, and some-
times the Medicago lupuUna, and even chickweed
and other plants substituted for it. But there is a
still greater difficulty with regard to its being of
common occurrence. None of the trefoils are na-
turally abundant in Ireland, but have become so
by cultivation. The medicago is pretty extensively
sown ; and the trifolium repens, though now ne-
glected by the farmer, has a wonderful propensity
to diffuse itself in improved countries, and is by
no means of fretiuent occurrence in wild unculti-
vated places. It is one of those plants which the
Amei leans describe as cowiwj^ «* with cultivation.
It is not a favourite, or rather there is a prejudice
against it, in America, yet it has completely na-
turalised itself in every dry pasture of the old
states. We know that the trefoils are not of very
ancient standing as cultivated plants in England,
and that they were introduced into Ireland in the
middle of the seventeenth century. The term
ShmnrocJi seems a general appellation for the tre-
foils, or three-leaved plants. Gerard says, the
meadow t-.cfoils are called in Ireland shamrocks ;
and I find the name so appled by other authors.
The Irish names for trifolium repens are Seamar-
oge, Shamrog, and Shamrock.

It i« not difHcult to account for the substitution
of the one plant for the other. Cultivation, which
brought in the trefoil, drove out the wood-sorrel.

48

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

The latter, though now not common, was tloubt-
less an abundant plant as long as the woods re-
mained; but these being cut down, partly l)y the
natives to supply their wants, and partly also by
the government to prevent their enemies from
taking refuge in them in the wars, the commonest
plant became the scarcest, and it was more easy
to obtain that which was cultivated. Upon the
whole view of the case, I apprehend it can ii?.rdly
be doubted tliat the O.i'alitt acefosellaiis. the original
shamrock of Ireland. It possesses, in the first
place, all the qualities to recommend it as appro-
priate for the national feast, and is even more
beautifully three-leaved than tlie clover. It is
abundant, and comes at the proper season, being
one of the earliest plants, and pushing forth its
delicate leaves and blossoms witli the first spring.
It was also eaten ; while its flavour, too, answers
exactly to the description of Morrison, which is a
great point to assist in fixing its appropriation ;
and to the old Irish, who lived chiefly upon flesh,
it must have been a most acceptable diet. It would
be impossible to had any ]>lant throughout the ve-
getable kingdom better entitled to become nationsd ;
and I think it cannot be (juestionc<J, that St. Patrick,
who is said by Gibbon to have been descended,
and to have derived his name, from the patricians
of Rome, exercised a good taste, worthy his noble
birth, when he selected so beautiful an emblem
for his favourite island."

ON SHEARING LAMBS.

TO TnE LDITOE or THE JIAP.K LAJ^E EXPRESS,

SiE, — The following remarks on English Lainb
Wool, will probably be read with interest, bv those
who continue the practice of Shearing the Wool of
their Lambs.

It must {ippear obvious, even to a common ob-
server, that the wool of a h'inib three or four months
old, is of unequal quiility ; that of the back and sides
bein^- very superior to what is grown on the hinder
purls of the legs and tail, and that which gi'Ows on
the shanks of the animal is mere hair. Yet, it bns
been customary to shear the whole of these various
qualities, and i;]lerinix theui together and chnrgo
it to the stapler at half, or probably two-thirds tije
]irice of the sheep's wool •, which proving a bonus to
him, he rested s;itisiied with his l/argain ; although
it appears evident that wool so mingled and inter-
mixed together, cannot afterwards he properly di-
vested of tlie hairy particles whicli grows about the
hocks of the animal, but will remain and re-appear
when the flannels and other nrticles to wljicli tlie
wool are usualljr ap]ilied is in a state of manufacture.

We raay further ai!d, that a considerable expense
is also necessnriiy incurred by the process of re-
assorting, whicls at the customary charge of 6d, per
day, or one penny, or even 'Jd. per lb., naturally en-
hances the value of the wool. 'J'o avoid these ob-
jections we would lecommend the flockmasters to
adopt tlie following method of shearing the v.ool of
lambs, which we conceive would prove beneficial to
the fariuer, and ad vantagi.'ous to the stapler, as woo!
so managed wouM beconio as valuable, and in sotab
instances, more so than the wool of sheep, and at the
sama time it would possess the advantage of meeting
a more ready sale.

The mode we rtcoinmend lobe adopted iwe briefly
as follows : first, to extract from the legs of the ani-
mal, all the hairy parts of the wool wdiicli cannot be
applied to any useful purpose in the woollen manu-

factory, and which proves highly injurious when
intermixed with the wool.

Secondlv, to shear off that which grows on the
breech and tail, and though the quantity is small to
keep it apart from the rest; and lastly, when these
inferior qualities of wool are removed, the sheiiherd
may then proceed to shear the residue ; the quality
of which will be found very much alike, and will be
thus rendered a useful and saleable article, and might
be sold by sample ; in short, would give a facility to
the sale of the wool, which can only be appreciated
by those who are conversant with the aiticle.

It is customary for the flock-m-isters in Sussex
fmore especially for those who reside on the south
downs, ^ to clip the wool of their h-.mbs about the
month of June, by merely shearing off th.e extre-
mities of their Seeces, and by so doing, the lambs
appear of a larger size, and in better condition than
vi'hen completely divested of their fleeces ; to this
practice they are doubtless prompted irom a desire
of giving their lambs a more advantageous appear-
ance to those who annually resort thither lor a fresh
supply of that justly celebrated breed of sheep; at
the same time, it should be borne in mind, by those
who purchase lambs thus shorn, that their wooKwill
be much less valuable at the succeeding shearing
season, than that jiroduced from unshorn lambs ;
because the latter will become teg wool, (if suffered
to remain until next year's shearing season,) and
the fleeces weigh a fourth mere than the dipt wool,
and also become more valuable by 3d. or -id. per lb.,
arising from its being adapted for combing ; whereas
the wool which has been dipt becomes stunted in
growth, lighter in weight, and less valuable, even
than the ordinary production of sheep of the same
breed, which lias not been previously sliorn.

Aged AcFacuLTURAL Labourers. — Without
questioning the propriety of the rule that the com-
munity ought only to be called on to afford a remedy
against destitution, and that relief ought to be con-
fined to the workhouse we may observe that aged agri-
cultural labourers are so peculiarly circumstanced that
an exception ought to be made in their favour. The
agricultural labourer can in no case save anything out
ot his wages, any more than the common soldier ci'.n
save out of bis pay. After he is worn out, the soldier
receives a pension ; and the agricultural labourer's out-
door allowance, when he is fairly worn out, may fairly
be considered as a pension due to him from the owners
of the Ip.nd of his parisli. The slave owner is bound to
provide for his woru-out slaves ; and if from circum-
stances beyond the controul of the free labourer,
namely, the abundance of labour in the market, which,
by competition, reduces his wages to the lowest
amount, he can barely subsist himself and his family,
the parish, when he is aged, must be held to stand
towards him in the relation of a master to his worn-
out slave. Now, though it be more economical to
maintain the agricultural veteran in a workhouse, yet,
having all his life been accustomed to move about in
the open air, confinement to hiin mnst be peculiarly
oppressive. We are are persuaded that mucli of the
outcry raised against the new Poor-law in many dis-
tricts has been caused by the feeling generally enter-
tained that those superannuated labourers ought to
have the brrefit of moving about and enjoying the
gladdening lays of the sun as long as they can. The
little that they can possibly earn by petty jobs ought
hardly to be taken into account. J5ut while sumo
allowance ought to be made for agriculturi-il veterans,
we are satisfied that the confining relief to the work-
house as a geiural rule is desirable. The departure
from that rule :eads inevitably to abuse. All mixing
up of wages cind relief is mischievous. — Moramg
Chronicle.

TEIE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

4&

A CATALOGUE OF MR. C. COLLING'S SALE OF IMPROVED SHORT-
HORNED CATTLE, Oct. 1 1, 1810.

EXTRACTED FROM MR. BAILEY's SURVEY OF DURHAM.
COWS.

Names. Out of Got by Cows' Sold

Age. Bulled for. Bought by

by Gs.

CJ. D. Nesham, Esq.,
. .83? Houghton-le-Spring,
t. Durham.
Comet 4 Mayduke 35 { "^V; """*' Morton, Dur-

Cherry Old Cherry

Kate

Favourite

11 Comet.

ham.

Peeress Cherry .

Countess .... Lady . .

Favourite 5 Comet 170 i ^^'°^ ?."'^'^' Marton,

L Y orkshire.
Cupid 9 Do 400 Do.

rSir H. Ibbetson, Bart.,
Favourite 5 Petrarch 200? Denton Park, York-

(_ shire.

Johanna Do 4 Do..... 13oJ"' ™,^™' J:^=^q-> Cliff

L Hall, Yorkshire.
fA grandson ofl r n txr • t.^ t- /^i

Lady Old Phoenix.... <( Lord Boling- )- 14 Comet aOfij ^S^^'iS^*'^'^-' ^'^^"^'y*

Celina Countess

Johanna .

l_ broke.

M

Cathlene ....<( the dam of )- Washington

l_ Phoenix
Laura Lady ....

Lily

■J

Yorkshire

I uiuKt; I

("A daughter of

' ^Washington . . . 8 Do 150-! ""„ ,. ^ i u-

I I Malton, Yorkshire

4 Do .210 Mr. Grant, Wyham.

3 Mayduke ... .410 1 "^^f ^' ^"'^'^' ^^"'=°'"

naisy OldDaisy { ^ /avoSe . °.^} « ^omet 14o{^^^J

Cora Countess Favourite 4 Petrarch ^oj G.Johnson, Esq., near

(^ Scarborough.

Favourite
Daisy Comet.. .

{G. Parker, Esq., near

shire,
or Bower, Welham,
orkshire.

D . J Miss Washing- 1 - . ,
Beauty -| ^^^^ ° j- Marsh .

Eliza Comet.

Do ... ,

Red Rose
Flora ....

Miss Peggy. .

{

A son of Fa-
vourite . . . .

}

4 Comet 120 C. W^ght, Esq.

3 Do 70 Earl of Londsdale.

fO. Gascoigne, Esq.,
3 Comet 60«^ Parrington, York-

\_ shire.

Magdalene.. { A ^hdferjy} Comet 3 Do 17o{

— Champion,
Blyth, Notts.

Esq.,

Names. Ag-e. Out of
Comet ePhcenix.

Got by
Favourite

2669
BULLS.

Price Bought by

Gs.
jQQQ /Messrs, Wetherill, Trotter, Wright, and
\ Charge, near Darlington.

Yarborough 9 Do 55 A Gregson, Esq. Lowlinn, Northumberland.

Major 3 Lady Comet 200 Mr. Grant, Wyham.

Mayduke 3 Cherry Do 145 Smithson, Esq.

Petrarch 2 Old Venus Do 365 Major Rudd.

Northumberland. 2 Favourite.. 80 Mr. Buston, Coatham, Durham.

Alfred 1 Venus Comet 110 Mr. Robinson, Acklam, Yorkshire

Duke 1 Duchess Do 105 A. Compton, Esq., Carham, Northumberland.

Alexander 1 Cora Do 63 Mr. Fenton.

Ossian 1 Magdalene . . .Favourite . . 76 Earl of Lonsdale,

Harold 1 Red Rose . . . .Windsor ... 50 Sir C. Loraine, Northumberland.

Names.

2249
BULL-CALVES, UNDER ONE YEAR OLD.

Out of

Got by

Price
Gs

Ketton Cherry Comet 50

YouHg Favourite. Countess Do 140

Geerse Ladv Do 130

Sir Dimple Daisy Do 90

Narcissus Flora Do 15

Albion Beauty Do 60

Cecil Peeress Do 170

Bought by

Major Bower.

Skipworth, Esq,, Lincolnshire.

Walker, Esq., Rotherham.

T. Lax, Esq., Ravensworth.

Mr. Wright.

T. Booth, Esq., Catterick.

H. Strickland, Esq., Boynton, Yorkshire.

655

60

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

HEIFERS.
Names. Age. Out of Got by Price

Gs.

Phoebe 3 Dam by Favourite. . Comet 105

YoungDuchess 2 Do Do 183

Young Laura . 2 Laura Do 101

Yg. Countess . 2 Countess Do. 206

Lucy 2 Dam by WashingtonDo 132

Charlotte.... 1 Cathelene Do 136

Johanna ..... 1 Johanna Do 35

Bought by

Sir H. Ibbetson.

T. Bates, Esq,, Halton Castle, Northumb.

Earl of Lonsdale.

Sir H. Ibbetson.

Mr. Wright.

Mr. R. Colling.

G. Johnson, Esq.

Names.

Out of

HEIFER CALVES, UNDER ONE YEAR OLD.

Got by Price

Gs.

Lucilla Laura Comet 106

Calista Cora Do 50

White Rose Lily .Yarbro' 75

Ruby Red Rose ..Do 50

Cowslip Comet 25

306

Bought by

Mr. Grant.

Sir H. V. Tempest, Bart., Win-yard , Durham.

Mr. Strickland.

Major Bower.

Earl of Lonsdale.

WILTS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At the Wilts Agricultural JNIeeting- at Westbury, on
Wednesday, there was a very largre attendance of persons ,
amountingto several thousands. There were twenty-one '
ploug'hs started for the premiums in the different classes, 1
andsome ofthe work was performed ina very good man-
ner. The competition for the prizes for sheep-shearing-
wan not so crood as on some former occasions, as there
were only eig'ht candidates in both classes. — A dinner \
was provided at the Lopez Arms Inn, to which a party,
amounting' to 30 gentlemen, sat down ; Mr. Joshua
Whitaker in the chair. After dinner the prizes were
awarded to the successful condidates, the afternoon was
agreeably spent, and several agricultural questions
discussed.

Ploughing.— In the first class, with two horses
without a driver, the judges awarded the first premium
to Uriah Steadman, servant of Mr. Sly, of Warminster,
with Carson and Miller's plough, who ploughed his
half acre in two hours and forty-nine minutes. The
second te George Snelgrove, servant of Mr. Joshua
Whitaker, of Bratton, with the Bratton plough, who
ploughed his half acre in two hours and forty-seven
minutes: and, the third to John Kick, a servant of Mr.
Brown, of Thoulston, with Carson and Miller's plough,
who ploughed his halfacreintwo hours aud thirty-seven
minutes.

In the second class, with two oxen without a driver,
we award the first premium to Elijah White, servant of
Mr. Jefferis, of Warminster, with Stothert's plough,
who ploughed his half acre in three hours and five
minutes : and the second to James Wheeler, servant
of Mr. Grant, of Colstone, with Tickell's Plough, who
ploughed his half acre in two hours and forty-seven
minutes.

In the third class, with three horses and a driver, or
with four oxen and a driver, the judges awarded the
first premium to Joseph Newman, servant of Mr. B.
Emms, of Bratton, with Bratton plough, who ploughed
his half acre in two hours and thirty minutes : tie
second to John Newman, servant of Mr. Philip Whit
aker, with the BrattOH plough, who ploughed his half
acre in two hours and twenty-seven minutes : and the
third to James Davis, servant of Mr. William Bourne,
with Bratton plough, who ploughed his half acre in two
hours and nineteen minutes.

Shekp Shearing. — 1st Class : The first premium was
awarded to William Blake, of Corsley ; the second to
.Tohn Watts, of Upton Scudamore ; and the third to
William Andrews, of Rushall.

2nd Class : The first premium was awarded to Isaac
Bailey, of Charlton ; the second to David Harvey, of
Alton ; and the third to John Pearce, of Upton Scud-
amore.

SuKrHERDs Rearing Lames. — The Committee

awarded the first premium to Samuel Smith, Shepherd
of ]\Ir. S. Mills, of Elston, who reared 771 lambs from
780 ewes, 779 of which ewes were Jiving on the first
day of May last : the second to James Sheppard,
Shepherd of IMr. Young, of Marden, who reared 443
lambs from 460 ewes, 456 of which ewes were living on
the first day of May last ; and the third, to John
Saunders, shepherd of Mr. James Russell, of West
Lavington, who reared 238 lambs from 264 ewes, 260
of which ewes were living on the first day of May
last.

Mr. Henry Slade Brown of Thoulston, Mr. William
Bevan and Mr. Samuel Jefiereys of Westbury, Mr.
Wm. Fowle of Lavington, Mr. James Bourne of West-
bury, and Mr. Enos Hains of Erie Stoke, were elected
Members of the Society.

THE AYRSHIRE
ASSOCIATION 1

AGRICULTURAL
THE CROWS.

Beds., June 1\st,
Sir, — Observing in the Mark Lane Express, dated
June 12th, a report of the proceedings of the Ayrshire
Agricultural Association, in which a gallant gentleman
from the north avows his determination " to endeavour
to induce landlords at their next meeting, to thin, or
probably, lo extirpate, ' crows.' " I wish through the
medium of your extensively diffused journal, to ask him,
or any other person engaged in agriculture, if the dam-
age done by the crows is not fully overbalanced by the
great services they render the farmer at certain periods
of the year, particularly during a dry season ? at which
time I believe it is generally allowed no more efi:'ectual
destroyer of the grub can be found. Wherever this
gentleman's advice may be adopted, I am of opinion the
farmer will find, that though he may have got rid of one
evil, he has inadvertantly made room for many others
of greater magnitude, which, in the plenitude of his con-
fidence in the suggestions of his landlord, have been
completely overlooked. Yours respectfullv,

" CAW."
P.S. The only reason I can assign for the martyrdom
of " Jim Crow," is a desire on the part of certain per-
sons to get rid of a petition to parliament, praying the
legislature to allow the petitioners to demand compen-
sation from their landlords for the damage done by the

A remarkable effect of the tremendous storm which
we had on Friday last was witnessed at Leigh, near
this city, where a farmer had just expended 301. in ma-
nuring his land ; the whole of which manure, with a
crop of turnips, was transferred by the storm to his
neighbour's estate. — Worcester Herald.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

M

THE BANKING SYSTEM.

TO THE FARMERS OF IRELAND.

149, Francis Street, Dubliiu
13th May, 1837.

Friends, — I take the liberty to address you a
public letter on the subject of" Banking-, in which
you and your interests are more deeply concerned
than mnny of you suppose. The grounds upon wbich
so humble an individual as myself presumes to
address you, 1 shall state as plainly and as briefly as
I can.

In the first place being myself the Son of a Farmer,
I feel I have a claim on your attention, founded on
the natural S3'mpathy of our order.

I presume also to say that my successful progress
as a trader in the city of Dublin for nearly eighteen
years, in the house in which J now write, and in
which I commenced business on my own i-iccount
with less tlian ten pounds, at eighteen years of age,
must give me some claim on your attention. In
every thing- in which I have ever engaged, I have
been successful — some persons would call this "good
fortune." But at all events I have succeeded in
every thing I undertook, and this brings me to a
very important undertaking- in which I had been
engaged during the last three ye-ars — I allude to that
extensive establishment, the Agricultural and Com-
mercial Bank of Ireland. I have the honour to be
the founder of that great Company, and let come
what may as to its fature destiny, you farmers of
Ireland, I do boldly assert, are under lasting obli-
gations to me for its existence. Some of the super-
ficial multitude will pronounce this assertion egotism
and so forth — they may do so as they please, but I
will insist on my right in this matter, and I will take
this opportunity to thank the shareholders of that
company for their kind appreciation of my services,
evinced so handsomely in the valuable service of
plate with which I was presented in October last,
for my humble exertions in aiding to form that na-
tional establishment.

I have said that you owe me lasting oblig-ations
for planning and aiding to establish that Institution,
and I will now lay before you proofs of the service
done.

Farmers of Ireland I attend now to wh-.it I am
about to state — England, Scotland, and Ireland are
united b}- one crown and governed by one parlia-
ment, but Ireland is below, very far below the other
two " sisters " in commerce, trade, wealth, and hap-
piness. The inh-ahitants of Ireland have but one
gre-at branch of national employment to occupy them,
namely. Tillage of the Earth, by which we mean
the producing of all sorts of provisions. The inha-
bitants of the other two sister nations have not only
the tillage of the eaith to employ them but have hun-
dreds of other occupations besides, of which we have
little or no idea, and to which we have not skill and
knowledge to a^ply ourselves; the consequence is,
that the inhabitants of England and Scotland are
more constantly aud more profitably employed than
the inhabitants of Ireland ; are richer and happier,
and continue to draw over vast numbers of the Irish
to reside there, and aid them in tlie rough or more
more laborious part of these occupations. Now you
have little to occupy vou but the one great business
(tillage) to which all your labour and attention
are devoted, and to which the labour ;ii'.d attention of
your children as they grow up must al o be devoted,
in order to enable you to live at all ; nad if the bu-
siness of raising and preparing provisions receives
any check by the seasons, or by any other cause, then

all is misery and despondence, wretchedness and
despair. Then do many of you speculate on leaving-
that home which has given you birth, to which you
are attached by the dearest ties of country and kin-
dred, to seek a better fortune through voluntary exile,
and often, sadly too often, to find a watery grave,
as you are about to tread upon the shores of anotiier
land.

The cause and the consequence of this state of
wretchedness are so bound together, so much alike
that you cannot, as the saying goes, " tell which is
which." You are poor because you are obliged to
sell to the busy inhabitants of England and Scotland,
your provisions the moment they are raised, to pay
your rent and other charges, which takes away the
[lower because it takes away the " capital," ar sub-
sistence necessary to maintain menjor a considerable time
at handicraft, before their productiois can be brought to a
distant market, and before a return can be had for these
productions, and you are poor because you have little
else to occupy you but the raising of provisions ;
for, as a nation, we have no incomings but what are
derived from the one source. Any thing we import
from other countries must be paid for by provisions,
and when our crops fail and that we have no pro-
visions to export, we can import nothing !

Now, farmers of Ireland, take up this statement
and ask any man in your several and respective
neighbourhoods to dispute this theory, and if any
one will be found to do so, I pledge myself to enter
with such a one into a public discussion on the sub-
ject either with tongue or pen.

Let us then suppose this state of things changed
to-morrow by some miraculous agency. Suppose
some vast demand sprung up -abroad for Irish linen,
and Irish shoes ; and that one person in each family
in Ireland became suddenly capable to make shoes
and weave linen ; a boy of twelve or fourteen years
of age, can, at the lowest calculation, earn from one
shilling to one shilling and six-pence a day at these
trades. Then supfiose the average of farms to be
twenty acres, and the average rent twenty-five shil-
lings an acre, this boy will earn the whole rent of
such a farm at this occupation, and enable his father
to paj' it off without entrenching on his other re-
sources. These shoes and linens will be brought to
the seaports and put into ships for the several coun-
tries in which the demand for them exists. Bills
will be drawn for the value of those shoes and linens
on merchants of other countries. These bills will be
sold to Irish land agents wlio require to pay to tlie
absent owners of the soil the rents arising out of
those lands you hold. Thus you perceive the man-
ner in which the absentee landlords could, under the
supposed circumstances, be paid their rents without
exporting- a single bullock or a single sack of corn.

Did such a stale of things exist, you would have
a market for all your own provisions at your own
doors, you would not have half enough of mills to
manufacture the flour and oatmeal, the shoemakers
and weavers and their families would require all,
and by selling your own produce to profitably em-
ployed consumers on the spot, you would get much
more for it than you get now, or in other words,
one day's work of yours would procure you as much
clothing, house furniture, iron, tea and sugar, &c. as
three days work now fetches. If you had a fair
sha'-e of these necessaries and comforts very few of
you would be subject to the charge of intemperance
or intoxication. But when despair and despondency
seize on the best intellect, it rarely keeps proof
against the temporary but dangerous alleviation af-
forded by spirituous stimulants.

But it will require a great deal of bubsisfence to

E 2

50

fHE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

feeJ and clothe the persons who should, under such
circumstauces, be occupied in preparing the leather
for the shoemakers, and the yarn for the weavers ;
it will require a great deal of subsistence or in other
words " capital " to feed and clothe the weavers and
the shoemakers who manufacture, and the sailors
who take out those things to other countries and
who wait for favourable winds to return. You are
unable to afford this subsistence because all that you
can raise from the land is carried off and put into
ships almost the moment it can be gathered and
packed, for the purpose of getting the bills on Eng-
land and Scotland, which bills are required and are
sold to the Irish Inncl-agents to pay the absent land-
lord. You are like the hare followed by the hounds
intent only on preserving your existence, and you
do not dream of procuring for your children any
other occupation than that which the little farm af-
fords, because you cannot spare them (male or fe-
male) from your side in the fields ; nor if you could
spare them, can you support them even half a year,
while learning any other occupation. Hence you
are obliged to move inside of a circle out of which
you cannot get without bursting it by quitting the
country altogether. You are poor because you have
no trade, and you have no trade because you are
poor !

This was your state before the Agricultural Bank
was established. Now farmers of Ireland, mark me
well. I must bring you back to the point from
whence I started, namely, to laying the foundation of
that Agricultural Bank. That bank was planned by
me without the aid of a single being ; was laid before
the Irish public at my expense ; besides which I
subscribed a fair share of its capital ; and with the
aid of some gentlemen who came forward early in
its behalf, I had the satisfaction to see it established
in every part of Ireland in about tv.o years, on a
paid-up capital of nearly 360,000/., and a proprietary
of several thousand wealthy partners. That bank
was met at the threshold by scoffing and sneering,
when these did not avail, a more deadly opposition
was entered against it, but it surmounted all, and
would have continued till doomsday without bending
or " suspending" had it been managed true to the
principles upon which it set out.

Indeed this is now felt by all, and admitted by all;
and the following extract from one of the provincial
newspapers, the Clonmel Advertiser, (24th Decem-
ber,) expresses forcibly and truly the public opinion
on this subject : —

"THE AGRICULTURAL BANK.

" From the first publication of the prospectus of
this hitherto truly Native and National Company,
we stood forward as its disinterested friends. We
hailed it, not as a mere commercial money grabbino-
speculation, the tendency and efforts of which would
naturally be to make the greatest possible gains with
the smallest possible trouble, but as a National In-
stitution, originated by Irishmen, based on Irish
capital, governed and managed in Ireland, as a mat-
ter of course sympathising with our native trade and
undertakings, and above all, as a philanthropic asso-
ciation of men and means for the special protection
and aid of humble industry. Although we never had
a branch of the establishment in our own town,
(Clonmel) yet we were pleased to hear from many
sources that it had, wherever established, worked
out to the fullest extent the patriotic views deve-
loped in the prospectus.

" We took a pride in the success of this establish-
ment, because we have heard of many a poor man
and of many n family who have been enabled to set

forward in life by the temporary loan of 51. or 10/.
from these Agricultural Banks. We were satisfied
that the establishment, leaning on Ireland for its
support, would naturally be attentive to, and mind-
ful of, the wants of the humbler class of Irish traders
and farmers. In proof of this view we need only
remark, that no bank, over before in Ireland, stooped
to attend to 51, and 10/. borrowers. And the reason
is very obvious. — The other banks which existed
previously were set forward and held possession of
by the great speculators, who in this country and in
England have a direct interest in forcing the farmers
to sell their produce all at once, which these Levia-
than shareholders purchase up both here and at the
other side of the water, (for the ramification of con-
cert in these matters is quite perfect and complete,
though not at all visible to the naked eye) — and hold
in store or in ship for a few months on the strength
of their bills, 'till the farmers are completely cleared
out, when their stores and ships are unlocked, and
these parties then realise immense sums which they
very naturally put into their own pockets, and which
never return to circulate amongst us who originate
their gains.

" Now, on the establishment of the Agricultural
Bank, a new order of things arose. The farmers
being sustained by that bank were enabled to bring
their produce to the market, whenever they pleased,
and sell at whatever price they judged the article to
be worth, and it followed, for the first time within
our memory, that the farmers, without the aid of wars
or famines, obtain remunerating prices for their pro-
duce. In fact, Ireland, by the establishment of this
one Institution, was enabled to increase the demand
against England to the amount of two solid millions
STERLING per annum. These two millions sterling
retui ned to the country in the shape of increased ar-
ticles of English clothing, English hardware, tea,
sugar, and other excisable articles, and while it in-
creased the public revenue, increased also the na-
tional enterprise of Ireland. But these effects were
inconsistent with the "occupation" of the wealthy
speculators we have alluded to. No sooner was it
found by these gentry in London, Manchester, Liver-
pool, and other places that we were too happy, than
means were taken to fling the apple of discord
amongst us, in the shape of a proposition for a Lon-
don board to manage or help to manage the affairs of
the Agricultural Bank. If we were before in doubt
of this most unexpected fact, that doubt is fully re-
moved now."

I quite accord in this view of the matter, you all
can bear testimony to the improved prices of every
article of your produce which within the last two
years followed the general establishment of the Agri-
cultural Bank — I know other banks followed the
Agricultual, and likewise did a great deal of good,
but it is to the whole plan and original object of the
Agricultural Bank that you owe the attention to your
wants, for the first time bestowed on you, as a class,
by Banks in Ireland ; I know there are persons in
the world who assert that high prices for corn, cattle,
pigs, butter, poultry, &c. are injurious to you ! Yes
indeed tliey say that if the price of agricultural pro-
duce goes up the rent of land must also go up and
that you are no better for the advance. But even
admitting that it did go up in some odd instance, yet
the mass of the land would not go up, and if it even
did, you farmers would still benefit largely thereby ;
because if land went up ten shillings an acre, you
have seen within the last two years the produce of
the land go up full five pounds an acre, four pounds
ten shillings of which latter advance would go into
your pockets, or, to put the matter in another view ;

THE FARMERS MAGAZINE.

53

TEN barrels of wheat at tbirty shillings per barrel,
(the av^erage of the last two years) would pay a rent
of fifteen pounds per annum ; whereas it would re-
quire TWENTY barrels of wheat at fifteen shillings per
barrel, (the average of the previous two ye.irs,) to do
the same thing. And the same remark applies to
nearly every other article of Irish production. Now
farmers, will any body dispute that if you can pay
off your rents and taxes with half the quantities of
corn, cattle, pigs, butter, and poultry, which it re-
quired heretofore to do it ; will any body dispute if
you do this, that you will not immediatlely set the
weavers, the shoemakers, the tailors, the carpenters,
the smiths, and all the other tradesmen in full motion,
and that these again will become your best customers ;
will any body deny that from the increase of wealth
that would follow this state of things, you would
soon be able to manufacture on a large scale for ex-
portation ; you would then become enabled to pay
the distant proprietors by the export of your extra
inanufactares instead of as at present by export of your
provisions, and you would pay the local demands on
you by the same means.

That the Agricultural Bank would have in a very
few years enabled you to do all this, is abundantly
proved by the bleak and blank state of things that has
taken place since its suspension of business ; it is
proved by the fall and falling state of the prices, it
is proved by the dismal aspect of every fair and
every market and almost every face.

Although I did not, before I retired from the board
of that establishment, agree with most of the direc-
tors in many matters, as to its management, and par-
ticularly in the rapid extension of its branches and
discounts, yet I do say that it was an establishment
well worthy of better treatment than it received at
your hands.

That bank as it has proved was perfectly solvent,
for it has paid you all, every shilling due to you,
and has its own capital nearly safe. You allowed
yourselves to be panic-stricken respecting it, and
believing it to he constructed like the old Irish pri-
vate banks, you rushed forward to destroy it by your
senseless demand for gold, but you may easily be
forgiven, for you did not know vsrbat you were do-
ing. In addition to your own want of knowledge
on the late occasion, some of the ignorant managers
of the other banks contributed very much (I am sure
without authority from their employers) to increase the
panic and alarm in your minds.

This they did, one would almost suppose guided
pretty much bv the same motive that would guide a
midnight incendiary in raising a cry of fire! fire! in
the streets, calculating on the spoil which would na-
tur.dly fall into his hands from the confusion and
alarm of the affrighted inhabilants.

Tlie trick was this, on the commencement of the
Agricultural Bank, one or two of the old banks re-
fused its notes, which was of great service to the
new bank ; as from that cause many of them staid
out in the hands of the public, which had the old
banks taken when offered would have been brought
in against the Agricultural Bank in an hour ; but in
progress of time, seeing the public feeling- setting-
in against them, for the continued and contemptuous
refusal of these notes, the old banks who in the be-
ginning refused, at length commenced taking them,
which although it might have given the public a
better opinion of the Agricultural Bank, (without
however any real additional grounds from that cir-
cumstance,) yet curtailed somewhat its circulation
and of course its profits. But in November, when
the hanking panic and crisis set in, some of the agents
of the old banks refused the agricultural notes, un-

less the persons presenting would write their names
on them ! — we all know that writing one's name on a
note does not give any additional security to the
party to whom we pass it, but this contemptible
trick produced a great deal of alarm and confusion
in some parts of the country, where the people did
not know at last which note was best to hold : so
that from your ignorance of the nature of the security
which the Agricultural Bank afforded you in a paid
up capital of 360,000L and from a mistaken opinion
as to the protection of yourselves, you plunged your-
selves into misery by running down that establish-
ment, whicii if you had supported instead of crush-
ing, would have in a very few years raised you and
your country to a state of commercial and manufac-
turing prosperity, that to speak of now, would be
considered a piece of I'omance ! Now very different
to this is the conduct of the Scotch people, and the
Scotch bankers. The Scotch bankers instead of
looking on each other's establishment with envy, ac-
tually fly to each other's aid upon the slighest symp-
tom of necessity ; which, howcjver, very rarely arises,
owing to the great intelligence of the Scottish people,
who never listen to alarmists, and above all, never
become alarmists themselves.

Scotland contains about two and a half millions of
inhabitants, Ireland contains, it is said, near nine
millions. Ireland has seven or eight joint-stock
banks, Scotland has upwards of tbirty ; but Scotland
has had these banks in operation quite unfettered,
anxl quite unrestricted for upwards of a century.
The banking system on the comprehensive scale as
established in Scotland is unknown in Ireland ; we
are yet indeed but in our infancy either in Banking
or Commerce, and this is proved still more by the
fact that the little town of Dundee in Scotland, ex-
ports more linen annually than all Ireland ! It is
pure nonsense to say, that they have capital, and that
we have none, their capital consists in their extended
and matured banking institutions in which nearly all
the merchants and traders of the country are part-
ners, and being so, are mutually interested in sup-
porting the public credit of the country, which is in
fact banking credit thus established and sustained.

Through the medium of these well managed mone-
tary institutions in Scotland, all the productions of
the country whether of tillage or manufacture or
commerce, or accumulated savings, are brought to
bear in such a manner as to form a permanently in-
creasing mass of active capital, the savings of the
mechanic, the current balances of the merchriut, and
the deposits of the peer are lent out again almost as
soon as lodged. This is the true principle of com-
mercial economy. We see the effects of this mone-
tary combination in the success of all Scotch under-
takings. Their trade is profitable, for they have
capital, which in fact is baulking credit, at a cheap
rate. Their manufactures are extensive and com-
mand the markets of the world, because they rely on
their matured banking credit to enable them to ship
to distant markets, their position at this moment is,
when all around seems tottering, perfectly serene
and secure, because they themselves originate, un-
shackled by the interference of great banking mono-
polies, their money capital, and thus superseding
that reliance on other originators of money capital,
which is always dangerous to trade, creating, as it
always does, a capricious administration of credit,
they secure the fruits of all in their busy, prosperous,
and contented btate.

1 will take one branch of trade which above all
others, is the natural right of Ireland, viz. the manu-
facture of flax. The article itself is extensively
grown in Ireland, it ia taken over to Scotland to be

54

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

spun, and is sent back again to Ireland to be
wove.

There are in Scotland one hundred and seventy
one flax mills, and in Ireland but twenty-one. Now
where the article is grown, there would it be manu-
factured if it were not for the total want of matured
banking institutions. It will no doubt be objected
here by some that if we even had unlimited capital
we cannot ever hope to equal Scotland or England
in manufacture : if we go on in despair, in ignorance,
and in sloth, we certainly aever will ; but that we
are fully able from natural resources to maintain the
linen and cotton trade in all their branches I am well
prepared to prove. If England and Scotland have
cheaper coals, we liave cheaper labour, and cheaper
food, with a soil capable of producing twice the
quantity. The quantity of coals sufficient to keep
an eighty horse steam engine at work for one week,
may be estimated at fifty ton : the cost in Scotland or
England of these fifty ton of coals .Tiay be estimated
at 7s. a ton, 17/. 10s. In Lancashire the coals are
laid at the manufacturer's door at 6s. 8d. per ton.
The cost of the same quantity of coal laid down in
any of the sea ports of Ireland may be estimated at
double that rate, say Sol. Fifty ton of coal will keep
60O hands working twelve hours a day for a week
in a flax mill or cotton mill.

Now let us see the comparative advantages and
disadvantages of the Irish and the Scotch manufac-
turers. 600 girls and boys from 10 to 16 years of
age can be had in Ireland at an average rate of 3s,
6d. per week each, amounts to 105/. In England or
Scotland 600 girls and boys of the same age cannot
be h^d under at tbe very lowest average six shillings
per week each, amounting to 180/., the balance m
favour of the Irish manufacturer on the whole would
therefore be 58/. per week. Then, some will ask
why do not the English and Scotch manufacturers
come and settle here 1 — to which the answer is quite
ready. There are no banking institutions to support
them.

When a man expends 10,000/. in budding a fac-
tory, and 10,000/. in filling it with machiner}-, he
may want 10,000/. more to buy the material for
working it ; you may be well astonished then when
you hear that the Bank of Ireland could not fl pre-
sume from the nature of their charter or bye laws,)
advance one shilling to this man on the security of
his property, and because other banks are prevented
by law to be formed in Dublin on a large scale, trade
cannot have that support which it deserves, and
which it has in Scotland ; for in Scotland a man v\ho
builds a factory, or even goes part of the way on his
own resources, can by mortgaging his buildings to
his banker, obtain the advance requisite for carrying
on his business. Now the Bank of Ireland gives
itself little trouble on this head, and the law, as it
lately stood, prevented other banks being established
on a large scale, therefore trade will not dwell where
it is not encouraged by monied institutions, or rather
it will fly to those lands where monied institutions
abound. We cannot for these reasons amongst others
compete with these countries which have got the
start of us in these monetary institutions by a cen-
tury at least.

But though we cannot compete with them, we may
notwithstanding improve our own resources, and
trade very much ; and to show you that the Agricul-
tural Bank was one very powerful engine in im-
proving the trade and commerce and general condi-
tion of the country, I shall now place before yen
proofs which (if you require fhem^ will put the
question beyond all controversy. Independent of
the ten thousand instances whicb'mightbe mentioned

of individuals having got, principally by the force
of their good character, small loans of live and ten
f-ounds from that establishment, and realising by in-
dustrious turning, five times and in many cases ten
times the amount within the space of twelve months,
thus, inspiring hope, and encouraging good conduct
in all around, one splendid fact may without impro-
priety be recorded, it being equally creditable to all
the parties concerned.

About eighteen months ago, the house of * * *
applied to the Agricultural Bank for a cash credit to
the extent of 2,000/., in the Limerick branch: the
gentlemen who applied to the Dublin Board were
connected with a Scotch House. They wanted this
money they said to commence in Limerick the manu-
facture of lace, and tendered security, and having
been known to Mr. Mitchell, the manager, the board
granted the credit. These gentlemen immediately
set to work in Limerick, and the consequence is,
that they succeeded in establishing a splendid trade
in that citv. But what is the foct for the
country — what is the fact for Ireland ? this — that
these gentlemen have now nearly one thousand
SOULS OF OUR INFANT POPULATION EMPLOYED ! Em-
ployed at what? preparing and manufacturing Lace
FOR England, and for all the markets of the
WORLD ! Now I will ask this question of every
Irishman who pretends to a knowledge of human
nature. Suppose the board of the Agricultural Bank
to be in London, and suppose a gentleman interested
in the Nottingham lace trade to be on that board
when the parties I have alluded to applied for the
2,000/. cash credit to carry on the manufacture of
lace in Limerick, tell me, Irishmen, do you think the
2,000/. would be granted ? That is my reply to those
who say it matters not whether the board of an Irish
bank be in London or Dublin.

I have said that an increased trade would follow
sound, liberal, and extended banking institutions —
the best mode of all others for arriving at the eflfect
produced by the banking institutions newly estab-
lished in Ireland in which the Agricultural Bank had
the largest share, is to compare the revenues derived
by the canal companies for the last two years, as
against the previous years. It would require a great
many figures to give you details on this subject, but
one sentence will do it better than all the figures I
could put together.

The stock or shares ly which the necessary sum
for forming the Grand Canal was principally raised,
} ad not for the last thirty years, previous to the year
before last, obtained one shilling of profit or dividend.
The parchment document which cost 100/. upwards of
thirty years ago, was till lately perfectly worthless .
What then is the fact ? These original documents,
worthless as they have been for the last thirty years,
have brought within the two last years a price vary-
ing from 25/. to 37/. each ; and their present rate by
the last stock report is 28/. This is distinctly to be
attributed to the increased traffic and travelling on
the canal within the last two years ; and if proper
returns could be readily obtained from other quarters,
I have 1)0 doubt but every channel of communica-
tion or traffic in Ireland would exhibit equal evi-
dences to the same effect.

Now, Farmers of Ireland, if I have not proved my
case to your satisfaction, do not be impatient, but
attend to me still.

For the last two years the tide of emigration had
become still, industry seemed to rouse itself in pro-
jiortion, as aid became more and more apparent and
extensive. Hope seemed to revive in your minds,
and comparatively few thought of quitting the be-

TIU: FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

55

loved country, which, whether absent or present, we
all revere.

Contentment, the never failing; attendant of hope
and industry, was more generalh' observable, when
the panic of Novamber set in and the downfall of the
Agricultural Bank ensued. What since has taken
place 1 It is not necessary again to dilate on the
alteration in prices, the suspension of many enter-
prising works, which, if completed, would set whole
communities in motion. It is not necessary to
glance at these alterations for the worse, for that
which comprehends all proof of your altered condi-
tion is found in the universal emigration which has
set in this spring. I know there are many good and
wise men who recommend emigration as a partial
remedy for the distress in Ireland — but why should
men who toil from sunrise to sunset, througli fair and
foul weather, and from year's end to year's end be in
distress .'' The cause is not a natural but an artificial
one. It is quite evident that labour, and above all
agricultural labour, is in Ireland depressed below
the level of the earth. And those who recommend
that the labourers be sent off to another hemisphere,
do not seem to remember that these labourers carry
with them as much capital as would euable each with
the aid of liberal and well-constructed monetary in-
stitutions, to sustain liis own labour or raise it to a
level with the labourers of other countries. They
who recommend emigration as a remedy for the coun-
try's distress, do not seem to remember that it is not
the lame, or the destitute, the sickly, or the aged,
that will go off; they do not seem to be aware that
the persons going off take with them bags of gold
and bags of silver. If these would consult the Di-
rectors of the Bank of Ireland, and the Directors of
the other banks, they would be informed that the
emigrants have taken out of Ireland this spring one-
fourth of the gold necessary to sustain ALL tlie
banks in Ireland. If it can be proved that it serves
a country to take off the flower of its population and
a great portion oF its hard money — if this can be
proved then are all the examples of history a dead
letter. The great and flourishing nations which we
have read of must have signalised themselves not by
the greatness, the enterprise, and the intelligence of
their numbers, but by the greatness of their plains
and their wildernesses.

No ! it is not owing to any cause in nature that the
country suffers. It is owing to artificial causes —
one of these artificial causes being the want of what
is called " capital." I have shown you that the
Agricultural Bank furnished you with this artificial
means to make your labour worth anything to you —
I have shown you that had you given it time to con-
solidate its strength, it would have soon placed you
on a level with other nations ; but, like the man
whose hen laid the golden egg daily, and who be-
coming impatient to possess himself at once of all the
treasure, killed his hen ; vou have, though acting
upon a different impulse, produced precisely the
same effectson the Agricultural Bank — the best friend
you ever had.

It has been alledged that vou were not worthy of
liberal banking institutions — that you had not the in-
tegrity or punctuality to justify an extension to you
of banking accommodation — it has been alleged also
that the Agricultural Bank m.ide credit too cheap, and
that persons got credit from it who ought not. The
Agricultural Bank may have been abused by persons
whe were in no way worthy of its support ; but what
institution or human attribute is there that is not
abused — do wc not abuse our time, our means, and
our be-'lth — are not our friendship and charity
abused? are not the laws and privileges of the peo-

ple abused ! are we therefore to condemn all these
valuable attributes of our nature and matured insti-
tutions— offsprings of our combined wisdom, because
they are occasionally abused by unworthy persons 1
Let us put the good done by the banking institutions
of the country in one scale, and the abuses growing
out of the system in the other, and we shall then see
which will preponderate. On the other side we see
the system enabling the small farmer to cultivate and
stock his little farm better — enabling the shopkeeper
to fill his sJiop with varieties at the lowest price-
enabling the merchant to reach distant markets with
his shipments, obtain articles of value for his own
country at the very lowest possible cost — enabling
the manufacturer to [obtain the raw mnterial for his
factory at the lowest terms — and enabling him to
keep his hands employed even in dull times — en-
couraging the capitalist to invest his hoarded riches
in profitable undertakings, relying on the banks for
aid in working out his large designs — affording wide
spread and profitable occupation for all, and thus
producing content and happiness all over the country.
These are some of the certain consequences of
sound and matured banking institutions. Now
what are the abuses ? A few persons here and
there get money who should not get it— they flourish
about for a little time and probably injure the in-
dustrious trader— but their character is at length
known — their credit stopped — they go into the bank-
rupt calendar and are no more heard of, except as a
warning.

But returning to the charge of want of integrity
endeavoured to be listened upon you. Your in-
tegrity. Farmers of Ireland, has been proved by a
very grand experiment, and I will add a very costly
expei-iment ; but with the cost of that experiment
you as a class have nothing do — we have only to
consider in this place the main fact of whether or
not you are worthy of credit. In October last,
when the Agricultural Bank presented its half-
yearly report to the shareholders, it shewed that it
held ONE MILLION STERLING of your bills and other
securities ; the run on it commenced early in No-
vember, and it suspended exchanges of notes in
Dublin about the middle of the month; from that
moment all credit, discounting, and all banking ac-
commodation was suspended in Ireland, and those
of you who owed money to the Agricultural Bank
could not pay it by new discounts obtained from
that or from any other bank. You could pay this
million of money only from real property. At the
same time you owed a million of money to the
Natio7ial Bank, for these were the only two banks
that ever admitted you as a class to banking accom-
modation. I undei stand you have paid the National
Bank very well, but I know you have paid in the
short space of four months 700,000/. in what I must
denominate gold, to the proprietors of the Agricul-
tural Bank, and I believe that fifteen shillings in the
pound of the remaining bills of yours held by the
Company, will be paid. Now I will put this state-
ment before any Scotch banker, any English
banker, or merchant, or before any French or Ame-
rican merchant or banker, and I will challenge him
to admit if the payments on your parts, wjjder t/^e
circumstances were not punctual in the extreme. Tha
Agricultural Bank may have lost money, but it was
not by you it lost, and that is enough for our purpose
here. A great deal of noise and a great deal of panic
has been created about tlie few thousands owed by
you to the Agricultural Bank, whereas if we turn
our eyes elsewhere, we may learn that in the short
space of three months upwards of one hundred
houses have suspended payment in England and

56

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

America, whose united liabilities amount to TumTV
MILLIONS of POUNDS STERLING ! any one of wbose
debts to their creditors more than equals all that is
due by all Ireland to the Agricultural Bank, You
are well entitled to the benefit of ihis fact, and when
it is considered the good done to the nation by
drawing out its sleeping capital, even to the extent
of one million, as has been done by the Agri-
cultural Bank, the reflection starts upon us on the
immense benefits and wealth we should now be in
the enjoyment of, had tlie millions raised within the
last forty years for ruinous and expensive wars
been raised for and applied to the purposes of
commerce, manufacture, and improvement of the
country — the question may be lepeated .—if the vast
sums which have been raised ibr the purposes of
wars, through the medium of those floating securi-
ties, denominated" Annuities," " Exchequer Bills,"
&c. &c., were raised for and applied to the purposes
of improving the country and extending its trade for
the last forty or fifty years, what a state of prosperity
we should now witness ! Every corner of the
United Kingdom would be intersected with canals
and roads — every inch of the surface not covered
with water would be highly cultivated — every river
would be covered with factories— every harbour
crowded with ships — every man willing to labour
would have, profitable employment within his reach.
These countries would form, as from their geogra-
phical position nature designed they should, the
trading emporium of the world. The population in-
stead of being- considered a burthen, would be in-
creased by the attraction of profitable employment —
the climate and soil being the sweetest and finest in
the world — and the wealth which would be gene-
rated and amassed by a judicious outlay in Great
Britain and Ireland of eight hundred millions within
the last forty years, would amount at this time to

TWENTY THOUSAND MILLIONS STERLING, a SUlll Suffi-
cient to purchase the fee simple of Europe !

The Americans are quite sensible of all this, and
they are now about setting forward as a nation in the
practical improvement of every branch of their vast
and increasing agricultural, manufacturing, and
commercial resources. The plan of issuing bonds or
long dated bills by the American banks will succeed.
This plan will quickly be adopted by the banks of
Great Britain, and with success also, and we shall
then have that proper basement for our commercial
operations, which such vast operations require.

This letter is sadly too long, and must have com-
pletely wearied you. But were you fully aware of
the importance of the sithject of it, you would not
easily be tired considering it. Many subjects will
claim your attention, but few have so powerful, so
immediate an influence over every action of your
lives, as the monetnry system which I have endea-
voured, and trust I have succeeded, to make intelli-
gible to you. I wisli you to distinctly understand
that I do not write this letter to interfere in any way
in, or to influence in the slightest degree, the
unhappy diflerence now existing between the share-
holders of the Agricultural and Commercial 15ank — I
would, if I could, heal these differences, and pro-
bably ere long we shall see these diflerences all settled
by mutual concessions — but 1 write this letter in the
first place to vindicate you against the aspersions so
freely cast upon vou by many who do not give them-
selves time to consider the matter — and, in the
second place, to vindicate the principle of saiall
LOANS in Joint-Stock Banking, which has been in-
troduced into this country by me, and of which I
still continue to be the sincere advocate. — I nm, your
Friend, and very bumble Servant,

THOS. MOONEY.

CHELMSFORD WOOL FAIR.

The annual meeting of the Agricultural Society for
the exhibition of stock and wool fair, took place on
Tuesday, Tune 22, and was very numerously at-
tended, most of the principal agriculturists of the
county being present.

The business done in the wool trade was, as might
be expected, limited compared with last year, and
the quantity j)itched was comparatively small, but
more was shown iu sample, and considering the
shortness of the growth this season, a fair supply
was exhibited. The prices, although as high as at
late sales, were far from satisfactory, the highest
realized being for Hogget 13d., and for ewe 9d., a
depression from last year which must be sensibly
felt by the grower. Notwitstanding, the seller sub-
mitted to the reduction, ond more business was
transacted under the circumstances than could have
been anticipated. The wool iair may now be con-
sidered as well established, and the advantage de-
rived bv all pa'-ties will keep it upon a fiim basis.

The show of sheep was not quite so good as was
expected, and that of Downs greatly inferior in pro-
portion to the others ; but the long-wooUed were
much better, the former having not jet reached that
perfection in this county.

Lord Western exhibited some Merino sheep as
extra stoek ; also some cross bred Merino and long-
woolled sheep. Of the pure breed there were two
hogget rams, strongly evincing the possibility of
effecting the greatest improvement in stock, by judi-
cious selection and care, and comparatively high feed-
ing ; tlieir weight was estimated from eighteen to
nineteen pounds per quarter — their wool, when
washed, eight or nine pounds the fleece. One of
them had been into Norfolk with some South Down
ewes. The sheep of this breed, when originally in-
troduced, were so diminutive, that no person could
contemplate any value beyond their wool ; and it is
a curious fact, that upon the first introduction of the
South Down, they were as much beneath their pre-
sent size as the Merino were. — In another pen was
a cross bred hogget ram, rather larger than the pure
bred rams ; its wool was nearly as good, but its head
showed plainly the cross. There was also an aged
cross bred ram, two parts Merino and one long wool ;
it was fat, and was supposed to weigh thirteen stone.
It was shorn on the ground ; its wool was very fine.
We believe Lord Western is endeavouring to pro-
duce out of these crosses a new and distinct breed.
His Lordship has proceeded a good way with the
experiment, and with more success, as far as h«
has gone, than was expected. The wool which was
exhibited was certainly of a superior and uniform
quality, and much admired ; one fleece was shown
weighing 9jlbs., and vras singularly* soft and fine.
^Ve understand his Lordship sent, last year, 120
pure bred Merino ram lambs to New South Wales.
Lord Western also exhibited a young boar, a nearly
thorough bred Neapolitan. It was admitted to be
as handsome as possible ; but some people are of
opinion tliat tlie growth of these animals is not quick
enough to come soon into money. It is a curious
circumstance, and an advantage, that the black skin
pig is never injured by the heat of the sun when
grazing in the field ; nor less extraordinaiy is it, that
the black washes ofl^ entirely wlien put into the
scalding tub ; it comes out with a white skin, and its
flesh is of particularly fine quality, and very white
and delicnle.

Miuh cannot he said in praise of the milking cows ;
the yearling heifers were superior to what we have
seen on former occasions, particularly the ten shown
ibr the sweepstp.kes, The five shown by Mr, Crooks

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

57

averaged, it is computed, upwards of 60 stone, and
were highly commended by the judges.

The cart and stock horses were much admired,
particularly the former.

The sheep-shearing took place as before in the
High-street, ;ind from the excellent arrangement
made by the Honorary Secretary in the various de-
partments the whole passed off in the most agreeable
manner.

The benefits arising from this institution h«ve
been great ; a competition has arisen amongst the
breeders of stock, and the shoTV of young animals
was exceedingly good. Before the formation of the
society, scarcely any were bred in this district, but
those exhibited proved how much could be accom-
plished in so short a time, and from the premiums
offered, we may expect to see the competition so far
carried on as to place the breeders of this county
upon a level with those of other districts. The ad-
vantages to be derived have been forcibly pointed
out by one of their practical members at former
meetings, and we shall be glad to find the hint
adopted. Pie observes that if an animal is bred an 'I
fattened upon the same farm, the whole profit cf
breeding and grazing must remain with the same in-
dividual— and when the small outlay of capital this
employed is considered, the profits are much grea^^r
upon breeding than on grazing. IMen of capital en
make a selection of stock for feeding at the country
fairs, which it is quite impossible for the man of
small capital to effect ; bv rearing his own stock he
will have his farm gradually supplied, but by neg-
lecting this mode he will remain in statu quo without
either that cr capital.

The following is a list of the prizes &c. : —

SHEEP SHOWN IN THE WOOL.

Judges.— John Ellman,Esq., Sussex ; Mr. R. Max-
well, West Ham ; Mr. R. Morgan, West Smithfield.

Down Rams. — First prize of ll. 2s., Mr. Thomas
Smith, of Wiekham. Second prize, \l. Is. to the Rev.
J. B- Stane, Forest Hall (6-tooth). Other candidates,
T. W. Bramston, Esq,, Messrs. I. Belcher, T. Speak-
man, jun., Fairsted Lodge, and John Seabrook, Old
Lodge. — Eleven rams were shown.

Long Wool Rams.— First prize 2l. 2s. to Mr. Wil-
liam Fisher Hobbs, of Marks Hall. The second best
■was also shewn by Mr. H. but the rules of the society
precluded his taking the second prize, which was
awarded to Mr. C. Matsou, of Great Baddow. Other
candidates, Messrs. F. Harrison, Lyons Hall, R.
Knight, Dunton, and Henry Cleeve, Rettendon. —
Sixteen rams were shown.

Four Down Ewe Hoggetts.— First prize, 21. 2s.,
Thomas William Bramston, Esq. They were fed
upon pea-straw during the winter, and a little hay
afterwards. Second prize, ll. Is., Capt. Kortright, St.
Leonards; this pen had been with the flock, and had
never had cake, seed, or turnips. The Rev. J. B.
Stane also showed a pen.

Four long Wool Hoggetts. — First prize, 2l. 2s.,
Mr. Henry Hobbs, Becking, there being no competi-
tor.— None were shown for the second prize.

WOOL.

Judges. — Mr. Legge, jun., Mr. Unwin, jun., Mr.
Thomas Johns.

Best Fleece of Down Wool.— Prize of ll. Is. to
T. W. Bramston, Esq. Mr. I. Belcher also showed in
this class.

Best Fleece of Long Wool. — Prize of ll. Is. to
Mr. W. F. Hobbs. — Other competitors, Messrs. H.
Hobbs, T. W. Crooks, and F. Harrison.

SHEARERS.

Judges. — J. EUman, Esq., Mr. Maxwell, Mr,
Morgan.

Candidate,

Certificate signed by Prize.

Joseph Bagshaw .

Mr. W. F. Hobbs £l 1 0

John Jarvis ... .

— Wm. Steel 10 6

Josias Kemp

~W.F. Hobbs 5 0

John Harris

— John Seabrook

William Masin ....

— T.W.Bramston,Esq.

Benjamin Cole

— Wm. Downes

Richard Jarvis . . .

— Wm. Steel

William Jarvis ....

Ditto

John Humphreys.

Ditto

William Neale ....

Ditto

John Jones

. — Henry Cleeve

Ditto

William Chandler.

— Richard Young ....

SHEPHERDS.

Judges. — Lord Rayleigh, John Round, Esq., Mr.
W. Crush, Chignell, and Mr, R. Baker.

Members. Shepherd. Setting. tu^p'g'd.^alWe!

F. Harrison. ..John Giggenst...20th June... 100 135

TWBiamstonWilliamFear* ... 4th July. ..300 378

C. Matson ... Wm. Gowlett ...29th Oct. ...358 398

Richd.Knight.James Linnet ...10th Nov. ...238 256

* First prize — 21. 10s. for rearing the greater num-
ber of lambs, from 150 ewes and upwards, f Second
prize — 2/. ditto from 100.

One sovereign in each of the shepherd's prizes is
given by T. W. Bramston, Esq.

STOCK.

Judges.— Mr. Charles Matson, Mr. H. Cleeve,
Mr. J. Morgan.

Best Bull of any Age.— Prize 21. 2s. Mr. R.
Baker, Writtle. Mr. T. W. Crooks, and Mr. F.
Harrison were candidates, but no prize was awarded.

Best Yearling Bull.— Prize ll. lOs. to T. W.
Bramston, Esq. (a short horn). Sir J. T. Tyrrell
showed a Hereford ; Mr. T. W. Crooks, a Durham ;
Mr. R. Baker, a short horn ; Mr. F. Harrison, a Dur-
ham York ; and Mr. W. F. Hobbs, a Hereford, bred by
Lord Huntingfield, and bought at his Lordship's sale.
The last mentioned was very highly commended by the
judges.

Best Cow in Milk.— Prize ll. 10s. to Mr. T. W.
Crooks. Other competitors : — T. W. Bramston, Esq.
and Sir J. T, Tyrell. Messrs. R. Baker, T. Dowson,
Writtle, J. Middleton, Aveley, and S. Gooch, Sandon.

Yearling Heifers of any Breed. — Prize ll.
lOs. to J. Middleton. T. W. Bramston, Esq., and
Messrs. R. Baker, T. Dowson, andT. W. Crooks also
showed.

The premium of 6 sovs. for the best 5 one year old
heifers, bred or weaned and reared by a member of the
society ; if not bred, to have been in possession of the
person showing from one month old, and whether bred
or reared, not to be more than 21 months old from the
time of dropping. Subscribers : — Lord Rayleigh, John
Round, John Disney, C. C. Parker, Esqrs. ; Messrs
Maxwell, Robert Baker, Henry Cleeve, and Thomas
Crooks ; was awarded to Mr. T. W. Crooks. The
premium of 2 sovs. for the second best ditto, to T. W.
Bramston, Esq.

HORSES.

.Judges.— Mr. R. Baker, Mr. John Smith, West Han-
ningfield ; Mr. W. Hutley.

Stock Nag Horses.— Prizes 2/. 2s. to Robert Schnei-
der, Esq. Ingatestone — Turpin, by Lucksall, out of a
Cleveland mare. This horse, the only one shown for
the prize, was greatly admired by the judg'es.

Stock CAnrflonsEs.— Prize, 'SI. 3s. to Mr. George
Woodg-ate, Broomfield— a 4-year old half-bred Suffolk,
much commended by the judges. — Mr. Joseph Middle-
ton showed a Suffolk horse, 5 years old, but the Second
Prize was not awarded.

MARES.

Cart Ma ues.— First Prize, 2/. 2s. Mr. Wm. Sea-
brook—a four year old, highly commended. Mr. John
Cousins, of Terling, showed a cart mare and foal ; the
colt five weeks old ; but no Second Prize was awarded.

i8

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Plough Houses in Plough Harness, — Prize, 2/. 2s.
to Mr. Thos. Smith, Wickham Hall.— Other Candidates,
Messrs. S. Gooch, Georg-c Hart, Woodham Ferris ; C.
L. Foakes, Ranisden ; and John Steele, Ulting-. The
last mentioned were a pair of Suffolk horses, which were
very g-encrally admired.

SWINE.

Judges.— Mr. W. Hutley, Mr. John Smith, Mr. G.
Wilson, Waltham Bury.

Boars.— Prize, 1/. Is.to Mr. R.Baker.— Other Com-
jietitors, T. W. Bramston, Esq., and Messrs. T. W.
Crooks, W. F. Hobbs, I. and T. Belcher.

Sows.— Prize, 1/. Is. to air. T. AV. Crooks.— Other
Candidates, Messrs. S. Gooch, F. Harrison, C. Blatson,
and R. Baker.

EXTRA STOCK.

Among-st the Extra Stock shown, were three long-
wooUed Leicestcrs— a year old ram and two 2 year old
ewes — which attracted considerable attention. They
were the property of Mr, F. Harrison, of Lyons Hall.
The wool upon their backs was 23 inches long, and Mr.
Coke,fof Norfolk, sometime since, on examining- it, pro-
nounced it to be of the most silken texture that can be
produced. Their fleeces averag-ed 151b?. and one of
them, weighing- 17]bs. will lie for inspection to-day at
the office of this paper. A ram and a ewe lamb, shown
■with tiiem, are valued at 20 g-uineas. One of their
fleeces was sold for 24s. the iirice asked being- Is. 6d.per
lb. The ram and ewes were purchased by Mr. Harri-
son, about nine months since, of Mr. Fullard, of Peter-
borough, and IMr. H. has crossed them with the Sussex
Downs, thereby securing- a superior stock and an in-
creased weight of wool.

Two long- wooUed rams, by Mr. Henry Cleeve, were
much noticed by the judges, and highly approved.

Some superior Down hog-ffets, and a yearling- Down
ram, by T. W. Bramston, Esq., were greatly commend-
ed, as were also a 2 year old wether, by Mr. T. Speak-
man, and ten South-down hoggets, by Mr. Belcher.

Mr. Crooks, five superior half-bred Leicester teg-s,
-which were publicly clipped, and the fleeces averag-ed
91bs. a piece ; one teg- was sold to Mr. Davis, butcher,
of this town, and presented a beautiful carcase weig-hing-
about 10 stone.

Tvyo two-year old Durham heifers bred and reared by
T. W. Bramston, Esq., were greatly admired for their
symmetry and purity of breed.

Two very handsome five year old Durham heifers, by
Mr. F. Harrison, one computed by some to weigh 110
and by others, 120 stone. They were sold by JMr. John
Pavitt, of Tcrling-, for 46/.

A Leicester ram, by Mr. Shepherd, of Writtle, was
considered by the judges as one of the best made and
most complete shown.

Two good teg-s, by Mr. Morris, of Gosfield, belong--
ing- to E. G. Barnard, Esq.

Three finely bagged milch cows, of the Durham
breed, by Mr. F, Harrison, useful and good ; also a fine
three year old sow, of the half white breed— has had 14
pigs within two months, and is now very fat.

THE DINNER.

About four o'clock, 140 gentlemen sat dawn in
the large room at the Saracen's Head Inn , to an ex-
cellent dinner. The room not being large enough,
about 20 dined in another room, and joined the
company af, erwards.

Lord Rayleigh, the President, took the chair : he
was supported by John Disney, Esq., John Round,
Esq., C. E. Branfill, Esq., Capt. Kortright, O. Han-
bury, Esq., I. T. Wilson, Esq., O. Parter, Esq., A.
Johnson, Esq., the Rev. T. Brooksby, &c. There
were also jiresent Mr. C. Hutlev, Vice-President ;
Messrs. James Dyke, M. Mason, 'Watkins, Morgan,
Ellman, R. Baker, Legge, Matson, Turner, Surridge,
D. Burch, C. and W. Page, J. Robinson, ftlaxwell.
Brown, Sewell, Courtney, H. Joslin, J. Whitlock,
J. Elev, J. Scotcher, J.' Burleigh, W. Thompson,
Hilton, Kingbury, C. Hicks, R. Green, Blyth, Wil-

liam Crush, Cleeve, Clift, W. J. and Robert Sea-
brook, J. Porter, Legerton, Ilutleys, Willes, Hed-
gelev, Crush, Cooper, W. Joslin, C. Bell, Belcher,
May, jun, W. and J. Baker, Rush, C. Phillivs, T.
and J. Brewitt, T., F., and G. Hart, Trussell, Eve-
rett, C. and J. Wood, W. F. and H. Hobbs, Bulwer,
J. Kirwin Yeomans, Knight, G-ale, Mumford, sen.
and jun., Hockley, A., T., and J. Butler, J. Foster,
Moore, Dennis, Matson, J. Addy, Hayv.-ard, H.
Marriage, W. J. Wright, S. Wallis, Benson, W.
Copland, C. Harvey, J. S. Baines, P. Nunn, jun.,
&c., &c., &c.

After the cloth had been removed,

The Chairm.'^n gave " the memory of his late
Majesty, William the Fourth."

'I'he toast was drunk in solemn silence.

Tlie Chair.man then proposed the health of the
Princess Victoria, with three times three. (Loud
cheering.)

The Chairman next gave the health of the Queen
Dowager and the Royal Family.

Mr. H. S. GiLSON, the Secretary, then read the
report of the committee for the year ending June 1,
1837.

The Chairman. — I wish that we should, if possi-
ble, proceed to do some business ; and before the
Secretary calls in the successful candidates, and reads
the account of the prizes, I .should be glad if any
gentleman would s-ajr what is his opinion on the state
of the wool market : this might be an advantage to
us as giving us some idea oi the present state of the.
market, and of the probabilities for the future.

Mr. .T. Ellman. — T am sorry it is not in my power
to give you particular information on the subject —
in fact not such information as I think would be ac-
ceptable. We, in the county of Sussex, being short-
wool growers, think there is little chance of selling
much wool this year : in fact we are not aware of
any price being offered for it — and we do not believe
on the whole that any short-wool has been sold this
year. But still the manufacturers own they are not
over-stocked — there was never less in the hands of
the manufacturers — the wool-staplers have less in
their hands, and I am quite sure tlie farmers will
agree with ine that they never had so little in their's ;
— therefore if we cannot get fair prices for our wool,
let us wait and see the turn in the money market.
If it is possible to hold our wool, I think it desirable
to do so, because if we sell at these ruinous prices,
it will not be encouraging to the mvmufacturers, —
they will he obliged to us if we hold back, because
it is not convenient at present for them to buy ; and
thus if we oblige them we may oblige ourselves. I
am sorry I cannot give vou any further or better in-
formation.

Mr. Unwin. — Le.it the company should arrive at
an erroneous conclusion from the observations of the
gentleman who has spoken of the stocks of wool in
hand, I will just state that my opinion is at variance
with his with regard to the trade. I agree with him
that there is not much wool in the hands of the ma-
nufacturers, but then there is a great accumulation
of goods, which is quite as bad. As to the staplers
I think there is more in their hands than there has
been for the last 10 years ; and with regard to the
growers, perhaps in this and in some other county,
there may be a short stock, but some great growers
are very large holders. Under these circumstances,
and having lost our best customer America, and not
being likely to regain her for some time, in conse-
quence of the panic in that country, I do not think
we shall see a change so soon as some expect. But
still I say — hold your w-ool ; for if you sell at the
present prices, the maiket will be forced down, and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

59

the effect of this will ultimately fall on yourselves.
I have no doubt, from the prosperous state of agri-
culture— for you are in a better state than you were
last year — that you are able to hold it. Last year
nearly the whole of your articles of produce were
low, and wool sold well, — now wool is almost the
exception to a good price. Then one article of your
produce sold well — now most of the articles do so ;
therefore I say you are in better circumstances, and
you are enabled to hold your wool. (Hear.)

Mr, Ellman. — I did not suppose there were so
many ilats in the country like myself; I am a holder
of last vear's growth, but I never heard of a single
person besides who held his wool, for last year's
prices were quite enough to induce every person
who was a grower of wool to sell.

The Chairmax. — I am glad that the suggestion
which fell from me has led to the observations which
it has, because our object is to have the opinion of
gentlemen who are better versed in these matters
than ourselves, and we can then form our plans ac-
cordingly. Two views have been expressed in the
course of the observations ; IVIr. Ellman has given
his opinion, and Mr.Unwin his ; and I believe there
is every disposition iu those dealers attending the
meeting, Mr. Legge, l\lr. Unwin, Mr. Johns, and
Mr. Oram, to purchase if gentlemen are inclined to
sell. Of course that inclination will depend on whe-
ther the gentlemen who hold wool look for a rise or
a fall. I should not like to put the term, those who
must sell, but I should say those who think it advis-
able to sell may do so ; if they will make an offer
some business may be done, while others are inclin-
ed to retain their wool. Last year we had a good
deal of conversation though the dealers were not in-
disposed to buy, and I recollect it fell to my lot to
propose the health of Mr. Legge, as the first pur-
chaser ; this year they require a little more encour-
agement, and before any sales take place, I shall pro-
pose to you the healths of the gentlemen who attend
for the purpose of buying to-day. I propose to you
the healths of the wool-buyers, and as I am about to
hansel this cup (holding up the cup to be given to
the largest purchaser of wool)— I hope those who
most deserve it will obtain it. (Cheers.)

Mr. Legge. — I think it would be an act of disre-
spect to this company if some gentleman connected
with the wool-dealers did not rise, and I am sorry
that the task has not fallea into better hands, but I
return you our sincere thanks for the honour you
have done us. I am sorry that the state of commer-
cial matters is such that we cannot buy wool, for we
do not know what to do with it. We do not know
what price we can give, or what we can do with it —
we do not know within 2d. or 3d. what we can ob-
tain, and you will do us a favour if you hold your
wool, and feed us cautiously. ( Hear and laucihter.)
At the present moment the manufacturers have so
many goods on hand, and so many people out of em-
ploy, that they do not know what to do, and if you
will now stand in the gap you will get better prices
by-and-bye. If you are determined to sell you will
find purchasers, but the prices are such as you will
not like to accept. (Hear.)

Mv. Johns read an extract from a letter which he
had received that morning, which rejiresented the
state of the wool trade as extremely discouraging,
and observed that it showed what was the general
feeling of dealers, manufacturers, and of all con-
cerned in wool.

Mr. Butler, wool-stapler, of Royston. I hardly
know whether it is proper for me to address an as-
sembly of tiiis kind, coming here as I did, merely to
inquire what was doing. We in Cambridge do not

clip so soon as you in Essex, and I had the curiosity
to ride over and see what was doing with this clip.
My opinion coincides with the opinions of Mr. Johns
and Mr. Legge, but I totally disagree with Mr. Ell-
man, for I think the dealers will all agree with me
that there never was a time when we were so fully
stocked. The fact is, you are now out of the mess
and we are in it ; in 1828 and 1829 you were in and
we were out, and now things are brought level.
While we purchased at the prices we did in those
years, we did very fairly, and we must set this against
the years 1836 and 1837. But I think there cannot
be an alteration for the better in the wool irarket
while America is in the state it at present is: in 1836
that country took 3,262,000/. worth, which was one-
half of tlie woollens and worsteds exported from Eng-
land, tlie whole exports being 7,639,383/.; and if we
lose one-half of our export trade, we need not be
surprised tJiat we are ovei'-stocked with wool. It is
a fact which is well-known, that low as the piice of
wool is, tlie prices of goods are lower still, and when
we look to the statements of the affairs of the great
houses of Wildes and Co. and Wigans and Co. we
shall see the effect of this, we find from the news-
paper reports of the affairs of Wildes and Co.', that
that house has sent out 600,000/. worth of goods,
the greater part woollens, and when we know that
all these must be sold on the other side of the water
for anything they can fetch, it is clear we cannot
have America for a customer for some months to
come. As to gentlemen keeping their wool I do not
see that they are called upon to do this. There must
be purchasers as well as sellers, and if we came here
and lost on the former occasion, and cannot give such
good prices now, I do not know why gentlemen
should put up their stocks and say — " We won't sell
till we get higher prices." I do not see why the
farmers should say — "We won't sell," — all trades
must sell. You sold when wheat was 1/. per load
(when I speak of a load, I mean our measure of fire
bushels,) and now it is 3os., but we never heard of
any resolutions being passed that you would not sell
till it was 35s. ("Hear.) I say, then, sell, and give
those a chance who suffered before ; and I should
say that 9d. for ewes and from 9d. to lOd. for hog-
gets was a fair market price. (Laughter and hear,
and a gentleman exclaimed, — " You take care nf your-
self."J The gentlemen around me think it is too
little, but if so it is the safe side for me at any rate
(Laughter.) The last accounts from Yorkshire
affirm what I have been stating, and show that we
cannot give more than the prices I have stated.
Whether gentlemen will take the present prices rests
of course entirely with themselves : but I do not like
the idea of gentlemen being called on to hold their
wool — for what is the use of a wool fairl Give us
a chance this year — we lost enough last. (Cheers.)

The Secretary then read the list of the successful
candidates for the prizes in sheep, &c.

The Chairman. — In proposing to you to drink the
healths of the successful candidates, I beg leave to
take this opportunity of making Mr. Bramston's
Hpology for not being present to-day, but he thought
that in consequence of the situation of affairs his pre-
sence in town might be necessary. I, however, have
a letter from him, in which he begs to offer for the
next spring meeting, a prize of five sovereigns for
the best pair of short-horned heifers, to be bred by
a member of the Society aud shown according to con-
ditions to be settled by the Committee. (Cheers.) I
am glad he has gainer] four prizes to-day, for it seems
lie anticipated be should meet with success by offer-
ing this prize of five sovereigns.

The Chairman: — While waiting for the sheep-

60

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

sbearcrs to come in and receive their prizes, I should
hope that after the encouragement the sellers of wool
have received from Mr, Bi.tler — though I confess the
jiiajority are for retaining tlie wool — some g-entleman
would make an offer; though it was said he would
take care of himself, perhaps he will improve on the
price he mentioned. The sales whicli have taken
place to-day already have been very small ; indeed
so small, that I am told no ret'irn has been made of
them ; but still some gentlemen who are not san-
guine of better prospects may be inclined to sell.

Mr. Butler: — I think, I understand, that the
sales were but few to-day. That all may be above
board, might it not be stated what the prices were ?

The Secretary said the book had been returned to
him without any entries.

Mr. Unwin : — We do not wish it to be understood
that we will not purchase wool at all, for both Mr.
Johns and myself are purchasers to-daj', at lOd. and
Is. for tegs and hoggets, and lod. for half-bred
Leicesters.

The Chairman : — Mr. Unwin, I have permission
to offer you Mr. Cleeve's wool at Is.

Mr. Unwin : — Though I have seen it this morning
perhaps Mr. Cleeve will state the description again.

Mr. Cleeve : — There are 155 Dorset wethers, 60
ewes, and 60 tegs ; you saw the quality of the wool,
and made me an offer for it.

Mr. Unwin : — I must decline it at the price, I
will ofier you 9d. for the ewe wool.

Mr. Cleeve observed that Mr. Unwin had said,
the hogget was very superior.

Mr. Unwin offered 9d. for the ewe wool and Is.
for the hogget.

Mr. Cleeve declined it.

Mr. H. S. GiLSON said, it appeared that there had
been sales effected in the course of the day, but the
parties had not reported them as requested by the
Secretary. There had been, he added, 4,730 fleeces
shown for sale.

The Chairman ; — As it appears there has been no
return made, perhaps some gentlemen will give us
information on the subject.

Mr. Mason stated that Messrs. William and Henry
Marriage had sold their wool to Mr. Legge — 140
Down ewes, and 40 half-bred Leicester tegs at lOd.

[The sheep-shearers were here introduced, and the
prizes were distributed to them.]

The Chairman informed Mr. .Johns that he had
Mr. Crooks's permission to offer him his wool.

Mr. Johns said he had seen the wool, and for the
half-bred ewes and hoggets he would give Is., and
for the tegs 9d.

Mr. Crooks could not take it.

The Chairman : — Mr. Cleeve having given Mr.
Unwin the preference, now offers his wool to any
buyer in the room, if he will name a price.

Mr. Cleeve : — Mr. Butler, perhaps will offer for it.

Mr. Butler : — I think I had better hold my
tongue. I am below par certainly.

The Chairman : — Mr. Legge, your brother bought
Mr. Malilen's wool last year, and I now offer vou
this year's clip, 300 Kent ewes, and 200 hoggets, at Is.

Mr. Legge : — I accept it. (Cheers.)

Mr. Harrisson offered Mr. Legge 120 Down ewes
at lid., and 140 half-bred hoggets at 16d.

Mr. Legge declined it, but offered 9d. and 13d.

Mr. Harrisson said he could not take it.

The Chairman : — Mr. Legge, your brother last
year bought Mr. Hutley's wool, though he bad not
seen it, and I vouched for its being good quality,
and I undersood he found no fault ; Mr. Hutley now
offers you 400 Down half-bred ewes, and 400 half=
bred Leicester teggs, at t3d.

Mr. Legge said he would consider of it, and even-
tually he bought the lot at Is.

Mr. J. Brewitt offered Mr. Legge 600 Kent ewes
at Is., and 300 Kent tegs and 100 half bred Leicester
and Downs at 15d.

Mr. Legge said he would take the whole at Is.

Mr. Brewitt declined it ; when Mr. Legge offered
to take the Kents at Is. and the others at l3d.

Mr. Brewitt: — He shall have them. (Cheers.)

Rlr. Cliff offered 460 Down hcggets and 60 ewes
at Is. Id., but did not find a purchaser.

The Chairman then said, he had permission of
Mr. T. Brewitt to offer Mr. John's 200 Kent hoggets
at 13d., and about .500 Kent ewes at 12d.

Mr. Johns said he should like to see them again.

Mr. Wm. Crush offered Mr. Leg ;e 521 Down and
half-bred tegs at 15d., and 200 Down ewes at lOd.

Mr. Legge said he would not buy at those prices.

Mr. Johns said, as we understood, that he would
take Mr. Brewitt's wool as offered.

Mr. Wright, of Crondon Park, offered Mr. Legge
200 Down ewes, and 100 tegs, and some half-bred
Leicesters, at Is. for the whole.

Mr. Legge offered 9d., Is., and 13d.

ftlr. Wright said, he must have Is. for the whole.

Mr. Legge would give him lid.

Mr. Wright. — No, that is the price T got last year,
and I should like to have it again.

Mr, Greenwood offered Mr. Legge 120 Down
ewes at lid. and 140 half-bred hoggetts at Is. 2d.,
but as he declared his determination not to take less
than the price he named, Mr, L. would not make an
offer.

Mr. J. Round. — I will not interrupt the operations
of business for more than a moment, but my propo-
sition is one in which I am sure both wool-buyers
and wool-sellers will cordially unite — it is that we
drink the health of the noble Chairman, (Cheers.)
The urbanity and the ability with which he devotes
himself to public business is well known, and justly
appreciated in this county, and as this Society has
the gratification to see the chair so ably filled by him,
they are satisfied that while under his auspices, it
will continue to flourish. (Cheers.) I give you the
health of the noble Chairman. (Drunk with loud
cheers.)

Lord Rayleigii. — I receive with much pleasure
and gratification the compliment you have just paid
me in the manner of drinking my health. I can
assure you there is nothing gives me more pleasure
than that of being useful to the county in which I
reside by forwarding in any way I can the legitimate
purposes of honest industry amongst the lower classes,
and competition and good prices for those above
them. (Cheers.) But 1 feel that the Society is not
much indebted to me, — on the contrary, I am indebted
to the Society, because I rejoice in opportunities of
this kind when we can meet together in a spirit of
good feeling which has an influence on our conduct
for the time to come. (Cheers.) I can assure you
that to our most valuable Secretary, and to our active
Committee, you are indebted for the success which
has attended these periodical meetings, and I should
be unjust if I took to myself any of the credit which
belongs to them. I regret Ihat 1 have not been able
often to attend the Quarterly Meetings, because they
are generally fixed for the days I am particularly
engaged. I wish 1 could attend them, for I feel a
personal pleasure in all that concerns Agriculture,
and its interests at large ; and it was in connexion
with this subject that I regretted there was no com-
petition for the prize which was offered for a bull of
any age and quality. It has been suggested that aa
we had a sweepstakes for heifers made at this meeting

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

6f

last year, many individuals would like to enter into
a premium again in order to encourage gentlemen to
contend for it tbis time next year. If any gentlemen
will put down their names as subscribers for a sove-
reign each, twenty, the number limiled, the sum would
be something considerable and worth contending- for.
The Committee think that the subscriptions should be
one sov.each, andlimitedto20 subscribers, and that it
should be given for any bull not exceeding 15 months
old, bred in the county and the propert)^ of a mem-
ber. It was a question whether the competition
should be limited to those who belonged to the So-
ciety, or to those who subscribe. I only throw the
matter out for consideration, and if it should be
thought worth while to act upon it, it may induce
the breeders to try if tliey cannot produce that which
shall be worthy of it. I should be happy to give my
sovereign, though I have no chance of winning it,
[Cheers.) I tliank you for drinking my health, and
with all sincerity and pleasure, I beg to drink your's
in return. (Cheers.)

The Chairman. — Many of you seem to be on the
move, but I am sure you will not depart without
drinking the health of Mr. Gilson, the Secretary.
(Cheers.) You are all aware how much we are in-
debted to him lor the great pains and trouble he takes
in forwarding the views of this Society, and the time
Le has given to it, I am sorry to say gratuitously, be-
cause I think he ought not to do so. (Hear, hear, J
Under these circumstances I beg to propose his health
with three time three. (The toast was drunk loilh loud
:heering.)

Mr. Cleeve. — Our worthy Secretary has ever acted
with the greatest spirit in all matters connected with
the welfare of this Society ; and we have always found
him so active, and so truly honourable and just, that
I was very sorry when we proposed at the last meet-
ing of the Committee to give him something from
the funds that he declined receiving it. I should
therefore be happy to see a subscription commenced
for the purpose of presenting him with a piece of plate
as a token of our estimation. (Cheers.) I shall feel
much pleasure in contributing towards it. (Cheers.)
Various other gentlemen, amongst whom were Capt.
Kortwright, Mr. Mrixwell, and Air. Wilson, warmly
expressed their approval of Mr. Cleeve's sugges-
tion.

Mr. Greenwood observed that he tliought Mr.
Gilson ought to be paid for his trouble out of the
general funds of the Society,

Mr. Cleeve said that had been proposed, but Mr,
Gilson declared he would not take it ,

Mr. Gilson said I thank you most respectfully for
the compliment you have paid me, and so long as
you will accept my humble services, they will be
willingly and cheerfully given ; but when it is pro-
posed that I should be paid out of the funds of a
Society of this description, which I consider as
established for the general benefit of the county, I
must at once declare I cannot consent to it. (Cheers.)
Mr. Baker, of Woodham Walter, offered 320
Hampshire Down hoggetts to Mr. Unwin at Is. id.
Mr. Unwin said he would give Is. which was the
highest price that had been given during the day,
Mr. Baker said he would split the difference,
Mr. Unwin must decline — at Is, he would take
them.
The lot was then offered to Mr, Legge,
Mr, Legge, I cannot take it, — it would be a matter
of speculation with me whether I ever saw my own
money again.

Mr. MoTT, of Weathersfield, offered Mr. Legge
177 South Down hoggets at Is. Id. but the offer was
declined.

The Chairman proposed the health of the Judges.
(Drunk 7clth cheers.)

Mr. Ellman.— It devolves on me to return thanks
for the Judges, and I assure you it gives me very
great pleasure in attending this meeting, and in fact
every meeting of this description, because it is only
thus that we have an opportunity of connecting our
own labours with those of our brother labourers in
Agriculture ; it also affords great pleasure to meet
here those of whom we rent the land, for it brings
persons of all descriptions together, and unites them
in one common object — that of good will towards
Agriculture. (Cheers.) In return for the compli-
ment you have paid us, I beg to drink all your good
healths.

Mr. E,. Baker. — As one of the Judges appointed
to decide on the stock this day, I beg leave to return
you my thanks, on my own behalf, for the honour
you have done me. And in adverting to the pros-
pects of this Society, I cannot but congratulate my-
self and you on the great improvement in the stock
exhibited to-day, for you will recollect that three
years ago, no such exhibition existed in this county,
and at that time the farmers of the county did not
consider they could get good stock by breeding. In-
deed I take some credit to myself for having intro-
duced the subject in a public manner, after finding
that the suggestion was echoed in the way it has been,
and after witnessing the vast improvement in the
stock shown to-day. (Cheers.) Though a competitor,
and a disappointed one, for I did anticipate some
little credit for a bull which 1 exhibited, but which
has been rather tarred by your brusli, I do not
despair, but I will give a sovereign towards the same
object, and avail myself of the opportunity of taking
the prize next year. (Cheers.) I am not disheartened
by being thrown back, — it only gives me greater
emulation to come forward on another occasion, and
obtain the prize. (Cheers.) I have always had the
interest of agriculture, and particularly the interest
of grazing at heart, and when I have heard the farmer
complaining that lean stock could not be bought, so
that they could graze it with any profit, at such
prices, I have felt that if a good breed could be
introduced the profit must fall on him — it must fall
on him who took the management of the stock from
the beginning to the end. (Hear, hear.) We know
that graziers had for a long time supposed that stock
could be bought better than it could be bred, but
now they take another turn, and we see what has been
done to-day, for lam fairly satisfied that we can pro-
duce stock which shall be profitable for the grazier to
put upon his farm. There is another point connected
with this subject, which graziers appear to miscalcu-
late— that is capital. They say it is necessary to pur-
chase the best description of stock, and if they do pur-
chase it, there are very few men who can lay down the
capital to slock a farm as it oughtto be done. It would
take '200/. capital to lay on a farm in this way, but if they
are brouglit into the market by degrees, the grazier
does not, of course, want so much : every man can-
not produce 200/., hut he can, perhaps, 20/., and by
spreading it over three years, he may get his farm
well stocked, whereas if he waited to get the money
altogether to purchase the best description of stock
he would never get any at all. (Hear.) I have al-
ways laid it down, that if you throw this advantage
into the hands of a man who has not a large capital
to go to market with, he would be in a better situa-
tion than the man of capital is. I wish to impress
this on the Society, as a sweepstakes is required to in-
duce persons to exert themselves for the introduction
of the best description of heifers, that we may be able
to compete with any other county. I do not see why

62

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINEo

we should not, and I should like to see tlie principle
I have laid down carried into full effect — (Cheers) —
and I hope at the next meeting- to see an exhibition
of stock even better than it has now been. (Cheers.)

The Chairman, in reference to the prize for a
bull, asked if the company thought it ought, as
originally proposed, to be dropped in the county.

Mr. R. Baker said, certainly not ; he should saj'
the object of the meeting would be best advanced by
leaving out this condition. If a good bull was pro-
duced the count}' would have the benefit of it. He
should say it ought to have been six months in pos-
session of the party.

Mr. Matson did not think it enough that the bull
should merely be produced there, because they
might have the benefit of it — it ought to have been
in possession of the person showing it for a certain
period.

After some discussion upon the subject, it was
agreed — that the subscription should be one sovereign
each (20 subscribers) for the best bull of any breed,
not exceeding two years old, the property of a mem-
ber and six months in his possession. An}' member
sending a certificate, not at the time a subscriber to
the fund, to send the sum of one sovereign vs-ith the
certificate. The undermentioned gentlemen gave in
their names as subscribers, iu the following order: —
Lord Rayleigb, John Round, Esq. ; Messrs, H.
Cleeve, W. Crush, T. W. Crooks, Francis Harrison ;
O. Parker, Esq. ; INIessrs. R. Baker and .T, Addy.
It was ultimately agreed that this amount should be
given if there were no more subscribers, except sub-
scribers with certificates sent in.

The Chairman. — I beg to announce that Mr. Round
has sold Mr. Johns 72 down hoggets at Is.; Mr.
Belchtr has sold him 170 Down hoggets, at Is. ; and
60 ewes at 9d., and Mr. Speakraan 10& half-bred
hoggets at 13d.^ and 40 ewes at 9d.

The Secretary announced that Mr. Baker, of
Woodham Walter, had taken Mr. Unwin's oflfer of
Is. for 320 Down hoggets.

Mr. Wilson here suggested a renewal of the prize
for heifers, and expressed his readiness to subscribe
towards it.

The Chairman said it was proposed that there
should be a renewal of the prize for heifers on the
same conditions as last year, except that three should
be produced instead of five : it was hoped there
would thus be a better chance of producing good
Stock.

Mr. Wilson suggested that the prize should be
for the best three sliort-horned.

Mr. Matson thought it would be more conducive
to good breeding in the country if they did not limit
it to any particular sort. Preference of the sort was
all a matter of opinion — the Society wanted to get
the very best breed.

Mr. Wilson suggested that the three shown should
be all of one breed. Eventually it was agreed that
a subscription for heifers the same as this year
should be entered into, except that the number of
heifers to be shown should be three instead of five,
and that each competitor should show three heifers
of the same breed. — The following gentlemen gave in
their names : — O. Parker, Esq., 1 sov., I. T. Wilson,
Esq., 2 sovs., Mr. T. W. Crooks, 1 sov., T. W.
Bramston, Esq., 1 sov., Mr. J. Addj, 1 sov., Lord
Ravleigb, 1 sov.

The Chairman proposed the health of Mr.
Hutley, the Vice-Chairman, which was drunk with
cheers.

Mr. Hutley returned thanks, and said he was al-
ways ready to lend a hand to anything that could
promote the objects of the meeting.

The Chairman said, he would only trouble them
with one more toast — the health of the Members of
the Committee. He was quite sure that the Society
would fail in these periodical returns if it were not
for the intermediate labours of the Committee.
(Cheers.)

Mr. Matson returned thanks.

Mr. Trussell, of Danbury, then addressed the
meeting, observing that he did not like to let that
opportunity go by without expressing how much he
felt they were indebted to the Noble Chairman, and
he hoped they should evince a feeling of gratitude
for the time he had devoted to their service. So long-
as the farmers could find men moving in that sphere
of life coming forward to assist them in the struggle
of Agriculture, they would be enabled to buffet the
waves of adversity that were beating against them.
The Noble Lord entered into all their concerns, and
was well able to defend their interests. They had
not been so successful that day in their sales, but
that arose from circumstances over which they could
have no controul ; he, however, anticipated that
there would be a re action at no distant period. He
was a small grower, and a humble occupier, but he
wished to speculate by holding- his wool — what there
was to be got, he wished to get himself. (Laughter.)

The Chairman said, it was a great gratification to
him that Mr. Trussell or any other gentleman should
approve his conduct ; but he assured them he was
following his own pleasure in what he did — it was
no self-denial to him whatever, though he felt as
grateful to them as if it was. He had enjoyed that
day as much as any body, and so long as he could
in his situation be useful to a Society of this kind,
those who knew him knew well that he would
act in the best manner his judgment directed.
(^Cheers.)

The company then separated.

In the course of the day the following new Mem-
bers were admitted : — J. Wiggins, Esq. ; Mr. W.
Hilton, Danbury ; Mr. R. Morgan, West Smith-
field ; Mr. C. A. Bell, Great Baddow ; and Mr.
Courtenay, Hampshire.

GERMAN WOOL FAIRS.

BRESLAW, June 6. — Since the memorable year of
182(3, there has never been, perhaps, so great a dis-
similarity in the views of the sellers and buyers of wool,
on meeting at the market, as we have seen at the pre-
sent fair. The growers — probably suspecting-, from the
almost total absence of applications for contracting for
their wool, during the four or five months preceding the
clip, that an unfavourable alteration had taken place —
came now prepared to submit to a sacrifice of five to
ten per cent, on last year's prices ; whereas the Eng-
lish buyers were determined to purchase only at a re-
duction of 25 to 30 per cent. ; while the Continental
manufacturers generally had expressed their readiness
to buy at 12 to 15 per cent, less than they had paid in
1836. The last-mentioned party, however, kept aloof
for a day or two, preferring that the English should
this time pave the way for them, as they seemed not to
have forgotten hovv- dearly they had paid, at the fair of
1834, for the precipitous manner in which they had
rushed into the market.

For several days after a great part of the wools had
arrived, the buyers were seen walking about very in-
differently, merely looking at the wools and asking the
prices, yet, notwithstanding, this shyness on their part
the growers came down very slowly and reluctantly,
their demands bein»-, generally, about the prices obtained
last year ; indeed, some had the assurance to ask even
higher than them ; but all were solicitous of offers,
which, in other times, is not very common with these
barons, counts, and other proprietor*.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

63

The quantity of wool at this fair rather exceeded that
of last year, (in consequence of little or none having-
been sold previously,) and comprised Silesian, Polish,
Russian, and Austrian. The greatest part was sold be-
fore the 5th, and the prices rang-ed from 3d. to 6d. per
lb. under those of 1836 ; but the wash of the wools was
this year much inferior to the last.

The most considerable purchasers have been the Si e
Handlung (or Maritime Society), and the German
manufacturers. The Eng-lish have bought extremely
little compared wilh their usual quantity, and it is said
there are only six boats in the river with wools destined
for Hamburg and Eng-land, thoug-h in former yeai's 20
to 30 were generally dispatched.

The continental cloth manufacturers and worsted
yarn spinners have now, for several years, maintained
a very extensive competition with the English, not
only in the purchase of wool at the fairs, but also in the
sale of manufactured goods in most of the foi'eign mar-
kets, which was not the case formerly. We presume
that one cause of this is to be found in the greater fa-
cilities afforded by the Prussian government : for in-
stance, they take care, above all, not to lay the import-
ing of the raw material under any restrictions
whatever.

[from another correspondent. J

BRESLAW, June 5.— The result of our wool-
market that closed to-day is as follows :-— The quantity
of wool brought to the fair amounts to from 45,000 to
46,000 cwt. The arrivals dropped in slowly as the bad
weather retarded had the clip, and several lots were
brought after the market had begun. Great precaution
was displayed on the part of purchasers during the first
days, and the Netherland and inland manufacturers,
who were really in want of wools, kept out of the mar-
ket, being of opinion that the English buyers would
purchase only at a reduction of 30 to 40 per cent., and
that this reduction really would take place. For a few
choice parcels an offer was made and accepted by
frightened holders at 22 to 25 per cent, reduction on
last year's prices.

This dismal state of business would have continued,
and a decline of 30 to 40 per cent, certainly would have
been manifested, if the Royal See Handlung had not be-
gun to contract for large purchases. This establish-
ment bought eagerly the best and finest descriptions, at
a reduction only of 16 to 20 per cent. The wool mer-
chants of this town then followed, and afterwards the
Netherland and inland manufacturers, who now saw
themselves derpived of the finest lots.

The English manufacturers bought little, the grreater
number keeping out of the market. Purchases w'ere
now animated, and the prices settled at a reduction of
only 18 to 20 per cent, on those of last year. This ani-
mation continues even now after the fair, as many se-
cond hand purchases are made, and even at this mo-
ment the most cautiousEnglishmen are buying something,
though by no means freely.

The prices lun obout as follows ; — For Electoral wool
at from 3s. to 3s. 6d.; fine wool, 2s. 6d. to 2s. lOd.; good
28. 2d. to 2s. 6d.; fine winter wool. Is. lid. to 2s. 3d.;
low. Is. 9d. to 2=.; Poland fine, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d.; good,
Is. 9d. to 2s.; low, Is. 4d. to ls.9d.

MONTHLY REPORT OF THE WOOL-
LEN TRADE.

LEEDS, June l. — We would gladly forego our tfisk
of recording the history of the Woollen Trade of this
town and neighbourhood during the month which has
just closed. We have had since we undertook our task,
months of gloom and erabarrRssment to chronicle, but
we have had none at all comparable to the last in the
unsatisfactory character of its transactions, or indica-
ting by symptoms so decisive the increasing and deep-
ening gloom which was to follow. The transactions
of the month of May, as a whole, we should apprehend
have been exceeded nearly threefold in the same month
of former years— though of course those were years of
exceeding activity. Of those transactions it is need-

less to say a very small proportion have been to Ame-
rica, although May in good years is a principal month
for shipments to the States. To the East Indies almost
nothing has been done, and but little to our old market,
Portugal. To the German market, the present rate of
prices is favourable for shipments, though we are not
aware that as yet much has been done. To come nearer
home, the Irish trade has been unusually dull, as in-
deed it has been throughout the Spring — a circum-
stance easily accounted for by the bad harvest of last
year, and the embarrassment of the banks. In Scot-
land and England the sales of May were unpi-ecedent-
edly small. The only buyers of consequence indeed
were those from London, and in the present state of
business it will easily be imagined that they had very
much their own way, that is — they bought at their own
prices.

With reference to the prices of goods in May, it need
not be denied that they have given way, — the only
wonder is, that after so many months of dragging
heavy sales, they did not earlier break down. Of the
price of wool no definite opinion can, we think, be
given. We hear indeed all sorts of opinions, but to say
nothing of the probable influence of personal interest
in giving them, we hold it to be utterly impossible, in
the absence of anything like a market, to say what
prices wool of particular qualities is selling for. We
shall perhaps escape the imputation of overstating, if
we say that sober opinions as to the fall on German
wools range from 6d. to 8d. and on Australian wools
from Sd.to lOd. per pound on the prices of last Aatumn.
We would be understood, however, to gi\e no decisive
opinion as to the amount of the fall either on wool or
woollens. The transactions in both articles have been
too limited, and the prices governed so much by pecu-
liar circumstances in the relative position of the buyer
and the seller, that we hold the quoted prices of trans-
actions as of little authority in determining the matter,
and as having nothing to do with that final adjustment
which, when the storm has spent itself, and the tide re-
turns, however slowly, will take place.

It will surprise no one that in this position of the
trade, the operations of the merchants in the halls, and
of the manufacturers in their mills, have been drawn
within a still narrower compass than duiing April. A
succession of worse markets has seldom been expe-
rienced ; and as to the extent of manufacturing em -
plovment we are sure we speak within bounds when we
say it is contracted from one-half to two-thirds its na-
tural and healthy amount ; and we are quite convinced
it will fall below that point of starvation to the opera-
tive, and of loss and embarrassment to the millowner.
The condition of the work people, were it not for the
fine weather, (and it is well that their lot in this sea-
son of suffering has that providential compensation in
it) would be one of very deep misery ; as it is, we fear
the distress is wide spread and severe in its character.
Should no unforeseen and happy change take place in
our circumstances, the necessity of benevolent and
liberal aid will very speedily arrive, and we confidently
believe will be met.

We refrained last month from giving any positive
opinion of our own on the subject of prices. Now, as
all chance of our mere opinion (were it loorth a thou-
sand times more than our OWN estimate of it) having
any influence whatever on prices is entirely removed —
the whole machinery of the trade being almost stag-
nant, and the price of wool waiting the decision of the
German fairs, — we may speculatealittle without doing
harm. We are not now about to attempt defining the
exact per centage of the fall on the price of wools or of
cloths ; but to calculate what may be the result of the
late and present embarrassments on the general condi-
tion of our commercial and manufacturing interests,
leaving the parties more immediately connected with
the woollen trade to apply general conclusions, if they
think fit, to their particular cases.

The embarrassment of trade has now continued for
upwards of nine months — gradully increasing in inten-
sity, and becoming more destructive in its conse-
quences. We do not enter now into any review of the

64

The FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

circumstances connected with the first symptoms of
difficulty, nor into any inquiry how far certain allege-
ments as to its cause or causes have been shown by
subsequent events to be utterly baseless and inaccu-
rate : this at least is cei'tain, that the asserted sole
cause, viz., the over issue of the Joint Stock Banks has
been found to be one only of those disturbing circum-
stances, to which our present unenviable condition is
owing. Our immediate object is not so mnch to in-
quire how we came into that condition, but what that
condition actually is, and what consequences it por-
tends. The inquiry is one of deep interest, and we hope
will be satisfactorily prosecuted — what are the sources
of our present evils ? — but it can only be well done
when all the facts of the case are before us, and its
whole diagnosis known.

What then, is our condition now ? We have endured
nine months of declining prices — of extensive and seri-
ous failures : at this moment our most important com-
mercial relations are either nearly stagnant, or in a
state of frightful disorganization ; with one nation our
position is such that whether we right ourselves in that
quarter sooner or later, ours will be the principal loss,
and one of no trifling magnitude. Industry has during
that nine months gradually been relaxing, and in all
the great branches of manufacturing operation, a seri-
ous extent of paralysis has taken place. There has
been, of course, an extensive destruction of national
capital : in part by foreign losses, but still more by the
partial employment of the national energies, whilst the
drain upon them has to a great extent remained unal-
tered and undiminished. There is at this moment, no
immediate prospect of improvement ; on the contrary,
the indications are rather that, if the ruin is not more
crashing, the stagnation of manufacturing and com-
mercial enterprise will be more profound for several
months to come ; and if so, that a further drain of the
national capital must follow. What will be the conse-
quences as to the state of commercial credit and acti-
vity ? Clearly these, we apprehend — that the scale of
all manufacturing operations, both for the home and
foreign market will be contracted, — and for this rea-
son, that every form of commercial credit will be nar-
rowed. In confirmation of this view of the conse-
quences likely to follow from our recent and present
embarrassments, we shall give a tabular view of the
imports of wool for three years, prior to the panic of
1826, and for that year and 1827, and also from 1833
to 1836 ; also the exports of woollens to all parts in
the same years ; giving those to America separately,
for a purpose afterwards to be explained : —

IMPORTS OF WOOL.

1823 .

. 19,366,725 lbs.

1833 .

. 38,046,087 lbs

1824 .

. 22,564,485 „

1834 .

. 46,455,422 ,,

1825 ,

. 43,816,966 „

1835 .

. 42,208,949 „

1826 .

. 15,989,112 „

1836 ,

. 64,272,390 ,,

1827 .

. 29,115,341 ,,

EXPORTS OF WOOLLENS.

TO AMERICA.
£ £ £

1823 5,636,386 1833 6,294,432 1833 2,265,407

1824 6,043,051 1834 5,736,870 1834 1,726,934

1825 6,185,648 1835 6,840,511 1835 2,621,270

1826 4,966,879 1836 7,639,353 1836 3,173i644

1827 5,245,649

EXPORTS TO AMERICA, 1834, 5, & 6, SPECIFYING
QUANTITIES OF THREE ARTICLES, VIZ. : — CLOTHS,
STUFFS, AND BLANKETING.

Yards of
Pieces of Clotli. Pieces of Stuffs. Blanketing.

1834 .. 200,004 342,323 1,429,449

1835 .. 262,827 560,160 2,125,541

1836 .. 356,740 460,751 3,118,968

It will be seen on the most cursory examination of
these data, that for three years prior to the panic of
1826, the imports of wools, and the exports of woollens
had each increased — the latter steadily, and to no re-
markable amount, but the former iu a very greatly
augmented ratio. During the year of the paaic the

imports of wool fell off nearly two-thirds, and tlie ex-
ports of woollens one-fifth. In 1827 the imports of
wool lose above the level cf 1824, whilst the exports of
woollens were less than in any year since 1819. Re-
ferring to the table of exports to America, it will be
seen that the amount shipped in the year of the panic
fell short of 1825 by upwards of one-third, and of 1824
by rather less than one-third ; neither did the exports
rise to the former level until 1S31, being in 1828, 1829,
and 1830 respectively 1,298,505/., 980,907?., 1,134,306Z.
We turn now to the imports of wools and the export
of woollens from 1833 to 1836. The former it will be
seen have risen not so vapidly as from 1823 to 1825,
but the whole amount is far greater per aunum, and is
disproportionate to any former advance in a similar
period of time. The exports of woollens have pro-
gressed with unexampled rapidity since 1833 — that is,
about one-fifth.

Comparing the increase of the imports of wool and
the exports of woollens in 1323, 4, and 5, with the cor-
responding items in 1834, 5, and 6, we find a close si-
milarity. What were the results ia 1826 as to prices,
employment, and amount of business ? We need in-
form none of our readers ; they are matters of too fa-
miliar acquaintance. Will the results now be alike ?
We fear the inference is irresistible that they must.
Then it will follow that a very considerable reduction
of the prices of all commodities will take place — ^^that
employment will be limited — that business will be
thrown in a great measure into the hands of the larger
capitalists, thereby raising the rate of profit, diminish-
ing the rate of wages, and the sum total of national
production, and greatly increasing the pressure of pub-
lic burthens ; in one word, that just the same effects
will follow, as if the capital of the country had suddenly
been diminished in a large ratio, and, of course, its
means of extensively employing industry ; for we ap-
prehend it is a mistake to say, as we sometimes hear
said, that our resources and capabilities are unimpaired.
To us it is clear that our active capital is materially,
though by no means dangerously, lessened.

The question more immediately interesting to those
who are embarked in the woollen trade is this, are
there, or are there not, any circumstances in conexionn
with that trade which are likely to modify the action
of those general causes of depression which have been
alluded to ? To ascertain this, it will be necessary to
observe that out of foriy-three millions of pounds of
wool imported in 1S25, twenty-eight millions were from
Germany, and that the corresponding pro-portions in
1836 are 64 millions and 3lf millions. Now the dimi-
nution of imports from Germany, in 1826, was nearly
two thirds, and the fall of price was considerable ; but
as the import from Germany, last year, only exceeded
that of 1825 by about three millions, whilst our regular
consumption of wool is vastly augmented, it would ap-
pear improbable that so serious a fall in price as in
1825 would take place, and it is to be remembered also
that the condition of the continental manufactures has
greatly improved, and that hitherto the continent has
escaped any serious participation in our embarrass-
ments.

But we need not enlarge here, — a few weeks wiU de-
cide the amount of fall pretty accurately. There is,
however, a peculiar circumstance connected with the
woolleu trade this year, as compared with 1826. The
proportion of our exports to America h&s increased,
since 1832, in a very large degree ; that is, taking the
whole exports of 1833 and 1834 at 12, the exports to
America would be as four, or one-third, whilst the
whole exports of 1835 and 1836, being taken at 14^,
those to America are 5|-, or an increase of nearly one-
seventh in the latter period ; and it must be remem-
bered also, that 1833 was a year of great activity in the
American trade. Now, it is but too apparent that the
condition of the States at present is incomparably
worse than in 1826, whilst our trade there, which, on
the average of 1823 and 1825, was as five to 17i, or
considerably under one-third, was, on the average of
1834 and 1836, as 7i to 20, or considerably more than
one-third.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

65

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT
FOR JUNE.

Tliis month, which is alwaj's considered a most
important one to the agriculturist, has exhibited
many vicisitudes of temperature ; the early part of
it being, for the time of year, exceedingly unfavour-
able and unseasonable, whilst the latter end has been
the most propitious to the growing crops that could
possibly have been experienced.

The accounts we have received from all parts of
England, respecting the state of the wheat, barley,
and oat plants, are, generally speaking, satisfactory ;
whilst, though the plants are rejresented as being in
some districts thin upon the ground, a full average
growth is confidently anticipated. The plants of
both beaiis and peas, which were very sickly at the
commencement of the month, owing to the prevailing
cold northerly winds, have greatly improved of late,
and are promising abundantly.

There having been this month a great plenty of
grass in the pastures and on the sheep downs, the
beasts and sheep have fared extremely well through-
out the whole of it.

A few farmers commenced hay-making, upon a
good crop of grass in some of our southern counties,
about the 25th, but it was by no means general till
quite the 29th.

The quality of the beasts which have made their
appearance in our cattle markets has been, consider-
ing the severity of the past winter, and the conse-
quent scarcity of pasture herbage, remarkably prime
and fully as ripe as in most Junes ; but that of the
sheep has not been quite so good as could be wished,
though it has been a general remark that they Lave
come out of their wool much better than could have
been reasonably anticipated, particularly the South
Downs, Leicesters, K^nts, and Liucolns.

The accounts we have lately received from our
great hop districts are of a favourable character, the
bine being represented as looking vigourous and
healthy ; whilst, although a slight increase of fly is
apparent in some plantations, a good growth of hops
is expected.

"Owing to the favourable weather, the prices of
corn experienced a slight depression towards the
close oi the month ; and those of fat stock, wool, hay,
straw, poultry, and dairy produce were barely sta-
tionary.

The following is a retrospective statement of the
supplies and prices of fat stock exhibited and sold in
Smithfield Cattle Market since the publication of our
last month's report.

SUPPLIES.
Beasts. Sheep & Lambs. Calves. Pigs.
May 29. ..'i623 22010 310 432

June 2. .. 620 8100 232 234

— 5. ..2590 22521 292 434

— 9.. . . 572 6934 184 322

— 12, ..2121 20136 310 421

— 16. .. 602 7521 232 392

— 19. ..2132 20012 284 422

— 23. .. 522 8521 220 344

— 26. ..2221 21321 380 492

Total .. 14003
Supply of^
preceding S-14322
month, J

137076
104348

2444
2053

3513
3408

It will be seen by the above comparison, of sup-
plies, that there were shown, in the course of May,
319 beasts, 32,728 sheep and lambs, 391 calves, and

105 pigs less, than in jfune.

PRICES.

Per 81bs, to sink the offals.

May 29. June 26.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. i.

Inferior Beef 8 4 to 2 6.. 2 6t©2 8

Middling, do. .. 2 10 to 3 8 . . 2 10 to 3 10

Prime, do 4 0 to 4 6 . . 4 0 to 4 6

Inferior Mutton . . 2 8 to 3 0 . , 3 2 to 3 6
Middling do. ..3 2 to 4 2 .. 3 8 to 4 6
Prime ditto, ..4 4 to 4 8 .. 4 8 to 5 0

Lamb 5 Oto6 4 .. 4 4 to 6 0

Veal 4 Oto5 0.. 4 Oto5 0

Pork 3 6 to 5 0 , . 3 4 to 4 10

The following is a yearly comparison of the tran-
sactions in Smithfield.

At per 8lbs, sinking the offals.

June 27, 1836. June 26, 1837.
s. d. s. d. s. d, s. d.

Coarse and iiifeiior beasts 2 8 to 3 0...2 6 to 2 8

Second quality de 3 2 to 3 6...2 10to3 2

Prime large exen 3 8 to 3 10.. 3 4t»3 10

Prime Scets. &e 4 2 to 4 6... 4 0 to 4 S

Coarse and interior sheep 3 2 to 3 6... 3 2 to 3 ti

Second quality do 3 8 to 4 0...3 8 to 4 0

Prime coarse-woolled do 4 2 to 4 6. ..4 0to4 0

Prime South Down do 4 8 to 5 0...4 8 to 5 0

I,aBib 4 10 to 6 0...4 4 to 6 0

Large coarse calves 4 0 to 4 4... 4 018 4 6

Prime small do 4 « to 4 10... 4 §to5 0

Large hogs 3 6 to 4 2... 3 4 to 4 0

Neat small porkers 4 4 to 4 8.. 4 6 to 4 10

SUPPLIES.

June 27, 1836. June 26, 1837.

Beasts 2,450 2,221

Sheep & Lambs 21,200 21,321

Calves 375 380

Pigs 530 492

By the above comparison of supplies, it appears,
that those of Monday, June 27, 1836, embraced 229
beasts, and 38 pigs more ; 121 sheep and lambs.and
5 calves less, than those of Monday, June 26, 1837 :
whilst there was exceedingly little variation in the
quotations on either market day.

There arrived from Norfolk, during the month
of June, 7,517 Scots, and home breds ; from Suf-
folk, 483 Scots, Devons, Herefords, and home-
breds ; from Essex, 150 Devons and runts ; from
Cambridgeshire, 80 Devons, runts, and Scots ; from
Lincolnshire, 298 short-horns ; from Leicester-
shire, 277 short-horns ; from Northamptonshire,
243 short-horns, and Devons ; from Staffordshire,

106 Staffords ; from Warwickshire, 93 Devons,
runts, and Irish beasts ; from Shropshire 58 De-
vons and runts; from Oxfordshire, 70 Devons;
from Durham, 76 Durham heifers ; from Bucking-
hamshire, 55 J^evsns and runts ; from Hereford-
shire, 120 Herefords ; from VVorcesterahire, 99
runts; from Wales, 107 Pembroke runts; from
Gloucestershire, 56 runts, Devons, Herefords, and
Irish beasts ; from Dorsetshire, 94 runts and Here-
fards ; from Devonshire, 100 Devons ; from Hamp-
shire 80 Devons and runts ; from Wiltshire, 68
runts ; from Berkshire, 90 runts, and Devons ; from
Hull, 50 short-horns, and Scots ; from Scotland,
907 Aberdeen, Fife, and Banfshire Scots, by

isteam vessels ; from Sussex, 107 Sussex oxen,

6&

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

steers, and heifers; from Surre)', 110 Devons, and
runts ; and from Kent, 98 Herefords, runts, De-
Tous, and cows. The remainder of the supply of
beasts was sent in, by the marshmen, cew-keepers,
stall-feeders, and cattle-lodgers, residing close to, or
a short distance from the metropolis.

About a moiety of the supply of sheep has been
composed of South Downs ; about a fourth old and
new Leicesters ; and the remainder, Lincclns, Dor-
sets, Somersets, Gloucesters, andEnglish fed Scotch
and Welsh sheep; with 1,763 from Aberdeen and
Banff; 1,000, from Boston, in Lincolnshire; and
150 from Hull, by steamers.

The supply of lambs has been composed of South
Downs, old and new Leicesters, Lincolns, Dorsets,
and Somersets, with 450 bv sea from Aberdeen.

The supplies of sheep and lambs have been chiefly
derived from Sussex, Essex, Surrey, Kent, Devon-
shire, Dorsetshire, Berkshire, and our great northern
grazing districts.

From Ireland 165 large hogs, have reached Smith-
field by steamers.

Here follows a statement of the quantities of dead
meat, which have arrived for sale, from the under-
mentioned quarters, this month, at Newgate and
Leadenhall markets.

Beasts.

Sheep.

Calvks.

Pigs,

Number of

Number of

Number of

Number of

Carcasses,

Carcasses,

Carcasses,

Carcasses,

Scotland . .

30

196

118

Yorkshire.

20

176

76

Essex

22

96

165

121

Surrey

30

96

101

107

Sussex,.. .

2

61

56

84

Berkshire .

8

77

217

94

VViltsliire..

7

118

508

57

Haiiifishire

14

74

121

64

Devonshire

0

40

10

13

Gloucester

10

56

153

64

Total .

, ua

980

1331

798

Supply of'

preceding '

► 277

4607

5887

2801

month. J

In addition to the above supplies of dead stock,
44 Scots, 1030 sheep, 312 lambs, and 165 live
pigs from Scotland, as also 155 live pigs from Dub-
lin and Cork by steam vessels, have reached the
above markets, for the purpose ef being slaughtered
and sold, without appearing in Smithfield.

From various parts of England and Scotland 37
packages of prime pieces of roasting beef have been
sent, and 352 dead lambs.

A large quantity of the slaughtered meat, which
has arrived this month, has been in very bad condi-
tion, owing to the warm weather, and wholly unfit
for human consumption.

WILTSHIRE.

The cold, ungrowing, wintry weather of April and
May is at length changed to a fine warm summer-like
seaion. Since the beginning of the month vegetation
has made the most rapid progress. Sufficient rain,
with a warm temperature and somewhat cloudy sky,
has produced a more vigorous growth on the pastures
and downs than we witnessed at any time in the last
two summers. Grass mowing has commenced, and
is about three weeks later than usual, and this ob-
servation will apply to vegetation generally. The
crop, as far as the mowers have been at work, turns
out to be better than for some few years past. Hop
clover is very plentiful in the present season.
The wheat crop is tolerably promising. Though
three weel;s later than last year (which circum-
stance, by the bye, is against a good yield) it has
a fuller bulk of straw generally. Much of it "lost

plant" during- the spring, and where this occurred
to a great extent the ear will be long and liable to
disease. The early sown Lenten corn remained in
the ground much longer than usual, and the peas
and beans are only just now in blossom. The barley
crop was well put in, and looks healthy, except that
Charlock abounds to such a degree this year that
many pieces will be nearly destroyed by it. Drilling
this crop is not much practised, but where it is, the
advantage with regard to Charlock is very decided.
Oats are more frequently drilled, and then the horse
or hand gets rid of much of this destructive weed.
Little can at present be known of the turnip crop,
but up to this day the weather has been most favour-
able, and we never remember such an exertion made
to obtain this necessary root. Besides the usual
dressings of yard and fold dung, soot, bone-dust,
and ashes have been more than ever used. Paring
the emmet hills on the down, and burning them for
the sake of the ashes to be spread over the adjoining
arable lands for turnips is a new feature in the farm-
ing of the county, which in a season not too dry for
the growth of turnips has answei-ed well, but in a
hot French-like summer these costly manures are in
a great degree lost. The question as to how much
stock is profitable to be kept on a farm has been
brought feelingly to the consideration of most far-
mers during the last spring. Many had no hay left ;
to purchase much at the exceedingly high price was
ruinous, and for a long time in March and April,
the grass became less and less from frosts and dry-
ing winds. The rick-yards are nearly empty, those
ricks that still remain out are chiefly wheat ; very
little Lent corn or hay is to be seen. Probably about
half the wheat is still in the farmers' yards, of the
quantity which was to be seen there in the corres-
ponding week of last year, and considerably less
than is out on average of years. We never recollect
so little hay in the country as at the present time.
The Poor Law Amendment Act is " carrying out"
with beneficiel results ; the alteration in the cha-
racter of the labouring- classes cannot be mistaken bj'
those who live with and observe them. The change
was rapid and decided ; when a few years of ex-
perience shall have pruned off some, and reconciled
other parts of this measure, which long usage has
made us consider harsh and unjust ; when time
(that great remedy of stiblunnry evils) has brought
faction and party to be as "a tale that is told" —
then, we are mistaken, if this measure does not
stand prominently forward as the admiration and
saving of the rural population of the kingdom. —
June 22.

SUFFOLK.

As a longer time than usual has elapsed since we
forwarded our last report, we must begin this b)-^
taking a retrospect of the past two months. The lat-
ter part of April and the month of May throughout
was unkindly to vegetation, and both corn and grass
made but little progress ; indeed every thing was
so backward, and the stock of hay and straw too,
were (generally speaking) completely exhausted, stock
could, therefore, scarcely be kept from starving; cow
stock, in particular, were in the lowest condition we
ever remember. The first week in the present
month brought more genial weather, and grass, and
corn of all kinds, and clovers, have made as great
progress in the time as could possibh' be expected,
still we are of opinion neither wheat, oarley, or oats
will be heavy in bulk ; beans and peas are promising
a fair bulk of straw, and are looking at present very
healthy. Winter vetches are an abundant swathe, and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

61

we would again earnestly recommend those farmers
who have not already tried the experiment to cut them
into chaff; for if, as is admitted, one acre used for
soiling cattle in the yard will go as far as two if fed
on the land ; we are convinced that if that acre were
cut into chaff it will feed at least half as much again
stock as that given without being cut. That excel-
lent root, mangel wurzel, is this year a good plant,
and is extensively cultivated. Swedes are now
about, and have been sown, for the last ten da3rs ;
we hear the fly takes them off as fast as they come
up. The wool trade has received a veiy severe
check, from Is. to Is. 3d. per lb. is the price of best
Down and Leicester hogget. The prospect for fruit
is beyond compare, the country for the last three
weeks has been been a complete flower garden. —
June 18.

ROMSEV.

The continuance of the most seasonable weather
is making great improvement in all the growing
crops; thie wheat is fast b'-eaking into ear. In this
county, Wilts and Dorset, the upland hay is being
stacked in good order ; and should the weather con-
tinue another ten days or a fortnight will secure all
the upland and dry meadow in fine condition, which
will very soon have the effect of lowering the
prices of that article. The markets are in a very
languid state, without much reduction from last
week's currency. Flour is rather cheaper, first
marks can be purchased from 39s. to 41s. The
Swede turnips and tankards are generally taken,
and many pieces hoed out. There is scarcely any
thing done in the wool trade, although the shearing
is nearly finished ; there are no buyers to be found
at more thin lOd. or Is., and very few at that price,
to which the farmers do not willingly submit. —
June ^4.

NORTHUMBERLAND.
Since our last report, and until the 9th of the
present mouth, we have had a continuance of stormy
winter weather, and the oldest person living never
remembered to have seen vegetation so far back as
at that date ; since then it has been the most sudden
change we ever witnessed, from cold stormy weather,
to a fine warm American summer, and we are happy
to state that the prospect is now for all spring sown
crops very good, although we cannot say so much
for the winter sown wheats, they will be found thin
and a light crop upon all inferior soils. As for the
lateness of the harvest we can say little about it as
3'et, should the weather keep fine as it now is, it
may not be so late as anticipated, as vegetation was
never more rapid than at present. The meadows
are also making a quick growth, and we think will
be a fair crop ; should the weather continue showery
as at present, a finer season for the turnip sowing
cannot possibly be, and we anticipate a good crop of
that most useful root, as they are brairding well on
the rows. Fat cattle have got very high, owing to the
great scarcity of meat in the pastures, but should the
weather keep favourable as at present, they will in
all probability get as rapid a fall as they got an ad-
vance in price, as the pastures are improving very
fast. — June 22.

day; the frosts the latter end of May were very sharp,
so that vegetation did not make much progress, and
indeed, till the beginning of this month, we had
scarcely any keep for the cattle and numbers of the
large dairymen are yet foddering their cows, which
have given but very little milk at present, and we
fear dairying will, this summer, turn out quite un-
profitable. We never remember the time when the
graziers were so backward in buying in their beasts,
a great many not having 3'et got half their usual
quantity in, and those at prices that afford but little
prospect of profit. The wheats, which, till lately,
were looking very bad, have improved in appearance,
but are now very far from good and very thin and
backward, and a great deal has been very much in-
jured by the wire-worm. The spring corn is looking
very bad, but as the rain is now lalling plentifully,
w® hope yet to have good crops, which the farmers
her© say is now their only means of dependence, as
the wheats must fiill far short of an average, both in
grain and straw. The breadth of potatoes planted
here this season is very small, the price having been
so hi|h that the poor had not the means of providing
seed, and the two last years having proved but very
inferior crojis the farmers have not been so eager in
planting ; we would recommend our brother farmers
when tliey dig their potatoes to have as many picked
out as thej^ will require for seed and stacked by
themselves, whieh we would always plant whole, as
we have pursued that sysfom the last three years
and have not had one set fail through rotting, though
our neighbours who pay no regard as to seed or
cutting, have been obliged to plant twice, and have
not then had half a crop. Swede sowing is going
on very fast here, those that have made their ap-
pearance above ground have been immediately as-
sailed by the flies, which have already destroyed a
great many; we have paid great attention as to where
thsflv first commences its attacks, and find, (though
contrary to the expressed opinions of some of your
correspondents,) the plants were as healthy as any
we ever saw. — June 14.

SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

The weather since my last, till within these last
few days, has been very cold and unseasonable, with
the exception of a few hours in the middle of the

KENT.

Since we last had the pleasure of writing, vegetation
in general has improved beyond all expectation. The
wheats, with few exceptions, are strong- on the ground,
and look healthy, but will come to be harvesteel later
than has been known for years. Barley and oats have
improved within th- last two weeks, except where the
worm has taken tV.em, which we are sorry to say has
been to no small extent ; these two crops are now suf-
fering for want of rain. Peas and tares, in general, are
healthy, and look promising, but these are very uncer-
tain crops, having so many enemies to contend with.
Beans are short in the strawy and some are now bloom-
ing ; a good shower would greatly improve them. Po-
tatoes have this season planted much better than for
these last few years, the plants having almost all grown,
so that we are in hopes of an average crop of this root,
which has not been the case lately. We shall most of
us commence cutting cinquefoin next week, but the
quantity on the ground is far bdlovv what we usually
have. Clover is a better cut, but will not be fit for the
scythe for these ten days. Grass is yet short, but there
is yet time for improvement. The corn markets have
been in short supply with us, and prices have been nearly
the same for some weeks. The quantity of wheat in ihe
growers' hands is by no means great, so that the factors
will do much as they please for some time to come as
regards the supply. Numbers have began to shear their
sheep, and the ewes which have their lambs vvith them
have not for many years been known to be in such a
low condition as at present ; there are but few inquirers
after wool at present, and numbers intend keeping it by
them for some time at least. — June 16.

r2

68

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURAL REPORT— FEEDING CAT-
TLE—THE POTATO CROP.

(From the Belfast StaHdard.)

After a week of dry ung'enial weather, the kindly
showers have ag-ain stopped the voice of the murmurer ;
aad though the temperature has scarcely yet attained
the usual warmth of June, the crops are progressing
most favourably. Wheat goes en improving, and oats
and barley give luxuriant promise. I have observed, in
some instances, more than the usual ravage of the slug
and wire-worm, by which both oats and barley have
been seriously thinned ; and, in a few cases, it was found
necessary to sow barley a second time. This has prin-
cipally occurred in light soils, or in lately broken up
leas ; indeed, it is generally in such that these destruc-
tive creatures do most injury, the worm finding less ob-
struction in a porous soil, and the slug preserving itself,
by instinct, through the winter, in the warm tufts of
grass or clover leas, and ready to pounce with vigour
on the first germs of spring vegetation. No better re-
medy, I fear, has yet been discovered for this evil than
a free application of the heavy roller. Lands subject to
the inroads of cat-worm should be ploughed early, sown
late, and more seed allowed ; the grain, when sown
early, is too slow in vegetation to get soon out of their
way, for it is only while very young and tender that it is
attacked. Flax, in this neighbourhood, has seldom been
sown to so small an extent ; — a patch may be occasion-
ally met with, but no fields ; the last two years appear
to have completely discouraged farmers from attempting
this crop upon a liberal scale. Turnips are being sown
in larg'ar breadth than usual, and, from the appearance
of the artificial and meadow grasses, will probably be
much needed, as a seasonable supply for wmter keep,
as it is now more than likely tliat hay will be a short
crop. Li most meadows, the king-cup, called by the
farmers sit-fast, predominating over the grass, presents
a golden surface to the eye, which, like many fair ex-
teriors, is more attractive than profitable. I have seldom
seen a good crop either in quantity or quality where this
took the lead. It can not be too strongly impressed
upon farmers to occupy every spars spot with turnip or
mangel wurzel, the former, however, being the surer
crop. Bone manure has been much called on this sea-
son for raising green crop ; it is a good and lasting
article, but will not produce so largely in the first crop
as well formed stable manure •. still, where this falls
short, it will be found ono of the very best substitutes.
Turnips, with increasing- experience, are becoming of
increasing importance, even in the feeding of horses. A
gentleman, who farms a good part of his estate, has tried
the system for several years with the best effect — he
keeps a large number ot draft horses, and to these,
through the wiater and spring, he invariably gives two
feeds a day of the following mixture : — Swedish turnip,
or potatoes and chafF, or chopped strnw, stoved together,
and no cattle can be in stronger or healthier working
condition. The stoving of potatoes with oats or bran, is
now getting quite common, and if turnips were more
generally employed as a principal part of tht compound,
the saving in oats and hay would be found considerable.
There is no root of which black cattle are so fond as
potatoes ; 1 have seen hay which they refused to touch,
■when chopped small, and stoved with potatoes and a
little bran, eaten with an eagerness, which shewed how
much the animal relished the food. When potatoes are
given unmixed to cows, I would not recommend them
to be thoroughly boiled, as, from whatever cause, they
are certainly less digestible in that state for black cattle,
than when but partially softened. It will be quite suf-
ficient for small potatoes, (and any other are too value-
able) to put a quantity in buckets, and to pour boiling'
water upon them, and, covering them close, let thom
cool at leisure ; if, before pouring on the water, you add
ehaff, chopped straw, or bran, it is all the better; your
cattle will, after this, ent their straw or hay with great
relish, give milk abundantly, and go out in good con-
dition, whilst those intended for the shambles will fatten
apace. This mode should only be pursued when pota-
toes are cheap, and turnips have not beea raised in suf-
licient quautity, otherwise it is better to reserve the

very smallest for your working horses, and perhaps a
favourite milch cow. The method of feeding horses on
bruised furze was practised in this country half a century
ago, and then^considered so nutritive as to be a favourite
feed for sires ; but, with increasing cultivation, the furze
has in many districts become but a casual, and not very
favoured resident, and consequently the system has
much declined. Well does the writer remember when
when the forked stick, the basket, and sickle, (the usual
apparatus for gathering) the flat stone staked round and
wattled, and iron shod mallet for pounding, formed no
very pleasing assemblage and episode to the country
youth assembled at ball or conunow, and unhappy indeed
was the weeping caitiflp who was countermanded by the^
stern voice of parental authority to " pound the whins
for the horses." The turnips most generally sown in this
neighbourhood are the Globe, the Swedish, the red,
white, and g-reen-topped Aberdeens, the Norfolk reds,
and the Altringham. Of these, the Globe gives the
most bulky crop, but it is liable to hollow and frost, and
contains less of nutrive matter than the others. The red-
topped Aberdeen are nutritive in a high degree, and not
liable to the other drawbacks on the Globe, and are con-
sequently becoming a great favourite ; but the Swedish,
for horses, or late Spring feeding, are generally preferred.
The others have not yet got into very general use.
Several fields of the former kinds I have seen already in
good braird, broad-leafed, and healthy, and being got
in under favourable circumstances, may be calculated
on as a good crop. In potatoes, I have heard of but
one failure, and that easily accounted for, the seed being
kept in a close cellar till dry-rot had commenced. I am
inclined to believe that, in nine cases out of ten, failures
are the consequence of careless keeping ; surely were it
otherwise, from the state in which the crop was housed,
this year should have produced more than the ordinary
proportion ; but being more valuable, they have been
better looked after. The farmer who, from the month
of February till the period of sowing, makes a point to
turn his seed once a-week, will rarely if ever complain
of failure ; the frequent turning, supersede the neces-
sity of removing the buds, and prevent the bulbs from
exhausting themselves by a continued succession. The
early planted potatoes look remarkably well, and in
many instances forward. Amongst the best specimens
I have seen are some Perth reds, growing from seed
imported last year from Scotland.

THE TURNIP FLY.

Wulmenston, Sussex, June 24, 1837.
Sir, — Last year, when the failure of turnips was very
general, a farmer in this parish saved a large field of
Swedes, which were nearly destroyed by the fly, by
driving a flock of sheep over them, first up and down,
and then across, which killed the fly, and the crop ap-
peared to be destroyed, but after the first shower of rain
the turnips appeared in great abundance, and it proved
to be the best crop of Swedes in this neighbourhood. If
you think this information of any use you will give it a
place in the Farmer's Journal ;

A FRIEND TO AGRICULTURE.

In Windsor Forest there are several celebrated oaks :
one of these, the King' Oak, is said to have been a fa-
vourite tree of William the Conqueror, who made this a
royal forest, aad enacted laws for its preservation. This
oak, which stands near the enclosure of Cranbourn, is
26 feet in circumference at three feet from the ground.
It is supposed to be the largest and oldest oak in Wind-
sor Forest, being above 1,000 years old. It is quite
hollow : the space within is from seven to eight feet in
diameter, and the entrance is about four feet and a half
high and two feet wide. " We lunched in it," says
Professor Burnet, '• September 2, 1829; tt would ac-
commodate at least 20 persons with standing room ; and
10 to 12 might sit down comfortably to dinner. I think
nt Willis's and iu Guilahall I have danced a quadrille
in a smaller space, — Arbaretum Britanniaim.

THE FARMER'S MAG AZ INK.

69

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c.

TRIiMITY-MUIR FAIR— This great nrarket com-
menced with the sale of sheep, the show of which was
greater than an averag-e; am! the larg-er proportion
being- in bad condition, sales were remarkably dull,
and a great number remained unsold. Black-faced
ewes and lambs brought from 11/. to 16/.; and ihree-
year-oJd hill wedders, from 10/. to 19/. per score. There
were few fat sheep, and these were sold at fully 6d. per
lb. The cattle market was well supplied in respect of
numbers ; but the generality of the stock shown were
in worse condition than at any former fair here for a
long period past. Good fat, or well-conditioned drove
cattle sold briskly at good prices ; but small lean beasts
were a mere drug, and a large number of this class
could not be turned into money. Tlie best quality of fat
brought 6s. 9d. ; inferior, from 5s. 6d. to 6s. per imperial
stone, sinking offals. Good milch cows also brought
fair prices, ranging from 6/. to Yd. per head. Good
two-year old stots and queys brought from 5/. to 9/. ;
and three-year-olds from 8/. io HI. Farrow cows and
small qucys at all prices from 40s. to 90s. per head, ac-
cording to weight and quality. The market upon the
whole was considered a bad one, although the best sort
of stock brought high prices. The south country deal-
ers, of whom fewer than usual were present, bought the
best drove cattle at prices ranging from 9/. to 12/. per
head. Small beasts have not been sold at such low
prices for a good number of years ; a circumstance
which will be severely felt throughout the country,

ALPHINGTON FAIR showed a. revival in busi-
ness ; heilers and good steers sold briskly at from nine
guineas downwards. Fat beef averaged about lis. per
score. There was no demand for lambs, which sold
low in consequence. Sheep fetched about 6d. per lb.
Much of the briskness in steers and heifers is attributable
to the great demand for the latter at Taunton Fair,
which sent many of the East countrymen to Alphing-
ton. A remarkably fine cow (half Guernsey and Devon
bred) was exhibited by J\lr. Satterley, of the Canal
Banks, and excited general admiration for its beauty
and points. The animal, with her calf, were shown at
the late agricultural meeting in the Castle- Yard, and
had she been entered for a prize there is no doubt it
would have been awarded, as she excited the admira-
tion of all the judges. She was equally admired at the
fair, and 18 guineas were offered for her, but the money
was refused. The calf was bought by Mr. Brown, of
Broadgate, and weighed 33.Ubs. per qr.

At BRIDGENORTH FAIR, sales of agricultural
stock were dull. Sheep at 6d. to S^d. per lb., wool as
low as 7d. per lb., and few buyers. Fat cows sold
tolerably well.

At OSWESTRY FAIR, prime fat cattle and cows
and calves fetched very good prices. Pigs, of which
there was a small number, vvere disposed of in a twink-
ling at an unexpected advance. Sheep, a great number
penned, obtained Ggd. Store cattle did not sell so well.
There were many horses but few good ones, and not
much business transacted.

TYVVARDREATH FAIR.— The supply of cattle
was small. Bullocks were very thin of flesh ; those that
were in good condition sold at from 35s. to 40s. per
cwt. Fat bullocks sold at from 3/. 5s. to 3/. 10s., but
there were but few of the kind.

GRAMPOUND FAIR was fully attended. Oxen
sold freely at from 35s. to 43s. per cwt. Of fat bullocks
there was a better supply than at the neighbouring
fairs, and the prices realised were from 3/. to 3/. 7s.
Sheep were numerous, hut went off slowly.

MENHENIOT FAIR was well supplied with store
cattle, cows and calves, and store sheep. The sale was
generally dull. The show of fat oxen and fat sheep,
was not large, but sold freely, the former at from 3/. 3s.
to 3/. 6s. per cwt. ; fat sheep in the wool Vgd. per lb.
At LINCOLN LEAN STOCK MARKET there

was a fair supply of stock, which sold freely at from 5
to lOL per head. The buyers were chiefly from Nor
folk.

At ABINGDON FAIR there was a considerable
supply of store cattle, which, owing to the propitious
state of the weather for some time past, and the conse-
quent improvement in the state of the feeding crops,
were in great demand at improved prices. The sheep
market also presented a good supply of sheep, ewes,
and lambs, which met with a good sale at fair prices.
Horses, of which there was a fair average supply, met
with a ready sale and remunerating prices.

KEITH SUMMER EVE'S FAIR.— The number of
cattle, of every description, was large, but we think
rather smaller than usual ; and owing to the scarcity of
grass the greater part were in poor condition. There
were, however, several lots of very superior animals on
the stance, and such as were fit for the drift met with a
speedy sale ; and owing to the late rains and the con-
sequent improvement of grass the market was, on the
whole, rather better than any in the neighbourhood this
season, though still what is termed a stiff market. It
would be impossible, in consequence of the very differ-
ent appearances of different lots of the same age, to give
any accurats i ea of the general prices. Cows were, in
particular, very lean ; but those that were young and
lately calved brought good prices. The show of horses
was also poor, and with the exception of those fit for gig
or saddle, few changed owners.

NEWTON ST. CYRES FAIR was very fully sup-
plied with sheep and lambs ; the sheep, however in ge-
neral were not good, and the sale was dull. Some
dealers from Somersetshire were present, but these
having made up their minds not to purchase shorn hogs,
unless they could do so under 6d. per lb., and the owners
being resolved not to submit to such depreciation, the
slackness is altogether accounted for. A very superior
lot of shorn hogs, from the farm of R. II. Tuckfield,
Esq., estimated at 23 lbs. the quarter, were sold for 46s.
a -piece, or 6d. per lb. There were some very good pens
of store lambs, of which, however, but few were sold
and among these a lot of very good breed, the property
of Mr. Thomas Ellis, of Norton, in Newton, which
fetched 24s. 9d. a-piece. There were a few fat bullocks,
of which those that met sale of the winterfed, realized
from 1 Is. 6d. to 12?. per score, and a good g'rass-fed
bullock was sold at lis. per score by weight.

CRICKLADE MARKET.— On Tuesday the 20th
was abundantly supplied with beef, mutton, and lamb,
of excellent quality, and nearly the whole sold. An
extraordinary beautiful fat 3 year old heifer, that had
never had a calf, the property of Mr. Brown of Minety,
Gloucestershire, attracted great notice ; 25/ was re-
fused for her. Beef from 10s. to lis. 6d. per seore ;
mutton, ejd. to 7d. per lb. ; lamb, 7id. to 8d. per lb. ;
pigs very dear. Number of beasts, 220 ; nearly 100
of which were fat. Sheep and lambs, 488 ; pigs 130.
There were a few good cart horses sold.

BOROUGHBKIDGE. — This celebrated yearly
Mart for Horses, &c. &c. &c. commenced on Monday,
the 19th. The show on that day, Tuesday, and Wed-
nesday, was very considerable. Good Horses fetched
higher prices than were anticipated. Several dealers,
as usual, from London, Birmingham, and various other
places, were in attendance, and bought liberally. On
the whole, this Fair may be considered as commanding
better prices than the year before. The Beasts and
Sheep Fair took place on Thursday and yesterday. In
Fat Slock there was a lavg-e supply, which met with a
iieavy sale, and few buyers. The Lean Cattle were
plentiful, and had a ready sale, at a little advance in
price. Calves were sold immediately, before they got
into the Fair, so anxious were the buyers. There was
a good supply of Scotch and Irish Cattle, but there was
a very indifferent demand, and many returned unsold.

70

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

At PADSTOW the show of cattle exceeded any
thing- of the kind seen in the neighbourhood for many
years, and a number of barg'ains were made highly
satisfactory to the graziers. From 500 to 1,000 sheep
and lambs were penned in excellent condition, which
sold briskly ; and there is no doubt that on the 21st. of
September next there will be as good a show of cattle
and sheep at this place as can be found in any fair in
the county*.

CATTLE SHOW AT HAMILTON.— The Cattle
show of the Hamilton, Dalserf, Blantyre, and Dalzel
Farmers' Society was held near Hamilton on Fiiday last,
for the first time, and presented aa agreeable and in-
spiriting scene. At an early hour the road to Covanburn
l^ark, where the show took place, was thronged with
crowds desirous to witness the exhibition ; and the day
being very propitious, a number of ladies were present,
who, in their varied summer dresses, add;d beauty and
elegance to the scene. "J'he greatest order and harmony
prevailed throughout the day, and even the unsuccessful
candidates received their disappointment good-hnmour-
edly. Seldom, we believe, have finer animals been ex-
hibited anywhere than were brought forward on this
occasion, and in some instances it was difficult to de-
termine which of the competitors roost deserved the
prize. Messrs, John Baird of Highcross, William
King, Bracco, and Samuel Forrest, Hole of Kilcadzon,
were appointed Judges and discharged their duty with
skill and impartiality. Their conduct during the whole
affair gave universal satisfaction.

Taunton Fair was well supplied with grass fed, but
having few winter fed Bullocks in it and for these last
more than 12s per score was asked. This, however,
■was deemed a higher figxire than the circumstances of
the markets would warrant, and eventually the sales
in this way were at from lis. 6d to 12s. per score.
Of the grass fed, few were sold, the Butchers not
being inclined to make purchase of these, as not, if
they can otherwise suit themselves, in a state of ripe-
ness to fit them for the stall. The quotation here,
however, for anything at all possessing goodness,
must not be placed under lis. per score. There was a
good supply of Sheep, of which the best were sold,
shorn, at 6d per lb.

AGRICULTURAL MEETING.— The fourth an-
nual meeting of the Agricultural Society for the hun-
dreds of Stiatton, Holsworthy, and Hartland, and the
parish of Poundstock, was held at Strattnn, on Friday
se'nnight, where there was a shovi? of Cattle, and a
numerous attendance. The Umpires for cattle, were,
Messrs. Northcote, Barnstaple, ; Peters, Lewannick;
and Symnns, Tintagel— For Sheep and Pigs, Messrs.
Palmer, Lifton ; Wiilcocks, Trevarrow ; Sleep, South
Petherwin — For Gardens, Mr. William Routhby, Mr.
Edwai'd Sheai m. Honorary Secretary. A large party
of gentlemen and yeomanry dined together upon the
above occasion, at the Tree Inn, the Rev. J. Davis, of
Kilkhampton, in the chair ; and the society bids fair
to establish itself most prosperously

INCHTURE.— On Wednesday, June 7th, a large
party of landed gentlemen and farmsrs of the Carse as-
sembled at the farm of Powgavie, the property of the
Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird, and tenanted by Mr. Alex-
ander DrummoHd, to witness the performance of a steam-
engine for driving the thrashing-mill. This engine
being the first of the kind in this quarter of the country,
the curiosity of those interested or engagedin agriculture
was excited, to asceitain the relative worth of steam
and water power in this important department of la-
bour. The ena-ine was made by the Messrs. Car-
michael of Dundee, and is of six horses power, 'i'o
the gratification of all present it performed its work
admirably, and at two seperate trials thrashed eighteen
bolls of wheat in one hour. After the exliibition of the
machine, the party dined with Mr. Drummond, and
spent a pleasant evening at his hospitable board. From
the conversation at this meeting" we may infer, that
steam will be more generally employed in driving
thrashing- machinery in the Carse. Its introduction at
Povygavie must be ascribed to Lord Kinnaird, who.,
having built a new steading on the farm, handsomely
added the steam engine.

LOWER ST. COLUMB was well supplied with
oxen and dealers, but of fat bulls there were none.

SHEEP SHEARING.— On Wednesday last, the
amual sheep -shearing took place at Earl Spencer's
farm, at Brampton. In addition to other prizes, his
lordship gave 10 sovs. to the best mower of a rood of
meadow grass, finished in a workman like manner— 34
competitors — was won by a labourer of Claycoaton —
36 shepherds contested for the three sums of 71., 51., and
31. The shearing was most excellent, and vvas won by
E. Bagshaw sheitherd to Mr. Garratt, of Harrowden ;
the 2d. by Gates, of Irthlingborougli ; the 3d. to Patter-
son, shepherd to Mr. Basford, of Foscote, near Tow-
cester. The judges for tlie shearing ^vt■re, Sir.Francis

Lawley, bart. Buckley, Esq., c .-, uimauton ; and

Mr. Stokes. The judges for the mowing were Mr.
Watts, of Scaldwell; Mr. Rogc.M, of Hardingstone ;

and Patterson, Esq. of Wiiiil>!eton. '{"he day was

remarkably fine, and a very niuaerous and highly re-
spectable company attended.

THE HARROWDEN FLOCK.— A small portion
of this justly esteemed and highly valuable flock, was
submitted to sale on Tuesday last. Although adveriised
as a sale, it was considered more as a preliminary show
to the great sale which is to take place in September
next, when such an opportunity will ba offered to
spirited individuals as to enable them to place them-
selves in the first and highest rank as sheep breeders.
The show on Tuesday consisted of twenty shearlings,
four two shear, and five three shear shesp. The adver-
tisements said the shearlings were the produce of the
Quorn ewes : this was a mistake, as there were only
four shown from that flock, and if we may be allowed
to hazard an opinion, the sheep shown on Tuesday from
the HaiTowden ewes were decidedly superior. In order
that purchasers might have the means of deliberate ex-
amination, they were shown sing-ly, three or four hours
before the sale. And if we may judge from our own
experience, and the expressions of pleas'jre and com-
mendation that fell from the lips of the numerous judges
present, twenty such shearlings will never be seen
together again. It attords us great pleasure to have
this opportunity of congratulating Mr. Garratt at having
at last produced the animal that hundreds have for so
long tried at, viz. perfect symmetry, good quality, great
constitution without the coarseness of the Lincoln, and
a first-rate fleece ; indeed, to use an old-fashioned
phrase, " a good scrag- of mutton, and the shoulder in
the right place." It happened ratlser unfortunately, the
sale taking place on Tuesday, as many of the neighbour-
ing gentry that usually attend, were either in town or
at Ascot Heath, and several of the large tup breeders
were at Mr. Burgess'sshow ; still the company, although
not numerous, was highly respectable : amongsit the
numbers we observed Sir latton Sykes, the Rev. Messrs.
Bridges and Stopiord, — Payne, Esq., Messrs. Thomas,
D. and W. Higgins, Redgrave, Hall, Barford, Earl,
Manning, Freer, Daniels, Outlaw, Day, Goosey, B,
and G. WalUce, Bays, Cook, Wright, Rog&rs, &c. &c.
Before the selling took place, Mr. Payne, in the most
open and candid manner, informed the company that
although the sheep were shown out of the wool, any
gentleman who might be desirous, should have the wool
produced ; he further stated that unless the company
were very spirited in their prices, they would not be sold,
but sentback till September. The first shearling offered
for sale, was No. 20, by B., out of a Harrowden ewe,
and to the lovers of a complete sheep, excited great ad-
miration ; the competition was strong for some time, but
he at last became the property of the Duke of Buccleuch
for the sum of 26/. 5s. ; many of the others fetched high
prices. Amongst the old sheep, there was one shown
in his wool, and afterwards shorn, and at the request of
several veas put up for sale (although not in the cards)
with an understanding that a res.-rved bid should be
allowed ; there were three or four bidders at forty-seven
guineas, but he was ultimately bought in at fifty. We
have seen many worse hired for the season at a hundred.
Fourteen were sold at an average of 15/. each, and we
congratulate those gentlemen who wsre fortunate enough
to possess the Harrowden breed.— iVor/Zfampfo/i Herald

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

71

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE.

During the month of June no combination of
atinospherical phenomena could have proved more
favourable for the accelerating the progress of ve-
getation than the weather we have experienced.
The growth of the wheat plant has been forced to
that just point of advancement, that the nutritive
powers it pTssessed were capable of supporting,
without causing it to run be}'ond its strength, an
efl'ect which dry scorching weather would have
inevitably produced ; but the temperature has con-
tinued warm and sky clouded, or the full glow of
a summer's sun has been often tempered at night
or morning with refreshing rains. In some dis-
tricts apprehensions have, hovi'ever, been enter-
tained that the weather is proving too forcing for
the regular and mature growth of the wheat plant,
and that the ear is lilcely therefore to be thin, and
the grain small ; but considering the quantity of
moisture previously imbibed by the earth, refresh-
ened as it has latterly been by copious showers, it
would induce the belief that the sun is not likely
to possess so controlling an influence as to endan-
ger the due and wholesome progress of the grain
to full ripening. We are also fully aware that
direful prognostics are being- delivered by astro-
nomers and meteorologists, their divinations aris-
ing from various solar phenomena, such as large
spots on the sun ; the flowing of springs in dif-
ferent parts of Europe, which have been dry for
many years ; the sudden thawing of vast masses of
ice in the polar regions, and other portentous
omens ; the consequences of which are to be a re-
volutionary action in the seasons, and the approach
of autumn is to be experienced unaccompanied
with that glow of sunshine which brings to full
perfection the fruits of the earth, but attended
with incessant rains, and totally deprived of all
its genial characteristics ; notwithstanding these
"dreaded visions," "these airy spectres of the
farmer's ruined hopes," we are sanguine enough
still to look forward with confidence to a bountiful
return, and which will be secured in due season,
both in England and Ireland, though in Scotland
the rigour of the climate may render the ultimate
harvesting of the produce more precarious. Tbe
usually favourable or less propitious appearances
according to situation and cultivation are reported
this, like previous seasons, to exist ; wheats in
some places extremely backward, thin, spindly,
&c.; in others, fine, vigorous, healthy, and thick
on the ground ; but on the whole, or aggregate
average amount of the accounts, the harvest pro-
mises, with a continuance of auspicious weather, a
full average crop. Wheat is now coming into ear,
and if we calculate the usual period of six weeks
before the crops aie ready for housing, we are to
expect harvest the first fortnight in August ; this
period it is true, compared with later years, is
protracted ; but we should not forget, that the
growth of the few past seasons has been accele-
rated unusually forward from the prevalence of
more favourable weather; yet compared with the
septennial average of the present century, the
forthcoming harvest, if it occur as premised, can
not be esteemed a backward one. Barley looks
luxuriant, and having fully recovered from the

chilling influence of the cold spring, promises an
abundant return. Oats, as they have acquired
strength, have relieved themselves from the attacks
of the wire-worm, from whose ravages barley
has also previously suffered, and some fields
have exhibited too visible proofs of the destructive
powers of this dreaded insect. The bloom of beans
has set under very favourable circumstances, and
the ci'op, together with that of peas, have seldom
presented a more luxuriant aspect

The hay harvest is highly favoured with sunshine,
and the swath much heavier than was anticipated ;
in the environs of London, some meadows are ex-
pected to yield two tons per acre ; and the farmers
by still having- patience, and not hurrying the cut-
ting, are likely to derive additional benefit in
the undergrowth. The trifolium incarnatum has
been in full bloom, and with its rich and puvply
tints, has beautifully enlivened the appearance of
the fields ; in some places it is more dwarfish than
previously, but the heading is good and likely to
yield as much seed as last year ; from Petivorth,
Sussex, we have received an interesting account of
this clover ; tbe crop was sown in June, 1836, fed
off continually until November, and again fed ofiF
quite close in Blarch to the first week in April •
and, exemplifying the old adage, " that necessity is
the mother of invention," the sheep and lambs were
turned in at this latter period to keep them from
starving ; it is now covering the ground, well
branched, and between two and three feet high. Ihe
feed has been always esteemed a valuable winter
crop, to come in early as green food, but here is an
additional proof of the advantages to be obtained
from it in the early part of the year, particularly in
seasons of scarcity.

From Ireland tbe agricultural reports, since the
late mild rains, have become generally highly satis-
factory. The improvement in the growth of grain
and grass has been so great that, without any fear of
premature ripening, the harvests of both will in all
probability be earlier than those in England, and
farmers near the shipping ports are already antici-
pating a lucrative return for their early products in
the English markets, as they are likely to arrive at
the period when prices are likely to be ranging high,
when the markets are exhausted of the old growth,
and the new not available. Holders of old stocks
of wheat are therefore rather more inclined to sell,
and prices show a tendency to recede, but oats, from
the generally estimated shortness of stocks, main-
tain more steadily their previous quotations, though
the bulk remaining on hand is of inferior quality.

Scotland has been much less favoured than the
two other divisions of the United Kingdom, and ve-
getation, up to the first week of the month, had made
little progress from April, the unusual fact having
occurred of the thermometer, in the shade, even
during the day, throughout May, seldom having
exceeded 56 degrees, and at times during the night
approaching the freezing point, which, considering
the proximity of the Summer Solstice^ is an exceed-
ingly low range. The three last weeks however, of
the month, a material improvement has been ap-
parent, and the whole face of the country is wearing
a smiling and cheering aspect. The wheats have

72

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

all along continued t© present a liealtliy appearance,
and the fields vested with that dark deep hue of
green indicative of vigour ; but oats have looked
sickly and pining, from the want of more genial
temperature ana moisture, especially at that period
when the young plant is losing the nutrition of its
seed, and it has to depend for its food on tlie adven-
titious resources of the surrounding earthy material ;
and barley was also looking sickly, from the same
causes, but both have now rapidly revived. Beans
are a tolerably regular plant ; prices of the better
qualities of grain, especially oats, are fullv main-
tained, and millers ready purchasers of the finer
qualities, the stock being very limited and holders
are likely to remain firm in their demands, as they
calculate that one of two events must affect the new
crop, either a too rapid hastening of the plants to-
wards maturity, with considerable less bulk of straw,
and the chance of impoverished kernels in the ears ;
or else the harvest advanced so late in the season,
that the greatest hazard will attend the securing the
produce in condition. The trade, however, in grain,
appears for the present to have ceded most of its ani-
mation to the cattle market, livestock of all descrip-
tions meeting a brisk demand at full remunerating
])rices ; but as the rates paid for the home consump-
tion in many places is relatively higher than those
realized in our metropolis, there is at present a di-
minished export business to London.

The potatoe crop throughout the kingdom, ap
pears also putting forth a rich promise of future pro-
duce, the plants are coming up with a strong stem
and broad healthy leaf, and very few complaints of
seed missing. The aspect of the flax crop both in
Ireland and Scotland, is also satisfactory, showery
weather being very conducive to the early growth
of this valuable plant.

In the early part of tlie month the chilly and bleak
temperature of the air and a constant tendency in the
wind to veer to the E.N.E., prevented vegetation
making that rapid progress which it has latterly done,
and induced farmers to continue their speculations, still
calculating on the casualties of a retarded harvest,
and the extra consumption that would be consequently
required; and at most of the couitry markets 2s. to
OS. per qr. more money was demanded, and in many
instances, where an advance was not acceded to, a
refusal has followed to part with the samples ; and
we repeat, as we have before stated, that as the con-
sumption, from the exhausted state of the merchants'
warehouses, is more than usually dependent on the
growers, who have the trade nearly in their own
hands, prices must continue to be mainly actuated
by their operations. In Mark Lane the supplies
proving limited, and millers being obliged to become
purchasers of the fresh wheat, factors succeeded in
obtaining an advance of Is. to '2s. per qr. as the
month advanced, and the weather became extremely
warm, and much of the flour on hand going out of
condition. The newly thrashed parcels of wheat
continued to be taken by millers at full prices, se-
condary and ordinary descriptions hanging on hand,
as well as old graiiaried descriptions; and towards
the close of the month, the prevailing weather giving
more firmness in buyers refusing the demands of
holders, prices receded nearly to the point from
whence they commenced to advance at the beginning
of the month, the finer red wheats being only noted
Is. lower, and the trade generally languid ; but un-
less the farmers are induced to part with their
stocks more freely, there is little chance of mucJi
depreciation in the existing currencies. In bonded
wheat nothing has been transpiring, and the demands
of holders must be considered nominal, as much

lower rates would be required to be submitted to, in
order to effect sales than those currently noted, es-
pecially as at the present quotations in the Baltic
ports, the finer wheats are to be obtained at conside-
rably lower relative rates.

The flour trade has remained heavy, as there has
b?en a good deal of stale unsound flour pressing on
the market, at low prices ; but sweet fresh parcels
being scarce and in request, have in consequence
rather improved in value. Bonded flour has receded
Is. t® 2s. per barrel, principally owing to the in-
creased supplies and expected arrivals, and rather
less demand for shipment ; best parcels were offer-
ing at 25s.

Barley lias experienced little alteration in the
price of distilling and grinding sorts, but the quo-
tations of malting have now merged into those of
distilling ; and the prmcipal demand having been
for grinding qualiiies. Malt has remained in the
same dull inactive state, as we have had occasion
lately to notice, and with the exception of the finer
parcels, has barely maintained its previously depre-
ciated currency.

The arrivals of oats from Ireland, though not con-
siderable, have been larger than was anticipated ;
while from England and Scotland the receipts have
been moderate. The fine growing weather, and the
quantity of foreign likely to be entered for the con-
sumption, seems completely to have checked the de-
mand, and confined it within the amount absolutely
required to meet the immediate necessities of the
consumption. The bulk of the arrivals from Ire-
land prove of inferior quality, and many of the for-
waid shipments will be in all probability of similar
description, a circumstance likely to influence the
averages detrimentally for speculators in Bonded par-
cels ; the sup])lies too from Scotland, especially of
late, are of very middling character, and out of con-
dition, a complaint however attending many of the
shipments of the season. The trade therefore has
been far from animated ; and factors have experiencd
a difficulty to quit the secondary and inferior de-
scriptions, which have been pressing on the market
at a reduction of Is. 6d. to 2s. per qr. Galways and
other light Irish sorts were nearly unsaleable. Pew
free on board sales have been made of Irish oats,
holders in Ireland demanding much higher rates than
purchasers are inclined to accede to, but Irish spe-
culators in their anxiety to obtain high prices, should
be careful not to hold off the market to too length-
ened a period, when the averages will enable the fo-
reign importer to pay the current duties and thus, by
overstanding the market, the Irish shipper may de-
feat his own object, and be obliged to sell his article
at the very time the value is depressed by foreign
supplies and the approaching harvest. Owing to
the reduction of the duty to 10s. 9d., a few fine
heavy Dutch, Friesland, and Baltic parcels have
been offering at 28s. to 32s. as in weight, and other
descriptions at the relative value of free qualities,
without the duty. Few fresh orders have been trans-
mitted abroad for additional purchases of foreign
oats since the first week in the month, speculators
pausing to ascertain the execution of their previous
orders and the effect created on prices by the pur-
chases already made in various continental markets ;
but an inquiry has continued to exist for Bonded
parcels, which are to be obtained for nearly as good
terms a;: purchasing the article direct from foreign
ports, with a certainty of condition, a point that is
likely materially to affect the result of the specula-
tion in the article this season. The duty on oats is
not at present likely to recede further, as some of
the fresh arrivals will b» in all probability entered

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

73

for consumptiou, which added to the inferiority of
too many of the Irish, and some of the Scotch par-
cels pressing on the market, will delay the advancing
of the averages until the decrease in the supplies
enables factors to realize proportionately higher
rates.

Beans having come sparingly to hand, maintained
i'ull prices and fine dry samples realized advanced
rates, until towards the close of the month, when
the favourable reports of the crops induced holders
who had kept back choice parcels, or the remnants
of their stacks, in ex|)ectation of still higher rates,
to send their samples more freely to market, and
pric:s have consequentl}' receded about Is. per qr.
Orders have continued being executed abroad at
from 23s. to 25s. for Harrow and small beans. The.
scarcity of peas and demand on Scotch account, kept
the prices improving, but the sane causes oper-
ating on the article as on beans, and the declining
duties soon enabling speculators to enter their foreign
imports, has caused prices also to give way.

The alterations in the duties consist of an advance
of 3s. per qr. on barley; but a reduction of Is. 6d.
per qr. on Oats, Rye and Beans, and 3s. on Peas.

The latest advices from Canada intimate that the
general state of business was extremely languid
throughout the upper and lower Provinces, and the
transactions confined to wants circumscribed within
the narrowest limits. At Montreal the quantity of
flour received was very inconsiderable, compared
with the amount which had arrived at a similar period
of last year; holders were generally firm at 8§ dol-
lars, purchasers not offering more than 8 dollars ; a
quantity of foreign wheat of fair quality received
from Greenock had been withdrawn from auction at
6s. 6d, per 60 lbs. The banks were affording more
facility in their discounts.

The last papers received from H-ohart Town, afford
no fresh information respecting the harvest. Wheat
was still quoted at 5s. to 7s. per busiiel, and flour,
16s. to 18s. per 100 lbs.

At Sydney, New South Wales, at the close of
February, the harvest was advancing more favour-
ably than had been calculated upon ; wheat had not,
therefore, advanced, being still noted at 6s. 6d. to 7s.
per bushel ; flour, 16s. to 18s. per 100 lbs. Barley
had receded to 2s, 6d. and 3s. 6d. per bushel. Oats
to 3s. 6d. to 4s.

Letters from Kingston, Jamaica, in alluding to the
imports of flour during the current year ending May,
estimate the total amount at 28,000 barrels, of which
3,579 barrels had been re-shipped to Cuoa, Cartha-
gena, &c., besides 1,150 barrels received from Jersey
had been forwarded in the same vessel to the British
provinces, kaving a quantity nearly double of that
imported at a similar period last year ; besides having
had a heavy stock of old on hand at the beginning of
January ; owing, however, to the extreme drought
and consequent scarcity of inland provisions, a good
demand had been experienced for the article, which
had considerably relieved the stocks, so that they
were not calculated larger than at the beginning of
the year. Howard Street flour had obtained 86s. 8d ,
hut the last offers did not exceed 83s. 4d.; damaged
American sold at 73s.9d. to75s. lOd. Some German
flour which bad been oftering had been withdrawn at
55s. per barrel.

The weather throughout France continues ex-
tremely favourable for the rapid progress of the dif-
ferent crops ; wheat is coming fast into ear, and
holders are showing mare disposition to quit their
stocks, which causes a slight depression at most of
the principal marts of produce, except for the selected
sound yvheats, as much of the granaried corn is in-

fested with weevils ; at Paris the current rates for
red samples are, 37s. to 37s. 9d. ; and white, 39s. 6d.
to 40s. 6d. per qr. In some districts the hail storms
usually experienced during summer, ha ire proved
very destructive, and on the cold lands wheats are
represented thin. The warm weather had materially
affected the condition of the flour on band, and
severe losses would be sustained on the part of con-
signers, especially in the more southern ports ; at
Bordeaux the article was almost unsaleable, as well
as i-ii'erior qualities of wheat ; and some foreign
houses have made sala of consignments at a price
" which they do not like to declare." The appear-
ance of the fields in the neighbouring plains is most
luxuriant, but not so favourable in the hilly districts.
At Marseille, the trade was extremely languid, and
houses who had cargoes of native wheat on consign-
ment, had received lately orders to realize forthwith.
At Strasbourg and the whole district of the Rhine,
wheat bad considerably improved since the favour-
able change in the weather, and the fears of farmers
were gradually subsiding ; much however would
still depend on the weather during the blossoming of
the plant.

The Sardinivm government fearing the result of
the ensuing crop in Piedmont, and the existing
wants of the principality, had lowered the duties at
all tlie ports of the kingdom one-third, making no
distinction of flags. A demand has also been ex-
perienced in Lombardy, Romagna, and Tuscany,
from the same causes, and prices at all the Italian
ports have consequently materially advanced ; at
Leghorn wheat had risen 7s. Id. per qr. during a
fortnight. Rut tlie weather having set in more
favourable, and the crops latterly considerably im-
proved, with the anticipated arrival of large foreign
supplies, speculation had been checked, and prices
receding to their original level. In Sicily the crops
looked remarkably promising, and with fine weather
an abundant harvest was expected Beans had al-
ready arrived at maturity and yielded plentifully. A
large crop also of linseed was expected.

In Holland the fine seasonable weather had ma-
terially influenced the markets both at Amsterdam
and Rotterdam. The supplies of native wheat,
though short, were adequate to the demand, and the
arrivals from the Rhine had entirely ceased, owing
to the high prices the article was obtaining in the
neighbouring Germanic States; the same was the
case witli rye ; oats met less demand, and prices 6d.
to Is. lower than at the height of the demand for
English account. Brews of 42 to 43 lbs. remaining
at l7s. 4d. to 18s. 6d. ; Polands, 40 to 43 lbs., I5s,
6d. to 16s. ; feed of 32 to 37 lbs., 123. 6d. to 14s. 6d.
The reports were favourable of the rape plant, and
prices of seed on the decline ; fine Zealand being
obtainable at '251. to 261. per last. Though the crops
were decidedly backward, yet it was not thought
they had sustained any serious injury from the cold
weather during spring.

At Riga the wheat trade remained dull, but some
sales had been made of rye and oats. Russian oats,
the new qualitv of whicli are represented good, being
held at 10s. 5d. to 1 Is. per qr. ; Courish wheat at 26s.
4d. to 29s. 4d ; crushing linseed had been sold at 32s.
3d. to 323. 9d. At Konigsberg several orders have
been received for oats, and a specufetive demand
was experienced for the article, owing principally
to the unfavourable character of tlie weather for
sowing, much of the land being until a late period
unsown with spring corn in consequence of the
constant wet which prevented any progress in field
labour.

At Danzig ext«nsive orders have been received

74

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

from England as well as Hamburg, for the purchase
of wheat, and several thousand quarters have been
bought at prices varying as to quality from 26s. to
34s.; rye iirm at 16s. In oats and barley no trans-
actions reported, but peas bad sold at 'J Is. to 22s.
Though the accounts from this country continued to
intimate the dulness of the trade, yet little effect
had been created en prices ; owing in part to the
iinfavourable accounts received from the interior of
Poland, as to the state of the crops from the pro-
longed cold and vret of spring. From Warsaw it
was stated that rnin was being experienced every
day, and that more wet bad fallen during the pre-
vious four weeks t])an during th^^ last, and previous
summer together ; the consequence was, that spring
sowing bad been prevented, and great pai't of the
winter corn had been destroyed in the ground, and
farmers were only waiting for improved weather to
re-sow the land with summer grain ; the arrivals
up to the middle of June down the Vistula had
amounted to 210,000 qrs. of wheat. Oilseeds had
in many instances also perished in the ground. The
last accounts, however, from all parts of the continent
represent a favourable change in the weather, and
the crops rapidly improving. At Stettin wheat re-
mained at 26s. to 28s. ; oats held at 13s. for quality
weighing 361bs. At Rostock good samples of wheat
were not to be obtained under 27s. per qr. ; oats re-
maining at 14s. The demand for oats in Holstein
and the Danish islands had relaxed, and purchases
might have been effected 6d. per qr. lower ; Danish
island qualities of 37 to o81bs. were held at I3s. to
14s.

At Hamburgh, the receii^ts of wheat from the up-
per Elbe were moderate and the sales effected have
been at SOs. to 323. 6d. for upland quality, weighing
61 to 621bs. The fine weather had much improved
the crops, and the accounts from the upper portions
of the Elbe, were proving much more satisfactory.
Oats were offering on lower terms, with little de-
mand ; west coast of Holstein parcels of 36 to 37lbs.
were to be bought at 12s. to 12s. 3d. per qr. No
beans at market, and peas held at 25s. 6d. to 26s. 6d.
The suspension of cash payments in the United
States h?>s had the effect of communicating an
artificial stimulus to the value of all commodities, an
invariable sequence when pai)er succeeds a metallic
currency, and an improvement is gradually diffusing
itself over the American markets, and the disposition
shown by the general government to extend as far
as practicable, assistance to the mercantile commu-
nity in connection with the late order of the State
Legislature has dissipated in some degree the gloomy
apprehensions before so generally entertained, and
indulged the hope that the difficulties with which
the country has had to contend have reachetl now
their ultimate point, and that re-action will, with
certainty, though slowly, ensue. The mercantile in-
terests of America are now placed, £.s it were, on a
pedestal exposed to the scrutiny of all the trading
nations of the world, which will so judge of them as
they act honourably or otherwise ia the liquidation
of their debt, to the utmost of their capabilities ; but
we must add that the evidence is yet far from being
sufficiently completed to justify a verdict, either of
acquittal or condemnation. One thing', however,
is evident that up to the date of the latest accounts,
the merchants have received neither direct aid nor
indirect encouragement from their government to
act honestly to the I'oreign creditors. At New York,
red German wheat was firm at 1 dollar 50 to 55
cents, per bushel ; but flour, which had advanced at
first 1 dollar per barrel, had again rather receded.
Western Canal being quoted at 9 dollars 62J to 75

cents. At Fhiladelphia, all descriptions of Grain
were in fair demand ; wheat at 1 dollar 30 to 50
cents; flour 9 dollars. But purchasers showtd
little disposition to operate largely until affairs
became more settled, and greater confidence restored.
In some parts of Pennsylvania it is stated that from
the present luxuriant appearance of the fields a" full
crop " is confidently expected ; in others that neither
fruit nor grain had suffered, either from drought or
frost, and farmers appeared sanguine in their expec-
tations, and unless the future weather should prove
unpropitious, tlieir hopes of the harvest were likely
to be realized. At Baliimore though the imports had
been extensive, and nearly 32,000 qrs. of foreign
wheat on hand, yet the prises of the better descrip-
tions were fully supported, realizing 1 dollar 40 to
50. and fine, 60 cents per bushel, but holders were
keeping the later arrivals off' the market, anticipating
a considerable rallying of the prices, when it was
ascertained to what CKtent the ultimate failures were
lilcely to be experienced, and that then those articles
of produce which on the average had been selling
below either the cost of production, or their relative
value, were expected soon lo regain their full point
of remuneration ; but it ought not to be lost sight of
by the American merchants that the value of Grain
would be mainly affected by the appearance of the
crops ; and therefore, the speculation of holding
over ought to be guided with extreme caution and
judgment. At New Orleans, business was com-
pletely prostrate, and affairs were fast verging to a
point beyond which there was nothing worse to be ex-
pected. Holders of flour were more firm, on the
susposition that supplies would diminish.

In part corroboration of the views we have more
than once offered at the earlier periods of the ship-
ments being made to the United States, v,-e subjoin
some strictures on the speculations of European
merchants inserted in the Pennsylvanian papers.
Referring to the supplies at Philadelphia, it is stated
that 20 vessels had arrived the previous Thursday,
from foreign ports, with 200,000 bushels of wheat
and rye, from Poland, Germany, Elbe, Weser,
Holland, England, and Black Sea, &c. " It will,"
the writer states, " be now sacrificed, though it
would have yielded a profit some months since."
Again " Nothing more clearly points out the neces-
sity of a thorough alteration in mercantile men, than
the necessity of their being acquainted with the extent,
fertility, resources, and population of every part of
the world. For who but the most ignorant, would from
marking all the circumstances in respect to our
country, and the events of the past year as to climate,
seasons, &c. have ever had the follv to imagine for a
moment, that we were threatened with a famine !
It is such rash speculations that bring ruin on our
merchants. "

From the neighbourhood of Rochester, United
States, it is stated, that the recent rains had had a
wonderful effect in the improvement of the crops ;
but that much of the plant having been killed in
exposed districts duiing the Winter, the crop will
be proportionately diminished ; in other States, the
prospects of the forthcoming crops are represented
latterly, materially to have improved.

CURRENCY PER IKIPERIAL KIEASURS.
BRITISH. JuNBl. JuLYl.

n S. S. S. 8,

Wlieat, red, Essex, Ki lit, Suffolk 50 to 56 50to.56

White 52 62 52 62

Norfolk, Liiicolnsliire and Yoikshire. .. 40 54 40 54

White, do. do 46 58 46 58

Irish Red — — _ _

Ditto White — — — —

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

75

BRITISH. JuNEl.

t. 8.

Barley, Maltinjr, new 27 30

Chevalier, new 29 33

Distilling 26 30

Grinding 25 28

Irish 24 27

Malt, Brown 38 46

Ditlo, Chevalier 68 60

Ditto, Norfolk and Suffolk Pale 54 57

Ditto Ware 55 58

Peas, Hog and Grey 36 38

Mnple 35 40

White Boilers 38 42

Beans, small 40 45

Harrow 38 45

Tiks 36 42

Mazaeian 36 44

Oats, Enolish feed 25 28

Short small 27 32

Polan.1 27 32

Scotch, Common 24 30

«erwick,&c 57 32

Potatop. &c 27 33

Irish. Feed 23 24

Ditto Potatoe 24 27

Ditto Black 23 25

July 1.

27

30

29

32

26

29

25

28

24

27

38

44

58

60

54

57

55

SS

36

38

35

39

38

41

40

45

36

42

34

41

.•14

40

24

27

27

32

28

32

25

28

26

30

27

32

19

22

23

26

20

24

PRICES OF FLOUR,

Per Sack of 280 lbs, JukeI. JulvI.

!. S. C. tt.

Town-made 48 to 50 48 to 50

Norfolk, Suffolk, K'nt, and Essex .... 40 42 41 43

Sussex and Hampshire 39 41 40 42

Superfine 41 — 43 —

Lincolnshire, Y rkshiie, and St'cktoii. 38 40 40 42

Northumberland. Berwick, and Scotch. 38 49 40 42

Irish 40 42 41 43

Extra 43 — 44 —

STOCK OF GRAIN, FLOUR AND CLOVER-
SEED IN BOND IN THE PORT OF LON-
DON ON THE 5th JUNE.

Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans. Pea.'. Flo«r. Clovcrsd
qrs. qrs. qrs. qrs. qrs. cwts. cwts,

225,631 7,487 70,453 2,836 7,415 35,275 26,044
Rye, 9S7 qrs

An Account of the quantity of Foreign Grain and Flour
importefl into the United Kingdom during' the month
ending the 5th June 1837 ; the Quantity on which
the Duty has been paid for Home Consumption, and
the quantity remaining in Warehouse.

Foreign Grain and
Flour.

Quantity
imported.

Wheat from British

Possessions

Ditto Foreign

Barley

Oats.;

Rye

Beans

Peas : ...

Flour from British

Piis=essioi\s

Ditto Foreign

qrs. bush,

49155
8190

12181
2308
4351
7165

cwts, qrs. lbs

4763
41253

3 10
2 26

Quantity en-

tored for
consumption

qrs. bush.

1675

526

147

67

385

1547

cwts.qrs.lbs.

4326 0 9
6 0 1

Quantify in
VVarehouse.

qrs. bush.

23499 1

502715 3

29683 2

248421 7

4344 3

18428 5

25301 2

cwts.qrs.lbs,

6236 2 5
I5S560 2 16

PRICES OF SEEDS.

June 26.
The Cloverseed trade remains quite inactive, holders
are not inclined to accept lower rates, and speculators
show little inclination to advance on their previous
offers. During the week no arrivals of foreign seed
have been reported, and only 352 cwts. have paid duty.
At Rotterdam a speculative inquiry exists for white
seed, at 39s., but holders are not disposed to accept
these terms. Trefoil unaltered in value. Linseed meets
with little atteution, and may be bought on lower terms.

Rapeseed remains quite nominal. In Coriander and
Caraway nothing transpiring. Canary extremely dull,
and only old good parcels at all saleable, at former
prices. White Mustard as well as brown supports pre-
vious quotations. Tares nominal. Linseed Cakes still
meet inquiry for feeding ; but in Rape nothing doing.

REVIEW OF THE HOP TRADE.

June 26, 1837.

The demand for hops Las increased during the
last ten days ; this is occasioned by some little spe-
culation for an advance in prices, in consequence of
the fly having shown itself on the plant in tlie various
districts. The advance in prices has not exceded 10
per cent, up to the present time ; but as the accounts
grow worse daily from the different plantations, it is
likely the market will become very active before the
middle of next month.

'J'he plant is reported as very growing at present,
with a great deal of vermin, both fly and lice. The
bine is full of sap, which tends to encourage the in-
sect. At present no correct opinion can be formed
as to the probable result, as the weather must decide
whether the bine or the vermin will get the ascend-
ancy, so uncertain is the growth of hops. The duty
is now quoted from 140 to 150 m. on the market.

It is a common saying in Kent and Sussex, that s
very small (juantity of fly, when they come about the
middle of June, will destroy the crop of hops. It
may be so ; the reason stated is probable. The wea-
ther, generally at this particular time, is congenial,
and the bine gets full of sap ; in consequence, the
insects increase with wonderful rapidity. At the
same time it is admitted, that intense hot sunny days
will sometimes destroy the insect. Thus we come
to this conclusion — all depends on the weather. The
fly has come ; there may be hops — there may be
none.

PRESENT PRICES.

j£ I. jE s j£ s.

East Kent, Pockets, 4 4 good 4 10 fine 6 6

liass 4 0 4 10 5 15

MidKent Pockets 3 15 4 10 6 6

Bags 3 10 4 4 5 5

Weald of Kent Packets 3 10 3 18 4 15

Sussex Pocket? 3 10 3 15 4 10

Yeailin^'s 2 12 3 3 3 15

Old 110 2 2 2 10

Oldolds 0 18 II 110

POTATOE MARKET.

SouTHWARK. — Waterside, June 26th. — The ar.
rivals of Potatoes continue moderate, not having ex-
ceeded the past week, 455 tons ; of which 161 tons were
from Devon, 50 do. from Vorkshire, 196 do. from Scot-
land, and 42 from Jersey and Guernsey. Owing to the
warm weather,and the influx of green vegetables into the
different markets, in addition to the maintenance of the
prevailing range of prices for Potatoes, the supplies
though limited, were fully equivalent to the demand.
The accounts throughout England concur in represent-
ing the ajipearances of the shaws as flourishing and
luxuriant and promise well for an abundant crop. From
Scotland the same satisfactory reports are received,
and scarcely a w»ss complained of. In Ireland the plant
is stated to be strong and healthy, and less misses than
have been known for the two or three last seatons.

Per ton of 40 bushels.

Norfolk Whites — s — s

Lynn Kidneys .... — s — s

Suffolk Whites — s — s

Kent Kidneys — s — »

Irish Applis — s — s

Jersey&GutTB. blues — s I30s

Do. whites — s — S

Yorksliire reds.. I30.s to 140s

Do. Kidneys — s — s

Do. Shaws, tor seed — » — s
Devonshire vens. , . — s 140s

Scotch reds 110s 130s

Do. iMinion Cups...— s — s

Wisbc-ach — s — s

Chati ..... 55ii 70s.

76

THE I'ARMEK'S MAGAZTNl

^VOOIi MARKETS.

BRITISH.

June 1. July 1.

Per lb. s, d. s. d. t. d. i. d.

Do\vnTefi;s 1 6 to 1 7 0 11 to 1 0

Half-bred do \ 7 1 7i 10 11

Ewes and W ethers 12 18 0 9 0 10

Leicester Hogs 1 4 1 5^ 10 0 0

Do. Wethers 1112 0 8 0 9

BlaiiVet Wool 0 6 0 11 0 4 0 8

Flannel Oil 13 0 9 11

Skill Comljing Oil 12 0 10 Oil

EXETER. — Here all is still gloom, and a further and
g'eneral depreciation in price has taken place. To dwell
on adverse circumstances like these is painful, since from
the stagnation prevailing, great loss to manufacturers,
and, among the labouring classes, individual distress
must arise. We have, hovvever, now, to quote yolk
wool at 7d. per lb. Washed wool is Qjd. to lOd. ; and
Dorset horn, lid. per lb. In surts, even at the reduc-
tions, but little is doing, and we have to quote Kent
head, at 9d.; r^d, g'reen, and pinions, 9§d. to lOd.
per lb. Fell combing, 9d. ; fine head, lOd. to 1 Id. ;
stripes, both North Devon and Cornish, lid. to 12d,;
and tops, 14d. to 14^d. per lb.

WAKEFIELD, June 23.— We have had more in-
quiry and a greater extent of business done in combing
■wool this week than for many months past, and though
we cannoc note any improvement in prices, yet there is
evidently a better feeling and more confidence in the
market than has existed since the present panic com-
menced. All short wools still remain very dull, and
the prices in them merely nominal.

YORK, June 22. — This market was very well at-
tended by buyers, but there was only a small show of
Wool ; yet more than was disposed of by several lots,
owing apparently to th* very great reluctance with
which the sellers submit to the prices offered. Though
there is no material change in the price, the aspect of
the market is very heavy. Ths following are the prin-
cipal prices of the day : — For very superior Cheviot
Hog 13d.; good bred Hog lid. to 12d.; halfHog9§d.
to 104d. ; Ewes 8id. to 9d. per lb.

DON CASTER, June 17.— There was only a very
small supply of Wool, and the prices offered were such
as induced holders to keep their stocks on hand at pre-
sent. For the small quantity sold the prices for Hog
did not reach Is. per pound ; Hog and Ewe 9^d. to
lOd. ; Ewe8*d.

RISE IN THE PRICE OF WOOL.— The annual
Wool Fair of Mullacrew, County Louth, was held on
Saturday, the 17th inst., where the supply (usually 200
bags) did not exceed 30. The price opened at 14s.,
but quickly advanced to 16s. 6d., which was freely
given for any that would be parted with. This price
was refused by some growers, who evinced a general
disposition to hold over. The Northern buyers were
very numerous, and many had to return without getting
any. — Newry Telegraph.

LIVERPOOL.

Week ending Junk 26.

Scotch Wool. — We are still without any demand
for laid Highland wool, and in the absence of demand,
we continue the quotations as formerly, but we expect
when a price is made, that it will be many shillings be-
low the present nominal one. The same remarks will
apply to white Highland cross, and all kinds of cheviot
wool.

perstone of 24Ibs. p. d. s. d.

fiuid Highland Wool.frem .. ]] 6 to 12 0

Wlilte do. do IS 0 15 6

Laid Crossed do 14 o 15 0

Washed do. do 15 0 16 0

Laid Cheviot, do 17 6 18 0

>Vasheddo. do 22 0 24 0

White do. do 28 0 30 0

Fmpoit for the week 59 bags.

Previously this year ...... 3070 do.

The trade this week has been rather better than the
last ; there have been some enquiries, but the business
transacted is very trifling ; yet there is a much better
feeling and more of an inclination to purchase, though
the prices still continue very low. The prices, it will be
perceived by the standard, are reduced. There are to
be sold on the 6th July, 1 ,700 bags of New South
Wales wool. The Thomas Harrison has arrived since
our last from Sidney, and Hobart Town, with 500 bags,
and the Gulnare to-day.

Current prices of English Wools, per lb. — Down
ewes and wethers, 12d. to \2\A. ; down tegs, 13d. to 14d. ;
combing fleece, 12d.to 13d. ; combing skin, lid. to 13d;
super skin, lid. to 13d. ; head skin, lOd. to lid.

(Jurrcnt prices of Irish Wool, per lb. — Irish fleece,
mixedlots, lid. to 12d. ; Irish wethers, lO^d. to lUd.;
Irish hogs, ll§d. to 12|d.; Irish combing skin, lid. to
12d.; Irish short skin, 9d. to lid. Imports this week,
5 bags ; previously this year, 1,478 bags.

Current prices of Foreign Wool, per lb.— Russia
wool, 6d. to 7d.; Odessa fine, Is.Od. to Is. 9d. ; Buenos
Ayres,35d.to 4d. ; lAIogadore and Barbary,3d. to 4d. ;
washed Peruvian, 8Jd. to 95d. ; unwashed ditto, 6d. to
7d. ; Portugal R., lOd. to 12d. ; ditto, low marks, S^d.
to 9d.; German fleeces, Is. 2d. to Is. 4d. ; ditto as-
sorted. Is. -Sd. to Is 8d. ; ditto lamlos, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ;
Spanish R, ls.5d. to Is. 9d. ; ditto F. S., Is. 3d. to Is.
lOd. : New South Wales, Is. Od. to Is. 9d. Imports
this week, 4351 bales; previously t!-.is year,20,.551 bales.

SCOTCH.

Per Stone of 24 lbs. June 1. July 1.

s. d. s. d. s. d, s d.

Laid Highland Wool, from. 11 6 to 12 0 11 6tol2 0

White Do. Do 15 0 15 6 15 0 15 6

Laid Crossed Do .. 14 0 15 0 14 0 15 0

Washed Do. Do 15 0 16 0 15 0 16 0

Lai.l Cheviots 17 0 18 0 17 6 18 0

Washed Do 22 0 24 0 22 0 24 0

White Do 28 0 30 0 28 0 30 0

FOREIGN.

June 26.

The sale for Foreign Wool is exceedingly dull, and
the prices are barely supported. The past week's ar-
rivals, have been composed, of 425 bales of Colonial ;
502 do. of Spanish ; 400 do. of East Indian ; 220 do.
of German ; and 80 do. of Italian Wools. No further
public sales are expected to take place, for some time,
owing to the heavy state of the trade.

Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s. to 5s. 4d. ; first
Austrian, Bohemian, and other German wools, 2s. 8d.to
3s. 8d.; second do., 2s. to 2s. 6d. ; inferior do. in locks
and pieces, Is. 8d. to 2s.; German lamb's do., 2s.
2d, to 3s, ; Hungarian sheep's do., 2s. to 3s. ; Leouesa
sheep's do., 2s. 4d. to 3s. ; Segovia do., 2s. to 2s. 8d. ;
Soria do., 2s. to 3s. ; Caceres do., 2s. 4d. to 3s. ;
Spanish lamb's do.. Is. 6d. to 2s. 8d. ; German and
Spanish cross do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 2d. ; Portugal sheep's
do., 2s. to- 2s. 8d. ; do. lamb's do.. Is. 8d. to 2s. 4d.;
Australian, fice crossed do., 2s. 6d. to 3s. 2d. ; do.
native sheep's do., Is. 4d. to 2s. 6d. ; Van Diemen's
Land, native sheep's do., Is, 6d. to 2s. 6d.; and Cape
of Good Hope do., Is. 6d. to 3s. per lb.

Wool on which the Home Consumption Duties have
been paid at London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Hull,
during the last week :—

WOOL.

Sli?cp, Spanish lb.

Brii'ol , lb.

Australian lb.

Other Sorts lb,

IJu'J lb.

This Year,

Samp time

previous to

in the

last week.

last Year.

682614

1037391

114110

1551661

1218815

5476340

8886355

2679806

7218006

Piinted by Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand,
London.

i-^

AUGUST, 1837.

No. 2.]

[Vol. VII.

THE PLATE.

The subject of the Plate is a Leicester Rain, three years old, bred by and the pro-
perty of Mr. Thomas liiskip, of Marstoii, Jiear Ampthill, Beds. This animal, which
is universally admired as a perfect specimen of the Leicester breed, was got by a ram,
called No. 20, belonging to Mr. George Inskip ; a prize of ten sovereigns was awarded
to his owner at the meeting of the Bedfordshire Agricultural Society in October last,
as " the best pure bred Leicester ram." This ram is entered, upon a challenge of Lord
Spencer's, for a sweepstakes of five sovereigns, open to all England, and to be decided
at Chapel Brampton, on the 13th September next.

THE PRACTICE OF PARING AND
BURNING EXPLAINED ON NEW
SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES.

Bv James Rknnie, A.M.

Professor of Zoology, Kinrfs College, London.

lJ[>on the basis of the six preliminary facts, ex-
plained in a former number with vefevence to
fallowing, I am disposed to look upon paving and
burning, as well as heath burning, in the light of
an instantaneous fallow ; a similar eflect upon the
excvementitious matter contained in the soil being
rapidly produced by fire to that slowly ])rodaced
by exposure to the sun's light in the process of
fallowing; there are besides as in the case offal-
lowing, other secondary and subordinate eftects
(though hitherto considered the principal) that
will come to be noticed as we proceed.

the practice of jjaring and burningappears to be
as ancient as that of fallowing; and Virgil, who
mentions it, is moreover not far from the truth in
one of his explanations of its effects.

Oft, too, it has been gainful found to burn
The barren fields with stubble's crackling- flames.
Whether from thence tliey secret strength receive,
And richer nutriment ; or by the fire
All latent mischief and redundant juice
Oozing sweats off; or whether the same heat
Opens the hidden jiores, that new supplies
Of moisture may refresh the recent blades ;
' Or hardens more, and with astringent force
Closes the gaping veins ; lest drizzling showers
Sliould soak too deep, or the sun's parching I'ays,
Or Boreas' piercing cold, should dry the glebe.
I'rapp's Virg. Georg. i. \'2b.

It has probably been more or less practised from
the times of the ancients, though it does not seem

to have been a prominent process during very
early times in England, if I may judge from the
following notice of it by Switzer, in his " Com-
pendious Method," 8vo., 1729, now before me.
" The last account of improvements I shall give
(and which is, I think, the greatest and easiest to
be come at) , is an improvement made by the
burning of clay ; the first experiment of which
was made, as I am told, by the present Right
Honourable Earl of Halifax, and is much practised
in Sussex." This, however, appears to be a little
different from what is usually understood by par-
ing and burning, which consists in paring off the
surface of land, or the grassy turf thereof, with an
implement termed a breast-plough, to the depth
of one or more inches, and in burning what is
thus pared off by means of brushwood, peat, or
other combustilde materials, when the pai-ed off
materials are not combustible enough to burn
without addition.

Mr. Minchin, of Hazleton, Gloucestershire, says
it has been but a few years practised in any part
of the kingdom, and was but little known till
within the last sixty years in his vicinity, where,
on the Cotswolds and the adjoining parts of Ox-
fordshire, it is so extensively, and, upon some
lands, so uniformly adopted, that it has become a
striking feature in the rural economy of the dis-
trict.

Efpects of Paring and Burning. — It has al-
ready been hinted that the eftects of paring and
burning, so far as I understand them, are prima-
rily very similar to those of fallowing ; that is, the
excrementitious matter thrown into the soil by
previous crops, such as grass on old pasture, is,
by the operation of fire decomposed and exhaled
into the air. The soil, which is thus freed from
a portion of its noxious constituents, will of course
be rendered more fertile than it could be by any

78

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

other known process, not even excepting fallowing
and manuring.

But besides the rapid decomposition and exha-
lation of the excrementitious materials in the soil,
the burning will effect other important changes,
though, as I shall try to shew, these are, with res-
pect to fertilizing, only secondary and inferior in
value to the main operation of purifying the soil
of what is chemically noxious. The chief of these
beneficial, though secondary effects, is, that the
fresh or but partly decomposed roots, stems, and
leaves of grass, or other herbage, are, by means
of fire, charred, or, as a chemist would say, car-
bonized ; and it is well known that carbon is, to-
gether with humin, the principal constituent of
the food of plants. This carbon in the form of
ashes is, after the burning, spread over the pared
soil by way of manure, and is imagined by most
writers to be the only advantage of the process —
an opinion which I myself entertained not many
■weeks ago, before I turned ray thoughts to what
I now consider to be a much higher result.

I have elsewhere (Field Nat. Mag. i. 49,) men-
tioned, that, on passing through the Black Forest
in Germany in autumn, 1832, I was particularly
struck with the effect of paring and burning the
soil. The steep and almost perpendicular decli-
vities were there in their apparently natural state
covered with stunted brushwood, chiefly birch and
hazel, starved Scotch firs, and tufts of the coarser
grasses; and no English farmer, T think, would
have dreamed of trying to rear a crop of corn on
such a place. The industrious foresters, however,
undeterred by what might appear, under the most
favourable circumstances, an indifferent prospect,
carefully grub up the brushwood, pare off the
scanty sward of grass, and piling them up in small
heaps, burn the whole to ashes. These are scat-
tered over the pared surface, and dug or rather
scratched in with a sort of pronged hoc, or a nar-
row spade. In some instances a slight dressing of
dung is added, though this is not universal; but
after all these operations, the soil seems to be
little more than a mass of half-broken and half-
powdered slates. I was therefore not a little sur-
prised to observe crops of oats growing there —
not very good certainly, but tolerable enough to
repay the farmer's trouble. Had I then known the
principles now advocated, I should have felt no
surprise whatever at such a result ; for the decli-
vities having been for ages under brushwood and
coarse grass, the whole soil, from its particular
shallowness, must have been quite saturated with
excrementitious matter, and this having been in a
large proportion expelled by burning, while an-
other smaller portion would become decomposed
in consequence of the pared surface being exposed
to the warm autumnal sun, the whole must be
very considerably purified, and rendered fit, be-
yond what the inexperienced might believe, for
sustaining a light crop of corn.

That it is not the ashes alone, produced by the
burning, which cause the additional fertility, is
proved by circumstances which every reader may
remark. It is no uncommon thing in Scotland to
make a fire by a burji-side for the convenience of
heating water to wash with, and what I wish to
call attention to is, that after some weeks, or even
a whole year elapse?, these burn-side fire-places
shew very luxuriant grass, not in the spot so much
where the ashes have been spread, as on the out-
skirts thereof, where the heat has decomposed
and expelled the excrementitious matter of the

in the green lanes about London, where the gypsies
make their fires ; and in the forests of Jura, in
Switzerland, I was still more struck with the lux-
uriant herbage around the places where charcoal
is manufactured, extending as far as the heat of the
fire seemed to have penetrated. That it was not
the accidental scattering of the ashes to which this
very stiikingluxuriance was attributable, appeared
most clearly from the effects being uniform to a
certain distance from the central fire-i>lace, the
deeper green and the taller grass gradually shad-
ing off as this distance increased into the bare
brown sward, if sward it might be called, of the
forest; whereas, had the luxuriance been caused
by the accidental scattering of ashes, it would
have been patchy, irregular, and interrupted.

I will not deny that the luxuriance may in part
have been caused by the evolution by means of
the heat of a great pro])ortion of humin, carbonic
aid gas, or other constituents of plant food con-
tained in the soil, and this indeed was the opinion
I first formed ; but when the fact is taken into
consideration, that no supply of such constituents
will produce the same effects as fire is observed to
do, I hold this to be strong proof of the positions
for which I am contending. Were the efliect, in-
deed, to be ascribed to liumin, we should find a
similar deep green and luxuriant herbage around
dunghills and compost heaps, from the drainings
of liquid manure soaking into the soil. I need nut
tell the observant reader, however, that the her-
bage here is almost uniformly rank and dropsical,
and as unlike the vigorous and healthy grass of
the burn-side fire-places, the gypsy sjjots in the
lanes, and the forest charcoal circles in Switzer-
land, as the bloated corpus of an ale-swilling pub-
lican is like the sturdy thews and sinews of a Lo-
thian ploughman, or the fresh complexion of a
Cheviot shepherd. Even the patches of tall grass
in pastures, caused by cattle droppings, are too
rank to be much relished by cows or horses. This
explanation, then, of the effects of paring and
burning having been so strongly corroborated by
such well-known facts, it will be but right to ad-
vert briefly to the theories, or rather the fancies,
of others, for they do not, as we shall see, account
for many of the circumstances above pointed out.
Previous Theories of Paring and Burning.
— It is not a little singular, that the old popular
notion on the effects of paring and burning is
much nearer what I consider to be the true theory,
than the one which has been promulgated by sci-
entific writers. Dr. Home, in his " Principles of
Agriculture," tells us that " farmers think it acts
by dispelling a sour juice which land has contract-
ed from lying long untilled ;" and they accordingly
recommend it for such lands, while they all agree
that it injures rich land. In this, of course, they
are quite right.

Dr. Home, however, was not content with this
popular notion of a " sour juice," though, had he
investigated the matter, he might possibly have
been led to the great discoveries of Brugmans, De
Candolle, and Macaire. Instead of this, he says,
"1 imagine that the benefit arising from it is owing
to the alkaline salt (potass) arising from burning
the roots of vegetables ;" and this, in fact, is the
basis of most of the theories which have been
proposed .

The objection made to this by the Earl of Dun-
donald is, it appears to me, fatal to the whole
doctrine. "The proportion," says his Lordship,
'of alkaline or other salts, produced by paring

soil. The same thing precisely may be observed and burning, is so very small, that were the be-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE

79

nefits immediately resiiliiiig from paring ami burn-
ing to be ascribed solely to these salt^^, the pur-
chase of them at the market price might perhaps
be more economical."

Dr. Darwin, without taking any notice of Dr.
Home or Lord Dundonald's notions, refers the
effect to the supposed production of what he terms
nitrous acid, observable in form of a calcareous
nitre, as of efflorescence on mouldering brick
walls. "As these soft efflorescent bricks," he
says, " from old houses, are known powerfully to
promote vegetation, when pulverized and mixed
with the soil, at the same time that tliey are ca-
pable of producing nitric acid, I ima^/me that the
use of paring- and burning the turf of some newly
enclosed commons depends on this circumstance;
that is, that the heat emitted from the burning
vegetable fibres unites oxygen with the clay, whicli
forms more than lialf the slices of turf as they are
dug fro.n the ground. In other respects, tlie par-
ing and burning of grass grounds would certainly
be a wasteful procedure." All this being fanciful,
it is well introduced, as we have seen Dr. Flome's
theory was, by the phrase, " I imagine."

The effects of paring and burning, as explained
by Sir Humphrey Davy, are more conformable to
fact than many of his other agricultural theories,
and are only deficient, as the most of such theories
are, in being confined to subordinate and secon-
dary matters.

"Many obscure causes," says Sir Humphrey,
" have been referred to for the purpose of ex-
plaining the effects of paring and burning; but I
believe that thej' may be referred entirely to the
diminution of the coherence and tenacity of clays,
and to the destruction of inert and useless vege-
table matter, and its con^'ersioa into manure."
" When claj'- or tenacious matters are burnt, the
effect is of the same kind ; they are brought nearer
to a state analogous to that of sands.

" In the manufacture of bricks, the general prin-
ciple is well illustrated; if a piece of dry brick
earth be applied to the tongue, it will adhere to it
very strongly, in consequence of its power to ab-
sorb water ; but after it has been burnt, there will
scarcely be a sensible adhesion.

*' The process of burning renders the soil less
compact, less tenacious, and retentive of moisture;
and, when properly applied, may convert a matter
that was stiff, damp, and, in consequence, cold,
into one powdery, dry, and warm, and much more
proper as a bed for vegetable life.

"The great objections made by speculative che-
mists to paring and burning is, that it destroys
vegetable and animal matter, or the manure of the
soil ; but in cases in which the texture of its earthy
ingredient is permanently imjn-oved, there is more
than a compensation for this temporary disad-
vantage; and in some soils, where there is an ex-
cess of inert vegetable matter, the destruction of
it must be beneficial, and the carbonaceous matter
remaining in the ashes may be more useful to the
crop than the \egetable fibre from which it was
])rodnced.

"All soils that contain too much dead vegetable
fibre, and which consequently lose from one third
to one-half of their weiglit by incineration, and
all snch as contain their earthy constituents in an
impalpable state of division, /. e. the stiff clays and
marls, are improved l)y burning; but in coarse
sands, or rich soils containing a just mixture of
the earths, and in all. cases in which the texture is
already sufficiently loose, or the organizable mat-

ter sufficiently soluble, the process of torrefaction
cannot be useful.

" All poor siliceous sands must be injured by it,'
and practice is found to accord with theory. Mr,
Young, in his essay on manure, states, ' that he
found burning injure sand ;' and the operation is
never performed by good agriculturists'upon sili-
ceous sandy soils, after they have been once
brought into cultivation."

Mr. IVlinchin is not disposed to admit Sir H,
Davy's objection to paring and burning on light
lands, till it has been experimentally proved, as
all theories which bear upon practical subjects
should be. What could be the motive of some
proprietors in his vicinity for prohibiting paring
and burning, I cannot conceive, unless it were
some fanciful theory. The process was also dis-
countenanced, if not prohibited, by the govern-
ment in Ireland ; whereas, it appears to me, it
would be the most important measure that could
be adopted in that country, for purifying the soil
now so overloaded with potato excretions that ex-
tensive failures in the crop are not uncommon.

Mr. Hayward, a shrewd and intelligent writer,
says, "it is evident that the most important and
permanent effects of fire consist in imparting cal-
careous quality to the earth ;" a thing which, if he
had considered for a moment, he must have seen
to be utterly impossible rather than " evident."
His practical testimony to the effect of the process,
however, is of more importance than the most
ingenious theory. "I once saw," he says, "a
very large field, of a stiff foxy clay, laid down to
turnips, one-half had been reduced by burning,
and the other not : the part that was burnt was
clothed with as fine a crop of roots as could be
wished for ; whilst, on the other, the seed, altho'_:gh.
the same in both cases, and sown at the same
time, appeared to have failed, there being only a
few thin patches of plants. And the cause was
obvious. The surface of the unburnt clay was
closed, and rendered impervious, immediately-
after sowing, by rain ; but the calcination of the
soil in the other kept it open, and made it acces-
sible to the air, which is positively necessary for
the germination of seeds."

The Con-acre Systiim. — Before I came to Ire-
hind, I had heard continually of what is called the
con-acre system. I did not understand it, and en-
quired its meaning particularly, — amelancboly mean-
ing it has for the poor Irish. The con-acre, or corn-
acre system then, is this : — a poor man wishes to rear
his own crop of potatoes or grain ; but without capit-al
be cannot till or manure the ground. He <;oes,
therefore, to a richer neighbour, a farmer or a land-
agent. This larger ])roprietor manures, ploughs,
and prepares some land to receive a crop, no matter
whether he be himself the owner of it or only the
original tenant. The poor man then agrees to take a
portion of this prepared land, perhaps a half, a quar-
ter, or perhaps only an eighth of an acre lor one sea-
son only ; all then that the sub-tenant have to jirovide
is the seed that is to be put into the ground. A hioJi
rent is generally fixed, such indeed as cannot be
paid Init in good seasons, perhaps as much as ten or
twelve pounds per acre, and higher too. If the crop
seems not likely to reward the labourer after he Las
l)nid the rent, he throws it up, and the landlord takes
what he can out of the crop. Thus the land comes to
be subdivided, and the poor racked to the utmost to
pay what is often no more than a bare subsistence. — •
The Iriah Tourist.

G 2

80

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

POOR LAW AMENDMENT ACT.

THE REV. THOMAS SOCKETT, RECTOR OF PET\^ORTH,
CALLED IN AND EXAMINED.

T!)e following are extracts from the evidence
given before the committee by witnesses called bv
Mr. Walter :—

Chairman. Have you observed the manuer in
which thenevv poor law act has been administered in
the t.nion ? — Yes.

What is your general impression upon that sub-
ject?— My general impression is, that in the way in
which it has been administered in the Pet worth
Union, it has been very injurious to the deserving
labouring man with a large family ; but that with
respect to the old people, it having been, I must
say, mercifully administered in Petworth, it has not
been injurious. I think the aged and infirm are as
wtll off as they were before the new poor law came
into operation. With respect to the young un-
married and able-bodied people, I think it has pro-
duced in some instances providence ; that they are
become more frugal and saving than they used to be.
But, with respect to the labouring man with a wife
and a large family, even mercifullv as it has been
administered in the Petworth Union, it has produced
a great deal of misei'v.

In what respect do you think it has produced a
great deal of misery '. — A labouring man at the pre-
sent wages, the out-door relief being taken off, can-
not keep his family in any thing beyond bread ; in
many instances he has been obliged to cease to keep
his pig, which is a great support to a labourer, and
in Tew instances can he at all pay rent. If it is
agreeable to the committee, I can state a few in-
stances of very excellent labouring men ; those who
are spoken of by the poor law commissioners, or
whom we are taught to expect are tobe independent
labourers. I can state instances of the earnings of
those men, and I can show that it is impossible that
those men can with those earnings keep their families.

I have selected the cases of known good men ; men
who never go to the ale-house or beer-shop ; men
whom I have known from thisir boyhood, who were
boys wiih myself; men vv'hose habits I know, into
whose cottages I frequently vs alk, and at the side of
whose fire I often sit. I should beg leave to observe
to the committee that I never have gone into a cottage
and put a leadiug question ; Inever have said to the
"woman of the cottage, " Dame so-and-so, are you
not sadly oppressed by this new poor law ?" I have
not gone about to create dissatisfaction, but I have
simply gone in and said, " Well, how do you go on ;
do you make out pretty well?" and that sort of
thing ; and " How is your wife and your children V
Then they tell me of their grievances, little or big,
as they h;ive done these last 20 years back. I live

II pon those terms with my cottagers.

Mr. Walter. You stated that you considered the
poor law act has a tendency to lower wages ; is there
any improvement in the situation of a single-bodied
labourer, a man perfectly willing to work, now, over
what it was before 1 — I do not think there is an im-
provement in his situation ; I do think there is an
improvement in the conduct of many of them, and
that they are more provident.

Upon the whole, do you consider that there has
been a reduction of the poor-rate, but a great addi-
tional misery to the poor"!— I say decidedly, to
a labouring man with a lai ge family ; that is the
ground I take most decidedly ; I have thought
over my parish very carefully, and I have thought

over the case of a number of labouring men whom I
know, and I cannot think of one who is benefited,
and I can think of many who are injured. I speak
of a labouring man with a large family ; I confine
myself to that.

Mr. D. W. Harvey. Is it the result of your in-
quiry and observation, that the effect of the new poor
law act is to give to the able-bodied labourer less
wages, upon the whole, tlian he received previous to
its passing .' — Less means of subsistence, decidedly.

Mr. Poui.ETT ScROi'E. You have stated as the
principal ground of complaint against the new poor
law, that it affects the able-bodied labourer with a
large family, by depriving him of the assistance
vv'hich he obtained from the poor-rate in addition to
his wages ; iiave vou ever observed any evils to re-
sult from that system of making up wages out of the
poor-rate '! — I have.

But you think those evils v/ere over-balanced
by the good that resulted from it ? — No, I doubt
that.

Will you state what the evils were? — That it pro-
duced improvidence and neglect on the part of the
poor. I am not adverse to the new poor law. If I
had had the honour of being a member of either
House of Parliament, I should have voted for it,
but I do strongljr object to some of the modes of
working it; that is the long and short of my own
opinion.

Sir James Graham. Will you point out your ob-
jection to the principal modes of working of which
you complain? — My objection is confined to the ex-
treme oppression that takes place upon the deserving
labouring man with a large family, and also to the
system of medical relief ; those are my two objec-
tions ; those are the things that I should be delight-
ed to see altered ; but as to wishing that the
law should be repealed, I have no such feeling or
wish.

Mr. PouLETT ScROPE. Do you mean that you
would restore the system of making up wages to
labourers in full employment out of the poor-rate ? —
No.

Then how do you complain of the injury that has
resulted to labourers from putting a stop to that
practice, if it was desirable to abolish it ? — Because
it was dole so abruptly ; because that was attempted
to be done in two years which ought to have taken
ten.

Are you still of opinion that, ultimately, the
practice ought to have been abolished? — I think so :
but it should have taken a good many years to have
done it.

You stated that you saw man}' evils in that system
of making up wages; will you state what those evils
were ? — All the evils that the warmest advocates for
the new poor law pointed out, I saw myself, and I
saw the necessity of an alteration ; but I objected to
so abrupt an alteration.

Did you ever co.isider the means of putting a
stop to that system gradually ? How would you
have done it, if you had been an assistant commis-
sioner ? — -I should have taken the out- door relief off
by degrees, and according to circumstances. During
the deep snow of last winter, I should have given
some out-door relief to my parishioners, if I had had
the power. I did give relief, but it came from ether
sources. Man}' of our people in the Weald of
Sussex get their living by hoop shaving; but last
winter they were all driven out of the copses; they
were begging all over the country ; and those people,
I think, ought to have been kept up duiing those few
pinching weeks. But if you let a man sell every
tiling he has and go half naked, what becomes of the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

81

paupers ? I say, that peculiar circumstances should
be met ; they were met by the guardians in a certain
degree ; they took upon themselves to give some re-
lief to the men driven out of tlie copses by the snow ;
but I am informed that the assistant poor law com^
missioner told them it was not to be done again, and
would not be allowed.

Sir J. Graham. Are you not aware tliat under the
existing act there is a power of giving relief in kind,
under such special circumstances of emergency as
you have described, out of the poor-house, under an
order of the magistrates ?— No ; I beg leave to ob-
serve that it has been intimated on the part of the
gentlemen who manage the business, that this power
of taking any children into the poor-house, which
was conceded to the Petworth guardians after a very
long struggle, will be taken away, and that the act
will be in force in its utmost rigour. Now, I do
say that if that is done, the suffering will be im-
mense.

If you were to find such words as these in the
existing law, " It shall not be lawful for any over-
seer of the poor to give any further or other relief
or allowance from the poor-rate than such as shall be
ordered by such guardians or select vestry, except
in cases of sudden and urgent necessity, in which
cases he is hereby required to give such temporary
relief as each case shall require in articl^s oi abso-
lute necessity, but not in money." Now, would not
you say that such a provision would meet cases of
absolute necessity and of sudden emergency"? — I do
not think it does fully enough, because'it is impossi-
ble if there comes a very severe winter that those
cases can be met by that enactment.

Did those parties who suffered from the snow in
the last winter apply to the relieving officer? —
That I am not positive about ; many of them were
relieved, but it was intimated to them that they
must not do it again.

But practically they did not obtain relief under
the existing law ?— They did, some of them.

Mr. Walter. Was there much difficulty in ob-
taining that relief. Is it easy to obtain relief under
such circumstances ? — No, it is not easv, because
often the relieving officer lives a long way off, and
the man has a long way to go to him, and the diffi-
culty of obtaining relief is very great.

JtR. JAMES FORD, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF
GUARDIANS AT PETWOItrH, CALLED IN AND EXA-
MINED.

Chairman. Will you state to the committee gene-
rally your impression of what has been the effect of
the administration of the new poor law at Petworth 1
—It has been very injurious to men with large fami-
lies ; very oppressive, I might have said.

In what respects ?— I consider that five children
and upwards cannot be supported at the price of corn
now by a man's earnings of 9s. or 10s. a week.

How has it aflected other classes 1 — The other
classes perhaps it has not much affected.

The aged and infirm?— The aged are taken care
of now in their own parish the same as they were
before the union.

Have many of the aged and infirm been removed
into the workhouse f — Very Cew ; not more tJian we
had before the union.

What was the condition of the labouring man be-
fore the introduction of the poor law 1 — The labour-
ing man with a large family was much better off than
he is now.

In what respect ?— He had relief out of the poor-
rates.

To what extent ? — According to the wants of the
families beyond three children.

According, you mean, to the size of the families?
— Yes, and the wants they took into consideration,
the wages that a man earned.

Was that relief given universally, in consideration
of the number of a man's family, or were other con-
siderations taken into account? — Other considera-
tions attending his situ'ition were taken into account ;
his earnings, according as he was placed in his
cottage. When I am speaking of that, the cottages
in the town have no garden, or any outlet whatever ;
and they are paying a liigher price there than they
are in the country, and they are compelled to have
tliem, for want of houses in the parish.

Mr. EsTCOUUT. That is what you mean, when you
say that they got relief according as they were placed
in their cottages ? — Yes.

You refer to the fact, that some of those lipd
gardens who lived in the country, and those living
in town had not ? — Yes.

Mr. Hume, Was attention paid to what they had
received in harvest time? — Yes, we knew their
earnings through the harvest, but for many years
past, having such an overplus of hands, they have
made little more of the harvest tlian at other times,
except the women and the children by picking up
corn — leazing, as it is called in Sussex.

Had you any rules laid down, by which the ve^iy
decided upon the amount of the relief to be given
at that time ? — No regular rules ; every case was
considered by itself.

Did the vestry vary in attendance ; were the
gentlemen who relieved always the same gentlemen ?
— Our vestries were never very large ; the officers
attended as much as they could.

Then relief was given according to the character
of the individual and his aggregate earnings during
the 3'ear? — The vestry was always open to every
one ; three days' previous notice was given in the
church when the vestries would beheld ; the vestries
were holden once a month ; the vestr)- decided, not
according to the earnings during the year, but con-
sidered every case.

Chairman. You said that the vestries were open
to every one ; what do you mean by that ? — It was
held in the vestry room in the church, iind cried in
the church every time three days before the vestry
was holden.

Who attended those vestries ? — Mr. Sockelt was
the chairman, and the officers, and sometimes others,
but few attended.

Did many persons attend who were not members
of the vestry ? — Every person who was rated was a
member ; it was an open vestry ,

Those who were not rated to the poor-rate were
not members ? — No.

Mr. Hume. Did you allow any sum of money for
house-rent at any time? — When they were not able
to pay it themselves at Michaelmas, we used to
make some of them an allowance.

What rule did you observe with regard to that? —
It depended upon the position they were placed in,
as to their earnings and their families.

Can you state what was the degree of industry of
the labouring classes before the change, as com-
paied with what it is now? — I do not know that
there was any difference.

Do you mean to say that those who worked daily
for wages, and who got no relief fro:n the parish,
worked formerly as well as they do now? — Quite,
and better some of them, because they ware better
able, those with large families.

Will you explain what you mean by " better

82

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

able?'' — I consider tliat tliose who liave large families
cannot now get that sustenance vi-hich they ought to
have to do a day's work.

Do you mean that the pliysical strength is not so
■ good as it VN-as formerly ? — Exactly ; that those who
have large fainiles are not able to sustain their
work.

My cjuestion alluded to their application to their
employment: you think that there is no change in
your parish in the industry and application oif the
labourers, in consequence of the new system tliat
has taken place ?— I find none.

Mr. ScROPE. You are a large farmer? — Yes, of
2,300 acres.

Have you alwa3's employed a considerable number
of labourers 1 —Yes.

And before the change of system your labourers
had their wages made up out of the poor-rates as the
others had? — Not made up.

They had an allowance to enable them to maintain
their families ?— If they had large families.

Were not complaints made against that custom by
those who paid poor-rates, and who did not employ
labourers? — No.

They were not in the habit of thinking, the clergy-
man and those who employed no labourers, that they
assisted in maii.tainingyour labourers ? — I'he clergy-
man was a member of our vestry ; he was the chair-
man of the vestry.

Cn AiRM A N.W hilt Ijas been the effect of the operation
of the law upon the young single able-bodied men ?
"We have had a great muny emigrate, and I think if
none had emigrated, we should have had as many
employed by the wayvvarJens as we ever had.

Have you observed that the single men have be-
come more provident since the new law? — No ; I have
not.

Mr. Waltek. Upon the whole, do you considei-
that the bill works well or ill ? — We should consider
the bill worked Vv-ell, if they would allow us the dis-
cretionary ])ower of giving some out-door relief in
kind or meal, or taking what portion of a family we
knew a man could not keep into the workhouse.

Will you state the effect that you think has been
produced by the denial of this'out-door relief ?—
The effect upon the men with large fimilies of five
children and upwards has been, tliat they cannot pay
their rents ; they are naked and almost in a state of
starvation.

What wages then are they taking?— Ten shillings
is the highest weekly wages.

IMPORTANT TO FARMERS.

(from the correspondent of a \VEXr0RD PAPER.)

The scarcit^r of fodder for cattle during the past
winter though considered as an evil othervv-ise, has
not been without its beneficial consequences ; it has
not only forced the farmers to look to unusual modes
for economising the articles of food, but it has also
compelled them to try other articles, which had
heretofore been looked on as of no value for such
purpose; among them, gorse, or furze, has come
into very general use, and with the very best effect,
for feeding horses, cows, and sheep ; in the ruder
parts of the country the mode used for bruising the
furze tops before giving them to cattle, has been an
iron bound mallet, with a long handle, Avith which
the furze is beaten upon a thick flagstone ; in some
parts of England, however, the bruising process is
performed by means of passing it between coarsnly

fluted iron rollers, worked by a fly wheel, or in
other cases bruised in a machine like a bark mill ;
but in whatever way it can be reduced to a soft mass,
and mixed with a small quantity of cut hay or straw,
it forms a most useful and healthy fodder.

Sir Edvvfard Mostyn, and IMr. Wynn, in Wales,
have for many years reared large studs of young-
horses, whose only winter food has been the clippings
of their extensive gorse covers.

But I have principally written now on tliis sub-
ject, to draw, through vour valuable paper, the at-
tention of our Forth and Bargy farmers to the valu-
able use thej^ may make their furze fences of, in
feeding cow cattle, both for the dairy and the butcher,
by mentioning now an ex])erimenta gentleman living-
near Birmingham has successfully tried for a number
of years past.

He keeps one hundred cov»s, and supplies milk to
that town : his laud is of a poor, light, dry quality,
such as in the common mode of culture, would be
insufficient for producing fodder for his stock ; he
has sown down one hundred acres with furze-seed,
he never lets the plant rise into a shrub, but is con-
stantly mowing it for his dairy cows ; when bruised
in the mill, it is mixed with a certain portion of chaff
chopjted hay or straw, and wash with grains, but the
furze forms the principal portion of their diet, and
increases the cjuantity and imjiroves the cjviality of
their milk.

He also follows an uAusual system in other re-
spects, which he finds most profitable. He buys
his dairy cows about a fortnight after they have
calved, places them in his pens, and they never stir
out from their stalls until they are fat, and are sold
to the butcher, which is usually at the end of five
years, during all that time he continues to milk them,
and they never again go to the bull ; at the end of
five years they are dry and ft, as the milk decreases
the fat increases ; and he says by this means of com-
bining milking and feeding he loses less of the use
of the cow, and makes mere profit than others, and
that he does this with land that would actually be
otherwise of no value to him ; the system is alto-
gether so novel, and its advantage having been
proved b)^ some years experience, that I thought it
might be interesting at least, if not useful to your
readers.

Propagating Apple Trees. — A new plan for
increasing plantations of apple trees has lately been
carried into extensive practice by the horticulturists of
Bohemia. Neither seed nor grafting is required. The
process is to take shoots from the choicest sorts, insert
them in a potatoe, and plunge both into the ground,
leaving but an inch or two of the shoot above the sur-
face. The potatoe nourishes the shoot, wJiiie it pushes
out roots, and the shoot gradually grows up and becomes
a beautiful tree, bearing- the best fruit without requiring-
to be grafted. Whatever may be the success of the
undertaking, its novelty at least is an inducement to give
it a fair trial.

Chalk Hills. — The enormous chalk hills which
so much abound in England are composed of lime, in
chemical combination with a gas, the very same as that
gas which sparkles in a glass of soda water or of bot-
tled beer. If nature had not combined the lime with
this gas these chalk surfaces could not exist. If by
any application of excessive heat this gas were driven
off, the substance left would be both corrosive and de-
structive, and the first shower of rain would realize the
imagination of the poet : — sic fraclvs illabaiur orhis.
As soon as water touches pure lime it chemically com-
bines with it, imraeiise heat is evolved, and the lime
breaks in pieces. Such would be the fate cif DllfVer
cliiF, upon the first shower, if the gas which enters into
its formation were driven off.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

83

SMITHFIELD CLUB CHRISTMAS
SHOW, 1837.

IN THE REPOSITOUV YARD, IM GOSWKLL-STRJiET,

On Friday the 8th, Saturday the 9tli, and Monday the

11th of December.

The Right Hon. Earl Spencer, President.

PREMIUMS and MEDALS offered, weight 14lbs. to
stone, for stock duly qualified and properly certified,
according to tlie general and particular conditions
below : —

Class I. — O.xen or Steers, of any breed, under 5 years
of age, without restrictions as to feeding, yet the
kind or kinds of food naust be certified.

To the feeder of the best fat Ox or Steer, a premium,
plate or money, 20 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
plate or money, 10 sovereigns.

Class II. — Oxen or Steers, of any bi-eed, under 6
years of age, weight 90 stone and upwards, that
shall not have had cake, corn, meal, seeds, grains,
or distiller's wash, 12 months previous to the 1st of
August, 1837.

To the Feeder of the best fat Ox or Steer, 1st premium,
plate or money, 30 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
plate or money, 15 sovereigns.

Class III. — Oxen or Steers, of any breed, under 5
years of age, under 90 stone and above 70 stone
weight, that shall not have had cake, corn, meal,
seeds, grains, or distiller's wash, 12 months previous
to the 1st August, 1837.

To the Feeder of the best fat Ox or Steer, ist premium,
plate or money, 15 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
plate or money, lO sovereigns.

Class IV. — Oxen or Steers, of any breed, under 4§
years of age, and under 80 stone weight, without
restriction as to feeding, yet the kind or kiads of
food must be specified.

To the Feeder of the best fat Ox or Steer, a premium,
plate or money, 10 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

Class V. — Oxen or Steers, of any breed, not exceeding
4 years and 3 months of age, under 70 stone weight,
that shall not have had cake, corn, meal, seeds,
grains, or distiller's wash, 12 months previous to
the 1st of August, 1837.

To the Feeder of the best fat Ox or Steer, a premium,
plate or money, 10 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
plate or money, 5 sovereigns.

Class VI. — Fattened Cows or Heifers, under 5 years
of age. Freemartins and spayed Heifers are not
qualified.

To the Feeder of the best, a premium, plate or money,
15 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d pre-
mium, plate or money, 5 sovereigns.

Class VII. — For fattened Cows, of 5 years old and up-
wards. Freemartins and spayed Heifers are not qua-
lified.

To the Feeder of the best fat Cow, a premium, plate or
money, 15 sovereigns.

To the Breeder nf the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
plate or money, 5 sovereigns.

Class VIII. — Long-woollcd fat wether Sheep, I year
old, that have never hnd cake, corn, meal, seeds, or
pulse.

To the Feeder of the best pen of thre«, under 22 months
old, 10 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.
To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
under 22 months old, 5 sovereigns.

Class IX. — Long'-woolled fat wether Sheep, 1 year old,
wthout restrictions as to feeding-.

To the Feeder of tlie best pen of three, under 22 months
^ old, the 1st premium, plate or money, 10 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

Class X. — Long-woolled fat wether Sheep, 2 years old,
without restrictions as to feeding.

To the Feeder of the best ditto, above 22 and under 34
mouths old, a premium, plate or money, 10 sove-
reigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

C LASS XI.— Short-woolled fat wether Sheep, I year old,
without restrictions as to feeding.

To the Feeder of the best pen of three, under 22 months
old, the 1st premium, plate or money, 15 sovereigns.

1 0 the Breeder of tlie same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, tlie 2d premium ,
plate or money, 5 sovereigns.

Class XIT. — Short-wooIIed fat wether Sheep, 2 years
^ old, witliout I'estrictions as to feeding-.

To the Feeder of the best ditto, above 22 and under 34
months old, a premium, plate or money, 10 sove-
reigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

To the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium,
^ plate or money, 5 sovereigns.

Class XIII. — Pigs of any breed.

I'o the Feeder of the best pen of three, above 4 and un-
der 9 months old, the 1st premium, plate or money,

^ _ 10 sovereigns.

To the Breeder of the same, a silver medal.

J 0 the Feeder of the second best ditto, the 2d premium ,
plate or money, 5 sovereigns.
A gold medal, value 5 sovereigns, to be awarded to

the Breeder of tlie best Beast that is exhibited in any of

the above classes, provided of sufficient merit.

A gold medal, value 5 sovereigns, to be awarded to

the Bleeder of the best pen of long-woolled Sheep, ex-

hilHted in the 8th, 9lh, or 10 classes, provided thejudges

consider them of sufficient merit.

A gold medal, value 5 sovereigns, to be awarded to

the Breeder of the best pen of short-woollcd Sheep, ex-
hibited in the Illh or 12th classes, provided thejudges

consider them of sufficient merit.

EXTRA STOCK.

A silver medal will be presented to the Exhibitor of
the best Beast in extra stock.

A silver medal, ditto, to the best long-woolled Sheep
in extra stock.

A silver medal, ditto, to the best short-woolled Sheep
in extra stock.

A silver medal, ditto, to the best Pig.

If thejudges in each case deem them worthy of com-
mendation.

A silver medal will be presented to the Butcher, an-
nually, who shall lay out the largest sum of money in
purchasing animals from the classes in the show yard,
the butcher to procure certificates from the sellers,'
which he is required to produce to the honorary secre-
tary in the committee room, before 12 o'clock (noon)
on the JMonday of the show.

Consumption of Butchers Meat. — -The ge-
neral distress now existing in this district is lamenta-
bly exhibited in the following fact. A respectable
butcher in a neighbouring parish declares that during-
the last year his sale of butcher's meat has fallen off as
follows :— Last year he killed on an average six cows
per week ; he now kills only one. Last year he killed
38 sheeep per week ; he now kills only five. Last year
he killed 15 lambs per week ; he now kills only three.
Last year he killed ten Irish pigs per week ; he novv^
kills none! He further declares that all the other
butchers in his parish, which is large and populous, are
doing the same, or even worse than himself. The long-
established respectability of our informant renders it
worthy of credit. Wc leave our readers to judge what
must be the extent of the exisiing distress it-i this neigh-
bourhood, and what its inevitable and not distant eftecls
upon the agricultural classes. — Binuhu^liani Juunial.

84

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CELEBRATED CHILTON BREEDING STOCK,

WHICH WAS SOLD BY AUCTION' AT CHII.TON, IN THE COUNTY OF DURHAM, ON MONDAY, 31ST OT AUGUST,
AND TUESDAY, IST OF SEPTF.MBF.K, 1829.

BULLS.

9

10
11

12
13
14
15
16

17

18

Ko.

Age.

1

3

2

2

3

2

4

5

5

4

Name.
MONARCH

CHILDERS

MAGOG

FAT.STAFF
MATCHEM

DRIVER

VOLUNTEER

RICHARD

Got by
SuteUUe

Do.

Matchem

Satellite
Bonniffice.

Satellite

Satellite

Sijnta I

Dam, No. 1.

Dam, No. 2.

Dam by Farmer, grandam by Jupiter,
g-. grandam by Sir Oliver, g. g. gran-
dam Raspberry, by Trunnell, g. g. g.
grandam Strawberry, by Favourite,
g. g. g. g. grandam Lily, by Favour-
ite. See No. 1.

Dam, No. 3.

Dam by Farmer, grandam by Charles,
g. grandam by Henry, g. g. grandam
tydia, by Favourite, g. g. g. grandam
Nell, by the White Bull, g. g. g. g.
grandam Fortune, by Lord Boling-
broke, g. g. g. g. g. grandam by Fol-
jambe, g. g. g. g. g. g. grandam by
Hubbick, g. g. g. g. g. g. g. grandam
bred by Mr. Maynard

Dam by Cato, grindam by St. John, g.
grandam by Chilton, g. g. grandam
Nymph. See No. 1

Bought by
Mr. Latoufbe

Mr. Dudding

Mr. Melcalf
Mr. Spoors

Price.
Guia.

270

22j

60
3.^

Dam by Farmer, grandam by St. John,
g. grandam by Chilton, g. g, grandam
Nymph, See No. 1

WAVERLEY

Satellite

HERDSMAN

Satellite

WORTHY

Satellite

WHISKER

Monarch

PLOUGHBOY

Movarch

iMERCURY

Monarch

GAMMUT

Monarch.

PUNCH

Fahtaff

MERRTNGTON

Fahtaff

FREDERICK

Satellite

Dam by Cato, grandam by Sir Oliver,
g. grandam Charmer, by Chilton,
g. g. grandam Merrylass, by Favour-
ite, g. g. g. grandam by Ben, g, g. g.
g. grandam bought of Mr. Newby. . .

Dam, No. 19 ,

Dam by Cato, Irishman, B.

Dam by St. Alban's, grandam by
Charles, g. grandam Newby

Mr. Maynar(

Mr. Arohbold

Mr. Wilkinson

Dam, No. 19

Dam, No. 8

Out of Matchem 's dam

Dam by Whit worth

Dam by Cato, grandam by Jupiter, g.
grandam Y. Gaudy

Dam by Cato, grandam by Charles,
Windsor, Chilton, Colonel

Dam Newby the Younger

110

125

Mr. Greenwell

28

Sir C. Knightly,

Bart.
Mr. O'Farroll

Ireland

60

28

Mr. James

95

Mr. Kennedy

46

Mr. Davison

40

Lord Althorp

120

Mr. Bowman

52

Mr. Cassidy,i)'e-
land

32

Mr. Kennedy

40

Mr. J. Bates

4r4

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

No

iMc

Old.

19 1 12

I

20 ! 8

21 8

Name.
HIGHFLYER

SNAP

AVINDFALL

GOLDFINDER;

TRTMiMER

i
MIRACLE

WINDSOR :

PAYMASTER '

lyrso

27 i 9 SATELLITE :

Bred by Win. llo-|

binson, Esq. ofj

Ladylcirk. j

22

9

23

6

24

4

25

4

26

3

Got by

Monarch

Monarch
Monarch
Falstaf
Monarch
Monarch

Do.
Falsiaj]'
Sirius

Dam, No. 12.
Dam, No. 2..
Dam, No. 22.
Dam, No. 9, .
Dam, No. 24.

Out of Matcliem's dam.
Dam, No. 19

Dam, No. 6.

Dam Rose, by Wellington, (son of
Comet, bred by ftJr. Charles Colling),
grandam (Ruby), by Sultan, g, g.
grandam by Lady Maynard's bull, g.
g. g. graudan^ (Delight) by Foljarabe.

Sirius was got by Midas, dam by Wel-
lington, grandam by Sultan, g. gran-
dam by Signior, g. g. grandam by
Ladykirk, g. g. g. grandam (Straw-
berry bred by Mr. Maynard), by Dal-
ton Duke, g. g. g. g. grandam (Fa-
vourite), by Mr. R. Alcock's Bull. , .

St. Alban's, by Wynyard, Herd Book,

149.
Dam Nell Gwynn, Herd Book, 423.
Syntax, by Mars do. 80.

Dam Caroline do. 212.

Bonniface, by Syntax, dam No. 2.

Bought bv
j Captain Davis

I Mr. Millward

I Mr. Baker, Ele-

i more

j Mr. Vansittart

i Sir. W almsley

jMessrs. Reed &
I Crofton

I Lord Althorp

air. Bailey

Mr. Crawley

85

Price.
Guis.
210

70

54
44

120
4-2

22

75

SUPERIORITY OF AGRICULTURAL
TO FACTORY LABOUR.

(from GASKKI.L on the MANUFACTUDINO rOPUI.ATlON
OF EXGT.AND.)

It may be said, that the agricultural labourer is
subject to a separation iVom his family, and that the
members of his family are also, after a time, separated
from home. This is granted, and that thus, primu
facie, he a[)pears circumstanced in these respects
like the factory labouier. Nothing can, however, be
more dissimilar tlian tlie two cases, when looked at
in their true bearings.

The agricultural labourer, it is true, ])ursues his
occupation from home — but he pursues it in nine
cases out often solitarily, or if he works in company,
it is in small gangs ; he works, too, in an atmosphere
natural in its temperature, and favourable to bodily
health, saying nothing of the moral intluences of tlie
siglits and sounds whicli are his familial- companions ;
his labour is physicall)' severe, and just sufficient to
require what intellectual capacity he generally pos-
sesses ; his diet is plain and wholesome ; ho is freed
from the example of many vices, by his situation, (o
which the factory labourer is exposed, and his habits
and modes of life are simpler and purer. His family,
separated from each other, and from home after a
time, remain long enough under the paternal roof to
have acquired some notion of domestic disciplne,
and that too under the best of all jiossible teachers—
a mother, whose avocations are exclusively house-

hold. The labour of the sons, when old enough to
pursue it, which is not till sixteen years of age, is
that of the Hither undei' similar circumstances. The
daughters become household servants, either to per-
sons of their own class, 01', what is more general, in
the houses of respectable families in the neighbour-
hood, or seek service in the surrounding towns and
villages;* their family interest thus, of course, merg-
ing in that of their employers. In all these cases a
strict watch is kept over their morals. No point of
similarity exists, then, between them, except in the
single one of separation of families, and that too at a
period and in a way to be as little injurious as pos-
sible to the moral character of the parties.

The agricultural labourer has other moral advan-
tages over those possessed by the manufacturing one.
He is frequently under the direct inspection of liis
employer, in the middle class of land proprietors, or
respectable land owners ; and in tlie inferior order
of both these, he is the personal assistant, and woiks
in conjunction with him. In the liighest order, he
has the reflected benefit of hereditary rank and
wealth, circumstances of more importance than tlie
superficial observer is aware of, but which are ren-
dered sufficiently apparent by examining into tlie
condition of the cottagers and labourers upon those

* Nine-tenths of domestic female servants, both in
the metropolis and in all large towns, come from
agricultural districts. So strong is the prejudice ex-
isting against town-bred servants, that many families
absolutely refuse to , take them under any circum-
stances.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

estates wliich are benefited b}' the residence of their
proprietors.

These ;ire a few of the moral advantages which he
still possesses, to some extent, over the factory
labourer. Of late years, indeed, the breaking- up of
small farms, and other causes, have brought into
operation upon him the demoralizing agency of
poverty and want of employ, and its influence has
done niucli to deprive him of many of the lienefits he
once enjoyed.

In addition to the enumeration already given of the
evils which result from the division of families, and
the early age at whicli children are impressed into
earning their own support, with the moral degrada-
tion wliich is their universal efl'ect, another misfor-
tune of a very prominent character attends upon the
female division of the manufacturing population.
This is, the entire want of instruction or example in
learning the plainest elements of domestic economy ;
and this sing-le circumstance goes far to explain
many of tlie imjirovideut habits which form a chief
part of the curse upon their social condition. No
earnings, however liberal, can compensate for this.
It at once robs the home of the labouring man of
every chanoe oi' being rightly or even decently con-
ducted. If minute economy, which is the only true
economy, .'s to be of service, it must be carefully
taught, and with the best means of furnishiug the
supplies of a family, and making these supplies go
to tlieir utmost length. Of all these essentials to the
head of a household, she is utterly ignorant, and her
arrangements, if arrangements they can be called,
where everything is left to chance, are characterized
by sluttish waste, negligence, carelessness as to the
quality of food, and indifference as to the mode of
cooking, and an absence of all that tidiness, cleanli-
ness, and forethought, whicli are requisite to a good
house-wife.

CONDITION OF WORKING MEN IN
EUROPE.

From some accurate* returns, in will appear that
the working classes in England are better fed, lodged,
and clothed than those of any other countr)-.

We begin -willi France. Nantes is one of the
largest cities, and wages are therefore comparatively
higher; but masons do not get more than from Is. to
2s. per day, carpenters, 2s. Labourers in the coun-
try receive from 7d. to lOd., and their yearly earn-
ings do not amount to more than 151. The working-
classes throughout France seldom get animal food j
they generally live upon bread, vegetables, and soup
m-ade of onions and other roots. In Belgium, the
wages are much the same as in Fiance ; but the food
consists of ryebread, potatoes, and sometimes a piece
of pork. Ill Holland, wages are higher; the best
workmen in the manufactories are paid IL's. per
week. The best agricultural labourers receive Is.
6d. per day in the summer, and Is. 4d. in v.inter ;
inferior laboureis from lOd. to Is. Tiie diet is rye-
bread, cheese, jiotatoes, beans, and occasionally
pork. In Denmark, the wages of labourers do not
amount to more than 15/. per annum. They live
upon rye-bread, bad milk, cheese, and coffee. In
Sweden, the best labourers onl^- earn 8d. per day,
and the inferior ones from 3d. to 4d. In the south-
ern ])rovinces, their diet is chiefly potatoes and salt-
fish ; in the northern, porridge and rye-bread. In
times of scarcity, the poor both in Sweden and Nor-

* See a report of the wages, food, &c., of the
labourers in Europe, in the Working Man's Year
Book for 1836.

way are obliged to eat the inner bark of the fir-tree,
mixed with bad bread. In the south of Europe, the
labourers live chiefly on maize-bread, milk, and
chesnuts. Suilicient instances liave been given to
shew that labour is far more liberallv rewarded in
England than in any part of the Contiuent. We find
abroad not only meat generally excluded as an article
of diet, but even wheaten bread, which, though in
England much dearer, is almost universally eaten.
Again, there is no country where clothing, and not
many wiiere fuel, is so cheap, as in this ; and next
to food, these articles contribute most to the healtli
and comfort of the poor. Comparing his lot, then,
with that of tile large majority of mankind, the ling-
lish labourer has mucli cause for praising the " Great
Giver" of every good.

BEET ROOT SUGAR.
When the prospectus for the form-ation of a
" Beet Hoot Sugar Company" was first issued, we
cautioned our aoricultural readers from embarking
in the speculation, notwillistanding the flattering
prospects which were held out. We did so upon
two grounds : — first, from a conviction, that should
tiie manufacture be entered upon, a duty would be
imposed, so as to place beet-root sugar upon the
same footing with colonial sugar; and, secondly,
because the cultivation of beet-root for the pur-
pose of making sugar would derange tlie system of
husbandry, and tend to impoverish the land. Beet
can only be grown by a liberal application of ma-
nure ; that very manure which should be employed
in the production of roots, as turnips or mangel
wurzel, to be consumed by stock ; thereby creating
a new slock of manure. It may perhaps be said,
that a crop of beet for making sugar is more valu-
able than the ordinary produce. The pi-oduce of
an acre of beet, sold off the land may produce a
larger amount of money than a crop of grain or a
crop of turnips consumed by cattle or sheep ; but
in land of ordinary cpiaiity, the extra amount ob-
tained must be expended in manure, or the soil
will become gradually deteriorated. The cultiva-
tion of land upon the four course system, where
the nature of the soil and the means of the; tenant
will admit, is, almost by common consent, consi-
dered the best. The great merit of tlie system
consists in an extended growth of green crops,
thereby enabling the firmer to keep a large stock
of cattle and sheep, which wdl produce manure
upon the spot, and maintain the fertility of the
soil. It may be faii-ly stated, that under judicious
management tire larger the quantitity of cattle and
sheep kept upon a tillage farm, the greater will be
the produce of grain. The sale of Beet-root off
tiie farm lessens the supply of food for cattle, and
thereby strrkes at the rout of good farming. In
making these observations we would have it borne
in mind, that we do not deny bi't tiiat in some
isolaled instances beet-root may be cultivated for
this purpose with success. But we with confi-
dence assert tliat the inlroduclion of such a system
genei'ally, would be in the end injurious both to
the landlord and the tenant. It will be seen from
our parliamentary report that a bill has been read
a second time in the House of Commons, for im-
posing a duty of 24s. per cwt. rrpon sugar manu-
factured from beet-rool in this country. — Mark
Lane E.rpresi:,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

87

THOUGHTS ON DRAINING.

(from the QUARTEIILY JOURNAL OF AGRICUI.TUnE.)

An eminent civil engineer once remarked to me>
that be had never met with a farmer wlio could give
him a satisfactory definition of draining. He also
stated it as his opinion, that, so far as he was able to
judge from observation, a great deal more had been
said in praise of draining than it really deserved ;
and he was convinced much money had been thrown
away upon it, which might have been more benefi-
cially expended otherwise on the farm. I certainly
do not concur in these sweeping observations, al-
though the last of theni may contain some truth.

Definitions are at best metaphysical ; but, it must
be confessed, that no satisfactorv tlieory of draining
has ever been pioposed. The tlieor)^ offered is, that
water remaining in the arable part of the soil longer,
and in greater quantit)'-, than the cultivated plants or
natural grasses will use, it becomes hurtful to their
growth ; and to remove this injurious cause, it is ne-
cessary to drain the ground. This theory, as it is
called, amounts to no more than a statement of the
fact, that too much moisture is injurious to tlie ve-
getation of useful plants. We ciinnot, it is true, in
general, remove this superabundant moisture exce]it
by drains ; but the reason why a mere excess of
moisture should be so injurious to vegetation still
remains unexplained. The fact is, until we are bet-
ter acquainted with the physiology of plants we can-
not satisfactorily explain it. When we see a change
produced in any given chemical solution, by the ad-
mixture of another given chemical agent, we can ex-
plain it satisfactovil}', by referring to the principles
of chemical affinity ; but our present state of know-
ledge does not yet clearly comprehend that principle
in vegetable physiology, which could explain the in-
jurious effects of wet land on vegetation.

If too much moisture is injurious to vegetation, too
much drought is as injurious to it ; and if we drain
to counteract the effects of the former, what can we
do to counteract the effects of tJie latter? Do not
the drains aggravate those effects prodigiously in a
dry season! Certainly they do. It is the nature of
the climate then, that regulates the necessity for
draining ; and as the humid seasons greatly outnum-
ber the dry ones in this country, we must therefore
adopt that necessity.

Had our climate been like that of Italy, not only
no draining would have been in general necessary ;
but our rivers, like hers, would have been directed
into channels to irrigate our lands, in order to pre-
serve to them that pleasant verdure in the height of
.summer, on which the eye gazes with so much de-
light, amid the ricli luxuriance of the pUuns of Lom-
bardy. Or even Irad the alluvial crust of the earth
been of equal depth, and homogeneous througliout, no
draining would have been necessary ; for the rains
and dews would then have been absorbed by the soil,
and they would liave flowed in the shape of tiny
streams between it and the rocky strata which form
the basis of the alluvial crust. Water would then
have been found by digging- wells to the rocky strata.
But as the alluvial crust is really formed of a hete-
rogeneous mass of different kinds of earth, which
possess difi'erent capacities for water, the rains and
dews which permeate them, are partly absorbed by
the porous, and partly reflectecl by the retentive,
kinds to the surface of the ground at a lower level.
Hence the origin of springs and moist spots on the
surface of the earth.

The subsoil, on wliicli the arable part of the soil
rests, is, in general, of a dili'erent structure from the

upper soil. It may be composed chiefly of gravel
or sand, or a mixture of both, which being porous,
and absorbing- all the excess of moisture that may
have fallen upon it, prevent the apjiearance of any
moist spots ; and of course no drains are necessary
in such subsoils. On (he other hand, it may be com-
posed of cl-ay, through which moisture cannot easily
permeate, and in this case the assistance of drains is
necessary to draw off the superfluous moisture.
This necessity for draining in this kind of subsoil
was known to our forefathers, as the remains of an-
cient drauis found in soils resting- on such subsoils
testify. But in the old method of draining in this
country, the depth of the drain depended on the
depth of the arable soil alone ; but as the depth of
the arable soil, when it is of a different structure
from tlie subsoil, is never very great, the drains were
necessarily shallow ; and as experience would soon
teach men the impropriety of placing the stones in
the drains within reach of the operation of the plough,
few stones were placed in them,— often not exceed-
ing three in number, one on each side of the cut and
another above them, forming a sort of conduit.

As these conduits were so near the surface, and of
small areas, an extra quantit}' of water, or moles dig-
ging along their sides, soon placed such obstructions
in them as to prevent entirely the flow of the water.
They then became receptacles of water, and produced
the very mischief they were intended to obviate.
Many of these old-fashioned drains are daily to be
met with in the soil, and they have all been uni-
formly formed on the notion, tha', a conduit to con-
vey the water at the point of junction between the
arable and subsoils, was sufficient to render the soil
permanently dry. These drains are often foynd in
all soils whose structure is different from that of the
subsoil ; but I have never heard whether they have
ever been found in purely clay soils. Such drains
could only be useful in conveying away surface wa-
ter,— that water which could only permeate the up-
per soil.

A better knowledge of the relative positions of the
alluvial earths, which form the crust of the earth,
dictated a more efficient mode of extracting the su-
perfluous moisture of the subsoil, to a considerable
depth. To dig- into the subsoil, ivould not only grant
all the advantages v^hich could accrue from the old-
fashioned drains ; but it would, at the same time, by
conveying- away the ];ermanent moisture which
lodged in the subsoil itself, ameliorate the nature,
and thereby confer a capacity for imjjrovement, of
the arable soil. In deep arable soils, where the in-
fluence of moisture must be remote, draining at all,
or at least deep draining, must be inmecessary. It
is more necessary in thin arable soils, as the proxi-
mate relation of the subsoil to them, in regard to a
state of wetness or dryness, has a direct influence on
the productive powers of the soil. IManures and
stimulants can never impart their peculiar benefits to
any soil which rests continually on a wet bottom, —
the operations of husbandry can never be accom-
j)lished in due season, — and the produce is never
abundant, or of good quality, in such circumstances.
Draining- removes all these evils. It may be de-
scribed, according to Pliny, an operation which —
utilissimum est. In truth, too much praise cannot:
be bestowed on an operation, which has foimed the
basis of all the improvements that have been intro-
duced into the husbandry of these islands for the
last hundred years.

The inefficiency of these small drains, which were
only made in the arable part of the soil, at length
exhibited itself. The subject was first broached to
the a;<riciiltural world by Mr. Elkington, a farmer

88

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

about the middle of tlie last century ; and who, by
his own practice, pointed out the utility of digging-
drains into tjie substance of the subsoil. Since then
deep draining- has been most scrupulously followed ;
and under that practice a great improvement is ap-
parent on the face of our country, even during the
period of a lifetime.

Deprecating- all intention of derogating, in the
sm-dllest degree, from the general principle of deep
draining, by means of whicli I verily believe, tlie
most substantial of the improvements in our hus-
bandry have been effected, I am, nevertheless, in-
clined to agree with our engineer, that much more
money has been expended in the indiscriminate ap-
plication of that principle to tivery class of soils than
is generally imagined, I believe that, in number-
less instances, drains have been dug deep, where
sh-allower ones would have served the same purpose ;
and this has arisen in many cases, I am afraid, not
from a conviction in the operation of the excellence
of their nature, because he might not have been able
to judge of the relative values of both from expe-
rience, but merely because he must follow the gene-
ral practice of the country. I do not assert that the
money thus expended has been absolutely thrown
away ; for success — decided improvement— has fol-
lowed almost every attempt at draining- ; as no one,
however incapable he might be of directing the ope-
ration aright, would even make the attempt, unless
he experienced the obvious injury arising from wet
land.

But, at the same time, it must be coufessed, that
many of these improvements have been purchased at
a greater cost than was necessary to accomplish the
end proposed. It must be confessed, many men
have attempted to drain land, who did not know when
to apply the general principle to the best advantage,
and the outlay of whose money was of course ill di-
rected. In this way much money has been impru-
dently squandered. Had the mischief only been to
this extent, its consequences might have been reme-
died by better management in the other operations
of the farm , but the sinking of so much capital in
injudicious draining, deprives the farmer of means
to pursue his general improvements, and thus pre-
vents his reaping all the advantages derivable from
the draining- itself. Had the money, which was
more than necessarily expended in this way, been at
the command of the farmer, it would hare most pro-
bably been laid out in maintaining- his farm in the
highest condition ; for such is the general character
of our farmers, as promoters of improvements, that
they cannot be accused of hoarding up their riches,
through the love of mone3', so long as there is any
change for the better, within their reach, to be made
on the state of their farms, though it may not ulti-
mately yield advantage to themselves.

Were draining an operation which could be exe-
cuted at little trouble and cost, it would be of less
importance to uige economy in conducting it; but
as it is an expensive one, when conducted even in
the most economical manner, much thought is requi-
site before attempting to break up the ground to a
great extent. Had the structure of the upper strata
been known as scientifically at the period when deep
draining received an impulse, and was exhibited as
an example to all future drainers, as it is now, it is
probable its knowledge would have exerted a bene-
ficial influence, at its outset, on this art. That know-
ledge may now be acquired by any one. Let us
therefore contemplate the facts it unfolds to our view,
and endeavour, through them, to acquire that wis-
dom which will direct us to expend our money in
draining, witli prudence as well as skill. Some re-

marks on the nature and structure of the different
kinds of soil, which present themselves to our no-
tice, as agriculturists will assist us much in ascer-
taining what are the kinds which admit of deep drain-
ing, and what kinds may be treated equally well,
under a different management. Inattention to this
distinction has given rise to the inordinate application
of that general principle, which, as a general princi-
ple, but subject to necessary limitations, must ever
receive the approbation of every man, who knows
and feels the importance of these improvements in
husbandry.

Pure clay soils which extend to some depth, and
which have the ar-ablu and subsoils composed of the
same kind of earth, that is, homogeneous throughout,
require no draining- at all ; not because they are not
wet soils, on the contrary they are very wet soils ;
but because water cannot at all permeate them, ex-
cept as far as the plough reaches. The only way to
keep such soils dry at all, is to heighten the ridges
considerably, and clear out the cuts for conveying
away the surface water to the nearest ditch. All the
Carses of Scotland ai-e composed of this kind of soil,
and many detached fields on the sides of winding
rivers may be found of a similar character. They
cover a very inconsiderable portion of the face of the
country, though, in productive powers, they stand
in the first rank of soils. When clay occurs of seve-
r-al feet in depth under a thin layer of moss, which
can be removed, it may be classed with the preced-
ing- kind of soil.

Clajr loams almost always rest on inferior kinds
of clay, of various qualities and colours. These
clay loams, resting on retentive bottoms, general!)'
occupy large flats, large detached patches, knolls,
and often run in bands across parts of the country.
They constitute a considerable portion of the face
of the country. In hollow portions of ground,
mossy soils of little depth rest upon beds of clay,
in general, not very thick. In examining the struc-
ture of the subsoils on which these loams and mosses
rest, it is j>robable they had been deposited when
the retiring waters were nearly in a quiescent state.
Though the different kinds of clay, often exhibiting
different colours, are not arranged in regularly pa-
rallel horizontal beds, the}- appear in undulating-
beds of different lengths, and of contemporaneous
formation, and which are frequently divided by thin
beds of sand. These undulations act as basins in
intercepting and collecting the water which perme-
ates gradually through the detached lines of sand.
This permeant property permits them to contain a
great quantity of M-ater, and accordingly we find
this kind of laud very wet, and diflficult to manage
hel"o 'e it is drained. Very often a thicker bed of
sand than the rest divides this mixed clayey subsoil
from clay of a different and generally more homoge-
neous structure below it, and in caseswhere this ho-
mogeneous clay is not more than four or five feet
below the surface, which is generally the dejith at
which it makes its appearance, it will be proper to
take the leading or main drain at least through the
sand into that clay, that it may form the bottom of
the drain. If deep draining is ever commendable,
it must be under such circumstances, when its effi-
cacy will be favourably exhibited. Little circular
wells dug down to the sand, here and there, will un-
doubtedly save a great de-al of cutting in many of
the lateral branches of drains, which will not have
much water to convey.

Boring wiih augeis, and digging wells, formed
the peculiar features of Elkington's mode of dr-ain-
ing, joined to that of deep cutting ; but thel atter
part only of his mode has been carefully preserved

THE TARMER'S MAGAZINE.

89

and practised, while the former part has been too
jiiuch neglected. In one instance of my own in
draining-, of which I have had considerable experi-
ence, the digging of a well about eight feet deep
saved tiie expense of making a drain 'iOO yai'ds long.
Had the well not been attempted at all, that length
of drain must have been cut along a fall of only 2t1
inches. The well terminated in a thick bed of gra-
vel, which easily absor1)ed all the water that could
possibly have passed through all the drains connect-
ed with it.

Lately, I witnessed the draining of a part of a
moss in Northumbeidand, containing about 600 acres.
The moss did not exceed 18 inches in depth ; and
drains were made into the mixed clay upon whicli
the moss rested, only 30 inches in depth, i.icluding
the moss itself, on accoinit of the want of fall to the
great cut in the centre of the moss. Abundance of
loose but angular stones were found in the clay to
(ill the drains, so that very litile horse labour was
required in tlie process of draining. Believing that
all such mosses rest upon clay which had been de-
posited in a quiescent state of the retiring water
wh;ch had once covered the earth, I suggested the
propriety of digging wells through the clay to the
Isahd, which was almost certain of being found be-
o w it, since the drains themselves could not be cut
tlu'ough the tenacious clay, on account of the want
ot' fall for the water. So impervious was this clay
found to be, that part of the moss which had been
already drained, was obliged ta be cut with drains
like a net-work ; and had stones not been plentiful
on the spot, the expense and labour of draining in
this manner would have been enormous. My sug-
gestion, however, of sinking wells did not seem to
be relished at the time, but I have now reason lo
think that the experiment will yel be attempted.
The drained part of this raoss is bearing excellent
crops.

All clay loams and mossy soils resting on a bed of
clay of different qualities, require, then, deep drain-
ing ; and if :he sinking of wells were more frequent-
ly practised in such subsoils than it generally is, it
would be a great saving to the operator ; espe-
cially when stones are by no means plentiful. The
carriage of stones from any distance for the purpose
of draining, is a very expensive woik, and few te-
nants are willing to undertake such a task. Though
landlords did pay the expense of quarrying the
stones, the tear and wear of horses, tackle, and im-
plements, in carrying stones through quarry roads
and soft land, are very great and always vexatious.
Before encountering such. a task, therefore, other
means should first be tried.

Sandy soils resting on sand, of course, require no
draining. They are chiefly found occupying exten-
sive flats on the estuaries of large rivers. All soils
resting on a gravelly subsoil must also be naturally
dry. It is remarkable, that all arable soils which
rest on gravel are of a liglit loam, and of a light
hazel-brown colour, whether they are of a siliceous
or aluminous nature. These constitute the true tur-
nip soils, and are to be; found on the banks and
iMughs of straight-running rivers, rapid streams, and
fresh-water lakes.

Dark hazel-coloured loams and black mould, more
or less sandy or clayey, rest on retentive subsoils.
This subsoil is composed of a clay, generally of a led-
dish Ime, containing small stones, frequently round
masses of slaty sandstone, soraelimts water-worn
boulders of the older formations, and isolated veins
of sand. This subsoil often continues of tlie same
structure for many feet in depth. These arable soils,
when drained, form good turnip land, are sound for

stock, raise barley of good quality, and will carry
good spring wheat wlien a little clay enters into their
composition. They constitute perhaps the greatest
extent of arable land in this country.

Deep draining is, I think, inapplicable to this
kind of subsoil ; and 1 am sure much money has
been throsvn away on it. From the very structure
of the subsoil, it is clear that digging the drains be-
3'ond a certain depth will not confer any advantage.
Water permeates sucli a subsoil, only through tlie
sand which it contains ; and as that exists in an iso-
lated state, it is not in the power of any drain to ex-
tract moisture through it from any distance. A shal-
low drain will do as much good, in this instance, as
a deeo one, provided it is made so deep as to admit
the introduction of a suflicient quantity of stones
into it. If we do not pay attention to this desidera-
tum, we shall incur the risk of experiencing all the
evils of the old-fashioned drains already alluded to.
The depth of atones must be regulated by the ([uan-
tity of water which it is supposed or known, will
run in the di-ain. As no drain, liowever deep, will
draw water from a distance in such a subsoil, a num-
ber of shallow drains, wliich will cost in executing
no more than a less number of deep ones, will assur-
edly drain a much larger extent of land. This ob-
se-vation will apply to ground whether flat or undu-
lating. In flat grounds, a drain carried through the
hollowest part of them, will act as a desiccative to
the arable soil for a considerable space on each side
of it ; because, in such hollows the soil is generally
deep, and occupies a basin-shaped cavity formed by
the retentive subsoil, which supplies the water to the
soil as to a sponge. If the drain is dug down so as
that its bottom may be formed in the retentive sub-
soil, the water which has been cooped up in the lat-
ter will pass away through the former. If a flat
piece of ground is situated on the top of a bank,
either level, or rather a little inclined towards the
bank, which it will most likely be, a drain thiough
the hollow of the flat will take away the burst of
water near the top of the slope ; because, when the
water accumulates in the basin-shaped subsoil upon
which the flat ground rests, it will overflow its louver
edge in wet weather, and, running down, by its own
o-ravity, on the f\ice of the bank between the soil and
subsoil, it will come through the former to the sur-
face. A number of shallow drains, cut, at short dis-
tances, along the face of the bank in an oblique direc-
tion, will drain the bank much more effectually than
a smaller number of deep drains, and at no greater
expense, None of the cases alluded to are imagina-
ry ones. Thev have all occurred to myself in drain-
ing that kind of land, and I have observed other peo-
ple having the same kind of materials to work upon,
follow tlie general principle of deep draining in such
cases, with not near so much success.

I may mention here a remarkable cure perlbrmed
on land, which was not inconveniently wet, by drain-
ing. The driest end (about two acres) of a held of
seven acres, which sloped gently to an open ditch,
always " segged" the oats which grew upon it, that
is to say, the plants were scanty, had leaves like the
flag, and the seed-stalk was always choked in the
hose. This segging occurred both after lea and fal-
low. The character of the soil was a dark hazel
loam, resting on a retentive bottom. The whole
held was drained where necessary, all limed, and
]>loughed with four horses. (Jats were taken after
the fallow, as the land, having been worn out before,
was thouiiht rather weak to carry barley. They were
" segged" as well as the crop after lea, which had
lain two years. It was puzzling as well as provok-
ing, when such effects occurred in a part of the field

90

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

tbat was naturally more dry than the rest. In the
spring after the oat-stubble liad been ploughed up,
a shrewd labourer, whom I had employed in digging
drains for some years, suggested the propriety of ex-
amining, in a particular manner, the subsoil of the
part affected. We did so, and found, about two feet
below the surface, a hard encrusted substance of a
black colour, about three inches thick. On fairly
getting through this, a considerable quantity of water
stopped our fartlier attempt. Drains were immedi-
ately cut as far as the land afiected the crop in the
manner described above; and ever after, the crops
there were as good as in any part of the field. This
single fact illustrates, in a striking degree, a remark
which I have made already, that the state of the
subsoil, as to wetness or diyness, has a direct influ-
ence on the productive powers of the soil.

Much unnecessar}^ expense has not only been in-
curied in cutting deep drains in such subsoils, but
also in the manner of filling them with stones.
Built conduits may be necessary in drains in deep
clay lands, because in them land stones are always
scarce ; and quarried stones having square sides
must be placed in some regular form at the bottom ;
for should they accidentally meet face to face, and
thus form a barrier of masonry, they may cause an
obstruction to the course of the water. They will
also be useful in all cases where a constant run of a
considerable quantity of water, as from springs, may
be expected. In all cases of built conduits they
ought, I think, to be placed on a bottom floored with
stones ; for in many kinds of clay which have a mix-
ture of sand in them (and in all drainable clays, such
a mixture must exist^ the water, if considerable,
will wear away the bottom from under the stones,
and thus cause sinkings in the drain. I have fre-
quently observed such occurrences. It has always
been recommended to build conduits in quicksands ;
but, I believe, in the drainage of these troublesome
things, the circu.nstance most deserving of attention
is, tlie laying of the bottom of the drain with flat
stones, and the building up its sides with a sort of
masonry filled up with pieces of turf, whether the
conduit is left open in the centre, or filled up with
rubble stones. The latter mode I would prefer, as
being by far the strongest one to resist the lateral
pressure of the quicksand.

Hazel loams, whether resting on retentive or |jo-
rous bottoms, afford abundance of round stones of
an excellent kind and size for drains; and, indeed,
where these can be procured, and of a size in gene-
ral not exceeding that of a goose's egg, no better
materials can be placed in a drain. Very small
stones, however, though round, pack so closely, that
a coupling at the bottom of the drain would be ad-
visable where they onlv are used. It is quite unne-
cessary, then, to be at the expense of conduits or
couples in all those shallow drains formed in reten-
tive subsoils under hazel loams. Indeed, I am con-
vinced that water, in the quantities it is generally
found in drains, percolates through rubble stones
with less risk of doing injury to the drains them-
selves than in a conduit ; because, after a tract of
wet weather, when the water in all drains is more or
less turbid, according to the nature of the soil
through which it passes, the rubble drain imperles its
current in its whole course, and causes it to deposit
what earth it may hold suspended in it mechanically,
in a gradual manner; whereas the rather rapid cur-
rent in a conduit will deposit that earth in every eddy
that it forms, in quantities, and in the course of
time a bank of eartli may be formed so as to aflect the
depth of the conduit above those dej osites. The

larger class of vermin, such as polecats and badgers^
often do injiiry to conduits.

With regard to the mode of putting in the stones
into drains, those for conduits must be handed down
from the top by an assistant to the person who builds
them ; and such expense cannot be avoided in the
making of them. The same advice has been incuU
cated in the filling up of rubble drains. Such a
procedure, howc?ver, is quite unnecessary in the lat-
ter case. Round stones, when thrown in by ex-
perienced people to the bottom, will generally place
themselves there fully as well as thev would be laid
in by the hand. The plan generally recommended of
laving the stones down at the side of the drain, either
before or after the cutting has commenced, and
throwing- them in afterwards, is both a tedious and
exjiensive one, as the stones will all have to be re-
handled in the same way as at first, and there may
be either too few or too many laid down at one time.
I would recommend their being always put in
from a cart, the body of which csn be lowered down
behind. At the same time, I would remark, that
they should not be emptied into the bottom of the
drain from the cart, as they might be squeezed irre-
gularly too'ether, but that the load should be emptied
in a great measure upon the last division of the
drain which has been filled up, in as gentle a manner
as possible. 'I'he stones can then be thrown down
by the hand quickly, upon the slope of stones formed,
to the bottom of the drain. A good workman and an
assistant will be constantly required at the drain,
filling in stones, and assisting the cart to back to the
drain, along the side of which shoulit be placed a
log of wood to rest the wheels against, and a strong
board nailed on the top of it, to prevent the stones
from carrying down any of the earth from the top
of the drain. The stones should not, when levelled,
be higher than one foot under the surface of the
ground, that they may be completely out of the
reach of the plough. Upon hazel loams straw is too
scanty, and, of course, too precious a commodity
with which to cover drains. Withered quickens
or dry potato-stems serve that purpose well, and
draining thus affords means of sometimes getting
rid of such troublesome rubbish.

It is almost always recommended to fill drains
from their upper end towards the mouth. This may
be a desirable arrangement when the drain is very
level, in order to preserve the fall, but never other-
wise ; for the risk which is incurred in meeting with
wet weather, and the falling in of the sides, while
waiting for a considerable length of cutting, much
more than counterbalances any advantage of pre-
serving a minute level. Besides, except when it
Cannot be avoided, no drain should be made more
level than a fall of one foot in twenty-five yards.
With this fall water will easily gravitate in a drain.

No drain should have less than eighteen inches
deep of stones ; and as the stones should not be le-
velled less than a foot from the surface of the ground,
no drain ought to be less than thirty inches deep,
provided the level of the ground permit i(. This
depth will be found ((uite enough in all small
branches in under-draining; and three feet, and, in
particular situations, three-anda-half feet in the
long branches, in all retentive subsoils under a hazel
loam, — being twenty inches wide at top, and the
breadth of the spade'at the bottom. At these dimen-
sions, a single cart load of ordinary-sized round
stones will fill three yards of drain ; and at 8d. per
rood of six yards, at three feet deep, a good labourer
will earn handsome wages.

When this kind of soil is dried, it will be found a
favourite resort of earthworms in search of fresh un-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

91

exhausted soil. Moles will soon follow them, and
ni;iy cause damage to the drains it' precautionary
measures are not adopted. I have found the press-
ing of small stones by the foot into the bottom of the
drains, so as to form a sort of causeway before the
other stones are put in, a good prevention of moles
running near the bottom of drains, and casting earth
into them.

I would recommend the levelling of the earth over
the drain not only as soon as possible after the stones
are filled in, but that the operation be done as well as
possible; — as a ridge of eartli placed across an in-
clinced piece of ground, and which will r.ot be re-
moved till the field is ploughed up again, will inter-
cept the water in its descent down the furrows, and,
of course, cause that very sort of moisture on tlie
surface which the draining was intended to remove.
An easy method of levelling the earth thrown out at
first is, lo put a little of it with the spade over the
covering of the stones, and then let a plough pass
along and turn over the earth above the drain, al-
ways in tlie same direction, returning empty. This
may be done twice oi' thrice according to tlie quan-
tity of earth ; and then a space of the adjoining
ground may be taken in as a " feering,'' and ploughed
along with the tlu'own out earth, in the manner of
a common ridge, till the whole appears flat.

Many of these observations run counter to general
opinion and practice. But the}' are all derived from
dear-bought experience, and established against a
previous conviction of tlie universal application of
the principle of deep draining. I have, therefore,
given them with confidence ; and they are accom-
panied with an earnest desire, that so fundamental
and necessary, though expensive, an improvement
in agriculture as draining is, may be executed with
economy as well as skill ; especially in these times
when every exertion of the farmer scarcely enables
him to meet the various demands upon him.

H. S.

Important to Agricultuhists. — We have had
an opportunity of examining- a new herbage, a
variety of Helinium, which promises to be of immense
advantag'e to owners of stock at all times, but moi'e
especially in such backward seasons as the present. It
is a native of Siberia, and was intioducedinto this coun-
try by i\Ir. Smith, nurseryman, here, about two years
ago, and by him it has since been cultivated on a small
but interesting scale. The stem and leaves of this plant
somewhat resemble those of the parsnip, but are much
larger ; cows are remarkably fond of them, and the quan-
tity and quality of the milk and butter considerably im-
proved by their use. The HeliniiLm to ag'riculturists will
be understood when we state, that in such a very untoward
season as I he present, when fodder of every kind is scarce,
and scarcely a blade of grass was to be seen till within the
last 3 or 4 days, it is at this moment yielding' a cut to the
scythe of between two and three feet in lieig'ht, on at
poor sandy soil, without manure of any kind. It may
therefore reasonably be supposed, that in an ordinary
year, and on a good soil, it might have been ready for
cutting- in the early part of April, which would have
proved of essentiiil benefit to many a farmer, who had
at that time no grass, and but little hay, carrot, or tur-
nip. It grows far more readily than clover, — may he
cut three or four times in a year— the herbage from one
plant weighing twenty ounces, which at thi'ee cuttings
is equal to twelve or fourteen tons per acre, even on a
door soil, and is weightier fby several tons than 40 bolls
of potatoes per acre. The roots are fibrous, and do riot
strike deep into the earth. The plant is easily culti-
vated ; J\Ir. Smith plants it in drills, and treats it pre-
cisely as a crop of lucerne. It is a true perennial. — At/r
Advertiser.

COTTAGE ALLOTMENTS.

(to the editor of the " labourers' eriend ma-
gazine.)

Sir, — The kindness of the clergy and gentry en-
ables me to lay before you the following statement
respecting the cottage allotment system in my
neighbourhood -. —

Parish. Landlord.

Quantity of Land.

Kent.

Xorth
Ehnham

Brisley
Gately

Lord Sondes
Lord Sondes
Lord Sondes

75 half-acres ;
each person half
an acre.

23 half-acres ;
each person half
an acre.

Chiefly in half-
acres ; one per-
son has a larger
portion ; two
persons less.

From 10s.
to 12s. the
half-acre.

From lOs.
to 12s. the
half-acre.

From 10s.
to 12s. the
half- acre.

3d. to 4d.
per perch

Litcham

Town land, let
to the poor at
the sugges-
tion of the
curate. Rev.
J. Hoste.

6 acres let to 30
persons in por-
tions of 20 to 40
perches ; also
another portion
of 3a. oit, 2op.
let to 14 per-
sons.

Litcham

East
Lexham

F. VV. Keppell

7 or 8 acres, in
portions of quai
ter& half acres.

F. W. Keppell

Land let in quar-
ter of acres.

Sd.per rod^
all charges
paid by
landlord.

In North Elmham, Brisley, and Gately, the te-
nants have been restricted to the cultivation of ^he
land in equal parts, alternately wheat and potatoes;
but Lord Sondes, who has kindly let land to the
poor since 1831, thinks that they should be allowed
to change the crop. The rents are in general regu-
larly paid ; and his lordship says that he has no
doubt that the benefits of the system in his parislies
have been very great. He further states, that a re-
port having been raised that he was about to let some
more land, the applications were most numerous,
and the applicants very anxious to obtain the land.
My estimable neighbour throws out a very good
suggestion to ]iersons letting land to the poor, that
the rent should not be paid on jMichaelmas-day as
on that day, especially in one county, the poor have
a great many payments to make.

In LitcJiam the result is excjllent; plan in oper-
ation two years. The last-mentioned portion, jiow-
ever, has only been let one year. Mr. Keppell's
land has been let for two years ; his rent has been
regularly paid, and he has the satisfaction of know-
ing that the results of the system have been good.

At East Lexham the result is excellent ; plan in
operation five years.

I should teli you, that some of the land kindly let
by Mr. Keppell is occupied by little tradespeople.

1 do not learn that either at (Jtcham or Lexham
any particular mode of cultivation is required of the
tenants by V. W. Keppell, Esq.

East Lexham. — Allotments aie let to the poor as

92

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

gardens at 3d. ppr rod, tlie landlord paying all
charges ; no allotment exceeds a quarter of an acre.
The system has been in operation about five years,
and the result is satisfactory.

Whissomsfctt. — Five acres of land are let by the
clergyman, free of all other charges, at from '25s. to
;30s. per acre, according to the quality of the land.
Tlie tenants are not restricted to any particular
mode of husbandry. The benefits very great.

In Horningtoft the same clergyman, tlie Rev. E.
Kemp, has let about four acres of land upon the
s;nne terms, and with the same satisfactory results.

In Mileham, the Rev. Charles Barnwell has let
some inferior land to the poor since 1833, upon the
following terms : — No rent first year ; second year,
10s. per acre, reserving to himself the right of in-
creasing it the next. The tenants are not' bound to
■day particular mode of cultivation. Results, in each
instance, highly beneficial when the land has been
cropped with potatoes. My Rev. friend tells me
the tenants have since had Vo purchase throughout
the winter and spring. He goes on to tell me,
in his answei- to my queries, that he hopes this year
to restore to its original purposes a small piece of
good land, well situated, which was given in Ed-
ward the Fourth's time, for the express purpose of
being occupied by poor cottagers in small allotments
at a moderate rate. The extent of this land is nearly
four acres.

In Great Farnham.the Rev. Charles Reynolds, at
Michaelmas last, divided two acres and a half equally
between eight persons ; each allotment at 8s., every
charge included. The tenants are bound to s])ade
culture ; but they may crop as they pleasp. The
Rev. gentleman observes, in his letter to me, that
the men seem to take great delight in the thing.
They all paid a half-year's rent at Lady-day, ami
expressed their thanks for the land.

In Mattisball six acres are let to twenty persims
in nearly equal proportions, at the rate of 1'/. per
iicre, free of all other charges. The tenants may
cultivate as they p'ease ; and my friend, the Rev.
Tliomas PadJon, says, in his letter to me, " I can
witl) certainty inform you, that the cottagers having
the land esteem it a great advantage to themselves."

In the parish of Honingham, Lord Bayning has
allotted to every cottager a piece of land, varying
fj-om fifteen to forty rods, at about 2d. per rod. In
Taddenliam his lordship has let parcels of land as
gardens where none before were attached to the cot-
tages. The tenants are not bound to any particular
mode of cultivation ; and the Rev. W. Smith, the
rector of Taddenham, states it to be his full con-
viction that the system has been of great benefit to
the poor.

In the I'.arish of Stilbard, which, though not in
either of the hundreds immediately near me, is un-
der the care of a clergyman, who has a curate in the
hundred of Samditch. There are altogether twenty-
eight allotments, varying from a rood to half an acre,
for which the rent is at the rate of 30s. per acre.
The plan has been pursued for four years ; and the
Rev. T. Tatham writes me with every prospect oi
jiermaneat good results.

In the parish of East Bilney my kind friend, W.
I'earce, Esq., allotted, in 1830, an acre of land into
four oardens. In the subsequent year he allotted
two acres in half-acre allotments; he did not bind
the tenants to any particular mode of cultivation.
They paid 7s. 6d. each for the gardens, and los. for
each half-acre, my friend paying all charges ufion
the land. The parish is a small one, and the la-
bourers few, therefore no further allotments have
been made by Mr. Pearce at present ; but always in

letting his farms, reserves a right of taking a few
acres of land from the fanners to let to the poor.*

I have myself, in the parish of Gressenhall, fifteen
allotments of good land let in quarter-acres, at 10s.
each, and four allotments of inferior land, let in di-
visions of half an acre each, at 14s. the half acre.
Most of my cottages have good gardens, which have
been allotted to them for very many years ; and this
year I divided an acre of excellent land between the
two cottages which had no gardens before. I pay
all charges upon the land. JMost of my allotments
are just let ; but I have no doubt that the result of
the system in my parish will be beneficial. I cannot
conclude without thanking the society for the sug-
gestion of its active agent, Mr. Perry, concerning
the improvement of the cottages of the poor; upon
those suggestions I have acted this year, and have
built for each of my cottages a shed, a pig-stye, a
dirt-bin, and a necessary ; have given a separate
yard to each cottage, and divided the cottagers from
each other by a wall, giving also to each cottage its
drain and its cesspool. ^Vishing the society every
success, and with assurance that I will continue to
procure it all the information in my power,
I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,
JOHN DAVID HAY HILL.

TnontAi. Flom'ir Seeds. — At the Cambridge
Florist's Society, Professor Henslow mentioned a
circumstance tliat cannot fail to interest all the
lovers of floriculture, thatsecdsfrom tropical climes,
when they arrive in this country, are fre(]uently
found to be in an unfit state for germinating. Though
they may have been sown in stoves or hotbeds at a
very high temperature, yet they have too often failed ;
but, what is very remarkable, liad they been put into
water, and the water raised to a scalding heat, and
in some seeds to boiliii!::;, they would have germinated
freely in the open ground. Ho instanced a tropical
plant that he had raised in his own garden, in the
open ground, without any stimulus but what it re-
ceived from the soil, after he had boiled the seed for
fifteen minutes.

U'nE Musk Ox. — This animal has many striking
peculiarities which appear to give it aa alliance with
the goat rather than the ox. The singular secretion
of musk, which so strongly pervades and taints its
flesh, particularly the heart and kidneys, not only
indicates a similarity in secretor)^ organs with the
species of deer which yields that drug, but may,
from these circumstances, lead to a reasonable in-
ferential conjecture that the concrete substances both
of musk and civet, and, perhaps, ambergris, may
owe their origin to the action of some secretory ducts
connected with the heart and kidneys of the animals
which produce them. The silky texture of its hair
again nearly resembles that of the Cashmere goat ;
while its habitat on the tops of mountains, its facility
in running, and its dexterity in climbing rocks, are
all indicative rather of the goat than the ox : the
identity, however, of general figure and size will
warrant the naturalist in jjlacing it in the bovine ti ibe.

* We earnestly recomnaend this practice to landed
proprietors generally.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

^

93

MR. HEATHCOTE'S STEAM-PLOUGH.

(^I'ROM THE QUAUTEULY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE.)

Explanation of the Steam-Plough invented by John
Heathcote, Esq.; and an account of the trial lately
made u'ith it on tnoss land, in presence of a Deputa-
tion from the Highland and Agricultural Society of
Scotland.

Much interest lias been awakened in regard to the
applicability of steam to agricultural purposes, and
viirious attempts Lave been made to invent engines
which should, by means of this agent, perform the
ordinary operations of ploughing and harrowing.

One of the machines intended to accomplish this
object, has been invented by Rlr. Heathcote, M.P.
for Tii'erton; and he obtained a patent for it in
1832. The particular use to which he has, in the
first instance, applied it, is the reclamation of hogs
or mosses, which, of all descriptions of soils, ofler
perhaps the greatest natural obstacles to improve-
ment by mechanical means.

Mr. lieathcofe's machine appears to have effec-
tually overcome all these obstacles. Such at least is
tlie result of the experiments hitherto made with it.
A very important trial took place on the 20th of
A|iril last, on a bog or moss in Lancashire, called
tlie }{ed Moss, near Bolton-le-Moors, in presence of
a deputation of the Highland and Agricultural So-
ciety of Scotland, which was attended with complete
success. It having been publicly known for some
time previously that this trial was to take place, all
interested in the subject had an opportunity of wit-
nessing it. The deputation from the Society con-
sisted of the Alarquis of Tweeddale, Vice-President,
and several other members well qualified, in every
■way, for judging of the fitness of the machine for
fulfilling its intended purposes ; and it is understood
that they will give to tlie Society a report very fa-
vourable to IMr. Heathcote's invention. Meanwhile,
some description may be given of the machine, and
its mode of operation, founded chiefly upon the in-
formation supplied at the time of the experiment to
the Secieiary, by jMr. Parkes, the very intelligent
practical engineer employed by Mr. Heathcote in its
construction and management.

The machinery employed to act upon the plough
is of too complex a nature to admit of very detailed
figures in this place ; but in order to convey some
idea of its general appearance, the accompanying
cuts are given, from which a notion of the form and
arrangement of its principal parts may be conceived.
The cut No. 1, is to be considered as a plan of a
field partly ploughed, in which the different parts of
the apparatus are represented in their relative posi-
tions, tiiough not in tlieir true proportions. S is the
principal machine, P P the ploughs, and x a the
auxiliary carriages. The double lines D D, extend-
ing from Sto.i, and passing through P, being flat
iron bands, afterwards described, by which the
plough is drawn.

No. 1.
The cut No. 2, is a sketch in perspective, * done
chiefly fro.n recollection, of the principal machine,
incluiling tlie steam-engine, occupying the left side
of the cut, and of the plough, which is seen to the
right.

No. 2.
Tlie apparatus, it will be seen, embraces tliree

* In order to prevent confusion in this figure, tlie
arms in the outer wheels only of the drums are rejtre-
sented, and the greater part of the gearing is also
left out.

distinct parts. — 1st. The steam-engine and ma-
chinery connected with it, forming of itself a com-
plete locomotive system.

2nd. The auxiliary carriage placed, when circum-
stances will permit, at the distance of 220 yards on
either side of the principal machine.

And 3rd. The plough, which traverses between
the other two, in situations sufficiently extensive to
admit of a reach of furrow on both sides of the prin-
cipal machine, an auxiliary' and plough are employed
on each side, as denoted by their positions in No. 1.

The cut No. 2, exhibits a very imperfect outline
of the principal machine, the parts seen being chiefly
tliose that form the medium of locomotion. They
consist of two pairs of skeleton drums, one placed
at each end of the apparatus. These pnir of drums
are about 26 feet apart ; they are formed individually
by the combination of three wheels of equal diameter,
placed parallel to each other, and connected by a
common axle; they are nine or ten feet in diameter.
These four drums stand towards each other some-
what in the relation of the four wheels of a large
waggon. The two drums on each side of the ma-
chine being one of each pair, are embraced by a
great endless band of about 7 1 feet in breadth, formed
of planks laid transversely, and held in connexion
by several flexible iron-hoops applied to the interior
surface of the planks, and to these lines of hoop the
planks are individually fixed by bolts, thus forming
bands sufliciently flexible to apply round the peri-
phery of the drums.

In the cut No. 2, A B points out the drums, and
F F the bands, leaving an open space between their
inward edges of six or seven feet all round the appa-
ratus, so that the distance between the extreme
edges of the two bands extends to about twenty-one
feet. To keep the drums at the proper distance,
and so prevent the collapsing of the bands, their
axles are supported in the extremities of a strong
framework or platform, which again is supported
through the medium of numerens s:uall wheels or
friction rollers upon the lower part of the great
bands. These wheels are arranged in rows so placed
as to tall upon the lines of hoop, while at the same
time they turn upon axles fixed to the platform, and
thus afford an easy smooth motion to the platform,
even when loaded with all its machinery. The great
bands thus form a perfectly portable and smooth
road for the platform ; and suppose the locomotive
parts of the machine put in motion at whatever rate,
the continually successive parts of the bands lay
themselves down under and before the foremost
drums, while the bands, having a broad bearing on
the surface of the moss, give perfect stability to the
whole.

To complete this system of locomotion, the steam-
eno-ine P with all its machinery is placed on the
platform already alluded to ; the engine is con-
structed on the same principles as those employed
on railways, diftoring only in tlie speed given to the
medium through which its locomotion is conveyed.
In the present case the motion is reduced by a com-
bination of gearing branching off' to each side of the
engine, and ending in a large spur-wheel fixed on
the axle of each of the drums situate towards the
left of the figure in No. 1. Another branch of gear-
inf'- is led off to each side of the engine, to give mo-
tion to the pulleys on which the band that draws the
plough is spirally coiled.

2nd. The auxiliary part of the machinery is a car-
riage, not seen in the cut No. 2, but represented by
T X in No. 1, one iieing placed on each side of the
field, mounted ^ four wheels, and furnished with
the requisite gemng, by which a man can move it

94

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

forward. It is also furuisLed with a large plain
pully, placed horizontally, round which the flat iron
band passes, proceeding from, and returning- to, the
principal machine, whence it derives its motion
through the second branch of the gearing already
alluded to, and to this band the plough is attached.
Each of the auxiliaries in its progressive state moves
upon two lines or planks ; the one line is laid into a
shallow trench cut in the moss, the other is simply
laid on the surface ; the former being for the purpose
of resisting the draft of the plough. Three lengtlis
of plank in each line are all that are necessary, the
one behind being bi-ought up and laid in before the
others in regular succession, as the work proceeds.

3d. The plough has but a distant resemblance to
that in common use ; it is double, that it is to say,
has two sets of stilts, one set at each end, and each
setconsists of four handles, it being occasionally found
necessary to employ two men to guide tlie plough.
It has also two shares, coulters, and mould-boards,
together with all the peculiar apparatus applied to
this plough, but it maybe said to have no beam.
The mould-boards are both on one side, set tail to
tail, so tliat tlie plough acts to and from the machine
■without turning round. This plough is most inge-
niously constructed for performing the various func-
tions required of it. By means of friction rollers
placed under each end, and which give motion to a
crank, (simply by the contact of the rollers with the
ground) two sets of apparatus are put in motion that
perform essential offices in the operation of plough-
ing moss. I'hese are, first, a peculiar action given
to a sharp edged and crooked blade, which is made
to traverse against the sharp steeled edge of tlie
coulter, producing the operation of clipping, which
eflTectually severs all the roots of the Heath Carices,
and other strong-rooted plants that occur in the line
of the cut made by the coulter. Secondly, a similar
operation is simultaneously performed, and by the
same impulse, with another set of similar instruments
acting under and against the edge of what forms the
share of the plough ; these last separate all the fibrous
roots that occur in the sole of the furrow. The form
of the mould-boards is such as to turn the furrow-
slice completely over, and lay it neatly with the heath
surface downwards.

The auxiliary carriages move on lines parallel to
the roadway of the principal machine, one being
placed on each side, as at x x, cut No. 1, and at the
proposed distance of 220 yards from the machine.
The bands D, each of 660 yards in length, pass out
from each side of the principal machine, where the
ends are secured to one of the machine pulleys on
the respective sides, extend to, and pass round the
large pulley of the auxiliary, and return again to the
machine. At this point tlie plough is affixed to the
band, while as mucli more of the band is coiled round
the other machine pulley respectively, as is equal in
length to the distance between the machine and the
auxiliaries. The steam engine being now set on, and
the second branch of gearing adjusted to act upon the
pulley to which the first end of the band is attached,
this pulley will coil up the band, causing the plough
to advance towards the auxiliary, and at the same
time the other pulley, which at this time is free to
uncoil, will deliver oft" its portion of the band. When
the plough has reached the auxiliary, the motion is
stopt, the plough is set to the next furrow, the action
of the steam-engine on the pulleys is changed by
shifting a clutch from the one to the other, and the
pulleys reverse their duty, that wliich was uncoiling
now becoming the coiler, and so on alternately.

Having thus attempted to give some idea of the
construction of the machine, a tew observations may

be added in reference to the mode of working and
the economy of its management. Of this subject Mr.
Heathcote's printed description supplies the following
quotations. — " In commencing the reclamation of a
bog a roadwav is first to be traced out in a suitable
direction for the proposed operations. I'his is done
by simply forming two drains parallel to each other,
and about seven yards apart. The principal machine
is launched on this roadway (still retaining its natural
surface). The machine rests on the raw bog, and
bears on so large a surface, that its buoyancy is in-
sured. It also consolidates and dries the roadway by
its pressure.

" The machine and auxiliaries remain stationary
during the time occupied by the ploughs in taking
one furrow ; they are then severally put in motion,
and made to advance in three parallel lines, in order
to keep pace with the breadth of land turned over,
and to jnill the ploughs accurately straight. The
machine is impelled by the engines, and each auxiliary
by its attendant man, who also shifts his planks on-
ward as occasion requires. The machine and its
auxiliaries have thus to be moved over a space of
eighteen inches only, whilst the ploughs have each
travelled 220 yards, and turned over 220 square
yards of land nine inches in depth ; in other woids,
the machine and auxiliaries have only to be moved
eleven yards, in the time that the ploughs have tra-
velled five-and-a-half miles, and turned over a statute
acre of land. The ploughs perform their work at the
rate of two miles an hour, and are subject to very
few stoppages ; so that eight acres and three quarters
nearly of bog would be ploughed up in a day's work
of twelve hours — or, taking the average cf day-light
throughout the year, and making a liberal allowance
for hinderances from weather and other causes, one
machine would plough up 2000 acres in a twelve-
month."

The principal machine, together with a six ton
load of fuel weighs about thirty tons, its superficial
bearing on the moss is 390 square feet, giving a
pressure of 1781bs. on each square foot. Taking the
weight of a man at 1681b., and the area of his foot at
thirty square inches, he would, in walking, press
with a weight at the rate of 8061bs. per square foot,
so that the machine has a buoyancy of about 4f times
that of a man, and could, therefore, travel on much
softer soil than red moss, which is considered very
vret and spongy.

The steam-engines of the machine consist of two
cylinders each of ten inches diameter, with a two-
feet stroke, and the other appurtenances of a non-
condensing engine, together with a fly wheel, and at
a regular speed make sixty strokes per minute. Tlie
machine is capable of travelling one inch for every
stroke of the engine, or five feet per minute. This
velocity is acquired with a pressure of steam equal
to four poi.nds on the inch. The drain on either side
of the roadway supplies abundance of water for the
boiler.

The flat iron b&nd by which the plough is dragged
is 2 inches broad, and l-16th inch in thickness.

The friction of the band, together witli the empt}'
plough at the distance of 304 yards, is overcome witli
a pressure of steam equal to eight pounds on the
inch, and, when the plough has hold of the furrow
slice, a pressure of thirteen pounds is required, mak-
ing in all seventeen pounds pressure of steam on the
piston* of the engine, which, after deduction of two
pounds for the friction arising from the piston itself,
leaves a total effective pressure equal to fifteen horses'

* These measures of the steam are supposed to be the
excess of pressure above that of the atmospherei

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

95

power. This force is required to work one plougb
moving- at tbe rate of two miles per Iiour, turning-
over a furrow slice of eighteen inches in breadth, by
nine inches in depth. If two ploughs were employed,
the force would require to be increased to a pi-essure
of twenty-five pounds on the incli, equivalent to
tweuty-five horses' i)ower, and the plough would
turn over a surface of 8f imperial acros in twelve
hours.

The plough weighs 12^ cwts., is thirty feet in
length between the two extremities of the stilts, ten
feet in tlie length of the sole, whicli last has a bear-
ing surface of ten superficial feet, and leaves an o^jen
furrow of two feet in width.

The consumption of coal required to perform tlie
above operation is fi'om one-and-a-Jialf to two tons,
accordiug to quality, per day. The number of men
required would be as follows, — -two to conduct a
plough, one to attend the movement of the auxiliary
machine, and one to prepare the end of the furrow
next to the machiue for the entrance of the plough in
the succeeding bout. The full compliment of men,
therefore, for two ploughs or sets of harrows, &c.,
■would be eight labourers, one engine-man, and one
boy to assist in the m;icbine.

It is quite possible that this description may not be
strictly accurate, and it is presented merely for the
purpose of enabling the public to form a general idea
of the nature of the machine and its mode of opera-
tion. There can be little doubt, that to JMr. Heath-
cote must be awarded the palm of having- invented a
steam-engine, which is apjilicable to the cultivation of
the soil, though to what extent rem-ains yet to be de-
termined. That it lias been proved to be eminently
useful in ploughing wet bog, can admit of no
question, ;ind it only remains to be seen whether it
can also be made serviceable in the ploughing- of or-
dinary soils. The information now given is in many
respects imperfect, — the deficiency will probably be
sujiplied by the Report of the deputation of the Higli-
land and Agricultural Society, which will no doubt
be made at the general meeting on the 3rd of July
next.

IsipnovEMENT IN Hop-DRvixG. — It givBS US great
pleasure at all times to bring- under the notice of our
agricultural readers any scientific improvement cal-
culated to advance their interest, and we feel bound
to call their attention to one of considernble import-
ance. Every bod)^ who has any thing to do with
hop-growing, knows the miseries of badly-construct-
ed oasts. The hop-dryer, with the cockles or stoves
now in vise, at one linie finds the fire too low, and
the ih-aught of air too small. In order to overcome
this difficulty fresh futl is heaued on, in many in-
stances the hops are " coddled," and in some the
oast-house burnt down ; for when the lire once gets
a-head there are no means of abating it, except by
raking out the fuel ;. the general consumption of
which, compared with the quantity of hops dried,
remiads one of the sensible race of jieople, who hav-
ing once tListed of sucking pigs that had been de-
stroyed at a tire, burnt down a house whenever they
reciuired a dish of roast pig ! The anxiety attend-
ing the process is incalculable, and the expense in
waste of fuel and damaged hops, much greater than
many jilanters care to acknowledge. It certainly
amounts to many thousand pounds during the sea-
son. It will be fault of the hop-planters themselves
if any further complaints are made on this subject.
On Saturday week we were favoured with an inspec-
tion of a drying-cockle, upon a highly improved
and scientific principle, wiiicii after some years per-

severance and very considerable expense, has been
invented by Mr. Brown, of the Water-side Foundry,
Maidstone ; and for which he has taken out a pa-
tent. In the opinion of a great number of intelli-
gent and experienced hop-planters, this cockle is
likely to supersede altogether the use of the modern
stove. Its principal advantages are, — that its cost
in the first instance will not amount to h-alf the ex-
pense of the cockle now in use, and may be fitted
into any oast at an expense of 'iJ. beyond its own
cost ; that it keeps up a powerful and equable heat,
which may be regulated to the nicest degree, with-
out the dryer having occasion to touch the fire more
than once after it has been lighted ; that it can be
moved out of the oast (which is now used for only
three or four weeks in the year), so as to i)ermit it
to be occupied as a lock-up store-room or granary,
at all times when not drying ; that no danger of fire
can exist without the most criminal carelessness ;
that the supply of air (and consequently the iiame)
can be shut off, as by an extinguisher, in half a mi-
nute ; that the dryers have no occasion to endanger
their health by entering the oast to see how the fire
burns ; and finally, that it will dry 100 bushels of
hops in 24 hours by one shilling's worth of fuel.
How is this to be effected 1 The oats now in use
have a large aperiure opposite the fire in order to
admit a current of air ; and the genera' complaint of
the dryer is, that be cannot manage to get the reek
oft'. Many an oast has been burnt down in an at-
tempt to get the reek oft"; and another built in its
place exactly upon the same defective principle.
How can the dryer get the reek oft', by a current of
a mospheric air, probably already saturated with
humidity 1 The atmospheric air is, for this purpose,
like a sponge, which can only absorb a certain
quantity of moisture, and which in damp weather
passes through the oast — without touching tbe reek,
which can only be absorbed by a current of hot and
dry air. It is by subjecting the draught of air
(which passes with singular force through under-
ground flues) to the action of the h'-nited furnace
that the patent cockle enables it not only to take off
the reek, but to dry the hops with great economy of
fuel ; and from its capability of adjustment and
steadiness of heat, to dry them in a very superior
manner. To small farmers this invention is pecu-
liarly valuable. If a small farmer be now asked,
why he does not adopt improved modes of drying- ?
the reply almost invariably is, that he has no lease,
and that if he procured a new cockle it must be left
behind him as a fixture, should he leave his farm.
With the present cockle he could have no such fear,
as he could remove it as easily as his other imple-
ments. We shall keep this invention in view, and
give our readers such information as we are able to
procure, respecting- its success in the oasts of ex-
tensive planters v\ho have determined to adopt it.
VV^e ought to mention that its superiority has been
practically proved, and that it may be inspected at
the Foundry. — Maidstone Gazette,

Wkevii.s.— Accident discovered to a French f'ar-
mei- a very simple mode of destroying- weevils in corn
vvarehouses. Happening- to place some siiccp skins,
with the fleece on, in the corner of a g-ranary in which
tliere was a large quantity of corn, he was not a little
surprised to find them, in a few days, covered with dead
weevi!s. He repeated the experiment several times,
and always with the same success. At length he or-
dered his corn to be stirred up, and not a single weevil
remained in it. Jt appears, therefore, though the cause
has not been ascertained, that grc'dsi/ (cmii, when in the
neighbourhood of weevils, attracts and destroys them,

H 2

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON RESTIFFENESS.

[Michael Baret, published in 1618, a treatise on the
breeding, breaking, general and medical management
of the Horse. He entitled it " HiphoQomie.or Vine-
yard of Horsemanship." It is singular that none of
our professed recorders of the progress of horse
knowledge in Great Britain, make the slightest men-
tion of it, although it is singularly free from the con-
ceits and errors, and downright absurdities of the
best writers of that day, not excepting Mascnl,
Markham, or Blandeville. Indeed, he seems to
have been a full century in advance of his contem-
poraries, and therefore, as is too often the case, his
book was unread and forgotten. The question of
restiveness lias more than once been treated on in
your valuable journal wiihin the last two years. If
the opinion of Michael Baret on it is worth having,
it is at your service. The lapse of 220 years will
render part of what he says obsolete, and many pas-
sages will raise a smile, but the reader will not fail
to recognise the sound good sense, and the real good
feeling which should have claimed for his work, a
better fate than it received.]

Restiffenesse is also another weede that is
sprung vp in this Vineyard, whi»;h doth
mightily hinder the vines from flourishing,
being nouMsbed by will, and so spread into
the more branches ; for there hath beene sucli
small care to plucke it vp by the rootes, that
it hath beene nourished by inuention of so
many seuerale shapes of Cauezans and Bittes,
to make them yeeld by violence, when they
found (according to their vsing) lenity would
not prevaile : and likewise there hath beene
as many, seuerale inuentions to reforme these,
as they found restiffe qualities ; and yet, not
being grounded vpon truth, they have still
failed of their purpose ; whereby these are
increased in number and cruelty, as there are
horses to inflict, or matter to inucnt ; still
feeling themselves as far from workitig refor-
mation by such cruelties, as from bringing a
lion to subjection by force.

ButbecauseMaister Markham hath touched
them sufticiently in bis Cauallarice, I will re-
fer those who are desirous of being further
resolved to that place, for sith their incon-
veniences there are so indifferently pcrtra-
tured, I think it needless lo spend any time in
the displaying of them here, they being so
farre degressing from the true art ; for by
their shape and durable tortures, they make
the horse, as it were, mad and senseless, be-
cause he cannot feel ease when he yeeldeth.

But here I will leave these, and goe to the
causes of restiffnesse, wherein I shall vary
from the opinion of Mr. Markham, for he
houldeth that they are both naturall and ac-
cidental in the horse, but I say that they are
onely accidentall to the Horse by man's abuse
of the Art; for 1 neuer saw any colt or foale,
which had any naturall lestiflenesse of him-
self (except it be nourished by abuse), for by
his naturall inclination he will neither goe
backe, lye downe, stand still, strike, rise
afore, plunge, or any such like, unless he be
made sullen, or dogged by restrayning him

of his liberty. And further (having expe-
rience my refuge) I dare maintaine, that any
colt may be kept free from any restiffenesse
at the first, nay further, they may be kept free
from the vice of stumbling, enterfeiring, going
abroad either before or behind, for the cause
of these is not naturall (as some imagine) but
accidental, coming from the abuse of the
hand, and the vnapt motion of the body, for
there are none subject to these till they be
handled ; and I have amended many horses
of tliose faults, being put into my hands only
for that end. And therefore vvhatsoeuer res-
tiffe quality may spring vp in this vineyard,
is sowne there, by the hands either of man's
ignorance or negligence, in either not obseru-
ing, or else not knowing, how to order his
proceedings in such sort as the Korse might
conceive how to obey his mind, but because I
would not have you ignorant altogether here-
in, I will show briefly how these causes come
from the man, and where to reforme them.
Now the cheife cause of standing still or
going backe is, that he is corrected too much
by the bridle or hand, that he dare not presse
forward, and thereby when he feeleth that he
cannot free himselfe from the correction of
the body, he standeth still to get breath to
resist, and so having ease becometh restiffe,
or he goeth back thinking to free himselfe
thereby sith he cannot have libertie to goe
forward.

But you may reform these faults by letting
a footman lead him gently forward (as you
did a colt at his first backing) till he be set
on going, and let him goe which way he will,
lettcing him rest upon the head-straine, onely
vsing the hclpe of jour bodies motiou, to let
him know the vse thereof; which when hee
conceiveth, you may then adjoyne your cor-
rections, to make him goe forward at your
pleasure. Now the cause of those horses
which are subject to lye downe is by the ex-
tremities of correction also, whereby he is
made so stubborn that hee will lye downe
vpon the least discontent, for that at the first
his corrections not being apportionated ac-
cording to his disposition in striuing to resist
hee by some accident chanceth to fall, where-
by hee dismounteth the man, and so getteth a
habit thereof. And for reformation hereof
you shall (as afore) let a footman be bye, that
as soone as ever you doe but begin to feele
him nestle his feet that then he may be ready
to take him by the head presently, and pull
him on hastily, giving him reuiling termes,
and yourselfe doing nothing, but helpe him
by thrusting him forward with your motions,
and so vse him till you feel a willingness to
yeeld to them, and then to preuenthim better,
you shall have a cane to keepe his legs al-
waies in motion (when he standeth) till you
can command him yourself.

Now if he hath gotten that iadish trick of
striking, the cause thereof may as well be
from too little correction as from too much,
whereby he is not brought to true obedience,
or that it is increased by too much, and so

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

97

will answer one blow for another. And for
this the chase-halter is very good, for if he
be chased about in it, letting one follow him
with a long pole, and euer as he shall resist
double his stroks, and what with the correc-
tion and the labour in running about, hee will
presently be reformed.

And likewise, if he be subject to rise before
or plunge, the cause of these also is the abuse
of the hand, as well as in correction, for when
they feele correction so sharpe, and cannot
free themselves by any means, they presently
fall to these disorders, thinking thereby to
cease themselves. But if hee be apt to reare,
you may assaye to keepe him downe by the
liead-slraine (for that will make his fore parts
more heauy), and so hee will be the more
willing to presse forward : or if that preuaile
not, euer as hee riseth beate him downe with
your stick between his cares, or by striking
him vpon the knees, and that will cause him
to keep them downe ; or else, when you begin
to feele him rise, keepe your hands firme
vpon the head-straine, and with your whole
body turn him about, thrusting liim forward
with your legs, for this will reclaim him if the
other fayle. If you be also careful to keepe
his body mouing, that he hath not time to
stand until you feel his desire somewhat
abated. And for plunging let him have his
head, that he hath no stay to rest vpon your
hand, and keepe him also in motion, for then
he cannot have time nor leisure to frame his
body thereto ; for the letting him stay vpon
your hand giueth strength to his fore parts,
whereby his body hath the more help to raise
his hinder parts.

And further, the cause of running away
and skettishnesse is for want of true obedi-
ence of the hand and winde, and, therefore,
when hee is either displeased or seeth any
thingthatisstrange, heisreadytorunne away
or fly on the one side, in that he goeth not
freely but unwillingly, for his winde is kepte
to resist vpon the least occasion, and then
not having a perfect mouth, he will runne
away, or skew more from stubbornness than
timerity. And, therefore, to reclaim skew-
ing or starting, is to stirre him to a more
quick going, and correct him on that side hee
flycth on without partiality, and cause him to
goe to that which hee flceth from, and then
cherish him when he approacheth tiiereto
which will fortifie his bouldnesse. And for
a runaway, though there hath been many
waies approued, yet the best that I euer
could find, and the least dangerous is,
to let one liaue him in a chase halter and
yourselfe being on his back, thrust him into
his galloppe, and when he desircth to breake
off, let him giue him a sound twitch with the
halter, and yourselfe at the instant cause him
to stop, at which if he yeeld not, vse him so
the second and third time, or till you feele
him let his winde passe and then let him stand,
and cherish him, and thus you shall vse him
till you feel him yeeld to your hand, which he
will do in short time, for this quality is most

incident to hot fiery horses, vvliich are neuer
taught the true vse of the hand at first, be-
cause most think that when a horse goeth
forward freely, he is perfect, although other-
wise hee be most lame.

And further, the cause of stumbling is the
vnapt handling of he's body in going, so hee
hath not time to handle his feet in such order
as he should, in regard his hinder parts fol-
low faster than his fore parts can make way,
and then he stumbleth, which cpmeth to a
habit by abuse of the hand ; for if when you
feci him apt to stumble you for feare hold his
head, thinking thereby to preuent it, then you
shall increase it; because you giue him a
helpe to support his body, more than nature
hath ordayned, whereby he will rely the more
vpon the Jiand, and when you slacke it neuer
so little, that stay vpon which he trusteth
fayleth him, and then he stumbletlr the more.
Now, this must not be reformed by spurring
(as many think), for if he shall be but twise
or three times herewith, so soone as he shall
trippe neuer so little hee will runne head-
long forward and thereby stumble more dan-
gerously. But it must be reformed by
changing the carriage of his body, and letting
him have his heade ; and when his body is
set for true motion and his Iwst stirred vp
more quicke, he will take vp his legges more
loftily, and set them forward orderly if you
temper your hand and helps accordingly.

And for enterfeiring, the cause thereof is
not altogether in nature, but through the re-
straint of the hand that he cannot have liberty
to moue his legges directly forward by two
straight lines as he should, but crosseth his
feet whereby one striketh against the other ;
and, therefore, you may reform this (except
nature be imperfect in shape) by giuing him
his motion in the true place of his body, and
letting him goe direct, vpon a pleasing hand,
for then he will handle them so that they shall
not strike one against the other, for he may go
narrow and yet not entevfeire, if his body be
firmly knit, as well as ourselues doe, and yet
strike not one ancle against another ; and,
lastly, if a horse goes broad either before or
behind, the cause is still in the abuse of the
hand and miscarriage of his body, because
that if it be afore, the fore parts are holden
back by the slownesse of the hinder, so that
they both agree not truly in moueing, and
that his mouth was so terrified at the first, that
he durst not dare to vse his fore feet rightly,
but stradleth with them ; this may be reform-
ed also by the pleasant touch of the hand, let
ting him rest vpon the head-straine to cause
him to streatch his legges forward, if you be
not too hasty with him till hee have know-
ledge how to reach them out most largely,
helping him with the motions of your body to
his tiue time ; and likewise if he goe broad a
behind, then the hind feet arc forced on faster t
than he can tell how to frame his fore parts to
go ; for want of which aptnesse he is driven
on by force and so caused tliat disorder;
which must be remedied by the means afore-

98

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

said, and by letting liim have time whereby
hee may come to moue all his parts alike, and
then as he ijroweth cunnino; so to quicken up
his motions ; and this observe for a certainty,
that vhetlier this fault he behind or before,
or both, that tlie further he striketh and set-
teth forward with his legges, they must vpon
necessity goe the narrower. For instance,
suppose a quadrant, and let it resemble the
wide going horse and the four angles his four
feet, then suppose another and longer square,
and let it be of the same quantity and stand
for the euen going horse, now you see that
the second, altliough it be the same quantity
as the first, yet is narrower being further ex-
tended. So likewise a horse, the further he
streaichetli his feete forward in going, the
narrower they must needs goe, and yet their
distance at the setting on of his body is stili
of the same quantity.

Now for the further helpe to reformc these,
and so the most of the former, deep earths is
much auayleable for a young practitioner
vsing still tiie former helpes, and also Jo bring
your horse back to his chase-halter will help
much tj gaine obedience, whereby you sliall
save niuch labour in toyiing both yourself and
liim ; for there neuer can be sure building
\'po') false foundations, and I see no reason
that it should be any disgrace to the art or
professer to bring a false grounded horse
backe to proceed orderly, than it is for a
schoole maister to bring aschoollor (that hath
been rudely taught) backe to learnc him
siilabic truly, seeing there is the like relation
to them both.

And whereas it may be objected, that it is
doubtful whether these two (that is the trench
and the musrole) will reform all restifle horses,
seeing that there are so many diflerences of
horses and varieties of restiflfnesse : I answer
thatthat point is cleared afore, for restiftnesse,
of what kind soever it is doth not proceed
from the horse, but as a matcriall cause, and
not as the efficiant, so the man being the effi-
ciant, these errors are increased by iiim, and
there are as many means to reforme by them
in their true vse as there are means to increase
them by abuse, and therefore if they be applied
according to the quality of the restiftnesse,
and the horse in whom it is residing, there
neede be no more doubt of their reclayming,
than of heat and moysture to preserve the
vitall powers, for by these two life is pre-
served, so by those two motions obedience is
mayntayned,one maintayning orderly motion,
and the other correcting disorderly if helpes
and corrections be aptly adjoyned.

Sir,-

DEVONSHIRE CIDER.

-I beg to occupy a short space in your mis-

Flint in Wheat. — The scoundrels who burn
wheat stacks in the country leave behind them some
curious chemical results. " Swing'" is a grand experi-
mentalist. There are found in the embers, lumps of
coarse glass, which are the result of the fusion of the
silica, or flint, which wheat straw in particular is found
•^0 contain in very .considerable quantities.

cellany, on the subject of Devonshire Cider, for the
purpose of suggesting- a liint on the means ofpi'o-
ducing and preserving this agreeable beverao;e in
the best state of mellowness, and also for preventing-
the general complaint against it by towns-people —
that of harshness, or sourness— a property it acquires
from the imperfect state of the fruit, and the conse-
quent too great abunJance of fecula, or fermentive
principle, in the juice. This mellowness is at pre-
sent badly imitated by tiie use of brimstone, by
whicli a portion of sulphureous acid is produced,
and is found to r, nder the fecula inert : by this
means, however, a foreign and deleterious acid is
introduced, and cider so prepared, though sweet to
the palate, is less wholesome than it would be if tlie
fermentive principle were simply separated from the
liquor ; it being found that the presence of too much
fecula continues the process of fermentation beyond
the point at which it ouglit to stop, as well as occa-
sioning its too rapid progress. For this purpose, I
recommend the use of animal jelly, and I have found
that obtained from calves' feet to answer very well
in making English wines ; I have used them in the
raw state as well as boiled into jelly, and find they
answer in either way. Observation and experience
can alone determine the quantity to be emploj'ed ; at
present I recommend two or three pairs of calves'
feet per hogshead, suspended from the bungliolebya
string, to prevent them sinking quite to the bottom ;
if tliey are put in immediately on the cider being-
put into the casks, the fermentation will proceed till
the liquor becomes fine, after wlucli it will be much
retarded, and perhaps a single racking will, by this
means, be found sufficient. I'his, however, and the
quantity of animal substance to be used, and the pre-
cise time for introducing- it into the cider, must be
determined by repeated and careful experiment.

In making raisin and fruit wine, the calves' feet
were put in after the fermentation had been going on
for several weeks ; tlie wine soon became line, and
the fermentation was retarded, or almost suspended.
For a weaker liquor, like cider, it may be better to
employ them very early.

Since writing the ioregoing observations, I have
had a communication on the subject of making cider
from an American farmer, who resides in the state
of Ohio. He informs me that the cider of that coun-
try is, in his opinion, superior, both in quality and
strength, to ours; and he attributes this superiority
in part to their climate and fruit, but mainly to the
difference in management. The method they now
almost invariably pursue is, to put a pint of common
mustard seed into every hogshead of juice or cider
from the pound's mouth ; and this simi)le expedient
it found to preserve the cider from becoming hard,
and to render racking more than once quite unne-
cessary. This appears to be a very easy method of
efl!'ecting so desirable an object : it is not theoretical
but recommended by long-established practice.
Large growers mav find it advantageous to raise
their own mustard seed.

Perhaps some may be desirous of learning how
mustard seetl sliould aftectthe fermentation of cider ;
this it may be somewhat difficult to account for
quite satisfactorily : there is, however, one fact
pretty generally known in this country, which may,
perhaps, bear some affinity to it. It has been ob-
served, that cider kept in a linseed oil cask which
has been first pioperly cleansed is always mellow,
insomuch that some farmers in this county give a
preference to these casks. Now it is known that
mustard seed contains a large quantity of bland oil,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

99

and it may, perhaps, produce the same effect as the
saturated stares of the oil cask. It is also well
known to brewers, that oil and grease added to wort
retards the fermentation ; any other seed, therefore,
which freely yields bland oil, may possibly answer as
well as the mustard seed.

Whilst I am on the subject of cider, I would also
say a few words on a method if Ijrewing- beer, lately
introduced from Scotland, whicli English farmers
may find it convenient to adopt. The wort is made
and also boiled with the hops in the usual manner,
adding tlu-ee-fourths of an ounce of isinglass to every
hogshend of wort; but, instead of cooling it, and
the adding yeast to produce fermentation, the hot
liquor is put immediately into the cask, and in some
days it cools, and then ferments in a peculiar manner
without tlie ad lition of any ferment, and in the usual
time is i'ound to be converted into an excellent
liquor, quite fine, and mellow. L am told it geiierallii
turns out to be superior to beer brewed in the usual
way, at the same time there is a saving of one-fourth
part of the malt, three bushels producing as good a
cask of beer as four by tlie old metliod.

Y. y.

THE NEW POOR-LAW.

It being constantly mentioned that the New Poor
Law was exclusively the measure of the Wliig go-
vernment, we have extracted the following opi-
nions upon that law expressed by some of the
most influential members of the opposition.

The Duke of Wellington. — I concur with the
noble and learned lord on tlie woolsack, and with
the noble lord opposite, as to the necessity of this
measure. I maintain that it is impossible for parlia-
ment to frame any law that can by posssibility re-
medy or apply to the abuses which pravail at the
present moment — abuses which areas varied in their
character as they are numerous. It is their general
existence all over the country — it is their existence
in a different shape in every parish in the kingdom,
which renders the appointment of a central board ab-
solutely necessary, with jooicers to control the ichole of
the parishes in the land, and to adopt such remedies as
will secure a safe administration of these laws
throughout the country. The subject has been sub-
milted to the house by several noble lords, and has
also been under the consideration of every adminis-
tration that I have known ; but no plan has ever been
suggested, or scheme proposed, to remove and re-
medy the evils of the existing laws, which in my
judgment at all equalled the present, and fn- it I must
return the noble lords opposite, with whom it has
originated, my sincere thanks. The present remedy
for the evils of the existing laws is most unquestion-
ably the best which has ever been devised.

The Earl of Winxiiester. — I can honestly say
that I approach the consideration of this question,
viewing it as second to none in importance that have
been brought under our consideration, whether as
affecting that great interest of this country, which in
many parts of England has been so borne down by
the burdens thrown on it by the mal-administration
of the laws wliich it is the object of the bill to cor-
rect, or wliether I consider it as affecting the moral
character and independence of the labouring popu-
lation, to whose welfare I maintain that this measiu'e,
if carried into execution, will prove of the greatest
advantage, I think tbatpart of the bill which effects
a change in the bastardy laws will be productive of

great benefit, for the law, as at present administered,
is a direct encouragement, a direct premium to vice.

The Marquis of Bute ('a Stuart, and a relation of
Mr. John Stuart Wortley^ — I think this bill will
greatly improve the condition of the honest and in-
dustrious classes ; it is calculated to draw closer the
bonds of connexion between the rich and the poor.

Earl Manners, — I shall give my cordial support
to the motion for the second reading of this bill.

The Earl of Wincuilsea (on the 24th July)— I
retain my original opinion, that without the appoint-
ment of these commissioners, it will be utterly hope-
less to attempt to establish one uniform system for
the poor laws.

The Marquis of Salisbury wished to declare it
illegal to give out-door relief to the able-bodied.

The Bishop of LoNnox. — I am satisfied that the
present clauses, taken in conjunction with the rest
of the bill, will confer a great and general good.

Lord Wiiarncliife. — (On the 7th of August.) —
As I shall be unable, my lords, to be present to-
morrow, when the subject of these (bastardy)
clauses is to come particularly under your attention,
I will take the liberty of making a few observations
now. I confess that I am very much inclined to
think that the most effectual mode of getting rid of
the evil of bastardy, and of reforming the manners
of the young women of this country, will be to throw
the burden on the woman alone, but I cannot help
thinking that there is in both houses of parliament a
considerable feeling against such a course of pro-
ceeding, and that it would be desirable in some de-
gree to limit the application of that principle. It is
with this view that I intended to propose the clauses
of which I have given notice ; but on further con-
sideration, I have determined, that although if any
noble peer thinks proper to take them up, and move
their introduction, I will support him, yet I will not
put myself forward, and originate such a motion.

The Duke of Wellington stated that as Lord
Wharncliffe declined to propose the clauses, he (the
Duke) would propose them : lie did so the next day,
and they were carried, and now form that part of the
bill. These clauses were a modification, and in one
respect a mitigation, of the clauses carried by Mr.
Miles, the Tory member for East Somerset, in the
house of commons.

The Duke of Wellington avowed the other day
that the law had surpassed his most sanguine
hopes, and was one of the most valuable measures
ever passed.

Sir R. Peel. — If it were intended to maintain that
act, to give the moral aid of the support of that house
to those who had to administer the very difficult and
important functions entrusted to the poor law com-
missioners, the house ought to be most exceedingly
cautious how they did anything likely to create in
the public mind a suspicion that the house had
doubts upon the subject of this measure, or wished
to shrink from tlie responsibility of allowing its
operation to be continued. When he heard it stated
that a saving of one, two, or three millions a year
had already been effected by this measure, he was
far from undervaluing so important a result, feeling,
as he did, that no reduction in unwise expenditure
could be made without doing a vast good to the
labouring classes — (Jiear, hear ; ) but the great object
which he had contemplated in advocating the mea-
sure was, to improve the moral condition of the peo-
ple, to give them a feeling of independence, to open
before them the prospect that by industry, combined
with good moral character, there would be a certainty
of their being able to provide, in an independent and

100

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

honourable manner, for their 'own subsistence and
that of their families. (Hear, hear.) Having given
to the measure bis cordial support, he must say that
he had hitherto heard no facts stated of a nature to
induce him to repent of that support, or incline him
to take any step likely to prejudice the operation of
the measure. {Hear, hear, hear.) He did not hesi-
tate to say— and he was bound to give his frank
opinion, whatever unpopularity might attach to it —
he did not liesitate to say that being, as he was, un-
converted from his original conviction as to the prin-
ciple of the measure, he felt that it was entitled to a
full and fair trial. {Hear, hear.)

Sir James Graham said — Havingtaken an anxious
part in tlie oiiginal discussions on this measure, were
it ten tiroes more unpopular than he believed it to
be, he sliould be ashamed of himself if on the pre-
sent occasion he shrunk from taking his full share of
any odium that might attach to its suppoiters.

The following is the substance of the charge
delivered by Lord Wharncliffe to the Grand Jury,
at the West-Riding Sessions held at Sheffield, in
October, 1834:—

Undoubtedly, the government have run the risk
of great obloquy ; and I apprehend that my testi-
mony will be considered impartial (for my political
opinions are pretty well known,) if I take this oppoi--
tunity of saying, that I give credit to the govern-
ment for having fairly grappled with a most difficult
subject ; and, without fear of obloquy and misrepre-
sentation, having carried into effect their own views.
It is necessary that we should consider the state of
things at the time of the passing of the new law.
Many persons in this part of the country are not at
all aware what was the state of things produced by
the poor laws in other parts of it, and particularly
in the south. It has been said that an honest pea-
santiy is its country's pride ; but the effect of the
administration of the poor laws in the southern coun-
tries has been to destroy all honesty among the
labouring classes, and to make it their interest and
their business to trick the overseers and magistrates.
It has destroyed all feelings of independence; and in
raanjr parts the result has been, that the produce of the
soil — at least, all that which should have constituted
the rent — has been absorbed by the poor's rate. The
principle of the new bill is to go back to the principle
of thelaw of Queen Elizabeth : and almost all the alter-
ation made by the new act is to repeal subsequent
statutes, which have made alterations in the mode of
giving relief.

The new act refers to parishes of the following-
three descriptions. First — Those governed by
guardians or a select vestry, where the magistrates
have no power of ordering relief, except in cases of
urgent necessity, and then in the shape of food,
clothing, and medicine. Second, — Parishes having
workhouses. In these, if a pauper, having been re-
fused relief bv the overseers, applies to the magis-
trates, the overseers may be summoned ; but if they
offer to take the applicant into the house, the magis-
trates have no further power. In the performance of
their duty, however, the overseers ought to act with
as little harshness as possible, and no violent aud
sudden change beyond what is absolutely necessary
should be made. As to the poor who have hitherto
been relieved out of the house, I would recommend
that no harsh alteration should be made, but that the
overseers should endeavour to slide by degrees into
the new system. But in all cases %vhere it is found
that the paupers have imposed on the overseers or
magistrates, the earlier the principle of the new law
is enforced the better. The third class of parishes

are those in which there are neither guardians, select
vestries, nor workhouses, and in these the magis-
trates may order such relief to be given as they
think necessary. The principle of the law is this,
that no man ought to receive relief from the parish
who can by other means obtain his livelihood. No
man has a right to expect from others a part of their
earnings or property. His business is to work for
his own livelihood, and it is the business of the le-
gislature and the country to see that he has full
liberty to do so. I am far from saying that persons
in poverty have no claim on the charity of their
neighbours. Every humane mind would recognise
such a claim. But a distinction ought to be made
between the man whose own idleness or extrava-
gance had reduced him to poverty, and him who had
sunk under misfortune. The first ought to suffer the
penalty cf his couduct; the poverty of the other
ought to be mitigated by the kindness of his neigh-
bours. The administration of the new law has been
placed under the control of commissioners, against
whose power great objections have been made, but
it is to be remembered that they must act in accord-
ance with and are amenable to the law. There was
another part of the new act which had shocKed the
feelings of many persons, he meant the bastardy
clauses. Under the old law, an unmarried woman,
being pregnant and likely to become chargeable to
tlie parish, had a right to go before two magistrates,
and declare, on oath, who was the fatlier of the
child, and the overseers had the power to apply to
the magistrates for an order upon the father to com-
pel him to pay for the maintenance of the child, and the
expenses of her confinement. All that is now done
away. No such order can now be made; but, in the case
of an illegitimate child becoming chargeable to the pa-
rish, overseers may make application to the quarter
sessions, and then the paternity of the child being-
proved by other evidence, confirmatary of that of the
mother, an order may be made. Much had been
said of the difficulty of obtaining such evidence, but
he should say, that in forty-nine cases out of every
fifty, circumstances might be spoken to in evidence,
corroborative of the oath of the woman, and such as
would induce the court to think that she spoke the
truth. Under the former law, all men were subject
to the oft'oct of perjury and conspiracy. Underthis,
to support any fabricated case would be almost im-
possible. In the law on this point, a great altera-
tion had certainly been made. It might be thought
hard to lay all the burden of a joint transgression on
the woman alone, but they ought to consider whether
that was not the surest and best way of preserving-
female chastity. It had been said, that when a woman
had lost her chastity, the want of it was soon one of
the least of her crimes. This was frequently too true,
as in many cases it was only the first step in a
career of infamy and vice. We must have recourse
to the proper and natural feelings of woman.
Hitherto, the law has acted rather as an encourage-
ment to yield than to resist. The certainty whicJi
had been offered to women that the fruit of illicit in-
tercourse would be supported, independently of the
exertions of the mothers, had had a most injurious
influence on the morals of many females of the lower
order. He hoped the effect of the new law would
be to awaken the right feelings which nature had im-
planted in every woraim's breast. This, liowever,
could only be the result of some years' experience ;
and in the meantime, no doubt, cases of consider-
able hardship would occur, which, however, would
not be without their use, since they would serve as
a warning- to others. I have detained you thus long,
said his lordship, to endeavour to point out to you

\-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. -^

lOi

tie real nature and some of tlie principles of a law,
respecting- which much dissatisfaction and ignorance
Las been manifested. Although the subject has
been much discussed in the country and in parlia-
ment, I am bound to say that there are very many
persons who are very ignorant respect it. Therefore,
I liave been at some jiains to give you an explana-
tion which I trust may be of some service.

STATE

OF AGRICULTURE IN CUM-
BERLAND.

"The soil of this county varies much ; it often
differs in the same parish, and sometimes even in
the same field. The mountainous districts are
bleak and barren ; the most pravalent soil being
mossy or dry gravel covered with heath. They
are chiefly used as sheep pastures and preserves
for moor-game. Some good land of dry brown
loam is found in the valleys and on the sides of some
of the smaller mountains. On the margins of the
rivers is much valuable ground, consisting ofbrown
loam. On the coast the soil is light sandy or gra-
vel. The lowland country, extending from Carlisle
in every direction for many miles is fertile, though a
considerable portion of it is cold wet loam and black
peat earth ; this land has latterly been much im-
proved by draining, which is now carried to a very
great extent. There is a good deal of fertile clayey
loam in the neighbourhood of VVigton. Sand and
light loam prevail near Brampton, and likewise
near Penrith. In the west of the county there is
some wet soil on a clay bottom, and also some
hazel mould. The subsoil in many places is a wet
steril clay. About two-thirds of the county are
held under lords of manors, by what it is called
customary tenure, a species of feudal oppressions
which subjects them to the payment of certain
annual rents and fines, and of arbitrary fines and
heriots, with other boons and services, on alie-
nation, or on the death of lord or tenant. A part
of the county is freehold, a part leasehold under
the Bishop of Carlisle, the Dean and Chapter of
Carlisle, and others, and a small part is copyhold.
The tithes are generally paid in kind, and have
been great obstacles to improvement. The agri-
culture of the county has improved considerably
within the last thirty years, and great quantities of
corn and produce of various kinds are noiv ex-
ported. The chief exports are from Port Carlisle,
Whiteha\'en, Workington, and Maryport, and con-
sist of cattle, sheep, poultry, grain, potatoes, but-
ter, bacon, &c. The land being divided into small
farms, the dairies are necessarily on a small scale,
though their produce is excellent, and bears a high
price in the market. Many of the farms do not
exceed 100 acres, and some are not more than 30
or 50 acres. They are possessed on verbal or writ-
ten contracts, or on very rhort leases. There are
very few farms let on leases of 14 or 21 years.
Many ])ersons, provincially called lairds or states-
men, occupy their own lands, which, in some in-
stances, have passed for several centuries in a re-
gular line of descent in thu same families. Some
of these persons have an air of independence,
which forms a peculiar trait in their character.
A small part of the land, in some places, lies in
open town fields, which cannot have the benefit
of the common improvement in husbandry. This
land usually lies in variable width, upon which the
grazing cattle that are herded do frequent injuries
to the crops. In other places there are certain

common lands that are annually stinted with cattle
and horses, on a fixed day by the owners or oc-
cupiers. These lands are always in grass. In high
and mountainous districts the chief object of the
farmers is their sheep stock, though of late years
a considerable quantity of high-lying land has been
brought into cultivation, which on account of the
steep declivities, is very laborious. In some of
these plants the climate is cold, the corn back-
ward, and the harvest late. The valleys and low
grounds are cultivated chiefly for grain, and pro-
duce excellent crops of wheat, barley, and oats ;
these are alternated with turnips and potatoes or
fallow. Some of the lands that are well supplied
with water are kept as meadow or pastures tor
dairies, and for rearing and fattening cattle. Al-
though the Cumberland farmers are in general good
agriculturists, and have their lands clean and in
good condition, many of them take too many white
crops, particularly on new inclosures, which im-
poverish the land; they also keep their lands too
long in tillage, without renewing by laying down.

" Candlemas is the usual time for entering upon
farms, and the rents are paid half-yearly, in even
and equal portions, at Lammas and Candlemas.
The buildings and premises, in many instances,
are delivered in good repair to the farmer, who at
his own cost amends and keeps them in sufficient
repair, except the roof and main timbers, which
are repaired by the landlord. In other instances
the tenant lends all materials wanted for repairs,
and finds meat and lodgings of the work-people.
The landlord pays the wages of the workpeople
and the costs of the materials. The modern farm-
houses and buildings have a handsome appear-
ance, being generally built of stone, and roofed
with blue slate. The old farm-buildings or cot-
tages have clay or mud walls, and are thatched
with straw. The following rotation of crops is
often adopted on good soils. After the land has
been in grass two or three years, it is ploughed
up, and one crop, and in a few instances, two
crops of oats, are taken, then a fallow, or green
crop of turnips or potatoes, which is followed by
a crop of wheat, and this last by a crop of barley,
when the land is laid down with clover and grass
seeds. A crop of hay is taken the ensuing year,
and then the land is kept in grass. On poor and
light soils only one white crop is taken after a
green crop or fallow and the land is laid down
with seeds. Beans and peas are occasionally cul-
tivated, but less frequently than in the south of
England. The farmer cuts almost every sort of
grain with the sickle. He does not sell or dispose
of any hay or sti-aw, but consumes them on the
farm ; he keeps his usual quantity of stock until
the end of his term, and leaves all the manure,
ashes, and compost, that may arise or be made
upon the premises for the benefit of the succeed-
ing tenant. At the expiration of the term, he is
allowed to sell or remove the remainder of the
crop. He does not plough or convert into tillage
more than one-half of the arable lands in any one
year, except some small part for soiling. Such
parts as shall be mown twice he covers with ma-
nure, compost, or ashes. When the land is in
fallow for v.'heat, and also before it is sown with
barley, and with clover seeds and grass seeds, it is
well manured. In the former state, it has about
twenty, and in the latter, ten cart-loads of manure
per acre. The quantity of clover seeds is usually
six pounds of red and three pounds of white clover
seeds to each acre. The farmer does not depasture
any hoises or cattle upon the seeds after the barley

102

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is reaped. In the last j'ear of his term he sum-
mer-fallows, plants with potatoes or sows with
turnip seeds a certain number of acres (perhaps a
tenth part of the arable land), which he is required
to manure well. The potatoes or turnips are pul-
led up and carried away from the land on or about
the tenth of October preceding the expiration of
the term, after which time the succeeding tenant is
at liberty to enter upon this land, and to plough,
nianiu-e, and sow it with wheat or other grain,
cind also to take the manure then upon the pre-
mises for the manuring of the land. The farmer
is required not to do any injury to his wheat land
by depasturing horses, cattle, or sheep upon it.
Hay, straw, and clover are sold by some farmers
in the vicinity of market towns, from which ashes
and manure are taken to the farms. When the
land is drained with tiles, the landlord, in many
instances, finds the tiles only ; in others, he is also
at the expense of cutting and making the drains,
and the tenant leads the tiles, sets them, and fills
and covers the drains in a proper and satisfactory
manner. Lime is much used in many places, and
lately bone-dust has been employed by a few per-
sons. The variety of oats called potato-oats, which
is now so generally cultivated in every part of the
kingdom, was first discovered by a farm-servant
of Mr. Jackson, of Arkleby, in this county, in
1778. The hoi-ses in common use are light and of
rather small size. Waggons are rarely, if ever
used by the farmer. A single horse-cavt, and a
pair of horses to a plough are in general use. Se-
veral improved implements of husbandry havebeen
lately adopted. Scufflers have been used by a few
persons. Thrashing machines and drills of various
kinds are now become common on larger farms.
There is a great variety of cattle and sheep. Many
persons have the improved short-horned cattle;
some have galloways ; and a few prefer the long-
horned breed. The last, which was, not many
years ago, the most common, is now superseded
by the two former. A peculiar breed of sheep,
called Herdwicks, from their being farmed out to
herds at a yearly sum, is met with on the moun-
tains, at the head of the Duddon and Esk rivers.
The ewes and wethers, and many of the tups are
polled ; their faces and legs speckled, and the wool
short and coarse. They are lively and hardy little
animals. The tups are in great request to im-
prove the hardiness of other flocks. There are
four agricultural societies and several cattle-shows
in the county, which give a stimulus to agriculture
and encourage improvements in the breed of live
stock, by distributing rewards and premiums.
The late Mr. Curwen, of Workington hall deserves
mention as one of the greatest promoters of agii-
culture in Cumberland. At Carlisle, Whitehaven,
and Penrith, are horticultural and floral societies,
which are mcII supported, and are of service in
exciting attention to the cultivation of fruits and
flowers. About ten acres of boggy land near Tain
Wadling are kept exclusively for the production
of cranberries, which are uncommonly fine and
much esteemed.

" Cumberland farmers are a temperate, social,
and intelligent people. They are strong and ro-
bust, and generally very frugal and industrious.
They rise early and labour hard. They wear clogs,
and coarse plain dresses, take oatmeal porridge to
breakfast, and often bacon and salt meat to dinner.
Their bread is commonly made of barley, or of
barley and rye. In some places, oaten bread
formed into thin cakes, and scons, or unleavened
cakes, are chiefly used. Milk, potatoes, and skim-

med milk cheese are universally consumed. Tea,
wheat brend^ and animal food are now fast super-
seding these simple articles of diet. About half a
century ago they wore kelt cloth, which was of
grey colour and home spun, and hence the name
of grey-coats, which the Cumbrians received. At
present home-spun clothes are only worn by a few
persons in the mountain districts. The Cumbrians
have been imdeservedly said to be litigious, which
has arisen from the minute division of property
and extensive commons occasioning frequent law-
suits. The peasantry pay great attention to the
education of their children, in some rural dis-
tricts, vifhere the quarter pay is not adequate to
support the master, he is allowed a whittlc-gate, or
the privilege of dining in rotation with the parents
of his pupils, a custom which formerly prevailed
also in some jdaces with the poorer clergy. Farm
servants are hired at Whitsuntide and IVIartinmas,
at the fairs held at the larger market-towns. They
stand in the market-places, and are distinguished
by having a piece of straw or green branch in their
months. Men get, for half a year, which is the
general term, from 4/. to 8/. : and women from 21.
to 4.1. After the hiring is over, the remainder of
the day and of the evening are dedicated to mirth
and festivity. Cumbrian peasantry have various
festive meetings, called the kirn, or harvest-home,
sheep-shearing, merry nights, and upshots. Bride-
wains and bidden-weddings are still held in some
parts of the county. Wrestling, running, and
leaping are the favourite amusements and athletic
exercises of the peasantry."

Curious Effects of Straihoniuji. — Th(5re are in-
stances in which idiocy is mentioned as the principal
symptom developed, and there is an amusing passage
in Beverly's History of .Tamaica, which illustrates
the fact. He says, that the Jamestown weed, which
resembles the thorny apples of Peru, and which I
take to he the plant so called, is supposed to be one
of the greatest coolers in the world. This being an
early plant, was gathered very young for a boiled
salad, by some of the soldiers sent thither to quell
the rebellion of Bacon, and some of them ate plenti-
fully of it, the effect of which was a very pleasant
comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for
several days. One would blow up a feather in the
air, nnd another would dart straws at it with much
fury; another was sitting up in a corner like a mon-
key, grinning and making mouths at them; a third
would fondly kiss nnd paw his companions, and sneer
in their faces with a countenance more antic than any
Dutch doll. In this frantic condition they were con-
fined, lest in their folly thev should destroy them-
selves. A thousand simple tricks they played, and,
after eleven days, returned to themselves again, not
remembering anything that had passed.

Axioms in Farming. — The first rule a farmer
should lay down is, not to take two successive crops of
corn from tlie same ground it he can possibly avoid it
— certainly never three. His second to substitute one
or other of the meliorating crops, and to sow peas,
beans, vetches, buckwheat, turnips, cabbage, potatoes,
or mangel wurtzel, between every crop of corn. His
third never to sovv^ on dirty land ; and (though last not
least) his fourth to be vigilant, honest, and indus-
trious. If farmers would observe these rules, and
carry the operations falling under them into zealous
execution, they would be astonished at the increase of
straw and grain, at the increased and improved stock
they would be enabled to support ; and at the immense
increase of their middens. These are the principal
things necessary to be observed by every good farmer.
— Lloyd's Treatise on Agriculture.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

103

RABIES IN THE DOG— SYMPTOMS.

(l-nOiM THE VETERINARIAN.)

We are now appi'oaching the most important
subject in the whole range of veterinary patho-
logy. In other cases, the comfort and the exis-
tence of our quadruped patients, and the property
of our employers are involved. Ihis is somewhat
heavy responsibility, and I trust that we duly feel
it; but here fiic lives of nur employers, and our
own too, are at stake, and may be easily, and too
often are, compromised. Here, too — however
other portions of the chain may be overlooked or
deniecl — we have the link which connects, most of
all, our undervalued profession with that of human
medicine ; nay, rather, here is the circumscribed,
valued spot on which, at least, we may assert our
equality; and not ordy so, but where we have the
'vantage ground, and may shew our consciousness
of it by our eagerness to acknowledge, and to
make some return for those kindnesses which
wcie rendered to us when we were struggling to
emerge from ignorance and barbarism. My former
partner led the way in rescuing this subject from
several of the absurd and fearful errors by which
it had been for many an age surrounded. For
son)e j'ears I have had the honour of addressing
my veterinary pupils on it ; but this is the first
time that I have ventured to invite the medical
pupil and practitioner.* I entreat their candour.
I will not designedly offend, and then I am sure
they will not he offended if I speak freely on some
points of difference between us, and where we
have the weight of experience on our side. I do
gratefully acknowledge the kindness with which
we have, with excei)tions rare and far between,
been met in consultation on this subject; but we
have now and then i)een encountered with cold-
ness and ill-concealed contempt. I was once re-
quested to examine a bitch belonging to a gentle-
man then and still an ornament of the Linnean
Society. She had bitten two of his servants. He
had consulted the then Goliath of medical litera-
ture, who told him that there was nothing the
matter with the dog, and no necessity for punish-
ing the servants. Me, however, was a kind master,
and wished to make assurance doubly sure, and
he sent for me. The moment I saw her I said that
she was rabid, and, in fact, so near the winding
up of the affair, that she would not live until the
morning. He urged me to come down in the
evening, and in the meantime he would summon
other medical friends, and there should lie a con-
sultation about the matter. It so happened that
other engagements made me a little late. As I
was ushered into the drawing-room, I saw ten or
a dozen gentlemen. One, of portly bulk, was
warming a certain nameless posterior part of his
frame, and sajdng, " It is all nonsense that we are
met about: there is nothing the matter with the
bitch ; but a uog-;loctor has been here this morn-
ing, and he says that she is mad. I should like
to see this dog-doctor." By this time I had ad-
vanced into the room, and, after telling- him that
this was not a reception to which the dog doctor
was accustomed, and being cheered by the kind
reception of others, the consultation began; and
the result of it was, th^.t, with the one dissentient

* These lectures will be in substance, those tliat
were delivered at University College, and whicli
were thrown open to and numerously attended by
medical students oftho.se days, and by many prac-
titioners.

voice, it was determined that she was rabid, — that
the operation on the servants was necessary, —
and the parts were forthwith excised. Then came
the talk about the quadruped. I affirmed that she
would not be living on the noon of the following
day, and prevailed on my antagonist to meet me
there at a little later hour.

Wc met, and the bitch was produced dead
enough. iMade wise from the experience of the
former evening, I urged him to tell me what mor-
bid lesions would satisfy him. I told him what I
expected to find, but I could not bring him at all
to the point. The bitch was opened. I affirmed
that she died rabid ; — he declared that it was no
such thing, and that the servants had been use-
lessly punished. The difficulty was, h ho should
decide. I started off for my old master, Joshua
Brooks, whose simple, profound, inestimable lec-
tures will never be forgotten by those who be-
longed to his school, and entreated him to come
and decide a knotty point, the nature of which I
would not tell him. He came. "Mr. Youatt has
not told you, I take for granted, the nature of the
question you are to decide.' "Not a word."
" Then please to walk this way. Was this bitch
rab'd or not ?" After a pause, and due examina-
tion, '' Rabid. I have rarely seen a clearer case."
]\Iy antagonist has gone to his long home. Let
the memory of his occasional rudeness and of
other errors die \v\ih him. One thing, however, I
must say. He was a medical examiner of veteri-
nary pupils. This anecdote will tell how far he
was qualified to sit at a board, whence the men
wlio had the best right to appear there — veteri-
nary practitioners— were excluded. Some of the
present occupants of that board I know, and I
sincerely respect them. They are honours to their
own ])rofession, and they have been kind to me ;
but if any one of them will kindly favour me with
a call, I will undertake to extort from him, but in
perfect good humour, the confession that he is
perfectly ignorant of the subject on which I would
examine him; that he would to a certainiy be
turned back if he was a veterinary ;w?<jW27; and that
he is therefore utterly unfit to become a veterinary
examiner.

Well, gentlemen; to return from this long story
and this usurpation of undoubted rights, I owe to
the medical profession a great deal too much to
permit me designedly to offend ; but I owe like-
wise too much to my own class, and to my own
profession, to withhold one particle of the truth,
or what I suppose to be the truth, however con-
trary it may be to the opinion of some of my
hearers.

Symptoms of Rabies. — In describing the nature
and cause and treatment of this fearful disease, I
will first take thr.t animal in which it oftenest ap-
pears, and by which it is most frequently propa-
gated, the dog. In some continental states the
wolf is the rival of the dog in the work of mischief
and one of the French medical journals states,
that, between them both, at least liiOO persons die
in Europe hydrophobous every year. The symp-
toms of rabies in the dog! for it is only within a
limited i)eriod after the infliction of the bite, and
probably while the dog is alive, that we have any
chance of combatting the evil. I shall have occa-
sion to speak of and to recommend certain medi-
caments in certain cases ; and I confess that I have
the hope, the belief, that at some, possibly not
distant time, the medicine or the compound will
be discovered to which even this malady will yield ;
but in the present day, in the in-esent state of me-

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dical science, ouv hope consists in the destruction
of the bitten part, and that I need not tell you
cannot be effected too soon : the time of hope may
have fled ere the animal that inflicted the wound
has ceased to live.

Early Symptoms. — What, then, are the earliest
symptoms .' What a fearful subject have I to treat
upon at the very beginning of my inquiry ! When
does danger commence? At what period before
the death of the dog.' Some j'ears ago a dog, na-
turally ferocious, bit a child at Lisson Grove. The
child died on the third day, and an inquest was to
be held on the body on the same evening. The
coroner ordered the dog to be sent to me for exa-
mination. The animal was, contraiy to his usual
habits, perfectly tractable. I could do with him
as I pleased. I trust that I entered fairly into the
matter. I was, if I were to speak the truth,
anxious to find some suspiciois circumstance
about him. I could not; and I was compelled to
return a certificate that I could discover no cause
of rabies about him ; adding my wish that the dog
might be consi;^iied to me for a certain period,
that I might be enabled to watch the idtiniate re-
sult. The inquest took place ; — the child was ex-
amined;— one of the medical attendants thought
that there were some suspicious appearances about
the stomach, and I believe also that there was
congestion of the brain.

The dog was ordered to be sent to me ; — the
master begged that he might take him home for
one night. He did so ; and brute-like, he hung
him. The remaining part of the story will render
it likely that he knew of his having been previous-
ly bitten by a rabid dog. With great difficulty, and
after some sturdy threatening, we procured the
carcass. There were kindly present at the exa-
mination, Drs. Conolly, D. D. Davis, and T.
Thomson, of the University of London, and Mr.
Pattison, Professor of Anatomy at the same insti-
tution. We examined him as carefully as we could ;
and from some inflammatory appearances about the
glottis and the stomach, and the presence of a
small portion of indigestible matter in the stomach,
we were unanimously of opinion that the dog was
rabid. '

I do not mean to say that the child died hydro-
phobous, or that its death was accelerated by the
nascent disease existing in the dog. There was
probably some nervous affection that hastened the
death of the infant ; but the probability is, that he
bit the child under the influence of that disease
which was just beginning to develop itself; and
the certainty is, that a veterinary surgeon, who
had for many a year practiced on the diseases of
dogs, was unable to detect one symptom of rabies,
although there were sufficient morbid lesions on
the following day to prove beyond doubt that he
was rabid. I will shew you a dog presently that I
know is rabid. I have wit enough to discover the
early and decisive symptoms in him, although
perhaps they will not be evident to many of my
auditors ; and from his breed, and the reports
which 1 have had of him, I suspect that he will be
ferocious enough tn-niorrow.

There are three cases, and each given on good
authority, of the difficulty of recognizing the dis-
ease in its earliest stage. A child in 181.3 was
bitten by a dog. No one suspected any thing
about the animal, for the child had taken away its
food. Eight days afterwards symptoms of hydro-
phobia appeared in the dog. The disease was from
the first sufficiently developed in him : the salivary
fluid was so far vitiated and empoisoned, that he

could and did communicate the disease, for the
child died a little while after the dog.

A boy in Germany was bitten by a dog. Ten
days afterwards that dog became rabid and died.
No one dreamed of danger with regard to the boy,
but in process of time he sickened and died plainly
hydrophobous.

The case of Mrs. DuflTgoes to the establishment
of the same point. Many a day passed before
there was any appearance of illness about the ani-
mal by which she had been bitten.

After all, however, this is nothing more than is
the case in the human being. When the circum-
stances are carefully inquired into, the patient has
sometimes been oppressed, and languid, and fe-
verish, and full of fearful apprehensions, for many
a day, or more than a week. The empoisonment
had then ceased to be a local aff'air ; the consti-
tution was affected; the virus had entered into
the circulation, or its impression had been made
on the constitution generally.

This is a most serious consideration. Fortu-
nately the disposition to bite rarely develops itself
until the full establishment of the disease; other-
wise, with all their sagacity, affection, and fidelity,
it would become our bounden duty to extirpate
the whole race of dogs.

On October 21st, 1813, a dog was brought to
me for examination. He had vomited a very con-
siderable quantity of coagulated blood. I hap-
I)ened to be particularly busy at the time, and
observing nothing peculiar in his countenance
or manner, but ordered some astringent sedative
medicine be given to him, saying that I would ex-
amine him again in the afternoon. In the after-
noon he was brought to me. The A'omiting had
quite ceased. His mouth seemed to be swelled ;
and on examining him I found that some of his
incisor teeth, both in the upper and lower jaw had
been torn out. This somewhat alarmed me, and,
on inquiring of the servant, I was told that he ima-
gined that they had thieves about the house on
the preceding night, for the dog had torn away
the side of his kennel in attempting to escape. I
scolded the man well for not having told me this ;
and then, talking of various things in order to
prolong the time that 1 might closely watch my
patient, I saw, or thought I saw, but in an exceed-
ingly slight degree, the tracing of the fancied path
of some imaginary object. I was then truly
alarmed ; for I had discovered that, in the giving
of the physic in the morning, the man's hand had
been scratched, a youth had suffered him to lick
a sore finger, and he had been observed to lick the
sore ear of an infant. He was a remarkably affec-
tionate dog, and was accustomed to this abomina-
ble and inexcusable nonsense. I insisted on de-
taining the djg, and gave the man a letter to his
surgeon, telling him all my fears. He promptly
acted on the hint; and before evening the proper
means were taken with regard to them.

I watched this dog day after day. He would not
eat, but he drank water, and somewhat more than
I liked. The surgeon came every day to see him,
and, although he behaved civilly, I could plainly
see that he thought I had made a great blunder.
I was not quite easy, although I could not doubt
the evidence of the wandering eye, seen indeed
only once, and that of the spume upon the water,
although it was but little. iMy medical friend be-
came very cool about the matter, until, on the
26th, the sixth day after his arrival, we both of us
heard the rabid howl burst from him. He did
not however die until the 30th, and then undeni-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

105

ably rabid. I mention this as another instance of
the great difficulty there often is to determine the
real nature of the case in the early stage of the
disease; — a lesson of caution, and of decision too.

Early Symptoms resumed. — The earliest
symptoms are exceedingly obscure. Sullenness —
fidgettiness — continued shifting of posture.
Where I have had opportunity, I have generally
found these three symptoms in regular succession.
The dog has for some hours retreated to his bas-
ket, or his bed ; there has been no disposition to
bite, but he answers the call laggardly, or not at
all; he is curled up, and his face is buried be-
tween his paws and his breast. He then begins to
be fidgetty ; he searches out new resting-places,
but they do not long suit him ; he tries one, and
another, and another, but he is dissatisfied ;
at length he takes again to his own bed, but he is
continually shifting his posture. He begins to
gaze about him as he lies in his bed : strange
thoughts rise in his mind ; his countenance is
clouded, suspicious ; he comes to one and another
of the family, and he fixes on them a steadfast
gaze as if he would read their very thoughts -. —
" I feel strangely ill. Some horrible presages pass
in my mind. Have you any thing to do with it ?
or you ? or you?" Has not a dog mind enough
for this ? If you have ever seen a rabid dog at
the commencement of the disease, you have seen
this to the very life.

In June, 1830, I was desired to examine a New-
foundland dog in Curzon Street. He had not
eaten for the last twenty-four hours. The only
appearance that could indicate rabies was this
steadfast gaze on his young master and mistress ;
but it soon cleared up, and was followed by more
than usually boisterous caresses, as much as to
say, " No, no ! You have nothing to do with it ;
I wont suspect you for a moment !" He then
turned to me, and looked anxiously and half sus-
piciously at me. A physician, now living not far
from that neighbourhood, happened to be present.
" Well, Mr, Youatt," said he, " I am glad that
you have seen this poor fellow. There is nothing
the matter with him." The lady just at that mo-
ment left the room. " I hope there may not be,"
■was ray reply, " but I fear." " Fear ! fear what ?"
"Incipient madness." "Incipient nonsense!"
" Well sir," said I, turning to the master, " you
must do as you please ; but my advice is, tie this
dog up : make him comfortable; I will call again
to-morrow."

Dr. Elliotson, in his clinical lecture on the case
of a boy who died hydrophobous a month before,
in St. Thomas's Hospital, says that " there was a
general anguish of the mind ; he is the subject of
extreme alarm and suspicion, and his countenance
fully expresses it."

The ne.xt day this dog was so much himself —
he ate and drank, and barked with such glee — I
bad given him an emetic, which perhaps had re-
lieved his stomach from some load of indigesta —
he was so perfectly himself, that I began to doubt
whether my suspicions were well founded, until I
saw him suddenly gaze at some imaginary object,
and follow its fancied jjath, and snap at it. There
was nothing elsu about him to guide my opinion,
but that opinion was made up ; and to the
astonishment and annoyance and anger of the
owner, I desired that he might continue to be tied
uj), and that a stronger chain might be put upon
him. The physician again came. We talked about
the dog ; he could comprehend the slight degree of
delirium, but he could not believe that the case

was so serious as I thought. However, he was a
kind and good man ; he seconded my request, and
the dog was more securely fastened. On the
third day was the brilliant eye, the continual
scraping of his bed, the hiding of his food, the al-
tered bark, and every palpable symptom of rabies ;
although another medical man that came in said
he was not, even then, half so mad as I was.

This peculiar delirium is an early symptom, and
one that will never deceive. I once met a medical
gentleman in consultation. A young man had
been bitten by one of his own dogs. I found the
medical gentleman there. The dog was eagerly
eating a pan of sopped bread. " There is no mad-
ness there," said he. In a moment the dog quitted
the sop and with a furious bark sprang against the
wall, as ifhe wouldseizesomeimaginary objectthat
he fancied was there. " And have you seen that,
sir .^ What do you think now?" was my reply.
" He saw nothing in it ; the dog had heard some
noise on the other side of the wall, he supposed."
However, he at length consented to excise the
part. I procured a poor worthless cur, got him
bitten by this dog, and carried the disease from
dog to dog, to the third victim : and there my ex-
periment ended.

This kind of delirium is of frequent occurrence
in the human patient. How appropriate to our
present purpose, and how graphic how horrible,
is the account given by Dr. Bardsley of one of
his patients ! " I observed that he frequently
fixed his eyes with horror and affright upoii some
ideal object, and then, with a sudden and violent
emolion, buried his head beneath the bed clothes.
The next time I saw him repeat this action, I was
induced to enquire into the cause of his terror;
he eagerly asked if I had not heard bowlings and
scratchings. On being answered in the negative,
he suddenly threw himself on his knees, ex-
tending his arms in a defensive posture, and, for-
cibly throwing back his head and body. The
muscles of the face were agitated by various spas-
modic contractions ; his eye-balls glared, and
seemed ready to start from their sockets ; and at
that J moment, when crying out in an agonizing
tone, ' Do you see that black dog?' his coun-
tenance and attitude exhibited the most dreadful
picture of complicated horror, distress, and rage,
that words can describe or imagination paint."

I have again and again seen the rabid dog start
up after a momentary quietude, with unmingled
ferocity depicted on his countenance, and plunge
with a savage howl to the end of his chain. At
other times he would stop and watch the nails in
the partition of the stable in which he was con-
fined, and, fancying them to move, he would dart
at them, and occasionally sadly bruise and injure
himself from being no longer able to measure the dis-
tance of the object. This, I repeat, is a symptom that
will never deceive -. tor although the human being
under cerebal affections of different kinds is liable
to strange wanderings, the delirium of the dog,
intellectual as lie is, is rarely or never observed
unless under the influence of this disease. We
will try our friend behind tlie screen presently.

One of Mr. Babington's patients thought that
there was a cloud of flies about him. " Why do
you not kill those flies ?" he would cry ; and then
he would strike at them with his hand, and shrink
under the bed-clothes, as if afraid of them.

Dr. Mease describes a ploughman, wlio called
up his master's family in tho night, declaring that
there were thieves in thehoisc, and thieves in the

106

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

stable, and then he pointed to imaginary lights
passing in every direction.

There is a peculiarity about this delirium which
in the human being seems to distinguish it from
every other kind of mental abberration. " Tiie
patient," in Mr. Lawrence's language, " is pur-
sued by a thousand phantoms that intrude them-
selves upon his mind — beholds conversation with
imaginary ])ersons — he fancies himself surrounded
with difficulties, and in the greatest distress.
These thoughts seem to pass through the mind
■with wonderful rapidity, and to keep him in a
state of the greatest distress, unless he is quickly
spoken to, or addressed by his name, aiul, then, in
a moment, the charm is broken ; every phantom
of imagination disappears, and at once he begins
to talk as calmly and as connectedly as if in perfect
health." So it is with the dog, whetlier he is
watching the motes that are floating in the air, or
the insects that are annoying him on the walls,
or the foes that are threatening him on every side,
— one word recalls him in a moment. Dispersed
by the magic infiuence of his master's voice, every
object of terror disappears, and he crawls towards
him as far as his chain allows, and with the same
peculiar expression of attachment that used to
characterize him. Then comes a moment's pause,
— a moment of actual vacuity — the eye slowly
closes, the head drooiis, and he seems as if his fore
feet were giving way, and he would fall, but he
springs up again — every object of terror once
more surrounds him — he gazes wildly around —
hesnaps — he barks, and he rushes to the extent
of his chain, prepared to meet his imaginary foe.

One thing more about the counter.ance of the
dog. The expression of it is altogether changed.
The kind of change is piincipally dependent on
the jjrevious disposition of the animal. If he was
naturally of an affectionate disposition, there will,
as I have already stated, be an anxious, enquiring
countenance, eloquent beyond the power of re-
sisting its influence. It is made up of doubt as to
the nature of the depression of mind under which
he labours, mingled with some passing doubts, and
they are but passing, as to the concern which the
master has in the affair ; but, most of all, there
is an affectionate and confiding appeal for relief.
At the same time flashes of light occasionally
dart from his eyes : there is some strange fancy
passing through his mind, unalloyed, however, by
the slightest portion of ferocity.

But the naturally savage brute, or he that has
been trained to be savage — in his countenance there
is, indeed, a fearful change. Sometimes the con-
junctiva is highly injected ; at other times scarcely
affected ; but the eyes have an unusujilly bright
and dai'ziiug appearance ; they are like two balls
of tire glaring upon you : there is apecnliar trans-
parency of the hyaloid membrane, or injection
of that of the retina. I should not desire a better
test of the courage of a man than his being able to
meet the fierce, fiery gaze of a large rabid dog
without feeling momentarily cowed. It is a state
of the eye that I have never seen except accom-
])anying rabies ; and on this, too, you may place
implicit dependence.

- Dr. Bardslcy speaks of this wild and sparkling
appearance of the eye in a human patient ; and
Mr. Turner describes an irreguTar expansion of
the pupil in a hydrophobic patient, with an extra-
ordinary fierceness of the whole \'isage.

Accompanying this is slight Strabismus. Do
not mistake here. 1 have known the young \'c-
tcrinary surgeon often blunder abouc this, and get

into sad scrapes too. It is not that protrusion of
the membrana nictitans, over the eye which in
distempers occasionally gives an appearance of
squinting, but an actual distortion of the axis of
the eye ; and, usually, the twitchings which
gradually spread over the face, beginning around
one ej'e, and contracting it, and giving a vibra-
tory motion to it — curious, yet terrible to behold
in the dog of large siz ■.

And now for my friend behind the screcsn. He
was brought to me this afternoon. From long ex-
perience in this disease, I pledge myself that he is
I'abid ; and I think that by to-morrow he will be
ferociously so. If a.uy of you will favour me vtith
a call to-morrow, you shall see him, and judge for
yourselves whether I am imnossd on. He is
conscious of being in a strange place, and a little
cowed by that, and see how managable he is. Let
us rest a minute. There, what is he gazing at ?
neither you nor me — it is the mote which his own
disordered imagination has conjured up. There,
another object has started ; and now see how his
eyes close and his head droops. I should want no-
thing more than this to convince me that this
])oor fellow is rabid. It is a kind of delirium which
I have never seen but as connected with rabies.

I cannot shew you the peculiar brightness of the
eye — the disease is not sufficiently developed : Uut
there is the occasional spasm of the upper lid of
the left eye ; and when it ceases, or rather the
constriction is confirmed, yon see that the aper-
ture is evidently smaller on that side than on the
other. There is nothing more that I can shev/
you about him at present. That which I most
wanted was, to give you a living proof of the ob-
scurity of the S3'mptom of rabies in an early stage
of the disease, and I am glad that I have had the
opportunity. I perfectly understand some of yon.
You do not think that I would dare to play with
you ; but there is an impression that I am wrong
— that I at present labour under more aberration
of mind than the dog. Nous- verrons. Have the
kindness not to rise until the mad one is safely
disposed of, and let me see you to-morrow.

The Use and Abuse of Cualk as a Mandre.
— The Essex farmers consider that the good eftects
of chalk will last a lease, or fourteen years. The
Essex farmers certainly consider the good efi'ects of
clialk will Inst considerably long'er on their heavy loams ;
indeed, it woidd hardly pay the grsat expenses necessa-
rily incurred in bringing it from Kent, by water, and
cartuig, in many cases, five and six miles, if the benefit
did not last longer, particuhii'ly as it does not begin to
" work" for two or three years. It is a common saying
" chalk a field well, and it will last a young man's life
time." But the question I want answered is, what are
the ultimate elFects of chalk"! That it is " good for the
father and bad for the son," is generally admitted, but,
on the other hand, instances arc not rare, of fields partly
chalked, although so long ago that there is no recollec-
tion when, in which lh« chahved part still holds its su-
periority. When hard pressed most farmers wdl admit
their belief that the last state is worse than the first ; but
it will be a long time first. Certain it is, that land Once
heavily chalked, say 20 large tumbrels to the acre, will
not clean chalk again. Many farmers tempt it with a
compost of chalk, earth, and dung, but in this way the
cHiects of the chalk are very doubtful. In liict, soclivided
are th-j opinions upon this subject, that while some
landlords have constantly prohibited, by heavy penal-
ties, the use of chalk, but permit lime, others encourage
it by paying for all the chalk the tenants will cart ; but
both these cases are rare. In general, witii the usual
indifference of country gentlemen, the tenants arc left to
\\vixnvM\v k:s.— Frovixcial yafer.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

107

THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM.

TO THE EDITOR OE THE FARMER's MAGAZINE.

Sir, — It has been one of ray chief pursuits during-
the last six or eight months to watch the progress
of, and note down the advantages and disadvantages
of the allotment system, with an intention to com-
municate my observations to you ; knowing that your
valuable journal has its principal circulation through
the agricultural districts of England, where, perhaps,
if you deem them worthy of publication, they may
tend to encourage, if not introduce, the plan where
it is not already known, as you may rely upon the
truth of -what 1 am about to state, for I made my
notes in a small village in Berkshire, wliere the allot-
ment system was flourishing.

In my last letter (which you were kind enough to
publish in the Farmer's Magazine for August, 1836,
signed " D.") on this subject, I treated chiefly on
the sin of discontent, which I said arose from two
causes — drunkenness and idleness ; saying, that giv-
ing them allotments of land would go a great way in
preventing these, and which I have found to be the
case. I said also, that the rent should not exceed
twenty shillings per acre. I have found since, that
I was mistaken as to that point, for the poor must
not be allowed to have more than they can use, and
if the rent be low, their ambition is so great tliat thee
would have a much greater portion than would by
right. Forty shillings should be the rent, then they
can conveniently hold half an acre, beyond whicli
they should not go ; half an acre is as much as a
labourer who has his master's business to attend to
can manage.

The farmeis in the village wdiere I was, objected
(and do still) very much to the system, and I met
with some little opposition to the sentiments con-
tained in my last letter. '1 hey say it makes the la-
bourers so liigh minded and independent — that when
they have their little farm as it were, they cannot be
sufficiently attentive to their master's business ; and
above all, it tempts them to steal corn to sow in their
ground — because they discovered one had character in
the act of pilfering some oats to ieed his pig. As
for making tliem independent, that is desirable ; and
as to their being inattentive to their master's labour,
I deny it, for 1 have puiposely noticed, and I have
not found that they are so in the least. The cause of
those farmers' discontent at it, is jealousy ; they aie
jealous that the poor man should have anything to
depend on, save what he earns from them. Tliis is
not, certainly, showing quite a Christian spirit, but
such it is.

By the allotment system, every labourer can keep
that, to him most indispensable, article — the pig.
The refuse of his half acre tlie pig consumes, fi;eds
]iis family, and mauares his ground. A pig to the
poor man is twenty pounds to the rich man.

The men in tlie place wliere 1 resided, have each
half an acre of good ground. On this they raise
wheat and potatoes enough for their provision, a
little barlev, cabbage, onions, and a few other neces-
saries. The)' divide the piece into different parts,
changing the crops on these, and bringing wheat in
every four years. They can all, if the season be
favourable, grow corn and potatoes enough to pro-
vide for tJiemselves during the winter, and sell a
small f|uantity, with tlie money of which they can
purcliase clothing. Now, Sir, I ask you and your
readers, is not tiii* a very comfortable thing, not to
the poor only, but to England at large, that tlie lower
classes can live so happily and respectably '! That
they are not solely dependent on the wages of their
enijiloyers, and that in the pinching time of winter

they are not as they used to be, half starved and
earning a scanty and dishonest livelihood by stealing
other people's property 1

Let everv gentleman, then, consider the advan-
tages of this excellent system, and endeavour to in-
troduce it in every parish ; for by those means
England will assuredly work well. God blesses
industry, but he curses idleness. Let idleness be
prevented (and that by the allotment system) and
rest assured all will be well.

I am, Sir, your very obdt. servant,

ROBERT HENRY DAVIES.

Aihford, Middlesex, July, 1837.

Ill the month of March last, we gave the return
made to the House of Commons of the number of
notices and agreements for commutation of tithes
received by the Tithe Commissioners, up to tlie
1st of that m&iith. We now give ii continuation
of that return from the 1st of March up to the 1st
of June, which is as under: —

Total
Notices Agreements. Agreements

received., '^ ■, under con-

■a . sideration.

March 1 \
lune 1. J

From March 1

to
To March 1.

701

1d3

109

1,454 266

49
38

87

0
0

178

We have no doubt but that the expectation of
an alteration in the law may have retarded the
progress of commutation ; this question will, how-
ever, be speedily put at rest by the bill now
before Parliament, and we trust that the land-
owners will engage actively and zealously in the
business of commutation; convinced as we are
that " voluntary commutation'' will not only be
cheaper, but much more satisfactory, than a
" compulsory commutation," under the order of
the commissioners.

Beet-Root Sugar in Russia. — A letter from
Odessa g'ives the following account of the progress
of the manufacture of beet-root sugar in Russia, hi
Moscow and its neighbouring governments, the richest,
most populous, and enterprising of the empire, these
establishments have, during the last five years, increased
at the rate of 40 per annum. A number of the land-
owners have induced their tenants, by offering premi-
ums, to substitute the cultivation of beet root for that of
hemp. In southern Russia they are more backward in
this respect. A Polish nobleman, now a refugee in
Paris, endeavoured about 10 years ai^-o to introduce the
manufactory of beet root sug'ar on his estate in Podolia ;
but the infant establishment shared the fate of its founder,
wliose property was confiscated, and the manufactory
wiis ruined. An impression, however, was made by the
example; and now, from the Danube to the Don,
nolliiiig is talked of but the numbei's of wealthy land-
owners vv-ho are becoming planters of Ijeet-root and
manufacturers of sugar ; so that, where eighteen months
age lOOIhs. were produced, it is expectid thattliequan-
tity ,iiade during the present year will amount to 100,000
lb-;. An expectation is said to be entertained that, in
ten or fifteen years at t)ie utmost Rus'-ia will produce
-^ugar enought not only for her own consumption, but
fui' the supply of Turkey in Europe.

108

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.

Copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of the
Poor-law Commissioners : —

Colonial Office, 12th of June, 1837.

Sir, — I have the honour to acquaint you, for the in-
formation of the Commissioners of Poor-law, that in
consequence of representations which liave reached this
office of want of employment and a desire to emig'rate
in the parishes of Bisley and Uley, in Gloucestershire,
tog'ether with some very eligible applications from
Devonshire for assistance to emigrate to Australia, it is
proposed to dispatch a ship from Bristol in five or six
weeks for the conveyance of passengers free of expense
to New South Wales.

The enclosed paper, forming' part of the instructions
given to surgeons who proceed to the colony in charg'e
or such emigrant ships, will explain the nature and con-
ditions of this undertaking- ; and I would request of you
to move the Poor-law Commissioners to take any steps
which tliey may deem proper or advisable for making-
it known in the parts of the country to which it can be
made applicable.

I would further take tliis opportunity of stating', in
reference to your letter of the 19th April last, and Sir
George Grey's reply, dated the 29th April, that a ship
on the same terms can be dispatched from Yarmou'h
or any other convenient port on the East Coast, at any
time, after the 15th August next, which may be most
likely to suit the wants and wishes ol the inhabitants of
that part of the country. I would beg- leave to suggest
that it would be attended with much benefit to the
object in view, if the Assistant Poor-law Commissioners
and the Chairman of the Wayland Union, and any
other g-entlemen likely tojtake any interestinthe subject,
were apprised of the step tliat is in contemplation, and
requested to state at what period it is likely that a ship
coukl be most conveniently filled with emigrants of the
kind described in the enclosed paper.

I liave the honour to be. Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
THOS. FREDK. ELLIOT.

Edwin Chadwick, Esq.

Tiie following- is an extract from the instructions
given to surgeons proceeding- to New South Wales or
Van Dieman's Land in charge of emigrants ; showing
the nature of the arrangements under which they are
sent out : —

"With a view to encouraging emigration to New
South Wales and \ an Diemen's Land, it has been de-
termined to dispatch to them occasionally, from different
parts of the kingdom, ships in which a free passage shall
be offered to persons deemed likely to form eligible
settlers. A competent surg'ion, generally one taken
from the list of naval surgeons accustomed to visit the
Australian Colonies, would be appointed to make the
final selection of emigrants and accompany them to their
destination.

" It vi'ill often be convenient to give previous notice
to public officers, or to gentlemen of influence and ac-
tivity in the neighbourhood whence ihe people are
going, in order that applications may be collected, and
as far as possiljle classified before liand. The final se-
lection, however, of the people must rest absolutely on
the responsibility of the same officer who is to accomjiany
them to the colony. The emigrants must belong to the
class either of mechanics or persons capable ot bemg
ustftd farm servants, must be married men, with their
wives living, and be accompanied by their wives and
children to the colony — tiie age of neither the husband
nor the wife to exceed 30, or at the utmost 35 years.
Every exertion is to be made to procure them of good
character and industrious and respectable habits, for
which purpose information is to be sought from their
religious ministers, or former employers, or any other
source tliat may appear available. It is jjarticuliirly
necessary to avoid tlie selection of persons who have
been at all addicted to intemperance, as the temptations
to that vice are much greaterin New South \Va!es,ii-om

the nature of the climate and the cheapness of ardent
spirits. Carpenters, joiners, stone masons, blacksmiths,
and bricklayers, have been enumerated aniougst the
mechanics most required in New South Wales.

" Young- women are no longer assisted to emigrate
separately, as was the practice for a few years past, but
should any unmarried females of good character be re-
latives of pai'ties enabled to emigrate in the present
mode, and be desirous to go out ( with the consent of
the parties) under their charge, and to form part of
their family until they are provided for in the colony,
they may be included in the benefit of the arrange-
ir.ent.

" The condition on which the emigrants are to be taken
is a free passage for themselves and their families, but
they must defray for themselves any expenses they may
find necessary previously to embarkation. They will
be entirely free in the colony to work for whom they
please, and on what terms tliey choose or can obtain.
Every security will be taken for their convenience on
first landing, and information be given of the demand
for employment in different directions, so that the people
may know what opportunities are open to them."

Hop Picking. — In the hop season, every child
capable of plucking the hops stands to the crib.
Neighbours, for the most part, are employed in picking
the few plantations in this parish. Not so on the other
side of the hills, where foreign aid is required ; and it
may not be uninteresting to state that, in a good hop
season, two thousand strangers pass ove,r Sloarport
Bridge, from Staffordshire, for the supply of the pa-
rishes,both in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, situated
within a few miles of Great Witley. Besides the Stour-
port Bridge, many strangers pass over Bewdley and
other bridges which cross the Severn. The inducement
to these strangers to leave their home is principally the
apples, which they consume largely while in the coun-
try, and carry away, upon their return home, as many as
they can walk under. Taking the low average of two
thousand strangers in a good season, and the still lower
average of half a pot of apples to each person, the quan-
tity consumed and carried away by such strangers would
be one thousand pots, or twenty-five waggon loads,
which, being taken at 3s. a pot, or 6/. the load, would
produce no less a sum than 150/ ! The hop season is
one of joyous excitement and of pleasurable hope; and
where the plant is luxuriant in its growth, and clustered
with loaded tendrils hang-ing in graceful curves, with
groups of gatherers appearing at intervals between the
long vistas, carolling forth, with gay and artless glee,
their national songs, the scene affords a picturesque
treat, and excites a corresponding- sentiment of plea-
surable feelings. I'his is the bright side of the picture,
and it is so good that we will not spoil it by hinting at
another view that, we fear, might be taken. At all
events, we warn strangers who might be tempted by
the pastoral beauties pourtrayed in this vivid scene not,
in their poetical raptures, to approach too near the crib,
— Dr. Hastins's Address.

In order to pi event horses being teased with flies,
take two or three small handfuls of walnut leaves,
upon which pour two or three quarts of soft cold water,
let it infuse one night, and pour the whole next morn-
ing into a kettle, and let it boil for a quarter of an
hour; when cohl, it will be ready for use. Nothing
more is required than to moisten n sponge with the
liquid, and before the horse goes out of the stable, let
those parts which are most irritable be smeared over
with the liquor, viz. between and upon the ears, the
neck, the Hank, &c. Not only the lady cr gentleman
who rides out for pleasure, will derive benefit from the
walnut leaves thus prepared, but the coachman, the
waggoner, and all others who nse horses during the
hot months.

^"

4

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

109

THE PLATE.— MR. DAVIS.

We are indebted to the spirited proprietor of the
" Hunters' Annual," (a work of no ordinary merit, ^
for the loan of the painting from which the engraving
of Mr. Davis has been copied. All our readers who
are acquainted with the Huntsman of ourlate Gracious
Sovereign King William the Fourth, will, from the
accuracy of the likeness, declare it to be Mr. C.
Davis, who has holden his present office with the
greatest credit to himself, being- esteemed by all for
his able and uniform conduct in the field ever since
be succeeded Mr. Sharpe in the important charge
which necessarily devolves upon a huntsman.

ON PRUNING TREES.

If we may form our judgment upon what we ob-
serve on examining different woods, we shall be
led to conclude, that different foresters pursue
different plans in denuding treesof their branches,
some preferring to cut them off close by the trunk,
and others preferring to leave a portion of the
branch in connection with the tree. That the
latter method (although for a time it must produce
a snaggy appearance in the tree) is much ])refer-
able to the foriner, may be demonstrated from the
known structure of the stems of woodj-^ plants.
These stems, it is well known, are composed of
concentric layers of fibres on the outside, and
pithy matter on the inner aspect; the innermost
of which, having no fibrous matter on the interior,
bends round, and gives rise to the pith. The struc-
ture of branches is precisely similar, with this
difference only, that they are developed at a later
period.

The origin of every branch is a bud, formed at
the base of a leaf. On dissection, this organ shews
all the parts of the branch in embryo, and com-
pressed, and requiring only the ascending force of
the sap to increase it in length and thickness.
The bud, in fact, consists of a little mass of pith
in the centre, whose cells are full of nutritious
matter, surrounding which there arc a layer of
fibres and the bark, and surmounting which there
is a crown of unevolved leaves. Suppose the stem
is ten years old when such a bud is formed, then
it will contain ten layers of wood. In the progress
of the eleventh season the bud will be expanded
into a branch of a certain length, which, up to this
length, will contain one circle of woody fibres.
Next year another circle of woody fibres will be
deposited exterior to that formed the first year,
and reaching higher in proportion as the branch
has lengthened ; and so on, year after year. The
structure of the branch, then, will represent a
number of cones one over the otherj the magni-
tude depending very much upon the quality of the
season, and the quantity of tlie foliage when it was
produced.

If, then, for the purpose of improving its form,
or for other intent, we wish to cut off a branch
from a tree, it is evidently much better that this
operation should be performed above the place
where the cone of the first year has its point ; for,
by this means, the weather is prevented from ob-
taining access, and so from injuring the central
part of the trunk. If this has been done, the obli-
tei-ation of the branch will also be more perfect

than if the branch had been cut off close to the
trunk, because the vital process of throwing off
useless parts will go on m.ore rapidly and success-
fully in a part which has been made useless, with-
out injury done to the contiguous parts concerned
in disengaging it, than if all the organs in the
neighbourhood had been mutilated.

Care must be taken, however, to leave no buds
upon the snag, otherwise the remaining stump will
become the trunk for a secondary branch, and the
form upon the whole may be injured more than if
the original branch had been left. But if no bud
has been left, and the pith and central parts of the
tree have not been opened to the weather, by ex-
posure of the pith, which was shot out from the
centre to nourish the branch when it was a bud,
then the parts will all contract upon themselves.
The conical form of the woody fibres will be com-
pressed somewhat into the plane of the fibres of
the trunk,- and sapvvood will be formed over the
place and bark too, when, in the course of nature,
the dead snag falls away, an event which will be
hastened by the living bark bending round it; for
living bodies, by their mere juxta-position, cause
dead bodies to rot faster than they would otherwise
do. But though, in this way, the violence done
to the natural form of the tree may be obliterated,
as much, perhaps, as is possible, yet it is by no
means obliterated altogether; and in all those,
circles of woody fibres, which were deposited while
the branch was growing, a " swirl" will be found
in the plank, terminated by a larger or smaller
knot, according to the species of the tree, or the
dexterity with which it has been pruned. In all
the layers, however, which have been deposited
subsequently, no displacement of the fibres will
take place. The permanency of injuries done to
the sapwood, or of particular forms impressed on
it by nature, is well illustrated by accidents often
occurring in the cutting up of wood, of which
many are on record of great curiosity. Thus an
eminent botanist, having cut down a juniper tree
in 1800, remarked, after counting upwards of
ninety-one circles, a layer very much frost-bitten,
and so indicating a severe winter subsequently to
the season when it had been deposited. When
traced back, this gave the winter of 1709, which
was remarkable for its severity. In the same way,
letters cut through the bark into the sapwood are
perpetuated, and have often been discovered after
remote periods, and even when their signification
has been lost, through the changes of nations jn
the counti'ies where they grew. 1 here frequently
occur, also, in cutting up trees, hard masses, which
cause the saw to rasp more than usual, and blunt
its teeth faster. It would be extremely interesting
to ascertain what the precise nature of these hard
nodules may be. Wc have heard it conjectured
(and the thing is not impossible), that diamonds
may be found in such situations. One would think
it a much more likely place to find them than in
the earth ; for the diamond is just crystallized
caibon or charcoal, and is confined to the sui-face
soil in districts where it occurs. We certainly
would not, however, countenance any person cut-
ting down trees in this country, under the hope of
finding diamonds in their interior; for, not to
mention other tilings, our trees are not old enough.
But in America, or wherever there are immense
forests of unknown antiquity, we would recom-
mend the settlers to cut, and fell, and saw, with
dire intent ; for if they do not find diamonds in
the trees, they can build houses of the timber, and
grow corn upon the land that has been cleared.

no

THE FAIIMEII'S MAGAZINE.

REPORT FROM THE SELECT COM-
MITTEE ON THE NEW POOR LAW
AMENDMENT ACT.

Tlie Select Committee appointed to inquire into tlie
Administration of tbe Relief of tlie Poorunderthe
orders and regulations issued by tbe commissioners
appointed under the provisions of the Poor Law
Amendment Act, and who were empowered to re-
]iort their opinion to the House, have agreed to tbe
following report : —

That your committee have been suddenly inter-
rupted in their investigation of the matters referred
to them by the unexpected approach of tbe conclusion
of the session of Parliament.

They would otherwise have been anxious to extend
their inciuiries, generally, to those parts of the coun-
try in which the act has been in operation, to large
and populous towns where unions have been formed,
and to the manufacturing districts, which have hitherto
been scarcely brought under their observation. Their
attention would also have been more closely directed
to some particular questions connected with the ad-
ministration of the law, and to some interests which
appear to be in an especial degree affected by it, and
into which they have been only able to inquire inci-
dentally, and in a manner too cursory to justify the
expression of any positive opinion.

Before tliey entered on the examination of anv
witnesses, your committee were anxious, in the first
place, to determine what should be the general course
of their inquiry. It vs-as suggested that it might be
better at once to call before them some of the assis-
tant poor law commissioners, with a view to explain
the circumstances and condition of whole counties
or districts under their charge. In tliis way the sub-
ject would have been opened to your committee by
persons of great intelligence and experience, and who
were necessarily conversant with the administration
of the law.

On the other hand, some statements having been
made in Parliament of particular instances of severity
and abuse, either in the law or in its administration,
your committee thought they should best discharge
their duty by proceeding at once to take those com-
Tilants into consideration. They were the more in-
ducied to do so from a persuasion, that though their
attention might in the first instance be confined to
some particular fact, yet that in the course of such
an inquiry the whole state of things within the union,
and the generaloperationof the law, would be brought
nnder their notice.

With this view, and at the suggestion of the hon.
member who made the statements alluded to, your
committee proceeded first to inquire into the union
formed at Petworth, in Sussex, 'ihe}' examined,
among other witnesses, some members of the board
of guardians, the rector of Petworth, and several
labourers residing within the union. 'J'lie evidence
of these parties would lead your committee to believe
that the introduction of the new law has been attended
with considerable improvement in the character and
condition of the poor. The aged and infirm are re-
lieved whenever they prefer it at their own homes,
or at the houses of relations or friends with whom
they live ; and by the general testimony of the wit-
nesses, their condition has been improved by an in-
crease of pay (question 2,664). The employment of
agricultural labour appears to be greater (804) ; tin.'
morals and conduct of the labouring poor are said
10 be improved ( Questions 779, 1,480, 2,943) ; they
have become more provident, and more anxious to
obtain and keep their places. On the other hand, the

labourers with large families under an ago fit for work
are said to feel severely the loss of the allowances
which they formerly i-eceived in proportion to the
number of their children, and of the payment of a
great part of the rent of their cottages. \Vages have
been in some degree raised, but not more than in pro-
portion to the increased price of provisions ( Ques-
tions 441, and 2,846) ; the rent of cottages appears
also to have fallen in some instances, but not gene-
rally or to any great extent. One man, a pauper,
said that he still paid 31. a-year for his house (2,425),
an expense which no ordinary rate of labourers' Vi'ages
can suppljr. To meet these dithculties the members
of the board of guardians seemed generally inclined
to take into the workhouse a certain number of the
children of parents married before the change of the
law. This has been donein particular instances with
the permission of the poor law commissioners.

Your committee then proceeded to examine the
clerk of the \'\'est Hampnett Union, which adjoins
Petworth. In that union the wages appeared to be
higher than in Petworth, being lis. instead of lOs.
for the average class of labourers ; and a strong state-
ment was made by this witness of the advantageous
operation of the new law, and of the great improve-
ment in the condition and employment of the poor.
Your committee did not at that time continue to prose-
cute their inquiries into the West Hampnett Union,
being desirous of directing their attention to some
cases of great abuse said to have occurred in the
unions of Fareham and Droxford, in Hampsliire.
Three children belonging to Droxford had been placed
temporarily in the Fareham workhouse, until that at
Droxford should be finished. It appears from the
evidence that these children were treated with great
neglect and inhuraanitj', their food improperly re,
duced, and their health for a time impaired. The
guardians of Droxford and Fareham, and the assis-
tant poor law commissioner, instituted an immediate
inquiry into these facts. The master of the work-
house, the schoolmistress, and the medical officer, ap-
pear to have been in different degrees to blame ; they
have been severely censured by the Fareham Board
of Guardians and by the poor law commissioners.

Your committee entertain a doubt w'hether any of
the parties implicated in this transaction should have
been allowed to retain their situations ; and they can-
not refrain from observing that the management of
the workhouse, on which the administration of the
new law so much depends, and the condition and
treatment of their inmates, will all times require the
most vigilant care from the commissioners and boards
of guardians ; they think that in no case should
children have any reduction made in the amount oi'
their food, by way of punishment. In the Fareham
workhouse (9,028), and at West Hampnett (15,501),
books a])pear to be kept, in which strangers are per-
mitted to enter their remarks. This practice seems
likely to be a useful check on mismanagement. Per-
haps some regulations for the admission of strangers
might be desirable.

Your committee entertain no doubt that those esta-
blishments are in all respectsinfinitely superior (6,486,
&c.) to the old parish poorhousesand workhouses, and
in those instances which have been brought under
their notice they have been generally satisfied with the
provision made I'or the health and comfort of their
inhabitants. In the cases of old persons and of
children, they are inclined to think that under proper
rigulations, and subject to the control of the com-
missioners andjguardianS; permission might safely and
advantageously be given occasionally to go beyond
the limits of the workhouae. TUey have reason to
believe that this has been done in some instances

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

111

without inconvenience. It would obviously be more
difficult in towns than in the country; and in all cases
tha propriety of such an indulgence must of course
depend on the characterand conduct of the poor, and
in some degree on the situation of the workhouse,
and of the extent of ground attached to it.

With respect to the general circumstances of the
Droxford Union, your committee examined at great
length several witnesses in different conditions of
life, and of various opinions — members of the board
of guarJisns, clergymen, medical practitioners, far-
mers, and labourers. In this instance, as in all others,
your committee Iiave examined all persons who were
desirous of giving evidence, or who were said to be
able to substantiate any ground of complaint ; they
have never refused a summons to any one. The
board of guardians of Droxford, composed generally
of the owners and occupiers of land, appear to he
perfectly convinced of the great improvement effected
by the alteiation of the law, and to wisli for no fur-
ther change. They and some of the otlier witnesses
(vide Sir. Harrison's evidence and others) describe
in strong terms the evils of the former system : the
indiscriminate allowance on account of children
(3,979, and following answers), without reference to
the amount of wages ; that their allowance was de-
manded as a right (3,998) ; that inferior labourers,
owing to these allowances, were sometimes better off
(6606) than superior ones ; theyalso state, that a great
increase of agricultural emplovment has generally
taken place (6,695, 6841, 7,603, 9,918, &cc.) ; that
wages have Ijeen raised (6,597, 7,625) ; that children
are more employed (8,475); tlat the work is done
better^ and with better feeling (8,129) ; and that the
general character of the men has been improved
(6,705). The relieving-officer in the Droxford
Union visits every patient twice a-week (10, 445 J,
a practice which must evidently be attended with
advantage ; in this union the visits are made on fixed
days and hours, which seem to your committee to be
a better plan than that of leaving the time uncertain.
These statements have been met by the production
of particular instances, in which the rules of the
commissioners are said to have operated with severity,
principally upon labourers with numerous families
of children too young for work. It is impossible
that the withdrawal of parish allowance in such cases
should not have been attended with privations, un-
less met by a rise of wages, by more constant work,
or greater employment for the family. The evidence
received by your committee leads them to believe
that these results have followed the alteration of the
law ; wages have risen, and the amount of employ-
ment has confessedly, and by the admission of ad-
verse witnesses (9,928), increased. But your com-
mittee cannot pretend to say that in any state of
things, or in any condition of society, the possession
of a numerous family dependent on the efforts of their
parents for support will not be felt as a serious in-
cumbrance. Much must always depend upon the
disposition and means of the employers of labour,
much upon the character and exertions of the
labourers, and in these important respects the law
appears to your committee to have placed both parties
reciprocally upon a better footing. Bad habits of
long standing are, however, not easily eradicated.
The inclination to make the parish fund contribute
to the payment of wages may foi' a time prevail with
the employers of labour, and the labourer's disposi-
tioii to rely on so easy a resource may not at once be
changed for greater activity and exertion ; but it is
to be remarked that the new law has a direct tenden-
cy to produce a better state of things, the employers
of labour having an immediate peciiniarv interest in

avoiding the expense of maintaining" whole families
in the workhouse, and at the same time the labourers
are necessarily stimulated to increased efforts and to
greater regularity of conduct, in order to avoid the
necessity of going there. While, therefore, it is
most desirable to employ all practical means for the
alleviation of particular instances of pressure, great
care should be taken not to re-introduce in any shape
the old system of allowances, which had a t'ecided
tendency to lower wages, and to deprive the labourer
of his independent character. The aged poor in
Droxford and in all the unions wliich have come
before your committee do not appear to be materially
affected by any rules which have been issued for the
regulation of their relief ; in no instance have they
been compelled to reside in the workhouse, and in
those cases in vi'hich they are there, it is owing to
the circumstance of their having no home or friends
v/ith whom they could conveniently lodge, or from,
their own choice. The same parties, before the
change of law, vi'ould have been found in the parish
poorhouses. They generally receive their pay at the
place where they live, and the amount seems, upon
the whole, to have been increased, rather than dimi-
nished.

Your committee collect from several witnesses, in
the unions to which their inquiry has extended, that
there has been a decrease in the number of bastards
(911, 953, 6,569, 7,094), and no complaints of any
moment have been made to them on that branch of
the subject.

With respect to the burials of paupers, some ques-
tions arose in the Petworth and Droxford Unions.
These related principally to the place of burial, to
the use of a pall, the tolling of a bell, and the pay-
ment of fees. Your committee having heard various
statements from witnesses, made some inquiries from
the poor law commissioners on these points. They
have printed, in the appendix to their 12th report,
several letters, and the}^ have examined the secretary
of the commission. In a letter from the commis-
sioners to the clerk of the Langport Union, dated
August 15, 1836, they say, " that they do not direct
the disallowance of the charge for tolling the bell and
the use of the pall at the funerals of paupers, and
presume that the auditor will not do so, unless he
consider them excessive, with reference to tiie cus-
tom prevalent in the district in which the union is
situate." And in another letter also from the poor
law commissioners to the clerk of the Dunmow
Union, dated March 8, 1837, tliere are these expres-
sions: " Although the commissioners are of opinion
that all expense which partake of the character of im-
position, or which may be incurred for the purpose
of unnecessary display, should be avoided in the
funeral of paupers, still they think thev ought in no
way to differ from those of individuals of the labour-
ing classes, when conducted at the expense of their
families, assuming always that that expense does
not exceed such an amount as is necessary to provide
for a funeral, according to those forms of decorum
and decency which the customs of the place may have
sanctioned.''

The secretary of the commission (12,607 — ^15,576),
with reference to these letters, stated to your com-
mittee, that these were the rules by which, in the
opinion of the commissioners, the funerals of paupers
should be conducted. With respect to the place of
burial, and the fees to the clerg-v,the commissioners,
in a letter to the clerk of the Pewsey Ui.ion, dated
January 30, 1837, propose that paupers dying in a
workhouse should, if it were thought desirable, be
buried in the parishes to which they belong, and for
this purpose they propose the use of a small hearse.

112

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

drawn by one horse. They say that the law with
respect to the payment of fees is in some respects ob-
scure ; but that, without giving an opinion on that
point, they will not direct thedisitllowance of such a
fee as is usual Iv paid for a person dying- in bis own
parish. (Vide, Apprndix to the 12th report.)

Your committee cannot but express an opinion,
that great care has evidently been bestowed on the
consideration of this subject, and the conclusions at
which the commissioners have arrived, and the direc-
tions thev have given, are in strict accordance witli
the religious feelings and habits of the country.

Your committee observed with regret in the case
of Droxford, that the ex-ojficio guardians were rarely
in the habit of attending the meetings of the board
(6,728, 6,761.) Any appearance of a disinclination
on the part of magistrates to assist in the administra-
tion of the law must be attended with bad effects to
all the interests concerned. Their advice might be
often valuable, and their presence would add weight
to the decisions of the board. And in this great
change of the law, affecting the condition of so large
a part of the community, and from its nature so liable
to misapprehension, it is scarcely ])0ssible that the
administration of it should be satisfactory, unless
assisted by the co-operation of all classtss of society.

From Dioxford, your committee returned to the
consideration of the ease of West Hampnett. The
general circumstances of this union do not appear to
differ materially from those of Droxford ; there is the
same .-vidence of the bad state of things under the
form L-r law (14, .554), and of improvement under the
change; the moral conduct of the labouring classes
is said to be improved, and a better feeling to exist
between them and their masters. The amount of
agricultural employment has greatly increased, and
in isome parishes large numbers of men, formerly em-
ployed by overseers and waywardens in an unprofit-
able manner, have either emigrated or found work,
The numbers of a large benefit society (13,706),
composed chiefl3' of agricultural labourers, have in-
creased in a remarkable degree within the last two
years.

There are also the same statements as in the other
unions, of the severity with which tiie I'ule prohibit-
ing all out-door relief to the able-bodied has pressed
in particular instances on men with large families,
and on widows with young children. Some wit-
nesses express an opinion that mendicancy has in-
creased (14,177), and that in many cases the la-
bourers are more in debt (14,554).

A remarkable illustration of the main principles
of the New Law is afforded by the practice of a
board of guardians at Chichester, under a local act.
They have recently, and with eminent success,
adopted nearly the same rules of relief as those
■which prevail under the orders of the poor law
commissioners. In cases of bastardy their rule is
the same (14,974) ; the classification in the vs'ork-
bouse is the same, or nearly so (14,98[!) ; they have
since October, 18.33, put an end to out-door relief to
the able-bodied (14,991). All this lias been done of
their own accord, without the interference of -any
other authority ; they hnve reduced (15,002 and
1.5,010) the general expenses of the establisimient
for the poor, from 6,399/, in 1831, to 2,216/. in 1836 ;
and within the same period the out-door relief, has
fallen from 3,427/. to 564/, The persons who for-
merly received this out-door relief a'e said to be
more decent in their appearance, and seem to be
better off from improved habits of life than thev were
before (15,011-12 and 15,032).

In the early part of the year 1836 there prevailed
a considerable mi rtality in' the workhouse at West

Hampnett. This is attributed by the medical officers
principally to the character of the season, and some
of the oomplaints are supposed to have been aggra-
vated by the {00 frequent washing and ventilation of
the house. Your committee are desirous of referring
to the evidence of this medical officer, and to that of
a physician who was called in from Chichester, for a
proof of the care and abundance with which the
paupers in the workhouse were provided, not merely
witli medical attendance, bnt with every comfort and
advantage of diet which could have been commanded
by their more wealthy neighbours.

Having concluded their inquiries into these unions,
your committee were d; sirous of ascertaining what
had been the effect of the administration of the law
in some manufacturing districts, among dense masses
of people, with habits verv different frt>ra those of
the rural parts of England, and exposed to more
sudden and extreme vicissitudes of fortune. With
this view they selected Bradford, in Wiltshire, that
being the manufacturing district in which they were
informed the new law bad been longest in operation-
They had, however, scarcely commenced this part of
their inquiry, and had been only able to hear one
day's evidence with respect to Nottingham, where
the law has been exposed to a severe trial from an
exti-eme depression of trade, when the approaching
termination of the session obliged them abruptly to
put an end to their own jiroceedings. Vv'liatever
impression may have been produced b}' the evidence
which they heard on that subject, and to which, from
its valuable character, they beg to call the attention
of the house, your committee do not feel that they
can express any opiuion with reference to the manu-
facturing districts. 'I'hey regret, that with respect
to other parts of the country, they have not had the
opportunity of making a more extended inquiry ;
they have given to the subject an unremitting and
laborious attention from their first appointment ; and
if it should appear that in some instances much time
has been occupied in the investigation of minute de-
tails, your committee can only say, that, considering
the nature of the subject, the great public interest
which attached to every part of it, and the complaints
which have been made, they were above all things
anxious to leave no points in the case before them
unexamined or unexplained.

Upon the whole, and speaking of those unions to
which their evidence relates, your committee are
distinctly of opinion that the operation of the new
poor law is satisfactory, and that it ought to be main-
tained. They entertain no doubt of the general
wisdom and efficiency of its provisions. They think
also that the administration of the law has been, in
the main, judicious. The boards of guardians appear
to be most attentive to their duties, and to be gene-
rally very sensible of the great improvement resulting-
from the change. It is obvious that boards so con-
stituted must bring to the consideration of ca.ses con-
nected with the circumstances aud character of the
poor a degree of intelligence and experience utterly
unknown before, except perhaps in a few rare in-
stances. The distribution of relief, and ilie super-
intendence of the jioor by the relieving officers, are
among the most important parts of the system ; the
propriety of their frequently visiting their respective
parishes has already been adverted to j no pains
should be spared to render their agency as efficient
and perfect as possible. An opinion has been ex-
pressed that the poor m-ay not be always sufficiently
aware of the cases in which, in the absence of the
relieving officers, they may apply to the churchwar-
den, overseei-, or (o the raao;istra(e ; some of the
parish officers themselves may posuibly be not much

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

113

more familiar with (lie provisions ot" tlie hxw. In ro
great a change it is natural tliat tor a time some un-
certainty should prevail; but as inconvenience and
unnecessary suffering may ibe the consequence of any
ig-norance on this point, your committee are anxious
that information respecting it should be conveyed to
every parish. The authority of the poor law com-
missioners lias, in the opinion of your committee,
and as far as they have had an opportunitj^ of observ-
ing it, been exercised with great discretion. A more
ditlicult task could scarcely have devolved on any
department of (Jovcrnment.

Your committee have now only to recommend that
in a future session of Parliament this subject slioiild
be resumed, and the following points nppear to them
to deserve espfcial consideration as matters for fur-
ther inquiry : —

Tlie situation of widows with several children too
young to work ; that of able-bodied labourers mar-
ried before the passing of the poor law amendment
act, with large families under an age fit for work,
and in districts where employment should not be
readily obtained.

J'he circumstances by which the size of unions
sliouUl be determined, and the state of medical relief
as to the qualifications, number, mode of appoint-
ment, and remuneration of the medical officers.

Whether in any and in what cases it might be
better that the medicines should be supplied by the
union.

'fiie ];ropriety of rating the owners rather than the
occupiers of cottages, under a certain value, h^js also
been pressed on your committee from various parts
of England by magistrates and private individuals.
Many suggestions also have been made of alterations
in several particulars of the law ; with reispect to
these and to the numerous petitions which havebeen
referred to them, your committee would have felt it
their duty to consider them with attention ; and tliey
will take care to make arrangements by which they
may be preserved as materials for any future inquiry
which may be instituted by the house.

(The figures in the report refer to the evidence as
numbered.)

Jiilu, 1837,

Disease in Horned Cattle. — ■ A valuable
and inteUigent correspondent has seat us (Eiiniskillen
Reporter) the following recipe on reading- our notice
of the disease now prevalent amongst black cattle in
this neighbourhood : — "The complaint now prevalent
amongst black cattle in Fermaimh, i am well acquainted
with ; it raged in the county of ftleath about 40 years
ago. It was called Quinsey Murrain. It attacked
them ill the head and throat, the glands of which, v/ith
the head, weve swelkd enormously, and a considerable
discharge of saliva ; they died in the course of from
three to six hours. There was no cure for those so at-
tacked, a mortification having comaienced with the first
appearance of the disease. Tlie following has proved
an int'alliable preventive : — "Two quarts tar, in which
was boiled a good portion of g.irlick; from one naggin
to a half-pint to be given for threa moi nings successively ;
ifgiven to milch cows, you must Ci-ilculate on losing
their milk for several meals. I gave it to every beast
1 had ; one (a bull) died, the rest escaped. Those
who used this preventive, experienced a simihir
result ; but cure is out of the question, mortification
having commenced with the first appearance of the
disease. At that time I had an opportunity of seeing
the books of an extensive grazier ; a similar disease had
appeared fifty years prior to the period I have alluded
to ; the treatment wl-is similar, and had the desireil effL-cl.
In Holland, also, the same disease appeared ; the
treatment was the same."

ON THE USE OF LIME AS A MANURE.

Some years since, I was engaged in the management of
an extensive farm, which hail been reduced to the lowest
scale of fertility, by long-continued tillage; and, not
getting the means of keeping it in such order, as to pro-
iluce crops to the benefit of the farmer, instead of fal-
lowing, 1 planted potatoes and other green crops, as
far as I could get the manure to extend.— I then sowed
Spriog vetches on the other parts of the land, which had
been broken the previous year : these turned out a most
valuable crop ; 1 fed all the working horses with them
(made into hay,) during the entire Winter and Spring :
by boarding the bottom of the stable-racks, so tliat the
grain when shelling would fall into the manger, none of
the seeds were lost. This kept the horses in very good
working order, and I computed as much feeding on an
acre of vetches, as on two acres of hay. The September
following, 1 commenced ploughing the ground, as fol-
lows : — I beg'an the work with two ploughs, setting a
two-horse plough to precede another with four horses —
the four horses ploughing in the same furrow, and turn-
ing up the subsoil on the surface of the land. This
ploughing has been struck four inches deeper tlian if
the six horses had been in the one plough ; besides, the
foremost plough buried the top sod completely under
the sub-soil, wliich perfectly banished couch, and
all other weeds which the land was subject to.
When this ploughing was finished, I harrowed the
gTound, and marked out the ridges, first turning four
sods to each ridge, so that the wheels of the carts should
fit in each track of the p'ough. 1 then put out the
headlands, which I had previously mixed with lime
and sea-sand. This compost was made during the pe-
riod that the vetches were in the land ; it was carefully
turned, and mixed properly together. I dropped this
from the carts in small heaps, making three heaps of
each load. When this compost was all out, I then
finished the ploughing. When this was done, there was
no trace of a wheel on the ridges. I then spread the
compost on the ridges, and sowed wheat on all this
land, harrowing the seed in the compost; so that the
grain had the principal substance with it, in place of
ploughing the lime into the land, as is too commonly
done by many farmers. By this practice, I can say,
without exaggeration, that there was not a more luxu-
riant crop to be seen in the vicinity, the autumn follow-
ing-; besides, the land proved the benefit of the treat-
meat, for years afterwards. I sowed wheat, the same
year, on land that produced wheat the year before, by
applying- lime on the same system : though the land
was not trench-ploughed, it produced fourteen
barrels per acre. If I had not lime, mixed with
compost, I would draw it from the kiln, and drop
it in small portions in the furrows, about 60
barrels per acre, covering the lime with the mould
when dropped, so as to let it slack from the moisture of
the soil — as, by leaving it exposed to the weather, it re-
duces much of its substance ; then, when prepared to
sow, I would spread the lime in the furrows, and have
it ploughed m for covering- the ridges. When these
furrows were shovelled, I would plough them ag-ain,
by making- the one horse walk before the other, and let
the mould remain in the furrows, until the wheat was
coming over ground, then give the second covering, as
there is no grain the subsoil agrees better with than
wheat. If, however, there is any apprehension, from
the nature of the soil, that it is likely to be saturated
with water, during the winter montlis, it is better to
complete the shovelling- immediately after sowing. This
system I have practised for many yearS; and have ex-
perienced the most beneficial results from it. The
quantity of lime to be put on land necessarily varies,
according to the influence of local circumstances ; much
depends on the goodness of the lime, and the nature of
the lands to which it is applied. The general allowance
is, one hundred barrels per acre, if spread all over the
land, but if put in furrows a less portion would answer ;
if put on strong stony lands, or on stiff wet loams, which
retain moisture, and are not drained, lime produces but
little benefit. — Thomas Fi.anaoan, Steward tv .1. Gniii-
ness, Esq., Beaiimoiit.

114

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON POTATO FAILURES.

Some cultivators have ali-eady been asking them-
selves the question, what is iliat which makes so
many methods, hitherto acknowledged excellent,
of raising potatoes, all terminate now in failure ?
The response which they have received consists
of conjecture, whose probable accuracy derives
confirmation from daily ex])erience. That con-
jecture has the merit of explaining all the pheno-
mena of failure, and reconciling their discre-
pancies. It can appeal to analogy for the correct-
ness of its ])rincii)le, and admitting that its appli-
cation to potato culture may, in time, be proved
to be untenable, the practice founded on it, in the
meantime, can entail no loss or inconvenience to
the cultivator. The conjecture is that the potato,
as a plant, has lost its constitutional vigour. We
give this principle of the failure at present no
higher pretensions than of being founded on con-
jecture, but if it, like many theories which have
sprung from conjectue, be confirmed by subse-
quent experiment, it will deserve to be invested
with all the authority of sound theory. Now, let
lis apply this conjectural principle to the various
phenomena exhibited by the failure, and thereby
ascertain whether they are explicable by the the-
ory of constitutional decay : For example, are po-
tatoes now iieated wlieu stored in depth, in pits,
and houses, more readily than formerly ? it is,
because being constitutionally weaker, they are
less able to endure the rough treatment of former
times. Are cut sets now easily heated when lying
in heaps ^ the same reason will explain the cir-
cumstance. Does dry manure now effect potato
failure ? it is because the weakened sets are unable
to resist, to them, the mortal effects of active fer-
mentation in the manure, until the manure has
incorporated itself with the soil ? Does a scorch-
ing drought now produce potato failure.' it is
because the intensity of the heat actually deprives
the sets of vitality, in their present debilitated
condition. In short, take the sets under every
circumstance of failure, let them fail when planted
at mid-day, and grow when planted in the morn-
ing and evening; let them fail when the cut side
is presented to the dung, and grow when the
skinny side is so placed; let them fail when cut,
and grow when ])lanted whole, when the skin, as
in the last instance, acts as a protection to the pulp ;
let them fail when planted in dry soil, and succeed
when planted in damp, where their natural sap is
retained, the same principle of constitutional weak-
ness will explain every one of these phenomena,
for every instance of failure occurs in situations
more likely to be fatal to the vitality of the sets
than in situations in which the crop succeeds.
No doubt, each of the multitude of secondary
causes, such as heating of the seed, heat of the
sun, dryness of the manure, and many others,
will also explain one or more of the phenomena of
failure; but the confidence of the cultivator will
be shaken in them all, when he discovers, in his
endeavours to avoid one cause, by a particular
change of culture, he may suffer from the effects
of another, for all his precautions, suggested by
these numerous causes, may not insure him against
disappointment. Although armed with every pre-
caution, he plants his crop in dread. He may
conceive he may, but he can only with atremliling
heart pray Heaven to be gracious, for he thinks
he has done his i)art ; but, in fact, for all he ima-
gines he has acomplished, he has not nearly done
his part, nor done that part well. He has confined
his observation to the facts which surround him.

Like the child who is afraid of the burning embers
which have set fire to its clothes, is yet heedless
of the danger from the fire itself. AV^ould it not
be more philosophical, more like a desire for
truth, to extend observations beyond the narrow
bounds of daily practice, for explanation of a phe-
nomenon, which assumes, like Proteus, so many
shapes within our view ? AVould it not be more
philosophical, more comformable to natures' laws,
to believe that a single principle which evidently
effects mutation in living objects, both in the
animal and vagetable economy, should account
for rather than a plurality of causes, the varia-
tions of a mutable phenomenon .' This principle
is constitutional weakness in the potato, superin-
duced by a peculiarity of treatment.

But granting that vegetables do decay in consti-
tution by peculiar treatment, how, it may be
asked, is it known, or can be proved, that the
potato is yet subject to it .' The fact of the failures
of the last few years is a prima facie proof that a
change of some kind has affected the potato. The
eager desire of cultivators to prove the heated
state of the sets before, or the fatal effects of heat
at the time and after i)lanting, under the same
treatment, which has obtained for years before
the appearance of failure, is a decided proof of the
conviction on their minds that a change has affect-
ed the potato. But why should a change be
thought incredible or anomalous in the potato,
when varieties of plants, and even animals, treated
in a peculiar manner, are liable to constitutional
decay ? Many varieties of the ])otato, as is well
known, have passed from cultivation. "We may
instance a small blue variety, a large white kid-
ney, and a lendicular shaped brown, commonly
called, from the appearance of its skin, leather-
coats. Many old varieties of apples and pears
have disappeared from the garden and orchard,
and not a few are expected in a few years to dis-
appear altogether. The Arbroath oslin, the golden
pippin, the paradise pippin, the red streak, and
the Lammas pear, are all evidently on the decline,
not on account of disinclination to cultivate either
of these varieties ol fruit, for they are all prettv
fruit, and of pleasant flavour, but on account of
the constitutional weakness of the plants them-
selves, the eficcts of which are acknowledged by
every gardener to be a difficult task to counteract.
The paradise pippin is now chiefly cultivated for
stocks upon which to graft new varieties of apples,
and most probably the prolificacy of such grafts
may be accounted for by the declining condition
of the stock, and probably the employment of that
variety for such a ])urpose, may prolong its exis-
tence beyond its natural endurance of life.

But it may be eagerly inquired, what is this pe-
culiar treatment which superinduces constitutional
weakness in vegetables and animals? In animals,
too near an approach of consanguinity in their
union, invariably produces weakness, and if that
kind of union is pursued through several gene-
rations, the weakness tenniuates in disease, de-
formity and barrenness. Vegetables are pro])agated
by grafting, budding, cuttings, runners, and tu-
bers, as well as from seed. Varieties obtained
from such unions as grafting and budding indicate
weakness after a lapse of time. The crab-apple —
the original species — has retained its \igour,
whilst varieties obtaine 1 from it by those means
indicate symptoms of constitutional weakness in
the lapse of time, the rapidity of which is hastened
the farther the varieties are removed from the
parent stock. Plants on the other hand, that can

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE

115

only be raised directly from the seed, never indi-
cate weakness, whatever may be their treatment
in cultivation. Every variety of grain, grass,
cabbage, onion, and many others which are di-
rectly propagated from the seed, is as healthy in
constitution as when originally obtained, and will
endure every sort of treatment. The varieties of
these kinds of plants have been obtained by im-
pregnation of the seed, and as they can only be
reproduced from the seed, they will remain ])er-
manent. But there are plants which, although
they may be raised from the seed, are propagated
by the other means just enumerated, and when so
propagated, indicate symptoms of weakness in the
course of time. Varieties of strawberries, for
example, may be obtained by impregnation of the
seed between any two varieties ; but their repro-
duction by runners, which is the easiest method
of cultivation, will in the lapse of time superinduce
constitutional weal^ness in those varieties. Some
old varieties of the strawberry are now past bear-
ing, at least they are now not worth the trouble
and expense of cultivation, and other more es-
teemed varieties have been substituted for them,
and obtained by impregnation from the seed. An-
alogy warrants us applying the same reasoning to
the potato. Varieties of the potato may be obtained
by impregnation of the seed between any two va-
rieties, or directly from the seed itself of any one
variety; but their reproduction by tubers, being
the easiest method of cultivating the potato, su-
perinduces, in the lapse of time, the period being
unknown, a constitutional wealcness, as in the
case of the strawberry, which renders it unprofit-
able to continue the culture of that variety. Va-
rieties of plants are more easily produced from
varieties than from species, and the more easily
they can be propagated, and the more numerous
the modes of propagation, the more easily they
fall into decay- Of the potato, only varieties can
be obtained in this country ; for the original spe-
cies, whether more than one, were brought from
Peru. Could a new species of potato be obtained
from its indigenous site, its vigour of constitution
might be maintained for a series of years, and the
varieties obtained from it would no doubt possess
constitutional vigour in a proportionate degree
stronger than any of the varieties now in cultiva-
tion. It might be a difficult matter to obtain new
species of the potato from their indigenous site in
Peru, but until such a consummation shall be ac-
complished, new varieties should be obtained from
the seed of those in use, which, although decay-
able in time, will probably be more vigorous than
tlie older varieties now in cultivation. It is for-
tunate that this method of reviving the vigour of
varieties is in our power, and it should be made
available. Let new varieties, therefore, be raised
Irom the seed, and tedious as the process may be,
let it be pursued with care and perseverance, until
varieties arc obtained which shall possess the fac-
titious properties of good potatoes. Great cir-
cumspection will be required to select the seed
from the most vigorous varieties in existence, for
that obtained from weak jjlants or from weak
stems of the same plant, will probably produce
varieties which might decay in the course of a
short time. To avoid the risks of such a disap-
jioiutinent, experiments should be instituted in
various parts and situations of the country. Mean-
while, money could hardly perhaps be ex])cnded
to more advantage ultimately to agriculturists,
than in their despatching an exi)ericnced botanist
and shrewd cultivator in search of the original
species of the potato, in Peru, haply if such there be

now in existence. But besides adopting the tedious
plan of raising new varieties from the seed, and
obtaining new species from abroad, means should
also be employed to preserve the varieties in use
from farther decay, by placing them in circum-
stances to escape the accidents of mismanagement
and weather, and pursuing a mode of culture more
suitable to their tender condition.

THE PLOUGHSHARE OF OLD ENGLAND.

BY MISS ELIZA COOK.

The sailor boasts his ststely ship, the bulwark of the

isle.
The soldier loves his sword, and sings of tented plains

the while ;
But we vv'ill hang' the ploughshare up within our father's

halls.
And g'uard it as the deity of plenteous festivals.
We'll pluck the brdliant poppies, and the far-famed

barleycorn.
To wreathe with bursting wheat-ears, that outshine the

saffron morn.
^Ve'll crown il with a glowing- heart, and pledge our

fertile land.
The ploughshare of Old England, and the sturdy pea-
sant band !

The v^ork it does is good and blest, and may be proudly

told ;
We see it in the teeming barns, and fields of waving

gold.
Its metal is unsullied, no blood stain lingers there ;
God speed it well, and let it thrive unshackled every-
where.
The bark may rest upon the wave, the spear may gather

dust,
But never may the prow that cuts the furrow lie and

rust.
Fill up, fill up, with glawing heart, and pledge ear

fertile land.
The ploughshare of Old England, and the sturdy peasant

band !

IMPORTATION OF CATTLE INTO LIVERPOOL,

Number of cattle, &c., imported into Liver-
pool from Ireland, from the 1st January to the 30th
June, 1837; and likewise the number imported coast-
wise during the same period, with an average value
of the same, viz, : —

£. s. £. s. d.

21767 Head black cattle 16 0 ... 3'18272 0 0

470 Calves 2 0.. 340 0 0

3S230 Sheep 1 15.. 66902 5 0

10010 Lambs 0 15 .. 7507 10 0

221532 Pigs 2 0.. 443064 0 0

950 Horses 26 0.. 24700 0 0

114 Mules 8 0... 912 0 0

892297 15 0

Coastwise. £. s.

2456 Head blk. cattle 16 0

119 Calves 2 0-

2S3S7 Sheep 1 15

114 Lambs 0 15

3494 Pigs .. ,. 2 0

45 Horses 26 0

£. S.

38296 0

238 0

49676 15

85 10

6988 0

1170 0

96454 5 0

Total £988752 0 0

16

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

WILTSHIRE.

(tROM KENNEDY AND GRAINGER's CUSTOMS OF
COUNTIES.^ 1828.

The soil in this county varies in quality and cha-
racter, like that of some others, but the whole of it
is, in general, profitably employed. In the south
the land is rich and fertile, there are many meadows,
and a considerable produceofall kinds of grain : the
middle jjart chiefly consists of downs, which, on tlie
hig-licst part, feeds vast numbers of sheep, and are
cultivated in all the vallies and sloping- plains.

The northern part is hilly, but remarkably pleas-
ant ; the rivulets which water the vallies render ex-
tremely fertile the ground, which is chiefly devoted
to the supply of the daries : these supply great
quantities of cheese, highly esteemed, under the
name of North Wiltshire. The county in general
produces large quantities of corn, the soil in the
vallies being, in many parts, a strong rich clay. Tlie
downs and meadows afford excellent jiasture for
cattle, especially sheep, great flocks of which useful
animals are constantly fed in all parts of the county.

Sheep, indeed, are considered in Wiltshire as near-
ly thev^-hole support of the farmer. They afford the
chief articles of manure which is used on the land ;
and upon the sale of the lambs and the wool rests the
principal dependence for raising the rent. Tlie
wool, it is well known, forms the chief manufacture
in this county, it being converted into every species
of woollen cloth, a trade which, whilst it contributes
largely to the employment and maintenance of the
industrious poor, also forms a considerable propor-
tion of that inland traffic, as well as of foreign com-
merce, which so materially enhances the wealth, and
supports the dignity of the empire. Lambs and
wool are the principal commodities in Wiltshire.

This county lies very open ; the air upon tlie
downs is sharp, but very salubrious; the land, in
most parts, is dry, as well from its situation, as its
natural character.

Chalk forms the principal strata ; tliere are, how-
ever, excellent quarries of stone, especially on the
banks of the Nodder, whence some blocks are taken
of immense magnitude.

Practice of Tenancy. — The farms in Wiltshire
are generally held on leases for seven, fourteen, or
twenty-one years ; the most usual time for entering
upon them isat Rlidsummer.

At this period, however, the incoming tenant does
not take possession either of the whole of the land, or
of the house; he only enters upon the grass-seeds,
fallows, and grass land, with part of the house, and
stable-room sufficient for his horses. He becomes
possessed of all the land at Michaelmas, but not of
the whole of the house and buildings till the follow-
ing Midsummer, the outgoer having the privilege of
retaining the use of part of the house and buildings
until that time, for the purpose of threshing out his
last crop.

The rents are in most places received once a year ;
the poor-rates are collected quarterly ; the highway-
tax is chieilv worked out ; the tithes are generally
compounded for.

Customs between Landlord and Tenant, and
TUE Incoming and Outgoing Tenant. — The general
practice of this county is, for a tenant to be restrain-
ed from conveying away either hay or straw from
the premises during the term of his lease, or at its
expiration, he being bound to expend it all upon the
land : he likewise covenants to farm hi^ ground ac-
cording to the three, four, or five field system ;
whichever may be considered as the best adapted to

the quality of the soil, and is not allowed to take two
white crops in succession.

An outgoing tenant is bound to free the whole of
the land from sheep and cattle by Michaelmas, but
he retains stable-room for the horses he requires to
carry his thrisshed corn out till the following Mid-
summer, in the same manner as the rest of the build-
ings and part of the house.

He feeds all the fallow land up to Alidsummer,
and has also the privilege of feeding the field land,
(that is, the ground from which the clover or seed
hay is taken,) until Michaelmas, but he cannot
touch the meadows after Midsummer.

The reason for granting the privilege of feeding
the field land is, that after the fallows are broken up,
it is the only part of the farm, unless it includes
down land, upon which sheep can exist, and, there-
fore, the outgoer has the use of the former land until
the time for clearing off.

Tl e outgoer harvests and takes the whole of his
corn crop, which he is obliged to thresh upon the
premises, and leave all the straw for his successor,
without being entitled for it to anv payment. He is
also bound to have all the corn threshed out by the
Midsummer succeeding the harvest but he pays no
rent after the previous Midsummer. He, in general,
discharges the rent for the first quarter of his enter-
ing, and, therefore, does not pay the last ; but were
the outgoer to pav for his standing crop till harvest
time, the incomer would have the sum which he now
pays for rent in his pocket, to lay out at the com-
mencement of his business.

It is in most parts customary for the incomer to
cut the hav crop, for which he pays the outgoer the
value of the crop of meadow hay, but only that of
seed and labour lorthe cloverorseed hay, that beinp;
all the outgoer can demand of his successor, unless
he has carried out muck and folded a piece of land :
he is then allowed some remuneration for carting the
muck, and is paid according to distance (provided
he leaves a farm under regular notice.} If he cuts
the hay crop himself, the custom of the county does
not bind the incomer to take it, but the outgoer is
compelled to feed it upon the premises. It is, in
general, at the option of the incomer to cut the hay
crop, which saves much trouble to the outgoer.

The incomer has the privilege of sowing his clover
or other grass seeds, during the time that his prede-
cessor is sowing his last barley crop. The seeds are
harrowed in at the same period as the barley ; for
which some little recompense is generally expected
by the outgoer. But the incomer is not charged for
any ploughing or any other work, unless he engaged
the outgoer to do it, it being at the option of the
former to plough all the ground himself, both for his
turnip and wheat fallows. He has also the benefit
of all the dung left upon the premises without being
called upon for any payment.

Mode of Farming, Implements, &c. — Through
the practice and customs at entry which are most
usually acted upon in this county, a farm, R-hen a
change of tenants takes place, is in the same
regular course as it was during the term of the lease,
the only difference being that the work is performed
by one person instead of another. The outgoer hav-
ing an interest in the last croj), for his own sake
does his duty ; and the incomer of course, pursues a
similar line of conduct. The latter, indeed, in Wilt-
shire has the means, and a fair chance afforded to
him, of acting upon a good system, his interest
being studied in preference to that of the outgoer, in
u far higher degree than in some other counties in
England, in which a great error is too fretpiently
committed in too much regarding that of the latter,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

117

r.t tbe expense of crippling the resources of the in-
comer, and preventing him from fairly working the
laad.

Tliose farmers who Iteep their Innd in good condi-
tion at the least expense, must, unquestionably, be
adjudged the best ; and the condition of the land, in
general, in Wiltshire, especiallv considering tlic
situation of many parts of it, undoubtedly reflects
very great credit upon its agriculturists.

^Vith the exception of a fen- woollen rags, no arti
(icial manure is used, every article of manure being
otherwise what is produced immediately upon the
spot. The land is remarkably clean, in good con-
dition, and worked at as small an expense as the soil
is in most counties.

Tbe rotation on tJie turnip land generally is — first,
turnips ; second, barley ; third, seeds for two 3'ears,
once cut for hay and once fed ; fourth, wlieat, for
which crop the land is usuallv plouglied over two or
three times after iMidsummer. On the heavy land,
the rotation is — first, fallow ; second, wheat ; third,
seeds ; fourtli, beans ; fifth, wheat.

The mode in use here for manuring the land is
most excellently adapted for the production of all
kinds of grain as well as turnips. During tlie winter
the muck is regularly taken from the yards, (precisely
similar to cleaning out a stable,) and after it has been
lirst spread upon the ground intended for turnips,
the same system is pursued with regard to the wheat
crop.

The muck is carried out in proportion as the flock
folded upon it every night can tread it in ; when it
goes out, it is nothing more than manure made from
straw-fed beasts, and would, of itself, but very little
nourish the land. After, however, the sheep have
soiled and trod it into the earth, it soon rots and
makes very good manure ; whilst, by carrying out,
every day or two, a sufficient quantity for a flock to
lie upon, a considerable extent of ground is gone
over, and that at a very trifling expense.

Irrigation is to be seen in its greatest perfection
in Wiltshire; and it is worth any one's while, who
takes an interest in agricultural pursuits, to travel
many miles tor the purpose of duly appreciating the
unquestionable advantages and value attached to a
water-meadow, and which many thousands of acres
in other quarters capable of being irrigated, from not
being in the situation of upland meadow-ground, are
entirely deprived of, merely from the circumstance
of their proprietors, or occupiers, or both, not being
sufficienUy aware of the vast benefits that may be
derived from such a practice.

In the month of April, the water-meadows will
carry grass mid-leg high, which is foiled off by the
sheep and lambs as naked as possible ; and the water
being turned over again, they will, in the course of
six or eight weeks, ])roduce two tons of hay per acre.
Not only this, — but between liaying-time and
Michaelmas ihey will put b' asfs in good condition
tor stall-feeding, and fre(iuently entirely prepare
them for the butcher. It mav be fairly stated, that
one acre of water-meadow is more than equal to two
of upland meadows.

A practice is adopted here of fallowing the laud
for the wheat which is sown after the two years old
seeds are fed ofl', mucked, and folded, and which
is chiefly sown by hand, that being likewise the case
with all kinds of grain, excppting beans, the latter
being dibbled about twelve inches apart each way,
vnid three or four put into a hole. Someti ues the
drill plough is used 'or them, and astonishing crops
are thus produced after applying ti)e muck and fold ;
by making it a rule always to hoe tlie beans twice,

the land is kept very clean, and in good condition
for wheat.

The seed machine is used for turnips, and likewise
for clover, and all other artificial grasses ; and it is
generally considered as useful an implement as ever
was introduced for the purpose of facilitating the
labours of the husbandman. The double-w-heeled
{doughs are most generally used in the eastern part
of the county, but in the we.-it the single-wheel
plough is more risuvd ; many of wdiich, however,
though made in a similar manner to the common ones,
are manufactured of cast-iron.

The threshing machines are generally in use
throughout Wiltshire.

Slone not being very abundant, the outbuildings
are chiefly thatched and weather-boarded : exclusive
of tlie thatch, they are most frequently kept in repair
at the expense of the landlord.

TO TBE EDITOR OF THE PERTH-

fcOIllE COURIER, &c.

Extract of a letter from Dr. Hamilton, Plyraoiith,
to J. C. Loudon, Esquire, Bayswater, London,
May 12th, 1836.

" I received a short time since a few ears of wheat
termed the black jointed Tremais spring wheat, with
white grain, from Col. Le Couteur of Bellevue, Jer-
sey, who recommends it as being, he suspects, as
rapid in its growth as the Victoria vvflieat. 'I'o deter-
mine this point, he intended to sow some of each on
the i-'9th IVJarch for a comparative trial, and requested
me to do the same, whicli I have accordingly done,
and from the jn-ogress of both, tlie Jersey wheat
appears to have the decided advantage. I send two
or three seeds for trial in this, notwithstanding the
lateness of the season, by forcing in the house you
may obtain enough for a fair trial next year," &c.
(Signed) D. Hamilton.

Mr. EnrroR, — Observing in your ])aper of this
week, remarks and extracts from Col. Le Couteur's
work on wheat, I send the above extract from a letter
by Dr. Hamilton to Mr. Loudon, about a sujjposed
early variety he had from the Colonel. My friend,
Mr. Loudon, kindly sent me the three seeds, which
reached on the 4th June, last 3'ear. I sew one seed
in a flowerpot, another in the open ground, tlie other
is still in the packet — neither showed an ear last year.
The plant in the pot died through too much care.
The plant in the open ground I cut close to the
ground in October, and gave no shelter. It stood
the winter well, and threw up thirty-five strong-
healthy stems, which now begin to show the ear
which is bearded. The foilage is uiiusuallii long and
broad. 1 ha grain longish, large, white, and semi-
transparent ; and though it has not with me as yet
shown anv decided early habits, yet it seems to de-
serve, and shall receive, a farther fair trial. I may
mention that a variety of wheat from the Hiramalaya
mountains, sown this year on the ord of April, has
shown the ear ten days before ihe i)lant of Tremais
wheat, sown in June last; but the plant is rather
puny, and the variety not likely to please the eye of
our I'ariners or miliars. Your inserting this will
oblige, Mr. I'ditor,

^'our obedient s'-rvant,

A. G.

BrafS of Uie L'arse, 30ih Jtiiie, 1827.

118

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE INCREASE OF THE ROOTS
AND THE STUMP IN THE SILVER
FIR, LONG AFTER IT HAS BEEN
FELLED.

BY 51. DUTHOCHET, MEMBEE 01' THE IN'STITUTE, PARIS.*

Wlien a tree has been felled, and when no shoots
arise from the stump, this stump, as well as the roots
which fix it in tlie ground, fail not in a sJiort time to
die. The cause of this phenomenon is found in that
well-lniown law of vegetation by which the leaves
are produced from tlie effect of the sap, the latter
being essential to tlie life and growth of tlie tree,
both in the branches and the root. When the stump
reproduces stems after tlie tree has been felled, the
roots may continue to flourish to an indefinite period.
Thus, in coppice-woods, the roots of the same trees
live througli an indefinite number of centuries, and
tlieir existence may be prolonged to an indeterminate
period.

It is well known that the coniferous trees never
reproduce stems when the tree has been felled ; and
that the stump and roots which fix it in the earth
usually die, and are quickly decomposed. There is,
however, a very remarkable exception to this fact in
the silver fir, (Pimis, picea, Li.vx. Abies pectinata,
De Cand.) 'J'he stump and roots of tins tree con-
tinue to live, and even grow, during a great num-
ber of years. This singular fact was pointed out to
me by my brother inspector of forests, one of the
most intelligent men connected with the forest nd-
minislration ; though I must confess I doubted the
fact till I was enabled to verify it myself. I have
observed in the forests of the Jura, that all tlie
stumps of the silver fir, whose branches had been
many years felled, were still vigorous as well as
their roots ; while all the stumps and roots of the
Norway spruce, (Abies e.vceha, De Cand.,) were
dead, including those which had been recently
felled. 1 have seen old stumps of the silver fir
■whicli, according to certain marks, iiad been felled
forty -five years before, still full of life. Tlie interior
was entirely decayed, but the outer wood and the bark
presented signs of life. These observations were
made in the spring ; the stump and the roots beinc
full of sap, The bark, separated from the wood by the
elfusion of the pulp, (cumbium,j was easily detached.
This bark, and the wood adjacent, had all the
appearances which these parts present when in a
flourishing state. The existence of the pulp ("cam-
bium) indicated that the stump was tncreasino- in
diameter. _ 1'his point I was also able to prove,
wliich I did in the following manner. I perceived
that a kind of enlargement was formed between the
b.u-k and the wood of the stump, and that this swell-
ing, consisting of the wood and bark which had been
produced since the tree was felled, had again covered
a portion of the transversal section of the stump, so
that ihe section of the sap which limited the central
system of the tree at the time of its being felled, was
in perfect preservation. The traces of the axe on
this sap, transversely divided, removed all doubt on
this point. I have also seen on all these stumps an
increase in the diameter from the production of new-
pulp, the thickness of which, in the old branches
wdiich I examined, was about two-fifths of an inch,
so that these stumps, during the space of forty-five
years, lad acquired a total increa.se of four-.filths of
an inch, or eight lines in diameter.

The phenomenon which the silver fir presents in

Translated by Miss H. G , Lee, Kent.

such circumstances ajipears at first sight to invididute
the theory which supposes the sap furnishing tlie
mnterials of growth to be derived from the leave.s or
the umbrageous parts of the vegetable. But the ex-
treme scantiness of the increase in the diameter of
the stump of the silver fir, on the contrary, confirms
thistlieory; for the stump which continues to live
during so great a number of years increases thus
slowly from the want of leaves, wliich are peculiarly
the productive organs oftlie nutritive pulp. It appears
that the rools of this tree possess the facultj' of pro-
ducing a small quantity of crude sap, and o'?" con-
verting it into nutritive pulp, which preserves life in
the roots and stump, and contributes to their scanty
growth during a great number of years. This
faculty is wanting in the Norway spruce and the
Scotch fir, (Pinus cylvestris,) of which the stump
and rools die soon after the tree has been felled.
Whence arises t'.iis difference 1 This is a question
not easily decided. However this mav be, the fact
is very remarkable which proves that the roots of
trees, and the small portion of the stem which is left
when ihe}' are felled, do, in certain ca.ses, live a long
time and increase, though not surmounted by any
foliasi-e.

LORD CHESTERFIELD'S RACING
AND BREEDING STUD.

The following draft from this extensive stud was
sold on tlie 17th July at Hyde Park Corner: —

YEARLING FILI.IES.

Gs.

Bay, by Priam, out of Malibran, by Rubens. , 200

Brown, by Priam, out of Eliza Leeds 100

Bay, bv Priam, out of Sycorax 50

Ches, by Langar, cl. by Whisker 92

l?rown, by Colwick, out of Mad IMoll (h. b.) . . 16^

Grey, by Colwick, out of Lady's Pad (h. h.). lOJ

YEARLING COLTS.

Brown, by Colwick, cut of a half-bred mare. . 20

Bay, by Priam, out of Worthless 150

Bay, by Colwick, out of a Williamson's ditto m. 29

Bay, by Zinganee, out of Dirce 50

BROOD MARES.

A black mare, covered by Ishmael '20

Grey, by Young Phantom, out of Mayflower,

covered b}"^ Ishmael 41

Oddums, by Zinganee, covered by Ishmael.. '26
Juliana, sister (o Alfred, covered by Ishmael. 81
Sldlful, by Partisan, covered by 'V''eloci]iede. . . 205
Her Majesty, bv Velocipede, covered bylshmael 200
Babel, by Interpreter (won the Oaks in 1826),

covered by Ishmael 300

INIarceline, with f. foal by Velocipede, and

covered by Sultan 30O

Gallopade's d. with f. foal by Priam, and

covered by Colwick 75

Octaviana, with f. foal by Priam, and covered

bv Ishmael , 54

Worthless, with f. f. by Priam, and covered

by Ishmael 150

Tranty's d , with f. f. by Priam or Zinganee,

and covered by Ishmael 28

Miss Giles, with colt foal by ]Mulatto, and

covered by Ishmael 350

Eliza Leeds, wiih colt foal by Priam, and

covered by Ishmael 300

Several others were bought in.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

119

DISEASES OF SHEEP.

The diseases of this most useful animal are little
attended to; mimbers die that might be saved by-
medicine, if shepherds knew what was proper to
give them. Foot-rot is a most troublesome and
difficult disease to cure. Put the sheep in a dry
fold ; clear the dirt from between their claws with
an old tooth-brush ; apply to the parts affected,
with a wooden skewer or a feather, butter of anti-
mony ; and let the sheep remain an hour in the
fold. Or, apply a paste, made of equal quantities
of blue vitriol, gunjjowder, and train oil. Scab :*
the most ctTective remedy is the mercurial oint-
ment— to be had, ready made, at all druggists ;
which is also good for sore heads, caused by the
fly; or for maggots. Gurry- one small tea-spoon-
ful of turpentine, and four table-spoonsful of salt
and water — one dose is often sufficient. Or, Peru-
vian bark, ginger-root, and prepared chalk — one
drachm — in war,'^ gi"'-iel, with a table-spoonful of
gin or brandy. If a severe case, a tea-spoonful of
tincture of opium. If a sheep that is fat, or nearly
so, appears to be off its food, for some days, from
some internal complaint, the safest plan is to have
it killed. Scouring of young lambs : ginger and
rhubarb, one tea-spoonful, in warm gruel, with
ten drops of laudanum. Fourteen tea-spoonsful of
rhubarb, seven of ginger, and seven of laudanum,
or tincture of opium, will dose a score of lambs,
about three quarters of a year old. Many flocks
of lambs having been kept very short of food dur-
ing the late dry summer, numbers have died froni
eating- the young succulent grass, which sprung
up when the rain came. Ewes injured in lamb-
ing : apply into the parts warm water, and after,
warm fresh grease ; and then, outside, some
known good oils ; give a drachm of Peruvian bark
and ginger in gruel, new-milk warm, madeof lin-
seed and oatmeal ; add a table-spoonful of gin or
brandy, anJ treacle. To prevent the fly : a pow-
der, composed of white lead and white arsenic, to
bo shaken on with an old pepper box ; it is to be
had, ready prepared, of any druggist. The most
fatal disease is the rot, which is thought to be in-
curable ; but I know from experience, that the
progress of the disease may be so checked, that
the anin;al will get fat enough for the butcher.
There are various opinions as to the way in which
this disease is contracted. I have ever thought it
has been by the sheep eating in summer, or au-
tumn, the grass of flooded meadows, or swampy
Ijastures, on which some sort of grub had de])0-
sited its larva;, which are not destroyed by the
heat of the stomach, but mixing with the chyle,
find their way into the vessels of the liver, where
they become what are commonly called flukes,
from their resemblance in shape, to flounders ;
there they absorb the chief nourishment of the
blood of the animal, and then, in a short time,
cause its death. It may fairly be iisked, how is it
tirat beasts eating the same grass are not affected
by it ? The reason jjrobably is, that the digestion
of an ox or cow is so much stronger, that the
larva; arc destroyed, and cairied away with the
food.

An eminent su'geon has informed me that there

* JMrrcuRiAL SuEEP OiN-niFNT. — A quarter of a
pound of quicksdver to lib. of hog's lard : these
must be stirred till thoroughly mixed, -svithout first
killing the quicksilver, which is llie common prac-
tice, imd thus lessening the efiicicy of the ointment ;
it will re(iuire great perseverance in the stirring.

is no communication with the stomach and the
liver, but as he cannot in any waj' account for the
flidces getting into the liver, I do not give up my
opinion. I am strengthened to in my belief from
its being well known, that after a frost of 48 hours,
or less, sheep may safely be kept in a pasture,
which, had they been put in before the frost (even
for one day), would certainly in the course of two
or three weeks, he found to have flukes in their
liver, but which is prevented by the frost destroy-
ing the larvse on the grass. I am quite aware that
many other scientific objections may fairly be
made against my idea ; such as that the worm or
grub, a cold-blooded creature, intended to live in
common atmospheric air, could not exist in the
inside of any animal. Bots, so common in horses
laying out at grass, it is well known, are produced
from the horses biting each other, in kind fello-A'-
ship, about their manes, where some sort of fly
or moth had deposited its eggs or nits, which the
horses thus get into their mouths and stomachs,
where they become bots, and make their appear-
ance in the hcrses' fundaments. It cannot be snp-
])Osed that instinct points to the moth or fly to
leave its egg there for the purpose of its getting
into the horse's stomach ; it appears to me that it
probably only leaves it on that part from finding
a saliva there from the playful hiting of another
horse. — Hearing a farmer com])]ain, in the year
1814, of the great loss he had sustained by the rot
in his sheep, I recommended him to try Armitage's
remedy ; he had no faith in any of the nostrums,
it was however agreed between us, that as I was
going to London the next day, I should bring a
sufficient quantity for a score of sheep, which be
was to take on my return, or sell me a score of
his sheep for ten pounds. He sent me the sheep.
Our farms were divided only by a small brook, but
the sheep having to walk a mile to get to my farm,
two of them died in that mile. I dosed the eighteen
according to directioi^s. Sixteen soon seemed
more lively for it ; to the two tiiat did not, I gave
the medicine I had to spare, which proved to be
over- dosing them, and consequently killed them.
Thirteen of the others I made fat in the summer,
sent them to London, and made about forty-seven
shillings a-head. One ])roved what is here called
a rubber, which no feeding will make fat ; one
was drowned. To see what soitof mutton the
best was, I had one killed and consumed (all but
one leg, which I sent to the farmer J), in my own
family, who knew nothing of the circumstances
attending it, and therefore found no fault with the
meat : but some one, I recollect, commended some
joint, as b(ing veiy tender. The farmer could
scarcely believe that the leg of mutton I sent him
could have come off one of the poor miserable
animals that he sold me. For my own part, I
confess I could not relish the mutton, although I
felt sure there could be nothing unwholesome in
it. The difference between that and the other
mutton is, the lean is more tender and less fla-
voured ; tlie fat is whiter, and the gravy lighter
coloure:!. Tiie farmer informed mc some time
afterwards of one circumstance which was impor-
tant. He said he understood I was to have forty
of his sheep, and therefore he drew forty of the
worst of his flock, and marked them for me ; that
the next day, not liking to part with so many at
so poor a price, he turned baci-c into his flock
twenty of the best of them with the mark on, and
every one of those twenty died. A few years ago,
I made several inquiries after the medicine, and
could hear nothing of it, but found that Armitage

120

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

was dead. No medicine can make sound a liver
that is in part rotten ; but it can so stop the pro-
gress of this disease by killing the flukes, as to
allow the sheej), with a summer's feeding, to get
marketably fat. The chief ingredient in all the
remedies must be oil of turpentine. — Hillyard's
Practical Farming.

STATE OF AGRICULTURE.

(Jreat cliauges are in silent progress being made
in the agTicultuve of the United Kingdom, but
advancing so slowly, that until nearly towards
completion or entirely effected the results do not
become generally apparent or Ofenly acknowledged.
At present Ireland supplies England with livennd
dead stock, as well as corn, to a verv large amount ;
but Widle under every possible vicissitude in the
Corn Laws, the one will for a long period to come
continue to be a granary to the other, we are no less
convinced that Ireland at no very remote period will
cease in a great degree from being a grazing countrv.
In Ulster the pressuie of population has forced
tillage to tlie tofis of the mountains, the same cause
which is in operation tln-ougliout the Island will
produce similviv results in districts where grazing is
more extensively followed. In the western and
southern counties cultivation is spreading rapidly
into the bogs, and up the sides of steep and cragp'v
hills, and even making inroads on the most favourite
and fertile pastures. Besidi^s, in Ireland, so long
as the supply of labour much exceeds the demand,
the cultivation of the ground under any circumstances
will be to a certain degree preferable ; but in Eng-
land, tlie cost of labour being mucli heavier than in
Ireland, added to the other burthens, has made
i'arming in many places, even at nominal rents, a
losing trade, and thu land has been suffered to revert:
to its primitive state. In addition to which, the
numerous steam vessels now plying along the coast
afford such facilities for conveying fat cattle and
sheep to the best markets wifhoutanv spusible fallino-
olf in condition, as to have induced both English and
Scotch farmers to have turned their attention to tlie
raising and fattening of stock to an extent they
never did before ; so that we have good reasons for
believing that the demand for Irish stock will be
diminished, while that of grain will be more than
proportionably increased. It ought also to be taken
into consideration that no loss attends the conveyance
of grain to a distant market, and that the cost,
especially if it be in a manui'actured state, is much
less than that of conveying cattle. We are satisfied
th.it the change we are contemplating, which, both
an external force operating on the landlords and their
own direct interests concur in bringing about, will
in a peciiniary point of view be oi advantage to the
Sister Island, and with the contemplated Govern-
ment measure of affording relief to the poor, will
tend materially in ameliorating its social state, while
at the same time it ought to impress the Irish with a
deep sense of the national importance of agriculture,
and consequently of rendering every facility to its
improvement and advancement, and of wliich ihp
soil of Ireland is so pre-eminently susceptible. A
new era from another cause is also opening a happy
career for 05:r Irish brethren ; we allude to the
Societies forming and spirited exertions of talented
individuals applying the full power of their mind and
energies in reclaiming immense tracts of this fertile
l)ortioa of Her Majesty's dominions. A few years
c;'.n only now elapse before vast extents of land of
the richest soil will he rendered available to the

growejs of flax and grain. Many morasses are
capable of drainage, and it is proved that cajdtal is
alone required to recover from the encroachments of
the sea and rivers large districts of alluvial soil,
ready to yield a rich return as soon as it is freed
from the watery element, it being justly lemarked,
that the progress of events and the enlightenment of
the human mind must vvork most beneticial changes
in a country so capable of agricultural improvement,
and when the people receive wages fortlunr labour,
sufficient for livelihood, they will speedily afterwards
become more sensible of the great advantage result-
ing from industrious, independent and peaceable
habits. In England, when the country is
intersected with railroads, a vast revolution will be
effected in our social intercourse and agricultural
interests ; the most distant counties will be made to
approximate each other, and brought into intimate
contact with the larger market tovvns, the different
systems of tillage and products become familiar, the
interchange of produce established, and price.s equal-
ised of connnodities hitherto almost unknown as
common articles of sale ; in fact consumers and
producers deriving an inestimable benefit from a
mutual easv access, all agricultural produce will be
raised in value from its more general difl'usion, and
the price of land in more distant parts, owing to its
removal from ports or market-towns, considerably
enhanced, whila it will have the effect of reducmg
the value of the necessaries of life in the places of
consumption.

SAVING UNDER THE NEW POOR

LAW.

WOBURN UNION.

Table, showing the average expenditure of the three
years ending Lady-day, 1834 ; the expenditure of the
tln-ee years ending Lady-day, 1837 ; the average of
tiie same, and the saving' per cent.

Aspley Guise

Battlesden

Chal grave

Eversholt

Harlineton

Hockliffe

liolcut

Husborne Crawley.
Milton Bryant . . . .

Potsg-.-ove

Uidgmount ... = ..

Salford

Tils worth

Tins'rith

Teddington

Woburn

£.

740

353

830

628

728

354

195

678

297

193

1103

315

201

I 172

I 2031

1217

Expenditure

for the

years ending

Lady-day.

1835183618371

£• I

621

£• I £•
377 326
2281 13b 132
801 1 424 458
657| 418' 227
704 419 349
361! 204 135
220| 138 113
549 491 391
250' 132 104'
141
650

279 163 172!

Ill mi

102 126

20861374 866,

929 564 557i

175
154

98 97
513 510

£.
441
164
561
434
491
233
157
477
162
109
558
205
132
127
1442
683

40i

53^'

32J

30:i

32f

34

19^

29i

45*

43i

49^

34S

34:i;

2G;S:

29

44

36a

10035 88055659 4674' 6376

Saving to Ladv-dny, 1835 f 1,230

Ditto " ditto 1836 4,376

Ditto ditto 1837 5,361

aving' in the average .... £3,659 per ann .

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

121

GAMA GRASS.

Much has been said and many have wiittcn on
the subject of this neiuly noted grass.

Two years ago, last month,! received of a friend,
1() Gania grass seeds, and [ilanted tliem imme-
diately about 10 inches apart in the drill, and two
inclies under the soil. Having understood that
these seeds were tardy coming \\\), I set a small
stick by each one, and kept the ground clear of
weeds in the spring. Six at length vegetated about
the middle of Rlay. The rest a])peared not to
vegetate the season. Yet, as I since learned, they
too would probably have i)ut forth the following
spring, if the ground had been kept prepared. The
growth of these apparently yourjg oats or wheat
blades, through the summer, fully answered my
expectation, though raised pretty liigh by the ac-
counts thereof, which I read and heard. Last
spring I grubbed up three branches of the six, and
with tl;e heip of a chisel and a knife, divided them
into sets ; each with one root at least attached. -I
transplanted these two feet distant each way, in an
oblong piece of ground, eleven yards long and two
feet wide. The soil, a very ordinary loamy one,
was helped by ploughing in a dressing of stable
manure early in the spring, and putting some well
lotted compost in the drill, before setting the
plants. Their growth fully realized my hopes,
and they now lack but little more than half of tak-
ing complete possession of tlie ground. I culti-
vated or harrowed them, and displaced the weeds
once or twice in the early part of the season ; my
immediate object being to obtain all the seed 1
could (six pounds was got from my small patch,
and few original tussocks uiuemoved). I did not
try it for soiling, or for hay— except throwing oc-
casionally a few dryish blades of that going to
seed, to horses and oxen, which were eaten with
avidity.

Last fall I took up the stools, not before re-
moved, and as above described, dividing them and
some others procured, increased my patch to about
half an acre ; by further transplanting I had the
curiosity to count the divided ones, or rooted sets
I'rom one stool or tussock, that had stood two
years, and i'ound the number two hundred and
foriy.

As I have often profited by seeing in detail how
the business of transplanting any sort of \'egetab]e
is done, I will here relate my manner with the
Gama grass sets. The ground having been pre-
viously enriched and mellowed thoroughly, I ran
a plough, — we call a half share here, — and opened
furrows two feet apart ; and then, having a small
short handled hoe in one hand, a Iioy from a bas-
ket handed me single plants, and I laid the roots
of each one along in the furrow, and with the hoe
covered them, and gently trampling on, planting
about two feet asunder. A man and small boy in
this way may soon plant an acre. As the ])]ants
are to be cuUi\ ated but one way, the exact dis-
tance in the diill is of no great moment, and can
be regulated by the judgment of the planter. I
have seen it recently recommended to plant a foot
and a half each way. When the supply of this
wonderful i)lant reaches the demand, it may not
be amiss to plant this closer distance, as tlie grass
will soon take complete possession of the ground ;
yet from my experience and observation, I should
judge that at two feet distance, with proper pre-
paration and care, in three years, at most, the
ground will be (■onii)]cte]y covered or matted over,
and yield its full and superabundant crop. I have

said wonderful and superabundant crop ; for no-
thing of the grass creation has ever been known,
I believe, to yield any thing like this. Take half
the product of hay it has l)een known to yield a
season per acre, under most favourable circum-
stances, viz. : — thirty-tivo tons, or sixty-four loads,
and where is there any crop to be compared to it?
Its ascertained yield seems increditable — but so
would seem the greatlj^ accelerated expedition of
steam-boats and railroads. Some years ago, a
calculation of their expeditions and facilities of
conveyance, would have been viewed as the highest
degree chimerical. So tliis wonder of production
in the vegetable kingdom is still viewed by some.
But " facts are stubborn things," and will over-
come improper incredulity. It is said that this
very great yield may be attended with some ex-
penditure of time, and money in particular. It
may be replied, that in the attainment of any valu-
able object, the necessary trouble is not so much
to be regarded, as the after advantages to be re-
alized ; and that, frequently these after advan-
tages, are in ])roportion to the trouble and ex-
penses incurred. The wealth accruing from steam-
boats and railroads would never have been realized
had their cost been chiefly regarded. Some may
form erroneous notions from the accounts of the
yield of this grass, and suppose, jjerhaps, that
ground unsustained, or indifferent land, unaided
by manures, may be made to yield the wonderful
product of the Gama grass. But giomids not
abundantly rich require sustaining or keeping up
by dressings of composts to produce three or four
tons only a year of other kinds of hay. But set
with the Gama grass, one acre will yield more pro-
vender than ma7iy in other culture. And that one
perhaps, re(iuiring no more cost or preparation
than one in the other case. I have tried cultivating
the Lucerne, and have now a flourishing lot of it ;
but being a tender plant, it is constantly liable to
be injured by weeds and native grasses ; and in
our country, where labour is high, is less profit-
able on that account. Rut while Gama grass is
perfectly hard}' against summer droughts and win-
ter frosts, it also, when once in possession of the
soil, maintains its hold and abundant yield— I say
abundant yield, provided—" What ^^^^ovided," or
always some if, or some requisite to every boasted
netu thing, or improvement. I seem to hear one
say, that would reap without solving, or would
otherwise live than by tlie " siveat of the Iroiv."
I would reply to such a one — what, if it be pro-
vided occasional top dressings of composts or ma-
nures are requisite to the astonishing product of
the Gama grass ? It is inconsistent to exjiect that
any ground should be always giving and receiving
nothing in return; especialy giving- so enormously
as scores of tons per year to the acre ; or one acre
only yielding enough to keej) a tolerable large stock
of cattle.

We in this country — especially in the more
fiontliern parts of it, were peculiarly difficult to
have good stock, ought to be thankful and bless
heaven, that the great desideratum is found, viz :
a kind that, by suitable pains-taking, or by labour,
producing the greatest possible effect, may make
our land eijustl to any in riches of cattle.

SIDNEY WELLER,

Brin/clei/ville, Halifax County, N. Carolina, Feb.
25ik, 183().

Ni:\v iVjANunE — Caution on ANi.MAHsrn Black.-—
Extract of a letter addressed by Mr. Hume to 11. H.
Middleiuiss, Esq., explanatory of the properties and

122

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

economy of tliis manure, from actual use in Scot-
land : —

" The carbon is manufactured from animal and
vegetable matter, with night soil, and other nutri-
tious ing-redients ; 12 cwt, to 20 cwt. per acre may
be used accoi'ding- to soil and circumstances. It is
best, however, mixed with a little dry earth, or sand,
and drilled in as hone dust. It may be used with
great success in garden or field, and from its being
a decomposed manure, its fructifying iutluences are
sooner im]iarted to the plants than is the case in other
manures. Several very respectable farmers who tiied
it last year with turnips, confidently assure me that
the wheat after it is looking as vigorous, strong, and
healthy as after bones, farm-yard manure, or sea-
weed. It is easy of carriage, compared with all other
manures, save bones, and here it has the advantage
of being from 12s. to 20s. per acre cheaper, as 12
cwt. of carbon is an equivalent to 2J qrs. bones,
which have been selling v.-ith us this season at 26s.

per qr.

Thus 2.^ qrs. boue dust at 26s.
12 cwt. carbon at 3s. 3-d . .

£3
1

19

In favour of carbon. . £l 6
But I would advise 14 or 15 or cwt. per acre of the
carbon, and oven then it would be much cheaper. I
have sown it with potatoes this season, and find its
eflfects on them most striking. It is a decided enemy
to fly, maggots, &c. while it is harmless to every de-
scription of plant and lierbage. Sir F. W. RI'Kenzie,
Bart, in Ross-shire, has made extensive experiments
with the carbon, and while he seems disposed to
give the preference to bones, yet he urges all agri-
culturists to use a few hundred weights per acre of
carbon, from its decided qualities of destroying ver-
min, and giving greater impulse to the plants than
any other manure now known.

" I can deliver it any part of England or Scotland
at 3/. 3s. to 31. 5s. per ton ; approved bills at four
montlis. Yours, &c.

(Signed) " P. H. Hume.

" Lawfield-by-Dunbar,N.B. .July 10, 1837."

AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS OF THE
UNITED STATES.— 183G.

Beef, tallow, hides, &c D699,ll6

Butter and cheese 114,033

Pork, lanl, and hogs 1,383,344

Horses and mules 346,689

Sheep 18,548

Wheat 2,062

Flour 3,572,599

Indian corn 103,702

Indian meal 621,560

Rye meal 173,976

Rye, oats, and other grain 80,492

Biscuit and bread 244,760

Potatoes 43,630

Apples 39,6C8

Rice 2,548,750

Tobacco 10,058,640

Cotton 71,284,925

Flax-seed 250,182

Hops 250,182

Brown sugar 12,342

Indigo 1,020

Total , ., D91,625,964

LOCAL COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH-
LAND SOCIETY.

The Local Committee of the Highland Society met
hereon Wednesday, June 21, to make arrangements in
regard to the pavilion for the dinner on the 4th of
October, agreed upon at last meeting, and to consider
the practicability of having Mr. Ileathcote's steam-
plough down at the exhibition.

Among those present we observed Mr. Maxwell of
Munshes, Mr. Carruthers of Dormont, Mr. Lennox of
Dalskaith, Mr. Lenv, of Dalswinton, Rlr. Crichton of
Ancheuskeoch, Mr. Taylor of Broomlands, Mr. Sin-
clair of Redcastle, Mr. Young Merries of Sjiottes, Mr.
Wightman of Courance, Mr"; Stewart, Hillside, Mr.
Carruthers of Warmanby, Capt, Johnstone of Cowhill,
R.N., Mr. Connell of Conheath, Mr. Harley Maxwell
of Portrack, Mr.Threshie of Barnbarroch, Mr.Graham
Newbigging, the Provost of Dumfries, &c. &c.
Mr. Maxwell of Munshes was called to the chair.
Mr. Newall, architect, who had been employed to
prepare plans for the intended pavilion, laid two de-
signs upon the table, and these having been fully ex-
amined, the meeting unanimously adopted the larger,
calculated to hold about 1000 persons. Mr. Newall
was directed to prepare the necessary specifications,
and Mr. Threshie was requested to advertise for esti-
mates to be decided on by the Sub-Committee at a
meeting to be lield on the 19th of next month.

The Committee then jiroceeded to consider the prac-
ticability of having Mr. Heathcote's steam-plorgh here
for exhibition, contemporaneously with the show of
stock. Mr. Parkes, the engineer, who was in attend-
ance by arrangement, stated Mr. Heathcote's willing- .
ness to accede to the wishes of the Committee ; aud
that the expense, including every cost, would be about
250Z. The committee, after a little discussion, agreed
that the plough should be brought down.

In the course of the discnsion, Mr. Leny mentioned
that Mr. Threshie and he had accompanied Mr. Parkes
to Lochar Moss, and having met Mr. Paterson there,
and seen the ground, they had made an arrangement
with Mr. Paterson, subject to the approbation of the
Committee, by which the moss, belonging to Mr. Pa-
terson, should be the place of exhibition, — Mr. Pater-
son having, in this event, in the most liberal manner,
tendered a subscription of 50/.

Tiie meeting cordially concurred in tlie conditional
arrangement wh'ch JNIr. Leny and Rlr. Threshie had
made with Mr. Paterson, and farther unanhnously ten-
dered their vote of thanks to Mr. Paterson, for the faci-
lity which his offer would afford, and for the liberality
of his subscription.

In regard to the funds necessary, including the ex-
pense of the pavilion, which were estimated in all at
about 400/., the Committee recommended that an ex-
tract of the minutes of the meeting should be circu-
lated throughout Dumfries-shire and Galloway ; and
Mr. Threshie was requested to address copies of these
to all those gentlemen who may be considered connect-
ed with the district, or interested in the exhibition, the
result of this appeal to be laid before the meeting to be
held on the 19th proximo.

With respect to the sale of stock, on the day after the
meeting, the Committee remitted the detail to the Sub-
Committee.

Before separating, the meeting unanimously returned
their thanks to Mr. Ileathcote, for the handsome man-
ner in which he had acceded to the wishes of the Com-
mittee, and also to Mr. Parkes for his attendance _on
this occasion.

Cattle A^'n Corn. — In 1425, cows were va-
lued at about fifteen modern shillings each. In 1425,
there was a bad season ; wheal sold as high as 13s. 4cl.
modern money per quarter. It soon, however, fell to
10s., winch seems lo have been the medium price of
that commodity.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

123

AGRICrjLTURE. — ON PROFITABLE
EMPLOYiVlENT FOR LABOURERS.

FROM THE labourers' FRIEND MAGAZINE.

It is said, that tlie pure design of benevolence is to
bestow Imppiness on others, and that its effects is
brinG;ing happiness home ; and this has been eminently
the case of all who have taken an active part in pro-
viding the poor with small portions of land, both in
vitnessine: their improved habits and increased com-
forts ; and may be a pecuniary benefit also to their
benefactors ; for labourers have shewn on all soils
the increased produce which due culture can bestow.
It only remains, therefore, for landlords to encourage-
by premiums, improved husbandry amongst their
great tenantry to receive the fuU value of their i>osscs-
sion.^, which is very far from being the case at present
in South Britain.

Whoever doubts, and thinks the subject worth inves-
tigation, may have it ascertained from well-authorized
reports of the produce of garden allotments, as com-
pared with field produce, and also how much work
labourers might obtain, which it would be profitable for
farmers to pay them for doing.

Will not all these have reason to rt joice .' — Labourers
from full employ ? — Farmers, from increased receipts ?
— Landlords, from well paid rents ? — Manufacturers,
from the profits of the three preceding classes being
laid out in their commodities? — also, with men of all
professions, as well as trades, amongst whom these
gains from the soil circulate, and who cannot receive
more than what is first obtained by labour from the
soil?

Whilst men live by the chace, the more game one
man kills the less remains for others ; but when men
till the soil, the more each man raises, the more he not
only benefits himself, but all with whom he exchanges
his produce from what is either useful or ornamental ;
and the more will he have the means and the will to
give towards the support of government for the protec-
tion of the fruits of his industry ; and labourers, in full
profitable employment by their landlord, will have no
motive to molest him, and much to prevent his being
molested by others.

The landlords of North Britain have felt the expe--
diency of increasing produce ; and this they have
effected by subscribing ll. 3s. 6d. annually towards the
agricultural premiunis ; and, iu consequence, are thriv-
ing as much in agriculture as in manufactures and
commerce, and invite us to try their plans.

How much more work might labourers have in
South Britain if seed wheat was dibbled ; the saving
of which corn more than pays, at the present price, the
labour, v.s practised in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, &c.
How much of seed corn, when broad cast, goes to
feed birds, and thereby to increase their numbers to
prey on the following harvest.

A proprietor had a quarter cf an acre of seed sown,
which, in his absence, was not attended to, and the
birds had so completely cleared every ear, that at
harvest his servants thought it not worth thrashing
— it was carried unthrashed into his stable ; whilst, in
the same parish, the same year, a man, who six years
ago was a pauper on the roads, grew six quarters and
a half, that is, fifty-two bushels per acre, and it was
bought by the great farmers for seed, having employed
children to keep off the birds. This man, too, pointed
out that dibbling corn was beneficial, by allowing
(much better than broadcasting) ofweeding— a source
of work for labourers which it is profitable for farmers
to pay, as was evident on Salisbury Plain, even by the
roadside, in 1836, where the thistles were higher than
tiie barley, and some fields yellow with one weed,
others red with another, whilst the couch-grass, which
lurked unseen benea'.h, ran away with a large share of
the very little manure the land received.

The manure in South Britain, made in open yards,
washed by every shower that falls, how inferior is it to
that in Scot ianj, Holland, and Germany, where stall-

feeding is practised ; and if stall-feeding, or the soiling
system, were introduced here, how much work would
it afford to labourers, in ploughing, dibbling, weeding,
mowing, or reaping the food for cattle, and attending
on them; which, as it answers in the bleak north,
why not in this more genial portion of Great Britain ?
And paying labourers by the piece, would it not be as
gainful to the employed as the employer, particularly in
drainina; ?

SURFACE CULTURE OF ASPARAGUS.

Amongst tiie various productions of tlie esculent gar-
den, there is not, periiaps, a more general favourite, or
a more excellent and delicate vegetable, than our na-
tive asparagus. Its successful cultivation must, conse-
quently, be an object of much importance, but, more
especially, when it is recollected, how frequently, after
much of expensive preparation and loss of time, it is
unsuccessful. For these reasons^ I was induced to re-
commence a course of experiments on the cultivation of
asparagus, immediately upon entering on the duties of
my present charge, as Curator of Glasnevin Botanic
Garden, liaving but in part satisfied myself, at the gar-
dens of the Chief Secretary, upon the advantages of
the mode of culture now to be described. The speci-
men presented is exactly three years from the seed ; it
contains one bundled heads, weighing seven pounds
and a quarter ; several of the heads measure about
three inches round, and one of them weigiis one
quarter of a pound. In April, or the end ofjMarch,
we sow the seeds on a small bed, in any good
exposure, being previously well manured ; the seeds,
being sown moderately thin, are covered over
with about two inches of light, sandy soil. This we call
our seed-bed. In the following April, a plot of ground
is chosen for the formation of the plantation ; it matters
little what tlie soil is ; it is put into an undulating form,
the undulations four feet apart. The hollows are firmly
trodden down; about four inches thick of rotten hot-bed
dung-, or leaves, are laid along the centre of each hollow.
On this sort of vegetable saddle, so to speak, the young-
plants arecarefuUy seated, at about six inches apart, in tlie
line ; a person follows, covering up with sea sand ; about
two or three inches more of the rotten leaves, or dung,
are laid over the line ; the divisions are levelled down,
and the process of planting is completed. Immediately
on beginning the summer mowing- of grass in the gar-
den, about two inches of short grass are shaken over the
hollow surface betwen the lines; this is repeated at in-
tervals of about a month ; during the Summer, all weak
shoots are cut from the plants, leaving only one of the
strongest to each. By the end of the season, the result
of this Summer mulching will be the commencement
of the formation of an artificial surface, of about six
inches in thickness. At the end of the year, cut over
the haulm, and spread over the whole plot, about one
inch thick, with sea or rabbit sand. In early Spring,
fork the surface carefully over, still with a little of the
hollow form between ; again, commence the Summer
mulching, and so proceed from year to year. The plan
is simple in the extreme, and attended with little or no
expense. I would, especially, direct the attention of
market gardeners to the subject, and need scarcely add,
how much pleasure it will afford me to point to them
the results alluded to, on the spot. N_ NIVEN.

Glasnevin Botanic Garden, Jane 6, 1837.

The Wiee Worji. — A correspondent of the Lin-
cola Gazette recommends the use of white mercury as a
protection against the devastations of the grub and
wire worm, and gives an instance of a large crop of oats
having been saved by about 81bs, being scattered over
till- field, which \vould otherwise iiave fallen a sacrifice
to tliese destructive insects.

124

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

WASHING OF TREES.

The following- remarks on the g-reat usefulness of
wasliing trees, are made by Mr. Robert JMarsham, of
Stratton, F.R.S., and are extracted from the Philoso-
phical Tranaactions, vol. Ixxi. jjart 2.

" The following," says Mr. Marsliam, '' is a land
of postscript to my letter to Dr. Moss, Lord Ijishop
of Bath and Wells, in which 1 showed how much a
beech increased upon its stem by being cleaned and
washed ; and in this I shall show that the benefit of
cleaning' the stem cor.tinues several years. The
beech which I washed has increased in the five years
since the washing eight inches and six-tenths, or
above one inch seven-tenths yearly. The average
increvise of those not washed, was less by nearly an
inch."

Mr. Marsham tried the same process upon oaks,
v/ith the same success ; and concludes with observing
that all the ingredients of vegetation united, which
are received from the roots, stem, branches, and
leaves of a mossy and dirlv tree, do not produce h;ilf
the increase that imotlier gains, whose stem is clean
to the head onlv, and that not ten feet in height.
"■ Is it not clear," says he, " that this greater share
of nourishment cannot come from the rain 1 for the
dirt_y stem will retain the moisture longer than when
clean, and the nourishment drawn from the roots,
and imbibed from the branches and leaves, must be
the same to both trees. Must not a great share of
vegetative ingredients be conveyed in dew, and
does not the moss and dirt absorb the finest parts of
the dew? May they not also act as a kind of sci-een
and deprive the tree of that share of air and sun
which it requires?"

We perfectl3r agree in the justice of the above re-
marks, having always considered the washing the
stems of trees to be to ihem as healthy a process as
washing, and every species of cleanliness is to the
animal frame. I'he circulation of the sap is carried
on through every branch to the extremity of the
most minute fibre, and if this is impeded by an in-
crustation of dirt and moss on the body of the tree,
it will as effectually interfere with the vigour of its
growth as a soiled and dirty skin will stop up the
finer pores and intercept the circulation of the
blood. We have been long in the habit of washing
the bark of fruit trees, and know by experience how
much it contributes to their sound and healthy con-
dition. Those who adopt the practice will soon find
its good eiFects.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH,

Monday, June 12.
the king v. the poor law commissioners.

Lord Denman delivered the judgement of the Court in
the Whitechapel Union case.

This was a rule, calling upon the Poor Law Commis-
sioners for Pmg'land and Wales to show cause why a
writ of certiorari should not issue, directing- them to re-
move into this court a certain order, underthe hands and
seals of the Commissioners, dated 21st January,
ordering- that certain parishes, townships, and places
should, on the 16th February, be united, for the ad-
ministration of the poor laws, by the name of the
" Whitechapel Union," and that a boai-d ol' g-uardians
should be constituted under the provisions of the Act of
Parliament. One part included in the union was the
Old Artlllery-g-round, which was g-overncd by trustees
under a local Act of Parliament. The rule had been
obtained by two trustees for manag-ing- the poor of the
Old Artillery-™round, who had objected to the order,
arguing- that the general poor law act did not authorize
the Commissioners to interfere with those parishes or

places where the poor were g-overned under a local
act. It would be necessary to refer to some of the
clauses in the act to sec whether the Old Artillery-
ground was included or not. His Lordship, after
glancing- at sections 15, 21, and 22, observed that the
26th section was the one upon which the question
turned, wherein power was given to the Commissioners
to declare as many parishes as they miglit think fit to
be united and deemed a union ; tliat workhouses of
such parishes, or new ones to be erected, should be ap-
plied to their use, and the Commissioners should make
such rules and reg-ulations as they should deem rig-ht.
The language of the section was as general as possible,
and made no distinction as to places under the control
of local acts. It must therefore be so interpreted, un-
less it should appear by other parts of the act that its
operation was meant to be qualified, or was inconsistent,
or interfered with some prior actof parliament connected
with this act ; which, taking this act and the other to-
gether, it was not intended to do ; and in considering-
how far the provisions went, the Court concurred in
the judgment of Lord Ktnyon in a case in the 4t!i
Term Reports, that it could not be contended that a
subsequent act could not control a prior statute if it
was intended to do so. There were several cases in
the books in which it had been held that where the in-
tention of the legislature was apparent to do some
thing-, the Coui-t would not do another, notwithstanding-
the words of the act might bear a difliarent construction.
In considering the question how far the general pro-
visions of an act of Parliament were to be qualified by
other acts, the principal object and intention of other
acts must be borne in mind. The great object of the
Poor Law Amendment Act was to obtain an improve-
ment in the management of the poor, and the legislature
thought that would be best obtained by having uni-
formity in the system. Perfect uniformity appeared
difficult, but tlie object was to come as near to it as
could be, either by enactments to be carried into effect
immediately or at some convenient time. The Commis-
sioners were invested with powers as extensive as was
thought necessary. The 26th section having authorized
the formation of a union, it became necessary to be con-
sidered whether the Commissioners were prevented
from including- in a union any parishes or places already
governed by local acts. By the 32d section it appeared
that parishes governed by local acts could form part
of a union, and if this was the case, then a single parish
might also form part. After referring toother sections
his Lordship observed, that the Court did not feel it
necessary to discuss the judgment they had pronounced
on the 39th sec, although they were pressed at the bar
widi the consequences of holding that this union was
good, and were told that it would be easily evaded
inasmuch asthecommissionerswouldbe atliberty to unite
every parish having- a local board, though not to give a
board to a single parish ; but the Court were not to
assume that the Commissioners would evade a law. or
colourably unite a parish possessing a local board,
merely because thisy liad not the power to give a con-
stitution to a single parish. The powers given by the
26th, were given in different terms from the 29th section ;
and as the Court had decided they had no right to doubt
that both, the one power and the other would be faith-
fully carried into execution, vast and popi'lousparishes,
for which local constitutions had been enacted, stood in
a different position to small parishes, which might be
affected by Gilbert's Act. There were obvious reasons
for supposing that Parliament might have been unwil-
ling to disturb what they found established ; but to
withliold the power of uniting parishes which ought to
be united because they had local acts, would have the
effect of preventing the operation of the new law over
a large ])ortion of the country, which was the intention
of the act. Upon the whole the Court were of opinion
that the Commissioners in this case had exercised a
lawful povvei-, and that their order must be confirmed.

This judgment applies to all the cases exce;t the
City of London Union, wherein the rule was en-
larged till next term, on the ground of other objec-
tions beyond the question of the local act.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

125

SHERIFF'S COURT, LONDON,

BAGLEY V. DESANGES.

TIlis was an action broug'ht against Sir Francis De-
sing'es, to recover the sum of 37/. 10s. for 25 tons of beet
root supplied to the United King'dom Beet Root Associ-
ation.

Mr. HuxiipiiREV stated the case to the jury. The
plaintiff was a market g-ardener, carrying- on business at
Fulhara, and the defendant was Sir Francis Desanges,
formerly sheriff' of London, who had thoug-ht proper to
embark his capital in an association for the purpose of
making- sug-ar from beet root. The action was brought
to recover the value of 25 tons of beet root supplied by
the plaintiff" to the association, and it would be proved
in evidence that Sir Francis Desanges was one of the
most active members.

Jacob Benson, formerly m the employ of the associa-
tion, pi'oved that the defendant frequently attended at
the offices in Adelphi-terrace, and took an active part in
the proceedings of tha association.

By the Under-Sheriff — Witness woi'ked up the beet
root under the direction of Sir Francis Desanges.

Francis Mack, servant to the plaintiff, deposed that he
delivered the beet-root, and that the price; put upon it
was a fair one.

The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff' for the
amount claimed.

YORK ASSIZES.

NOBLE AND ANOTHER V. ARCHBELL.

In tiiis action JMr. Alexander and Mr. Addison con ■
ducted the case of the plaintiff, and Mr. Creswell,
with whom was Rlr. Higgins, that of the defendant.

The plaintiffs had been tenants of the defendant, who
IS a gentleman, as one of the witnesses said, of "a hun-
dred thousand pounds, and how much more nobody
knows." On their entering on the land of the defendant
they paid 53/. 13s. 5d. as a valuation on the tillages,
manure, and other matters usually paid by an incoming
to an outgoing tenant for the benefit he I'eceives from
the money and labour spent upon the farm. The plain-
tiffs findingthattheland did notanswertheirexpectations,
determined to quit it, and upon so doing claimed to be
paid the sum of 47/. 8s., as the amount of their "oustand"
as outa-oiug tenants. Td this the defendant objected,
and offered 20/. which, with 5/. in addition, he afterwards
paid into court. The plaintiff's not being satisfied with
the offer, brought their action, and being still dissatisfied
with the sura paid into court, continued it. I'he ques-
tion therefore was, whether the plaintiff's were entitled
to more tlinn 25/. or not. The claim was grounded on
the custom of the country, which, it seems, is in that
district tliat two-thirds of the land shall be kept in grass,
and only one-third under tlie plough. The plaintiff's
had sown it all into grass, and demanded to be paid on
that scale : the (defendant objected that tiiis was net
according to the custcmi, as one-third should have been
tillage ; and the witnesses of the different parties dif
fered materially as to the actual value of the labour
and material spent by the plaintiff's, and left by them
for the benefit of the defendant on the land. The weight
of the evidence seemed to be, that the tenants had the
right to plough one-third if they chose, but that as
keeping- it in grass was for the benefit of the landlord,
they were not bound to do so, but might lay the whole
into grass if tliey thought fit.

The Jury took this view of the case, and returned a
verdict for the plaintiff's for the full amount claimed.

Important to Fakmers. — A gallon of unre-
fined hartshorn mixed ^\ith two bushels of mould or
ashes, and sown broad-cast over one acre of turnip
land after the seed is sown, will protect the plant from
fly, as well as the insect which occasionally attacks the
bull.

ENGLISH SPIRIT DUTY.

To destroy totally the use of spirits manufactured in
England, the government, in 1736, imposed a duty of
20s. per gallon, gave most encouraging' rewards to in-
formers, and imposed heavy fines on all who violated this
act. Retailers were subjected to the penalty of 100/.
for vending even the smallest quantity, and the most
arbitrary means were resorted to for the entire suppres-
sion of the consumntion. The consequence was the
same which universally attends all compulsory mea-
sures. Every respectable dealer withdrew himself from
the trade, and it was most successfully prosecuted by
all descriptions of vagabonds, who, having nothing to
lose, and every thing- to gain, violated the law not only
with impunity, but with splendid profit. As is the case
wherever oppression is rendered apparent, the people
almost universally espoused their cause : drunkenness
incre$ised in an alarming degree, and during two years
the law became so exceedingly contemptible, that up-
wards of 12,000 persons were convicted for its vio-
lation.

Under this prohibition the annual consumption of
illicit distilled liritis-h spirits, in London alone, reached
the enormous quantity of seven millions of gallons, and
throughout the whole of England the usa of spirits il-
legally obtained increased in an equal proportion. In
1742 the ministers at last discovered that prohibitory
duties could neither destroy the use nor the taste for ar-
dent spirits, and by reducing the duty to a moderate
rate they restored morality amongst the people, improved
the revenue, and suppressed the immoral mode of
smuggling. This alteration, however, it may be proper
to observe, was strenuously opposed by the spiritual
lords in the legislature.

In more modern times, similar attempts have been
foUov.'ed by similar consequences. In 1811, in Ireland,
the consumption of duty-paid spirits, at the cliarge of
2s. 6d. per gallon, amounted to six and a half millions
of gallons. Ten years afterwards, in 1821, the con-
sumption of duty-paid spirits fell three millions of
gallons, because the duty had been raised to 5s. 6d. per
gallon. During the period of this high duty the con-
sumption was not less than ten miUions of gallons,
aff'ording- an excellent market for the illicit distillers'
manufacture. Ministers became so much convinced
of this prejudicial working of the spirit law in Ireland,
that, in 1823, the duty was reduced to 2s. 4d. per gallon,
and the consumption of duty-paid spirits has, in conss-
quence of this beneficial alteration in the law, gradually
increased until it has reached ten millions of gallons.
This increase is not caused by any actual increase in the
quantity of spirits consumed, but it is drawn from the
trade of the illicit distiller and of the smuggler, and has
been of great importance to the Exchequer, in entirely
suppressing- the illegal operations of these characters.
Even the present population of Ireland, however,
would require a still larger quantity, but their circum-
stances at present limit their wants in this respect, in the
same way as are limited their wants in the article of
food. A liberal system of government must before long
increase their means of payment, and then a still farther
reduction of duty may be made, which will improve,
not decrease, the revenue.

The operation of the" spirit duties in Scotland affords
still stronger proof of the impropriety of heavy duties.
In 1821 the duty there on home made spirits was also
advanced to Ss. 6d. per gallon, and the consumption of
duty-paid spirits fell under two millions of gallons. The
quantity used, however, exceeded any former period,
for illicit distillation was encouraged, and an increase of
the use of illicit spirits was the necessary consequence.
The ministers in 1825 were made sensible of the defects
in the law by the deficiency in the revenue paid into
the Exchequer. They therefore reduced the duty to 2s.
and 2s. lOd., and since then the consumption has gra-
dually increased until it has arrived at six millions of
gallons, thus nearly doubling in numbers of gallons the
number of the people in that country.

In England, previous to 1825, the duty on the British
made spirits was 10s, 6d, per gallon, and the consump-
tion of them for the whole kingdom was only four mil-

K

126

THE FARMEirS MAGAZINE.

lions of crallons. Now, when we revert to the hict that
from 1736 to 1742 tlie annual consumption of London
alone, us it then stood in population, was at least seven
millions of g'allons, it must be obvious to every one that
the use of illicitly distilled spirits must have been im-
mense iJi'evioiis to ]8'25, in which year the duty was re-
duced to 7s. per gallon, and the consumjUion since then
has risen to eight millions of g'allons, being' double the
quantity consumed under the 10s. 6d. charge. Taking'
into consideration the increased population of England,
and the splendid palaces erected in London for the sale
of Eng'lisli gin, there cannot exist a doubt that eight
jnillions of gallons of duty paid spirits do not supply
ou'j half of the demand for them winch at present exists,
and the surplus quantity must be either drawn from
illicit distillation, or obtained by an illegal importation
of Holland spirits. That the latter evil exists to a great
extent along the east coast of England, admits of no
doubt, for the smugglers employ regular travellers, and
for a certain per centage they guarantee the safe deli-
very, into tiie store of the dealer, of the article in which
they deal. Still, however, we have almost daily proofs
of illicit distillation in the Police and Excise offices,
and their suppression is only an act of common justice
to those dealers who pay the government duties. If the
Finance Blinister would reduce the charge from 7s. to
3s. per gallon in England, he would entirely destroy the
inducement to smuggle, and he would collect revenue
on nearer 20 millions of gallons than on 15 millions:
but the state of the pubhc charg-e, the dead weight, and
the dividends, render all attempts at justice dangerous.

BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETIES.

6 AND 7 WIT. I,. IV., c. 3'2. PASSED 14tii jin.v, 1836.

The title of this sliort Act is, "An Act for the
regulation of ]3enefit Building Societies." It recites
that "certain .soc-eties, commonly called lluilding So-
cieties, have been esfabliahed in different pai'ts of
the kingdom, principally [■mongst the industrious
classes, for the ])urpose of raising, by small periodi-
cal subscriptions, a fund to assist the members
thereof in obtaining a small freehold or leasehold
property, and that it isexpedient to afford encrurage-
ment and protection to such societies, and the pro-
perty obtained therewith."

Societies, therefore, may le established for the
Ijurpose of raising, a building or otlier fund, in order
to enable each member to receive the amount or value
of his or her share or shares therein in freehold or
leasehold property. The sliares ar*? not to exceed in
value eacli the sum of 150/., and the monthly sub-
scriptions are not to exceed ^Os. for each sl)are.
The dwelling houses, or other real or leasehold estate,
assigned to each member, may be secured, by way
of mortgage, to the society, imtil the amount of his
or her shares shall have been fully repaid witli in-
terest, and all fines or other payments incurred in
respect thereof.

The provisions of the Friendly Societies' Acts are
extended to this Act: arid the benefit of tlie Act is
extended to all societies established nrior to June,
1836.

The Act does not authorize societies to invest their
fi.nds in savings' banks.

The Mischievous Raven. — Some birds
have a great deal of humour in them, particularly the
raven. One that belonged to me was the most mis-
chievous and amusing creature I ever met with. He
would get into the flower garden, go to the beds where
the gardener had sowed a great variety of seeds, with
! ticks put ia the ground with labels, and then he would
amuse himself with pulling up every stick, and laying
them in heaps ot teu or twelve on the path. This used

to irritate the old gardener very much, wlio would drive
him away. The raven knew that he ought not to do it,
or he would not have done it. He would soon return
to his mischief, and when the gardener again chased
him (the old man could not walk very fast) the raven
would keep just clear of the rake or hoe in his hand,
dancing before him, and singing as plain as a raven
could, " Tol de rol de rol ! tol de rol de rol !" -with all
kinds of mimicking gestures. — New Monthly Maga-
zine.

AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS.

QUETtlES CONTINUED.

18. Where barns are already built, why not raise the
floors so that cattle may be stall fed underneath, the
barn being tlien adapted to contain a few days thrash-
ing only, the corn to be brought in from the licks as
wanting ; a custom adopted in the west of England ?

19. Would it not be better to make the straw for
thatching into reed, as practised in Somersetshire ?
and by so doing would not less straw be used, and con-
sequently more remain for the use of cattle .'

20. The necessity of having a large number of horses
to bring home tlie corn at harvest, being used as an
argument aga'nst substituting manual labour, would
not that objection be removed by stacking the grain in
the field, in mows of about half a load each, and which
are so contrived as to stand for six weeks, even if the
weather be wet, and without injury ?

21. Are not carts better than waggons, which, being
heavy, require great strength to move them ?

22. Does any party, landlord, tenant, labourer, or
consumer, benefit by the old course adverted to in the
preceding queries ?

23. If an increased quantity of produce per acre, ob-
tained by improved cultivation, should reduce prices,
would not all parties be better remunerated ?

24. Is it not expedient that the cultivator should ob-
tain the greatest produce he can by the best cultiva-
tion of his land ?

25. Would not the offering premiums for improved
cultivation, open to the whole kingdom, have the same
effect in improving the science of agriculture in Eng-
land, as it is admitted to have done in Scotland ?

THETFORD WOOL FAIR

Was held, as last year, in a marquee erected in
the paddock at the back of Mr. Gill's house. About
200 persons sat down to an excellent dinner, prci-
vided by Mr. Edwards, of the Bell Inn. The vene-
rable founder of the fair, T. W. Coke, Esq. took the
Chair. He was supported on his right by Sir .Tacob
Astley, M. P., Sir C. M. Clarke, W. Chute, Escp,
and B.Caldwell, Esq.; and on his left by Sir W.
B. Folkes, M. P., and E. R. Pratt, Esq. Amongst
the growers present were jMessrs. Blyth, P)eck,
Davey, Farrow, Flowers, Kent, Overman, Stedman,
Staice, fSnssex) VV. Adams, C. Adams, Amys, Bry-
ant, Bidwell, Cooper, Denton, Edwards, Fyson,
Gavford, Kersey, King, Lugar, Lanchester, Mus-
kett, Pavne, Stedman, , Shillito, Simpson, Webb,
(Babraham,) &c. &c. As buyers, Messrs. Waller,
Fisons, Gadiner, Blakely, Baldry, Head, Buck,
Burch, Mann, Moyse, Mumford, Shepherd, Scott,
and Turner.

After dinner the Chairman gave, " Our Patriot
Queen, and may she long reign to support the prin-
ciples she has avowed." (Three times three.)

" The Duke of Sussex."

'J'he CiiAiRaiAN then gave the healths of the wor-
thy and independent JM embers for West Norfolk, Sir
Jaccb Astley and Sir W. Folkes. (Drank with three
times three and one cheer more.)

Sir W. Folkes returned thanks on tlie part of
himself and Sir Jacob for the compliment paid to
those who had the honour of representing the Wes-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

127

iern Division of the County. He had been in the
habit of attending- the fair, being- anxious for its
success ; but if such had not bee?; the case, there
■were urgent reasons why he sliould attend on the
present occasion. To that particuhir subject he
would not then allude, because that was not a poli-
tical meeting, but they were assembled together as
farmers and wool-buyers. It was liis practice never
to touch upon politics upon sucli an occasion, and
therefore, however desirous he might be to address
a fesv words to them on the eve of a general election,
he felt it his duty to be silent. But perhaps be
might without offending- say, that he hoped, if tjiey
met together anotlier year, thev would have the same
representatives as at present. (Loiid cheers.)

The Chairjian gave the health of Sir C. 51. Clarke,
who returned thanks.

The CuAinJiAN' then proposed the liealth of Mr.
Chute CApplause).

Mr. Chute, in returning thanks, said that this
was unfortunately the first time he had been present
at the fair, he having generally been in Hampshire,
at the time of its taking place. He regretted this
much, as it had aflbrded him great pleasure to meet
them. Sir Wm. Folkes had said, that politics ought
not to be touched upon ; and he would follow so
good an example. He felt glad at being- at this
meeting, because it shewed that the contest could
be carried on with good feeling, and th-at it was of
principle and not of personality, (Applause.) He
was son-)' that at the first fair he attended, the
prices of wool should be so low, but he trusted that
tliey would ere long brighten a little. He begged
to propose the healtli of a gentleman who had al-
■ways presided at this meeting — j\Ir. Coke. (Loud
cheers.) Although that gentleman and himself might
cjiffer in politics, yet tliey did not differ in their love
for Agriculture or of the County — both were anxious
to do all in their power for the county of Norfolk.
He hoped they would fill bumpers, and give three
times three, to the utmost extent of their voices, in
Lonour of the toast.

Mr. Coke returned thanks, and s-aid that it gave
him great pleasure to address so numerous and so
respectable a meeting ; he did not expect it at the
present price of wool. He was gratified, having
been the person who established the fair, to see it
growing- as it had done. They had a long fight to
get it to its present state ; people at one time would
attend at the fair, but they would not buy in it ;
now it was a fair which, he thought he might say,
was attended with great advantage to the growers
of wool, and he trusted, that from the superiority of
wool to what it was at an earlier period of his life,
that it would be found beneficial to the manufac-
turers. Some found fault with him lor crossing the
Southdown sheep with the H-ampsbire ram ; all he
could say was, that as a farmer he looked for profit,
and he had derived considerable advantage from
the cross. It was said by some that the wool was
not so even, nor was the carcass so good, but he be-
lieved that the quality of the wool was superior to
to the pure Down, and it had fetched better prices.
iSome had condemned the cross without trying it,
and altogetlier there had existed a good deal of pie-
judice on the subject. A gentleman in the room,
from Sussex, would admit this, and he himself, when
in that county, had noticed it. Mr. Coke then re-
ferred to a cross which had for some years been re-
commended in the country — that of the Cotswold
in preference to the l^eicester ram; he had tried it
liimself, and some gentlemen who had looked at it.
said, tljat it was suited for the manufactures of tJie
present times, and was even good vvool, and they

believed it to be superior to the pure Leicester, and
they would find it so if they were to try it. What
he wished was, that all would divest themselves of
prejudice, which u-as the great bane of improvement.
He woidd conclude by tlianking- them for the kind-
ness they had shewn him ; never had a man passed
through life with more anxiety for the agricidtural
interest than himself. (Cheers.) He begged to
propose the health of an old schoolfellow — iMi-.
Pratt.

Mr. Prait returned thanks, and expressed his gra-
tification at meeting so numerous an assembly.
He then proposed the health of Mr. Caldwell, who also
returned thanks.

The Chairman said that the next toast was the
health of a respectable yeoman from the county of
Sussex; he was sorry to find that of those gentlemen
of that county vj'ho had promised to attend the fair,
Mr. Staice was the only one who had fulfilled the pro-
mise ; he regretted this the more, as he was far ad-
vanced in years, and the chances were that he might
not come to the fair another year. A fortnight or
three weeks ago it would have been impossible for him
to have been present, and there was a fair lately
which he was not allowed by his medical adviser to at-
tend ; since then, however, he had gained strength, and
he hoped he might come again ; but if not, he trusted
that they would find some more able person to fill his
his place. Mr. C. then alluded to the prejudices which
existed in Sussex, and stated that in his opioion, if they
were done away with, the breed of stock would be
improved.

Mr. Staice said he felt extremely gratified at the
attention which had been shown him in Norfolk. He
came as a learner, for he had long had a desire to visit
the county to see the farming, and Mr. Coke had been
kind enough to invite him to Holkham. Mr. C. had
alluded to the prejudice against crossing the Hamp-
shire with the Southdown. The gro-wers in Sussex
thought that by crossing the Hampshire with their
sheep they lost symmetry and ran a risk of losing the
disposition to feed, and they would rather recommend
others to cross their ewes than cross themselves.

The Chairman proposed the health of the Bishop
of Norwich, whom, he said, he did not know till the
other day, but he had the pleasure of spending an eve-
ning or two with him, and he never saw a more amia-
ble or agreeable man, and he trusted he would be as
much esteemed in the county as he was at the place he
came from. Mr. Coke asked if there -nas a parson in
the room to acknowledge the toast.

Sir C. Clarke said that if there was not 3. parson
there was a Clarke, and he -would bear testimony to
the merits of the Bishop. He begged to propose the
health of Lady Anne Coke, with three times three.

Mr. Coke returned tlianks, and gave the health of
the present company— the farmers of Suffolk and Nor-
folk. He then said that, with regard to the fair, there
was a gentleman present (Mr. Fison) who could give
them better information of the state of manufacture
than he could ; but what he knew he would state to
the company. They all w^ere aware that they must not
expect anything like the prices obtained last year, hut
the manufacturing interest had been in a lower state
than it now was, and he hoped it was improving. Pie
could not take it upon himself to recommend the sale
of any wool at the prices which they had heard had
been given and offered. The highest prices for ewe
wool were 2'2s., and hog 32s. ; at least they were the
liigliest he had heard, but he would not recommend
that they should sell at those prices, for he thought
manufactures would improve, and that they -"A'culd see
fair prices. The prices he had alluded to were such as
he would not take for his wool, which was a cross of
the Hampshire and Cotswold, and was very good, and
he thoughl himself entitled to a good price, if not even
better than wool was generally sold for. Last year
Mr. Waller purchased his wool, and he certainly did
undersell it, for be might have had more for it, but his
object; was to encourage the fair. He did not expect

K 2

128

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

to sell liis wool, but he had no doubt a day would come
between that aud the next sheep-shearing when he
could do so. He offered his ewe wool to Mr. Waller
at 28s., and his hog wool at 4os. He begged to pro-
pose Mr. Fison's health.

Mr. FisoN said that their worthy President had cou-
pled his name with soiiielhing- which rendered it impe-
rative on him to give them information as far as he was
able. He was sorry that it was not in his pov^'er to ad-
dress them in such encouraging language as when they
last met ; events had occurred unexpectedly, which had
altered the face of affairs, and had ufFected the prices of
wool and manufactures of the country. These events,
he was justified in saying', vvere unexpected; for those
who were denominated the wisest heads had been taken
by surprise, and they sn.w the first merchants and ma-
nufacturers of the land placed in circumstances of un-
paralleled difficulty. The aspect of affairs was by no
means cheering. If he was to say that a gleam of light
was shining above the horizon, he might be correct;
but in the present state of the foreign wool market, and
in the state of the stock of English wool and of manufac-
tured goods, they could not expect to see an amelioration
or an advance in the price of wool, lie should be happy
to see it, for he thought that the prices were too low for
the farmers, and he was going to say, for the manufac-
turers, for hundreds and thousands of them would be
happy to see an advance in wool, as that would occa-
sion an advance in manufactured stock. They must
look to the slate of the money market, and not only be
farmers, merchants, and manufacturers, but must also
study the newspapers, and when they saw the monetary
system improving, and when they could get the debts
due from America to this country paid, they might look
for an amelioration in the prices of wool, for they must
remember that America was the best foreign customer
England possessed, and he believed that in 1836 she
took more tlian half of the woollen manufactures ex-
ported from this kingdom. The stock of wool in the
hands of the growers was not large : the growers had
stolen a march upon the buyers ; but in the hands of
dealers the stock was large, and many of them had sore
shoulders from the weight by which they were bur-
thened, and would be well pleased to have it lightened.
He believcil the stock of manufactured goods was very
large, and he had heard that lately many manufactured
g'oods had been sold at a loss. In the present state of
the wool trade, they must have patience, and look for-
ward in the hope that the cloud would soon pass away,
and that they might get into a regular channel of trade.
They must not expect such high prices as they had had,
it v.'ould be absurd to expect them. If they should ad-
vance to those of last year, they must calculate upon
another revulsion and another loss. JMr. Coke had
made some observations with respect to the benefit re-
sulting' from the fair ; he himself considered that one of
its greatest advantages was to be found in the discus-
sions which arose respecting the breeds of sheep, the
qualities of wool, and other matters connected with those
subjeets. He would venture to throw out a hope that
at future meetings these discussions would be kept up,
and that gentlemen would come prepared with a little
information to communicate to the meeting. In con-
clusion, he begged to thank them for the honour they
had done him in drinking his health.

Mr. Waller declined purchasing Mr. Coke's wool
at the prices asked, which he considered much too high,
alter the information given by Mr. Fison, and the
prices obtained at Chelmsford and other fairs. Mr.
W. then proposed the health of the Heir of Holkham,
and said he hoped he might follow the steps of his vene-
rable father, who he trusted would live to see his son
attain the age of 21.

Mr. Coke felt indebted to Mr. Fison for his inform-
ation, of the correctness of which he had no doubt.
Perhaps his wool was not worth what he asked for it,
but he looked on it as superior, and he could not take
less, believing that manufactures were creeping ui>,
and that in five or six months wool would bear remune-
rating prices.

Mr. MuSKETT said, that it was the intention of the
Duke of Norfolk to have been present, but he was pre-

vented by the necessity of his attendance on the Queen.
He would follow the example of Mr. Coke, aud offer
the Duke's ewe wool at 28s., and hog at 45s. to Mr.
Fison, but he was afraid he shou^ld not sell it. There
was a gentleman in the room who had seen the wool,
and would undertake to say, he considered the hog wool
was very fine and superior in quality to any he had
ever seen, and he woidd further say, that it was pure
and even, and in consequence of having no cross, might
almost be spun with the noiling. He believed the qua-
lity was as good as that of any in the county of Sufi'olk.
He thought that the Norfolk wools beat the Suffolk in
the length of staple. He was at Swaffham the other
day, and he saw some excellent wool and sheep, and
they beat the Suffolk in weight am' ru.iity, and were
considered the best sheep for the gr ;zier.

The Chairman proposed the health of Rlessrs.
Bryant and jMuskett, the Judges ut Swaffham.

Mr. Bryant returned thank?, and offered his wool
to JMr. Baldry, the ewe at 28s., ai:d the hoggett at 35s.
Being dechued by Mr. Baldry, it was then offered to
Mr. Fison, who also refused it.

Mr. Waller gave the health of J\Ir. Webb, as one
of the best Southdown tup-breeders in Cambridge.

Mr. Webb returned thanks and announced that his
annual tup sale would be next week. He was sure
after the information he had heard from Mr. Fison and
others, that it was impossible for tlie manufacturer to
get rid of his commodity at the prices he ought to ob-
tain, aud as a wool- grower he was disposed to give a
turn to the buyer. The cross which had been alluded
to might be advantageous, but he could not suppose
that if they looked to carcass as well as to wool that
they could benefit themselves by any cross. If they
improved the wool they must deteriorate the animal,
and he was satisfied that they could not make so much
meat of such a quality with wool of such a quality, and
such a weight, as they could by going to the South-
down sheep. He expected the gentleman who had been
offered Mr. Coke's wool would have explained the be-
nefit of the cross, but he did not allude to it : he him-
self thought that the benefits would not be so great as
they were led to suppose. He was alluding to the cross
of the Cotswold sheep.

Mr. Waller said he had not bought any of the wool,
but from what he had seen of it, it was very good in-
deed.

Mr. Coke said that the cross with the Hampshire
had certainly more meat than the true Sussex ever had,
and he had received a considerable sum more, 3s. or 4s,
a head, than ever he did before.

After one or two observations Mr. Coke retired.
No sales were effected in the room. A few small par-
cels were probably sold in private, but being forced
sales, did not realize above 9d. a pound for ewe, and
12d. or 13d. for hoggett.

LEWES WOOL FAIR,

This fair was held in the County Hall, Lewes, on
Tliursday, July 20th. An excellent dinner was pro-
vided there by Mr. Emary, the landlord of the White
Hart Inn, to which a very numerous and respectable
company sat down at three o'clock, the Duke of Rich-
mond, loi'd-lieutenant of the county, presided as chair-
man on the occasion, supported, on the right hand, by
the Hon. C. C. Cavendish, General 1'revor, H. 15, Cur-
teis, Esq., Thomas Brand, Esq., Major Curteis, and
JMajcr Willard, and, en the left, by Sir Charles Blunt,
— Thomas, Esq., G. Darby, Esq., — Thomas, jun.
Esq., — Barchard, Esq.,(of Ashcombe), II.BIackman,
Esq , and J. Ellman, Esq, We also observed among
the gentlemen present, M. C. Mabbott, Esq., V. Shel-
ley, Esq., — Nathall, Esq., — Whitfield, Esq., &c.
Sec.

On the removal of the cloth, the noble Chairman
proceeded to give the usual toasts : " The memory of
the late King-," " Her Rlajesty, Queen Victoria,"
" The Dowager Queen, and the rest of the Royal Fa-
mily," which were received with every demonstratioia
of respect and loyulty.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

129

The Chairman then proposed the health of Mr. Leg-g*
and the v/ool-biiyers, and observed that, in doing' so,
they perhaps might allow him to remind them of one of
the reg-ulations of this fair, by which politics were ex-
cluded. If ever such a reg'ulation was proper it was so
on the present occasion, for, if he understood rig'htly,
there would be sufficient political discussion during the
next ten days to satisfy every one.

The toast having- been duly honoured, Mr. Lego rose
to return thanks, and said that nothing- could be more
gratifying to him than to have his health proposed by so
distinguished a nobleman as their Chairman, a gentle-
man as well acquainted with the commercial ti'ansac-
tions of' the country as any individual in the empire. He
found himself, however, labouring under great difficul-
ties, in consequence of the vast difference of circum-
stances between the present occasion and the last time
he had the pleasure of meeting them. Then they iiad
met under the bright prospects of commercial jn-os-
perity, but now it was under the embarrassment of loss
and commercial difficulty. It would be difficult to give
the correct reason where this first originated ; but it had
occurred, and the prices not only of wool, but of the
colonial productions, as cotton, tobacco, &c., had suf-
fered a depreciation in price of from 35 to 50 per cent.
This being the case, those gentlemen engaged in com-
mercial transactions had experienced great losses, and
these, too, had fallen with the greatest severity on many
of the leading houses in London. The wool trade had,
in consequence, fallen off; there had been a great im-
portation of foreign wool ; and it was for the gentlemen
present to consider the best course for them to pursue
under these circumstances, knowing that what he had
stated was true. Mr. Legg- concluded by tiianking the
meeting- for the manner in which they had drunk his
health, and calling upon iMr. Ellman to gave any in-
formation he might possess on the state of the wool
market.

After the chairman had given the health of the vene-
rable Earl of Egremont, winch was drunk enthusiasti-
cally.

,T. Ellman, Esq., said he should be happy to give the
company all the information in his power, but it really
amounted to nothing. Knowing that Thetford fair was
a fair which regulated the nominal price of wool, he
had writtea to some friends to send him an account of
the transactions of it. He had received their letters m
reply, but they communicated nothing. There was no
wool sold ; but he would state to them what prices had
been expected, though not realised. His friends in-
formed him that Mr. Coke himself said the price he had
asked was 22s. for the todd of 281b. of ewe, and 32s. the
hoggett ; but there was no business done. He might be
allowed to state, before he concluded, that they had
heard of Mr. Coke obtaining a higher price for his wool
in consequence of its being crossed with the Hampshire
breed. Now he (Mr. E.) had been to Norfolk and
could not see any superiority in the Hampshire-crossed
wool over their own wool. He was glad to be unde-
ceived on this point, which was rendered the more cer-
tain by the fact that a friend who had borrowed one of
his (Rlr. E.'s) rams had gained a prize at a recent fair,
and he had met with several of his own rams in Hamp-
sliire. Therefore, how a higher price was got for wool
crossed by the H-ampshire he did not understand, He
had likewise received a letter from the steward of the
Duke of Norfolk in that county, who expressed his re-
gret that no business was done. He said he thought he
could have made Is. 3d. a pound for his wool, but he
did not negotiate, as he thought there would be an ad-
vance in the market in a short time. He (Mr. E.) had
since heard that ewe wool had been disposed of as low
as 22s. the todd, but apprehended this had been sold by
persons who could not conveniently hold it till an ad-
vance. The prevailing opinion was, that the prices
should not be less than Is. 6d. a pound for ewe wool,
and somewhat higher for hoggett. He was sorry to say
there was not a chance of any business being transacted
to- day ; nevertheless, he would offer his wool at a price,
though he was afraid it would be such a one as would
not be accepted ; he had about 700 of hoggett wool,
about 300 of fattling wool, and about 600 of ewe wool,

making altogether 1,600, being more than half hoggett.
He understood that the fattling wool was worth more
than the hoggett.

Mr. Legg did not think that was the case, and ex-
pressed his vvillingness and that of the other wool-
buyers present to give a fair price.

After some further discussion, ]\Ir. Ellman said his
price was 48s. taken altogether, which was 6d. a-pound
less than he got last year, when he obtained Is. 6d.
a-pound.

Mr. Legg declined the offer, observing that he was
afi-aid Mr. Ellman had forgotten the year ]8"29, when
wool sold for8d. and 9d. a-pound.

Mr. Ellman said he supposed Mr. Legg alluded to
a Parliamentary return whici) had been made at the
suggestion of the Noble Chairman, and which, he was
sorry to say, showed for the year 1835 an increase of the
importation of foreign wool of some millions of pounds,
without a corresponding increase in the exportations.
Till he had seen the return he had thought that the de-
pression in the trade was owing- to the derangement of
the monetary system, but now he was convinced it was
not attributable to this. Mr. K. then stated that he
should not have asked so hig-h a price as he had for his
wools if he had not made up his mind to keep them till
after Christmas in expectation of getting an increased
price. He thought Is. 3d. a pound was the outside
price they might expect to obtain at the present
moment.

IMr. T. HiLLMAN said he had been called on to open
the business of the day. He advised the farmers to keep
their wool ; he had had a conversation with Mr. Legg's
son, who had advised him to pursue this course, but at
the present moment he (Mr. H.) should not follow his
advice. Mr. H. then said he had the pleasure of know-
ing a gentleman connected with the trade of France,
who had told him that the state of the manufactures
there was deplorable, and much worse than in England.
Although he (Mr. II.) was sure the demand for wool
would increase, yet it would be some time before the
growers reaped the benefit of it, and having kept his
wool last year, he was now willing to sell it at Is. 3d. a
pound.
Mr. Legg said he could not give that price.
Mr, HjLLJiAN then said perhaps Mr. Legg would
make him an offer.

ftlr, Legg said Mr. Hillman's wool was of the best
quality in the county, and, therefore, he would offer him
a good price for it ; more than he would give any others,
with one or two exceptions. He would give him Is. Id.
a pound.
Mr. HiLLMAN said he would take it.
The Hon. C. C. Cavendish then proposed the health
of their Chairman, the Duke of Richmon(i,which was re-
ceived with enthusiasm, and ackno'>vledged by His
Grace, who then proposed the health of the first seller,
Mr. Thomas Hillman.

Mr. H. returned thanks, expressing his satisfaction
that he had got so good a price as Is. Id. a-pound for
his wool, which he thought a fair market price.

The Chairman then proposed the healths of the Earl
of Chichester; the second buyer, Mr. V. Shelley (who
had sold his wool at the same price as jNIr. Hillman^ :
and " liberal landlords and industrious tenants."

Mr. Ellman pressed upon gentlemen the necessity
of offering their wool at some price in the open fair.
Two years ago he and the Noble Chairman had been
blamed for selhng their wool at 52=., and accused of
underselling the market : but in the end they were
found to have acted wisely. If he were disposed to sell
his wool at all this side of Christmas he should do it on
the present occasion, as it was his most anxious desire
that the fair should be kept up.

Mr. Putland (of Firle) offered his wool at Is. 3d.
a pound. Mr. Legg declined it.

Mr. King said that selling wool at this fair for Is.
Id. a pound was as bad an example as refusing 625.
last year. As he had on that occasion sold his wool at
60s. he could perhaps afford to take now a less price,
and would offer his wool at 42s. to Mr. Godfrey. — Mr.
Godfrey declined the offer.
The Chairman then proposed as a toast, " Pros-

130

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

perity to the Lewes Wool Fair." Much advantage had
been gained by the establishment of this fair, the chief
object of which was to enable farmers in the neigh-
bourhood to know the prices that were taken or i-e-
fused for wool. Their prospects were certainly not
very flattering, but he thought South-down farmers,
having a great deal of wool, should not sell at Is. Id.
a pound. He could not make up Lis mind to do so
when he got last year 2s. He might be wrong, but
still he did not like to sell his wool at a less price than
that demanded by Mr. EUman, over whom he had ob-
tained a prize, of being proud of which they must ex-
cuse him, as it might not occur another year. (.4

The Chairman then proposed " The agricultural la-
bourers.''

Mr. Legg proposed the health of H. Blackman, Esq.
who, in returning thanks, said he believed the gentle-
man who had sold his wool at is. Id. a pound to be a
little under ihe influence of panic ; he had tried to dis-
suade him from it, but was unsuccessful. Mr. Hill-
man seemed to think that wool was going to be cheaper,
but he did not agree with him, and should certainly not
sell at Is. id. what little wool he had. As to the re-
turn alluded to, there was nothing particular upon the
face of it to frighten them, for the exportation of wool
in manufactured cloth was more than sufficient to
balance the importations. It did not frighten him —
(Cheers) — for he was not going to sell his wool. At
this time of the year the orders coming from America
ought to be very great ; he was aware they were not
so, but consumption was going on all the same, and
he anticipated that the orders of next year would be
very great, and would produce a considerable effect on
the market. That was his opinion, and he considered
that Mr. Ellman had given the wool-growers most im-
portant information when he told them that nothing
was done at Thetford fair.

Mr. Legg said, Mr. Blackman had talked of the ex-
portation of goods to America, but forgot to state they
were not paid for. He talked of the consumption, but
did not state that in many parts of the kingdom — at
Deptford, for instance, — they were obliged to enter
into subscriptions to keep the poor from starving.
The Chairman gave, '" Success to Agriculture.''
Mr. Tanner (of Patcham) offered bis wool at is. 3d.
a-pound to Mr. Godfrey. It was declined on the part
of that gentleman, who bid Is., which Mr. Tanner, in
his turn, rejected.

The Chaiiiman then gave " The Ladies of tlie
county of Susses,'' which, at the suggestion of Mr.
Thomas, was changed to " The Duchess of Richmond
and the Ladies of Sussex." The noble Chairman re-
turned thanks for the compliment paid to her Grace, in
a feeling manner, and shortly afterwards retired
amidst shouts of applause, the vacant chair being taken
by Mr. Thomas, who said that the Duke of Richmond
had forgotten one toast — that of a respected nobleman
in the neighbourhood — Lord Gage.

Mr. PuTLAND begged to propose the health of a gen-
tleman, deservedly esteemed as a man and a landlord —
Mr. Thomas.

The Chairman returned thanks, and, in doing so,
said there was one thing which he wished particularly
to mention — that, for the short period he should remain
in the chair, all political discussion would be banished.
( Cheers, and cries of No ! no ! )

Mr. King said he should be sorry to do anything to
militate against the feelmgs of the gentleman who filled
the chair, but, from the particular situation in which
tht! county was placed at the present moment, he did
think this was a most favourable occasion for the dis-
cussion of those subjects, and elucidation of those prin-
ciples, in which the country was so deeply interested.
(Hear, hear, and " certainly not.") Whilst their late
Noble Chairman remained, he had abstained from in-
troducing politics ; but lie was now inclined to follow
the advice of Mr. Gell, of Abbersham, who, on a former
occasion, had said that, on an opportunity like the
present offering itself, when the farmers of the county
were brought together on the eve of an election, there

could not be a better time for the explanation of their
sentiments by the different candidates. He should not
wish to go against the feeling of the Chairman, but he
was sure the meeting would be glad to avail itself of
the present occasion to hear an explanation of the views
of those gentlemen who were candidates for their favours.
(Cheers and disapprobation.)

The Chairman said he had not the slightest objection
to Mr. King proposing a toast, but when he (the Chair-
man) was placed in the chair by the Duke of Richmond,
he considered it wasupon tho express condition, that as
this was a wool fair, the usual custom should be ob-
served of excluding politics. It was upon this under-
standing that lie accepted the chair ; but it was only for
iive minutes, as he had told His Grace; and he would
now request Air. .T. Ellman to fulfil the functions of the
chair for the remainder of the evening. He would not
certainly refuse to receive the toast, but would beg to
uisli them all a very good night.

Mr. Thomas then retired, and iMr. H. B. Curleis im-
mediately proposed that Mr. Villiers Shelley should
take the chair. (Cheers.)

Mr. Shelley said he felt flattered by the proposed
honour ; but if they reflected for one moment that Mr.
Ellman, one of the largest flock-masters in the county,
had been proposed, they must excuse him from ac-
cepting it.

Mr. Ellman said, in order to relieve Mr. Shelley
from any embarrassment he might feel, he would say
that, sooner than sit in that chair and allow politics to
be introduced, he would have his right hand cut off.

IMr. Shelley then took the chair amidst loud cheering.

Mr. King now rose to propose his toast, when it was
mentioned to the Chairman that a large wool-buyer
wished to address them on the immediate business of the
day. A great deal of confusion ensued, one portion of
the meeting expressing their decided opinion that a
gentleman drawn to the fair on matters of business
should be heard before any irrelevant discussion was
introduced ; and others declaring, that IMr. Elpliinston
(the gentleman in question) had had ample opportunity
tor doing so during the previous part of the evening.
After considerable noise and confusion, Mr. Elphinston
was heard, when he said that he was not going to
address them on politics. He had attended Lewes wool
fair on many occasions, and was now going to offer a
few remarks on the trade. They had proclaimed to the
world that the Lewes wool fair was to be held on the
20th of July, and had attracted here a large number of
wool buyers ; but who could not but feel disappointed,
at finding the business of the day treated as a mere
farce. He was certainly disappointed that business had
not been transacted in the usual way, and was only
afraidit would recoil on themselves.

The Chairman said he was not aware the gentleman
was a wool stapler, or he should have insisted upon his
being heard in the first instance.

A good deal of conversation now ensued between
various gentlemen and Mr. Elphinston, who ultimately
effected no purchase, not being willing to exceed 13d. a
pound.

Mr. King then again rose, and briefly proposed the
healths of the candidates for the county of Sussex.
(Cheers.)

IMr. Cavendish, Mr. Curteis and Mr. Darby, each
addressed the meeting upon the representation, the
speeches upon which subject we omit as not only im-
proper but calculated to do mischief to a meeting held
specifically for business purposes.

PERTH WOOL FAIR.— This fair was well attend-
ed by the graziers and wool growers of this and the ad-
joining districts of the neighbouring counties. In con-
sequence of the stagnant state of manufactures in the
south, there was by no means the same number of wool
staplers which we formerly had from England ; and
the same difficulty in effecting sales was experienced
here as at the leading fairs in that country. The best
Leicester which brought last year 38s. to 42s., was
offered 10s. lower, but no purchasers, and nearly a
proportionate reduction on inferior sorts. It was ex-
pected that the dinner would have put both buyers and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

131

selkri in bettei' disposition, bat it iippuais iVoui the \x-
poi't on that occasion that ovciit;iaIly ii was Ibunil ne-
cessary in the case of the saie^ whicli were made, to
refer prices to the result of the Inverness market. In-
deed, from the prejudice in favour of the latter, arising-
from long- practice, which is still found to prevail with
the leading' Hig'hland g-rowers, it has been considered
advisable to alter the day of the Perth wool fair to a
date subsequent to that of Inverness, when all the Eng-
lish wool staplers may be expected on their return from
the north. Another cause for this alteration is found in
the circumstance that the avsirag-e quality of the samples
shown here is fully superior to that of the northern
counties, to the extent of about 2s. per stone ; and the
wool staplers ai-e therefore averse to purchase at Perth
iirst, as the prices given here are apt to reg-ulate those
at Inverness. The first of the day's proceeding's v/as
to award the premiums offered by the Hig'hland Society
of Scotland and the city of Perth, v/hich were deter-
mined as follows : —
Class 1. For the best sample of Leicester wool of seven

fleeces. — the Earl of Mansfield.
Class 2. For the best do. of short wool of the Cheviot

breed, do. — Mr. Richmond, Monedie.
Class 3. For the best do. of Highland wool of the black-
faced breed,— Mr. Richmond, Monedie.

DEVIZES WOOL FAIR, TnunsoAv.— The
quantity of Wool offered for sale was but small, there
being' only 50 bags in the hall. The attendance of
buyers was rather larger than at the February fair.
The only business transacted to-day has been three or
four packs, all tegs, at 12d. per lb.

HITCHIN WOOL FAIR was held on Monday 3rd
inst. Very little wool was shown (only about 8,000
fleeces), as most of the growers would not send sam-
ples at present prices. Very little was sold, and those
at about the prices of Chelmsford and Heinel Hemp-
stead. The chairman at the dinner advised all the far-
mers who had the means, to hold their wools, and those
who had money he recommended to buy of their neigh-
bours who should find it necessary to ask. Two or
three fanners and people not in the trade bought on
speculation each two or three lots in the afternoon, and
did more business than the ^vool-staplers, there being
next to nothing done by the latter.

LEICESTER WOOL FAIR was held on the 4th
inst. The attendance of buyers was very thin, and the
quantity of wool shown was small ; very little business
was done, the growers being unwilling to submit to the
great reduction in prices which the present slate and
prospects of trade compel the buyers to ofter The little
business which vvas done by the dealers was at 20s. to
21s. period for ewes, and 23s. to 25s. for lots half hogs ;
some lots it is said were sold at 27s. 6d. to opulent
growers on speculation.

ILSLEY WOOL FAIR,— 'i'he annual Wool Fair at
llsley, took place on Wednesday. There were about
120 bags exposed for sale, not more than half of which
vvas disjiosed of. Mixed lots of fleeces sold at from lOd.
to lid. per lb., and te;;' fleeces, from lid. to Is. Mi-.
AV. Davis of Newbury, being the largest purchas;er,
obt-'iined the silver vase, value 20 guineas, and a gen-
tleman from Oakingham carried off the second prise.
i here vvere nine competitors for Mr. C. Bailey's silvei-
cup for tiie best lot of tegs ; it was awarded by the
mdges (JMr. Cunnington and Mr. Fielder) to Mr. John
Mathews, of Comptou. Mr. Brown, of Conipton, was
entitled to Mr. Ireland's cup for the best ewes, but
neither Mr. Ireland nor his cup vvere forthcoming.

HEREFORD FAIR.— The quantity of wool was
less than ever remembered, and prices seemed to have
reached the lowest point of depression. The avwage
vvas lis. to 13s. per legal stone of 141bs. ; and some
superior fetched 14s. Lamb's wool was sold from 6s. lo
10s. 6d. per 141bs. At the July fair last year wool sold
at 23s. 6d. per stone.

XORTIIA^fPTOX WOOL FAm.-A'try t<=vv
samples were produced, and the attendance at tiic din-
ner was much smaller than usual ; the oninion that the
actual market price was lower than the growers would
accept, being very prevalent, 'i'he room afterwards
became full, and the chairman, C. Hillyurd Esq
endeavoured to promote business. With this view he
offered his wool, which was rather more than one third
teg, at 28s. per tod, premising that as it had been his
custom to sell on that day, he was open to a bid. The
highest olier was 25s. 6d. per tod, which Mr. Hillyard
accepted, although, as he said, satisfied that it would
make more money in a short time. At present prices
this was supposed to be the outside value. We believe
there was no other lot disposed of.

CHIPPENHAM WOOL FAIR.-This fair took
place on the 7th. inst. Only about 30 packages were
brought there, containing about 20 packs of wool, for
which there were nearly 20 purchasers. The Teg
Wools were very tender; lid. per lb. was given for
mixed lots, and a lot of 250 half-bred coarse Teg fleeces,
and 150 ewe fleeces vvere bought at 12d. per lb. Last
year more than 200 bags of Wool were brought to this
fair ; but this year most of the farmers have stowed
away their Wool rather than take the present prices.

DORCHESTER WOOL FAIR took place on Wed-
nesday last. There was a shorter supply of wool than
at last year's fair, and the prices were 23. to 3s. per tod
higher than at llsley on the 5th inst.— Ewes' wool from
26s. to 29s. per tod ; ewes and tegs from 2Ss. to 31s.
and tegs from 31s. to 33s.— About 200 gentlemen sat
down to dinner in Mr. Davy's barn. Mr. Ashurst in
the chair, and Mr. Fane taking the office of Vice-
President. The several candidates for the county vvere
present, and the afternoon was spent with the utmost
conviviality.

GERMAN WOOL.— Tiie followingimportant fads
are extracted from ji lutter from Breslaw, dated June t>,
they ought to be univerally known : — Although Prussia',
produces, within herself, far more wool than is required
for the Inland consumption, the manufacturers arc left
at liberty to draw their supplies from any and every
other country they choose, eiUirely free from dutij : in
consequence of v/hich a large quantity is annually
brought from Poland, Russia, Austria, &c., no regard
being paid to the circurastcince that wool is producecl in
those countries at a much smaller cost than in Prussia.
They act in this respect upon the principle, that the
greater the supply and consequent cheapness ef the raw
material, the more employment must be thei'eby created
for the capital and the industry of the people. " It is on
this ground further, that all wool taken out of the
Prussian territory is subject to an export duty of two
dollars per hundred weight; and th;.it upon wool, the
growth of other countries, merely for passing- through
any part ot the Prussian dominions, a traitsit duty of one
dollar per cwt. is levied. In short, the Prussian govern-
ment g'ive to their own manufacturers evei-y possible en-
couragement, under the conviction, that their prosperity
cannot fail to benefit, in some degree, all classes of the
community ; and the happy effects of these measures
are seen, and confirmed by all. Considering then, the
enormous disadvantages (as the extra expense of car-
riage, foreign duties, insurance, &c.,) with which our
English manufacturers have to struggle, — the unfettered
rivalship on the part of foreigners with which they have
to cope ; vye will hope that the removal of those per-
nicious duties on wool and woollens in England, which ,
in addition to the unavoidable disadvantages above re-
ferred to, press so heavily upon industry, will not be
much longer deferred by our government ; and that,
with regard to such imposts, at least, as are of no service
either to the English wool-growers, or any other par-
ticular interest in the state, and contribute so little to tlic
revenue, our manufacturers will, ere long', be equally
as unshackled in their enterprise as those of any other
country.

m

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

1 Victoria L, Cap. XLIX.

AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN LAWS OF EXCISE RELATING TO THE
DUTIES ON MALT MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

[I2th July, 1837.]

7 3f 8 G. 4, c. 52.— 11 G. 4, c. 17.— So much of 11 G.
4, c. 17, as requires the keeping qf' barley-books by
maltsters repealed.

Whereas an act was passed in tlie seventh and
eighth years of the reign of his jNIajesty King George
the Fourth, intituled An act to consolidate and amend
certain laws relating to the revenue of excise on malt
made in the United Kingdom, and for amending the laios
relating to brewers in Ireland, and to the allowance in
respect of the malt duty on spirits made in Scotland and
Ireland from malt only : And whereas an act was
passed in the eleventh year of the reign of his said
Majesty for altering- and amending the said act :
And whereas it is expedient to alter and amend the
said recited acts : Be it therefore enacted hy the

such offence forfeit and lose the sum of fifty pounds ;
provided that no maltster or maker of malt shall be
subject to the said penalty for or by reason of his
Iiaving steeped or wetted any greater or less quan-
tity of corn or grain than shall be stated in thfi entry
thereof, if the quantity wetted shall not be greater
or less than the quantity entered in the proportion
of one bushel in twenty," shall be and the same is
hereby rejiealed.

Respecting notices required to he given by maltsters.

II. And be it enacted, Tliat in all cases in the
said recited acts respectively in wliicli aiiv maltster
or maker of malt shall be required to give any notice
to an officer of excise, the time for giving such no-

Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the tice shall be tbe same as is required to be given
advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and tem- > where the malthouse is situate in a cit)^ or market
poral, and Commons, in this present Parliament as- town, or in the suburbs tliereof, notwithstanding the
sembled, and by the authoritj' of the same, That so [malthouse of the maltster or maker of malt giving

much of the said recited act passed in the eleventh
year of the reign of his said Majesty as enacts,
*' that there shall be delivered by the proper officer
of excise to every maltster or maker of malt a book
prepared for such purposes as hereinafter mentioned,
to be kept hv such maltster or maker of malt in some
public and open part of his or her entered premises,
for the inspection of the officers of excise ; and
every maltster and maker of malt shall, on the same

such notice may not be so situated.

So much of 7 S) 8 G. 4, c. 52, as empowers officers to
turn over and lay level again corn or grain ivhich
they may suspect to have been forced together in the
cistern or couch frame, cS'c. repealed.

III. And be it enacted, That so much of the said
recited act of the seventh and eighth years of the
day on which he shall steep any corn or grain to be I reign of his said JMajesty as enacts, " that if any of-
made into malt, and within three hours after any ficer of excise shall have reason to believe or shall
corn or grain shall have been covejed with water for suspect that the coin or grain making into malt in
the purpose of wetting or steeping the same to be any cistern or couch frame lias been trodden or forced
made into malt, enter in such book and in the proper together, it shall be lawful for such officer and any
columns to be prepared for such purposes respec- person or persons in aid and assistance of such of-
tively a true and particular account of the quantity ficer, in the presence of the maltster or maker of
in bushels of the corn or grain so wetted or steeped, malt or of his or her servant, if such maltster or
and shall enter against and immediately opposite to servant shall think fit to be present, to turn over
every such entry the particular day and hour of the all such corn or gi-ain, either by throwing all such
day on and at which such corn or grain was so , corn or grain from and out of the cistern or couch
wetted or steeped and covered with water, and shall , frame, and leturning the same into the cistern or
on the next survey of the officer of excise produce to couch franie from which it shall have been thrown,
such officer the said book, with the said entries ' and laying the same level again therein, or by turn-

therein, for his information ; and if any maltster or
maker of malt shall not keep such book, or shall neg-
lect or refuse to make any such entry as aforesaid,
or to produce such book with such entries therein to
the officer of excise on his next survey, or shall con-
vey away or conceal the same, or shall destroy or
tear out any leaf thereof, or cancel, obliterate, de-
stroy, or alter any entry therein, or make any false
entry therein, or shall refuse to permit any officer of
excise at any time to inspect such book, or to make
any minute therein, or to take any extract therefrom,
as to such officer shall seem meet, or to remove or
take away such book, leaving a new book for the
like purpose in lieu tliereof, or if any maltster or
maker of malt shall have wetted or steeped anv
greater or less quantity of corn or grain than shall
be stated in the entry thereof in the said book, every
maltster or maker of malt so offending shall for every

over all such corn or grain in such cistern or
couch frame and laying the same level again therein,
or by throwing out any part of such corn or grain
from such cistern or couch frame, and turning over
so much thereof as shall be left remaining therein,
and returning so much of such corn or grain as shall
have been thrown out into the cistern or couch frame
from which the same shall have been thrown, and
laying the whole of such corn or grain level again in
such cistern or couch frame, as to such officer shall
seem fit ; and every maltster or maker of malt, to-
gether with his or her servants, shall give such aid
and assistance to such officer and to such person or
persons as aforesaid in such belr.df as aforesaid as
5uch officer or other person may request ; and if any
increase shall be found in the gauge or quantity of
such corn or grain, after being turned over and laid
level again in the cistern or couch frame in any such

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

133

manner as aforesaid, over and above the former
gauge, in any greater proportion than that of one
bushel in every twenty bushels ot such corn or grain,
the increase so found as aforesaid shall be deemed
conclusive evidence tliat such corn or grain had been
trodden or forced together; and if any maltster or
maker of malt shall refuse to aid and assist any of-
ficer of excise, or any person or persons acting in
aid and assistance of such officer as aforesaid, every
such maltster or maker of malt so offending shall for
every such offence forfeit and lose the sum of one
hundred pounds ; provided always nevertheless,
that it shill be lawful (o prove b\' any other or
different evidence than tliat above mentioned that
such corn or grain had been trodden or forced to-
gether," shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

So much of 11 G. 4, c. 17, as specifies what increase
shall, be evidence of treading or forciiig together, re-
pealed.

lY. And be it enacted, That so much of the said
recited act of the eleventh year of the reign of his
said Majesty as recites the said provision herein-
before last repealed, and enacts, " that when any
officer of excise shall in manner authorised by the
said recited act turn over all such corn or grain,
either by throwing all such corn or grain from and
out of the cistern or couch frame, and returning the
same into the cistern or couch i'rame from which it
shall have been thrown, and laying the same level
again therein, or by turning over all sucli corn or
grain in such cistern or couch frame and Inying the
same level again therein, or by tiivowing out any
part of such corn or grain from such cistern or couch
frame, and turning over so much thereof as shall be
left remaining therein, and returning so much of
such corn or grain as shall have been thrown out
into the cistern or couch frame from which the same
shall have been thrown, and la}'ing the whole of such
corn or grain level again in such cistern or couch
frame, as to such officer shall seem fit ; and if any
increase shall be found in the gauge or quantity of
such corn or grain, after being turned over and laid
level again in the cistern or couch frame in any
such manner as aforesaid, over an I aliove the former
gauge, in any greater proportion than that of one
bushel in every twenty bushels of such corn or grain,
the increase so found is in and by the said I'ecited
act to be deemed conclusive evidence that such corn
or grain had been trodden or forced together : and
whereas it may happen that when corn or gniin has
been emptied from the cistern into the couch frame
more than twelve hours the increase thereof from
the swell may amount to one bushel in twenty with-
out fraud, and it is expedient to alter sucli propor-
tion so far as respects such corn or grain in the
couch frame ; be it therefore enacted, that when any
officer of excise shall, in manner authi rised by the
said recited act, turn over and level again in any
couch frame any corn or giain after the expiration of
twelve hours from the time when such corn or grain
shall have been emptied from the cistern or cisterns
into such couch frame, and any increase shall be
found in the gauge or quantity of such corn or grain,
after being turned over and laid level again in the
couch frame in any such manner as aforesaid, over
and above the former gauge, no such increase shall
be deemed conclusive evidence that such corn or
grain had been trodden or forced together unless
such increase shall be in any greater proportion than
six bushels and one quarter of a bushel in every one
hundred bushels of such corn or grain," shall be and
the same is hereby repealed.

Officer of excise, suspecting any cistern or couch to be
trodden or forced together, may have the same turned
out and returned. — What increase to be deemed cou-
clnsive evidence of treading or forcing together.

V. And be it enacted, That when any officer of
excise shall suspect that the corn or grain making
into malt in any cistern or couch frame has been
trodden or forced together, or that the corn or grain
so making into malt therein is so hard, close, and
compact as it could not have been unless the same
had been by some means or other trodden or forced
together in such cistern or couch frame, it shall be
lawful for such officer to direct the maltster or maker
of malt, or his workmen and servants, to throw all
such corn or grain from and out of the cistern or
couch frame, and for such officer, and any person or
persons in his aid or assistance, wliich aid and assist-
ance the maltster or his workmen and servants shall
also give if required, to return all such corn or grain
into the cistern or couch from which the same shall
have been thrown, and to lay the whole of such corn
or grain level again in such cistprn or couch ; and if
any increase shall be found in the gauge or quantity
of such corn or grain, after being returned into and
laid level again in the cistern or couch frame, over
and above the former gauge taken before the same
was thrown out, in any greater proportions than
those of five bushels in every one hundred bushels
previously to such corn or grain having been emptied
eio-ht hours from the cistern, or six bushels in every
on'e hundred bushels if such corn or grain shall have
been emptied from the cistern eight hours and not
emptied sixteen hours, or seven bushels in every one
hundred bushels if such corn or grain shall have been
emptied from the cistern sixteen hours or upwards,
the increase so respectively found as aforesaid shall
be deemed conclusive evidence of such corn or grain
having been trodden or forced together, and the court
or justices before whom such evidence shall be given
shall thereupon convict the maltster or maker of
malt in the penalty imposed by the said recited act
of the seventh andeighth years of his said Majesty's
reign ; and every maltster or maker of malt who, or
whose servants or workmen shall, when directed by
any officer of excise, refuse to throw out any corn
or grain making into malt from any cistern or couch,
or to aid or assist, if required so to do, in returning
the same into the cistern or couch from which the
same shall have been thrown, shall forfeit one hun-
dred pounds: Provided always, that it shall be law-
ful to prove by any other or different evidence that
such corn or graiii had been trodden or forced to-
e-ether.

.So much of 11 G. 4.0. 17. as allows maltsters to spri7ikle
grain which has been wetted fifty hours, repealed.

VI. And be it enacted, That so much of the said
recited Act of the eleventh year of the reign of his
said Majesty as, after reciting that every maltster and
maker of malt is by the said recited act of the se-
venth and eighth years of the reign of his fsaid Ma-
jesty restricted from wetting, watering, or sprinkling
any corn or grain making into malt before the expi-
ration of twelve days or two hundred and eighty-
eight hours after the same shall have been emptied
or^taken from or out of the cistern, and that it is ex-
pedient to allow, undercertain regulations, maltsters
and makers of malt to water and sprinkle corn or
o-rain making into malt before the expiration of
twelve days or two hundred and eighty -eighthours,
enacts " that it shall and may be lawful for any
maltster or maker of malt who shall have kept and
continued any corn or grain making into malt co^

134

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

vered with water in tlje cistern lor the full space of
fifty hours from the time of such corn or grain being-
first wetted or steeped, and who shall not at the
same time liave in tiie same malthouse an}^ other
corn or grain on the floor which shall have been kept
and covered with water for any less space than fifty
hours from the time of the same being first wet oi'
steeped, to wet, water, or sprinkle any such corn or
grain at any time after the expiration of eight days
or one hundred and ninety-two hours after the same
shall have been emptied or taken out of the cistern ;
provided always, that ever}' maltster or maker of malt
who shall wet, water, or sprinkle any corn or grain
making into malt contrary to the regulations afore-
said shall be subject and liable to the penalty in and
by the said recited act imposed for wetting, v;ater-
ing, or sprinkling corn or grain before the expiration
of twelve days or two hundred and eighty-eight
hours," shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

IMallsters man aprbikle grain wetted Jifty hnurs under
certain regulations,

VII. And be it enacted. That it shall be lawful
for any maltster or maker of malt who shall have
kept and continued any corn or grain making into
malt covered with water in the cistern for the full
space of fifty hours from the time of such corn or
grain being first wetted or steeped, and who shall
not at the same time have in the same malthouse any
other coin or grain in the couch or on the floor
which shall have been kept covered vs-ith water in
the cistern for any less space than fifty hours from
the time of the same having been first wetted or
steeped, to wet, water, or sprinkle anv such corn or
grain at the expiration of six days or one hundred
and forty-four hours after the same shall have been
emptied or taken out of the cistern, on giving notice
to tlie officer of excise of his intention to wet, wnter,
or sprinkle such corn or grain twentv-four hours
before wetting, watering, or sprinkling the same :
provided always, that every maltster or maker of
malt who shall wet, water, or spi inkle any corn or
grain making into malt before the expiration of
twelve davs or two hundred and eighty-eight hours,
except under the regulations and on giving such
notice as aforesaid, shall be subject and liable to the
penalty imposed by the said recited act of the se-
venth and eighth years of the reign of his said Ma-
jesty for such offence.

So much of 11 G. 4. c. 17, as relates to allowances to be
made on gauging corn or grain niaking into malt
I'cr the charge of duly, repealed,

VIII. And be it enacted. That so much of the
said recited act of the eleventh year of tlie reign of
his said Majesty as enacts, " That whenever the
dutv upon malt shall be charged by gauge of the
cin'u or grain taken whilst the same is in a state of
o)ieration or in process of making into malt, such
allowances shall be made upon such gauges as are
therein-after mentioned ; that is to say, upoa everv
gauge thereof taken by the officer of excise in the
cistern whei'ein the corn or grain is wetting or steep-
ing to be made into malt, during the time which
such corn or grain shall be kept and continued in
such cistern, or in the couch frame into which such
corn or grain shall be emptied, or on the floor, dur-
ing the period for which such corn or grain is by
this act before required to be kept and continued in
such couch frame, and directed to be deemed in
couch, and gauged and taken account of as in such
couch, and allowance shall be made by such officer
of seventeen bushels and one half bushel in everv

one hundred bushels of the whole rpiantity of tlie
corn or grain so found by such gauge ; and upon
every gauge taken by the officer of excise of such
corn or grain on the floor after the expiration of
twenty-six hours if such corn or grain shall have
been previously gauged and taken account of in the
couch frame, and if such corn or grain shall not
liave been so previously gauged then after the ex-
piration of thirty hours and before the expiration of
seventy-two hours from the time when such corn or
grain was emptied or taken from or out of the cis-
tern, an allowance shall be made of one-third of the
whole quantity of the (orn or grain so found by such
gauge as last aforesaid ; and upon every gauge after-
wards taken by the officer of excise of such corn or
grain before the same shall be dried an allowance
shall be made by such officer of one-half of the whole
quantity of such com or grain so found by such
gauge as last aforesaid ; and the duty of excise on
malt when charged upon the corn or grain in a state
of operation or in process of making into malt as
aforesaid sliall be charged on the best of the several
gauges so taken as aforesaid after such allowances
shall have been so made thereon respectively as
aforesaid," shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

Allowances to be made on gauging corn or grain making
into malt for the charge of duty,

IX. And be it enacted, That in lieu of the allow-
ances hereby repealed there shall be made upon the
gauges of corn or grain taken wliilst the same is in '
operation or in process of making into malt the al-
lowances following; that is to say, upon every gauge
thereof taken by the officer of excise in the cistern
wherein the corn or grain is wetting or steeping to
be made into malt, during the time that such corn or
grain shall be kept and continued in such cistern,
or in the couch frame into which such corn or
grain shall be emptied, or on the floor, during the
period for which such corn or grain is by the said
recited act of the eleventh year of the reign of his
said Majesty required to be kept and continued in
such couch frame, or directed to be deemed in ccuch,
and g-.iuged and taken account of as in couch, an al-
lowance shall be made bv such officer of eighteen
bushels and one half bushel in every one hundred
bushels of the whole quantity of the corn or grain
so found by such gauge; and upon every gauge
taken by the officer of excise of such corn or grain
on iha floor or on the kiln after the expiration of
twenty-six hoars if such corn or grain shall have
been previously gauged and taken an account of in
the couch frame, or if such corn or grain shall not
have been so previously gauged then after the expi-
ration of thirty hours, an allowance shall be made by
such officer of one half of the whole quantity of such
corn or grain found by such gauge before the said
corn or grain shall be wholly dried off and removed
from the kiln ; and the duty of excise on malt, when
charged by gauge upon the corn or grain in a slate
of operation or in process of making into malt, shall
be charged on the best of the several gauges so taken
a 1 aforesaid after such allowances shall have beon
so made thereon respectively as aforesaid.

Maltster mai^ hare six floors, including the couch aiid
kiln, in operation at the same time.

X. And whereas by the said recited act of the se-
venth and eighth years of the reign of his said Ma-
jesty no maltster or maker of malt is allowed at one
and the same time to have more than five floors or
quantities of corn or grain making into malt in the
couch frame or on the floor or kiln, or all or any of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

135

them, wetted or steeped iu and arising from, or pre-
tended to have been wetted or steeped in and to
have arisen from, or denoted by its place of deposit
in the malthouse to hare been wetted or steeped in
and to have arisen from, one and the same cistein,
or one or more cisterns emptied into one and the
same couch frame, under a penalty of two Imndred
pounds; be it further provided and enacted, That
no maltster or maker of malt sliall incur or be sub-
ject to the said pe-ialty for or by reason of his having
at the same time six floors or quanticies of corn or
strain making- into malt in the couch frame or on the
floor or kiln, or all or any of them, wetted or steeped
in and arising from one and the same cistern or from
one or more cisterns emptied into one and the same
couch frame.

Officer to enter on the specimen the number nf bushels
charged on each steepin.j;.
XI. And be it enacted, That every officer of ex-

cise surveying any nialtstei or maker of malt shall
in respect of everv wetting or steeping of corn or
grain to be made into malt, at his next visit after the
quantity of corn or grain so wetted or stee)>ed shall
have been dried oft' into malt and removed from the
kiln, enter on the specimen the number of bushels of
malt with which the maltster or maker of malt shall
bo chargeable on such wetting or steeping, accordi-ng-
to the best gauge at any time liail on such corn or
grain, shewing in such entry whether such charge
has arisen from tho cistern or couch or the lloor or
kiln.

Commencement of act.

XIl. And be it enacted. That this act shall com-
mence and take effect on the tenth day of October
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.

1 Victoria I., Cap. LXIX.

AN ACT TO AMEND AN ACT FOR THE COMMUTATION OF TITHES IN

ENGLAND AND WALES.

[Idth July, 1837.]

6 ^ 7 W. 4. C.71. — Apportio)iments and Agreements
may be confirmed, although the commissioners are not
satisfied of the accuracy of the maps. |

Whereas an Act was passed in the seventh year of
the reign of his late Majesty King William the
Fourth intituled An Act for the Commutation of Tithes
in England and Wales ; and it is expedient to amend
the said Act in certain resjiects : Be it enacted by
the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the
advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and tem-
poral, and Commons, in this present Parliament as-
sembled, and by the authority of the same, That (he
Tithe Commissioners for England and Wales shall
have power, if they shall think fit, to confirm under
tjjeir hands and seal any instrument of voluntary
apportionment, and also any agreement for giving
land instead of tithes, made according to the jn'ovi-
sions of the said Act, to which shall be annexed a
map or plan agreed to be adopted by a ])arochial
meeting, although they shall not be satisfied of the
accuracy of such map, or plan, or that the several
fjuantities of land specified in such apportionment
or agreement are therein truly stated ; but no recital
of quantity or admeasurement of land, nor any map
or plan annexed to any such confirojed apportion-
ment or agreement, nor any copy thereof, shall be
deemed evidence of the quantity of land referred to
therein or of the accuracy of such map or plan, un-
less the said map or plan, as well as the instrument
of apportionment or agreement, shall be signed by
the commissioners and sealed with their official seal :
Provided always, that the commissioners, in case
they shall confirm such voluntary ajiporfionment or i
agreement, but shall not think proper to seal such
map or plan, shall certify under iheir hands upon
some part of such map or plan that the sa're is the i

map or plan referred to in such voluntary apj^ortion-
ment or agreement, as the case may^ be, which certi-
ficate shall be received as evidence of that fact.

For determining parochial boundaries.

II. And be it enacted. That two-thirds in value
of the owners of the lands in any parish or district
of which the tithes are to be commuted, and resjiect-
ing the boundaries of which any dispute or doubt
sliall arise, may, by writing under their hands or the
hands of their agents, signed at a parochial meeting
called for that purpose according to the provisions
of the said Act, in the case of a parochial meeting
for making a voluntary agreen:ent for the conimuta-
j tion of the tithes of a parish, signify their re(]uest
to the tithe commissioners that the said commission-
■ ers should inquire in^o and settle such boundaries ;
and thereupon tlie said commissioners, or any assist-
ant commissioner speci-illy appointed under their
hands and seal for that purpose, shall, by examina-
tion of witnesses upon oath (which oath the said
commissioners or assistant commissioner are and
is hereby empowered to administer), and also using
any other powers contained in the said Act, and by
such other legal ways and means as they or he shall
think projjer, inquire into, asceitain, and set out
the boundaries of that parish or district : Provided
always, that such commissioners or assistant com-
missioner (before they or he proceed to set out the
boundaries of such parish or district) shall give ]iub-
lic notice of their or his intention, by writing under
their or his hands or liand, to be aflfixed on the most
public doors of the churches of that parish or dis-
trict, and of every parish and district thereunto ad-
joining, and also by advejtisement to be inserted in
some newspaper circulated in the county in which
such parish or district is situated, and also by wri-

136

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ting to be delivered to or left ten days at least before
the time of setting out such boundaries at the last
or usual place of abode of the respective land own-
ers, or the respective agents of such land owners,
through or abutting upon whose lands the boundaries
of such parish or district are supposed to pass ; and
such commissioners or assistant commissioner shall,
within one month after ascertaining and setting out
the boundaries, publish the same by causing a de-
scription thereof in writing to be delivered to or left
at the place of abode of one of the cliurchwarJens
or overseers of the poor of the parish or district of
which the boundary shall be so set out, and of ever}^
parish or district thereunto adjoining, and also of
ever)' land owner or his agent through or abutting
upon whose lands the boundary so set out shall pass.

Judgment of commissioners respecting boundaries may
be removed by Certiorari.

111. And be it enacted, That any pprson inte-
rested in the judgment or determination of the said
commissioners or assistant commissioner respecting
the said boundaries, who shall be dissatisfied with
such determination, may within six calendar months
next after the publication of the said boundaries, by
delivering or leaving such description as aforesaid,
move the Court of (Queen's Bench to rem®ve the
said judgment by Certiorari into the said court, the
party making such application giving eight days no-
tice of such application, and of the matter and gi'ound
thereof, in writing, to the said commissioners ; and
the decision of the said commissioners or assistant
commissioner, or, in case of removal as aforesaid,
the decision of the said court therein, shall be final
and conclusive, as to tlie boundaries of such parish
or district, for all purposes whatsoever ; and after
the expiration of the said term of six calendar months,
the judgment shall not be removed or removeable by
Certiorari or any other writ or process whatsoever
into any of Her Majesty's Courts of Record at West-
jninster or elsewhere ; and no Certiorari shall be al-
lowed to remove any such judgment unless tlie party
prosecuting the Certiorari sliall before allowance
thereof enter into a recognizance before one of the
Justices of the said court, in the sum of fifty pounds,
with condition to prosecuto the same without wilful
delay, and to pay to the said commissioners their full
costs and charges within one calendar montli after
the judgment shall be confirmed, to be taxed accord-
ing to the custom of the court.

The apportionment need not contain the several amounts
of corn charged on each estate,

IV. And be it enacted. That it shall not be ne-
cessary to state in any instrument of apportionm.ent
the several quantities of wheat, barley, and oats
charged upon the estate of any land owner, or upon
any portion of such estate included in such appor-
tionment ; provided that the whole sum agreed or
awarded to be paid by way of rent-charge instead of
the tithes of the whole parish or district be therein
stated, and the whole number of bushels of wheat,
barley, and oats ascertained to be the fixed quantity
of corn of which the variable value is to be paid in
money by way of rent-charge, and also the several
suma of money which were at the time of the confir-
mation of the apportionment of equal value with the
quantities of whent, barley, and oats apportioned on
eacli estate or each separate portion tliereof, accord-
ing to the provisions of the said Act, be also stated
therein.

Particulars of ]and not necessary to he stated in instru-

ments of voluntary apportionments, if threefourths
of the land owners so request,

V. And be it enacted. That it shall not be neces -
sary to state in any instrument of voluntary appor-
tionment made in consequence of a parochial agree-
ment, whether the several lands are then cultivated
as arable, meadow, o.t pasture land, or as wood land,
common land, or howsoever otherwise, nor to state
the amount charged on the several closes of every
individual land owner, if three-fourths of the land
owners interested in the said apportionment shall by
some writing under their hands request the commis-
sioners to direct that such statements be omitted.

When only one land owner no draft of apportionment
nor meeting for objections necessary.

VI. And be it enacted, That it shall not be ne-
cessary for the commissioners to send a copy of any
draft of voluntary apportionment made in conse-
quence of a parochial agreement for the inspection
of any parties, nor to hold any meeting to hear any
objection thereto, when one land owner shall be
seized, either in fee simple or fee tail, of the whole
of the lands that are not glebe lands in such parish.

Prices atuhich conversion from money into corn is to be
made.

VII. And be it enacted. That the prices at which
the conversion from money into corn is to be made,
at the time of the confirmation of each apportion-
ment, according to the provisions of the said act,
are seven shillings and one farthing for a bushel of
wheat, tliree shillings and eleven-pence halfpenny
for a bushel of barley, and two shillings and nine-
pence for a bushel of oats.

For the assessment and recovery of rates.

VIII. And be it enacted. That all rates and
charges to which any rent-charge payable in lieu of
tithes shall be liable may be assessed upon the own-
er of the rent-charge, and the whole or any part
thereof may be recovered from any one or more of
the occupiers of the lands out of which sucli rent-
charge shall issue, in case the same shall not be
sooner paid by the owner of the rent-charge upon
whom the same shall be assessed, in like manner as
any poor rate assessed oir such occupier or occu-
piers in respect of such lands may be recovered,
upon giving to such occupier twenty-one da3rs' no-
tice in writing previous to any one of the half-yearly
days of payment of the rent-charge, and the collec-
tor's receipt for the payment of such rates and
charges, or of any part thereof, shall be received in
satisfaction of so much of the rent-charge by the
owner thereof; but no occupier shall be liable to
pay at any one time, in respect of such rates and
charges, any greater sum than the rent-charge pay-
able in respect of the lands occupied by him in the
same parish shall amount to for the current half-year
in which such notice shall have been given.

For determining the lands cliargeable with rent-charge,

IX. And be it enacted. That in all cases where
the same person or body politic is not entitled to the
perception of the whole of the tithes of any parish,
and the liability of the lands to the payment of
tithes is not in dispute, but the lauds out of which
each tithe owner is entitled to the perception of his
portion or parcel of tithes are not well defined, and
also in all cases where such lands lie dispersedly
throughout the parish, it shall be lawful, at any time

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

137

before the confirmation of any apportionment under [
the provisions of the said Act, for the land owners
and tithe owners having any interest in such lands
or tillies (with the consent of the diocesan and of the
1 atron of the living v.henever tithes payable to any
spiritual jjerson in right of his benefice are in ques-
tion), to agree, or for the tithe commissioners to de-
termine, in case the commutation shall have been
made by tiieir award, that the several rent-charges
wliich shidl l)e made payable in lieu of tithes to each
of the tithe owners respectively shall be fixed and
apportioned upon such particular lands as to them
shnll seem convenient, so that no lands are charged
with more than tlieir due proportion of rent-charge,
when the determination shall be by the compulsory
award of the commissioners ; and every agreement
or determination to that effect, when confirmed by
the tithe commissioners, shall be binding and con-
clusive against all persons and bodies politic, not-
withstanding any doubt as to the identity of the
lauds out of which the tithes originally issued in
lieu whereof such distinct rent-charges are made
jiayable.

Provision for the period intervening between the end of
former compositions cind the commutation.

X. And be it enacted. That with the first payment
of rent-ch;irge under any agreement for the commu-
tation of tithes shall also be paid any sum which
shall be agreed to be p^id in consideration of the
time (if any) which may intervene between tho
termination of any previous agreement or composi-
tion for the payment of tithe and the time at which,
by the said agreement for commutation, the lantls
shall be discharged from the payment of tithe, re-
gard being had to the whole annual amount of rent-
cha,-ge agreed to l)e paid, and to the other circum-
stances of each case.

Parlies to a parochial agreement may fix ichen it shall
begin to operate.

XI. And be it enacted. That the parties to a
parochial agreement may agree thereby, or by any

supplemental agreement made and confirmed in like
manner, that the lands included in the said agree-
ment shall be discharged from the payment of tithes
(except as excepted in the said act^ from the first
day of January next preceding, or from the first day
o{ April, or first day oi' July, or first day of October
preceding or following the confirmation of the ap-
portionment instead of the first day of January next
following the confirmation ; Provided always, that
in every case the first payment of rent-charge shall
be made and recoverable by the means provided in
the said Act, on the expiration of six calendar
months from the time from which such lands are dis-
charged from the payment of tithes.

Deeds not chargeable with stamp duty.

XII. And be it enacted, That no deed or declara-
tion authorized by the said Act for the commutation,
release, or merger of tithes shall be chargeable with
any stamp duty.

Assistant Commissioner may be sworn before two Justices
or a Master in Chancery.

XIII. And be it enacted, That any assistant com-
missioner appointed to assist in carrying the said act
into execution may take the oath required of him by
the said act before any two justices for the county,
riding, division, liberty, or jurisdiction wherein such
assistant commissioner slaall be resident at the time
of his appointment, or before a Master extraordinary
in Her Majesty's high Court of Chancery ; and
every sucJi oatli so taken shall be as valid and eflTec-
tual as if the same had been taken before one of the
Judges of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench or
Common Pleas or one of the Barons of the Court of
Exchequer.

This act to be taken as part of 6 &; 7 W. IV, c. 71.

XIV. And be it enacted, That this act shall be
taken to be a part of the said act for the commutation
of tithes in England and Wales.

I Victoria I., Cap. LVII.

AN ACT TO IMPOSE CERTAIN DUTIES OF EXCISE ON SUGAR MADE
FROM BEET ROOT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

[\6th July, 1837.]

Sugar maiiufaclured from Beet Root to pay a duly of
11. 4s. per cwt.

^Vherea3 it is expedient to impose certain duties
of excise on sugar made or manufactured from beet
root in the United Kingdom : Be it tlierel'ore enacted
by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with ,
the advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and I
temporal, and Commons, in tliis present Parliament
assembled, and by the authority of the same, that !
from ami after the commencement of this Act there
shall be charged, raised, levied, collected, and paid j
oa every hundred weight of sugar manufactured in I

tiie United Kingdom Irom beet root, and so in pro-
jiortion for any greater or lesser quantity than a hun-
dred weight, a duty of one pound lour shillings.

IDuiies to be u ider the management of the Comi)tissioneis
of Excise.

II. And be it further enacted. That the said duties
by this Act imposed shall be under the management
of the Comnussioners of Excise, and shall be charged,
raised, levied, collected, paid, and recovered and ac-
counted for under the authority of this Act, and in
such and the like manner, and in and by any of the

138

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

eneral or special means, ways, or methods, and un-
der and SLibjectto the like pains, penalties, and for-
feitures, by ^vllich an)' other duties of excise are or
may be charged, raised, levied, collected, paid, re-
covered, and accounted for; and all the monies aris-
ing by the duties by this Act imposed and made
payable as aforesaid, the necessary charo;es of rais-
ino-, recoverino', and accounting for the same ex-
cepted, shall from time to time be paid into the
receipt of Her Majesty's Exchequer at Westminster,
nnd shrll ba carried to and made part of the Consoli-
dated Fund of the United Kingdom of Gi-eat Britain
and Ireland.

ManvfdClurers of Beet Root Sugar to make entry of their
premises,

III. And be it further enacted. That every maker
or manufacturer of Siigar from beet root shall, before
he shall commence to make or manu'^'acture any
sugar, or to prepaie any materials for the making or
manufacturing of any sugar, make a true and par-
ticular entry in writing of all and every cylinder or
mill, ]n-ess, vat, copper, cistern, pan, and other vessel
or utensil, sugar-house, warehouse, storeroom, and
place intended to be made use of by him for the
making or keeping any sugar, or the preparing any
matetials for the making tlie same, by delivering
such entry to the proper officer of excise authorized
to receive the same ; and in every such entry every
suo-ar-house, warehouse, store-room, and place,
cylinder or mill, press, vat, copper, cistern, tan, and
other vessel or utensil, shall be distinguished by a
particular number or letter, or number and letter or
letters, and the respective purpose lor which the
same is to be used shall be specified and described ;
and every such entry shall also set forth the name
and place of abode of the person er persons making
the same, and the ydace where his or their premises
or suu-ar-house shall be situated, and sliall l)e signed
by such maker or makers; and in default of making-
such entry, such maker shall for every unentered
sugar-house, v^-arehouse, storeroom, or place, cylin-
der or mill, press, vat, copper, cistern, pan, or
other vessel or utensil, forfeit two hundred pounds,
together with all sugar-juice, syrup, materials, and
goods therein.

Premisf^s in be marked.

IV. And be it further enacted, That every maker
or manufacturer of sugar from beet root shall mark
and number, and at all times keep marked and num-
bered, every sugar-house, warehouse, store-room,
and place, cylinder or mill, press, vat, copper,
cistern, pan, and other vessel and utensil, b}- him
made use of for the making or manufacturing or
keeping of such sugar, with distinguishing numbers
of letters, or numbers and letters, denoting the pur-
pose for which each is respectively used, and cor-
responding to tlie description thereof in tl;e entry ;
and every sugar-house, warehouse, storeroom, and
place, cylinder or mill, press, vat, copper, cistern,
pan, and other vessel and utensil which shall not be
so marked or numbered, or which shall not corres-
pond with the description in the entry, or the use
whereof shall not be described and specified in the
entry, sliall be deemed and taken to be unentered.

Oficers of Excise may enter Sugar-lioases, and take ac-
count of sugar-juice, sijruji, &c.

V. And be it further enacted. That it shall be
lawful for any officer of excise at all times, by day
or by night, upon his request, to enter into every
5U9ar-hou^e, warehouse, .-jtorerooni, or other place

whatsoever entered or made use of by any maker or
manufacturer of sugar from beet root for the making
or manufacturing or keeping of such sugar, and to
inspect and examine the same, and all sugar-juice,
syruji, liquor, and materials making into sugar,
and from time to time to examine, weigh, and take
an account of all sugar, and to gauge or otherwise
take an account of the capacity or content of each
and every vat, copper, cistern, pan, or other vessel
directed to be gauged or the capacity thereof ascer-
tained by this Act, or by any order of the Commis-
sioners of Excise, and also to examine, gauge, and
take an account of all the juice, syrup, liquor, or
material making into sugar in every such vat, copper,
cistern, pan, or other vessel or utensil ; and every
maker or manufacturer of sugar from beet root into
wJiose sugar-house or premises aforesaid any officer
of excise shall on his request be prevented or hin-
dered from entering, or having entered shall be
hindered or prevented from doing any such act as
aforesaid, shall forfeit two hundred pounds.

Syrup-cistern, ^c. to be gauged, not to be made use of
until gauged and tabled.

XL. And be it further enacted. That no maker or
manufacturer of sugar fiora beet root shall make use
of any syrup-cistern, or any vat, copper, pan, or
other vessel or utensil directed by the Commissioners
of Excise to be gauged and the dimensions thereof
ascertained, before the same shall have been gauged
and tabled by the supervisor or other proper officer
of excise, on pain of forfeiting twenty pounds foi'
every day the same shall be so used.

Size or position of any vessel not to be altered after liav-
ing been gauged and tabled except on notice.

VII. And be it further enacted, That no such
maker or mauuf iciurer of sugar from beet root shall
in anv manner alter, or suffer to be altered, the size,
position, or level of any syrup-cistern, or any vat,
copjjer, pan, or other vessel or utensil, directed to
be gauged and tabled, at any time after the super-
visor or pioper officer of excise shall have gauged
and asceitained the capacity or content thereof, ex-
cept on notice in writing to the officer of excise of
the intended alteration, on pain of forfeiting one
hundred pounds.

Notice to be given of every grinding or inashing of Beet
Jioot to be made into sugar.

^'III. And be it further enacted, That every such
maker or manufacturer of sugar sliall from time to
time, at least four hours before he shall begin to
rasi), grind, or mash any beet root for the making of
sugar, deliver to the proper officer of excise a notice
in writing, in which shall be set forth the day and
hour when such i-asping, grinding, or mashing is to
be commenced, on jiain of forfeiting one hundred
jiounds for every omission to give such notice.

U'lten juice or syrup is collected in the syrup-pan, a
declaration of the (juantity and gravity to he giv.n to
the officer, icho is to attend andtake an account of it.

IX. And be it further enacted, That every such
maker or manufvicturer of sugar shall from time lo
time, when and as often as any juice or syrup shall
be clarified and run into and collected in the syrup-
cistern, immediately and without delay deliver to the
proper officer of excise a declaration in writing speci-
fying the particular syrup-cistern, if there shall be
more than one in tlie house in which such juice or

THE FAllMRR'S MAGAZINE;

139

syrup shall be coatained, and setting- forth the quan-
tity of such juice or syrup and tlie particular gravity
thereof, and thereupon the officer of excise shall
attend and take an account of the quantity and
gravity of such juice or syrup ; and no part of such
juice or syru]) shall be drawn off" or removed from
the syrup-cistern for the space of two hours after
such declaration shall have been delivered, unless
the proper officer of excise shall have previously
takiin an account of the f[uantityand gravity thereof;
and every such maker or manufacturer of sugar in
whose sugar-house any juice or syrup shall be drawn
off or removed from the syrup-cistern without such
declaration as aforesaid having been delivered, or
before the expiration of two hours after such decla-
ration having been delivered (except as aforesaid),
or by whom or on whose behalf any untrue declara-
tion of the quantity or gravity of the juice or svrup
in the syrup-cistern shall be delivered, shall forfeit
one hundred pounds.

Officer may take samples from the syrup-cistern, and the
gravity of such samples to he deemed the gravity of the
whole contents of the cisterii.

X. And be it further enacted, That it shall be
lawful for any officer of excise from time to time,
and whenever and as often as he shall deem it ex-
pedient, to take any sample or samples of any juice
or syrup in any syrup-cistern in the sugar-house of
every such maker or manufacturer of sugar, in order
that such officer may ascertain the gravity of such
juice or syrup, and from such part of any such
syrup-cistern as such officer shall think pro))er ; and
the gravity of any such sample so taken shall be and
he held to be the true gravity of the whole contents
of the syrup-cistern from which any such sample
shall be so taken : Provided always, that before any
such sample shall be so taken, all the liquor con-
tained in any sucii syrup-cistern may be stirred and
mixed up or mixed together by such maker or manu-
facturer of sugar, or b}' any person in his employ,
if they shall think fit so to do.

The juice or syrup, after the quantity and gravity shall
linve been ascertained, to be ru7i off to the sugar-pan,
and kept separate during tha process of manifacture
vntil cliarged.

XI. And be it furfher enacted. That after the
officer of excise shall have ascertained and taken an
account of the quantity and gravity of the juice or
syrup in the syrup-cistern, or at the expiration of
two hours after such declaration as aforesaid shall
liave been delivered, all such juice or syrup shall be
run oft" from such cistern and removed into the sugar-
pan, and continued in the process of being made into
sugar ; and after such decbiration as aforesaid shall
Jjave been delivered, no other juice, syrup, or sugar
sliall be added to or mixed with such juice or syrup
in respect of which such declaration shall have been
delivered, but tlie same shall be kept separate and
distinct in the process of manufacture, until the
sugar, the produce thereof, shall have been weighed
and charged with duty ; and it' such juice or syruf)
shall not be so kept separate and distinct in the pro-
cess of manufacture, or if any other juice, syrup, or
sugar shall be added thereto, the maker or manu-
facturer of sugar shall forfeit one Inindred pounds.

When the manufacture of sugar is completed, notice to
be given of the lime when it ivill be ready to be weighed.

XII. And be it further enacted, That every such
maker or manufacturer of sugar shall, within two

days after all the sugar produced from any juice or
syrup in respect of which such declaration as afore-
said shall have been delivered, oi- of which such ac-
ctnmt shall have been taken in ths syrup-cistern,
shall be made, and the manufacture thereof com-
pleted, give to the officer of excise under whose
survey he shall be a notice in writing, specifying-
the day and hour when such sugar will be ready to
be weighed and charged witli duty ; and thereupon
such officer shall attend and weigh and take an ac-
count of all such sugar, and shall charge the same
with duty, in the manner herein-after mentioned ;
and if any such maker or manufacturer of sugar
shall refuse or neglect to give such notice, or shall
remove such sugar, or any part thereof, without
having given such notice, or before the officers of
excise shall have weighed and taken an account of
the same, he shall forfeit two hundred pounds.

Mode of charging the duty. — First, from tlie gravitii of
the syrup.

XIII. And be it further enacted. That for and in
respect of every gallon of juice or syrup which
sh-dU be made in the sugar-house ®f any maker or
manufacturer of sugar from beet root, and run into
and collected in the syrup-cistern, the officer of ex-
cise shall charge such maker or manufacturer of
sugar for a quantity of sugar, in proportion to the
gravity of such juice or syrup, as set forth in the
declaration thereof, or as ascertained and taken ac-
count of by such officer, according- to a table to be
prepared under the directions of and approved by
the commissioners of excise for showing- tbe quantity
of sugar contained in any given quantity of juice or
syrup, according to the specific gravity thereof, as
ascertained by the saccharometer, after making- an
allowance of fifty per centum on such ([uantity for
molasses, drainage, and wash. ^

Second, by the iceight of the sugar produced.

XIV. And be it further enacted. That whenever
any officer of excise shall weigh and take an account
of any sugar made at the sugar-house of any such
maker or manufacturer of sugar after the same shall
have been manufactured and finished, such officer
shall charge the maker or manufacturer of such
sugar on the full quantity of sugar which he shall
so weigh and take an account of, exclusive of any
waste or drainage which may have run therefrom.

Officer of excise to make out a return of the duty every
six iveeliS, and charge the maker bii ivhichever mode
will produce the highest amount of duty.

XV. And be it further enacted. That ever}' ofticer
of excise under whose survey any such maker or
manufacturer of sugar shall be, or any other officer
who shall be appointed so to do, shall from time to
time, at the expiration of every six weeks or at such
other times as the commissioners of excise shall di-
lect, make out and deliver to the collector of ex-
cise, or to such person or persons as the commission-
ers of excise shall appoint to receive the same, an
account or return in writing of the quantity of sugar
for which such maker of sugar shall have become
chargeable with duty in such preceding- sis weeks
or period, and of the duty payable thereon ; and
every such officer is hereby required in every such
return to charge and such officer shall charge such
maker or manufacturer according to whichever of the
modes of charging- hereinbefore prescribed shall
produce the highest amount of duty ; and such
officer shall also leave a copy of such account or

140

XHE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

return with such maker or manufacturer, and the
account or return of such officer shall be a charge
on every such maker or manufacturer of sugar, who
shall pay and clear off the duty appearing- by such
account or return to have become due within six
days after such account or return shall have been
made, or in default thereof shall forfeit double the
amount of such duty.

Any saccharometev prescribed by the commissioners of
excise may be used for ascirtaining the gravity of the
syrup.

XVI. And be it further enacted, That an)' such sac-
charometer may be used for ascertaining the gravity
of juice or syrup for the charge of duty under the
provisions of this act as shall from time to time be
ordered and prescribed by any order of the com-
missioners of excise ; and all juice and syrup shall
ibr the purposes of this act be deemed and taken to
be of tbe gravity at which such s;iccharometer shall
on the application thereof denote or indicate such
juice or syrup to be : Provided always, that it shall
not be necessary on the trial of any information, ac-
tion, suit, or other proceeding- to produce or
"ive in evidence any such order of the commission-
ers of excise for the use of any such saccharometer.

Makers of sugar lo keep scales and weights, and permit
the officers of excise to use them. Penally for neglect,
1001. ; for using false scales or v)eights, S^c, SOOl,

XYII. And be it further enacted, That every such
m-aker or manufacturer of sugar shall and he is
hereby required to provide and keep in his sugar-
house just and sufficient scales and weights, -affixed
and placed in a iiroper and convenient place to be
approved of by the supervisor or siirve3'or of ex-
cise ; and every sucli maker or manufacturer sh.all
permit and suffer any officer of excise to use the
sail scales and weights for the purpo.se of weighing
and taking an account of all the sugar which shall b:
at anv time in the possession of any such maker or
manufacturer; and every such maker or manufac-
turer of sunar who shall neglect to keep such scales
and weights so affixed and )daced as aforesaid, or
who shall not permit or suffer any officer of excise to
use the sime, shall forfeit one hundred pounds ; and
every such maker or manufacturer who shall in the
•wei"hing- of any sugar make use of, or procure
or suffer to be made use of, any false or unjust or
insufficient scales or -weights, or who shall make use
of -any force or violence, or practise any art, device,
or contrivance, by which anv officer of excise may
be hindered or prevented or deceived in taking the
true account or weight of any sugar, or charging
the true amount of duty thereon, shall forfeit three
hundred pounds, together with all the sugar weighed
or produced to be weighed at the time of such offence,
and all such unjust or insufficient scales or weights.

31alier of sugar to assist loith his servants in weighing.
XVIII. And be it further en-acted, That every

such maker or manufacturer of sugar shall, when
and as often as he shall be thereto required bv any
officer of excise, aid aad assist the officers of excise
with a sufficient number of his workmen or servants
in weighing and taking- an account of all sugar ia
the possession of such maker or manufacturer re-
(juired to be weighed under the provisions of this
act, on pain of forfeiting for every refusal or neglect
one hundred pounds.

Sugar not charged to be kept separate from that ivhich
has been.

XIX. And be it further enacted. That every such
maker or manufacturer of sugar shall at all times
keep all sugar which shall not have been charged
with duty separate and apart from all sugar which
sliall have been so weighed and charged, on pain of
forfeiting one hundred pounds.

Penally on evading the duty.

XX. And be it further enacted. That every such
maker or manufacturer of sugar w-ho shall hide or
conceal, or cause to be hidden or concealed, or shall
remove, or convey away or deposit, or cause to be
removed, or conveyed away from, or deposited in
any place, any sugar, or any juice oi- syrup, to evade
the duties chargeable thereon, or any part of such
duties, or before the full duties shall have been
ch-arged thereon, shall, over and above every otljer
penalty to which lie m-ay in so doing- become sub-:
ject, forfeit five hundred pounds.

Provisions of 7 &; 8 G. 4 c. 53, and 4 &^ 5 W. 4 col
to extend to this act.

XXI. And be it further enacted. That all the
powers, provisions, clauses, and euactments, pains,
penalties, and forfeitures contained in an act passed
in the seventh and eighth years of the reign of His
Majesty King- George the Fourth, intituled An act to
consolidate and amend the laws relating to the collection
and management of the revenue of excise tliroughout
Great Britain and Ireland, and of an act passed in
the fourth and fifth years of tbe reign of His late
Majesty King William the Fourth intituled An act
to amend the laws relating to the collection and manage-
ment of the revenue of excise, shall, except when other-
wise Jiereby provided for, extend to and be applied
to this act, and to the duties hereby granted, and
penalties and forfeitures hereby imposed.

Commencement of act.

XXII. And be it further enacted, That this act
sh-all commence and take effect from and after the
passing- thereof.

Act may be altered this session.

XXIII. And be it further enacted, That this act
may be altered, amended, or repealed by any act to
be passed in the present session of parliament.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

141

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT
FOR JULY.

^Ve have to congratulate our agricultural readers,
and tbe community at large, that the state of tho at-
mospheric temperature has been, this month, quite
■as fine and favourable as the most sanguine could
possibly have anticipated. In the early part, com-
plaints were made of the crops standing greatly in
need of moisture. However, about the 20th, these
apprehensions were allayed, by the commencement
of fine genial showers, which have had, we are
happy to assert, a veiy surprising and beneficial
effect, upon the whole range of vegetation, — St,
Swithin having- showered down upon us most oppor-
tuuely his usual benediction. Indeed, we have
lieard it asserted, by practical and extensive farmers,
that the progress made by the crops, during the lat-
ter part of the month, has been truly astonishing ,
whilst the increase in the bulk of the wheat, barley,
and oat plants, has been very great. Our accouuts
from all quarters are of a very satisfactory and
cheering nature, and we have no doubt, both from
these, as well as from personal observation, but that
new wheat will be exhibited in Mark Lane, nearly,
or quite, as early as in many preceding years. The
yield of both beans and peas is expected to amount
to a full average, the bloom having set under very
favourable auspices, lu several of our southern
counties, the wheat harvest is expected to be parti-
ally commenced, by, or very shortly after, the 20th
of August.

The hay harvest has been, in all parts of England,
brought to a general conclusion. The crop has been
very large, it amounting, in several instances, in
well situated meadows, to two tons per acre ; whilst
it has been stacked in very fine condition, and there
is every appearance of a good second crop.

With regard to the hop bine, we have lately re-
ceived very favourable and flattering accounts of it.
At one period of the month, it was much infested
with vermin, but since the plenteous showers have
fallen, a great decrease of fly is apparent. In most
parts of Kent and Sussex the bine is now in full
burr, and there is every indication of a large and
good growth of hops, which has had a great influ-
ence upon the hop trade, it having been in a very
dull and inanimate state, and but few sales of im-
portance have taken place.

The growth of fruit is unusually large, particularly
in Kent, whilst the prices demanded for fruit in sea-
son this month, have been hitherto very low.

This being the time of year when the grass-fat-
tened beasts come to market, we have the satisfaction
of being enabled to state, that those which have ar-
rived in Smithfield have been, notwithstanding the
unpropitious and severe weather they had to encoun-
ter during the past winter, — exceedingly well made
up, particularly the short horns, from Lincolnshire,
Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire, from which
quarters, the principal part of the supplies will be
derived, for some months to come ; those, too, from
Norfolk, and Scotland have been good, but by no
means so prime as we have sometimes witnessed
them to be. The decrease which has been apparent
in tbe supply from the former quarter, is to be at-
tributed to the Norfolk "season" being nearly
brought to a conclusion, though a few beasts are

derived thence throughout the whole of tbe year;
the latter, to the depression which has taken place,
in the prices of beef, loud complaints having been
received from the shippers, that they have, in many
instances, lost money, by their speculations. Losses
of this description, particularly when the prices are
fluctuating, are to be expected. When it is taken into
consideration thatbeasts cannot be shipped hither from
Scotland exceptat the high freightoffrom2i.lOs, to 2L
15s. per head, we conceive, that it is useless to send
beasts to the London market, unless beef is pro-
ducing from 4s. lOd. to os, per 8lbs., it being well
known that the Scotch beasts exhibited in Smithfield
are mostly of very superior quality, consequently
produce the highest prices.

The sheep have arrived in, generally speaking,
very excellent condition, and quite equal to past
seasons ; but the lambs have not been quite so gay
as we have sometimes seen them, at this period of
tbe year.

As it inav, possibly, be interesting to a portion of
our readers, to know the exact quantity of stock
which those steam vessels, which run between Lon-
don and Scotland, are capable of carrying, at one
trip, we beg leave to state, that the largest number
of beasts, ever brought, has been 98; of sheep 1000,
the whole of which arrived safely, and in very ex-
cellent condition, by the " City of Aberdeen," of
1500 tons burden.

The prices of fat stock, owing to the supplies ex-
hibited having been more than commensurate to the
demand, have been somewhat drooping; of cows
vibrating, whilst those of poultry and dairy produce
have experienced a considerable depression. On
account of the stocks of old hay having been nearly
exhausted, an advance of from lOs, to 30s. per load
has been obtained foT it, and straw has been selling,
at comparatively high rates.

The following is a retrospect of the supplies and
prices of fat stock exhibited and disposed of, in
Smithfield cattle market, in the course of the month.

June 30.
July

SUPPLIES,

Beasts.

Sheep

& Lambs,

Calves.

Pigi.

0.

.. 521

8420

132

296

3.

. . 2260

21825

270

384

7.

.. 516

6340

292

360

10,

..2126

29031

360

453

14.

. . 6S5

7421

370

392

17.

,.2182

33560

295

386

21.

.. 62.3

9860

215

333

24.

..2320

28260

297

394

Total .. 11193 144717 2231 3000

Supply ef^

preceding ).14003 137076 2444 3513

month. J

By the above comparison, it appears that there
were shown, in the market during the past month,
2810 beasts, 213 calves, and 513 pigs less, 7641
sheep and lambs more, than in June.

We do not recollect to have witnessed in any
July, within the last 10 years, so large a supply of
sheep as was exliibited here, on the I7th— viz, : —
33,560 ; but we remember, tbe astonishing number
of 39,000 being exhibited here, about the year,
1814.

L

142

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

PRICES.

Per 8lbs, to sink the offals.

Inferior Beef ,
Middling, do.

Prime, do 4

inferior filutton . . 3

Middling do. . . 3

Prime ditto, . . 4

Lamb 4

Veal 4

Pork

June 3(
s. d. s.
•i 6 to 2
2 10 to 3
4 0 to 4
2 to 3
8 to 4
8 to 5
4 to 6
0 to 5

10
6
6
6
0
0
0

4 to 4 10

uly 24.
d. s
4 to 2
8 to 3
0 to 4
8 to 3
4 to 4
2 to 4
4 to 5
0 to 4
4 to

A yearly comparison of the transactions in Smithfield.

At per 8lbs, sinking the offals.

July 25, 1836. July 24, 1S37.

s. d. s. fl. s. d. s. d.

Coarse and inferior beasts 2 ti to 2 10... 2 4 to 2 G

Second quality do 3 0 to 3 4. ..2 8to3 2

Prime large Bxen 3 8 to 4 0...3 4 to 3 10

Prime Scots. &c 4 2 to 4 6... 4 0 to 4 4

Coarse nnd inferior slieep 3 0 to 3 2. ..2 8 to 3 0

Second quality do 3 4 to 3 8. ..3 2 to 3 6

Prime coarse-wonlled do 3 10 to 4 2. ..3 8 to 4 0

Prime Soutli Down do 4 4 to 4 8. ..4 2 to 4 6

Lamb 4 6 to 5 0...4 4 te 5 4

Jjarge coarse calves , , 4 0 to 4 4... 4 0 to 4 6

Prime small do 4 6 to 4 10... 4 8 to 4 10

Large hogs 3 6 to 3 10... 3 4 to 4 0

Neat small porkers...., , 4 0 to 4 4 ,.4 6to4 10

SUPPLIES.

July 25, 1836. July 24, 1837.

Beasts 2,885 2,320

Sheep & Lambs 25,100 28,260

Calves 290 297

Pigs 370 394

It will be seen, by the above statement, tliat the
suppl}' of Monday, July 25, 1836, embraced 65
beasts more ; 3160 sheep and lambs, 7 calves ; and
24 pigs less, than that of Monday, July 24, 1837.

The supplies of beasts have been derived, this
month, from the following quarters. From Norfolk,
1700 Scots, and home breds ; from Suffolk, 185
Scots, Devons, and Herefords ; from Essex, 204
Devons, runts, and Herefords ; from Cam.bridge-
shire, 127 Scots and short-liorns ; from Lincolnshire,
1960 short-horns ; from Leicestershire, 1407 short-
horns and Devons ; from Northamptonshire, 9'j7
short-horns, and runts ; from Staffordshire, 63
Staffords and Devons ^ from Warwickshire, 74
short-horns, Devons, Herefords, runts, and Irish
lieasts; from Oxfordshire, &7 Devons and runts ;
from Shropshire, 64 Devons ; from Durham, 45
Durham heifers, cows, and steers, and runts ; from
Buckinghamshire, 51 Devons, runts, and Hesefords;
from Herefordshire, 7& Herefords; from Worces-
tershire, 48 runts ; from Wales, 60 Pembroke
runts and Devons ; from Gloucestershire,
43 Scots runts, and Irish beasts ; from Dorsetshire,
51 Devons, and runts ; from Hampshire, 69 Here-
fords and runts ; from Berkshire, 52 Devons, Here-
fords, and runts ; from Scotland, 385 horned and
polled Scots; from Sussex, 61 Sussex oxen, cows,
steers, and heifers ; from Surrej^ 78 Scots, cows,
and steers ; from Kent, 52 cows, Devons, and runts.
The remainder of the supply of beasts was derived
from the marshmen, cew-keepers, cattle-lodgers,
stall-feeders, &c., in the neighbourhood or London.

Nearly or quite three-fourths of the supply of
sheep have been composed of about equal numbers
of South Downs, old and new Leicesters, and
old Lincclns ; the remainder, Rents, Kentish half-
breds, polled Gloucesters, horned Dorsets, and So-
mersets, and English fed Scotch and Welsh sheep;
with 2^192 by steam vessels, from Boston, in Lin-

colnshire ; 500 by do. from Hull, in Yorkshire ; and
1,670 from Scotland.

The supplies of lambs havebeen composed of Kents,
Kentish half-breds, Lincolns, Leicesters, Dorsets,
and Somersets, with 695 by sea from Scotland ; 300
from Hull ; and 420 from Boston.

I he supplies of sheep and lambs have been chiefly
derived from Herefordshire, Dorsetshire, Hampshire,
Berkshire, Sussex, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Middlesex,
and our great northern grazing districts — viz., Lin-
colnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire.
From Ireland there have been received about 450
large hogs by steam vessels.

A statement of the quantities of slaughtered meat,
which have reached Newgate and Leadenhall mar-
l;ets, from the under-mentioned quarters, since the
publication of our last month's report.

Beasts.

Sheep.

C ALVES.

Pigs.

Number of

Number of

Number of

N

umber of

Carcasses.

Carcasses.

Carcasses.

C

arcasses.

Scotland . .

23

44

—

54

Yorkshire.

20

61

—

49

Essex

28

82

Ill

96

Surrey

19

90

157

145

Sussex, . . .

15

30

70

60

Berkshire .

11

74

155

91

Wiltshire..

•8

59

920

117

Hampshire

15

47

97

63

Devonshire

14

58

67

62

Gloucester

—

35

241

69

Total .

. 153

080

1818

806

Supplv of 1

preceding

143

930

1331

798

month.

10 more. 400 less. 48/ more. lOSmoie.
than in the preceeding month.

The supplies of live stock which have been sent
to the above markets for slaughtering and sale, in the
above period, have been composed of 22 beasts, 1335
sheep, 1,000 lambs, and 20 pigs, from Scotland ; 13
beasts, 450 sheep, and 200 lambs, from Hull ; 12
beasts, and 1,150 sheep, from Boston ; and 295 large
hogs from Ireland, the whole of which came by steam
vessels. From various parts of England, there have
been received 752 carcasses of slaughtered lambs ;
whilst the number of packages of beef has been 48.
From Aberdeen there has arrived hither, 3 casks
containing the salted carcasses of three beasts, but
the latter speculation turned out a very unprofitable
one.

Although the weather has been by no means fa-
vourable for the transmission of slaughtered meat
from distant parts to London, but a very small por-
tion of the month's supplies has arrived in unsaleable
condition, and the general quality of it has been to»
lerably prime.

NORFOLK.

Since our last, the weather has been so emi-
nently propitious for the husbandman, that it
would seem to have put a new face upon the
county. It is quite certain that the crops of wheat,
barley, and oats, are improved in their appearance
since the late rains ; although in reality it can
make no very material difference in their acreable
produce of grain : the ears were already formed,
and had even passed the state of efflorescence ;
consequently, however the grains might have been
impaired by a longer continuance of dry weather,
the maximum to which it can attain had been long
since determined ; nevertheless, if no other object
is effected than that of increasing the bulk of straw,
that circumstance alone is of no small importance
to the farmer. We still maintain that the wheat
crop is much inferior to that of last year, and as

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143

fhe harvest is not likely to commence before the
17th of August, it will be drawing towards Michael-
mas before tlie stock of new wheat can be made
available to the public service ; and this, together
with the increased consumption of provisions con-
sequent upon a general election, induces us to
suppose that the late advance in the price of wheat
will maintain its ground for some weeks yet to
come. Barleys are very promising upon the rich
and deep loams in a high state of cultivation, but
upon the light lands, as well as upon those which
are too adhesive, the appearance of that crop de-
notes a deficiency sufficiently extensive to bring
the whole under an average produce. Oats are
seldom grown upon land of the former description,
and therefore less liable to be affected by the ab-
sence of moisture, a short time before and after
Midsummer, which is always a critical period to
the light-land farmer, and for this reason perhaps
the latter may have an advantage over the former
at the present moment. There is no great l)readth
of land sown with peas this year, and still less
planted witli beans : these crops have eacli made
a goodly shew in blossom, nor do we hear of any
complaint of the green aphis, although the ])reva-
lence of honey-dews, which are supjiosed to be fa-
vorable for the production of such insects, has
been greater than we have noticed for some years
past. The Iiay crop was principally secured before
the late fall of rain, and althougli the bulk is not
so great as it usually is, yet the qualitj' is so excel-
lent, owing to the favorable circumstances under
which it has been put together in the rick, that it
fully compensates for the deficient quantity. Tur-
nips have taken more kindly during the present
season than we have observed them to do for many
years previous thereto. Although the weather was
so remarkably dry that not a drop of rain had fallen
from the commencement of the turnip sowing to
the loth of July, j'et the progress of vegetation in
that plant has been so rapid and so luxuriant that
it has been extremely difficult to have them thinned
out in due time, although women have been em-
ployed as auxiliaries to the turnip-hoers in order
to single out the plants by hand. It should be
noticed, however, that there is one exception to
this ; namely, that in the vicinity of the sea-coast,
the black canker has re-appeared, and committed
considerable devastation. In " Baxter's Library
of Agricultural Knowledge," under the head " In-
sects," speaking of the &y which is known to pro-
duce this caterpillar, the following passage occurs :
— " It is commonly believed in Norfolk, that these
insects come from over sea, a highly improbable,
if not impossible cii'cumstance ;" and with relation
to those which appeared in 1782, he goes on to
state — " It must have been after the laying the eggs
on the turnijis and not before, that clouds of these
flies were seen at sea and on the shore, though not
arriving but going away." Now, the writer of
this article has repeatedly noticed the apjyarent ar-
rival of various insects from beyond the sea on the
coast of Norfolk ; and last year m.ore particularly
he witnessed the arrival of such cloiids of yellow
flies — the known progenitors of the black canker —
that in one of his Reports, published in a provincial
paper at that time, he distinctly anticipated and
expressed that which might be expected, and
wh cb did actually occur ; namely, the destruction
of the turnip plant from the ravages of the black
canker, all which clearly did happen after the ar-
rival of the fly : and after their eggs had been dis-
covered attached to the under part of the turnip
leaf.

DURHAM.

Since the date of our last report, up to the 9th. of
June, the cold was excessive, with a sharp north
wind ; indeed it was quite unprecedented in the
memory of the oldest man living, which retarded
and cut off all vegetation. Stock of all kinds suflfered
the greatest privations for want of keep ; hut on the
evening of that day we were blessed with a copious
and genial rain, which to the great joy of every one
brought the long looked for and most welcome warm
and fine growing weather, which in a few days had
a most surprising effect in clothing our lands with a
beautiful verdure : the weather then set in very
droughty with cold frosty nights, and a hot burning
sun during the day, which continued up to the I4th
instant, when we had an awful thunder storm, ac-
companied with a sufficiency of rain, which has con-
tinued showery up to this date, and hay that is down
is a good deal injured. During the severe drought
pastures became dry and very short of keep, and
stock has grown badly, notwithstanding being lightly
stocked. Lambs are small, and want time ; they
are selling from 20s. to 24s. per head. The hay
crop is found to be very deficient ; there is no
bottom grass, and will go into small compass, and
qunlity inferior : new hay is selling at bl. per ton,
which is a high price. We are sorry in having to
give a most unfavourable report of the wheat crop ;
it always looked spiry, and never stooled, conse-
quently it is thin upon the ground, and full of black
ears ; we have no hesitation in stating that it is only
half a crop throughout this county. Our oat crop
upun all strong soils is very short, stunted, and un-
healthy, and u]jon free, friable, well cultivated soils,
the crop is jn-omising. Barley has suffered from the
drought ; in many situations it is yellow and sickly,
and will scarcely be an average crop. Potatoes
promise an abundant crop ; they came up with a
strong, vigorous plant, and we bav-e not observed
one single instance of a failure this season : they
have been very scarce and dear. We have been
favoured with a fine turnip season, and every pros-
pect of a good crop ; but we are sorry to observe
thtjt the black caterpillar has again visited us, and is
dealing destruction amongst many beautiful crops ; it
is not uncommon to see as far as sixty of those
destructive insects upon one single turnip plant,
which will devour a fine and most promising crop
in about two or three davs ; it is certainly most
mortifying to lose a crop by these vei'min after spar-
ing no expense in the cultivation, buying bones,
hoeing, &c., and many farmers are getting all the
children from schools and villagps to pick them up ;
but where they are so numerous the work is useless ;
besides if they are all picked up at night they are full
in the morning again. We entertained a hope that
from the extreme severity of last winter and spring,
that those insects tvould be extirpated, but they are
quite as numerous as they were last year. Fat
stock come sparingly to market. Beef, from 6s. 6d.
to 7s. per stone ; mutton, 6d. to 6J-d. per lb. Lean
stock have ad»;anced in price. Store pigs very dear.
Wool is quite unsaleable, and no buyers. Wheat is
advancing in price, in consequence of the certainty
of a defective crop, and a Lite harvest. Oats have
rather receded in price, and little demand. We are
paying men from 2s. to '2s. 6d., and women from
9d. to lOd. per day.— July 22.

CUMBERLAND.

We are now, July the r2th, in the midst of our hay
harvest, with the weather remarkably fine ; and, though
we have been later than usual in commencing with the

L 2

144

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

hay, should the weather continue as it now is for a short
while longer, the great bulk of the hay in Cumberland
will be secured, and as early as on an averag'e of years.
The long continued cold and unseasonable weather ne-
cessarily caused the fodder to be scarce and dear ; but
even the best hay never reached more than 61. per ton.
the old hay has almost entirely disappeared, which will
of cours« enhance the value of the present crop. Fears
were entertained in the latter end of May and begm-
ning of June, from the appearance of the crop, owing
to the unfavourable weather, that it would have been
a complete failure ; but the weather changing towards
the middle of June, we had fine genial showers for
several days, which being' succeeded by warm dry wea-
ther, and it has continued ever since the finest almost
ever remembered for the same length of time log-ether,
and has had a corresponding effect upon all kinds of
crop. There was a rather less breadth of wheat sown
than usual, owing to last summer being so unfavour-
able for preparing the fallows, and the autumn being so
very wet prevented much wheat from being got "in ;
and those who succeeded in getting all in they intended,
only did so at a very late period, and under very unfa-
vourable circumstances. The land being so wet and
cold, the time of sowing late, and the seed weak,
caused much of it to perish, consequently it came thin
and shy, except upon dry and kindly soils ; but the late
continued favourable weather has improved it much
Its being now in bloom renders a few more days of fine
weather of importance. There will on the whole, per-
haps, be a deficiency of straw, but its blooming under
such favourable circumstances, and, should the autumn
prove kindly, there is every reason to think there may
be pretty near an average crop in point of quantity,
while the chances are that the quality will be very
good. The stacks are thin, and there will be consider-
ably less on hand than at this time last year. Barley,
generally speaking, looks well, but is beginning to feel
the want of rain. Oats, except in the cold late dis-
tricts, are looking very well.' The land at the time of
sovving, owing to the frost in March, was friable and
easily harrowed ; and from the same cause, there has
very little suffered from the ravages of the grub. In
the late districts, the snow laid so long, that they were
prevented being got in in time, and must be late in
ripening'. Beans and peas are doing' well, but
are only partially sown. The season for plant-
ing potatoes was extremely favourable, and they
are looking very well. There is a great breadth
planted, and should the weather be good during the
autumn, there will be an abundant crop. There
have been several partial failures, which clearly
indicate that the disease which proved so fatal last year
is still lingering about that valuable root, and ' has
been only counteracted by the very favourable weather
at the time of planting. The season for sowing turnips
was as good as could well be wished, and the crop,
so far is luxuriant and piomising. Our markets are
about stationary. Wheat, during two or three weeks
in May, showed a little buoyancy, and advanced a few
shillings a quarter, but soon receded to what it was
before. Our last year's crop was very deficient both in
quantity and quality, but we have had an ample supply
from the southern counties. Barley has varied very
little in price since spring, but Oats have improved con-
siderably, and seem to be scarce. Beef is not yet plen
tiful, and continues much the same in price. Mutton
is coming more to market, but is rather deficient in fat,
and the price can be quoted as only a shade less ; lean
cattle, owing to the plenty of keep, has considerably
improved in price. The state of the money market,—
its effect upon trade— and all things considered, the
prospects of the farmer are as good as could be expect-
ed.—July 12.

DERBY.

During the month the weather has been most glad-
dening to the heart of the farmer, exhibiting such al-
ternations of moisture and heat as are most propitious
to vegetation. For the last six days or so, it has been

truly brilliant, and almost tropical ; to which it may
be owing, that the honey which has exuded from some
plants, and of which there was no instance, during: the
last five years, has been found in such abundance, that,
in some places, children have been gathering it in cups.
Last week it dropped of itself from the trees. The crops
under the influence of such weather have improved
most rapidly. The oat crop, however, seems still de-
ficient in the number of roots, owing, as we before hinted,
either to badness in the seed, or to the effects of the
very intense frost in the spring; but such, at present,
is its great growth, as to warrant our expectations of a
requisite supply of fodder. We have scarcely in any
former year witnessed such an abundant quantity of
Prashagh, as this year infests the wheat crop. It is
evidently attributable to the wetness of the seed time,
which, as it is well known to farmers, stimulates the
growth of weeds ; and their apparent absence in the
wheat crop is nothing' more than what might be
naturally expected, from its greater luxuriance. The
flax crop looks remarkably well ; but, ov^^ing to the
great discouragement lield out from last year's low
prices, a proportionably small quantity of ground is under
that article. We cannot too highly congratulate the
farmers on the prosperous appearance of the potato
plants. Its appearance, everywhere, will bear us out
in saying, that, provided the weather, during the har-
vest, continue favourable, a most abundant supply of
that article will be realised. It is a subject more
wortliy of investigation than ever, now that this year
has furnished an exception to the few preceding years,
what agency has been so deleteriously exerted against
the proper development of that valuable plant. The
hay crop, amongst other things, has improved much,
for some time past ; and though, at an early stage of
the season, it appeared thin on ground, there has been
ample compensation in its subsequent growth. For
some days past, the saving of hay has, in many districts,
been carried on with great expedition, the very favour-
able weather mueh enhancing its value, by preserving
the nutritious qualities. So favourable are the auspices
of an abundant crop, as to have reduced the price so
low as 35s. per ton. The culture of turnips is gradually
extending itself through the country, as it was sure to be,
once the value of such a crop came to be fully appre-
ciated. Yet it is truly sistonishing' to witness the apathy
evinced by many people, in securing' a v/inter supply
for their cattle of this extremely valuable plant. We
ought to remark, howevet, that, where its cultivation
has been attended to, it has, in many instances, got into
disrepute, from a wanton neglect in the preparation of
the ground ; for, on that, principally, depends a success-
ful issue.

OXFORDSHIRE.

If we take a retrospective view from the 1st of Oc-
tober down to the present period, this must be con-
sidered as the most extraordinary season we have ever
yet experienced, for we have had, literally speaking, no
spring, during the two or three first weeks of May ; if
you attended markets and fairs you beheld full half the
farmers in their top coats, &c. Since then we have
had an hot, and what people call an American, sum-
mer, burst on us all at once ; and had it not been for
the showers we were favoured with in the beginnmg of
June, very little of the turnip seed would have vegetated ,
and crops of grass and corn been much lighter than they
ai'e. Haymaking is fast progressing, much grass that
was grazed late and was not intended to be cut until
the middle of the month has been mown, it having been
clearly ascertained that it was daily getting worse both
in quantity and quality. The consequence is, that hay
will not average a load per acre, and we begin to be
seriously alarmed for the coining winter, it being' a rare
thing to see an entire rick of old hay, and in but few
places is tliere a stump to be met with ; and, as it re-
gards Swedes and common turnips, what with those
that were taken off by the fly, and those that never
came up, this crop at best can only be termed a partial
one. The weather has also proved disastrous to the

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145

6abbftg'e crop, except where planted early. We are not
alarmists, but state thing-s as we see them ; should the
harvest be well housed, that will certainly g'o a great
way towards lessening- the evil. The wheat crop has
made raj id advances, and we consider the arrear which
at one time it was in, has been pretty well cleared with-
in two or three weeks at the farthest ; and should the
present weather continue for another week or two
(which we consider highly favourable to the setting of the
grain^, it is impossible to say what may be the efl'ect
produced by such a forcing sun. We anticipate a good
quality, except on those spots where the drought may
get too much into it. It is too soon to predict what may
be the yield ; all we at present know is, that the bulk of
straw will be light. Barley at one time was looking
promising for a good crop, but the cold nights, followed
by hot sunny days, has caused the plant on strong: land
to become spiry, even where free from charlock ;
while in numberless fields it is absolutely smothered
with that weed, and presents a most discreditable ap-
pearance. We consider oats a more promising crop
than barley. Beans are in general looking" well, and
they, as well as peas, are at present free from vermin.
Potatos have this year planted much better than in two
preceding ones. The apple crop bids fair to be a good
one, but not to the extent some people imagined from
the unusual number of blossoms. Plums will be par-
tial, whde walnuts show abundance. Corn markets
have been for some time exceedingly flat. Wool very
low ; many lots at from 21s. to 25s. per todd from the
light cut (added to the great number of tegs that were
lost in the winter and spring months) cannot surely lose
by keeping. Wages 8s. to 9s. Hay work 10s. per
week.— Julv 8

GLAMORGANSHIRE.

We have seldom, if ever, witnessed so rapid a
change in the growing crops of hay and corn, as
well as in the whole vegetable creation, that took
place during the month of June. At the beginning
of May all was gloom and dismay, nature seemed to
be sealed up, and at that advanced period it appear-
ed almost impossible that the crops of hay and corn
could recover in time to come to perfection ; but
what appears impossible to man is possible with
God. About the middle of June copious showers
fell, which was succeeded by a warm temperature ;
this I'eleased the vegetable world from its long con-
finement, and it burst forth in the most luxuriant
manner, and the gloomy apprehensions, which in
the months of April and May had taken possession
of every mind, are now happily almost entirely dis-
sipated. Haymaking did not commence generally
until about the 26th of June, and from that period
to the present date the weather has been highly fa-
vourable. On deep soils where (he land was kept
up in time the crops are a full average, but on all
light soils it is still a short crop, and from a defi-
ciency of moisture it has not improved for some
weeks past ; about three-quarters of it may be se-
cured at present. The mangel crop is a most un-
even one, the seed having failed to vegetate in pro-
per time. Turnips were set in good time this sea-
son, and the land was in good tiltli ; the plant came
up well, but those modern locusts, the black cater-
pillar, have attacked them again this year, and com-
mit great havoc on the common sorts. The crops of
corn promise well ; spring grain is above an aver-
age, an J will ripen in proper time, but wheat, not-
withstanding the favourable weatlier, will be late.
We have much pleasure in attending to the remarks
in the Perthshire report. On reference to the ob-
servations we have made for upwards of 20 years,
we find that in this climate the wheat comes out into
ear in the first week in June, and the average time
it takes to ripen is about 60 days. This varieis, of

course, with the season, but not m6i'e than 10 days
as regards the period between the eaiing and reap-
ing. During the last 40 years the earliest period
which the corn harvest commenced in this part of
the country was in 1822, when reaping partially
commenced on the I5th of Jul}', and the latest sea-
son was that of 1816, when the reaping began the
2d of September ; the next latest season was in
1799, when the reaping commenced on the 26th of
Aujffust. In the present year the wheat ear did not
make its appearance until about the 20th of June,
consequently, according to the average period of
ripening, we sliall not have reaping until about the
19th of August, but as tie weather has been un-
usually fine, it is probable it may be a week earlier
this year. Barley, we expect, will be ripe still
earlier if warm weather continues, but a very large
portion of the wheat will not be fit for the sickle
until September. All the late-sown winter and
spring wheat, and in this country the stock of old
corn will be exhausted long before the new will be
ready for the flail. — July 21.

WEST SOMERSET.
Subsequent to our last, a sudden transition from
cold ungenial weather to extreme heat has taken
place. Those who "took time by the forelock"
have got the hay together in excellent condition ;
it has required but little team labour to perform it :
the quantity is excellent ; but the quantity on
heavy land not exceeding half an average, and on
all soils, not having the advantage of water, very
much below an average, and which will be severely
felt for the ensuing winter, as the old stocks are
exhausted. St. Swithin has not forgotten us ; we
have had to-day some refreshing showers, and the
atmosphere indicates more ; the pastures and the
turnips are much in want of it. The season has
been favourable for the blossoming of wheat :
complaints are being made of signs of premature
ripeness, and that the plant is thin on all weak
soils ; the stitches or stooks will be " far and
wide between," and the stacks small. There will
be no lack of room in the stack-yard for storing.
Never in our recollection have we known either
the one or the other so empty. The mealman,
from various causes, is considered to hold but
little stock, and it will be the fault of thefetv pos-
sessors of wheat if they do not realise a remunera-
ting price. The barley, on good land well culti-
vated, promises an average crop, but on tenacious
soils and weak land there will be a deficiency.
Oats are variable, according to soil and culture.
The leguminous crops have kept their colour, and
have succeeded better than could have been ex-
pected in such an arid season. Potatoes, unless
we should receive a liberal supply of moisture,
and soon, will be a failure in quantity ; the early
planted are ripe prematurely, the late planted
produced blossoms too early for a good crop. The
garden vegetables show the effeut of the intensity
of solar heat, and absence of moisture ; the pro-
duce of human food is considerably diminished,
and will increase the consumption of bread. The
offers made for wool are only the fraction of a
penny more than half the price freely paid last
year for the best wool at this time ; the wool-buy-
ers were then riding or driving their horses forced
journies, but now resting at home. — July 15.

DERRY REPORT FOR JULY.
A celebrated poet, and perhaps as good an agri-
culturist as he was a poet, justly compares the vigi-

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

lant husbandmaa to the bardy mariner, wbo, in the
midst of the current, unvrearied bends on his oar,
■where should his sinewy arm one moment relax, no
subsequent exertion can ever compensate the irre-
trievable loss : — thus, in almost every instance, the
partial thinness of this year's wheat, barley, and
oats may be traced to the ill-saved, late, and imper-
fect produce of last autumn. Wherever proper pre-
caution was taken in the selection and preparation of
seed, these crops give promise of unusual abun-
dance. The begmning of this month and the end of
the last have been jjeculiaily favourable to the cutting-
and curing of artilicial grasses. The preservation of
clover hay is a critical operation in this uncertain
climate. In rainy weather fermentation, and conse-
quent moulding, and waste will attend it in every
process. About thirty pounds of salt sprinkled over
each ton, when in the act of builuing together, will
be found of the greatest advantage. The whole of
the salt will be very shortly imbibed, and on the
authority of the most extensive breeders and feeders,
it cannot be conveyed into animals in a safer or more
effectual manner. Flax Las, jierhaps, been too early
in boll, but the recent shov/ers and geni;d warmth
may vet stretch the stalks to an average length :
this crop, however, must not always be judged
by appearance, some of the most luxuriant fields
last year having yielded little but offal. Not
only in the vicinity of large towns, always an
improper crilerioo, but in the most remote
corners of the North West District, the potatoe
crop will, in all probability, be beyond calculation
abundant. It is to be regretted, however, that al-
most all the more pioductive and palatable kinds
have lately, of necessity given place to the inferior
and less prolific varieties. Potatoes intended for
seed ought never to be taken up in an immature
state, as recommended by some, nor planted late in
the season. The potato, in order to fit it for the next
state of vegetation, ought to be allowed every op-
portunity that its exotic may imitate its native habita-
tion as nearly as possible. Assuming that every eye
contains a seminal plant, and that all the miniature
plants in one potato are nourished by one root, if the
parent be not fully matured, and if the air and sap
vessels have not acquired a proper degree of firm-
ness, to believe that the embryo will ever expand
into anything more than an imperfect, shrivelled,
and disordered sprout is surely the height of cre-
dulity. Potatoes intended ibr seed ought never to
be taken from old tillage or worn out land, but, on
the contrary, fronr the freshest lea, to be planted
early, and to be kept in the ground until the time of
taking up for the nest state of vegetation, protected
from the frosts of winter by artificial coverings.
Vetches are now in their bloom. That the advan-
tages of this crop are now fully appreciated in tliis
neighbourhood, coming as it does so opportuntly
between the first and second cuttings of clover, is
evident from the spirited emulation among the farmers
of Tirkeeran. Indeed, not only in this, but in every
agricultural operation, as well as in a deep, ardent,
and ever wakeful devotion to a pursuit than which
none can be more delightful, none less dependent,
and few more honourable, Tirkeeran, at this moment
affords an example well worthy of imitation.— Derr^
Standard.

BIRMINGHAM, 7th Month, 5th.

Until the middle of the last month, we experienced

with little exception, the same cold ungenitT weather

as during the two previous ones ; subsequently we

had some fine rains, succeeded by dry warm vreather,

and the consequence has been, a very great improve*
ment in the growing crops of all kinds, and although
the harvest must still be late, yet, with a continuance
of favorable weather wheat will in most of the
Northern, Midland, and Western counties of Eng-
land be a full average crop, and Ave think in this
part of the country prove most produstive if we have
no more wet till after harvest ; it is now generally in
ear, and on some early Lmds in full blossom. Our
supplies of this grain continue short, yet prices have
given way about 4s. per qr., without much dispo-
sition to press sales, but all except fine fresh samples,
which are scarce, difficult to dispose of even at a
greater reduction. In some of tlie Baltic ports,
wheat has receded to prices which are comparatively
safe, and should no demand shortly arise, thev seem
likely to be as low in Dantzig, &c,, as they have
been for some years past. No bonded has changed
hands at Glocester since our last, and the price is
altogethernominal . ourpi-esent rates of English are red,
6s. 8d. to 7s. 4d., white T's. to 7s. 6d. per 62 lbs. here.
The consumption of fiour continues to be very great
for the season of the year, as potatoes and other gar-
den produce are still scarce and dear. The wheat on
the early and late soils appears likely to be ready to
cut much more nearly together than is usually the
case. We have had iiterrily nothing passing in malt-
ing or grinding barley for some weeks past, but the
demand for the latter will probably shortly com^
mence ; this crop may be said to be also gener^dly
promising, it however begins to want rain, and on
some of the light soils, owing to the failure of the
turnips last year, or from some other cause, it will
under any circumstances be less than an average.
Our present nominal prices of grinding barle^y are
24s. to 27s. per 392 lbs. at Birmmgham, according
to quality. For oats there has been a good consump-
tive demand during thekst month, yet their value
receded about Is. 6d. per qr. The quantity grown
in this neighbourhood is not worth notice, being still
less than former years. Our present prices are, for
good sweet black Irish and Welsh, also white Irish,
24s. Welsh white 22s. to 23s. Prime white Irish
26s. to 27s. 6d. per 312 lbs. at Gloucester. Some
foreign have recently been sold on our markets duty
pain. The growing crops of beans are in a favorable
state, but will not, like barley, be a full produce
without more rain. They blossom well, but are short
in the stalk and weakly. The stocks of beans are
unusually light, and the quantity in bond small,
many are very confident of a material improvement
in this article, for which in consequence of the abun-
dance of vetches and other green food, we have at
present very little demand, and our limited supplies
have been fully adequate to the consumption, and
they are rather receding in value. Our currency is
from 16s. to 17s. 6d. per 196 lbs. here. Peas seem
likely to be again an abundant produce. We have
speculative purchasers for good old white at 15s. per
196 lbs., but the few free on hand are held at l6s.
and upwards. Hay-making has generally com-
menced ; the crop superior to last 3'ear, but by no
means heavy. There is no sale for coarse flour, no-
minal price 20s. per 280 lbs. at Glocester. Below
are some extracts from our correspondents' letters,
which it will be observed report favorably of the
growing crops, J. & C. STURGE.

NARBETH, July 1.— In answer to your favour of
the 29th ult., the growing- crops of wheat, barley, and
Oats in our neiglibourhood never promised better, but
there is rather less land under wheat than usual. Much
rain would injure the three descriptions, as they are now
getting- into ear. If this weather continues, we shall
have a very early harvest.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

li7

CLOSBURY, Salop, July 3.— In reply to yours of
the 29th. ult. I beg' to say that our crops are going- on
very well, (tiie last fortnight particularly) as this warm
weather just suits our land. The wheat will be short
and not a stout crop, it is just putting' into ear. The
barley would be very good, but it is much run over with
catlock, even on the best and cleanest land. The oats
are very much improved, and will be an averag'e crop.
Peas and vetches much better at this time than 1 ever
saw them, both now coming into blow. Swede turnips
looking well. Grass short, but very thick at bottom.

SALOP, July 3.— The weather of late having been
very favourable for the growing- crops, they have im-
proved wonderfully. The wheats are out in the ear, and
look healthy, but are not expected to be early or abun-
dant. The barley and oats in many places begin to
want rain. The turnips at present look well, and grow
fast. Hay-making has commenced in many places,
and is considered generally under an average crop.

SOMERSET, West of Dorset, July 1.— The
wheat crop has certainly improved, and en land of
average quality, the ears are about the usual size. On
poor and shallow lands it is not only thin, but the ears
are small ; this applies to our stony and cold clay soils.
On the fine and deep heavy soils, I should say the
prospect is fair, and with this I may class our moor
lands. Beans are now in fine blossom, they are short,
but I should say there may be a good crop. Barley is
looking well on deep soils, and bad on clays and stone.
The same applies to oats ; the last rain did a good deal
for these crops. I hear that in these there is a great
failure. The season has been too dry for them. The
vetches and peas are not looking amiss. Our crops of
hay are likely to be better than last year ; on the high
lands it begins to burn.

BARNSTAPLE, June 30.— The fine weather which
we have experienced lately has given the growing
crops the best appearance, and early sown wheat on the
best lands is now breaking into ear, and if an opinion is
to be formed by the burden of straw, it is likely to afford
a good yielding of grain ; the late wheats and such as
were sown on cold heavy soils, were much thinned by
the wire worms, but are now looking healthy, and
cover the ground better than it did a few weeks since,
yet the harvest for such must be late. The barley on
the best lands show great burdens of straw, and grew
with such rapidity during the late rains, that a large
portion was laid. Until within the last fortnight most
of the oats looked bare, and very sickly ; they are now
improved beyond expectation, and will most probably
produce a good crop should the weather continue
favourable, but as the cutting must be late there may
be some hazard of securing them in good condition.

HAVERFORDWEST, July L— I have to report
that the growing crops in this county never looked more
promising, with the exception of the earliest sown black
oats, which are certainly thin on the ground, especially
on the cold lands. The hay harvest is commenced in
the neighbourhood of this town; crops lighter than
usual.

NEAR TENBY, July L— The weather we have
had has effected a change more favourable than what I
expected, and the crops appear exceedingly promising,
and it altogether improves at present, but I think it
likely on cold clay soils rain may be now wanted, which
will be the case here before long, but at present, all the
crops, autumn and spring, are in progressive state of im-
provement. The crops of hay will be tolerably good ;
the stock of old corn is rather short than otherwise.

BANBURY, July L— Your favour of the 29th ult.
is this day to hand. I consider our crop of wheat is
promising to be a fair though by no means a heavy one.
— Beans are pretty good, but both barley and oats are
not so well spoken of. Hay crop by no means heavy,
and turnips partially good, and those that seem to be
past danger of the fly, are much in want of rain. Po-
tatoes I hear no complaint of. Our pastures mostly
want rain.

BUDE, Julyl. — In reply to your esteemed favour
of the 29th., the crops liave very much improved in this
district during the last monib. Wheat is rather thin
and late, it is not yet in bloom, unless the corning is

unusually good, it must fall short of, or certainly not
exceed an average produce. Barley and oats are look-
ing uncommonly fine, and promise an abundant crop.
Potatoes generaly look well. Tlic turnips have not suf-
fered much from the fly, the tillage is more extensive
than usual.

MEVAGISSEY, July 3.~As regards our crops,
there is every appearance at present for an average
crop of wheat aud barley. Our wheat is in blossom,
and the barley is nearly all out in the ear. As regards
harvest, we judge it will be general about this day six
weeks, or there abouts, depending on the fineness of the
weather. Hay harvest with us is now very busy, and
a good crop generally.

BEWDLEY, July 5.— As far as our observation
goes, and from the information we have obtained, the
prospect as far as regards the barley crop is favourable,
but should the dry weather continue much longer, on
light soils it will suffer, and probably have a short crop.
The wheat is generally looking of a good colour, and
most of it is in ear. and a good deal in blossom, but
thin on the ground. But few oats and beans are g-ro a n
near us. The crops of grass are very variable. Har-
vest must be three or four weeks later than usual.

DURSLEY, Gi.oucESTETisniRE, .July 1.— -The fine
weather has generally improved all the growing crops.
Wheat, barley, beans, and oats, are generally looking
well, and if the weather continues favourable, promise
fair crops The spring grain is likely to be ripe as early
as early as usual, but wheat mustbe two or three weeks
later.

BIRDLIP, Gloucestershire, July I. — Our crops
will generally be light. Wheat is thin on t!iG ground,
and short in straw. Barley is also thin, and looks worse
than it did ; without rain shortly, and favourable wea-
ther, it will fail. Our beans are also short and weak.

MITCHELDEAN, July L— The wheat in most
situations is very.thin, and cannot in my opinion yield
an average crop. Barley is in general looking well,
and with fine weather may prove a good crop. Peas
look very fine. Beans but little grown.

WHITMINSTER, Gloucestersiie, July 1.— The
growing crops have much improved. The wheat is thin
in some places, but it mostly promises a fair crop. Beans
also have a favourable appearance, and barley bids fair
to prove an average crop.

TEWKESBURY, July 1.— Though a good deal of
wheat is thin on the ground, yet on good land it now
has a favourable appearance for a crop. Much will
still depend on the weather, as regards the barley and
beans, but with some rain and g-ood weather, they will
be likely to prove an average crop.

Gro-wing Grapes in the Open Air in Here-
FORDSHiRE. — Mr. Moss, gardener at Eastnor
Castle, is one of the best and most successful grape
growers in England, both in aud out of doors. He
had 5001b. of grapes last season, from a black Ham-
burg vine ; the circumference of the stem of which, at
the collar, or surface of the ground, V7as under 4 in.
In 1835, the crop on the same vine v.as equally as
heavy. Mr. Low, of Clapton, and many other nursery-
men, saw both crops. In 1833, I had three bushels of
bunches of the esperione grape on one plant, in the
open air, 12 years old, and 5 in. in the circumference
of its stem : several of the bunches were 2h\h. ; and it
has produced equally good crops since. The border
was neither dug nor dunged in any way whatever for
the last 8 years. The above is adduced in order to
afford me an opportunity of saying that I do not think
that the circumference or diameter of the stem of a
vine has anything at all to do with the weight of crop
that vine is capable of producing. Mr. Moss, Mr.
Brown, gardener at Stoke Edith Park, and several other
gardeners in this neighbourhood, are all of the same
opinion ; but all of them approve of Mr. Hoare's Trea-
tise 071 the Vine in every other respect but this.-— _D.
Beaton, Haffield, near Ledbury, March 24, 1837-

148

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c.

EXETER FAIR. — As to grosf? number perhaps tremely dull, with the exception of mutton, which sold
there has been as many head of cattle as has been fieely at fid. to fi^d. per lb. Lambs were the chief
usual. Business, however, has been dull, and buyers sort offered for sale, and tlioso went off very slowly at
few ; a few jobbers from the eastern counties certainly , from 10s. to 20s. per head : to obtain the latter price
were present, but scarce a grazier. Fat Bullocks they were first-rate quality in their wool. Horned
have been a small, and, with few exceptions, indifferent I lambs a complete drug, as were also what fine wethers
show ; indeed, of really prime, not at all equal to the ! were offered. Beef was not plenty, nor was it much
wants of those present. As to price. Oxen estimated ! in request ; the best realized from 10s. to 10s. fid. per
at 40 score have realised 21?. a-piece, or lOs. fid, per score, inferior from 9s. to Ss. fid. ; of poor beasts there
score ; and best heifers must be quoted from 10s. fid. were a considerable number of Devorc, those in good
to lis per score. One or two prime handsome Bosses, condition sold at fair prices, but thn-e of inferior qua-
from the farm of A. Smith, Esq.. Traiesbeare, were lity and out of condition could not be eoirverted into
much admired and must be quoted at lis. per score. , mouey, and many were turned out unsold, as was the
Heifers, however, that are g?-eey7, although called fat, case with beef, lambs, &c. The horse fair was a very
could not come up to these terms, and some were bad show, and little business done. The wool trade
disposed of at about lOs. per score. Taking into i was in a miserable state, the buyers not knowing what
consideration then that the best things have been sold the to oifer nor the sellers to ask, and scarcely a single lot
quotation is from 10s. to Us. per score. Store Cattle was sold. A great number of dealers were in attend-
presented a large number of poor things that might i ance, and showed a disposition to purchase at any
have been bought cheap, but purchasers appeared all ; thing under Is. per lb. ; on the whole, the fair was any
to be looking out for fresh, forward, &ndf!eshi/ articles ; ; thing but cheering.

this sort obtained 7s. per score, but a large portion
were unsold ; the quotation for poor stock is from 5s.
to 6s. fid. per score. Four good plough oxen, from
Mr. Geo. Turner's, of Barton, Exminster, sold at 16?.
10s. a-plece ; the quotation being from 24?. to 33?. the
pair. For plough steers, from 16?. to 20?. the pair
but dull sale. Cows and calves sold at from 8?. to 14?.
or from 7s. to 8s. fid. per score. There were likewise
a pen or two of sheep, but at rather late fair they
remained unsold.

AYR MIDSUMMER FAIR.— In the cattle market
the supply was far short of last year, and holders asked
high prices, and effected ready sales. Messrs. Duncan
and Cowan, who had fio head at market, sold four
three-year-old Highland Stots, at 8?, stg; three-year-
old Highland Q.ueys brought 5?. 5s. ; six-quarter-olds,
2?. 2s. ; yearlings, 35s. For two-year old Ayrshire
Stots, 5 guineas was asked, and 4?. 15s. refused. The
lots were changing hands briskly. The horse fair was
fully an average one for cood horses, chiefly of the
draught kind ; but agricultural labour being well for-
•ward and cash tight, prices were reduced. The best
kinds, however, fetched thtir value. There were more
good cobs and harness horses than for some years past,
and in these some business was done : and on the
whole the market was a good one in point of stock and
demand, but the prices were comparatively low.

NORTH-TOWN PAIR, (Taunton) was well sup-
plied, but the greater proportion was of inferior and
half- fatted beasts, which met with little attention, while
on the other hand those in g-ood condition were eagerly
sought for, and sold well, but not on such good terms
as at the very recent Taunton Town Fair, from which
the Devonshire graziers went home in right chirpy
mood. Some good plough steersmet with fair demand,
but the horses were an abominable race.

STOCKBRIDGE FAIPv, which is important, as in-
dicating the price of lairibs, inasmuch as it is the first
great lamb fair in this part of England, took place on
Monday last. The quantity of stock was, in our opi-
nion, one-third less then last year's fair : — Several
Smithfieid dealers attended ; but for a long time no
sales were effected, the difference between buyers and
sellers being considerable. Prices, and as we consi-
der rather higher than last year, were at length ob-
tained. The best lambs were sold by M. Smith, Esq.,
of Pittleworth, at 25s. ; the lambs of G. Brewer, Esq.,

YORK ST. PETER LEAN CATTLE SHOW.—

At this annual fair for lean Beasts, there was a lean
supply of all descriptions, but owing to the great
scarcity of grass, there was but very little business
done in any thing but in calvers. The Horse show —
In the Horse fair there was a good supply, and good
ones, of which there were but a few, met a ready sale,
but upon the whole it was a dull market.

FAIR OF CALLAN.— The show of cattle and sheep
was rather thin, and very few fat beasts appeared. A
lot of five fat heifers, belonging to Mr. Poe, of Harley
Park, were sold for 11?. 10s. each, and forward strip-
pers were purchased rather freely, at from 6?. to 8?.
a-head. Sheep rated at from 25s. to 34s. fid. according
to quality. Wool was retailed from 16s. to 18s. per
stone, a considerable quantity of which wag purchased
by the country people for domestic purposes. Pigs
not in demand. — Kilkenny Moderator.

CLONMEL FAIR.— Our monthly fair, which was
held on Wednesday se'nnight, presented a good show of
stock ; the demand was on the whole, pretty brisk. Fat
cattle were rather scarce, at 10?. to 14?., and Milch
Cows brought from HI. to 10/.; three-year-old heifers,
3/. to 5?. ; yearlings, 2?. to 31, Sheep were numerous ;
prime wedders sold from 30s. to 35s. ; twes, 2Gs. to 23s. ;
lambs, 10s. to I5s. Pigs rated at 40s. per cwt. In the
horse market, very few sales were effected. — Tipperary

Ft€6 PvcSS,

The fair' of HOSPITAL, County Limerick, held on
Monday se'nnight, was thinly supplied with fat cattle.
Beef sold at from 48s. to 53s. a-hundred, and was all
bought up for the Bristol market. Siieep were in good
demand ; yearlings, rather high ; horses sold well, some
colts sold at 4/. a-pair; wool, by retail, at 1?. to \L Is.;
pigs in demand ; the supply ®f beef was not at all equal
to the demand.

ENNISKILLEN.— The fair of this town, on Mon-
day se'nnight, was not so good as those vs'hich preceded
it in the neighbouring towns. There were scarce any
purchasers for beef; store heifers were, also, in slack
demand, and prices low, as were those of sheep. Pigs,
also, declined something below former prices. In horses
thei'e was little business transacted. On the whole, it
was considered a bad fair.

The fairof CASTLEBAR,held on Monday se'nnight,
was thinly attended ; the black cattle offered for sale
were of an inferior description, and sold for low prices,
with the exception of milch cows which were in good

Con-

of Nether Wallop, and Mr. Wm. Russell, of Long-
stock, at a trifle less. Ewes may be considered as from j demand. There were very few horses shewn.-
16s. to 29s, — A considerable quantitv of wool was naught Ranger.
offered for sale, and we regret to add, at a decline in BABRAHAM TUP SHOW.— The eleventh annual
rice, — Salishtiry Journal. \ show of pure South Down tups, the property of Mr.

At SHERBORNE FAIR there were only 2,500 1 Jonas Webb, of Babraham, near Cambridge, took place
sheep and lambs penned, the sale of which was ex- on Friday, the 21st July, and was very numerously and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

149

highly respecUbly attended by several of the leading-
agriculturists from the counties of Cambridge, Essex,
Herts, Norfolk, Suffolk, Beds,, and Sussex. There
were 121 tups shown on this occasion ; each sheep had
a price fixed to let or sell, and if more than one person
wished for the same animal it was put up by auction ;
and, as a proof of the hig-h estimation in which this va-
luable flock is held by the public, we may state, the
sheep averaged full 20 per cent, over the price fixed by
Mr. Webb. JVinety-one sheep were let before dinner,
for the season, for upwards of one thousund guineas;
one shearling excited universal admiration, and was,
after a spirited competition, hired by that eminent
breeder, the Duke of Bedford, for 51 guineas ; his Grace
also was the hirer of another fine animal, which we un-
derstood he used the last season. We were pleased in
finding several other Noblemen and Gentlemen hirers
of Mr. Webb's sheep, amongst whom were the Earl of
Hardwick, Earl Jersey, Lord Berners, Sir V. Cotton,
J. H. Adam, F. Pym, J. P. Elvves, G. Barnard, R. Gur-
ney, T. C. Higgins, J. P. Hammond, J. Hutton, B.

Wolfe, A. Newton, Crockford, Thornton,

and — Turner, Esqrs. ; the Rev.R. C. Townley, Rev.

Crawford, Col. Ray, &c. &c. &c. &c., gave hig-h

prices, showing- their determination thus to support one
of the leading- branches of ag-ricultuve, namely, the
improvement of the breed of sheep. About 200 of the
company remained and partook of a sumptuous dinner,
served up in a building originally erected for that pur-
pose. After listening to several excellent speeches, de-
livered on the occasion, and partaking of Mr. W.'s hos-
pitality to a late hour, the party broke up, highly gra-
tified with the proceedings of the day. — H. S.

The County Cork Agricultural Association will have
a great farming show in October, having announced
prizes for the following desciiption of stock and pro-
duce ; bulls, cows, heifers, fat sheep, pigs, green crops,
flax, corn, and farming implements.

TO FORCE KIDNEY BEANS.— We sowed the
beans in shallow pans (the dun coloured,) and stood
them in strong bottom heat. When about three inches
high, we prepared a number of 24-sized pots, draining
well with crocks, and half rotten dung. On the
drainage we put an inch of soil, put three plants into
each pot, and filled to about half an inch of the leaves.
As soon as the plants reached the top of the pots, they
received more earth, and were stopped at the third joint :
— again stopped, and finally earthed. The frequent
earthings caused them to shoot roo^s along the stem,
as they are subject to rot. To keep them free from
spiders, they were often syringed before the blossoms
opened, and after the fruit set. When in blossom, we
gave as much air as convenient, which caused a
greater quantity to set at once than otherwise would.
When the fruit was swelling, we gave them two
waterings with manure water, which greatly assisted
the quick swelling of the fruit. When intended
for exhibition, the blossom that adhere to the tendrils,
at the extremities of the fruit, should be carefully
preserved from wet, as it shows the perfection in
forcing. The temperature, from 60 to 70 degrees. I
can strongly recommend this system, as in none of
the London forcing grounds have I seen better crops.
We sowed on the '23d of February and on the 26th of
April, we obtained the first prize for the best 100
beans. — Correspondent of The Iriih Farmer's and
Gardener's Magazine.

GRAIN AT DANTZIC— A gentleman of Sheffield,
who passed up the Vistula a fortnight ago, states that he
saw at Dantzic heaps of wheat, on each side of the
river, five or six feet deep, of considerable breadth,
and extending nearly seven miles. It is preserved from
the effects of the weather by a particular kind of matting
and sail cloth. Several thousand persons are constantly
employed in turning this immense quantity of grain,
and exist upon it, the simple preparation of their meals
being, to boil the corn in tiie water of the Vistula ;
they reside in straw huts, erected adjoining the scene of
their employment. This astonishing superabundance of
produce, consisting of nearly 600,000 quarters, has
been brought from Galicia and Poland, to its present

situation, for the purpose of being- imported to foreign
countries.

In extent of meadow and pasture land, as well as in
flocks, Great Britain and Ireland (says a French statis-
tical account), arethemost favoured countries in Europe.
They contialn 5.572 square leagues (more than two-thirds
of their territory) in meadowand pasture land. Germany
comes next, having one quarter of its surface in this de-
scription of land. Prussia, Holland, and Belgium have
a fifth ; Austria and Switzerland, a sixth. France does
not reckon in this respect more than a seventh part,
namely, 4,000 square leagues. Italy, Naples, Sicily,
and Portugal have only a tenth. With regard to
woods and forests, they are to be found most extensively
in Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Germany. In Austria
and Prussia a quarter of the country is occupied by
them ; in Belgium, a fifth ; in Switzerland, a sixth ; in
France, a seventh ; in Italy, a ninth ; and in Spain, a
twelfth part. Belgium and Bohemia have the smallest
extent of uncultivated and waste lands, the former
having only the tenth, and the latter the ninth part of
their territory uncultivated. Spain, Italy, Swdtzerland,
Holland, Sweden, and Norway, are, on the contrary,
fi-om various causes, the least cultivated, having nearly
a half of the fund in a barren state.

BEES. — The training cf bees, which, in the greater
part of European countries, forms but an unimportant
branch of rural economy, is in Russia, on the contrary,
a source of existence to many entire communities. So
large a quantity of wax is collected in the Russian
empire, that independent of the domestic consumption,
from 12 to 15,000 pounds weight are annually exported
to foreign countries from the ports of the Baltic alone ;
while honey is no less an object of national importance,
nearly the whole of Siberia being indebted for its sup-
ply to European Russia. The best honey is that which
the bees extract from the flowers of the white linden,
and it is gathered in great abundance in the districts
where those trees abound ; as on the banks of the Oka
and the Don, in White, and LitUe Russia, in Poland,
and in the southern parts of the Oural, situated in
Europe. Although hives are to be found in almost all
the governments of the empire, their numbers are in-
finitely exceeded by those of the wild bees, which have
their dwelling in the government of Orenburg, more
particularly from the extensive forests of the Oural.
Beyond this range of mountains, and throughout Si-
beria, no wild bees are to be met with. The tribes
who chiefly devote themselves to the occupation of
rearing and training bees are the Bachkirs, (who take
the lead), the Tartars, the Tchouvaches, the Tchere-
misses, and the Mechtcheriaks, especially in the
governments of Kazan and Orenburg. Amongst the
fiist-named tribe, it is no unusual circumstance
for an individual to possess a hundred hives with-
in the limit of his own garden, and as many as a
thousand hives, or hollowed trees, of wild bees in the
adjacent forests, annually deriving from them forty, and
sometimes even one hundred pounds weight of honey.
The greater part of the swarms of young bees are found
in the woods, where they establish themselves of their
own free will in the hives that have been prepared for
their reception. The Bachkirs having selected, for this
purpose, those trees which are of the strongest and
straigiitest kind, as well as of the hardest v\'ood, fix the
dwellings of the bees at about thirty feet from the
ground ; they then hollow out the tree, smooth it inter-
nally by means of a chisel, and close the chief opening-,
leaving- only some small apertures for the free passage
of the busy insects. Maraldi, and other writers, have
maintained that there is seldom found in a single hive
more than 18,000 bees. Rytchkof, having- weighed at
Orenburg- some dead bees, found that seventy-five of
them weighed a solotnick, but to be sure of not ex-
ceeding the average, he reckoned them as only fifty.
In these parts a good swarm weighs generally from ten
to twelve pounds, the worst varying from three to four :
frequently two or three swarms congregate in the same
hive, iind there are swarms weighing from nineteen to
twenty pounds each. According to the above estimate,
there would be at least 57,000 bees in a hive of twelve

150

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

pounds, and as many as 112,000 in one of nineteen
pounds. If this observation does not disprove Maialdi's,
it shows that the bees of Orenburg- and those of other
European countries are different species. It is gene-
rally supposed that bees compose their honey solely
from the sweets which they extract from flowers ; but
in the environs of Orenburg there is every reason to be-
lieve that they suck blood, fle.;!i, and other matters of a
filthy narure. Rytchkof being- desirous of ascertaining
by his own experience, if bees were really consumers
of fleshy substance, caused a dead fowl, plucked, to be
placed within a hive. For the space of three or four
days it remained there 'uatouched by the bees, but no
sooner did it begin to decay than they eagerly devoured
it, leaving nothing- but the'bones. — Historisch Utatisclies
Gemalde des Russischen Reiel(s.

ISLE OF WIGHT.

Newport. — On Wednesday, the 19th, the anniver-
sary meeting of the Isle of Wight Agricultural Society
was held, and numerously attended. In the cattle ex-
hibition there was an evident improvement, which
must have been gratifying to the gentlemen instru-
mental in founding the society. After the prizes had
been awarded nearly 100 members and friends dined
together at the Dragon Inn, Sir R. G. Simeon, Bart.,
in the chair. On his right and lelt were the Hon. W.
A'Court Holmes, Hon. Capt. Dudley Pelham. B.
Shearer, Esq., and W. H. Jacobs, Esq., officiated as
Vice-Presidents. Among the company were R. Oglaa-
der, Esq.,T. Sewell, E?q., and Son, R.G. Kirkpatricli,
W. Hearn, T. Cooke, F. Spicer, and B. Mew, Esqrs.,
the Rev. W. White, W. Martin, F. Blachford, Esq.,
R. Smith, Esq., and most of the leading agriculturists
in the island. On the cloth being removed, the worthy
Chairman called for a bumper for the Queen, feeling
assured that every gentleman would participate in the
wish that she might enjoy a long and happy reign,
respected and beloved by all classes of her subjects.
(Drunk with three times three and one more.) The
Uueen Dowager, the rest of the Royal Family, and the
Army and Navy were then given with all due honours,
Capt. Pelham returned thanks for the profession to
which he belonged. H. D. Cole, Esq., the hon. Secre-
tary, proposed several amendments in the rules, which
were carried, and it appeared from the report that the
society was increasing in prosperity and usefulness.
To Mr. Hearn, of Hazely, for the best cart stallion, 51.

— for the second best mare and foal, 30s. — for the

best horned ram 4/.
Mr, Wm. Selby, for the second best cart stallion, 30s.
Mr. Thatcher, for the best cart mare and foal, 3l. —

for the best pair of steers, Sl.^fov the second best

cart cnlt, 30s.
Mr. J. Cooper, for the best mare and foal, 3/.
Mr. R. Hills, for the best cart colt, 3Z. — for the second

be.st breeding- sow, 30s.
Mr. W. Hills, for the best light bred colt, 3?.
Mr. Woodford Park, for the best bull, 4/.
Mr. Perkins, for the best milch cow, 3/.
Mr. Joseph Jolliffe, for the best polled ram, 4Z.— for

the second best bull, 2l, — for the second best pen of

polled ewes, 30s.
Mr. H. Hills, for the best pen of horned ewes, 3?. — for

the second best polled pair, 2Z.
Mr. G. Hearn, for the best boar, 2l. — best breeding

sow, 21.
Mr. Jacobs, for the best pair of heifers, 3l. — second

best horned ram, 2Z.— second best pen of horned

ewes, 30s.
Mr. J. White, for the second best cart mare and foal,

30s.
Mr. F. Buckell, for the second best milch cow, 30s.
Mr. R. Smith, for the second best pair of heifers, 30s.
Mr. J. Tucker, for the second best pair of steers, 30s.

A very gratifying feature in the proceedings of the
day was the distribution of 50/., presented annually to
the society by John Fleming, Esq., to be distributed in
rewards to deserving agricultur-al labourers, for which
the following were the successful competitors :—

To William Chambers, 20 years servant to Mr. B.
Hearn, 5?. ; Timothy Pitman, 17 years with Mr. Selby,
4:1. ; J. Marks, v;ith the same gentleman for a similar
term, 3l. ; J. Bull, servant to Mr. Fleming, 21. ; H.
Rashley, servant to Mr. H. Mew, 4?. ; Fanny Gale,
4/. ; Martha Cooke, 21. David Ashe, shepherd to Mr.
Dennett, of Foreland, for having reared 170 lambs
from 140 ewes, 3?. ; Rueben Read, shepherd to Mr.
Hills, of Span, 152 lambs from 130 ewes, 21. ; R. Ar-
nold, for having sheared 1,030 sheep (being the great-
est number) during the last season, 21,

The prize of 5/. for the largest quantity of wool sold,
was, after some discussion on the determination of the
growers not to sell below a certain fixed price, awarded
to Mr. Blake. Mr. Brown Hearn obtained the first
prize of 3/. for the best sample; and Mr. Jolliffe, of
Buccombe, the second prize. After dinner several
gentlemen addressed the meeting in support of the ob-
jects of the society, after which the company departed.

TO TFIE EDITOR OF THE ABERDEEN
JOURNAL,

Banff, July 15, 1837.
Sir, — I believe that a controversy has been for some
time past maintained in your columns relative to the
invention of an improved shaker for a threshing ma-
chine. With this, it is not my intention to interfere, —
but I think it right to inform your agricultural readers
that a shaker, much more simple in its construction
than either of those referred to, and most etfective in
its operation, has been at work, for a good many years
past, at Loggie, in the parish of Gamrie, which was
invented and constructed by Mr. John Bruce, the
tacksman of that farm ; and the whole cost of which '
was only 15s. It is unnecessary to describe it, as Mr.
Bruce Vvill, I am confident, be most ready to show it
to any one that takes the trouble to apply — an indul-
gence of which every one who is desirous of having a
simple, cheap, effective, and durable shaker, which can
be attached to any threshing machine, would do well
to avail himself. I am. Sir, your most obedient ser-
vant, F.

MEETING FOR THE COMMUTATION OF
TITHES AT EASING WOLD.— A second meeting
of the land owners and tithe proprietors of the parish of
Easingwold, was held in the toll booth of that place, on
Tuesday week, for the general commutation of tilhes.
On the whole, a feeling of g-reater unanimity prevailed
than at the previous one. Ur. Ilockliffe was requested
to take the chair, but on his declining- to do so, it was
occupied by Mr. Sigsworth. A good deal of desultory
conversation ensued, and subsequently a friendly propo-
sition was submitted, by Dr. Rockliffe, that the owners
of titheable property agree to give in lieu of the recto-
rial tithes, the average of the same for the last seven
years, on the bona fide shewing- of the representatives of
the like proprietors. I'he worthy doctor exerted him-
self in a praiseworthy manne." to secure the adoption of
this resolution by the meeting ; and in doing so, he cut
right and left, with the most unvarnished home-thrusts
at that prince of oraters, and paragon of consistency , ]\Ir.
Bainbridge (tlte icould-be Lord Mayor, as the doctor in
common parlance denominates him,) who kept up an
unceasing- chatter to the di-owning of the voices of others
who might have s-aid some sensible things on the sub-
ject. Different questions were started and propositions
made, at the breaking up of the company, there seemed
a tacit understanding- on the part of the greater numbej
that the terms proposed on behalf of the township of
Easingwold, would ultimately be acceded to by the
parties interested in the agreement. — York Herald.

THE AVERAGE PRICE OF CORN per qr. Imp,
measure, in England and Wales, for the Quarter end-
ing Midsummer, 1837.
Wheat, Barley. Oats, Rye. Beans. Peas,
55s. 7d, 29s. 6d. 23s. lid. 34s. lOd. 38s. 7d. 38s. 9d.
I9th July, 1837. WILLIAM JACOB,

Comptroller of Corn Returns.

'W

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

151

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE MONTH OF JULY.

At the close of June and commencement of
July the wind, which had reverted to its old
quartei- of E.S.E., checked the rapid progress of
vegetation, and rain not having fallen since the
18th of the former month, spring corn and pulse
stood much in need of refreshing showers. Wheat
was in full bloom, and seldom has the season
proved more favourable for the full dcvelopement
of the plant than at this critical period. Towards
the middle of the month rain was experienced,
afterwards succeeded by copious falls, and all
nature seemed gratefully to acknowledge by its
invigorated growth and cheerful hues of green,
the beneficent supply of moisture. Wheat filled
well in the ear, the juices which were rising to the
head and were about there to set and harden,

and in tlielovi'lands rain and warmth have materially
improved the aspect of tlie fields, and the harvest,
though still much retarded, especially in the north-
ern portions of the country, bids fair for an average
yield, though the securing of the crop will become
the more hazardous, considering the late period
of the season before the harvest can, in all proba-
bility, be completed.

Prices have been, as we before intimated they
would be, mainly influenced by the speculative
operations of the growers, who, in proportion as
they hept the market in supply, were enabled to
enhance or forced to lower their rates. One fact
has, however, materially contributed to favour
their demands, and which has been the quantity
cf flour which, from the heat of the weather, has

having received an increase of milky nutriment, i turned off sour, and the exhausted stocks of wheat

and will in consequence fill the bushel much bet-
ter than could have been otherwise anticipated.
Barley and oats have much improved, and though
in many places a shortness of straw will prevail,
yet the grain is well headed, and barley especially
in several instances, stands remarkably thick and
heavy on the ground ; but we are led to believe
that the crop of summer corn will not turn out as
an abundant produce, as if the attributes of the
watery saint, St. Sv^'ithin, had preceded instead of
falling subsequent to his appearance. Some fields
of corn have been beaten down by the violence of
the thunder storms, and especially in Scotland,
where the flooding of rivers has caused considera-
ble damage to the bridges and adjacent lauds.
But the grain though lodged, is still too green in
the stem and too elastic to sustain much ultimate
injury. Hay has been secured under the most
favourable circumstances, and though not an
abundant crop, is a good average return ; and the
second growth has made great advances after the
rain. Potatoes have materially revived since the
wet, and the reports throughout the United King-
dom are most satisfactory, and a ^veighty return
confidently expected; prices in consequence of
old potatoes in the metropolis have receded
from 8/. to lOZ. per ton to !Jl. and 61., and new
potatoes from 20/. per ton to 61. and 71. In Ire-
land the accounts are even more favourable than
those in England, for though in this country the
produce of wheat is not calculated to exceed a
Tisual average return, abundance is talked of in
the sister kingdom ; oats and barley hold forth
also a rich promise, and the forward state of the
crops induces a hope amongst farmers that they
will be enabled to forestall by early shipments the
English growers in ther own markets. In Scot-
land vegetation has latterly made great advances

in the hands of the millers, who have been weekly
compelled to come to market for fresh samples for
immediate manufacture, and the currencies have
therefore continued to receive an impulse which
caused them to exceed, at one period in London, the
quotations at the close of the month by 5s. per qr.,
and fully as much at many of the leading country
marl<ets ; this improvement having tempted forth
a larger supply, and millers being enabled to meet
their immediate necessities, with a continuance
of remarkably fine weather, farmers have partially
given way, and in JMark Lane prices^ cannot be
noted more than 2s. to 4s. per qr. higher on the
aggregate. W^e still, however, think that the
farmers are speculating to some extent, and that
the diminished quantities appearing at the markets
are more the effect of withholding their samples
than their incapability of bringing them forward.
Even allowing the stocks on hand to be less than
usual, and the harvest also retarded, yet the sup-
plies cannot be winding up into that narrow com-
pass which the latter average returns of England
and Wales, would lead to the indication. We
blame not farmers in realizing the highest possible
rates, and speculating on the casualties at this pre-
carious period of the year ; but we believe it to be
the effects of speculation, and not dearth of the
article, that has forced millers to pay the high
quotations noted, and which has enabled them to
advance town made flour 3s. per sack, and sweet
ship flour, from the scarcity of the article in con-
dition, is also fully 2s. to 3s. per sack higher.

A speculative feeling towards the middle of the
month, became prevalent, and purchasers of the
finer Danzig wheats were made at the current
rates free on board at that port; in bonded par-
cels in loco little has been transacting, holders de-
manding too high relative rates compared with

152

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the article at the places of shipment; for good
Danzig 42s. was refused. It would be difficult to
define the reasons of this speculative demand, but
certain circumstances do arise at times, which, if
occurring individual!}', would have little influence
in exciting, yet when met with collectively, pro-
duce a tendency to action, such as short supplies,
casual improvement in prices, anticipated detri-
ment to the produce from dry weather, deteriora-
tion from wet weather, fine qualities of foreign at
comparatively low rates. These combined to
elicit the feeling which has existed, and which we
have attempted to " put into shape, which shape
hath none." 'tVe have lieard it surmised that the
duties may recede to 20s. 8d. If this is not an
extreme prospective view, it is much too flattering
for speculators to indulge in at present ; as in
order to reduce the import duty to this range, we
must have an average of 66s. to 67s., and a top
price of at least 75s., it is hardly even probable
that during the next six weeks we can have the
duty at 26s. 8d., or an aggi'egate average of 60s.,
as the new wheats will be then coming freely to
hand. The selected parcels of Danzig lately pur-
chased and shipped can afford to pay a high rate
of duty, and it is not improbable that some of the
early arrivals may leave a profit at even a duty of
only 2s. to 3s. lower than the present.

The supply of barley has continued extremely
limited, but equivalent to the demand, which is con-
fined to grinding and feeding descriptions ; distil-
ling sorts having met little attention, and prices
have remained unaltered. Prime tender malt has
realized ratlier more money, without, however, much
animation prevailing the trade; and secondary and
inferior parcels liave remained unsaleable.

The oat trade, in consequence of the decline of the
duty to 9s. 3d., and the anticipated influx of the
finer qualities of foreign oats as the bulks arrive,
seems so materially to have influenced the minds of
dealers and consumers, that they only purchase to
the extent of their immediate wants. Though the
show of British samples has been throughout the
month limited, yet many cargoes of the foreign, es-
pecially from Holland, arriving, of fine quality and
in good condition, prices have not improved ; but,
on the contrary, even good feed has sustained a de-
cline of Is. per quarter ; but as the duty has now
advanced to 10s. 9d., and little probability of more
foreign oats being entered to any amount, more
firmness is likelv to pervade the trade. Owing to
the inferiorit)' both of condition and quality of too
many of the Irish oats, and several of the Scotch,
secondary and inferior parcels have been very diffi-
cult of sale, and must be noted Is. 6d. to 2s. per qr.
lower. Some Petersburgh oats obtained 25s. 6d.
per qr. free, but those foreign cargoes which come
to hand out of condition cannot be sold at the pre-
vailing duly without considerable loss, even ex-ship ;
and as little chance at present exists of the duty de-
clining lower, at all events not until the nearer ap-
proach of liarvest, holders are obliged to land them

and take the chance of the future trade. Bonded
oats have been held at the difference in the duty, and
with Ireland free on board nothing transpiring of
any import.

I'he amount of oats which have paid duty from
the 1st .January to the 22nd July, in London, have
been 74,180 qrs.; Liverpool, 16,674 qrs. ; Hull,
1,949 qrs.; making a total of P2,803 qrs.

Beans have slightly fluctuated in value, but in the
aggregate maintain the rates of the previous month.

White peas, after the completion of the Govern-
ment contract, have been much less in request and
prices almost nominal. Grey and Maples qualities
have been in demand with sliort supplies, and are
Is. to 2s. per qr. dearer.

The alteration in the averages comprise a decline
of Is. perqr. on wheat, and Is. 6d. per qr. on beans
and peas respectively: the Is. 6d. on oats having
been regained, and the duties are therefore the same
as at the end of .Tune.

In Canada business has been by no means ani-
mated, the transactions at Montreal and Quebec
having been upon a very limited scale. The demand
from Upper Canada has materially slackened, and the
spring trade at the close of June was already nearly
terminated. In ordinary seasons a fair business
continues to be done until near the end of Jul}', but
there is no disposition manifested by the Upper
Canada merchants to effect purchases beyond what
they require for their immediate wants. The mea-
sures of relief in contemplation by the legislature of
the Upper Province now in session, it is confidently
hoped, may give a-stimulus to trade, and cause an
active autumn business. Large arrivals of foreign
wheat continued to be received, notwithstanding
which the article was brisk, and maintained previous
quotations; for inferior qualities more money had
been obtained. The sales had been extensive, at 6s.
9d. for inferior St. Petersburg and Archangel, to 7s.
3d. to 7s. 6d. per 601bs. for mixed and white Danzig.
The principal demand has been for the country
places adjacent to JMontreal, where the stocks are
entirely exhausted ; besides which, seme thousand
bushels have been taken for Upper Canada and the
United States. Lower Canada wheat, of which there
are still a few thousand bushels in the market, has
been offered lower, say at 7s. 6d. per minot for good
quality; this description was held at higher prices
in proportion than were demanded for foreign, under
the expectation that it could not be dispensed with,
for mixing with the latter, in which the holders have
been disappointed, owing to so much of the imported
wheat proving to be of fine qualicy and fresh. A
few ijundred minots of heavy Danzig oats have been
sold at 2s. lOd. per minot, and a lot of about 3,000
bushels Ohio Indian corn, at 6s. 4d. to 6s. 8d. per
minot. The country is much improved by the recent
seasonable rains, and though most kinds of grain are
yet short in the straw, the prospects are not un-
favourable. Hay on high lands will be very short ;
the meadows promise better within the last week
The accounts respecting the crops in the Upper Pro.'

THE FARMER' MAGAZINE.

153

vince continue to be good. Flour is still very dull.
Upper Canada fine is retailing at 41s. 3d. to 42s. 6d.,
but no sales of any importance made.

At Hoburt Town, Van Diemen's Land, wheat ex-
perienced a brisk demand, but the supplies of new
quality proving more than equal to the immediate
necessities, prices had receded 6d. to 9d. per busbel,
the averaging price 8s. per bushel ; at Launceslon
wheat was languid sale at 7s. to 7s. 6d. per busliel.
The late rains had proved extremely beneficial to the
turnip crop and herbage generally.

At Kingston, Jamaica, the demand had continued
animated for flour, and though the supplies during
the current year had doubled those for the similar
period of 1836, yet the supply on hand at the date
of the last advices did not exceed the usual quantity,
and unless an immediate accession was made to the
stocks, the quotations were expeQted to advance.
Superfine flour was noted at 80s. to 86s. 8d., and
sour at 53s. 4d. perbrl. Biscuit not being an article
consumed in the interior of the island and the im-
ports having proved considerable, the currencies
had receded.

In France the wheat harvest is proceeding in all
the southerly departments, and in some nearly con-
cluded ; the reports afford considerable disparity in
their tenor. The heat having in several instances
forced the ear prematurely forward, and deteriorated
the quality and quantity ; in others, as in the neigh-
bourhood of Bordeaux, the crop, though less plenti-
ful than last year, was better in quality, while from
Toulon it is stated that the produce will be fully one-
third less than the yield of last season, which was,
it is to be recollected, super-abundant ; at jS^antes
also a similar deficiency is anticipated, Oats are
generally expected in these early departments to
prove defective. Taking, however, an aggregate
estimate, the crop of wheat is expected to yield an
ordinary average produce, and better in quality than
last season in many districts. The heavy rains
experienced in places, with hail, have laid the
wheat, which runs the hazard, by the succeeding
hot weather, to become mildsv^ed and blighted. Rye
has been impeded in its cutting by the rain, and is
expected to turn out barely an average crop. Prices
of the fine wheats are maintained, but business is
generally inanimate, wbich it is likely to remain
until the state of the crops is ascertained with more
precision.

In Italy the cutting of wheat has commenced, and
notwithstanding the injury reported to have been re-
ceived by the heavy spring rains, the accounts from
all parts of Tuscany agree in stating that the crop
will be about an average. But in Lonibardy and
the Roman States the agricultural accounts are less
favourable, and some of the surplus stocks at Leg-
horn are expected to betaken off for tlje consumption
of these districts. The crop of Indian corn appears
ealthy, and with occasional rains is likely to be
productive. The accounts received from Spain in-
timated that supplies would be required, which was
likely to relieve some of the heavy shipments ex-

pected from Odessa, w^here prices are very low by
the last advices. Several cargoes of wheat were on
their return voyage from the United States to Genoa,
owing to the decline in prices at New York,

At Odessa, on the 23rd June, considerable sales of
wheat had been effected at from 21s. to 23s. 7d. per
qr., very fine parcels obtained 25s. 6d. t& 27s. 2d.
Oats were noted at 7s. lOd. to 8s. 6d. per qr. The
stock of soft wheat was estimated at about 42,000
qrs., and 21,000 qrs. hard wheat, and about 10,000
qrs. of oata.

'At St. Petersburg little interest has prevailed in
the wheat trade ; the few sales made on contract
were in course of shipment, and Kubanka qualities
noted at 27s. 6d. to 30s. Id. Rye dull, and finds
only local sale at 15s. 8d. per qr. Oats were held
at 9s. lO'l. to lis. 4d., according to quality, with
little demand. The markets in the interior were
generally languid, owing to the favourable prospects
of the crops, and though the weather was changeable
it was sot unpropitious for vegetation.

At Riga oats had been in request at 10s. 5d. to
lis. Id. ; the quality of the Russian growth the past
season having been good. Rye sells at 16s. lOd.,
and crushing linseed at 32s. 3d. to 32s. 9d. AVheat
nominal at 26s. 6d. to 29s, 4d, per qr.

At Konigsbei'g the trade has been languid, and
tliough the importers and consignees of Polish grain
were willing to accept low terms, yet the offers were
at too depreciated a range to induce them to quit.
They must in all probability however suffer more
or less loss, having bought at high prices, and which
will act disadvantageously on colonial produce, in
curtailing the demand. The quotations are almost
nominal, and it was not unlikely that fine high
mixed wheat may be procured at 25s. to 26s. Oats
had receded to 10s. At Panzig, however, a more
animated character has been sustained by the mar-
ket, and though no material alteration had occurred
in the currencies, yet rather extensive sales had been
effected at from 26s, to 30s., and white noted as
high as 35s. to 36s. The weather was extremely
favourable for preparing the grain on the banks of
the Vistula for shipment. The corn porters are
becoming too radically inclined or too much alive to
their own interests, have formed themselves into
unions and are striking for higher wages, as they do
not enjoy the monopoly or ■prescriptive right their fel-
low labourers do in London; business was in con-
sequence, much impeded, but we trust the mer-
chants will, by itnanimous firmness counteract any
extortinate demands. Superfine flour was noted as
low as 18s. per barrel. jMuch of the wheat from
Upper Poland was not in good condition, and there-
fore unsaleable, which was doubly disadvantageous
to holders, as it was occupying granary-room at a
high rate, and contributing to keep up rents with
an unprofitable article. The weather throughout
the Baltic as well as the Elbe having assumed a
much more favourable aspect, the crops have mate-
rially improved, and the trade has become extremely
dull and depressed. At Stettin, Rostock, and Wis-

154

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

mar, wheat has continued to recede in price ; and at
the latter ports was quoted at 24s. to 25s., and rape-
seed at 151. I5s. to 161. 10s. per last. In Holstein
and Denmark wheat has proportionately declined,
as well as oats, since the demand has fallen off for
British account. Black oats of 36 to 37lbs. are
quoted at lis. 6d. to 12s.; white, lis. 3d. to lis.
9d. ; heavier qualities, 12s. to 12s. 6(1. At Copen-
hagen the weather has heen most beautiful, and every
thing promises abundance. The rapeseed is about
being cut. The standing crop is rated at double the
produce of any of the preceding 3rears. If the drought
should continue, the quality will no doubt prove
dry and well-conditioned, but not satisfactory as to
colour, which, for want of rain, must turn very red.
The contracts hitherto made are deliverable between
1st and 31st August, and the highest offer obtainable
is about 171, per last free on board in September.
The corn prices are quite nominal, oats being the
only article not entirely abandoned, lis. to 13s. per
qr. free on board having heen paid according to
quality.

At Hamburg, the crops are reported as having
assumed a very favourable appearance in the upper
districts of the Elbe ; wheat remained dull at 28s.
6d. to 29s. 6d. "Wheat in the neighbouring districts
looked very promising, as well as barley and Buck-
•wheat. Rye will produce less than an average
crop, and oats have suffered from the cold and un-
genial weather in spring, and the subsequent
drought. Of rapeseed a very large crop is expected,
from the increased breadth of land sown last au-
tumn, as well as from the seasonable weather during
the growth and blooming time of the plant. The
cutting will pretty generall)'- commence about the
close of July, and it is to he hoped that the present
fine weather may continue, when it will be cnrried
in beautiful condition, and be fit for shipping by the
middle of August, from tbe Elbe and our lower
ports, and the end of the month from the near Baltic
ports. But few actual sales have hitherto taken
place; sellers are met with on delivery of new seed
with condition of paying half the money down, and
the remainder at the time of shipment at l5l. 15s.
to 15/. 10s. from the Holstein Fast Coast and Danish
Islands, and at 15?. 5s. from the Mecklenburg ports,
it is possible that a further small reduction may be
submitted to, but as these low prices will doubtless
considerably increase the consumption of oil, we
must expect a great demand from England, as well
as Holland, Belgium, &c. No shipments from
Western Holstein and the lower Elbe are hitherto
offering. Of old seed the stocks are nearly ex-
hausted, and holders insist on that account on com-
paratively high rates, say 20/. per last, a price
which buyers will not comply with.

From Bremen it is reported that tbe crops of the
neighbouring districts were not expected to yield
an average produce, owing to the dry weather ;
prices were unaltered.

In Holland the weather continued extremely
fine, and the crops generally favourably reported ;

wheat at Rotterdam was lower, and Rhenish quali-
ties of 62 to 631bs. would be purchased in bond at
equal to 29s. 6d. to 32s. Tbe supply of oats,
especially Poland samples, was increasing, and the
demand becoming languid, prices were giving way.
Brews of 42 to 431bB. were noted at 16s. 5d. to ITs.
4d. ; Polands of 40 to 431bs. 14s. 9d. to 15s. 7d.,
and feed, of 32 to 371bs., 12s. 5d. to 14s. 3d.

At New York, by the latest advices, the sales of
grain had continued extensive ; fine Rostock wheat
had realized 1 dollar 70 cents per bushel, prime red
German 1 dollar 75 ; white Holland wheats the same
rates ; Italian samples 1 dollar 35 tooO cents. Foreign
was dull sale at receding prices, prime not obtaining
more than 80 to 85 cents. Oats scarce at 70 cents.
Western Canal flour, owing to the limited character
of the supplies, had again advanced 25 cents, and
was noted at 10 dollars 75 cents per barrel. Tl.'e
receipts of wheat lately from Europe are reported
to he of much better quality, which accounts for the
ready sales the samples experience.

The agricultural reports geneially from those dis-
tricts in the Unitecl States where wheat is more par-
ticularly cultivated, are yery satisfactory, the wea-
ther proving extremely favourable for the crops,
which promised an abundant yield. Wheat and rye
was in full ear, and in early districts being cut. All,
in fact, looked auspicious except, our correspondent
states, in Frederick county, Maryland, " vphere they
are determined never to have a crop cf anything but
complaints, and of them they have always an ave-
rage crop." At Baltimore wheat had been selling
freely at 1 dollar 60 to 70 cents, but towards the close
of the month of June less activity prevailed, nor was
it expected that the currencies would be maintained
in the face of a favourable crop, which must soon
appear at market. The Norfollc Herald, United
States, mentions the farmers are now busy with
their scythes. It is the beginning of the wheat har-
vest, and the work goes merrily on. The neighbour-
ing counties of North Carolina, Curribuck, Camden,
Pasquobauk, Perquimans, &c., have fine wheat
grounds aud industrious huc.bandmen. They calcu-
late on 50 per cent, above an average crop. The Wheel-
ing Times says, " the prospect of the growing crops
in sections of the country, where they were, early
in the season, the most unpromising, now bid fair for
an average return. In this vicinity, the prospects
for an abundant crop of grass, oats, rye, and wheat,
were never better."

CURRENCY P3R IMPERIAL MEASURE.

BRITISH. July 1. Aug. 1;

s. s. s. s.

^V!)oat, red, Essex, Kent, Suffollf 50 to 56 54 to 60

White 52 62 56 66

Norfolk, Liiicoli)3liii-e and Yorksliire. .. 40 54 46 53

White, do. do 46 58 50 tS'2

Ii'isli Red — — —

DittoWhite — — — _

Barley, Malting, new 27 30 27 30

Chevalier, new 29 32 29 32

Histilling 26 29 26 29

tirindiug 25 28 25 28

Irish , 24 27 24 ^

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

155

BRITISH. July 1.

Malt, Brown 38 44

Ditto, Chevalier 58 60

Ditto, Norfolk and Suffolk Pale 54 57

Ditto Wave 55 58

Peas, Hog and Grev 36 38

Maple ■ 35 39

White Boilers 38 42

Beans, small 40 45

Harrow 36 42

Ticks 34 41

Mazagaii 34 40

Oats, English feed 24 27

Short small '^7 32

Poland , 28 32

Scotch, Common 25 28

Berwick, &c 26 30

Potatoe, &c. ., 27 32

Irish, Feed 19 22

Ditto Potatoe 23 26

Ditto Black 20 24

Aug. 1.

38

44

58

61

54

58

55

59

38

40

35

41

38

42

40

45

36

42

34

41

34

40

24

26

27

31

28

31

25

27

26

29

27

31

19

21

23

25

20

23

PRICES OF FLOUR,

Per Sack of 280 lbs.

July I.

Town-made 48 to 50

Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and Essex .... 41 43

Sussex and Hampsliire 40 42

Superfine 43 —

Lincolnshire, Y<irkshire, and Stockton. 40 42

Northumberland. Berwick, and Scotch. 40 42

Irish „ 41 43

Extra 44 —

50 t

1.53

42

46

41

45

46

—

42

44

42

44

42

45

46

—

STOCK OF GRAIN, FLOUR AND CLOVER.
SEED IN BOND IN THE PORT OF LON-
DON ON THE 5ni JULF.

Wl-ieat. Barley. Oats. Beans, Peas. Flour. Clovcrsd
qrs. qrs. qrs. cp-s. qrs. cwts. cwts.

239,382 9,817 85,796 3,846 8,191 30,220 26,703
Rye, 987 Qrs

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

Weeki'Mding;
16lh ..
23rd . .
30th .
7th July
14th . .
21st ..
Aggregare.-iverr.ge
cif the six week-
which regulates

the duty

Duties payable in
London till Wed-
nesday next inclu-
sive, and at the
Ontports till the
arrival of the Mail
of that day from

London

Da. on grain from
Britisli possessions
out of Europe .,

Wheat.

56 5

56 11

57 0
56 4
56 1
56 11

56 7

Barley

28 8

28 9

28 9

28 3

29 0
28 0

28 7

Cats

25 4

25 4

25 6

24 7

24 3

24 1

Rye

35 4
37 2
34 3

34 8

35 8
,35 10

Beans

40 2
40 9
40 7

39 11

40 9

41 0

2 01 3 0

I eas

H 0
41 0
40 9
40 10

39 7

40 4

9 6
3 0

PRICES OF SEEDS.
July 24.
In Clovcrseed nothing' transpiring-, and the reports of
the crops are not sufKciently decisive to be enabled to
form any criterion of the probable result. Trefoil, how-
ever, thoiig-h known to be a short breadth, will yield
well for the quantity sown ; new has not yet appeared
at market for sale. Rapeseed quite nominal at 21/. to
24i. per last, a sample of nevo was at mai-ket, but too

small and hastily brought forward to afford any judg-
ment of the crop ; the accounts continuing- to come
most favourable from all the districts of produce abroad.
In the Baltic and at Hamburg- the new crop is
currently offering- at 15L to 16/. per last. In Linseed
nothing- transpiring-, and to effect sales, lower rates must
be submitted to. The crop in Russia appears abundant,
and a low range of price is expected to prevail, though
the quality of the seed is fine. A sample of new Caraicay
Seed was shown, but no price yet affixed, the seed being-
out of condition from the hurried way it was brought to
market, the quality was otiierwise good. In Coriander
nothing- transpiring. In Mustard no variation, and
prices nominal. Tares perfectly nominal. In Oil Cakes
little transpiring, and Linseed meet less enquiry. The
imports have not exceeded 12 tons of Rape from Altona,
and 70 tons of Oil Cake from St, Brieux, and the quan-
tity paid duty is 1,300 cwts.

, ^ s.

^s.

ood 6 6

fine

0 0

5 15

0 0

6 0

0 0

5 5

0 0

4 10

0 0

4 8

0 0

3 15

0 0

2 10

0 0

1 10

0 0

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

Borough, Monday, July 24,

Nothing doing in our market, except a few small
orders for the country consumers, prices have become
entirely nominal. The district reports continue to
come unfavourable, but on the whole rather better
than last week. The estimated duty has advanced and
is now quoted at 185m.

PRESENT PRI0F.9.

East Kent, Pockets, 4 10

Bairs 4 2

MidKent Pockets 3 18

Bags 3 10

Weald of KcHt Pockets 3 10

Sussex Pockets 3 10

Yearlings 2 12

Old....: 1 10

Old olds 0 IS

POTATOE MARKET.

SoTJTHWARK.— Waterside, July 24.— The supplies
of old Potatoes, as usual at this period of the season, has
been extremely limited, not exceeding 78 tons from De-
vonshire, and 44 do. from Guernsey. Owing to the in-
flux of new Potatoes, which exceeds the current demand,
old qualities are neglected, and only disposable at re-
duced rates ; Devons being taken slowly at 61. per ton,
and of good sound quality. Guernsey Blues are worth
from 3/. to 5/. according to sample, many proving much
decayed. New Potatoes are selling at 6i, to 11. per ton,
and the reports continue favourable from the growers.

Per ton of 40 bushels.
Yorkshire reds... — s to

Do. Kidneys — s

Do.SUaws, for seed — s
Devonshire reds. .. 1203
Scotch reds

Do. Minion Cups.. . — »
Wisbeaeli — »

Norfolk Whites.... — s — s

Lynn Kidneys .... — s — s

Kent Kidneys ..... . — s —a

Irish j\ ppli's — s — s

Jer^ey&Guern. blues 603 100s

— s D9. whites — 3 — B

-9l

Chats 30s to 60.

■WOOL MARKETS.

BRITISH.
July 24.
Notwithstanding a trifling increased inquiry is appa-
rent, for British wool, we have still to report a very
dull trade. The wool trade has now remained in an

156

THE PARMER'S MAGAZINE.

almost unprecedented dull state for a lengthened period,
yet, though the stocks of wool, in the hands of the
farmers, are very large— a very small quantity of the
present year's clip having been disposed of — the holders
are not willing, to accept of the low prices at present
offered, — ihey preferring, rather to await the result of
further demand, than submit to abatements.

July ]. Aug. 1.

Per lb. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d,

Down Teu-s 0 1) to 1 0 1 0 to 1 1

H.-ilf-bi-ed do 10 11 11 12

Ewes and Wethers 0 9 Old (MO Oil

Leicester Hogs 1 0 0 o Oil 10

1)0. Wethers 0 8 0 0 0 0 OH

Blanket Wool 0 4 0 8 0 6 0 10

Flannel 0 9 11 o 9 1 1

Skin Combing 0 10 Oil 0 10 1 0

HOWDEN WOOL MARKET.— On Tuesday was
held the last wool market for this season ; the quantity
shown and sold far exceeded that on the preceding year's
last market. Improved prices were obtained, viz.,
Hoggs, Is. OJd. to Is. Id.; half do. and ewes, lid. to
ll^d., and lower, according to the diversified qualities
grown in this neighbourhood. 1'he advantages of this
market has extended to the foot of the Wolds, and upon
he completion of the Hull and Selby railway, as a cen-
ral situation for the buyers and sellers, it is highly pro-
bable it will embrace a portion of that district where
he growth of wool is extensive.

EXETER. — As to trade in this way, most sincerely
o we wish we could speak of improvement, but truth
is our polar star, therefore, this alone are we anxious to
arrive at, the whole public being our masters and en-
titled to expect industry in tliis respect from us, and that
statements, v;hich whether felt to be for or against
individual interest, should have this quality for their
basis ; indeed, without wliich conhdence could not be
reposed. 'Jims then we have again to quote yolk wool
at 7d. per lb. Washed wool, however, is gone back
to 8;^d., and Dorset horn, to 9§d. per lb. With respect
to sorts, Kent headmustbe continued at9d. ; red, green,
and pinions, QJd. to lOil.; fell combing, 9d. ; hue
head, lOd. to lid.; and stripes, as well North Devon
as Cornish, lid. to I2d. per lb. In tops, as far as tlie
matter goes, it may be said there has been something* of
improvement, since, from circumstances not necessary
to be dwelt upon here, they must now be quoted at from
ISUl.to 14d.per lb.

WAKEFIELD, July 21.— There is but little varia-
tion in the state of the market from our two last reports.

YORK, July 20. — At this day's market tiiere has
been a large show of wool ; indeed, more by nearly one
half than on any market-day this season. A good deal
of business was done, and the prices were rather in
favour of the buyers, but not any great change is ob-
servable. Hogs, ]2d. to 13d. ; Half Hog and Ewes
]0|d. to IIM ; Ewes, Sfd. to 9,1. ; Moor Wool, 4^d. to
5d. per lb.

DONCASTER, July 15.— The supply of wool at
market this day exceeded that of last week, and was by
far tlie largest this season. Tiie attendance of purchasers
was again good, the sale was brisk, and all was sold up
at a, small advance on the prices of last week. Ho"s
15s. ; Hog and Ewes, 13s. 6d.; Ewes, r2s. per stone ;
Locks, 6d. per lb.

LIVERPOOL.

Week ending July 24.

Scotch Wool. — At Inverness Wool Fair on tlie 14th
and 15th inst. scarcely any business was done. The
buyers offered very low prices, which the sellers would
not accede to. It is expected that a great proportion
of the wool this season will come to this market for sale
on commission. In consequence of these accounts from
Inverness, a very trifling business has been done here
during the vveek. We have arranged our quotation list
to-day as accurately as we can ascertain the present
value of Scotch wools in this market.

perstone of 241bs. s. d. s. d.

f'jiid Higliland Wool, from ... 7 0 to 8 0

White do. do 10 0 11 0

Laid Crossed do 10 0 11 0

Waslieddo. do U 6 13 0

-Said Choviol, do 12 0 13 0

\7asheddo, do 15 0 17 0

White do. do 18 0 22 0

I inport for the week 53 hags.

f'reviouslv this vear 3339 do.

FOREIGiNT.

July 24.

We cannot, at present, notice any material improve-
ment, in the foreign wool trade, though the sales have
been somewhat more extensive, than in the previous
week. In the currencies, no variation has taken place.
The imports, during the week, liave been composed of
522 bales from Germany; 800 do. from Turkey; 152
do. from Spain ; and 70 do. from South America. The
public sales will commence to-morrow, at Garraway's,
and be continued, on the four following days. The total
quantity of wool, which will be offered for public com-
petition, will amount to 4,373 bales ; but we conceive,
that a very large portion will be withdrawn, as the
prices, at present, are extremely low, and the demand
heavy. In fact, it is pretty evident, without submittmg
to very low rates, no sales will be effected.

Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s. 2d. to 5s. 2d. ; first
Austrian, Bohemian, and other German wools, 2s. 6d.to
4s.; second do., 2s. to 2s. 6d. ; inferior do. in locks
and pieces, is. 6d.to2s.; German lamb's do., 2s. 2d.
to .3s. 2d. ; Hungarian sheep'sdo., 2s. to 3s. ; Leonesa
sheep's do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. ; Segovia do., 2s. to 2s. 6d. ;
Soriado., 2s. 2d. to 3s. ; Caceres do., 2s. 4d. to 3s. ;
Spanish lamb's do., is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; German and
Spanish cross do,, 2s. 2d. to 3s. 4d. ; Portugal sheep's
do. ,2s. 6d. to 2s. lOd.; do. lamb'sdo.,2s. 2d. to 2s. 6d.;
Australian, fine crossed do., 2s. fid. to 3s. 4d. ; do',
native sheep's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 8d. ; Van Diemen's
Land, native sheep's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d.; and Cape
of Good Hope do., Is. 6d. to 3s. per lb.

Wool on which the Home Consumption Duties have
been paid at London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Hull,
during the last week : —

; This Year, j Same time
\^'00L. ; previous lo in the

I last week, last Year.

Shsep, Spanisl ,. lb. ' 082614 j 1206378

Bristol lb., j 114110

Australian lb. i 2678401 ; 2900935

Other Sorts lb. i ()138512 i 10638360

l^ii'il lb. I 3543970 I 8713S35

Piint«d by Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk Stieet, Strand, London.

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THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE,

SEPTEMBER, 1837.

No. 3.J

[Vol. VII.

THE PLATE.

The subject of the Plate is a Hereford Bull, called ' Sir George/ the pro-
perty of John Hewer, Esq., of Hampton Lodge, near Hereford. In giving
some description of him to our readers, we cannot do better than quote Mr.
Hewer's own account of him : — " ' Sir George/ now ten years old, was got by
* Waxy Waxy/ by ' Wellington/ his dam ' Beauty,' by ' Old Wellington/
the sire of ' Wellington.' They are of the old original blood, and I believe
confined to myself, ' Sir George' has won five premiums. He will be exhibited
at the next Northampton Shew- — breeders may then judge for themselves."

HORNS OF RUMINANTS.

REMARKS ON THE BIODE OF GROWTH AND STRUCTURE
OF THE HORNS OF OXEN, ANTELOPES, GOATS, AND
SHEEP, WITH A NEW THEORY IN EXPLANATION OF
THEIR CURVES.

All the orders of ruminating animals, with the
exception of those containing- the camel, the lama,
the vicugna, the musks, and the deer, have promi-
nences termed horns on the fore and lateral part of
the head. Stags have projecting weapons, called
antlers, in the same situation ; but these consist
throughout of bone, devoid, after maturity, of
covering, and bear no resemblance, in mode of
growth, composition, or density, to those to which
the word horn is solely applicable.

As throughout all nature nothing can be found to
commence abruptly — no structure appearing in per-
fection in one creature, till it has shown itself in a
rudimentary state upon another, — so it is with the
horns of the ruminants. Though perfectly developed
in oxen, antelopes, goats, and sheep, we only find
an approach to horny texture on the forehead of the
giraffe. The anatomical investigation of complicated
parts is always facilitated by the study of organs
similar in apparent use, but deficient in some com-
ponent, whose absence, wiihout destroying the
analogy of the organ, permits a closer scrutiny of
the remaining tissues. The more simple structure
frequently affords in this way a key to the arrange-
ment of the parts composing the higlily finished
organ, which, without an appeal to opportunities of
the kind, might remain unknown. Nowhere does
nature so well explain herself, when we resort to
this comparative method of investigation, as in the
anatomical details of the horns of the girafle, viewed

in reference to those of oxen, antelopes, goats, and
sheep. The beautiful idea which originated with M.
de St. Hilaire — that all animals are formed on one
grand plan — if correct, when they are considered as
a system, holds equally good on viewing them and
their organs in detail. A knowledge of this goes far
towards aiding us in our investigations. Whether
we regai-d the whole, or only a part, a unity of de-
sign is still apparent, and nowhere more so than in
what relates to our subject.

The frontal eminences of the giraffe or cameleo-
pard, which may be taken as the type of those in
which horn is more completely developed, consist
of a central and conical bone, serving to support the
ordinary integument. They spring from the sides
and back-part of the frontal bone, from whose sur-
face they receive a continuation of that membrane —
periosteum, by which all bones are covered. Above
this, the skin of the forehead is prolonged, enclosing
them as it encloses other parts, and furnishing a pile
of hair similar to that which covers the rest of the
body. The skin, like the bark of trees, and the
tegument of other animals, may be divided into three
layers — inner, middle, and outer. The inner layer,
sometimes called the true skin, is the one which im-
parts firmness aud elasticity to the whole, and is the
only one preserved in tanning. The next or middle
coat, called mucous, from its thick pulpy appear-
ance, receives the nervous filaments which render
the skin an instrument of touch ; but is only worthy
of description here, from affording the third, or outer
layer, and the hair which covers it. The third
layer, or cuticle, may be considered as a concrete
exudation from tlie mucous tunic. It is unorganized,
consequently it is not long in contact with the air
till its outer surface loses connexion with that which
has been more recently formed ; and in this way we

M

168

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

account for the little scales that are continually
forming on the skin. Hair, though slightly con-
nected with the inner layer or true skin, is princi-
pally indebted to the mucous layer for the formation
of its horny tube. After taking its origin, then,
from these two layers, it passes through the cuticle.
This description, however, of the bony support, and
of the integument which covers it, will be better
understood by consulting the following diagram (fig.
1) of the frontal prolongation of the cameleopard.

TiR. 1.

Antero-posterior section of the frontal bone, and coi"-
responding soft parts, in the giraffe.

A Upper and anterior surface of the projection.

B Posterior and inferior surface of ditto.
a a Poroi'S bone rising from the forehead, and

receiving support from
b b The periosteum, or investing membrane,
c c The true skin, covered by
d d The mucous layer, which forms
e e The scarf-skin, or cuticle, and
// The hairy covering.

Here we have a projecting bone covered by sim-
ple integument and hair ; let us now enquire how far
the parallel part, in other ruminants, corresponds
with it in structure.

The first thing that strikes us as constituting an
important difference between the frontal prolonga-
tions of the giraffe, and those of the sheep, for ex-
ample, is the comparative softness of their outer
covering in the one, and its hardness in the other.
Both animals are of a mild disposition, and in a man-
ner helpless ; both, therefore, require means of
warding off the onset of oppressors. The neck of
the sheep, and of other animals resembling it, is
supported by a short substantial bony framework,
bound together by strong ligamentous cords, and
moved by thick and powerful muscles ; being, in
fact, in every way suited to maintain and wield solid
and weighty instruments of defence. The construc-
tion, however, of the neck and forepart of the body
of the giraffe is just the reverse of this. The neck
is so long that, in the erect position of the limbs,
the nose cannot be brought in contact with the
ground, so that, besides being unfit to carry weighty
appendages at the end of so long a lever, the very
length precludes the possibility of bringing horns
into a serviceable sphere of operation. In fact, the
length of the legs, and not any particular develop-
ment of the forehead, constitutes the safety of the
animal. Accordingly, we find the horns of the

girafl!'e, if I may so name them, to be mere rudiments
of what they are in the sheep. For any use they can
be put to they might, perhaps, have been dispensed
with ; but no part, as I have already said, disap-
pears suddenly, even though it may be superfluous.
There is a gradation in all things ; and, if an organ
shews itself in perfection in an animal, where, from
peculiar circumstances it is called for, it will shew
itself in a modified form on some creature where
it is not needed, or where it is applied to a different
purpose.

Every thing is so adjusted in the sheep as to allow
the frontal protuberances to be brought into play as
weapons of defence. In place of the hair, which
covers those of the cameleopard, the bone and soft
parts are protected by a tubulnv sheath of tough
elastic horn, and the tissues giviig rise to it are so
altered from those which yield liair and cuticle on
the frontal prolongations of the ;;iraffe, as not only
to secrete horny matter in preference to hair and
cuticle, but also to furnish it in abundance. The
same parts or layers are still to be discerned as in
the integument on those projections on the head of
the giraffe, but modified according to the peculiar
functions they have to perform. The mucous tunic,
being the part whence this increased secretion is
derived, is thickened ; and, as a dense layer of elas-
tic true skin would be useless beneath the horn, it
is sacrificed to the increased thickness of the mucous
layer. We find it gradually disappearing as it ad-
vances under the root of the horn, so that the mucous
coat comes insensibly to be placed upon the perios-
teum, or membrane next the bone. The thin cuticle,
too, shews itself only for a short way at the root of
the horn, extending a few lines along it, and blend-
ing insensibly with the horny tissue till it becomes a
portion of it, and is lost to the sight. The hair, as
a product of the increased mucous tunic alone, retains
or exceeds its usual development, and becomes ag-
glutinated— -hair to hair and lock to lock — owing to
the quantity of albuminous secretion mixing with it.
Tills, however, will be more apparent on an inspec-
tion of fig. 2, which exhibits a plan of the extent
and distribution of these coverings.

Section, from side to side, of the base of a sheep's
hoin.

A Upper surface of the root of the horn.

B Under aspect of ditto.

a a a Cavernous bone supporting the horn, rising
obliquely from left to right.

b b Periosteum enclosing the bone.

c c Innermost layer of the skin entering beneath
the horn, and speedily disappearing, allow-
ing greater scope for the development and
action of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

159

d d The thickened mucous layer, which produces

at one part
c e The cuticle extending- a short way along
/'/ The horny sheath, composed of a mixture of

hairy and albuminous matter.
The same letters of reference are here employed as
in the explanation of fig. l,so that an examination of
the comparative development of the tissues in ques-
tion is rendered easy.

A fibrous structure is not assigned by anatomists
to the hollow horns of oxen, antelopes, goats, and
sheep ; therefore, in describing them as possessed of
such, I am running counter to former opi lions on
the subject. To this opinion I have been led in part
by an examination of the horns of these animals, and
by subjecting their hoofs, which are in many respects
analogous in composition, to long continued masce-
ration. When these hoofs are detached from the
foot by putrefaction, or by a blow from a mallet,
they are seen to be transparent. This translucence
allows their intimate structure to be readily got at,
and we see that it consists of two parts, the one
scaly, the other fibrous. The most simple part of
the hoof is the sole which is formed of cuticle alone,
thickened by the accumulation of many plates, which
serve as an elastic defence on which the animal
treads. In addition to this, the crust, or upper part
of the hoof, contains a quantity of fibrous matter re-
sembling hair, arranged lengthways from leg to toe,
and counteracting the tendency of the cuticular layer
to come ofl" in scales, while they prevent the too
rapid wearing of the sole, by the rugged file-like wall
they form round its two anterior thirds. The hairy
matter is seen to blend with the substance of the
cuticle, in great abundance, on the top of the foot.
From that it gradually diminishes in quantity as we
turn to the back of the sole till it ceases to form part
of it. Maceration, continued for several months,
renders the fibrous and scaly textures very distinct ;
but both may be pretty satisfactorily displayed, even
without that help.

Anatomists have long regarded the hollow horns
of ruminating animals as similar to the cuticle, or
outer layer of the skin. To this, however, there are
many objections. They consider horn to be a dead
tissue, thrown off by the periosteum which lies be-
tween it and its bony support, thus committing them-
selves at the outset of the investigation. " Between
the horn and the hone is a delicate membrane, highly
charged with blood-vessels, and from which curiously
proceed both the bone and the horn. Its two surfaces
have the power of secreting two altogether different
structures — the inner one secreting the bone, which
continues to increase in length and bulk ; while the
exterior surface is adding new layers of bony sub-
stance on the inner side of that which has heen
already deposited. This double manufacture is very
sin<:;ularly carried on at the same time, amd by the same
membrane : the one a part of the frame, and con-
tinuing afterwards to be nourished by vessels forming
a portion of the general system ; the other a mere
excretion destitute of vessels, consisting merely of
layers deposited in succession, and agglutinated to
each other, and, once being joined, removed entirely
from the influence of the living principle." — (Roget's
Animal and Vegetable Physiology, vol. i., 573.) The
same author describes the horns of the rhinoceros,
both of the one and two horned varieties, as growing
from the integument covering the nose, without
having any connection with subjacent bones. This
is so far correct : These horns grow from the skin in
the manner of hair, but they are connected with a
bony support, (at least, a specimen in Surgeon's
Hall, Edinburgh, has led me to suppose so,) not

perhaps so intimately as in the former case, but
still there is a projecting bone on which they
rest; without it, indeed, they would he feeble,
and unfitted for their intended use. All ana-
tomists unite in describing the horn of the rhi-
noceros as composed of a bundle of hairs laid
side by side, and agglutinated by some viscid fluid.
Nail=!, too, are said by them to resemble hair, both
being formed from the mucous or middle layer
of the skin. This mucous tissue may be divided into
a coloured and a colourless layer, the first internal
to the other. The human nails are derived from the
outer layer, and therefore are transparent, permit-
ting the flesh colour to be seen through them in the
white varieties of men, and the dun hue in the dark
races. Strength being required in the hoofs of ani-
mals, both layers are put, in general, in requisition,
but without any regard to precise arrangement;
hence they are usually streaked with lines of white
and black. Their tenacity is in proportion to the
intimate mixture of the layers, — purchasers of horses
accordingly prefer a jetty hoof, to one that is other-
wise. The mucous tissue which gives rise to nails
and hoofs, is thick, spongy, and almost glandular,
and is supported by a porous bone, penetrated in
every direction by considerable blood-vessels. If
we examine the membrane which exudes the horns —
say the sheep, we find a structure precisely similar
in' all but thickness, which, for obvious reasons, is
not here required. No analogy has been discovered
between the pulp from which the nails grow, and the
membrane (periosteum) set apart for the production
of bone ; why, therefore, should the tissue, which
produces in another quarter horny matter similar to
the nails, be considered as genuine periosteum'?
If the spongy layer that surrounds the prolongations
of the frontal bone in ruminants be periosteum, how
happens it to take on different actions in the different
orders of that class of animals'! Why, for example,
does it produce horn in the ox, the antelope, and
the sheep, and only plain skin and hair in the came-
leopard'? We never hear of periosteum producing
skin or hair ; is it not absurd, then, to think of its
producing horn? The fact is, the tissue giving rise
to horn is° different altogether from that surrounding
bone, and ought not for a moment to be compared
with it in structure or function. The frontal pro-
longations of ruminating animals are all alike covered
in the manner of other bones, with a delicate mem-
brane, whose oflice is to supply, to a certain extent,
the earthy matter underneath it. Above this we
find, in all ruminants, a continuation of the internal
and middle coats of the skin— the former, however,
so thin, as to be nearly matter of conjecture. In
ruminants bearing horns, the middle or mucous tunic
is better developed beneath the horns, than over the
rest of the body, if we except that under the hoofs.
It appears, also, to have more of a glandular charac-
ter, and to excrete a glutinous secretion somewhat
resembling albumen, besides affording a crop of
fibres analogous to hair. In the cameleopard, hovy-
ever, the frontal prolongations are covered with skin
similar to that of other parts of the body, having, in
fact, no unusual development of its middle coat, and
therefore wants those horny appendages, which can-
not be produced unless there exist a peculiar con-
struction of the second layer of the skin.

Were the periosteum necessary for the production
of horn, that secretion would never be found, unless
in close connexion with bones. But is this the case?
Medical facts assure us to the contrary ; Rayer, in
his work on Diseases of the Skin, plate xxi. fig. 11
gives a drawing (after Dauxais) of a horn growing
on a warty eminence, near the inner angle of the eye

m2

160

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

of an old woman. Pig. 14 in the same plate, is
copied from the toe of an old woman. It represents
a nail three inches in length, spirally twisted, and
shaped like a sheep's horn. Botli toes were affected
in the same way, after she had lived, in all proha-
bility a life of indolence, for some time in the Hos-
pice de Salp6triere at Paris. At page 1069 of the
letter-press description of the same work, translated
by R. Willis, we are told that Saviard, in 1817. saw
a patient in the Hotel Dieu, who had a horn like
that of a ram, instead of a nail on each great toe,
overlapping the other toes of each foot. A very fine
specimen, nearly four inches in length, and beauti-
fully curved, is treasured in the museum of the cele-
brated Monro of Edinburgh. If 1 recollect rightly,
it was taken from the forehead of an old woman,
and was not the first she had worn. Mr. Youatt,
who gives, in his History of the Sheep, published by
the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,
pages 363 and 364, the same extract from Dr. Ro-
get's work that I have, in the preceding paragraph,
and who apparently considers it as affording a cor-
rect explanation of the growth of horn, awakens the
attention of his readers to the possibility of horns
being, in reality, produced in another way, and up-
sets his own conclusions, by telling us, from the
Gentleman's Magazine for 1756, that " a sheep was
exhibited in 1754, having a horn growing from the
throat, and adhering to the skin of that part. It was
2 feet 7 inches in length ; 2 feet 2 inches in its
greatest circumference ; and weighed 151b. There
were no horns in the natural place, but ou\y two
stumps, like two small walnut-shells laid on a flat
surface." Mr. Youatt, however, appears to have
very contradictory notions on the subject; for we
find him, in his book on Sheep, going in with the
opinion that horn is an unorganized animal matter ;
w^hile in his Lectures on Cattle, published in the
Lancet, (Vol. ii. 1831-2, p. 323), he observes: —
"No nerves or blood-vessels have, after the most
careful injection, been traced into it (horn), although
they, doubtless, exist there,'' All the cases hitherto
recorded, of these departures from the usual develop-
ment, show that they originate in the mucous tissue;
indeed, in June 1830, Dr. Villeneuve of Rouen, con-
cluded, in his Report on these productions, pre-
sented to the Royal Academy of Medicine, that the
skin (rnean'ing its second layer) and mucous membranes
are the only tissues of the animal economy that can de-
velope these horns. — (Lancet, 1834-5, Vol. ii. 203.)

The boras of the ruminants are not recognised as
made up of ao-glutinated hairs, partly because they
do not exhibit, an a cross section, the same coarse
and porous structure so evident in the more fibrous
horn of the rhinoceros ; but anatomists might, with
equal pj-opriety, affirm that hair on sheep is not hair,
because it does not resemble the scattered whalebone-
like bristles of the former animal. Besides, if horn
is composed of hair, we must be aware that, as there
are many kinds on the body, it differs, in all likeli-
hood, from all the rest ; and that, as there are many
kinds of hair, so there will be varieties of horn. We
know that each region of the body has its peculiar
hair, and will support no other ; why, then, should
the horn not have its peculiar kind 1 A hair taken
from the head, and planted in a depression made
with a needle on the arm, soon loses all similarity to
those remaining behind it, and dwindles to an
equality with its fellows. Now, there is not a
greater difference between horny tissue and the
strong hair of the head, than between that and the
silky down which covers every part of the body.

Again, if the horns of ruminating animals are not
composed of parallel rows of hair, how are we to ac-

count for the different forms to be met with among
them? Dr. Roget says, at p. 514, Vol. i. of the
work already quoted, " The tendency in these horns
to assume a spiral form, is explicable on the same
principles as those which regulate the growth of
turbinated shells;" for example, Buccinum and
Achatina, where " the deposit of shell takes place
laterally, and more on one side than on the other,"
— (same vol. p. 242 J), owing to the situation of the
heart and great vessels relatively to the shell, leading
to a more rapid dejiosition of calcareous matter on
the side to which they send the greatest supply of
blood. By this he means that the curve of the horn
is caused by the greater quantity of exudation oc-
curring at its upper and inner side, thereby deter-
mining a bending in the opposite direction. I'his
supposition may serve as an explanation in the case
of a simple crescentic horn ; but it will not hold
when put to the test of general application. If we
try in this way to account for the form of horns which
distinguishes many of the Icelandic sheep, and those
inhabiting the mountanous chains of Northern India,
the endeavour is vain. These sheep have frequently
more than the usual number of horns, — the huniah, a
large tall breed in the Nepaul country, being occa-
sionally graced with five. Two of these are in ge-
neral curved over the sides of the head and face ;
the others point in a straight direction from the head.
Now, how are we to reconcile this appearance with
the theory of Dr. Roget ? Why is one-half curved,
while the other is straight? Why does not the dis-
tribution of the arteries affect the one set equally
with the other? One division too, of these
horns is always loose, that is to say it has
no osseous connexion with the forehead. Now,
as there are supernumeraries, what set do you
think it is the apparent intention of nature to
throw off? Unfortunately for that talented gentle-
man's theory, the bent horns are those least
provided with support. Their looseness and awk-
ward developement forbid the idea of any distribu-
tion of arteries in favour of one side more than of
another; indeed, their cupply of vessels is, in all
probability, derived principally from the skin, so that,
besides being comparatively limiled in quantity, it
will, from the situation of the arteries on the side of the
head, be likely to add to the under and outer surface
of the horn in preference to the upper, thus tending
to reverse the ordinary direction of the curve. In
addition to this, we notice that the fibre of wool is
composed of spiral ringlets ; but has any one at -
tempted to account for this form on the theor)' of ir-
regular deposition? It grows by addition to the
root, but no side appears to receive the favours of
nutrition in preference to another. The tubular body
of the filament does not appear to contain any me-
chanism capable of effecting a lateral distribution of
its circulating fluid ; yet tlie fibre continues to main-
tain its circular or wavy direction. Nay, more, it
alters it according to the state of the atmosphere, the
supply of food, and the time of life; though this
would be impossible, did we view the fibre as being
strongest on a certain side.

Having shown horn to be composed of bundles of
parallel hairs rising from the mucous layer of the
skin, and to be independent of bony support, and of
the investing membrane peculiar to bone, would it
not be more logical to consider its curve to be go-
verned by the laws that regulate the turns of hair,
than to seek to explain its form by a reference to
that of the bones, which it occasionally surmounts ?
If one hair has a tendency to a particular form, a
bundle of them will have a similar. Horn is a va-
riety of hair, — what, therefore, is there to hinder

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

161

that bundle from taking a direction ordinarily fol-
lowed by other locks of hair 1 It grows from the
skin that is spread over its bony support, and ex-
tends in the manner of hair. It does not certainly
fall off annually like hair and wool, and in this re-
spect may, on first thought, appear to differ consi-
derably ; but this apparent obstacle to their analogy
vanishes, when we recollect that hair and wool are
not necessarily deciduous, — Lord Western having
shown that sheep may retain their wool, and that,
too, without shearing, for at least three years.
Readers who are not acquainted with the economy
of animal structure, will naturally see a difficulty in
accounting- for the apparent consent in form existing
between the bone and horn ; for how, they may say,
can bone, which is very unlike hair, take on a curve
precisely similar to if! They may suppose that, if
the bone does not regulate the bend of the horn, it is
still more improbable for horn to dictate the curve
to an unyielding bone. Bone being hard, and horn
soft, how is it possible for the former to be overcome
by the latter, even granting that, like hair, it is con-
stantly disposed to assume some portion of a circle ?
Anatomical readers, however, who have watched the
wonderful effects of gradual pressure, upon bones,
will readily perceive how easy it must be for the
bony support of the horn to contract a curve, sub-
jected as it is to continual, though almost impercep-
tible pressure. There are many facts in the growth
of bone, and the changes incident to it, which show
that forces, trifling in amount, may, if long conti-
nued, alter considerably the hardest portions of the
frame, even after they are fully formed. The more
familiar examples of distorted spines and ribs, from
injurious or ill-adjusted articles of clothing, bear out
this. Teeth, too, when they show themselves in
abnormal situations in the mouth, are known by den-
tists to be easily returned to their proper places,
provided a gentle pressure, is applied to them for
five or six weeks. If spines and ribs can thus be
made to assume any angle by trivial means ; or if
teeth can cut their way through the hard and resist-
ing bones on which they are inserted ; what is there
to prevent a cylinder of spongy bone such as sup-
ports the horn, from following the direction proposed
by the hair which encloses it 1* We are aware that,
where hair is disposed to take its own way, it is
needless attempting to prevent it — if it is inclined
to curl, all our brushing and suspending weights to
it, will not remove the tendency — and if it is straight,
our endeavours to gather it into swirls, are only fol-
lowed by transient success. What, then, is to hin-
der this latent determination from exerting a guiding-
influence, in a situation where unity of fibre must be
attended with an increase of strength more than ade-
quate to overcome the resistance of a cellullar bone.
Besides, we have yet another reason for presuming
that the horn, and not the bone, is the moving agent.
How do the horns of some breeds of sheep, for ex-
ample, become so much curved, exhibiting so many
close spirals when the bone extends so short a way,
in general only a third, along their centre. The
horn, too, for along time after its appearance, forms
a segment of alai-ger circle than at a more advanced
age ; that is to say, the four inches at the distal ex-
tremity of a horn of five years, describe a bend
smaller than the same length of horn in a sheep of
three. Again, what enables horn to retain its curve
after it has extended beyond the bone 1 Supposing

* In a few of the smaller species of antelopes, the
bony core is solid. This must be taken into account
when viewing the connection between hair and horns,
as evidenced by the form of the latter.

it to be something allied to concrete -albumen alone,
as anatomists and chemists try to prove, is it in the
nature of that substance to preserve its original form
though unsupported 1 I think it is not : Without
the aid of a fibrous structure, I do not think it could
retain the figure at first imparted to it. If we coin-
cide with the notion, that horn is composed solely of
a series of albuminous plates, we find no peculiarity
in the mode of their deposition sufficient to explain
their tendency to keep a certain curve. If such were
their composition, the circumstance of their never
departing from their usual shape would be a strange

one. We must, in fact, admit horn to be fibrous

its fibres to be analogous to hairs, — and these fila-
ments to be grouped side by side longitudinally,
from root to apex.

The ox, the antelope, the goat, and the sheep, have
hairy coverings, varying considerably in leno'th,
quantity, and texture. The hair of the ox may be
placed at the head of these, for its unity of shortness
and silkiness. That of tlie antelope is also of mode-
rate length, but it approaches in some points, as in
strength, to that which covers deer: in fact, it is
stiff considering its length. The hair of the goat is
usually long, and less inclined to full into swirls than
even that of the antelope. Except in a few species,
it approaches the hair of the antelope in springiness.
What is said of the hair of this animal, holds good in
respect to that of the sheep.

On examination, the characters of the horns of these
animals will be found to agree with those of their
respective hairs. The horn of the ox is gently and
evenly curved, and is distinguished by being lioht,
thin, and deficient in mark. The horn of the antelope
lias a gnarled appearance, caused by the prominence
of its fibres, and the consequent depth between the
locks of hairy matter, as they overlap each other.
These turns are more abrupt than in those of the ox •
in many species they are much waved. The horn of
the goat has many features in common with that of
the antelope : so has the horn of the sheep ; that is
to say, the straight horns of the Indian and Icelandic
breeds already mentioned. Then you will naturallv
remark, " as all hollow horns are composed of hair,
and you reckon the straight horns of the sheep among
the number so constituted, why do you not also in-
clude the spiral horns V Because, to speak correctly,
spiral horns are made up of wool, not of hair, pro-
perly so called. The sheep stands at the head of
wool- bearing- animals, nevertheless, its coat does not
consist entirely of wool. Even in the best breeds, a
sprinkling of hair may be detected in the fleece.
The coarser varieties frequently afford as much of
the one as of the other ; while in certain situations,
the animal affords nothing but hair ; Sir Joseph Banks
at one time possessed three sheep, with coats as
sleek as that of a horse. Among sheep and goats,
(for they are closely allied) every variety of fleece
may he discerned, from that of the merino, consist-
ing wholly of wool, to that of Northern Africa, made
up of scrubby li-airs.

If we look even cursorily on the many varieties of
sheep and goats, we perceive a near resemblance be-
tween the outline of the locks of hairy covering, and
that of the horn. Draughtsmen and painters know
this well ; at least they copy the coincidence cor-
rectly. Indeed, it may be taken as a test of the
fidelity of a drawing. But how happens it that
coarse-woolled sheep are frequently depicted with
beautiful spiral horns? How, if there is such a
consent between the fleece and the horns, does it
come that our hill breeds Ikivo finely tufted horns,
nearly as well turned as those of the merino 1 Be-
cause, in fact, the curve of the horn, in affording an

162

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE:

index to the quality of the wool, ratber indicates
what the animal is capable of affoi'ding hy proper
management, than what is at the moment on its bact.
Climate and cultivation have so great an influence
over the coverings of animals, that the best animal
may, even in a few weeks, have quite a different
appearance, if allowed to pasture in a cold raw coun-
try ; while a poor fleece may soon give place to a
good one, when the animal is subjected to proper
treatment. To this idea — that the form of the born
indicates the capacity of the sheep for affording wool,
and that sheep with bad wool, may, if they have well
twisted horns, be made in a short time, by aid of a
proper temperature, to afford a profitable clip, it may
be objected, that, if horns are in any way similar to
hair, it is natural to suppose that changes in the one
will be accompanied, or at least closely followed, by
changes in the other. Horns, however, are parts
that do not readily yield to climate, and alterations,
though soon effected in the fleece, are a very long
time in extending to the horn. It might as well be
urged, because the wool becomes thin and falls off in
old age, and during some lingering diseases, that
horns ought to cease to be connected with the sys-
tem, and fall off also. SYLVANDER.

Dumfries, iStli June, 1S3T,

POOR LAW COMMISSION.

lleturn to an Address of the Hon. the House of Com-
mons, dated June 9, 1837, for a return of all the ge-
neral rules submitted, under the 16th section of the
act, by the Poor Law Commissioners to the Secretary
of State, specifying those which have been disallow-
ed, or any part thereof, and those which have re-
ceived the sanction of His Majesty's Secretary of
State.

1. An order for the keeping, examining, and auditing
of the accounts of unions, and of the several parishes
comprised therein.

2. An order empowering the boards of guardians of
certain unions therein specified to elect chairman and
vice-chairman, and to fill up vacancies from time to
time iu those offices.

3. An order for the keeping, examining, and audit-
ing the accounts of unions, and of the several parishes
comprised therein. — (Ami nded order.)

4. An order declaring the period from and after
which the mode of rating' pi escribed by the Parochial
Assessment Act (6 and 7 of William IV., c. 96), shall
come into operation, and prescribing the form in which
the rate shall be made.

5. An order postponing the operation of the former
order, declaring the period from which the mode of
rating prescribed by the Parochial Assessment Act shall
be adopted, from the 24th of June to the 29th of Sep-
tember, 1837.

E. CHADWICK, Secretary.
Poor Law Commission-office, June 20, 1837.

Husbandry — Alpine Pastures — Cattle. —
Tyrol, from the elevation of a great part of its
surface above the level at which corn grows, is neces-
sarily a pastoi al country ; the wealth of its inhabitants
lies in cattle, -whicli furnish milk and cheese, their prin-
cipal food. Scanty crops of buck- wheat, rye, and oats
are cultivated as high as the climate will allow in the
secondary valleys, but in consequence of the vicissitudes
of temperature, the crop, when cut, is not allowed to

remain on the ground, but is either conveyed at once -
under roof, or if made into sheaves, is stuck upon light
wooden staves, with branching arms, the uppermost
sheaf being spread as a roof over those below. A line
of these stakes looks at a distance like an army of
giants. The natural meadows which clothe the moun-
tain-sides furnish even up to the verge of perpetual
snows a short thin herbage of the most nutritious kind,
very palatable to the cattle. In the early spring, when
the cows are first driven out of the stalls iu which they
have passed the winter, they are confined to the lower
part of the valley ; but as fast as the lower meadows
are exhausted, and the snow disappears under the in-
fluence of the summer sun from the higher pastures,
they are driven upwards. The very highest alps or
pastures which they reach late in the summer, remain
ijuried under the snow the whole year round, excepting
eight or ten weeks ; and by the end of September, at
which time the cattle have exhausted them and are
driven home, in most years have resumed their wintry
clothing. The meadows producing the thickest grass
are set apart for a hay crop, which, when cut, is hung
up to dry on racks consisting of horizontal poles, sup-
ported between two upright posts, and covered with a
narrow roof to turn aside the rain. It is then stored
in isolated barns or chalets, and is dealt out as wanted
with the strictest economy. In order to save it as much
as possible, the cattle are sometimes fed on stalks of
maize sprinkled with salt, or upon the leaves of the ash,
which are stripped from the tree for this purpose. The
real life of the cowherd of the Alps difi^ers widely from
the beau-ideal of poetry and romance ; for six or eight
months he is banished from the haunts of men, above
the clouds, occupying a wretched chalet, perhaps half
buried in the ground to prevent its being carried away
by avalanches. He must be constantly on the alert to
prevent his charge from straggling or falling over the
precipice, and must be prepared to protect them now
and then from the bear and wolf. After such arduous
labours and anxious care it can easily be understood
that the day on which the cattle return home from the
Alps is one of rejoicing both to the master and cow-
herd, provided the supply of butter and cheese be large,
the herd healthy, and no casualties have diminished its
numbers. Their return usually takes place about
Michaelmas, or St. Matthew's day. Wreaths of
flowers, ribands, and bells are sent up the mountains
beforehand to decorate the animals, which make their
entry marshalled in regular procession. At their head
marches the pride of the herd (the most distinguished
for size and beauty), who has invariably proved his
right to the precedence by combats with the rest ;
which the herdsman rather promotes than checks,
knowing that they will conduce to future tranquillity
as soon as the matter is once settled. The victor is
entitled to wear the largest wreath, and to bear the
most sonorous bell, attached to his neck by an orna-
mented belt ; and he shows by his stately gait that he
is fully aware of his dignity. From time to time he
gazes round to observe that none break the rank ; and
should some heedless bull-calf venture to press forward
out of his place, he is speedily reminded of his proper
position by a poke in the side from the horns of the
indignant leader. The rest of the herd are provided
according to their pretensions with trappings and bells ;
and the din and uproar which prevails in a town, caused
by the clatter of metal, intermingled with the shouts of
herdsmen and the lowing cattle, when the herds of dif-
ferent proprietors enter at the same time, is not unlike
one of those unmusical concerts which the French call
a Charivari ; such tinklings are anything but drowsy.
Behind the cattle walks the herdsman or senner, decked
out in his best, with a bunch of gay flowers, and a sprig
of rosemary in his hat. He drags after him a thick
thong of leather 15 or 20 feet long, which ever and anon,
by a violent exertion of muscular force, he wields above
his head, and cracks like a whip, but with a report as
loud as a pistol, much to the edification of the specta-
tors, and to the terror of all stragglers and loiterers in
the herd. The farmer or proprietor brings up the rear,
riding in a neat small cart laden with rich butter and
cheese. — Hand-Book for Travellers.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

16S

ON AGRICULTURAL FENCING.

BY JAMES SMITH, ESQ., OF DEANSTON WORKS.

In countries where agriculture is followed in a
systematic manner, much attention is paid to the
proper subdivision of the land into portions fitting
the peculiar circumstances of the situation and
the rotation of cropping to be followed ; and the
divisions being fixed, it is usual, and in most
cases necessary, to make some permanent fence
along the boundaries, to prevent the escape of
animals put to graze within, or the access of tres-
passers from without.

It is impossible to lay down rules for the divi-
sions of land under all the various circumstances
that occur in practice, but such general principles
may be expounded as will serve as assistant direc-
tions under most circumstances.

In farms comprehending extensive tracts of
pasturage or sheep walks, a fence following the
boundaries of the ground is generally most suit-
able, leaving out for subdivison such portions of
arable land as are generally attached to such
farms. When a farm is to be subdivided for agri-
cultural purposes, the first point of consideration
is the rotation of cropping most suitable for the
soil and local circumstances of the farm ; and
having ascertained that, the division should be
such as to give two enclosures for each division
of rotation. This is convenient both in green and
grain crops, as well as in pasture, and provided
the extent of the farm is not very small or very
large, this rule of division will be found suitable.
When in green crop it admits of one field being
in potatoes to be followed by wheat, and another
in turnips to be followed by barley — and all the
operations of farming can be more uniformly per-
formed in each field than when they are of large
extent. And, when in pasturage, convenient ar-
rangements of stock can be more easily made,
and the system of shifting, so conducive to the
thriving of all sorts of stock, can be more com-
pletely followed.

Land, which has been previously under the
plough, is, in most cases, found already subdivid-
ed ; but, in general, in so irregular and unsuitable
a manner, as to render it advisable where syste-
matic fencing is to be followed, to uproot the
whole and make new subdivisions, retaining such
of the old fences as can be made available to the
new subdivisions. Where stone fences exist, it
will, in many cases, pay to use the stones for
draining, replacing the fences with hedges.

The natural lie of the ground is another point
to be attended to in dividing a farm. The fields
should be as near the form of a square as possible,
for oblique forms give much annoyance in work-
ing. Sometimes it is necessary to make a field
oblong, or longer in one direction, when this is
the case the longer extent should run as near to
north and south as possible. The ploughing
being more economically done on the longer
direction, and the sun's rays getting better access
both to the ground and the crops, when the
ploughing points towards the sun. This is espe-
cially the case in drilled crops.

The convenience of access to the fields from the
farm-stead is another important consideration.
This should, if possible, be by a metalled road, di-
rected so as to give access to the greatest numbpr
of fields, and to admit of entrance to the fields at
points, neither in the hollows, nor on the ridges
in hilly ground, and other line of roads should be

conducted throughout with a view to uniformity
of ascent. It is generally of advantage to have
two or more points of entrance to each field.

To have a supply of fresh water for cattle at a
pasture is another important thing to be attended
to. Sometimes rivers or burns, and sometimes
ground springs come in for this purpose. When
these are wanting, a deep well, with a pump, will
be found suitable. In thoroughly drained land a
full supply of water can always be had from the
drains to fill such wells. The best position for the
shelter of cattle should likewise be studied. As
in this country the winds, most frequent and most
annoying to cattle, blow from the westward and
eastward, occasional plantations, running south
and north, are of great advantage.

It is seldom that all the natural points above
enumerated come fully to suit the subdivisions of
a farm, but it is proper to have them all in view,
as the advantages arising from a well arranged
subdivision are incalculable and constant under a
proper system of farming.

Having now completed the divisional part of the
subject, we shall proceed to consider the nature,
construction, expense, and durability of the va-
rious sorts offences used in this country.

The ring fence for sheep walks falls to be first
considered. The materials used for the formation
of such fences is generally turf or stone, in most
cases the latter. Turf fences or dykes are by far
the cheapest, being formed of turf cut from the
surface immediately adjoining, and being easily
built into shape. Such fences are made from 2 to
.3 feet wide at bottom, from 4 to 6 feet high, and
from 12 to 15 inches wide at top, and it is usual,
when sheep are to be enclosed, to run a row of
short stakes or stobs, with a rail or rafter, or a
wattling of brushwood or rice along the top, and
in some instances the dykes are kept lower and
broader at top, and furze or whinseed sown along
to form a crest hedge, which is said to grow well,
and to form an effectual barrier to sheep.

In the formation of such fences it is essential to
have the turf cut of a good size, in oblong squares,
and equal in thickness, to have the heath or grass
on the surface cut short, so that the turf may go
compactly together in building; the turfs should
be regularly banded over each other, according to
the rules observed in good masonry, and they
should be well beat together by the spade.

When completed to the height, the sides should
be dressed smoothly and neatly off from the top,
and well beat in with the spade. The work can
be best done during the moist periods of the year,
and can be executed in the best manner at from
3s. to 6s. per rood of 36 yards. Turf dykes, when
executed of good material, and when carefully
looked after, will last as good fences for 20 or 30
years, and in some cases longer, but they are cer-
tainly a less effective fence, and more liable to
decay, than good dry stone walls.

The RicMe dyke is the next in point of simpli-
city and cheapness. This is generally formed of
the boulder or land stones, which are found plen-
tifully in most pastoral districts. When a larger
class of stones arc found, they are laid down in
single rows for the foundation, and are commonly
laid on the surface to save expense.

In situations, however, wherestones are not very
dear, it would pay well to cast a foundation of
from 12 to 18 inches deep from the surface, for
all sorts of stone walls, as when built on the sur-
face they are apt to be thrown off their balance
by the expansion and subsidence of the surface

164

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

soil, from the alterations of wet and dry, and es-
pecially from the effects of intense frosts. On
the foundation stones the superstructure is raised
by placing smaller stones in single or double
rows, as the sizes may suit, using the larger stones
for the lower tires, and diminishing as they ap-
proach the top, until at the crest they sometimes
do not exceed the size of a man's fist. Such
fences are seldom made above four feet high, and
they form a pretty secure barrier against sheep
and even cattle. Sheep seldom attempt to top
them. When parts are by any accident thrown
down, they are easily repaired by the shepherds.
It is hardly possible to estimate the cost of such
fences, as much depends on the supply and nature
of the stones used; from 8s. to 24s. per rood of
26 yards, may be taken as the cost under usual
circumstances.

The Galloway Dyke is a wall fence now gene-
rally known in the pastural districts of Scotland.
It is a sort of mongrel betwixt the Rickle Dyke
and the regular Drystone Dyke or Wall. It is
formed either of gathered stones or quarried
stones, most commonly of a mixtui-e of both.
The foundation is laid in the usual manner of dry-
stone walls, as described above, and about one-
half of the height is built in horizontal courses,
from thence to the top, the stones are cased on
edge, compactly together, forming a rugged but
firm top, and making a secure and durable barrier
against both cattle and sheep. Such walls, when
the chief part of the stones are quarried, cost from
30s. to 50s. per rood, at 4^ feet high, exclusive of the
carriage of the stones ; the cost of which, depending
on the distance, must be estimated accordingly.

The most usual wall fence is the common dry-
etone double-faced dyke, for the construction of
which the flat thin-bedded hard sandstone is the
best material ; sometimes, however, such dykes
are built of part sandstone and part freestone,
"whinstone, limestone, or what answers extremely
well, clay slate. The foundation is generally laid
on the surface of the ground, sometimes a turf of
cix or eight inches in depth is removed, and the
jfoundation stone laid in its place ; but for reasons,
fcefore explained, a deeper cut for the foundation
is preferable. The first rows of stones frequently
consists of boulder or land stones, which suit well
when not of too round a shape, but when natu-
rally of that form they should be hammer-dressed,
so as to give at least one flat side for the upper
surface, to receive the next course of stones. In
building this kind of dyke, it is usual to put a
handstone or throughgoing stone at every yard,
or some such distance, and these stones are gene-
rally made to project from 4 to 8 inches beyond
the general surface of the wall. Such handstone
certainly serve to bind the wall to a certain ex-
tent; still the tye is but imperfect, and most walls
of this sort show the first symptoms of falling, by
bulging out at the sides from the want of a com-
plete and uniform tye. To remedy this, every
such wall should be tied with a complete course
of binders, running about midway betwixt the
foundation and top of the wall ; and, for the beauty
and security of the dyke, it will be as well to have
them flush with the general surface of the sides ;
where the material for walls of this description is
small, it is usual to build up the opposite faces of
the wall, leaving a considerable space between,
which is filled with chips, or what is called heart-
ing; this makes a very insecure fabric, and, unless
frequent banding courses are put in, the duration
of the fence will be very limited.

It was usual in the olden time to co-pe or top
such walls with a double course of strong turf,
which was cheap and secure for the wall ; but be-
ing liable to decay, and to be rubbed off by the
cattle, and being besides easy for people to walk
upon, to the injury of the dyke, has now generally
given way to the rough stone cope. The rough
stone cope is formed by casing the upper course
of stones on edge, to the height of from 12 to 18
inches, allowing them to project over the wall
a few inches on each side. A flat cope stone is
sometimes placed under this course, projecting
also over the wall, but this seems unnecessary,
and is often hurtful, being more easily thrown off
by cattle. The stones when set without mortar
are generally warded hard up, by driving wedges
of whinstone or other hard material at intervals
betwixt the stones ; but in most cases laying with
mortar makes the most suflScient work. The cost
of such fences is very various, running from 40s.
to 80s. per rood of 36 lineal yards, including ma-
terial, carriage, and workmanship. When plan-
tations are to be enclosed, or in any situation
where the fence is to be exposed to cattle from
one side only, a face or single dyke is often used ;
this comes cheaper than the double dyke, and, if
well executed, will be more durable. In preparing
for the sunk fence, it is usual to cut into the
ground to a depth of about one-half the height of the
dyke, making the face where the back of the wall
is to rest perpendicular, and sloping off the other
with a gentle rise towards the field. From the
natural surface at the back, a firm backing should
be built of feal or turf well but together, and ris-
ing to the intended height of the body of the wall ;
behind this the loose material cut from the foun-
dation shoidd be thrown, and it is recommended
that it should be well beat or trampled together.
The foundation stones should be broad, extending
a few inches beyond the body of the wall on both
sides, or at all events in front; on these the struc-
ture is raised in the usual maimer of dyke-build-
ing, but care should be taken to have the back face
brought up with a firm bearing of the courses of
stones on each other ; lor a hard bearing in front,
with a loose back, is sure to cause an early failure
of the wall. Such walls are coped in the usual
way. The rough stone cope being of course pre-
ferable. Sometimes a white thorn or beech hedge
is planted in the soil at the back of such fences,
which adds to the security of the fence and to its
beauty. Such a fence will cost from 40s. to 50s.
Say quarrying stones, .... £0 10 0

Cartage of dhto, 0 10 0

Cutting and buildinsr, .... 1 5 0

£2 5 0
Sometimes drystone walls are pointed, as it is
technically called, with lime, which can be done
at little cost, in most lowland situations, and adds
much to the substantial appearance, and not a
little to the durability of the structure.

In some parts of the country, walls have been
regularly built with stones and mortar, and such
form at once the most immediate and most durable
fences, and less liable to accidents ; but in most
situations the first cost is so great as far to over-
balance all advantages, besides in point of beauty,
stones walls of every description must give way to
the hedge. Stone and mortar walls are generally
of the following dimensions, when used as agri-
cultural fences : — Foundation laid with flat stones
from 12 to 14 inches below the surface, and to a
width from 26 to 28 inches ; body of wall at hot-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

165

torn 20 to 22 inches wide, battering or tapering
off to 15 inches, at the height of 3 feet 6 inches,
where a dressed ruble coping is placed flush with
the wall on both sides, and rising from 9 to 12
inches — making the whole height of the wall
from 4 feet 3 inches to 4 feet 6 inches.

The cost thereof will ran thus, per lineal rood of
3G yards : —

Quarrying stones £0 10 0

Lime for mortar 0 12 0

Preparing lime 0 2 0

Casting- foundation 0 2 6

Building 0 18 0

Additional height one-half 1 2 3

Say (average) carriage 0 10 0

£3 16 9
Hedge fences are generally formed of the white
thorn, commonly called quicks. These are some-
times interspersed with beech, horn-beam, sweet-
briar, privet, or holly, and sometimes they are
formed entirely of one or other of these plants.
Those entirely of the white- thorn are, however,
the most common, and are at once the handsomest
and the best. A mixture of one beech for every
three or four thorns makes a close and strong
hedge, and is especially close during winter, from
the beech retaining its leaves ; still such hedges
have a spotty appearance, and the beeches are apt
to overgrow and kill the thorns. Hedges entirely
of beech are handsome in summer, and afford ex-
cellent shelter in winter, but they do not; withstand
well the attacks of cattle. The reader is referred
to some excellent observations " on the manage-
ment of hedges" to a paper in this report, by Mr.
Pavid Blair, forrester at Sauchie. Here our state-
ments shall be confined chiefly to the mode and
cost of planting, defending, and rearing those
hedges. The most common mode of hedge-fenc-
ing is what is called " hedge and ditch." On this
mode the thorns are generally laid on a bed made
with good earth or turf, a little above the original
surface of the ground, a ditch is cut of greater or
lesser dimensions in front, and the material dug
out is laid over and beyond the roots of the thorns,
forming a bank or mound along what is called
" the back of the hedge." A row of 85 feet stobs,
with a single rail or rafter, is generally placed on
the summit of the mound of loose earth, and this,
with the altitude of the mound and the depth of
the ditch, is esteemed a sufficient fence for the
time being ; and thus the hedge is too often left
to grow as it can.

It is truly grievous to observe the vast extent
of hedges so planted, year after year, yet to be
found six or ten years after, neither fence nor
shelter. The ditch forms a protection to the hedge
on one side, but rather gives an enticement to cat-
tle in hot weather to rub upon and crop the thorns.
The paling on the other side forms but a slender
defence, for it is placed so near the thorns that
cattle pass their heads through or over, and ef-
fectually crop the thorns the whole season over,
besides from the position of the stobs, it is im-
possible to clean or dig at the roots of the thorns
behind.

Ditches may be necessary in wet and unculti-
vated land, but whenever it is intended to follow
a system of good husbandry, there should be no
open ditches. A thirty-inch covered drain should
be run parallel to the fence on each side. The
thorn bed being trenched, as recommended by
Mr. Blair, let the quicks be laid in a sloping fur-
row, or it is thought that where liedges are to draw

nourishment from both sides, a drill or ridge
should be made thus X, and the plants laid cross-
ing each other at the stem, and having the roots
pass into the opposite fields alternately, the
roots may then be covered to a considerable
depth, and to a width of at least six feet
over, by taking earth from each side to a
foot in depth, sloping off the ground gently
towards the surfaces of the fields. The hol-
lows thus formed can be again filled with the
plough, the first time the fields are worked for
green crop. Whenever it is intended to put sheep
or cattle in any of the fields, on either side, a com-
plete fence of paling should be put up at a distance
of at least 4 feet from the centre of the hedge, so
that cattle may not be able to reach the growing
thorns over the paling ; for the bite of cattle
checks the growth of thorns very much, — besides,
the distance of 4 feet gives free access for cleaning
and digging about the thorns, and without risk of
loosening the hold of the stobs. Under some cir-
cumstances it may suit very well to soil the whole
of the cattle, and to keep no sheep during the first
rotation of a newly divided farm, whereby paling
will be entirely saved, excepting along roads or the
fields of contiguous lands. The hedges may thus
be raised to be fences without protection. The
soiling of cattle has besides the property of mak-
ing a greater quantity of manure, whicli is of
essential advantage at the beginning of a lease.

Of the various sorts of fences used for the pro-
tection of hedges, the common stob rail is by far
the best and cheapest ; but it is of great advantage
to have tha stobs at first 4^ feet long, so that the
bottoms, which always decay first, maybe cut off
when rotten, and the stobs re-pointed and driven
again. In this way, good larch stobs will last from
10 to 12 years, and will raise two hedges. Flakes
of young timber, are, of all fences, the most ex-
pensive, and least durable. Cattle, by rubbing
upon them, more easily break them, and throw
them down ; the horizontal position of the spars
retains the rain water, and causes the growth of
moss, and consequent decay of the timber, and the
slender ends of the young trees soon become rot-
ten and frush. Flakes, costing 6d. a j'-ard, have
become completely useless in five years. For a
temporary division in a field, or in any situation
where frequent removal is necessary, they may
suit the best ; but if a fence has to stand for three
years, common stob and rail is far preferable. In
the rearing of thorn fences, it is of much import-
ance to watch their progress, and to give a little
extra dung and digging where the thorns seem
backward in growing.' There is much difi"erence
of opinion regarding the cropping of young hedges,
some advocating the system of allowing the thorns
to grow for several years without cropping them,
that they may gain strength of stem ; others re-
commending to top the more luxuriant stems, al-
lowing the general number to grow as nature will.
From considerable experience and extensive obser-
vation, it is here recommended that hedges be regu-
larly cropped from the first year, allowing them to
advance about 9 inches in height each year. In this
way, a hedge will have attained a height of 3 feet 9
inches, or 4 feet in five years, and, from the suc-
cessive branching out at each year's cut, will
possess a thick body. The top of the hedge should
always be kept thin, and the branches from the
bottom of the stems should be allowed to extend,
taking care, however, to crop each lateral branch,
at an extending distance from the stem, each suc-
cessive year. Hedges never get so close to the

166

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

bottom until they have been allowed to extend,
for without distance to admit of successive and
multiplied branching, it is vain to expect a close
fence. The bottom should extend, at least, one
foot on each side of the stems ; by this extension
and when the hedge has become close, the weeds
are in a great measure overgrown, and the hedge
is kept clean at less expense. Nothing tends so
much to destroy a hedge, as the allowing long
grass or weeds to grow up the stems, and remain
so all winter. Hedges should always be left clean
at the end of winter, so that when spring comes,
the whole buds may have air and freedom to en-
courage them to grow out, especially at the bottom.

The following statements shew the first cost,
annual cost, and the amount of cost at 6 years old,
of thorn hedges, under ordinary circumstances,
per rood of 3G lineal yards : —
Thorn plants at 10s. per 1,000, 9 plants per s. d.

yard 3 3

Planting and banking 2 7

Dung for thorn-bed • • 1 0

Digging- bank over thorns . . . = 0 4

Cost per rood, without paling 7 2

Paling for cattle.

s. d.

60 four-feet stobs, at 4s. per 100 2 4|

S6 yds. rafter or rail, 5s. per 100 yds. 1 10

Nails 0 4

Putting up paling 1 0

Cartage of stobs and rails, (average) 1 0

6 6| 6 6%

Cost with single paling complete 13 8f

6 6f

Cost with double do. do. 20 S\

With paling for Sheep.

Cost of thorns, &c., as above 7 2

Paling.

60 four-feet stobs at 4s. per 100 2 4|

120 three-feet stobs at 3s. per 100 . . 3 7|
72 yards rails at 5s. per 100 yards . . 3 7^-

240 nails at 4id. per 100 Oil

Putting up paling 1 4

Carriage of stobs, &c 2 6

14 4i

Cost with one paling complete 21 6^

14 41

Cost with two do. do 35 10§

Average annual cost of upholding full-grown Thorn
fences.

Digging at back, once 4d.

Cleaning both sides once .... 3d.

Switching 3d.

Total annual cost per 36 yds. lOd.
In most cases digging may be dispensed with.
Cost oj' planting, protecting, and rearing Thorn Hedges
to complele fences, in six years.

s. d.

Thorns ; . . 3 3

Planting and ])anking 2 7

Dung twice , 2 0

Digging back six times 2 0

Cleaning twelve times 3 0

Switching six times .... : 1 0

Paling of both sides for sheep 28 0

Total cost at six years old .,......,.., , 41 10

All of these costs will, of course, vary a little ac-
cording to circumstances.

A very handsome, efficient, and durable sheep
fence for a lawn may be made of the following
form and dimensions, at from 4d. to 6d. per yard.

One stile per yard cut by a saw mill, from well-
grown larch trees — stile 4 feet long, 3 inches by 2,
and having the lower ends charred and driven one
foot into the ground. One rail at top, 3 inches
broad, 1^ inches thick, straight and equally cut
by a saw mill. Three rails of similar dimensions,
the lower edge of lowest, 6 inches from theground,
and the others placed above, at a distance of 4^
inches from edge to edge. This, with one coat
of coarse stone coloured paint, costs about 6d. per
running yard, looks neat, and will last for seven
or eight years.

Iron fences, of various forms and strength, are
used in parks, but these come very expensive, and
the very interest of the sunk capital will make a
timber fence every four or six years.

The cheapest sheep fence of iron will not cost
under 20d. per yard. Wire fences of different
sorts are in use, and are generally called invisible
fences. Such may suit very well to protect flower
gardens, but are not to be recommended as suffi-
cient or economical fences for the farmer.

What has been stated in the foregoing paper re-
garding fences, bears reference more especially to
Scotland, but the whole may be modified to apply
to England and Ireland.

SAFFRON WALDEN TUP SHOW.

On the 3rd inst. the annual meeting of tins society
was held, when there was a good show of tups on the
Museum hill. Five prizes were offered on the occasion,
namely, three for short woolled sheep, and two for long
woolled ditto, which were awarded as follows : — Silver
cup for long- woolled sheep of any afe, to Mr. C. Nash,
of Hinton ; silver cup for shearling, (long wool) to
Mr. W. F. Hobbs, Mark Hall, near Cogsleshall ; the
judges also commended another of Mr. Hobbs's sheep
The whole of the short-wool prizes were won by sheep
belonging to Mr. Jonas Webb, of Babraham, near Cam-
bridge. The shearling excited universal approbation,
and is consideied a perfect specimen of the South Down,
A n account of this beautiful animal appeared under the
head of Babraham Tup Shew, in our paper, a few weeks
ago ; he was hired by the Duke of Bedford, at Mr.
Webbs's shew, for 51 guineas. Amongst the company
we observed, the President, Ld. Bray broke, and the two
Vice do., J. S. Adeane, Esq., R. B. Wolfe, Esq., S.
Batson, C. Dagnell, Esqrs., Rev. R. C. Townley, Rev.
J. Bennett, &c., &c., &c. The prizes were all
cups. H. S.

THE MILL'S MERRY SAIL.

BY MISS ELIZA COOK.

Oh ! would that the days would come back to me.
When I rose with the lark, and rov'd with the bee ;
When my father's fields, and the rustling grain.
Seemed wide and rich as a King-'s domain ;
When I drank sweet draughts Irom the clover's breath.
And hound my brow with the wild rose wreath ;
Whde the swinging flail, and the Mill's merry Sail,
Rung in the barn, and whirl'd in the gale.

Oh ! could I ask back, and choose from all

The days I have had, 'tis those I would call ;

There was warmth and freshness then in my heart.

For 1 walk'd the world in its brightest part.

Oh ! give me again those precious hours

When I slept in the corn-shock, and played with the

flowers
While the swinging flail, and the Mill's merry Sail
Rung in the barn and whirl'd in the gale.

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

16^

EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING CATTLE
ON DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS OF
FOOD.

BY MR. ROBERT STEPHENSON, WHITELAW,
HADDINGTON.

(F)'o»i tlie Quarterly Journal of Agriculture.)

The cattle selected for this experiment were
oxen rising- two years old, and bred on the same
farm. Their live-weights were ascertained at
the beginning, during different periods, and at the
end of the experiment. They were divided into
three lots of six beasts each, and placed in open
courts with sufficient sheds and stalls, and small
mangers fitted up for corn and linseed cake. A
correct account was kept of the weight of food
consumed by each lot. Lot 1st were allowed lin-
seed cake, bruised beans, and bruised oats, in ad-
dition to what turnips they could consume ; and
for the last twenty-four daj's of the experiment
201b. of potatoes per day were given to each beast.
Lot 2d. received the same allowance with the ex-
ception of linseed -cake, and for the last twenty-
four days they got only 101b. of potatoes each
beast per day. And the 3d. lot were fed on tur-
nips alone. None of the lots were allowed hay.
The objects of this experiment are, first, To com-
pare cattle fed partly on linseed-cake with those
which had none; secondly. To compare those fed
partly on corn with those which had none ; and,
thirdly. To compare those fed solely on turnips
with those which had different sorts of food. From
former trials we are inclined to believe that cattle
consume food in proportion to their weights when
nearly alike in condition. We therefore resolved
in this experiment to divide the eighteen cattle, so
as to confirm or refute this belief. They had been
all kept in the same manner since the)'^ were
calved, and were pretty much alike in condition,
although varying considerably in weight. The six
heaviest cattle weighing in live-weight 486 impe-
rial stones were selected for lot first ; the next six
heaviest of 443 stones constituted lot second ; and
the six lightest made lot third, were 346J stones.
These weights were ascertained on 23d Novem-
ber 1834, when the experiments began after the
cattle had been in the court-yard from 20th Sep-
tember, 1834, and all fed on the same kind of food,
namely, common white globe turnips. The white
turnips given during the experiment were of good
quality, raised with dung upon a rather stiff soil,
and estimated about 20 tons per.acre, their gravity
on the 19th November, 1834, being 897-4 oz. per
cubic foot. The Swedish turnips were also of good
quality, grown on good clayey loam, 20 tons per
acre by weight and measui'ement, their gravity
being 1030 oz. per cubic foot on 19th November;
but they had lost weight for bulk considerably by
the 17th March following, when the last were
raised from the ground, being then only 976-9 oz.
per cubic foot. The white turnips used before the
experiment commenced on 23d. November, 1834,
were raised with bone manure, and rather inferior
in quality, being only on 19tl:i November 774 oz.
per cubic foot. With these preliminary observa-
tions, we will proceed to state the particulars of
the experiment.

1. Food consumed by each beast of lot 1st : —

13 cwt. 1 qr. 16lb. white turnips from
S!3d. November to 3d. December 1834,

£ s. d.
ten days, being I50lb. per day at 3d.
per cwt 0 3 4

30lb. bruised beans, for 10 days, being
31b. per day at 13s. per boll, allowing
601b. to the bushel 0 1 T"!

40lb. linseed-cake, for 10 days, being- 41b.

per day at fd. per lb. or 7/. per ton. 0 2 6

25 cwt. 3 qr. 20lb. Swedish turnips,
from 3d. December to 2oth Decem-
ber 1834, 22 days, being lS21b. per day,
at 4d. per cwt 0 8 7J

88lb. linseed cake, for 22 days, 41b. per

dajr nt fd. per lb 0 5 6

66lb. bruised beans, for 22 days, being

3d. per day 0 S 7

69 cwt. 211b. Swedish turnips, being 123
lb. per day for 63 days, from 25th De-
cember 1834 to 26th February 1835. 1 3 0|

1891b. bruised beans, for 63 days, being

31b. per day 0 10 2^

1261b. bruised oats, for 63 days, being
21b. per day, at 20s. per qr. say 42lb.
per bushel 0 7 6

1891b. linseed cake, for 63 days, being

31b.* per day Oil 9|-

21 cwt. 2 qrs. 21b. Swedish turnips,
being 1001b. per day, from 26th Feb-
ruary to 22d March, 24 day« 0 7 2

4801b. potatoes, for 24 days, being 20lb.

per day, at 6s. per boll of 4 cwt.... 0 6 5

721b. bruised beans, for 24 days, being

31b. per day 0 3 10|

481b. oats, for 24 days, being 21b. per

day 0 2 lOi

721b. linseed cake, for 24 days, being
31b. per day 0 4 6

Total cost of feeding: one beast of lot 1st. 5 2 7

2. Food consumed by each beast of lot 2d : —

£ s. d.
14 cwts. 1 qr. 241b. turnips, being 1621b.

per day for 10 days, at 3d. per cwt. . 0 3 7|
301b. bruised beans, for 10 days, being

31b. per day ,,- 0 1 7J

29 cwt. 1 qr. 24lb. Swedish turnips,

being 1501b. per day for 22 days, at 4d.

per cwt 0 9 9|

661b. bruised beans, for 22 days, being

31b. per day 0 3 7

67 cwt. 2 qrs. Swedish turnips, being

1201b. per day for 63 days 1 2 6

1891b. bruised beans, for 63 days, being

31b. per day 0 10 2i

1261b. oats, for 63 days, being 21b. per

day 0 7 6

24 cwt. 2 qrs. 161b. Swedish turnips,

being 1151b. per day for 24 days. . . 0 8 2|
2401b. potatoes, for 24 days, being lOlb.

per day 0 3 2^-

72lb. bruised beans, for 24 days, being

31b. per day 0 3 lOf

481b. oats, for 24 days, being 21b. per

day 0 2 lOi

Total cost of feeding one beast of lot 2d. 3 17 0

* It will be observedthat the linseed cake has been
reduced from 41b , to 31b. per day, because the cat-
tle, on being allowed oats in addition to the beans,
would not eat more than 31b. of linseed cate per day«

168

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

3. Food consumed by each beast of lot 3d : —

11 cwt. ." qrs. 141b. white turnps, £ s. d.
being ll31b. per day for 10 days,
at 3d. per cwt 0 2 11|-

22 cwt. 2 qrs. 101b. Swedish turnips,
being llolb. per day for 22 days, at
4d. per cwt 0 7 6^

C4 cwt. 2 (jrs. 211b. Swedish turnips,

being ll51b. per day for 63 days. ... 1 1 6|

19 cwt. 2 qrs. 24lb. Swedish turnips,

being 92lb. per day for 24 days 0 6 6|

Total cost of feeding one beast of lot 3d. 1 18 ?}

Abstract of Cost of Keep, •

£ s. d. s.

Lot 1st, 119 days, 5 2 7 = 6-0343 per week.

2d, 3 17 0 = 4-.5294 • •

.3J, , 1 18 7|= 2-2712

Iiiiprovements in Live Weight.

Lot First.

Lot Second.

Lot Third.

^

■S w

c .

c .

S m

.5?"

b s

'5 ^

S S

~u $i

r?

a. o

o *ij

^%

|£

P= M

> ^

> '^

S.e

" =

ftC

J

S'"

a

S""

3

£■"

Nov. 23, 1834

486

443

346V

Dec. 25, —

520

34

469

26

354 i

8

Jan. 24, 1835

554

34

499i

301

375

20 J-

Feb. 25, —

582

28

528

28§

389

14

Mar. 23, —

594

12

544

16

395i

6i

1
Total improve- ">
ment in seven- >
teen weeks. j

108

101

49

1

We have thus obtained data on which we can
ascertain whether the foregoing methods of feed-
in"- of cattle can be practised without loss.

'^Ve regret that we are unable to present the
amount of the beef, tallow, and hides, of all the
cattle in this experiment when killed, having only
obtained a correct return of four of them, which
•were slaughtered by Mr. M. Hutchison, Leith.
But as we have ascertained pretty accurately the
dead-weight of cattle, from a number of experi-
ments on those of like condition and age, by mul-
tiplying the live-weight by the decimal -571, we
shall apply this rule to the live-weights in the
above Table, in order to ascertain the quantity,
and estimate the value of the beef produced ; and
we shall add 6d. per stone to the beef, being its
increased value by feeding at the end of the experi-
ment. The tallow is about -j5- of the live-weight,
or that multiplied by 08 will give the nett weight
of the tallow. The hide is about ,00 I'art of the
live-weight, or that multiplied by -0.^) will give the
iiett weight of the hide ; and the live-weight mul-
tiplied by -28 will give the weight of the entrails
and refuse.

£

Lot 1st, subjected to these rules, stands
thus : — Improvement in live weight,
108 St. ,=61 St. 101b. beef, at 6s. pr St. 18 10 3

Increased value of the carcass of 339st.,

at 6d. per St 8 9 6

d.

Increase of value from feeding.
Deduct cost of keep of each beast,

26 19 91

Being £12 : 6 : Of per cent. £ s. d.

Lot 2nd, — Improvement in live weight

101 stones, = 57st. 101b. beef, at 6s.

per St 17 6 3§

Increased value of carcass of 310st. at

6d, perst 7 15 0

Increase of value from feeding... 25 1 3^
Deduct cost of keep of each beast,

£3 : 17s. X 6, 23 2 0

Profit on feeding Lot 2nd ... , 1 19 3f

Being £8 : 10 : 1 per cent.
Lot 3rd, — Improvement of live weight,

49» stones, = 28st. 4lb. beef at 6s.

perst 8 9 8i

Increased value of carcass of 226st., at

6d. per stone 5 13 0

Increas3 of value from feeding. ... 14 2 8§
Deduct cost of keep of each beast,

£1 : 18:71 X C^ 11 11 7i

£5:2:7X6 30 15 6

Loss on feeding Lot ist.

3 15

Profit on feeding of Lot 3rd. ... 2 11 1

Being £22 : 1 : 1 per cent.

Thus, when turnips alone were used, a profit of
22 per cent, was realized ; when corn was used
along with turnips, the profit was diminished to
8J per cent. ; but when still more expensive food
was used, that is corn and linseed cake, along with
turnips and potatoes, a loss was sustained of no
less than 12(1 per cent.

Two pairs of the above cattle were selected and
exhibited at the Local Show in this county, and
gained the first prizes as the best beasts bred in
the count)'. One pair belonged to Lot 1st, and
the other pair had one beast from Lot 1st, and
another from Lot 2nd. They were sold on the
ground for 20Z. a-piece. Their live and dead
weights were respectively as follows : — No. 1, live
weight 112 stones ; dead weight of beef, C6st. 21b. 5
tallow, 8it. lOlb. ; hide, 5st. 111b.; other oifals,
32st. 51b. No. 2 (from Lot 2nd ), live weight, 100
stones ; dead weight of beef, 58st. 61b. ; tallow,
7st. 71b. ; hide, 4st. 121b. ; other offals, 29st. 31b.
No. 3, live weight, 103 stones ; dead weight of
beef, G2st. 3Ib. ; tallow, 9st. ; hide, 4st. 121b. ;
other offals, 26st. 131b. No. 4, live weight, 109
stones ; dead weight of beef, 62st. 41b. ; tallow,
9st. 41b. ; hide, 5st. 121b.; other offals, 31st. 81b.

We shall give another view of the subject by
estimating the cost of producing a pound of live-
weight.

Lot 1st cost 4-884 pence for every ib. of increased
live weight.
2nd — 3-92 do. do.

3rd — 4*39 do. do

We are not aware that any one has hitherto at-
tempted to assign the separate agency of each
kind of food in the production of live-weight, when
more kinds than one are employed in the feeding
of cattle. Could this be done in a satisfactory
manner, the question would at once be set at rest.
Which food was the most profitable ? We have
already stated the cost of producing lib. of live-
weight in each of the three lots of cattle in this
experiment, where it appears that the joint agency
of turnips and corn is the cheapest of the three.
But we are not prepared to say that the like result
will be uniformly obtained, because, although ob-
serving the improvement in live-weight of a con-
siderable number of cattle on a given quantity of
turnips to be, on an average, an increase of lib. of
live-weight for every 901b. of turnips, under good

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

169

iTianagement, and with good cattle, yet we have
seen cattle which did not improve lib. of live-
weight for every 1,0001b. of turnips. By this ex-
periment lot 3d. only increased a lb. of live-
weight for every llfilb. of turnips; and it will be
observed, from what cause we know not, that for
the first thirty-two days of this experiment, this
lot increased only 8 stones. Now, for forty- six
days immediately preceding 23d November, 1834,
the beginning of the experiment, these same six
cattle increased 48i stones, or 1131b. each beast;
while, from a trial made for eight days, from 7th
till 14th November inclusive, they consumed
160-851b. each per day of common turnips (v.hite
globe), which gave only G5-47lb. of turnips to a
lb. of increased live weight. But, avoiding
lengthened details of other experiments, we will
assume 901b. of turnips, as being equal to the pro-
duction of lib. of increased live weight, and
from this datum endeavour to ascertain the agency
of each different kind of food employed in the
feeding of lots 1st and 2d. We shall begin with
lot 2d, and divide fix 15,226, the quantity of tur-
nips consumed by this lot, hy 90, and the quotient
is 10151b. of live-weight, as having been produced
from the agency of turnips. Lot 2d, also, con-
sumed 14401b. potatoes. We say that 401b. of po-
tatoes will yield lib. of increased live-weight,
the result will therefore be 1440-:-40=361b. of
live-weight as having been produced from the
agency of potatoes: therefore 1015x36=1051,
and the remainder, 3631b. as having been produced
by the agency of corn, which make up 14141b. the
total increase of live-weight.
Lot 1st, hy the same rule, stands thus : —
14,563 X 6 = 87,378 --.-90 = 9701b. of live weight

by the agency of turnips
480 X 6 = 2880 -:- 40 = 721b. do. do. potatoes.
531 X 6 = 3186 -:- 8-77 == 3631b. do. do. corn.
389 X 6 = 2334 -:- 21-81 = 1071b. do. linseed-
cake.

The cost of producing a pound of increased live
weight by the above data is : —

901b. of turnips at 4d. per cwt. = 3-2142d.
401b. of potatoes at Is. 6d. do. = 6 4285d.
8-771b. of corn at 3s. 3d. per bushel of 601b = 5-7d.
21-811b.of linseed-cake at |d. per lb. = 16-3575d.

Although we have assumed, in the above calcu-
lations, that 401b of potatoes are equal to 901b. of
turnips in the production of live-weight, we arc
far from helieving that proportion correct in point
of fact. On the contrary, we should say, that
901b. of turni])s are fully equal to 701b. of potatoes,
and that the latter is perhaps the most expensive
food usually given to cattle ; and certainly, so long
as potatoes fetch Is. 6d. per cwt. in the market,
cattle on that food will soon, to use a familiar
jihrase, " eat off their own heads." When any
other food than turnips is desired for feeding cat-
tle, we would recommend hruised beans, as being
the most efficient and least expensive ; on this ac-
count we would prefer bruised heans alone to dis-
tillery offal. As regards linseed-cake, or even po-
tatoes, they are not to be compared to beans. In
confirmation of this opinion, we may be permit-
ted to state shortly the improvement made by
three cattle last season, 1835-6, of the same age
and sort, indeed own brothers, to three of the cat-
tle in Lot 1st of our experiment. They were fed
on white turnips until 27th .January, and after
date on Swedish ; and, as we mean them to
compete for the prize given for the besi bemts bred
in the county, we allowed them from 10th De-
cember 3ilb. of oats and beans, and 3ilb, ofhay

each per day. And, in order that a comparison
may be made with lot 1st of our experiment, wc
will state the improvement in live-weight as near
the same period as the dates of weighing will ad-
mit. The live-weight of the three cattle on the
25th November was 273 stones, and on the 31st
March 338 stones, being an increase of 65 stones, or
21| stones each in 127 days ; while by our experi-
ment, lot Istin 119daysgained only 18 stones each,
being a difference of 3.1 stones in favour of last sea-
son. A pair this season also gained the prize, as the
best beasts bred in the county, against others which
had been fed on as much linseed-cake as they could
eat. Our pair of two years' old were sold, 16th
May 1836, for 55/. 10s. We were at very great
pains in the keeping of our two year old cattle
this season, having cut all the turnips for them,
white as well as Swedish. We have always been
in the habit of cutting the Swedish turnips, but
never till this season did we cut the white also.
In conclusion on this part of our subject, we give
it as our opinion, that whoever feeds cattle on
turnips alone will have no reason, on the score of
profit, to regret their not having employed more
expensive auxiliaries to hasten the fattening
process. This opinion has not heen rashly
adopted, but has been confirmed by a more ex-
tended and varied experience in the feeding of
cattle than has fallen to the lot of most men.

That cattle consume food something nearly in
proportion to their weights, we have very little
doubt, iirovided they have previously been fed in
the same manner, and are nearly alike in condition.
Age, sex, and kind, have little influence in this re-
spect, as the quantity of food consumed depends
much on the length of time the beast has been fed,
and on the degree of maturity at which the ani-
mal has arrived — hence the great difficulty of se-
lecting cattle fit for experimenting upon. To
explain our meaning by an example, we would say
that two cattle of the same weight, and which had
been previously kept for a considerable time on
similar food, would consume about the same quan-
tity. But, on the contrary, should two beasts of
the same weights be taken, the one fat and the
other lean, the lean beast would eat twice or per-
haps thrice as many turnips as the fat one, — more
especially if the fat one had been for some time
previously fed on the same food, as cattle eat gra-
dually less food until they arrive at maturity,
when they become stationary in their appetite.
We have had great experience in feeding stock,
and have conducted numbers of experiments on
that subject with all possible care, both in weigh-
ing the cattle alive, and the whole food adminis-
tered to them, and in every experiment we made
we discovered something new. But we have seen
enough to convince usthat were the art of feed-
ing better understood, a great deal more beef and
mutton might be produced from the same quantity
of food than is generally done.

We had on turnips, at the time we were con-
ducting the foregoing experiments, five queys of
the some age and sort as the eighteen stots, also
twenty three-year old stots, such as are bred on
the Perthshire Braes, in one court, and fourteen
Fife stots in another court. Five of an average
size and weight from each of the lots of Ferth-
shire and Fife stots were selected, and their live-
weights ascertained, and the turnips consumed by
them weighed. They were weighed on 2r)th De-
cember, and the quantities of turnips consumed
were ascertained from an average of the weeks
previous and subsequent to that day. The result

170

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

■was as follows : — For every stone they were of
live-weight, the cattle consumed of Swedish tur-
nips each day, The Perthshire stots, l-8fiHb. ; the
Fife do., l-7811b. ; the two-year-old queys,
l-88811h. ; Lot 3rd of our experiment fed on tur-
nips alone, l-9481b. ; Lot 2nd of our experiment,
assuming the value of food other than turnip, as
stated in the previous part of this paper, 2-3 ; Lot
1st of our experiment, under the same condition
as Lot 2nd, 2-07. We must not he understood as
presenting the above ratio of weight of beasts to
weight ot turnips as uniform. On the contrary,
the ratio varies according to condition and food ;
we took the ratio at the end of December as a
medium period. These same cattle in the begin-
ning of November previous, when on common
white turnips, consumed them in the following
ratio: — The Perthshire stots, 2-71b. ; the Fife
stots, 2-(Jl. Lot 1st of our experiment when on
turiiips alone, before the experiment, 2-28 ; Lot
2nd under the same conditions 2'8, and Lot 3rd
under the same conditions 2772. No note
was taken of the white turnips consumed by the
queys. It is not uncommon for a lean beast to
consume more than a fourth part of his own weight
of food every day, while a very fat one will not
consume one-tenth. We kept two of the cattle of
Lot 3rd until the end of December, 1835, when
their live-weights were increased to nearly double,
and they then only consumed 1..51b. of turnips for
each stone of live-weight.

We shall conclude by relating a singular fact,
which is in some degree connected with this sub-
ject : sheep on turnips will consume nearly in
proportion to cattle, weight for weight, that is, 10
sheep, 141b. per quarter, will eat nearly the same
quantity of turnips as an ox of 40 stones ; but
turn the ox to grass, and six sheep will be found
to consume an equal quantity. This great diffe-
rence may perhaps be accounted for by the practice
of sheep cropping the grass much closer and of-
tener than cattle, and which of course prevents
its growing so rapidly with them as with cattle.

[Mr. Stephenson, of date 52d May, 1837, writes
thus: — "In the last Number of the Transactions,
I observe from Mr. Boswell's Report on Feeding
Cattle, a remarkable coincidence of what is stated
by me. Mr. Boswell has given the live-weight of
his cattle, and the quantity of food consumed by
them, and from these you will find the following re-
sults. In the cattle at Kingcnusie, 94'8411b. of yel-
low turnip produced lib. of increased live-weight
in the hemmels, and 126'2041b. in the byres ; and
every stone of live-weight consumed l'4111b. of tur-
nips in hemmels, and l'3831b. in byres. In the cat-
tle at Balmuto, 961b. of turnips and pototoes pro-
duced lib. of increased live-weight in the hemmels,
and 112.6781b. in the byres. And every stone of live-
weight consumed l'3251b. ofturnips in the hemmels,
and l-2621h. in the byres. These results arise from
taking- the average weight of cattle at the middle-
date, and the average weight of turnips consumed
each day." — Ed.]

An Old Goose. — Died, at Frith Bank, on the
20th ult., on the premises of ftlr. Ingamells, a venerable
goose, aged more than 40 years. This bird generally
laid twice, and sometimes thrice in a year. A kw years
since Mr. Ingamells' predecessor had a ewe which lived
more than 21 years, and from its beg-inning to breed it
produced generally pairs, and sometimes three in each
successive seasons.

THE FOREST— RIESEN—KLA.USEN—
RECHEN.

The magnitude and number of the forests of Tyrol
and Styria, forms one of the distinguished features of
those countries, when compared with Switzerland. They
cover the middle region of the Alps, and encroach more
upon the verge of the cultivated fields, which occupy
the lower part of the valleys, than in Switzerland.

The character of the forests of the Austrian Alps has
been drawn by the masterly pen of the auther of Va-
thek: —

" There seemed no end to these forests, except where
little irregular spots of herbage, fed by cattle, inter-
vened. Whenever we gained an eminence, it was only
to discover more ranges of dark wood, variegated
with meadows and glittering streams. White clover,
and a profusion of sweet-scented flowers, clothe their
banks; above waves the mountain-ash, glowing with
scarlet berries, and beyond rise hills, and rocks, and
mountains, piled upon one another, and fringed with fir
to their topmost acclivities. Perhaps the Norwegian
forests alone equal these in grandeur and extent. Those
which cover the Swiss highlands rarely convey such
vast ideas. There the woods climb only half way up
their ascents, which then are circumscribed by snows;
here no boundaries are set to their progress, and the
mountains, from their basis to their summits, display rich,
unbroken masses of vegetation."

It might at first appear that these vast store-houses of
timber, from their extreme remoteness and the difficulty
of access, would hardly be of any value to man, and
that the trees would be allowed to ripen and rot, undis-
turbed by the axe, on the spot where nature sowed
them. 'I'his is by no means the case ; there are many
remote districts of the Austrian Alps where timber is
the sole produce, where the people draw their subsist-
ence entirely from the forests; and human ingenuity
has contrived means by which the stately stem ot the
Tyrolese larch, which has grown to maturity close to
the glaciers of the Orteler Spitz, is transported to the
arsenal of Venice, or the port of Trieste, while that
which has flourished near the fountain-head of the Salza
may be found in the course of a few months from the
time when it has quitted its native forests serving as a
mast to some vessel of war or merchandise on the Black
Sea.

There can be no difficulty in the transport of 'the tim-
ber growing- on the borders of a navigable river ; but it
is a different thing- when it grows at the distance of many
miles from any stream capable of floating a log, or where
the streams flow in a direction opposite to that m which
the wood is to be carried.

The first of these obstacles is overcome by means of
slides (called riesen), semicircular troughs formed of
SIX or eight fir-trees placed side by side, and smoothed
by stripping off the bark, and extending sometimes a
length of many miles. They are constructed so as to
preserve a gradual descent, are not always straight,
but are made to curve round the shoulders of the moun-
tains, being at times carried in tunnels through project-
ing rocks, and, at others, conducted over ravines and
depressions on the tops of tall stems, like the piers of a
bridge, until they terminate on the borders of some
stream capable of carrying them onwards. The great
slide of Alpnach was constructed in the same manner ;
it was, however, a first attempt, and did not succeed.
The Austrian forests arc everywhere traversed by these
contrivances, which form, in fact, a rude railroad for
the timber. Let the traveller take heed in passing these
slides, after snow or rain have fallen. The wood-cutter
waits for such favourable opportunities, when the g-round
is slippery, and the rivers are high, to launch forth the
timber, which has been cut many weeks before. The
logs descend with the rapidity of an arrow, audit would-
be certain destruction to encounter one in its course : so
great is the force they acquire, that if by chance a log
strikes against any impediment in the sides of the slide
it is tossed out by the shock, and either snapped in two
like wax, or shivered to sphnters.

The streams which traverse a forest district are often
so shallow and so much impeded by rocks, that even after

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

171

rain they wouldbe insufficient to carry forward the wood-
In such cases a strong' dam (klause) is built across the
stream, at a point where its banks are narrowest, usually
at the mouth of a g'orge, and the waters are pent up by
sluice-gates until they have risen so as to form an arti-
ficial lake. In this sheet of water the log's from the sur-
rounding forests are collected. At a given signal the
sluice gates are opened, and the pent up waters force
their way down the valley, bearing along the wood
with which they are freighted, until they reach a larger
stream capable of floating them on its surface without
artificial aid.

A few only of the finest trunks are formed into rafts,
and transported down the Danube into the Black Sea,
or into the Adriatic for ship-building. The greater part
of the wood is consumed in the country where it grows
for fuel, for supplying the salt pans and mines, or it is
converted into charcoal for the smelting and forging of
iron. But it constantly happens that a ridgo of high
mountains intervene between the forests and the salt
works and furnaces ; and that the timber grows on the
opposite side of the hills, where the stream flows in a
contrary direction to the i3oint where it is wanted.
Under such circumstances, the trees, instead of being
thrown down from the height, must bo carried up the
ascent, which is of course much more difficult. The
transport is then effected by means of a vast inclined
plane, (called holzaulzug-, wood-elevator,) extending
from the bottom of the valley to the summit of the near-
est cliff or height overhanging it. A number of wag-
gons are constructed to run up and down it, in a sort of
railroad ; when loaded they are attached by ropes to a
species of windlass communicating with a water-wheel,
which is put in motion by turning on it the stream of a
mountain torrent. By this means they are raised to the
top of a precipice, many hundred feet high, and are
then transported down the opposite side in the usual
manner.

The business of the woodman (holzknecht) affords
occupation for a great number of persons. They set
out early in the spring in gangs, and repair to the spot
where the wood is most abundant and of the finest
growth; they build themselves rude huts of logs and
branches, and begin lustily to ply the axe. The trees
are then sorted into stems fit for masts or shipbuilding,
which is merely lopped, and the wood fit for fuel, which
is cut into logs, split, and dried ; the whole is then
heaped up in vast st-acks. As soon as the winter has
fairly set in and the snow has fallen deep, so as to fill up
the hollows in the mountains, the wood-cutter puts the
cramp-irons upon his feet, and either by the aid of oxen
or upon a hand sledge, conveys the wood to the borders
of some neighbouring precipice, or to the side of one of
the slides abeve-mentioned. The snow is partially re-
moved from the trough of the slides, and a few logs are
thrown down to smooth it and make the passage clear.
Water is also poured down it, which speedily freezing
covers it with a sheet of ice, and serves to diminish
greatly the friction, and assists the rapidity of the de-
scent. The logs are then discharged, and descend with
the quickness of lightning into the depth below, passing
in a few minutes over a distance of several miles. The
effect of such a discharge is much heightened when the
riese or slide terminates on the brow of a precipice over-
looking a lake. The mountains around re-echo with a
report like that of thunder : vast trees hurried forth with
the ease of a bundle of sticks clear half the width of the
lake in their leap, and descending with a splash into its
waters ruffle the surface far and wide, and strew it as it
were with the fragments of a wreck. The duties of a
woodman do not end when he has thus discharged the
wood ; many logs and stems are arrested in their pro-
gress by some projecting mass of rock or tuft of bushes,
and may be seen adhering to the sides of the ravine or
precipice, looking at a distance like straws scattered
over the hill side. The woodman must disengage these
and see them fairly and prosperously on their way ; at
times where the timber falls from a great height the
hardy woodman is let down by a cord, axe in hand, in
the face of a precipice or cataract, to clear away all
obstructions. In like manner he must push ofi' and set

afloat the timber which runs aground, or is stranded in
the bed of the river.

For the purpose of collecting the sv/imming wood
(schwemholz) a species of barrier or grating of wood
(I'echen) is erected across the rivers at the entrance ot
the great valleys, or in the neighbourhood of the salt-
pans and charcoal furnaces. It is here arrested and
sorted according to its quality, by the persons to whom
it belongs. Different proprietors distinguish the wood
belonging to each of them by cutting the logs of a p^ir-
ticular length, so that even when several o-vvners dis-
charge their, timber into the river at the same time, it is
easily sorted and appropriated. A tax of a certain sum
upon every stack of wood is paid for the use of the river
and the services of the woodmen.

In some of the remote forests, trees of huge dimen-
sions may be met with, giants of the vegetable creation :
a larch which stood near Matsch, in the Vintsehgan,
was called the King of the Larches, since seven men
could scarcely surround its trunk with outstreched arms.
A fir (pinus picea), growing on the Martinsberg-, in the
forest district of Zirl, measured five feet in diameter at
nine feet from the ground, and at a height of between
90 and 95 feet from the ground, still retained a diameter
of between eight and nine inches. The species of fir
called by naturalists pinas cembra, (zirbel-nusskiefer),
which grows only on the limits of vegetation, on the
borders of glaciers and everlasting snow, is much prized
in Tyrol as well as in Switzerland, for the facility with
which it is cut in figures, bowls, spoons, and other
utensils, and toys ; it is out of this wood that tlie inhabi-
tants of the Grodnerthal carve the crucifixes, &c., which
are so abundantly dispersed in Tyrol, and the pretty
toys of Berchtesgaden are of the same material. — Hand
Book for Travellers.

ON SEEING AN OLD CART-HORSE, DECORATED ABOUT UlS
HEAD WITH LAURELS AND BLUE RIBBONS, ON A POLL-
ING DAY AT THE LATE ELECTION.

By labour worn and age oppressed,
A stranger thus to peace and rest,

What are these scenes to thee ]
Will tumult, or outrageous joys.
The trappings gay, or senseless noise.

From slavery set thee free ,'

Still doomed to bear the galling chain,
^Vith insult, ceaseless toil, and pain.

How hopeless is thy lot !
Though tyrants quit their guilty tlirone.
Or worlds in rapture freedom own.

Thy sorrows are forgot.

Though states are lost, or kingdoms won.
Is there a breas'; beneath the sun

That pleads for thy release ?
Then recks it little when or how
Man decks in vain thy cheerless brow,

If still it droops for peace.

Though crowds regardless pass thee by.
Thou hast not 'scaped one pensive eye.

Like thine, oppressed with care ;
Where joy might place an idle wreath
That mocks the silent grief beneath,

But plants no olive there.

Bath, 1837. * *

172

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

IMPORTANT TO FARMERS OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir, — After thirty-seveu 3^6313 experience in the
corn and flour trade, and regularly keeping a journal
of most important matters connected with the two
latter ; also extending- my observations to the reap-
ing of corn GENERALLY, loMch from the repeated suc-
cess of many experiments of my agricultural friends,
I decidedly say we have, during ray time, lost many
million quarters of grain by letting corn remain in
the field too long before it was cut.

Tlie first experiment tried as to cutting wheat in
rather a green state, took place near Newark in
Nottinghamshire, in which place I had an opportu-
nity of seeing personally the same wheat made into
flour ; the result was that it produced a finer sack of
flour, and a greater portion of it, and the oflals were
cleaner and lighter, the bran broader, than wheat thiit
remained in the field to be (what the farmers say)
dead ripe. The skin of the former was thin, fine,
and transparent in colour: while the latter was of a
flinty, or steely, nature, thick-skinned, and unkind in
process of manufactory. The loss of tliat cut in
rather a green state was nothing in stocking, carting,
or stacking, comparatively speaking, to that which re-
mained, so called, dead ripe ; suffice to say the loss
of the latter would be sufficient to exchange with his
neighbour for seed for another season.

Oats should be considered in rotation to wheat,
as necessity in the northern districts of Scot-
land has taught us, in late seasons, being obliged
to cut oats in a green state, the result of which
was the greatest possible benefit to the grower,
both in increase and quality ; the latter will easil}-
be proved, as the Scotch oats generally obtain
the highest price in Mark Lane. And not tke
least of all, the straw of corn cut green proves more
nutritious for cattle then that of corn remaining in
the field to be dead ripe before being cut. In conclu-
sion I have to remark ocular demonstration, the
cutiing of beans are the finest colour in -all seasons I
have ever witnessed were in Worcester and Gloucer-
shire, in which counties they are cut and stocked
comparatively green. The situation of the present
harvest is the only apology I can offer for thus in-
truding on the columns of your invaluable paper of
a'^i'icultural comMunication, and in a short period I
will furnish you with remarks equally valuable in
which the poor as well as the rich shall be materially
b.niefited, and remain, sir, in haste, your obedient
servant. JAMES SHEPHERD.

Wakef.eld, Aug. 17, 1837.

Kilmarnock Farmers' Society. — On Friday, the
5th August, the farmers' society held their monthly
meeting in the George Inn — Wm. Hamilton, Esq.,
Braehead, in the chair. The minutes of the preced-
ing meeting having been read over, the question
then proposed by Mr.Sturrock,of Struthers, " What
is the best method of making hay V was discussed.
After a great deal of conversation, in which various
modes were proposed, the majority appeared in fa-
vour of the following: — That the hay should be cut
when the flower was from six to eight days oft", as
the stem was then better matured and full of sap ; —
that it should be in swathe for one day, on the next

be put up into small coils, on the third day into
larger coils, and on the fourth day into ricks of from
15 to 20 stones each ; the whole be done by forking,
and on no account trampling to be allowed. In the
course of eight days after the above operations, the
rickles to be removed to the stack-yard, and there
put up in ricks, or small stacks, of from 200 to 800
stones each, instead of the usual mode of stacks of
from 2000 to 3000 stones. By putting hay into
smaller parcels than by the old method, the farmer
had much less trouble, and was able to manage with
the members of his own housfehold, and not to be un-
der the necessity, as of old, of drawing upon the
neighbours for assistance. It could also be sold to
consumers witli more convenience at any time in
such quantities as required, or be removed to the
hay-loft without sustaining the loss consequent to
cutting from large stacks. A number of the members
present differed from the above as to the time of cut-
ting, and preferred taking it in the flower, and pre-
serving as already stated. A third party, however,
preferred sheafing hay at all times, as by this method
the natural juice or sap was better retained, the hay
better protected from the weather, and, upon the
whole, much easier wrought. It was estimated that
3s. an acre would tie it and put it into stock. The
discussion was kept up with much spirit, and how-
ever varied the opinion on other points, all were one
as to this, that it was best to " make hay when the
sun shines,'' and then the mode or manner was of
little importance. A. Guthrie, Esq., proposed as a
fit subject for discussion at next meeting, " What is
the best method of planting and keeping thorn
hedges 1"

Liability of Innkeepers. — At the Liverpool
Assizes, on Thursday, an action was brought by Messrs.
Rolls and Co., merchants, against Mr. Martin, an
hotel keeper, in Liverpool, to recover the value of a
writing-case and its contents, the propei'ty of the plain-
tiffs, which had been stolen out of the commercial room
in the defendant's establishment, where it had been left
by their traveller. According to the testimony of the
traveller, Joseph Rolls, the brother of one of the plain-
tiffs, he had arrived at the house of the defendant on
the evening of Sunday. His luggage, including the
rase in question, was taken into the inn bp the defend-
ant's servants, his portmanteau and heavier luggage
being taken to his bed room, while the case was left in
the commercial-room. He remained there on Monday,
there being in the house at the same time several com-
mercial traveller?, with whom he was acquainted, occa-
sionally using his case, and placing therein sometimes
cash to a considerable amount. On the morning of
Tuesday he put in the desk bank notes to the amount of
53/., together with certain bills of exchange, the ■value
of the contents of the case amounting altogether to
about 150/. On his return to the house on the after-
noon of the same day the case was missing, and on in-
quiry it appeared that a stout gentleman, in a green
coat, and wrapped in a Macintosh cloak, had that
morning breakfasted in the commercial-room. He had
no luggage, was entirely a stranger to the habitues of
the cemmercial-room, as well as to the waiters. After
breakfast he was left alone in the room, and shortly
after rung the bell and asked the waiter what was to
pay for breakfast. He was informed 18d. He threw
down 5s., seeming rather confused. The waiter took
lialf-a-crown, and was about to give him the change,
when he said he might keep the rest, and hastily took
his leave. It seemed agreed on both sides that he was
the party who had carried off the case, but no trace
either of him or his booty has hitherto been discovered.
— The Court held the defendant to be liable for this
loss, and a verdict against him to the amount of 150/.
was returned.

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X

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

173

THE RACKHEATH PLOUGH.

INVENTED BY SIR EDWARD STRACEY, BART.

In the Palish of Rackhcath, certain small par-
cels of land having been allotted to the several
cottages therein, which in the space of one year
greatly exceeding in their produce that of the ad-
joining fields holden by farmers, from which such
allotments were taken, first suggested the idea
that such produce was obtained solely by the
breaking up and loosening the soil to the depth of
eighteen inches, equal to two spades in depth ;
and that a plough might be so contrived, at a small
expense, to answer all the purposes of the Spade
Husbandry.

In making such a plough, the Inventor flatters
himself that he has succeeded, as he has practi-
cally, for four years, upon his own estate, proved
its beneficial effects ; and being now desirous that
the agriculturalists generally should reap the be-
nefit to be derived from the use of this plough, he
has given to J. R. and A. Ransome, a model of the
plough, as represented in the engraving; and the
ploughs are now made and sold by them at their
manufactory, at Ipswich.

Among the many advantages to be derived from
the use of the above plough, the following may be
enumerated : —

First. — That by breaking up the soil to the depth
of eighteen inches, {if for the. solepurpose of plant-
ing trees twenty-four inches) the tender roots of
plants are enabled to descend a greater depth, and
derive their necessary nutriment from the subsoil,
from which no nutriment was formerly derived ;
in addition to which, air and moisture having
more easy access to the roots of the plants, fur-
ther nourishment is thereby afforded.

Second. — 'The work done by the Rackheath
Plough far exceeds trenching by the spade, as this
plough only breaks and loosens the land all around,
without turning the bottom soil to the top, which
in some, if not in most cases, would be very inju-
rious to vegetation. Plants in their infancy (like
animals) in order that they may be strong and vi-
gorous, require then more particularly, the best
and most nutritious food, thus affording them a
good start. When the delicate roots have acquired
a sufficient degree of strength, theyVvill be ena-
bled, from the looseness of the subsoil, to extend
themselves in search of food, and will extract some
from almost all soils. As a proof of this, the roots
of some wheat which was sown in Oxfordshire,
in a filled-up gravel pit, had penetrated nine feet
into the ground in search of food : and there is
now, or was some few years since, in the Society
of Arts, London, preserved in a glass case, a stalk
of wheat, with roots six feet and a half long;
and Cock's-foot grass may be seen with roots
eighteen inches in length.

Third. — By this deep tillage the rains (excepting
perhaps in strong tenacious soils) will sink into
the ground, and afford moisture to the deep roots
of the plants during the heats of summer ; and
the fields, as experience has shewn, may be laid
down without furrows, except, as before stated,
in very strong lands. Of what use are abundant
rains to the thirsty soil, if the water is to be led
off immediately by the furrows into the ditches,
instead of being permitted to soak into the soil,
and there to remain, as in a tank, for use during
the summer months ?

Fourth. — The deep tillage will enable the farmer
to cultivate, as in a garden, parsnips, carrots, and
other tap-rooted vegetables. For some reasons,

parsnips and carrots are preferable to sugar-loaf
and Swedish turnips, as they are not liable to be
destroyed by the wire-worm, fly, or black jack,
and at the same time they contain more nutritive
or soluble matter, in the proportion of 99 and 98
to 42 and 48 ; they are also more eagerly sought
after by cattle of all descriptions.

Fifth. — This ploughing is far preferable to
trenching, both to the agriculturists and the
planter, as it may be done at one-fourth of the
expense.

It is recommended that the first time the soil is
broken up, a common plough should precede the
Rackheatri Plough, and turn over the soil to the
depth of four, five, or six inches, which will afford
great assistance to the deep plough, as that should
immediately follow in the fui-row previously made.
Four horses will most likely be required for the
deep plough the first time of ploughing, and three
afterwards, without the assistance of the first
plough ; the horses will be best harnessed at
length, for if abreast the off horses would, by
sinking in the loosened soil, soon become fatigued.

As the deep plough requires to be very strong,
it is made of wrought iron, except the wheel,
which is cast; and the handles and beam are ash,
and the beam is well braced with iron, as the pres-
sure on the centre of the beam is very great.

Fallow. — We will confine our present observa-
tions to the dressing of the outskirts of the fallow field,
as this is an operation which should he done at this
season. At another opportunity we will venture a few
on the Ivor king of the fallow itself. We are anxious,
for the credit of the agriculturists of the county that
everything should look tidy and neal. The plan we
propose has been partially adopted in several districts,
and we should be glad to see it become general in this.
When a field is under plain fallow, every opportunity is
given for putting the fences, ditches, &c., in order. If
the field is surrounded by a hedge, this should be
scutched — gaps filled up at the proper season, with new
thorns, and with 7iew earth, and all stray hushes not
forming any part of fence, removed. When this is ac-
complished, the space between the hedge and the part
under aration, should be dug over, or that which is bet-
ter, if donein the Spring, a thin paring of the turf shoidd
be taken oflf it, and thrown upon the head, sides, and
foot ridges, and there, compounded by frequent tillage
with lime or dung, to be, in due time, spread upon
other parts of the field where its application may be
most necessary. In general, from the time intervening
between the fallows, say four or five years, a quantity
of soil is accumulated, particularly on the foot ridge,
in the course of ploughing for the rotation of crops, and
which frequently prevents the water courses from being
properly cleared out. This should be removed accord-
ing to the quantity so accumvdated, to bring the ridge
to its original level, and no harm is done though it
should be a little below it. We have mentioned that a
thin paving of the turf may be taken from the sides of
the hedge, with the scouring of the ditch to aid the
compound. This must be left entirely to the judgment
of the possessors, as, in some cases, when the soil is
of inferior quality, its removal may injure the hedge, at
any rate it should be dug over, and any unevenness put
into proper shape. Another thing which we shall men-
tion, is the propriety of cutting down all weeds grow-
ing on the sides of fences, and doing so before the seed
is matured, particularly the large burr thistle, the com-
mon field thistle, the common docks, the hurdocks,
&c., the two first particularly, as a lazy, negligent
farmer may annoy his more industrious and correct
neighbour, by allowing them to perfect their seed,
which, in a windy day, may be carried to a considerable
distance. — Perth Constitutional,

N

174

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CANADA.

Any information respecting the agricultural sta-
tistics of this great and rapidly improving colony
must be acceptable in this district, which, from the
late extensive emigration of her sons, has now many
interesting- associations connecting her with this por-
tion of the western world. Emigration has certainly
increased, during the last five years to a degree to
which almost any former period of our history fails
to furnish a parallel, and that too amongst a class
who were wont to ' live at home at ease,' and leave
the spirit of change and adventure to develop itself
in those who, in worldly circumstances and station
at least, were decidedly their inferiors. Formerly,
emigration was more in vogue with the mechanic,
farm-servant, or small farmer, than with the enter-
prising agriculturist, possessed alike of experience
and capital ; but now, we need not go far from home
to furnish instances of emigrants leaving us, pos-
sessed of means which may be reckoned in sterling
thousands rather than hundreds. Emigration, in
fact, is in fashion, and daily becoming more so ; we
do not regret this, for while industry carries with it
a sure reward to the Canadian emigrant, its exten-
sion leaves a wider field and freer scope for those
who remain behind. The spirit of adventure is
growing rapidly amongst even the best classes of
our agriculturists, and though the tide of emigration
may be a strong one, it has not yet reached its flood,
for we doubt not — in fact we well know — that the
distressed state of British agriculture has induced
many farmers to wait only for the dropping in of
their leases, that they may join their friends on the

ther side of the Atlantic — men who would other-
wise have been content to live and die as their fa-
thers have done, and at last be consigned to the
churchyard, where slumber their kindred for gene-
rations l)ack. An interesting letter, from which we
supply certain extracts below, has been transmitted
by Mr. Proudfoot, late in Holm of Balmaclellan, te
our friend, a successful agriculturist in the neigh-
bourhood, with a permission from the writer that we
might be favoured with its perusal. Mr. P., after
describing his passage, and the voyage up the St.
Lawrence to Quebec and Mentreal, in speaking of
the land in the neighbourhood of the latter city, pro-
ceeds : — " The soil in the neighbourhood of Montreal
seems good, but the spring was so very late and
cold, that about the last day of May the people were
only sowing their spring wheat and barley. They
are possessed of a fine breed of horses is. the lower
province ; but all the other kinds of stock I have
seen are wretchedly bad. On the 3d. June we left
Goodenough Hotel, and by stage and steam arrived
at Toronto in five days. Toronto is the seat of Go-
vernment in the upper province, and contains about
15,000 inhabitants. The public buildings are mostly
of brick, and altogether they have a most respect-
able appearance. The land in the vicinity of the city
is not good ; but it is of immense value to its pos-
sessors, as lots for building have, in some of the fa-
vourite situations, been sold at the rate oi eight thou-
sand pounds per acre. We remained in Toronto a few-
days with my brother William, who has been in the
city about twenty years — has driven a very extensive
business as a merchant, and is now President of the
Bank of Upper Canada. He procured for me IL 4s.
2d. for all my sovereigns, and nearly 10 per cent, on
my London bills. By this means alone I found my-
self considerably richer when I left Toronto than
when I left Dumfries. I may mention that interest

or money is very high here ; 10 per cent, can
readily be got, witli good security ; and I have in

some instances seen advertisements in the public
j. apers offeriDg 20 per cent, with security on free-

hold properties. Indeed, I can say that there is on
all sides boundless s'cope alike for the investment of
capital and the exercise of human industry ; a mau
with cash in liis pocket may drive a good bargain at
all times. 1 have now had the opportunity of seeing
a great deal of Upper Canada, and the more I see
of it, so much tlie more am I in love with it. I re-
gret, in fact, that I did not come here twenty years
sooner; this country at all times offers a sure reward
for industry and good conduct. There are, no doubt,
a class of people wlio will not do well any wiiere, or
under any circumstances ; but I do think no sober
industrious man will ever repent coming to Canada.
If he is in the farming line, the larger his working
family so much tlie better. The number who have
arrived at Toronto this year is not great when com-
pared with some former years ; but I have it from
undoubted authority that tiiere has been deposited or
paid in tliat time in the Bank of Upper Canada alone
upwards of two hundred thousand pounds sterling.
As I have free access to the roadsters of my rela-
tive, I sometimes take an eight days' ride at a time,
through various sections of the country, and have
infinite pleasure in witnessing the improvements
which are progressing in all directions. New vil-
lages springing up in what was the other day a wil-
derness— steam-boats a-building — harbours and ca-
nals in the course of formation — and churches,
schools, and houses being erected with a rapidity of
which you, in the old country, can have no concep-
tion. Several rail-roads are in contemplation, and
while old roads are being repaired, new ones are
being cut and levelled to intersect the country in its
length and breadth. I lately took a ride to see Lake
Simco, a distance of about 100 miles — at least as I
travelled it. Here are some beautiful farms, con-
taining hundreds of acres, without a stump, well
fenced and watered, and with tolerable buildings. I
conceive this land to be superior to any in Dumfries-
shire or Galloway ; it cannot be purchased under
10/. per acre, and none of the houses are good.
Where such an exuberant soil is well farmed, it
must pay amazingly, as many articles of produce are
dearer here than in the land which I have left. Po-
tatoes bring nearly double the price ; and hay, beef,
and mutton, find an excellent market, if they can be
kept over till the spring — a course which I think
may be easily followed, by raising green crops, and
consuming a portion of the other produce by stock,
instead of sending it to the market. With regard to
the wild or uncleared lands on Lake Smico,they are
the best I have yet seen in Canada, and any amount
can be purchased for about one pound per acre. The
different processes of clearing will cost from three to
four ]iounds per acre; but then it requires no plough-
ing the first year ; — after spreading tiie ashes sow
one bushel of wheat — harrow it well, and you may
perhaps have a return of from thirty to forty bushels
pe,- acre. Here they in general sow grass-seed in
spring, and either cut or pssture it for eight or ten
years, and, if it has been hard wood, the stumps will
be rotted out by that time. This done, there is no
difficulty in clearing the field till it is ecjual to that
for which you are paying from eight to ten pounds per
acre; and you may now crop it as long as you please.
In the month of July I visited my friend Mr. JM'INJ.,
late of Scotland, who has selected a most beautiful
farm in the township of Dumfries. His wheat look-
ed well, and he told me that it was the thirteenth
crop without any rest, or anything being done for
it. The pasture is of the best quality ; and Mrs.
M'N., said she could make one pound of butter per
day from every cow, indepenc'ently of what sup-
ported the calf, and provided cream twice a day
to all the family."

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

175

ON HOCK LAMENESS.

BY PnOFESSOR DICK, VETEIUNAKY COLLEGE, EDINBUHCII,

(^From the Veterinarian.y

In your last numbei' I read a letter from Mr. Spooner,
■of Southampton, in wliich he describes what appears to
liiui to be the cause of many cases of ebscure hock lame-
ness, and accuses veterinarians g'enerally because they
have nol before noticed his papers upon the same sub-
ject. I liave, therefore, with some degree of reluctance,
been induced to ofl'er a few remark? upon the subject,
which would not, however, have been made had it not
been for tlie kind of challeng-e given. I read the first
case he gave with some deg'ree of surprise, but allowed
it to pass, thinking' some one else would have noticed it;
and fcelingr that any remarks from a nominal editor
might have interfered with discussion ; but now that I
am only a nominal assistant, I have less scruple in
entering- on a debate, or rather, pointing- out an error
into which I am inclined to think Mr. Spooner has
fallen, by describing- what is a healthy structure as a
diseased one. 1 do this the more readily, because Mr.
Spooner has said that /'the existence of this disease
ought cither to be acknowledged or denied ;" and I now
decidedly deny that what he describes is a diseased
alteration of the structure. What is it, tlien? will un-
doubtedly be asked ; and my answer is — the natural and
necessary construction of the joint. The cavities cor-
responding- to each other, and having the appearance of
excavations, are sulci, containing- the synovia to supply
ihe extended articular surfaces, and which is rendered
necessary by the peculiar sliding motion which the bones
have on each other in tliat joint.

They are in, fact, the " oil wells or cisterns," to re-
tain a supply of synovia, and to prevent the friction
which Mr. Spooner supposes to be the cause of tliem,
and are to be found in one form or another in all healthy
hock joints, and in every true joint of the body. In
many cases, however, they do not appear in the centre
of the joint, but are placed at the side, and they have
the appearance of a notch within the [boundary of the
synovial membrane on the edge of the articular surface,
many of which ne\ er attract notice, but are, neverthe-
less, as important as a process is for the leverage of a
muscle, or a foramen or notch for the transmission of a
nerve or vessel, or any other organ. In other cases, the
cavity formed by two bones forming one portion of a
joint which is moved upon by another, produces the
same effect — the coffin and pastern joints for example ;
they are, in fact, as necessary in the animal machine, as
similar cavities are in the bushes, or on the axle of the
wheels of any well-formed machinery ; and if my ob-
servations are correct, are found commonly in the situa-
tion Mr. Spooner describes in the best formed hocks.

It must not be supposed that I am contending- tliat
friction, or even ulceration, does not take place in tlie
articulation formed by the tibia and astragulus ; quite
the reverse : there, is perhaps, notliing more common
'han to observe the effects of friction on the articular
surfaces of these bones ; but then it is quite different
from what has been described by Mr. Spooner, and is
always attended by symi)toms which sufficiently dis-
tinguish it even i)rior to death ; and those symptoms the
reverse of what iMr. Spooner points out. In all cases of
" bog spavin" this exists in a greater or less degree. In
those where there is but a slight cnhtrgemGnt or disten-
tion of the capsular ligament without tension, there vs'ill
merely be found slight grooves or semicircular lines ex-
tending- along the articular earlilage of both ])onesiMthc
direction in which tiic bones move, tlie depression in
one corresponding to a ridge in the other, unless, as in
some rare and severe cases, some portion of cartilaginous
or bony matter has been detached, and given rise to
deepened ridges in both ; and these ridges may be mul-
tiplied in an indefinite degree, both in number, depth,
and extent. In some cases the cartilage becomes
abraded, and the bone polished by friction, like a piece
of enamel ; then pathologists say the "porcelainous de-
posit" has taken place : that is, they suppose that a pe-
culiar secretion has been deposited there to resist the
friction.

It will be found, however, that this is merely the effect
of friction, which is alone proved by rubbing one bone
with sufficient force against another, when the same ap-
pearance is readily produced ; and further, if the
diseased alteration of the direction of the motion of the
joint is continued, it will be found that this polish of the
bone becomes, at length, worn out, and the cancellated
structure is expcsed ! yet all this goes on before ulcera-
tion takes place, and it is only in the last stages, and in
cases where there is great lameness, that ulceration does
take place : indeed, so rare is it, that I am not satisfied
that I have yet seen a case where ulceration could be
siiid to have taken place in this joint, unaccompanied by
an " open joint," or some external injury.

In all cases of " bog spavin" I have stated that there
are more or less marks of friction found on dissection ;
but this is, in many cases, not attended by lameness, be-
cause what WG are in the Irabit of considering- as consti-
tuting the diseas(>, is the means which nature has pro-
vided to diminish the friction, and to prevent bad con-
sequences ; the accunmlation of synovia serving to lu-
bricate the joint more completely than the ordinary
quantity would have done ; consequently in many cases
we find a horse with " bog spavins" and " thoroughpins"
going quite sound, and continuing to do so for years. I
should here distinguish (were I writing upon all the
diseases of the hock) the occurrence of " thoroughpin"
without "bog spavin," from " thoroughpin" occurring
with " bog spavin ;" becaus? some may say, on ex-
amining hocks with " thoroughpin," that they have not
found what I have described ; but it will be understood
that, wherever there is " hog spavin" there we shall find
friction. It will further be found that, as the friction is
increased by increase of work, there will be a propor-
tionate increase of synovia, until, as in some cases, where
the labour is excessively severe, lameness takes place,
and the capsular ligament is distended and thickened so
as to produce pain and interruption of motion, in a great
measure, by the very accumulation of the fluid intended
to facilitate motion; thus, another effort is made by
nature to relieve the parts, and where the ordinary
means fail a new action is set up. The action is still
farther limited, the pain is increased by still using the
parts, and when it cannot be longer continued without
injury to the whole animal frame, as a last resource we
even find that anchylosis of the joint takes place.

If Mr. Spooner only reflects on the position of the
cavities he describes, he will see that the situation of
them renders friction on those parts impossible : they
cannot come in contact with each other ; therefore if any
friction were to occur it must be between the parts be-
yond the boundaries of those cavities, as the exertion
must leave all the pressure to fall on the other portions
of the articular surfaces, which, if continued, must have
soon given rise to the same appearances, that is, sup-
posing these cavities to have been the result of friction
producing ulceration. When friction arises in cases of
" bog spavin," it is commonly the effect of some injury
done" to the ligaments of the hock, or slight interruption
of motion from exostosis, and generally interfering with
the ligaments. But where, it will again be asked, is
the seat of obscure hock lameness? When the seat of
lameness is obscure, I think it were better to inquire
simply, where istheseat of the lameness? because, if the
seat is obscure, why refer it to the hock f May the seat
not be mistaken ? But I have not time to enlarge, and
shall therefore conclude by stating, that in and about
the hock, besides lameness from faction, which some-
times occurs, or without it, which I have already noticed
is always attended with obvious symptoms, spavin, in a
variety of forms, that is, including all bony enlargements
and all cases of anchylosis of the bones about the hoek,
may produce obscure lameness: but these, in all their
varieties, arc more likely to produce obscure hock lame-
ness before the deposit or ulceration takes place than
afterwards ; and hence may often be found, on dissec-
tion,the appearance of morbid action having been going
on in one, two, or all of the bones, and on one, two, or
all of the surfaces of the bones of the hock, giving rise
to various degrees, and, sometimes, peculiarities of lame-
ness, which, had 1 not already extended further than I
first intended, 1 would have described.

N 2

176

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON SAVING FLAXSEED.

Flax has long been an important crop in Irish
husbandry in several points of view. It was valuable
to the farmer as making large returns for the ex-
pense incurred in its cultivation, and as aifordiug
employment to his domestics, in preparing it for the
wearer ; and it was no less valuable to another in-
dustrious and useful class of our population who de-
rived their chief support by the loom. The great
change effected in the condition of this class of
people by the late depression in the manufacture of
linen cloth is well known; but this is not so much
to be regretted, when, by machinery, a finer and
cheaper fabric is produced. Unfortunately, the
great fall in the price of the raw material has not
been followed by any cheaper method of producing
it, or any plan by which a greater quantitv can be
grown on a given extent of land. This has, of course,
lowered it much in the estimation of the farmer, as
may be seen from the comparatively small space
which is devoted to its cultivation. Flax is certainly
a hazardous crop, being more liable to be injured in
the several processes which it undergoes before it is
brought to market, than any ether, and makes no
return under the present mode of cultivation to-
wards restoring the fertility of the soil on which it
grows. Under these circumstances, it becomes an
important inquiry — can its cultivation be rendered
more profitable ? Of this there can be little doubt,
when we consider the great national as well as indi-
vidual loss annually sustained by neglecting to sow
the seed. It has been proved by repeated trials that
seed sown in this country, when due pains have
been taken, is not inferior to foreign seed, for which
vast sums of money are paid to foreign States. It is,
however, difficult to convince our flax-growers of the
truth of this ; but, let them give it a fair trial, and
we have little doubt as to the result. It must, in-
deed, be admitted, that when seed is sown for a
length of time on the land which produced it, a
gradual deterioration will take place in the quality
of the crop, but we surely have sufficient variety of
soil in this country to prevent this casualty from
taking place ; at all events, if we are still to have
importations of flaxseed, it will be quite sufficient to
change the seed every third or fourth year, instead
of every year as at present. But should the annual
demand for foreign seed continue, sufficient en-
couragement is held out to induce the farmer to sow
his flaxseed, by the high price which may at all times
be obtained for it from the oil manufacturer, and it
will also be found both nutritious and palatable as
food for live stock.

When it is intended to sow the seed, it is usual to
allow it to become a little riper than when this opera-
tion is not performed, but this is not essential to the
succsis of the process when the seed is not intended
for sowing. The quality of the seed will, however,
be much improved by it, and the advantage gained
in this way will more than make up for any loss
sustained in the ijuality of the fibre. The flax may,
therefore, in eyery case be allowed to stand until the
colour of the seed in the capsules or seed vessels,
provincially termed bolls, is partially changed from
white to brown. The Flax is sometimes laid in
handfuls by the pullers, in order to facilitate the
process of rippling by saving those engaged in it the
trouble of separating the Flax. It is also occasionally
allowed to lie for some time on the ground, or, when
tied up, to stand in the stook before rippling ; but
the utility of cither of fhese practices is questionable,
so far as any advantage gained by the seed is con-
cerned, and is decidedly injurious with respect to
the fibre.

As soon, therefore, as the Flax is pulled, the ope-
ration of rippling may commence. Fine weather is,
perhaps, as indispensible for this process as for any
other ; indeed, in severe weather it can scarcely be
attempted, for the bolls being succulent and wet will
speedily ferment when put together in considerable
quantities. The ripple, which consists of a number
of iron spikes placed in a block or stone, is placed
in the field and fixed on a beam of wood, on the ends
of which two persons sit, who, by pulling the seed
end of the flax through the ripple or comb, separate
the seed from the flax— a second pull through the
ripple will effect this object. The work will be con-
siderably expedited by having boys or girls attend-
ing the ripplers, to separate the flax into handfuls of
the required size, and also for binding the flax after
it is rippled. This process is advantageous were
the seed of no value whatever, as the water is ad-
mitted more freely into the stalk, thus faciliting the
decomposition of the woody part and the separation
of the fibre. The bolls now having a tendency to
heat, should not be allowed to accumulate, but imme-
diately riddled, to separate any parts of the flax that
ma}' have been broken oflF in rippling ; and if they
are put through a winnowing machine, it will sepa-
rate the green leaves of the flax which would other-
wise contribute to bring on fermentation. Great
care is required to prevent them from heating. For
this purpose the bolls are thinly spread over a boarded
floor, in a situation to which a current of air has
access, and repeatedly turned over. When the
weather is fine, they should be exposed to the sun
through the day on a winnow cloth, and brought into
the house in the evening. When thoroughly dried,
the bolls are threshed or bruised by a wooden mallet,
and the seed separated by winnowing. If it be kept
for any length of time it is better not to separate the
seed from the capsules. Should wet weather occur
at this time, it will be necessary to kiln-dry the
capsules a little ; but this should be done with a very
moderate heat, otherwise the seed will be injured.
When the seed is intended for sowing, the flax is
stocked up in the field, after pulling and stacked,
when completely dry, until the Spring, when a slight
thrashing separates the seed from it, and it is then
watered in the usual manner. The quality of the
fibre is injured by this process, but it is perhaps
essential, in order to have seed of the best quality :
however, there is little doubt but seed may be se-
cured of a sufficient good quality by the former me-
thod, when properly managed. The produce of seed
from an acre will be from eight to twelve bushels.
When it is not used for sowing, it is disposed of to
oil manufactures, or consumed by horses and cattle.
It appears, then, from the price of flaxseed for a
number of years that the produce of an acre may be
sold for SI. to the manufacturer ; but holding it as an
established axiom in good husbandry that nothing
should be sold off the farm which can be profitably
consumed on it, we would much rather see it given
to the horses and cattle on the farm. The difficult}' of
bringing the live stock of the farm through the winter
months on farms where green food is not cultivated,
and we regret to say there are many such, is well
known, and flaxseed will in this case he found a
valuable auxiliary. The refuse of tlic oil manufac-
tories is highly prized as food for cattle, and sold
under the name of oil cake : how much more valuable
then will the seed be before expression 1 From its
composition, indeed, it would at once be inferred,
that it was highly nutritious, and a single trial will
suffice to show how eagerly it is consumed by every
species of live stock. It is given in the form of a
jelly, mixed with chaff, cut straw or hay, turnips.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

177

bruised oats, &c. The jelly is made by boiling the
seed in water. Seeing, then, the groat value of flax-
seed in several points of view, it is to be hoped that
such waste of property will not be persevered in.
Many have been prevented from making- a trial by
tha supposed difficulty of doing so, but, in fact, uo-
thiag can bo more simple, and as the time is now at
hand for perlbrming the operation, wo hope to see a
great many trials made, no matter on how small
a scale. — Derry Sentinel,

ENGLISH AND SCOTCH FARMERS-
LEASES.

That practical agriculture lias made much more
rapid progress in some parts of this country than
in others, is a fact which we apprehend will not
be doubted by those who are conversant with the
subject. The evidence of the Scotch farmers,
given before the Committee of the House of Com-
mons in the last Session proves incontestibly that
they are in a much more flourishing condition than
their Southern brethren, taken as a body. At-
tempts have been made to weaken the evidence of
the Scotcli agriculturists by ridicule, and some
persons have gone so far as to declare that they
disbelieved the statements. After well considering
the matter we are utterly at a loss to know what
inducement there could be, which should lead our
Northern brethren of the plough to mis-state or
mislead upon a question in which they them-
selves have as much interest as the English or
Irish farmers. It \\ill, we presume, be wholly
unnecessary to adduce arguments for the purpose
of shewing that the agriculturists of the United
Kingdom are all equally interested in the pros-
perity of the pursuit in which they are engaged.
There may be minor questions upon which the
interests of the farmers in one portion of these
lands may be opposed to that of the inhabitants of
anotherpart, but then' general interest isoneandm-
divisible. Many persons have employed their
time and labour in endeavouring to shew by state-
ments of the expences of farm management, and
by other means, that the Scottish husbandmen do
not understand the science of agriculture better
than the English, and that the boasted superiority
of tlieir condition is a mere chimera. We are,
however, of opinion, that these persons would
liave been much more beneficially employed had
they occupied themselves in endeavouring to
ascertain if there were any difference in the rela-
tive position of tiie English and Scotch farmer,
which might account for the superior condition of
the latter. The subject is one of too extensive a
character to be embraced in one article ; we shall,
however, call the attention of our readers to one
very material point, sufficient in itself, as it seems
to us, to give the Scotch agriculturists a vast
superiority o\er their English brethren, we mean
the uniform system of granting leases, which per-
vades nearly the whole of Scotland.- It will, we
doubt not, be readily admitted that there is but a
small proportion of the soil of this kingdom whicli
is not capable of improvement — nay, with but
little exception we should say that the land in
this country is capable of yielding many fold more
than it now does by an improved system of

management. Before, however, we can expect
that the working farmer shall invest his capital
in improvements, he must enjoy that, without
which no man will care to make an outlay,
namely, security. The distinction between in-
vesting money in land by improving its capa-
bility of producing crops through the application
of costly manures, or of expense incurred in
draining, is not materially different from the in-
vestment of capital in raising up large piles of
bricks and mortar in the formation of houses, to
be hereafter let with a view to profit. The man
who should proceed to erect costly houses upon
another man's land without the security of a lease
would be regarded as little better than a madman;
but the agriculturists of the South are daily taking
farms in the soil of which they are about to sink
a portion of their capital without the slightest pro-
tection beyond the good faith of the landlord,
and which cannot even be binding during
his own life, being subject to the accidents which
may befal him in his temporal affairs. The tenant
at will, in which class may be numbered by far
the largest number of the Southern agriculturists,
cannot feel the slightest security that he shall be
permitted to reap the advantage of the improve-
ments which he has made in his farm. Constantly
in a state of uncertainty he contents himself with
pursuing the beaten course, and rarely makes a
larger outlay in the way of improvement than the
return of a season or two will give him. The
strongest and perhaps the only argument against
the granting of leases is that the contracting parties
cannot be placed in an equal position, the lease
being binding as against the landlord when prices
are high, but null when prices are low, he then being
compelled to make a reduction to his tenant. This
argument may be sound when vast fluctuations
take place in prices, arising from causes uncon-
nected with the amount of production, but in the
majority of instances the advance of rent depends
on the productiveness of the- land, the result of the
skill and industry of the tenant, and for which he
is speedily mulcted by his landlord, so that the
want of a lease operater. as an inducement to idle-
ness and penurious management. To obtain as
much produce as he can, and at the least cost
possrble, is the object of the mere tenant at will.
In Scotland it will be found far different, and to
this circumstance do we in a mam degree ascribe
the better condition of her agriculturists, and her
improved system of husbandry. In that country, in
very many instances, land for the mere purpose of
cultivation has increased in value double and treble
during the last fifty years. That this statement is not
speculative may be proved by the fact that in those
parts of Scotland in which leases are not granted,
the farmers are in as ignorant and unfortunate a
condition as in any of the most inferior parts of
the United Kingdom. The improvements on the
estate of Holkham were beyond a question much
advanced by the example of Mr. Coke, he himself
making experiments and introducing a new and
approved system for the benefit of his tenantry.
\Ve cannot, however, be induced to believe that
the advance would have been so rapid had it not
been for tlie protection afforded by leases. The
extraordinary fluctuations in the price of grain
wiiich continued for some years after the Peace

178

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

brought leases into disrepute, tlie tenants being
timid in binding themselves to the payment of a
rent which they might not afterwards be able to
realize. Of late prices have been more uniform,
and we trust that the system of granting leases
will again become general, being persuaded tliat
there is no means betler calculated to advance the
science of agriculture and ameliorate tlie condition
of the agriculturist.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF RAPE.

The rape (Brassica rapa,) belongs to an extensive
and Jiig-hly valuable genus of plants, many species
and varieties of which are cultivated as human food,
and also for various domestic animals of the farm.
It is cultivated both for the herbage and seed, the
former being used as food for cattle and sheep, and
the latter in the manufacture of oil, which is obtained
from it by expression. Rape is, however, little
grown for the latter purpose in this country, the
climate being considered too variable and moist to
bring the seeds to maturity. The place which rape
should occupy in a regular rotation is the same as
that allotted to turnips or potatoes ; but it is like-
wise sown and found to answer as a first crop on
newly reclaimed or broken up grass land, to be eaten
off by slieep. It has a wider range of soil than the
turnip, and promises to become a valual)le plant in
Irish agriculture from its succeeding so well on
newly reclaimc'd land.

The cultivation of rape on lands already under
tillage differs but little from that of the turnip. As
in the case of the turnip, the land should be minutely
pulverized and cleared of weeds, which is effected
by repeated ploughings and harrowings. On lio-bt
soils, in the absence of fwm-yard manure, bone dust
may be advantageously employed, the quantity being
the same as for a turnip crop. When rape is sown
for the purpose of being eaten oft" with sheep, both
tlie broadcast and drill systems are adopted ; but
when intended to be cut for feeding cows or other
cattle in the house, the drill system is preferable, as
admitting the operations of hoeing and weedino- to
be performed with much greater facility and expe-
dition. When sown in drills, three to "four pounds
of seed the acre will be sufficient ; and when broad-
cast, eight to ten will be necessary. The time of
sowing is from the middle of July to the beginnino-
of August, ° °

Rape succeeds well by being transplanted. By
taking advantage of this property two crops may be
got otl' the land in a season. For this purpose the
.seed is sown in beds in the garden or in any other
convenient spot at the usual time, and planted out
after the grain harvest is secured as soon as possible;
but this plan can only be adopted wbere the land is
dry, and where a green crop is to succeed. The
stubble will be sufficiently pulverized under ordinary
circumstances by a single ploughing and harrowing',
and the plants may be drilled in rows eighteen inches
apart, six inches in the row, or narrower, according
to the lateness of the season of planting and the
quality of tlie soil. The method of transplanting
rape in the Netherlands, where it is extensively-
cultivated, is to lay the plants at the regular distances
on the newly turned up furrows in ploughing, and
they are covered by the next furrow, and so on till
all IS jilanted. Tins plan has been partially intro-
duced into this country, but planting by the dibble
IS to be preferred, as 'any advantage gained in the

saving of time in the Flemish mode is more than
counterbalanced by the loose and insecure way in
which tlie plants are necessarily deposited. It can-
not be expected that the crop under these circum-
stances will be as luxuriant as when sown in a proper
season and the growth not checked by transplanting.
This method of growing it is only valuable as securing
a crop when the land would otherwise be unproduc-
tive, and if it be consumed on the land a valuable
and permanent imjirovcment will be effected.

The after cultivation of rape is the same as that
of the turnip, and consists in weeding, hoeing and
thinning.

The crop may be cut down and given to cattle in
the stalls, and a second cutting will be produced ;
hut the better method of consumption seems to be to
eat it down occasionally with sheep on the land.
The leaves, indeed, as food for sheep, are not sur-
passed by any other vegetable in nutritious proper-
ties, and in being agreeable to the taste of the
animals. The crop is fed off at intervals from the
beginning of November until the middle of April ;
being valuable at the former period for fattening
ewes, and at the latter for supporting ewes and
lambs. — Derry Sentinel.

In the .Tuly number of the Guernsey and Jersey Ma-
gazine is an article, entitled "Irish Poor Laws, and
Guernsey Landed Icnure," in which the writer very
ably draws a comparison between the state of the pea-
santry of Ireland and of Guernsey, His conclusions,
which are supported by facts, are very unfavourable to
the system of tenui-e now existing in Ireland and Eng--
land. In speaking of the law of Landlord and Tenant
in Guernsey, he says —

" Leases for years are unknown, and the relation be-
tween landlord and tenant, as it exists in Great Britain
and Ireland, is entirely unrecognised. I'he workins^'
farmer covenants to pay a certain amount of rent an-
nually ; either fixed in sterling money, or fluctuating,
according to the price of wheat ; and so long as he per-
forms this simple obligation, he remains immoveably,
perpetual tenant, and his children on his death inherit
the estate on the same terms by which the father en-
joyed possession. By this simple arrangement, the land-
lord obtains all that he is entitled to ; to wit, his rent ;
while the tenant is free and independent to exercise
every act of proprietorship, both direct and collateral.
He is completely emancipated from the yoke of slavery,
and can vote at elections for a magistrate or constable,
according to the dictates of his conscience, fearless of
being ejected from his farm. This is not the case in
England or Ireland, where the landed aristocracy com-
pel their tenants to select one of two alternatives, per-
jury or destitution. * * * A farm, of
course, requires to be stocked, and with the prospect of
agricultural independence before him, a young man
will deposit his earnings in the savings bank, till he has
accumulated sufHcient capital to purchase seeds, cattle,
and implements of industry. It is this hope, or under
Providence, we may say it is this certainty of bettering
his condition, that makes a Guernsey-man the eminently
careful, cautious, and foreseeing person that he is; while
on the other hand it is fair to conclude that the absence
of all prospective amelioration of his condition, renders
an Irishman reckless, inconsiderate and imprudent.

The following' facts will be read with great interest :
SiATE AND Fertility of Guernsey, — " The terri-
torial surface of Guernsey contains 15,366 English acres,
of which 10,240 are under cultivation. The estates are
small, none exceeding seventy acres ; and the average
amount of land attached to each house throughout the
nine country parishes may be computed at five English
acres. This minute subdivision causes the whole island
to be cultivated as a garden ; not an ineh of soil is lost;
and even the hedges are planted with furze for winter

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

179

fuel. The crops are abundant, and far exceed those of
England. The average produce of wheat per acre is
thirty-three Wincliester bushels, and as much as fifty-
five to sixty have been raised. Five hundred bushels
of potatoes per acre is an ordinary produce, and the hay
crops average three tons and a half, Englisli weisrht.
Tweniytwo tons of parsnips per acre is considered a
fair crop. Vegetables, fruit, poultry, eggs, and cider,
are most abundant, and the quality excellent. Now
the question arising out of these fiicts is simply this :
Where, in Great P.ritain or Ireland, can be i'ound 10,000
acres equally productive? And here we speak in the
restricted sense of the political economists, of mere
wealth ; where are we to look for the same amount of
produce from an equal surface ? Let it not be said that
we have a richer land, a more favourable climate, or
better implements of industry ; this is not tlie case. We
have many disadvantages, as tremendous gales of wind
in winter, and scorclung droughts in summer ; but we
have one paramount superiority, and that is, our mode
of tenure, the true source of our agricultural wealth."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD.

Sir, — The accounts from the manufacturing districts
appear rather more favourable, but this does not lessen
the necessity of inquiring' into the causes of the convul-
sion ; while they continue to exist tlie patient must
always be in danger of a relapse. The disciples of Lord
Liverpool and Mr. Huskisson, who attributed the panic
of 1825 to the one and two-pound notes, may, with
equal reason,attribute the present difticulties to the five-
pound notes. They have a fair opportunity of taking
the sense of the nation upon the subject. Let them upon
the eve of a general election attempt to prohibit the five-
pound notes. This will lead to the inquiry whether tlieir
knowledge of finance renders them tiie properest per-
sons to manage the affairs of the nation. They are imi-
tators of the homcepathic system, which attempts to cure
diseases by heightening thorn.

Under a supposition that, whatever may be the case
■with the human body, the opposite course is preferable
with the body politic, 1 inquired in my second letter,
whether the Bank would have been compelled to cripple
the commerce of the country in 1825, or on the present
occasion, if our silver coin had been a legal tender in all
payments? I put this question to Mr. Horsley Palmer
on the one side, and should be glad to have it answered
likewise on the other, by any writers who iiave con-
demned the conduct of the Bank on both occasions.

It is easy to show that the Bank has been compelled
to act as it lias done in discharge of the duty imposed
upon it by the act of 1816, which prohibits it from
making any payment in silver beyond the amount of
forty shillings. The necessity of paying all its notes in
gold has imposed upon the Bank the duty of regulating-
the foreign exchanges for the purpose of preventing the
exportation of gold. The object assigned for this duty
is, to prevent what is called in mystical undefined lan-
guage the depreciation of the currency ; the perform-
ance of the duty is enforced upon the Bank by a regard
for its o\vn safety. All persons who sympathise with the
suflTererers by its conduct, whether tliey are in or out of
the direction of its affairs, must wisli to have it released
from this task, by placing it in the same situation in
which it stood from 1783 to the commencement of the
Suspension Act.

Why was it not allowed to resume its payments on the
same consideration on which it was allowed to effect
them before tlie suspension ? It could have done so
without any inconvenience to itself or to the public in
1816 ; and this would have silenced all Mr. Huskis-
son's calumnies.

The experiment of allowing silver coin of lighter
weight than that which is now in circulation, to be a
legal tender in all payments, was fairly tried from 1783
to 1792 by Mr. Pitt, who was accused by Lord Liver-
pool of neglect, for not renewing his act of 1774, wiiich
had limited the use of light silver coin to payments not
exceeding 25/., but allowed full-weight silver to be a

legal tender in all payments. The supposed neglect of
Mr. Pitt, which allowed the Bank to retain a safeguard
of which it had been obliged to avail itself in former
times of difficulty, neither did, nor could, produce any
inconvenience ; because the value of our silver coin was
sulficiently upheld by the limitation of its quantity
wliich could not be increased without giving a pound of
silver in exchange for sixty-two full-weight shillings at
the Mint. Why is it necessary the value of our coin
should be upheld by any other principle merely to please
metaphysicians, who delight in torturing the human in-
tellect, and affect to possess a transcendental sense
superior to common sense? They are particularly de-
lighted with the sport aflbrded by the quibble, that the
value of silver remains the same under every change of
form. As far as the value of money, hke that of com-
modities, ought, according to Mr. Ricardo's pamphlet
to be regulated by its cost, the value of our silver coin',
whether lighter or heavier, depends upon the Mint price
of silver, or the price of our coin at the Jlint. Thus re-
gulated by value for our use, its value in exchange for
the money of othercountries is regulated by the quantity
of silver which can be obtained for it, not by that which
is contained in it. By a clause in the Coinage Act of
1816, all persons ought to be allowed to obtain silver
coin from the Mint at the rate of 62s. for the pound troy
of silver. This was the price fixed by Charles II., but
Lord Liverpool thought proper to suppress this clause in
his own act, without taking thesense of parhament upon
it. His arbitrary conduct has furnished additional proof
of the falsity of his own principle, which, as I stated in
the words of Mr. Huskisson, implies that the value of
silver remains precisely the same under every change of
form. There is, at present, no fixed price at which silver
coin can be obtained from the Blint, and in the market
the pound of silver has been obtained for fifty-nine shil-
lings, which has made the price, not only of our silver
coin, but of our money generally, five per cent, higher
than it oug-ht to be, in exchange with that of every other
country. While we have no fixed Mint price of silver,
we cannot have any fixed par of exchange with countries
who make their payments in silver. The Bank directors,
who are called upon to regulate the foreign exchanges,
have no fixed principle for then- guidance. They ap-
pear to be at the mercy of every speculator whom it
may suit to export g;old for any particular purpose. The
exportation of gold is declared by Hr. Horsley to be the
only test that the exchanges are unfavourable ; and an
unfavourable exchange is considered as undeniable
evidence that the currency is depreciated by excess of
quantity. If under such circumstances the Bank direc-
tors act in a manner that spreads ruin and confusion far
and wide, the fault lies not with them, but with our in-
competent rulers. YLLOSS.
June 26,

Melons Grown over Water. — At the last
meeting of the Horticultural Society, amongst the fruit
from the gardens were two melons, grown over water,
into which the roots descend, a plan by which it was
found that this fruit would arrive at earlier if not at
better maturity

Water Melons, — Approaching Jaffa, on either
side of the road, are extensive watermelon beds, the
fruit of which having just come to maturity, was
guarded by men sitting under temporary sheds erected
for this purpose. They are called here pastesques, and
are justly celebrated thoughout the Levant. Indeed,
it is necessary to have tasted this fruit to form an ade-
quate idea of its excellence : and, independent of its
flavour, a slice of water-melon just brought out of a
cellar, is as good as a glass of iced water for its re-
freshing effects, without the danger attending the latter
when heated. They are peculiar to this district, and
are said to degenerate if transplanted elsewhere. They
are sent as presents to all parts of the country, and
that no mistake might he made, the name of the person
to whom they are addressed is inscribed on the rind. —
Robinson's Travels in Palestine and Syria,

180

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.

TO THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD DENMAN, LORD CHIEF
JUSTICE OF THE aUEEN'S BENCH, &C.

RIy Lord, — We the undersig-ned. being' prisoners
under civil process for debt in the Queen's Bench, re-
spectfully address your lordship on a subject of more
importance to the kinsrdom than even ourselves..

We request to be informed by your lordship on what
constitutional grounds we have been arrested and im-
prisoned for debt.

It would be impossible, in a letter, to state in mmute
detail all the reasons which lead us to conclude that we
are imprisoned in defiance of ourrig-hts as freemen guar-
ranteed to us by JMagna Charta, which no legislative
acts can permanently suspend or abohsh.

Your lordship will not deem us presumptuous when,
as freeborn men, endeavouring to regain by constitu-
tional means, the greatest of human possessions, our
liberty, we urge on your notice the foundation, and some
of the principal reasons of our convictions, that we are
detained as prisoners oppressively and unlawfully.

First, we call your lordship's attention to the words of
that palladium of our freedom. Magna Charta.

In the 29th article are these words, which admit of no
second interpretation. — "No freeman shall be taken
(i.e. arrested), imprisoned, or otherwise injured, unless
by the legal judgment of his peer, and (through-per)
the law of the land."

Sir Edward Coke, commenting on those words, re-
marks, " The King- by Magna Charta is debarred from
imprisoning- his debtor. The power reserved to the
crown was by the common law allowed to the subject."
" The great charter shall be taken as common law, and
all statutes made against it are void."

On that foundation-stone we take our stand, and de-
clare, in the words of Edward III. (42), that

" If any statute be made to the contrary, it shall be
holden for none." We presume to observe that no le-
gislator in either house of parliament would be heard
who proposed to bring in a bill to abolisli Magna Charta.
If it could not be wholly abolished, we maiRtain that no
part of it could be, and that therefore no man can be
" arrested or imprisoned without the judgment of his
peers," which we have been, until we find either " our
ransom or our grave."

Permit us to remind your lordship that from King
John to Edward III. the principles of the Great Charter
were inviolate, and that no man was punished without
crime, nor without the judg-ment of his peers.

That the person of the debtor was free from arrest,
that " he might cultivate the ground and maintain his
family," and that a summons and wri* of distringas were
all the constitution allowed.

The same system was pursued for a long series of
years ; for the statute of Blarlbridge (52 Henry III., c.
23) was enacted to compel fraudulent stewards and re-
ceivers to restore the property of their masters which
they had received and appropriated to their own uses, or
had absconded with ; and being merely enacted against
fraud and crime, can have no reference to arrest and im-
prisonment on a civil process of account.

The statutes of Acton Burnell,2 Edward III., and of
action of debt and detinue, 25 Edward III., c. 17, are
both of a similar character with that of Marlbridge;
and if they were not, the subsequent solemn statute of
Edward III., declaring that the Great Charter beholden
in all points, and that if any statute be made to the con-
trary, " that it be holden for none," would in a merely
legal as well as in a constitutional point of view, render
them nugatory.

For 150 years more the law of Magna Charta remain-
ed inviolate. The 19th of Henry VII. gave no counte-
nance to any violation of the charter, but the fallacious
ingenuity of lawyers by (an imprudent absurdity) a
fiction, converted a civil question of account into a cri-
minal act, and seized the person on fictitious grounds.

The treacherous cunning of lawyers, or the ignorance
of a government, cannot be permitted to abrojrate the
charter of our freedom, though carried in those trouble-
some times to unwarrantable excess.

The incontrovertible law of Magna Charta was always
declared, however bad the practice of the courts might
be, inviolable.

Lord Bacon boldly asserts, " that no person could be
arrested for debt, according to the constitution." And,
as if to complete the chain of authorities who upheld
the true meaning of the great charter, the twelve judges
delivered their decision through Chief Justice Holt,
acquitting a man who had killed a constable's assistant
in an affray, on an attempt to arrest for debt, " on the
sole ground that arrest and imprisonment for debt were
illegal," and added such solemn words that we cannot
avoid calling your lordship's attention to them: —

" If one be imprisoned upon unlawful authority, it is
sufficient provocation to all people to rescue outof com-
passion, much more so when it is done under colour of
justice ; and when the liberty of the subject is invaded,
it is a provocation to all the subjects of England. A
man ought to be concerned for Magna Charta and the
laws, and if any man against law imprison a man, he is
an offender against Magna Charta."

It will be unnecessary to call your lordship's attention
to acts of parliament of different titles, m which this
important subject is inferentially and with assumption
alluded to, since they must be " holden for none," being-
contrary to the great charter.

It would be irrelative to expatiate on the impolicy,
cruelty, and inutility of the system, but we will content
ourselves by saying-, that it is a system on the same prin-
ciples as the Inquisition and the Bastile, and which has
consigned more victims to the grave, by long and lin-
gering torture, than both those infamous institutions,
which were only destroyed by the sufferers and the
people !

My lord, we believe, more particularly from late
events, that you are an enlightened and fearless judge,
and therefore respectfully inform your lordship, that, as
free born Englishmen, we have sworn, by every con-
stitutional means within our power, to re-establish the
sacred rights guaranteed to our country by Magna
Charta, and, as the prisoners of the Court over which
you preside, solicit your lordship's immediate attention
to this important subject, and your definite declaration
as to whether, in utter defiance of Magna Charta, we
have been lawfully ari-ested and imprisoned for debt.

The time has come when the question must be settled
— when the English bastile must be destroyed — when
nearly 20,000 persons must be redeemed from heartless,
useless captivity, and from privation, degradation, ruin,
and lingering suffering.

We, therefore, again solicit your lordship to consider
the question as paramount, not only on account of the
number now incarcerated, but from the consequent de-
solation of their families, and the destruction of their
avocations, and also on account of the great constitu-
tional question it involves.

We are your lordship's most obedient and humble
servants.

Among the number of signatures are the following :—

J. Gould, B.D., Rector of Beaconsfield, Bucks.

George Conway Alontague, formerly of Lackham-
house, Wilts, ten consecutive years in this prison.

J. W. Edwards, late his Majesty's Consul at Nantes,
six consecutive years.

John Dufrene, merchant, confined twenty-three con-
secutive years.

Edward Cazy, confined five consecutive years.

Daniel Bliss, late Brigadier Major, three and a half
consecutive years.

Mary S. Pigott, widow, fourteen consecutive years ;
having been a short time at liberty, again for two years.

B. Walsh, upwards of ten years.

Cornelius Callanan, thirteen years, without any just
cause of action,
Joseph Yorke, twenty-one consecutive ycarsconfined.
R. Kenrick, ten consecutive years confined.
John Bradley, fifteen consecutive years confined.

C. Clifford, seventeen consecutive years.
Jonathan Wood, twenty-seven consecutive years con-
fined.

The remaining names affixed to this letter are for
shorter terms. Among them are men of rank, literature.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

181

and science, and several of their cases disgraceful to a
free country ; one of the latter, who has given up his
property to his just creditors, for the amount of a cog-
novit exacted by a slieriff's officer at night, and when
under duresse, for services to be performed by the officers.
Affidavits of this case have been sent to the sheriff and
under-sheriff, but the fellow is left to pursue his trade.

The Potatoe HusBANDnv. — (From a Letter in
the Montrose Review.) — VVitli many farmers the cul-
tivation of the potatoe crop is viewed as a sort of bye
job, and as that part of husbandry whicli must not be al-
lowed to interfere, or have their attention, till the seed
time of the corn crop be finished. When all things are
ready — that is, when tlieir other crops have been sown —
being in most cases limited for time, they proceed with
the potatoe planting, by drilling the ground from tlie
winter fur, and then applying dung, fresh and rank
from the straw-yard, on which they place tlie seed, which
may have been cut weeks before, and perhaps laid into
heaps and heated till Jhe vegetating principle be
weakened or destroyed. Now, what is to be expected
from such a course of procedure as this, but an unequal
and deficient crop, or perhaps a total failure. Ytt,
when these occur, we often hear such farmers say — ' Oh,
the potatoes are falling into decay ;' ' they will, if not
again reared from the seed, wear out ' or, ' the land is
tiring of them ;' and the more timid and superstitious go
the length of saying, ' Oh, it is the judgment of God.'
' Foolish men and unwise ! ' Was there ever greater per-
version of language than this, or a more threadbare and
shabby apology offered to screen ignorance and indo-
lence? Give the land its due, and, by the unalterable
law of nature, itwill bring forth abundantly as hereto-
fore— ' thirty, sixty, and an hundred fold ;' and oast not
an imputation on the God of all Grace, for where and
when was it that He did not smile with an approving
countenance upon the labours of the diligent and indus-
trious"! Butwhilstl make these animadversions on the
management of jsome agriculturists, I have pleasure in
knowing that there are in that class noble exceptions —
men who conduct their business with science, persever-
ance, and practical skill. Such, by their exertions and
their influence, I regard as pillars in the great frame-
work of society, and on whom, and their labours and
their success I look with ineffable deliglit. The system
which they pursue in raising" a crop of potatoes is as fol-
lows:— The ground, marked out for potatoes, is clean
and ploughed in the fall of the previous year, and in the
same direction as for the preceding crop. In February
following, or as soon thereafter as the season will per-
mit, it undergoes a cross ploughing, and somewhat
deeper than for the preceding* crop. In the first or se-
cond week of April, it is drilled for tiie dung in the natu-
ral lie of the field. No dung applied which has not
been at least once turned, and in a short and cool state,
for it does not occur to suoh agriculturists that a potatoe
plant, though far from being delicate, can, like a coarse
hungry ox, swallow and appropriate tor its immediate
and proper nourishment a parcel of dry straw. 1'he
seed, selected at the lime of taldng up the crop, not
pitied, but placed in aiiousc or close shed, and covered
during winter with dry straw. The seed cut about eight
days before planting*, and no person employed to per-
form this operation, or to plant, who has not been proved
to be uniformly careful. A dry season, if possible ,
chosen for covering the dung and the seed. The clean-
ing, both by the plough and hoe, performed early than
otherwise. The crop not taken up, if the season will per-
mit, till fully ripe. Itmaybe observed that the last men-
tioned improves the quality, adds to the weight, and
gives greater security of safe keeping in winter. I have
seen the process now referred to uniformly observed,
during twenty one successive years, without the occur-
rence of a single failure or even a deficiency. J^et those
who havesuffered from deficient crops and total failures,
make trial, and believe that before imen have cause to
complain on the failure of any enterprise, they ought to
possess a competent knowledge, and make a vigorous
application of the requisite means for its attainment.

THE HORSE LAMENT.

Alas 1 alas ! ye engineers,

Have ye for us no pity 1
Have ye no eats for horses tears ?

Oh 1 list to this our ditty ?

Oh ! look on us, your faithful slaves,

Who thus have been for ages ;
In coach and van we work for man,

In waggons, carts, and stages.

Aye ! hard all day, we tug away.

In tumbrils, gigs, or hearses,
And ne'er before have dared to pray

Your charity in verses.

In heat and cold, both young and old,

We've borne both loads and curses,
And ever since the world began

We've help'd to fill your purses.

Look back and see how valiant we

Our parts have play'd in battle ;
All dangers braving, our chieftains saving,

Unlike to other cattle.

We would not brag, but each poor nag

Now feels himself neglected,
Since of late years, ye engineers,

By steam seem quite infected.

One sees approach a monstrous coach ;

(Or train of coaches rather,)
But not a steed, on hay to feed.

To draw these coaches are there.

All fire and smoke, and steam and coke.

Like the devil in windy weather ;
Ninety miles an hour, the engine's power,

Drags the coaches and all together.

If you approach one, instead of coachman.

With goodly whip and reins, sirs,
You'll see the stoker, drive with his poker,

The engine and its train, sirs.

It makes one savage, to find a carriage,

Without our aid can travel ;
Whilst iron ground is lately found

To supersede good gravel.

" Othello's occupation's gone,"

Hang up each bit and bridle ;
Oh ! grievous 'tis to think upon ;

But who will keep us idle ?

The racks and mangers will soon be strangers

To all their friends of yore, sirs ;
For folks won't pay for corn and hay.

Now horses work no more, sirs.

So masters all, hear this our call,

And, for the love of pity —
To end our pains, blow out our brains,

And so must end our ditty.
Fordingbridge, July 4, 1837. Salisbury Herald,

A collection of all the different kinds of stone found
in the United Kingdom, well suited to the purposes of
building, is being made by the Commissioners of Public
Works at Whitehall, where all architects employed in
the erection of public works will have an opportunity
of examining all the specimens and selecting such ma-
terials as may be best iuited, from facility of working,
resistance of corrosion, and decay from exposure to
weather, and other qualities requisite for the strength
and durability of the said works. It is much to be la-
mented that in several of the public edifices erected of
late years great defects arising from the corrosion and
crumbling of the stone with which they were built are
already visible, which, in con jCquence of the above ad-
vantageous opportunity, is not likely to occur in
future.

i 182

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS
PEASANTRY.

FOR THE

(From the " First Publication of ilie Central Society
of Education." )

MR. smith's account of his allotments of land

TO CHILDREN AT SOUTHAM.

" In the year 1832, 1 requested the master of the
National School in this place to give me a list of
those boys who, in his ojiinion, were most likely
to manage a small jjiece of garden-ground success-
fully. From this list I selected twelve boys,
amongst whom I divided an acre of land, charging
them, according to the size of their allotments,
some Gd., some yd., and some Is. per month : for
nine months in the year ; the three winter months
they were not to pay rent. I would recommend
whoever does the same to admit two or three as
old as seventeen or eighteen ; they assist by their
example, in keeping the young ones in order.

" First, they were to pay (and have done so
regularly) their rents on the first Monday of every
month, at eight o'clock in the evening.

" Secondly, they were to grow, for their own
use or sale, garden vegetables, not grain ; and they
were requested to grow as many varieties as pos-
sible, and at any rate not less than six : onions,
peas, beans, carrots, celery, radisii, turnips, cab-
bages, and early potatoes, as the principal fa-
vourites. My reason for not wishing- them to
grow wheat or common potatoes, is, that there is
not so much after-skill required : by grov/ing as
many other kinds of vegetables as possible, I knew
that they would ha\e a succession of occupation
with its attcndaiit and healthful thoughtfulness,
anxiety, hope, inspection, promise, and reward ;
and that this interest could be kept alive only un-
der a succession of summer, autumn, and winter
crops.

" Thirdly, they were each of them to have a
small flower border, two feet wide, to run uni-
formly by the side of the foot-path through the
whole piece. Aly reason for bargaining for a bed
of flowers on each jdece was, tlmt they might ac-
quire a taste for tlicm, and cultivate every foot of
waste land near the cottages they may hereafter
occupy when they become men. We have gone
on admirably well, and whoever should be dis-
posed to follow the example had better not much
exceed the number.

" It is of great consequence not to overstock the
market with land, for if you have to seek occu-
pants, the little fellows are apt to be coy, and be-
lieve that you have some other object in view than
their welfare ; and there arc at al! times persons
to be found sufficiently mischievous and ready to
infuse such ideas, — pretenders to religion and
patriotism — v.-ho would embarrass anything that
does not belong to their church or party.

" In the third year I made a rule that, besides
the bed of flowers, each boy was to grow a bed of
sweet herbs ; these things strengthen broth, im-
prove the flavour of meat and pudding. Mint,
sage, shalots, parsley, &c., improve the flavour of
many things that would otherwise he insipid.

" That I might not be perplexed with counsel,
I did not allow any persons but the mothers and
sisters to come into the gardens, and they were
not to interfere with anything; but experience
taught me it was necessary to relax this order, as,
when tlie boys were employed, the mothers and
sisters were desirous to gather the vegetables, &c.,
which I had no objection to, as I found two Jienefits

arising that Ihad not before fhoughtof ; the young
girls learning how — and a great desideratum it
is — to gather garden vegetables, and also how to
dress them. My boys' sisters are more likely to
become good cooks than they would have been if
their brothers had no gardens. I am satisfied that
this is the only way, withotit spoiling a great deal
of good victuals, of teaching young girls how to
gather and dress that important ])art of a family
dinner — the vegetables ; and what girl that has
once enjoyed the comfort of a good bed of sweet-
herbs, but will always contrive to have one again,
if it be possible, even though she herself, with her
own hands, should plant it in her future master or
husband's garden.

" In the third year I found my boys, and some
of them who were the best gardeners and the best
conducted, becoming young men, Ijut who would
have thought it hard to be turned out ; therefore,
to make way for others, who had now become
very desirous of having gardens, I divided another
acre and a halt, for which I had thirty applica-
tions, and in my desire to accommodate too many,
made two mistakes. I had at once eighteen new
tenants, from eight to fourteen years of age,
on one i)iece ; if I had separated them, and
mingled them with those who had j)reviously had
garden-land for three years, it would have been
much better, and much altercation among them-
selves prevented. I should have been as strict in
not admitting intermeddlers the first year on this
land as I was on the first piece.

" Besides these two pieces of land for boys, I
had a small collection of religious, useful, and en-
tertaining hooks, about sixty, which I lent out to
them in succession on the rent-nights, and which
arc in great request amongst them , one or two of
the younger boys who cannot read are very anxious
to take a book home, that their mothers may, on
a Sunday, read it to them.

" I do not trouble you with a list of the books ;
they are principally of the old school, which, hav-
ing been given me bj'' friends for this pui'pose, and
many of which, having done honourable duty in
the nurseries of the rich, are now doing a second
and equally honourable duty in the families of the
poor. The distribution and exchange of books takes
place only on the rent-nights, and is an induce-
ment for them to apply early, that tbey may have
the first choice of the collection, which is often-
times receiving additions, and which they look
after with great interest."

MR. W. AI.LEn's ACCOUNT OF IIIS SCHOOLS OF INDUS-
TRY AT LINDFIEI.D, NEAR CUCKEIELD, IN SUSSEX.

" The history of the experiment is briefly this : —
About the year 1825, William Allen, treasurer to
the British and Foreign School Society, having, in
his visits to Brighton and other parts of Sussex, ob-
served the state of ignorance and destitution of the
poor of Lindfield and its neighbourhood, ^-scarcely
any of the labourers being able to read or write, —
purchased some small estates, and built commodious
school-rooms, workshops, &c., in which he has ever
since sup])orted a boys' school, a girls' scliool, and
an infant school ; the average attendance of children
is generally above one hundred.

" Several years ago, the proprietor published a
little tract, entitled, ' Hints for establishing Schools
of Agriculture, upon a plan whereby the labour of
the children during a certain time of the day might
be made to contribute towards paying the expenses
of the school ;' and, subsequently, that is, in the be-
ginning of 1835, he adopted the plan himself, by

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

183

making provision for boarding, lodging, and cloili-
ing twelve bo3's, on the manual labour system. This
school has been in successful operation ever since,
and is now being enlarged. One great point is, to
bring up the boys in habits of industrj^ and parti-
cularly in the knowledge of agriculture ; they are
employed about five hours a day npon land, wlien
the weather permits, nnder the immediate inspection
of a person well skilled in husbandry : when they
cannot work out of doors, some of them are em-
ployed in weaving linen, some in the printing-office
attached to the establishment, some in shoeinaking,
&c.

" The bo3'^s are taught to do everything for them-
selves as far as ]3racticable ; they make their own
beds, keep their apartments clean, assist in cooking,
clean their shoes, &c. &c.

" Each of the twelve boys has a little apartment
to himself, about eight feet square, and ten feet to
the ceiling, in whicli is a bed, a chair, and a table, of
course : they each have a separate bed, no two boys
in the establishment being suffered to sleep to-
gether.

" Each boy has a garden, consisting of twenty-
six rods, or perches ; two of which be may cultivate
in flowers, or what he likes : twelve rods are for
potatoes, and twelve for corn. The expense for ma-
nure, &c., is charged ; but this being deducted, he
receives the rest for jiocket money, llie average
last year was 1/. 6s. 8d. each, or rather more than
6d. per week.

" The boys are instructed in the most eflectual
means for supplying the necessaries and comforts of
life by the cultivation of the land on tlie spade or
garden plan. These boys, beside reading, writing,
and arithmetic, are taught English grammer, geo-
graphy, the use of the globes, land-measuring, and
such other branches of useful knowledge as are
found practicable.

" A book is kept, in which tlio master notes from
time to time the conduct and progress of each boy ;
care is taken that they be well instructed in the evi-
dences of the Christian religion, and in the know-
ledge of the Bible.

" Each boy is made to keep a diary, in which he
enters the time spent in each of the objects of his
study. An examination generally takes place every
month or six weeks, when a. summary of the diaries
is made, and the progress of each boy is noted ; re-
ference being had to the conduct book. The per-
sons employed in the establishment are,

" A principal superintendant, who is also a
teacher.

" A schoolmaster.
" A schoolmistress.
" An infant schoolmistress.

" A labourer in agriculture, who works with the
boys, and teaches them.

" As the peasants, in general, are so ignorant of
the value of education that they will keep their chil-
dren from school if they can get employment for them
that will bring in a few pence, the proprietor of the
schools gives a shilling a week to such boys as will
work for a certain number of hours on the land, and
go to the school, for an equal number of hours.
This plan has complt-tely succeeded in several in-
stances; the value of the labour being found equal
to the shilling per week, so that the schooling is a
clear gain to the boy^

" All the boarders who are old e:'ough have the
care of a boy's farm, each consisting of three quar-
ters of an acre, and divided into twenty-four parts ;
each part or division being five rods. There are
now fourteen such farms, and the things cultivated

are precisely those recommended in a pamphlet,
called ' Colonies at Home,' first published by the
proprietor in the year 1828, under the name of ' The
Three Acre, or Handicraft Farm ;' so that each boy's
farm is exactly the fourth jiart of a farm on which a
weaver, tailor, slioemaker, or any other handicraft
business, miglit be carried on in connexion with
agriculture.

" 'I'his establishment is, in fact, a normal school,
for some of the pupils are training to be teachers of
the plans.

" The following is the distribution of time during
the twenty-four hours : —

Hours, Minutes.

Meals and Recreations 4 45

School 4 SO

Work 5 0

Public Religious Reading 0 30

Sleep, &c..".. 9 15

24 0

Criminal Law. — The following is a list of offences
still punishable with ]3cat]» by the recent Acts for the
amendment of tiie Criminal Law : —

1. High treason.

2. Murder.

3. Attempting to murder, by administering to, or
causing to be taken by, any person, poison or otlier de-
structive tiling-.

4. Attempting to murder, by stabbing, cutting', or
wounding, or by any means whatsoever causing to any
person any bodily injury dangerous to life.

5. Rape.

6. Unnatural offences.

7. Piracy, whenever accompanied with an attempt to
murder any person.

8. Robbery of any person, accompanied with an at-
tempt to murder the person robbed, by stabbing, cut-
ting, or wounding.

9. Burglary (that is, housebreaking- between nine
o'clock at night and six in the morning^, accompanied
with any attempt to murder any person in the house,
or if any person in the house be stabbed, cut, wounded,
beaten, or struck by the burglar.

10. Unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to any
dwel!ing--house, any person being therein.

11. Unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to, casting
away, o?- in anywise destroying-, any ship or vessel,
either with intent to murder any person, or whereby
tlie life of any person, lawfully being therein, shall be
endangered.

12. Exhibiting any false light or signal, with intent
to bring any ship or vessel into danger, or unlawfully
and maliciously doing anything tending to the imme-
diate loss or destruction of any ship in distress.

13. Every accessory before the fact to any of the
above capital offences is punishable with death in like
manner as tlie principal felon.

The above offences are nearly all which are now
punishable capitally by the laws of England. The
remaining of an assembly of person? together for one
hour after they have been commanded by proclamation
to disperse, under the Riot Act, is still a capital
felony, and there are several other instances in wliich
capital punishment is retained, but the offences arc
not of frequent occurrence. In general the New Acts
liave for the punishment of death substituted trans-
portation for life, or for any term not less than fitteon
years (in some cases for not less than seven years), or
imprisonment, with or without hard labour, in the
common gaol or house of correction, for any term not
exceeding five years. If any part of the period of
imprisonment is to be solitary confinement, not more
than one month is to be given at a time, nor more
than tlirce months' solitary confinement in one year.
Some of the new Acts do not come into operation ti]\
the 1st of October next.

184

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON IODINE AS A REMEDY FOR
GLANDERS.

BY EDW. THOMPSON, ESQ., WHITEHAVEN, M.R.C.S.

About thirteen years ago, Dr. Copland drew
the attention of the profession to the appearance
of glanders in man, and referred to some cases
which had been detailed in Rust's Journal. Sub-
sequently to this, Dr. EUiotson published his very
important paper in the Med. Chirurgical Transac-
tions, proving the communicability of glanders
from the horse to the human subject. These no-
tices gave an interest to the inquiry, greater than
when the affection was merely considered as a di-
sease of the lower animals ; and they were fol-
lowed by several important cases, occurring both
here and abroad. Notwithstanding the interest
excited, it is to be regretted that nothing which is
practically useful in the treatment of this fatal
and loathsome disease has hitherto been ad-
vanced ; every acute case that has been recorded
having ended in death, after much suffering and
distress. The consideration, therefore, of this di-
sease has become a vital question to the medical
inquirer, not only on account of the singularity of
the disorder, but from its having resisted every
remedy which has been applied to it, either to
mitigate the infection or to cure the complaint.
Under these circumstances, the proposal of any
means, although it may be supported but by a
single fact, is worthy of attention ; and I think I
should be acting wrongly not to promulgate the
following experiment.

The disease has been viewed by most writers as
an affection of the Schneiderian membrane, ac-
companied by enlargement of the glands in the
neighbourhood, and anextension of the complaint,
by continuity, to the lungs. In most cases it is
communicated by contagion, and tubercles in va-
rious parts (according to Dupuy) characterize and
constitute the disease. The glandular implication
and disordered condition of the absorbents, along
with the frequent appearance of tuberculous mat-
ter in this affection, led me to think that iodine
might be productive of benefit ; and the result, so
far as a single instance of success goes, gives proof
of its power in this untractable and fatal disease,
the animal upon which the experiment was tried
having perfectly recovered. Having had no op-
portunity of conversing with veterinary surgeons,
I have had no means of recommending the farther
trial of the remedy ; and never having seen a case
in the human subject, of course my experience is
but small, and by some may be thought unsatis-
factory. The value of tVie remedy, however, will
be tested by individuals whose means of trial are
superior to my own, and whose peculiar province
it is to attend to diseases in the lower animals : it
is amongst these that the drug can be extensively
employed, and a series of experiments can be in-
stituted sufficiently numerous to prove the efficacy
or the inutility of this important medicine.

The physiological differences which exist be-
tween the lower animals and man militate against
the accurate investigation of the action of medi-
cines, as applicable to diseases of apparently si-
milar nature, generally ; but in a transmitted di-
sease, the product of morbid poison exciting in
the two similar symptoms, when inoculated, and
having an affinity to similar tissues in both, a re-
medy that has displayed power in one, may be ex-
pected to evince a like power in the other, under
favourable circumstances for application.

Such considerations lead me to hope that a

farther trial of iodine will be found efficacious in
certain forms of the disease arising in man, as it
has proved so effective in one of the worst forms
of the affection in one of the lower animals : but
the investigation of its properties in subduing the
fatal progress of glanders will require close and
accurate application, and an attention as to quan-
tity, commensurate with the nature and violence
of the attack. From the singular effect elicited in
the experiment I am about to mention, I should be
inclined to place more faith in iodine than in any_
other medicine yet employed ; but I would sug-
gest the necessity of giving it in large and re-
peated doses, and to persevere in its use until its
action was fully displayed.

The horse, the property of my brother-in-law,
was seized with what was pronounced to be glan-
ders by the farriers who attended it, several weeks
before iodine was recommended. The disease was
then in an advanced stage, the horse having ul-
cerations of the nostrils, so far as could be ob-
served, particularly in one of them., and enlarge-
ments of the glands under the jaws. The various
means employed in such affections had been
resorted to without effect, and the animal getting
so weak as to be scarcely able to stand, was re-
commended to be shot. It was at this advanced
period that I by chance saw it ; and thinking it a
good opportunity to try the power of iodine, I re-
quested the groom to administer 150 drops of the
strong tincture, three or four times a-day in water.
'J'he iodine was given regularly for the space of
six weeks. Not fewer than 450 drops, and fre-
quently 500 or 600 were exhibited daily. In a few
days the benefit of the drug was evidenced, and at
the end of seven weeks the horse was nearly well.
The animal is, at present, the property of another
person, and is considered by him to be one of the
best in his stable. Four years have elapsed since
the horse was affected ; it is now perfectly well,
and there has been no return of the complaint.

It may be asked, Was the horse really glan-
dered ? Of this there does not admit a doubt.
The two farriers who attended it, and others who
pretended to a knowledge of the diseases of
horses, were decided as to the nature of the dis-
order : and certainly if the symptoms laid down
by Youatt and others, can be depended on, the
animal had confirmed glanders. Bloody viscid
sanies flowed down and glued the nosti'ils ; and
in the left one the membrane was studded with
chancerous ulcerations as far as the eye could
reach. 'I'he glands under the throat were greatly
enlarged, and the animal was attenuated and weak.
The least motion affected its breath, and from the
rapid progress of the affection there was no pros-
pect of the brute living longer than a few weeks.
The intractable nature of the affection led to the
proposal of the animal's being destroyed, there-
fore the case for experiment could not be con-
sidered as the very best for trial ; yet the animal
is a living instance of recovery from this danger-
ous affection : and as no other drug was given
during the exhibition of iodine, the action of the
medicine was not influenced by any other. I am
not so sanguine as to expect that iodine will be
found to be a specific in the disease ; yet as it has
not hitherto been exhibited in a mode to insure
its effect, I think, from the successful proof of its
powers related above, that it deserves attention ;
and I cannot but express a hope that the farther
trial of this active medicine (the properties of
whicli rccjuire yet more extensive investigation)
will be attended with a continuance of success
shewn in man. — Lancet, vol. ii, 183()-7, p. 580.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

186

RULES FOR THE PREVENTION OF
ROT IN SHEEP.

(from the veterinarian.)

[Long observation having proved that an un-
usually wet and cold winter is generally succeeded
by a most destructive rot among sheei), the Pre-
fects of some of the departments of France, alarmed
by the almost unprecedented humidity of the last
winter, applied to the veterinary surgeons in their
respective neighbourhoods for a code of preventive
or sanitary regulations, in order cither to prevent
the appearance of this disease, or, at least, to limit
its murderous effects. Le. Aletnorial de I' Quest (the
Western Remembrancer), contains the account of
one of the French veterinarians, !Vf. Plasse, of the
department of Deux Sevres, to this call. The
management of the sheep is so different in France
and England, that few of our agriculturists would
be able, scarcely in the slightest degree to follow
out the plan laid down by the French veterinarian,
yet the perusal of it may be intci'csting, and some
good and practical hints may be derived. — Y.]

1. The sheep must be kept in houses sufficiently
close to excite and to keep up the functions of the
skin.

2. They should seldom be turned out for any con-
tinuance to graze, or, at least, the most favourable
weather should be chosen for it, and all low and wet
ground should be scrupulously avoided. In default
of pasture of any other kind than this, the sheep
should be fed in the sheep-house, and only occasion-
ally taken out for the purpose of exercise. In such
seasons the sheep may emigrate to a safer and more
suitable pasture, and that may be easily and advan-
tageously accomplished in most districts.

3. Before they go to pasture, and on their return,
dry food should be given to the sheep, and, in pre-
ference, the hay from artificial meadows. If it
should so happen that there is nothing but straw for
forage, its want of nutritive matter should be sup-
plied by bran, or corn, &c.

4. Among the long or tubercular-rooted vege-
tables, potatoes, beet-root, Jerusalem artichokes, &c.,
should be avoided ; and those only should be ad-
mitted which contain an aromatic or stimulant prin-
ciple, as the carrot, the parsnip, the turnip, &c,

5. They should be allowed to drink, twice in the
day, water at the temperature of the well, whatever
may be the kind of food, but never to satiety ; and
iron-filings should be put in the water in the propor-
tion of a pound to a gallon. The iron should be
left exposed to the air when the buckets are empty,
and which should be filled again an hour before the
watering time arrives.

6. On every third day there should be given,
morning and night, about ten pounds of dry bran,
mixed with half a pound of culinary salt j to which
should be added, six ounces of aromatic plants cut
small, as thyme, sage, juniper, rosemary, lavender,
bay or orange leaves, to which must be added five
ounces of the green anise, and of fennel, and of
coriander. This will be sufficient for thirty sheep.

These directions should be carefully followed
during a month or six weeks with regard to all
the sheep that have been exposed to the unhealthy
influence of the season or the pasture.

These precautions should be rigorously observed
until that time arrives so critical, the shooting of
the grass, when they may be permitted to go to
pasture ; dry meat, however, being for a little
while given to them alternately with the green.
A reasonable period having elapsed, they may be
left at full liberty.— Me/K. de VOuest, Jan. 1837.

CUMBERLVND.

(I'ROM KENNEDY AND GRAINGER'S CUSTOMS OF
COUNTIES, 1828.)

This county is generally considered to be very
healthy, though the air is very sharp and iiiercing.
Almost every part ©f it is turned to a profitable ac-
count, though there is, perhaps, as much poor land
in it as in most counties.

The mountains feed large flocks of sheep, and
great numbers of cattle are also bred upon them,
chiefly those of the Scots breed : the mountains like-
wise abound with valuable mines of various de-
scriptions; the vallies are under most excellent ma-
nagement, and produce large crops of corn. 'J'he
soil varies ; towards the western part of the county
it is a stiff cla}-, but in tlio interior it is light and
sandy, and turnips are very extensively cultivated.

Stone dikes (as they are here called) are generally
made for dividing the inclosures, which here, as well
as in other counties where they are used, contribute
very much to give a cold and bleak appearance to
the country.

Practice of Tenancy. — The time for entering
upon a farm is at Lady-day, but possession of the
house is not given till May-day : the tenant, how-
ever, has the privilage of going upon the farm to
plough for the spring crop at Candlemas.

The farms are usually let on leases, for three,
seven, or nine years, but seven is the most general
term ; scarcely any exceed nine.

The rents are paid half-yearly ; the poor-rates,
which are very moderate, are generally collected
three times in the course of the year ; the highway-
tax is all collected, and the repairs of the roads are
managed by the surveyor, vrho hires men, and pays
for tlie work that is requisite to be performed.

The corn lithe is generally valued every year, and
either taken in kind or compounded for ; the small
tithes have a permanent value set upon them, which
is moderate and paid annually.

Customs between LA^fDL0RD and Tenant, and
THE Incoming and Outgoing Tenant. — A tenant is
bound by the landlord to plough the land in such
proportions, that a certain part of it may remain in
grass for three years, and to have a regular succes-
sion in his crops ; he is strictly prohibited from tak-
ing two white crops successively ; and he is obliged
to leave the same quantity of land in seeds when he
quits the farm, as he found upon it wlien he entered
into possession. He likewise covenants not to con-
vey away hay or straw from the premises ; and un-
dertakes to lay not less than sixty Winchester
bushels of lime per acre for his turnips or wheat,
when sown upon a fallow.

An outgoing tenant has the privilege of retainino*
possession of the house, and of premises for his cat-
tle until May-day ; and he leaves the fitrm with the
same advantages to his successor, that he received
when he entered upon it.

When a tenant quits a f\irm, if his predecessor
took on leaving it, an outgoing crop of wheat, he
does the same, or otherwise has it valued to the in-
coming tenant, if the latter chooses to take it ; but
if he found no wheat upon the farm when he entered,
the incomer has tlie o|)tion of sowing the wheat him-
self previous to the time of tntrv, and the outgoer
leaves all the manure and straw (if there be any) for
the incomer's benefit, but lie is paid for the seeds in
the ground, provided he paid in like manner on en-
tering the farm.

An incoming tenant ploughs and sows all the
spring corn ; if the outgoer found a wheat crop upon

186

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the fai-m when he entered, and takes an offgoing crop
when he quits, he is bound to pay rent and taxes for
the hind it grew upon till liarvest time, and thresh it
on the premises, leaving the straw for tiie benefit of
his successor. The custom for the incoming tenant
to enter the farm for the purpose of sowing the wheat
crop before Candlemas, has arisen in consequsnce of
some farmers cultivating barley in preference to
wheat ; and thus if a tenant when he enters finds no
land applied to the growth of wheat, he must leave
it in the same state when he ijuits ; the next tenant
may wish to cultivate wheat, and lie has Uie liberty
of doing so at entry, but he cannot sow the last wheat
crop if he quits at the expiration of his lease.

Mode of Farming, Implements, SiC. — The land
is in general kept very clean and in excellent condi-
tion; and considering tlie quality of it and the cli-
mate, thero are not many counties superior to this in
the productions of agriculture.

The rotation of crops, after the land has remained
three years in grass, which is generally cut for hay
one year, and fed two, is — first, oats ; second, tur-
nips ; third, barley or wheat ; fourth, seeds : in the
cky soil the wheat is geneially fallowed, and the ro-
tation is — first, oats ; second, fallow ; third, wheat ;
fourth, seeJiS.

Turnips are sown very extensively, and the land
is made by the number of sheep which are kept upon
it ; they are of the Highland breed, and are gene-
rally bouglit at the beginning of winter, and imme-
diately put upon turnips ; they are run very tliitk
upon the ground, and through the hard living to
which they have been accustomed, but a short time
elapses before they ready for the butcher.

With respect to the draining, the landlord gene-
rally cuts the drains and fills them in, and tlie ten-
ant finds the stone, but the latter pays interest at the
rate of about ten-pence in the pound sterling, for
the money thus expended by the landlord. The drill
is universally used 'for turnips, hut not generally for
corn ; the single horse carts only are used either at
harvest or at any other time : the ploughs in gene-
ral use are of cast-iron ; there are two horses to a
plough, which are always driven double.

The outbuildings are commonly kept in repair by
the landlord ; they are constructed with a sort of
red sand-stone, which is very abundant in this coun-
ty, and are covered with slate.

THE OLD AND NEW SYSTEM OF
F^ARMING COMPARED.

la Mr. M'Culloch's valuable and elaborate statisti-
cal work, lately published, we find an inceresting
account given of the difference in the mode of croj)-
ping in the " good old times" and the present " bad
times ;" it is from the pen of Mv. Oliver, of Loch-
end, an intelligent and practical farmer.

" The mode of cropping at the former period (1723)
was, first, peas; second, wheat; third, barley;
fourth, oats ; the produce being about three seeds,
but to prevent all cavil, say four seeds. This, taking
the seed for eacli at 1 boli (or about four bushels of
wheat and six of barley) over a farm of 100 Scotch
acres, is 400 bolls. The quantity of straw for eacli
boll a of such crop could not exceed 15 stones ; which
on 400 bolls gives 6,000 stones, or 12 tons 15:^- cwts.
of straw, to be consumed by the slock and returned
to the land in the shape of manure. But upon a
farm of 100 acres, cultivated as at present ; namely,
a fourth turnips, a fourth wheat or barley, a fourth
clover or rye-grass, pastured or made into hay and

consumed on the farm, and a fourth oats or wheat ;
the account wcuh' stand thus : — 50 acres of wheat,
barley, and oats, at eight bolls per acre, which, we
are convinced, is not above the average croi)S of the
best district, of East Lothian ; this, allowing as above,
15 stones of straw for eachboll, gives 120 stones per
acre, which over 50 acres, makes in all 6,000 stones
of straw, or lii tons 15;^ cwts., being equal to the
({uantity produced by the whole 100 acres under the
old system. Now suppose that the '25 acres of clever
and rve-grass are made into liav (which, however, is
not the mode practised, nor the best mode of ob-
taining the greatest (juantity of manure, and keeping
uj) the fertility of the soil,) and that each acre yields
'iOO stones, the total vjuantity will be 5,000 stones,
or 35 tons 411-lOth cwts. ; and add to this 500 tons
turnip, being the produce of 25 acres, at 20 tons per
acre, which is by no means above a fair average crop.
Upon thesa data, the weight of materials produced
annually for manure under the old and new systems
will be as follows : —

Old System. Straw 6,000 stones, 42 tons 15|^cwt.

Straw 6,0U0 — 42 — 15]-cwt.

Hay 5,0u0 — 35 — 141-lOth
cwt.

Turnips 70,000 — 500 —
Thus making tlie weight of materials to be converted
into manure under the new system, in round num-
bers, 577 tons ; while, under the old system the
quality is only 42 tons, leaving a balance in favour
of the new of 533 tons per annum, heing more than
ticel'ie times the whole quantity produced u)ider the old!
Nothing more is necessary to shew the superiority
of the new system, in as far as keeping up the f er-
tility of the soiiis ooacarned ; and upon this depends
the progi-ess of agriculture. And as to the question
of comparative profit, it would be easy to show, from
unquestionable data, that the new system is as supe-
rior to the old in this respect, as it is in the supply
of manure ; but this, we think, must be abundantly
obvious to every one who contrasts the almost imper-
ceptible advances made in agriculture, and in the
accumulation of agricultural capital, for many cen-
turies, with their extraordinary progress during the
last seventy years, or since the new system was in-
troduced.

New System,

Allowances to Prosectjtors and Witnesses.
— The county rate commissioners have proposed the
following scale of allowances for prosecutors and wit-
nesses at the assizes and sessions : —

Mileage to
Per day. the Sessions.

Labourers 2s. 6d. Sd.

Journeymen 4s.0d. to 5s. 8d.

Tradesmen, Yeomen, and

Farmers ■. 7s. 6d. to 10s. 8d.

Auctioneers k Accountants 10s. Od. to 12s. 8d.
Merchants', Attorneys', &

other Clerks IDs. Od. to 12s. 8d.

Gentlemen, Merchants, and

Bankers 21s. Is.

Professional Men 21s. Od. to 42s. Is.

Females, according to sta-
tion in life 2s. 6d. to 10s. 8d.

The present rate of allowance to witnesses for attend-
ance and expenses, as well as for mileage, is somewhat
higher than the proposed scale.

" No Nicw Poor Law."— This political cry was
never more happily shown up than last Saturday, when
the guardians of the Duncaster union proce^ided to re-
vise the list of paupers. In the first township called
over it appeared that a female who had been the mother
of scveralillegitimate children was made matron of the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.'

187

workhouse, having the charge of the young as well as
the old of both sexes ; and, while there, during the pre-
sent year, again became pregnant, and in the next
township several named paupers were on the relief list
of which no account could be obtained or given. And
yet, forsooth, in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, the
management of the poor is so cjuod — the morals of
pauper families so much cared for — as to render the in-
troduction of the new poor-law a work of supereroga-
tion.— Out upon such hypocrisy ! — Doncaster Gazette.

WOOL

The importations of Wool in 1836 were double of
those of 1S35, fully 100 per cent, in excess of the year
immediate preceding, and very nearly the same in ex-
cels of 1831 ; while the quantity of Wool exported, all
sorts put together, was less in 1836 than in 1S35.
These very instructive facts show that the currency
was not redundant in the early part of 1835, and that
probably it did not commence becoming excessive till
towards the termination of that year, when measures
for increasing the imports would be taken ; they also
show that in 1836 it became redundant, and cliecked
the exportation of Wool. With a double quantity of
that article imported, there ought to have been a quad-
rupled quantity of it exported, if commerce remained
in an equable and natural state. But high prices both
increase imports and stop exports, and, therefore, we
bring in a double amount and send out less. Now
prices cannot be suddenly and violently lowered by any
operations of the Bank of England, without producing
a revolution ; if they were to be so reduced, they would
prevent every merchant and manufacturer from strug-
gling to meet his engagements and would bring on a
state of things immeasurably worse than now exists in
the United States. Therefore we say that the Bank
Directors and their instructors have shown themselves
to be ignorant of the most important commercial prin-
ciples by supposing they could turn the exchanges be-
tween the month of July and the close of the year, and
regulating their conduct on that assumption ; and we
adduce the foregoing facts to justify that opinion.
Prices did not fall materially before January, and the
exchanges were not rectified sooner than March or
April.

The prices of Wool seemed to have touched the low-
est point of depression, there were some sales of Fo-
reign wool at which the prices were lower by about
twopence per pound, or nearly eight per cent, than the
same qualities would now command. The wool then
sold was, however, forced on the market under pecu-
liar circumstances of embarrassment. There is, how-
ever, a firm state of the markets generally both for
Foreign and English Wool. The sturdiness of the
farmers has mainly contributed to produce this effect ;
they cannot understand why in the course of a few
months they should reduce the value of their stock
forty per cent., at the bidding of the Bank of England,
and they will not be made to comprehend the necessity
of doing so till some pressure forces them. About
shearing-time there were some parcels of long wool
sold in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire as low as
lod. to lid. per pound; the same wool would now
sell freely for 13d. per pound. Nearly a similar repcrt
might be made respecting the wool of Kent, Leicester,
and other districts which produce long combing wool.
As this is an article which is almost exclusively raised
in England, the importations from abroad do not so
materially affect it.

We cannot, however, perceive any grounds for ex-
pecting a continued rise of the prices of long wool, and
if they advance two pence per pound higher, they will
in all probability fall to the present level or below it.
In consequence of some sales of other raw materials
made at the lowest point of depression having left the
speculators a profit on the resale, some persons con-
sider the present a good time to lay in large stocks.

We regard it safe to calculate that the present prices
are not likely to undergo any material reduction under
any probable circumstances, but we can perceive no
grounds to justify speculation for a rise. The abun-
dance of money will net act sensibly in that direction
for some months, and the disturbance in foreign trade
has been too great to warrant any expectation that a
brisk demand for manufactured goods will spring up
speedily. We undoubtedly regard the present prospect
with satisfaction. The tranquillity, as manifested by
the absence of failures, is more perfect than we antici-
pated. It was not to be expected that failures would
entirely cease on the extension of pecuniary aid to
Messrs. Brown and Co., of Liverpool, and yet such,
almost literally is the fact ; and it suggests an im-
portant lesson to the Bank Directors which they would
have done well to acquire before they allowed the emi-
nent American firms in London to be stopped. —
Bankers' Circular.

Draining. — (From the Down Recorder.)—!
know no department in Agriculture, on which more
money has been unprr.fitably expended than in drain-
ing laud , it is generally thought an easy matter to
perform this operation, and it is only after repeated
unsuccesful attempts that the difficulties are seen.
Some springs are so visible that they cannot be mis-
taken, but the complete drainage of a piece of- land, is
often a very nice operation ; we often see many more
drains put in than required, and these not placed in the
proper situations for catching the water, and intersec-
ting the tributary supplies, and we often see the
operation fail even where the lines of drain are judi-
ciously chosen, from not giving the sufficient depth.
It requires much expeiienceto lay out the drains to
advantage, and no man, however much his experience,
can do this effectually without a levelling instrument,
and a set of boring rods ; by the first, he at once sees
the declivity and lie of the land, and by the other he
can ascertain the different strata through which the
water is travelling. These instuments are seldoa
used, and hence the frequent failures in the operation.
Wherever a farm requires a considerable extent of
drainage, the farmer should employ an experienced
drainer to lay out the lines before he contracts for the
casting, and he should never open a drain till the
materials are ready at hand for filling it. The person who
casts the drain should have a short boring iron con-
venient, and should frequently try whether there is any
water issuing through the line of the drain, underneath
by putting down the boring iron a foot or eighteen
inches in the bottom of the drain. — If there be any
water it will rise immediately on drawing up the borer,
and it will then be necessary to deepen the drain till the
bed of the water is fairly cut through. In filling the
drain, whatever kind of materials are to be used, always
begin at the upper end ; by doing so, the water carries
down any mud which may be in the bottom, and which
should be thrown out as the v.'ork proceeds. When the
drain is finished, place a large stone, or other mark at
the mouth, and see that it runs clear, by examining it
from time to time ; many drains are rendered useless
for want of this precaution, particularlarly those that
have little declivity in them, the water is easily dam-
med back, and the sediment soon chokes them alto-
gether.

The First Waggon.— Joseph Erasbridge, writing
in 1824, says, "I recollect the first broad-wheeled
waggon tluit was used in Oxfordshire, and u wonder-
ing crowd of spectators it uttraetetl. I believe
at that tmie there was not a post-chaise in England ex-
cept two-wheeled ones. Lamps to carriages arc also a
modern improvement. A sliepherd, who was keeping
sliccp in 1 he vicinity of a villag« in Oxfordshire, came
running over to say, that .i frightful monster, with saucer
eyes, and making a great blowing noise was coming
toward the village. This monster turned out to be a
post-chaise with two lamp3!"--27ie Min'oc.

188

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

OBSTRUCTION OF
ORIFICE OF THE
HORSE BY BOTS.

THE PYLORIC
STOMACH OF A

BY MR. SAMUEL GOODWORTH, GREAT DRIFFIELD.

(From The Veterinarian.)

A horse appeared to be ill, exhibiting all the symp-
toms of gripes. The person to whom he belonged was
a poor man, who attributed his illness to his having
eaten some sour grass on the night before, l)eing out
on a journey with him. He perceived him to sweat a
great deal more than he was accustomed to do in his
work, and thought that he should not have been able
to get him home. He at last got him to his own resi-
dence. A surgeon living a few doors from him, the
horse was taken there and bled, and a cordial ball was
given to him : very soon afterwards he died. The
surgeon came, and begged to have my assistance in the
post-mortem examination : he said the horse had died
very suddenly, and that he felt a great desire to know
the cause of death. I questioned him as to his opinion
of the disease ; and he said that he took it to be a com-
mon case of gripes, for the horse perspired a great deal,
and laid himself down and rolled on his back. They
got him up, and endeavoured to walk him about, but
he was soon down again, and lay tumbling until he
died.

Post-mortem examination. — On opening the abdo-
men, the first thing that we perceived was a ruptured
diaphragm and a dreadfully distended stomach. We
had at once sufficient cause of death. All the other
viscera were apparently healthy,

I made an incision into the stomach, to try whether
I could find the cause of distention. In examining the
pyloric orifice, I found it obstructed by a cluster of
bots ; so much so that it was impossible for the food
to pass into the intestines. The bots, then, had caused
the obstruction, and the obstruction the distention ;
and the horse being compelled to work in that state,
the diaphragm had been ruptured by the pressure of the
full stomach, and death had followed.

If you think this, to me, novel case, worth a place in
our valuable journal The Veterinarian, you will oblige
me by inserting it ; for I feel much interest in its pros-
perity, as connected with the improvement of the vete-
rinary art.

SuMBiEK Cabbages. — There formerly existed a
kind of superstition concerning the pr-!cise period
when the seed of cabbage should he sown for the main
crop of the following spring ; .nnd it was asserted tliat
about the sixth, or from tliat to the ninth day of August
must be chosen for the purpose. — Experience, how-
ever, has proved that this sweeping generalisation is
anything but correct; and that climate, soil, and sea-
son must, in a great degree, determine the seed-time.
In the soutli of Britain the first week of August may be
the most propitious, as it will, in ordinary seasons, leave
ample time for the plants to acquire sufficient strength
and size to endure the winter, and to cabbage early in
the spring; but in the north; the List week of July is
not by any means too early. We are not, however, in-
clined to go further into the mystery of cabbage-grow-
ing, it being our chief object to direct the reader's at-
tention to a variety which we believe is little known,
and only to be found in the possession of a few persons.
AVe call it the Do^ynton cabbage, (whether correctly or
not, as to its official designation, we cannot say,) be-
cause we were favoured a year since with a small
packet of seed, direct from Mr. Knight, of Dovvnton
Castle. The old York cabbage, and the new London,
York, &c., &c., are excellent when true of their kinds ;
but they are very liable to cross, and to bocome spu-
rious, or to run to seed, RJr. Knight's variety produced
but one imperfect plant in a hundred : every plant
turned in and formed a perfect cabbage ; and from the
first cutting in May, to the present day, when the

heart is compact and solid, the flavour has been sweet,
mild beyond comparison, and void of that unpleasant
rankness of taste and odour which render most other
full grown cabbages very disagreeable. We have se-
lected two or three plants tor seed, and heartily wish
that this most delicious variety were in the garden of
every cottager, and impartial cultivator throughout
Britain. — During the severity of the late protracted
winter, which, even to the second week of May, left
nine out often without a good you.sg plant in their
gardens, ours were firm, healthy, and ready to startinto
active growth, (which they did effectually,) on the
first stimulus of solar power, and a moist condition of
the atmosphere.

THE WEE FLOWER.

A bonnie wee flower grew green in the wuds.
Like a twinkling" wee star amang- the cluds ;
And tlie langer it leevit, the greener it grew.
For 'twas lulled by the winds, and fed by the dew.
Oil, fresh was the air where it roared its head,
Wi' the radiance and odours its young leaves shed.

When the morning sun rose frae his eastern ha'.
This bonnie wee flower was the earliest of a'
To open its cups sealed up in the dew.
And spread out its leaves o' the yellow and blue.

When the winds were still, and the sun rode high.
And the clear mountain stream ran wimpling by.
When the wee bird sang, and the wilderness bee
Was floating awa' like a clud ower the sea.
This bonnie wee flower was blooming unseen —
The sweet child of Summer— in its rokely green.

And when the night clud grew dark on the plain.
When the stars were out, and the moon on the wane.
When the bird and the bee had gane to rest.
And the dews of the night the green earth press'd.
This bonnie wee flower lay smiling asleep.
Like a beautiful pearl in the park green deep.

And when Autumn came, and the Summer had pass'd,
An the wan leaves were strewn on the swirling blast.
This bonnie wee flower grew naked and bare,
And its wee leaves shrank in the frozen air ;
With darnel and nettle sprang rank, from the ground.
But the rose and white lillies were drooping around ;
And this bonnie blue flower hung down its wee head.
And the bright morning sun flung his beams on its bed.
And the pale stars looked forth — but the wee flower was
dead.

TwpoRTANT Sale of Rams. — A very important
sale of hog rams, of thi pure Costwold breed, has
just taken place at Northleach, in the east or Cots-
wold district, Gloucestershire. The sheep of this dis-
trict are celebrated as producing a greater quantity of
mutton, and more wool than any other description of
sheep in the kingdom ; and it being announced that Mr.
Wm. Hewer, of Northleach, was about to offer for sale
sixty shear hogs, there was an assemblage of at least
300 practical agriculturists from nesirly every county in
the kingdom. These sheep were objects of general ad-
miration. Nobility and gentry, besides the strangers
s.poken of being present, and the biddings were exceed-
ingly sjjirited, as also that every sheep was sold. The
sixty produced 1,020/., the highest price given for a
single ram being 52^ guineas, while the average was
17/. a piece. Seven of these sheep were purchased by
gentlemen of Devon and Somerset, and are on their way
to these countie*. Among the entire lot, there were
those estimated at 451bs. the quartc, and it was thought
the average was not less than from 341bs. to 35]bs. the
quarter.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

189

ON THE CHOICE OF SEED.

The usual mode, with the generality of farmers, is
to procure any seed that any neighbour, enjoying the
reputution of being a good farmer, may have to sell.
A more intelligent class take care to procure their
seed from a distance, to require that it is fine, perhaps
even pure; they also have thought of changing or
renewing their seed occas'onally. A still more in-
telligent number having pi'ocured the best seed they
could obtain, of those sorts which observation and
experience have led them to know as being best
suited to their soil and climate, have further observed
that mixtures in their crops prevented their ripening
at the same moment, and have endeavoured to re-
medy this defect, by making selections by band of
those varieties which appeared to (hem to be similar,
and thus have greatly and manifestly improved their
crop in produce and quality.

A i'ew farmers have proceeded a step further, and
from having observed a stray ear of apparently un-
usually [jrolific habits, have judiciously set it apart,
and have raised a stock from it. Hence the Hedge
Wheat, Hunter's, Hickling's, and twenty more tliat
might be named. But it is contended that it is not
sufficient merely to have grown them pure for a short
time ; it is neccessary to keep them permanently
so, if after a comparative examination, as to their
relative produce in grain and meal, they shall be
proved to be the best ; or, otherwise, to discard
them for more valuable varieties.

This was the chief consideration which led me to
make comparative experiments, in order to obtain
the b?st seed-

Hencs! as a first step towards improvement, Pro-
fessor La Gasca having shown me four ears of those
he considered the most productive, i sorted as many
as I could collect, of precisely the same varieties,
judging by their external appearance.

Such was my anxiety to attempt to raise a pure
crop, that, in the month of November, 1832, I rubbed
the corn from each ear, of all the four sorts I had
selected, throwing aside the damaged or ill-looking
grains, and reserving only the plum]) and healthy.

The first selection was appai'ently one wholly of a
Dantzic sort — white and smootli-eared. In the pro-
cess of rubbing out the corn, I was much surprised
to find that, though most of the grains were white,
thfy differed greatly as to form ; some being round,
some oval and peaked, some plump but very small,
some more elongated, some with the skin or bran
much thicker than others. Thei'e were also many
with liver-coloured, vellovv, and dark grains, among
the white.

The second sort was from a square, compact va-
riety of wheat, the grains being very plump, round,
of a coffee-like form, very thin-skinned, and white.
There was a pale red inferior variety among it, much
thicker-skinned, but without any perceptible exter-
nal appearance in the ear.

The third was a downy or hoary variety, one of
the " Veloutes" of the French, and " Triticum Koe-
leii" of Professor La Gasca ; a velvetty or hoary sort
which is supposed to be very permanent in its dura-
tion, as relates to keeping pure. I found moreover,
that there were a few red grains, some yellow, and
some liver-coloured sorts amongst this, in small pro-
portions it is true, but being of prolific habits, subse-
quent experience has taught, that they would soon
have destroyed the purity of the crop, if cultivateil
without constant attention.

The fourth selection was from a variety of red ear
with yellow grains, more peaked than the " Golden
Drop j" these were all plump and vvell grown, but

though of productive habits, afford less flour and
more bran than the white varieties. I discovered a
red variety among it, bearing white grains, which I
suspect to be very prolific and hardy. I gave a
sample of it to the Rt. Hon. Sir John Sinclair, who
greatly encouraged me to pro-:ecute my researches,
as being of the highest importance. There were
also red ears, bearing liver-coloured grains, but
these were chiefly lean and ill-grown.

I generally, but not invariably, found that the
grain of white corn was the plumpest, or possessing
the greatest specific gravity, or largest quantity of
meal — a subject to which I shall devote a short
chapter.

The aspect of the grain in that dry season led me
to suspect that white sorts of wheat will succeed
best on dry soils and in warm climates, and that red
and yellow, or the darker coloured, prefer wet sea-
sons or moist soils.

The care I took in making these selections, and
the great number of sorts I found, of all shades and
colours, forming varieties and sub-varieties, as they
are named by Professor La Gasca, confirmed my
conviction, that the only chance of having pure sorts
was to raise them from single grains or single ears.

It is but fair to add, that even the pains I took in
making those first selections, amply rewarded my
labours, as the produce of my crops was increased from
an average of about twenty- three ortwenty- five bushels
an acre to about thirty-four ; and since I have raised
wheat from single ears, or carefully selected sorts,
I have increased my crops to between forty and fifty
bushels the acre. Hence I have no doubt, that with
extreme care in obtaining the best and most suitable
sorts of wheat, that land in high tiltl), with fine cul-
tivation, may be made to produce sixty or seventy
bushels the acre.

Columella, while recommending much at'.ention to
be paid in choosing seed, says : " I have this further
direction to give, that when'the corns are cut down
and brought into the threshing-floor, we should even
then think of making provision of seed for the future
seed time; for this is what Celsus says — ' Where the
corn and crop is but small, we must pick out the
best ears of corn, and of them lay up our seed sepa-
rately by itself.'

" On the other hand, when we shall have a more
plentiful harvest than ordinary, and a larger grain,
whatever part of it we thresh out must be cleansed
with the seive ; and that part of it which, because of
its bulk and weight, subsides and falls to the bottom
of the seive, must always be reserved for seed ; for
this is of very great advantage, because unless such
care be taken, corns degenerate, though more
quickly indeed in moist places, yet they do so also
in such as are dry. Nor is there yet any doubt but
that from a strong seed there may be produced that
which is not strong ; but that which at first grew up
small, it is manifest, can never receive strength and
grow large; — therefore Virgil, as of other things, so
of this particular concerning seeds, has reasoned
excellently, and expressed himself in this manner: —

" I've seen the largest seeds, tho' viewed with care.
Degenerate, unless th' industrious hand
Did yearly cull the largest. Thus all things
By fatal doom grow worse, and by degrees
Decay — force'd back into their primevous state."

Thus wo perceive the Romans, at the period of the
Christian era, were urged to be careful in the selec-
tion of their seed wheat. — Couteur, on the Varieties of
Wheat.

190

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

THOUGHTS ON BOTANY ;

ITS RELATION WITH AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, &C.

Natural liistory, taken in its widest extent, is
without doubt "the most delightful of all the
sciences. It fills the mind with the greatest va-
riety of ideas ; and possesses this encouraging
circumstance, that no closeness of inspection, or
keenness of investigation ever brings weariness or
disgust. Nature opens to genius that immense
horizon, in which to the end of time it may exer-
cise its strength, and at every step behold the
boundary receding to a greater distance. No
mind is so capacious but is filled full, and often
more than full, by the contemplation of the many
varied objects which nature has so bounteously
spread around us. Natural history. Led Bacon
has observed, is the basis of all the sciences ; and
so it is. It does not merely consist in describing
that which strikes the eye ; but its devotee also
explores the origin or primordium of bodies or-
ganized ; traces their developement to a perfect
plant or animal, expatiates on their accretion, and
from thence to their dissolution. The naturalist
treats not only of matter, as an elementary con-
stituent in compound substances, but he is com-
pelled to investigate also that invisible moving
principle which associates these elements, and
gives life or something analogous to everything;.

At this season, if the student look around him,
he will perceive a beautiful green carpet, consist-
ing entirely of vegetable matter, which is formed
anew every year. If after viewing and admiring
its agreeable eflfect, and after reflecting on its
annual renovation, he takes the trouble to exa-
mine minutely any individual plant, he will find
that it is not a mere lump of matter, insensible
and unshapen, but that there is a wonderfully re-
gular adjustment of its internal membranes, which
is called for that reason organization. If he pull
it up by the roots, he will be forcibly struck with
the analogy existing between that sub-terrene por-
tion and the stomach of animals, and, indeed, will
be doubtless reminded of the general similitude
that obtains between animals and plants— the
latter, after a time withering, fading in colour, and
ultimately, dying. Thus, Boerhaave defines a
plant to be an hydraulic body, containing vessels
replete with different juices, by means of which it
derives its nutriment and growth ; and, to which
might be added, possessing the power of perpetua-
ting its kind by seed.

The constituent parts of vegetable chyle or sap
are, water, sugar, mucilage, oil, carbon, phos-
phorus and calcareous earth. The greater part of
these ingredients are derived from the earth ;
there is, therefore, in 'a rich soil, something inde-
pendent of texture which contributes to the
vigour and flourishing of plants. The food of
plants, or manures, are of two kinds ; hence we
see how substances of opposite natures contribute
to the growth of vegetables ; putrescent animal
substances on the one hand, and lime, marie, and
plaster of Paris on the other.

\Vhoever takes an extensive view of those slow
operations that are going forward on the globe we
inhabit, will jjerceive that the decay of animals
increases the quantity of such matter as is fitted
to become the food of vegetables, and vice versa.
Calcareous earth is produced by the exuviae, re-
crements, or remains of animals, especially their
shells, which, left at the bottom of the ocean until
they have become wonderfully accumulated, and
since elevated by submarine fires, constitute, at

this day, the immense strata of chalk, marble, and
lime-stone, which are found scattered throughout
the earth. The strata incumbent on these, con-
sisting of coal, iron, clay, and marie, are princi-
pally products of the vegetable kingdom. Thus
are the stupendous revolutions of this globe car-
ried on, and in the course of countless ages be-
come the source of wonder to the philosopher, and
the theme of the geologist.

Although agriculture and gardening are of
prime importance to civilized man, they have con-
tinued to be only arts, consisting for the most part
of detached facts and vague opinions, without a
true history to connect them. We of Great Bri-
tain dwell in an agricultural country ; and agri-
culture is the sure and certain sujiport of a nation :
it gives to a country the only riches that it can
call its own. Botany is intimately connected with
agriculture and medicine; and as such, should be
made one of the most important objects of our
study and attention. The prosperity of a commer-
cial city will always be augmented in proportion as
the knowledge of these grand departmeats of
science become diffused among its inhabitants.
Tacitus says, that the Romans were several times
reduced almost to famine, by depending on Egypt
and Africa for grain, instead of relying on the
prolific vigour of their own soil ; and thus, says
that celebrated historian, were the lives of the
Roman people committed to the caprice of the
winds and waves. If commerce bind the world
together as in a golden chain, that chain is fre-
quently broken by the wars of men and of the
elements ; while agriculture gives us the staff' of
life, and the chief support of our independence.

Commerce is congenial to all of us who sojourn
near the sea, and is, indeed, the grand source of
wealth, comfort and power; but with riches, com-
merce too often imports effeminating luxuries ;
whereas, agriculture is a noble and athletic task,
kindly imposed upon man by an all-wise creator,
as the best means of preserving his health and
innocence. May the powers and faculties then
which we possess in so pre-eminent a degree,
never fail us in these and our other important
avocations of life, is the inalienable wish of the
writer. T. H.

Weights and Measures. — It is not g-enerally
known that by a recent act of Parliament every
person who sells goods by the Winchester bushel, or
Scotch ell, or by any other local or customary measures
whatever, is liable to a penalty of 40s. for every sale. It
is iileg-al also to sell by the double bushel, as is usually
done in tlie oyster trade, as well as by the comb, boll ,
stack, or any other provincial term. The use of the
heaped measure is likewise abohshed, and all bargains
made thereby are declared void, as well as a penalty of
40s. imposed on the seller.

The produce of France amounts annually to about
6,000, 000, OOOf., viz. :—

Francs.

Produce of the mineral kingdom ... 97,000,000

Grains 1,900,000,000

Wines 800,000,000

Natural meadows 700,000,000

Vegetables and fruit 262,000,000

Wood 141,000,000

Flax and hemp 50,000,000

Domestic animals 650,000,000

Manufactures 1,400,000,000

Total 6,000,000,000

— Journal des Debats.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

i#l

SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGRICUL-
TURE—COMMONS. SESSION 1837.

EVIDENCE OF MR. WILLIAM BROWNE.

Lives in Ayrshire — Clay land generally wet — Much
improved by draining — Rents vary from 30s. to
45s. per Scotch acre — Leases generally for 19
years — System and expence of draining explained
— Sub-soil ploughing — Great benefit expected from
it — Draining is an indispensable accompaniment —
Sub-soil ploughing costs from 16s. to 20s. per acre
— I'enants pay their rents without arrears — Breed
of cattle improved in Ayrshire by draining — No
advantage in sending cattle to market by steam —
They go to Carlisle by land — Labourers' wages —
Ii-ish employed — Rents rising — The tenant's only
out-going beside rent is road money — Land re-
claimed— No land going out of cultivation — Far-
mers in Ayrshire have not made so much money
as nineteen years ago, but are doing well.

Mr. DuNLOp. — Where do you reside .'—At Gree-
nock Mains, in Ayrshire.

Do you farm yourself ? — Yes.

How many acres have you ? — About 400 impe-
rial acres.

How long have you been a farmer .' — Nineteen
years.

Are you well acquainted with the general state
of agriculture in Ayrshire as well as your own
farm? — Yes; I lately had a conversation with a
great many of my friends in the county of Ayr
upon the subject of agriculture, particularly since
I knew that I was to be summoned here.

Did you go through almost all the parishes in
your neighbourhood ? — I went through a great
many of the parishes of the county, and made
inquiry.

What are the descriptions of soil in Ayrshire ?
— The soils in Ayrshire are very different ; the
county stretches along the coast, and towards the
shore and along the banks of the rivers there is
a good deal of light land; further up in the county
there is strong clay land ; then towards the upper
part of the county there is a good deal of waste,
uncultivated land.

As to the heavy clay soil, what sort of soil is
that in its natural state } — Generally wet.

How many bushels an acre would you expect
upon that land before it was improved? — Some
parts of it grow but little, and other parts grow a
good quantity, even in its present state ; generally
speaking, I should think from five to six quarters
of oats.

Mr. LoCH. — Does it grow wheat at all? — It is
not a wheat country, but there is a good deal of
wheat grown in some parts, particularly since the
system of draining has been introduced.

Mr. DuNLOP. — When you state the produce of
an acre, do you mean a Scotch acre? — Yes.

Can it be materially improved by the outlay of
capital upon it ? — Yes.

What kind of improvement is the first that is
generally made upon the wet land? — Draining is
the first improvement.

Are those drains generally made by the landlord
or by the tenant ? — Sometimes in the one way and
sometimes in the other ; the Duke of Portland,
who introduced draining into our county, and has
];rosecuted it further than any other proprietor, is
at the expense of draining, and the tenants pay
him a per centage.

About what amount ? — About five per cent.

Are the tenants in Ayrshire generally ready to

pay five per cent, upon the outlay in draining? —
I think so.

Can you state what increase of production is
generally caused by draining in that way ? — It
differs according to the quality of the land and the
degree of wetness ; but I should think from one-
third to one-fourth additional produce, if it is pro-
perly cultivated.

What rent is generally charged for that clay
land ? — The rents vary much ; but I should say
the average per Scotch acre may be be from about
30s. to 45s.

Is that a money-rent or a corn-rent ? — In most
instances it is a money-rent ; but in some in-
stances the rent is paid according to the fiar's
prices of the county, in grain and other produce,
such as cheese.

Can you state what is the length of the leases in
Ayrshire? — Generally for 18 or 19 years.

Can you state the expense of furrow draining
an acre ? — The expense of the draining depends
upon the distance at which the drains are intro-
duced.

Will you state the most improved system ? —
Upon the most retentive sub-soil, the distance is
generally from 10 to 12 feet; the depth of the
drain is 22 inches, and the width varies according
as it is intended to be filled.

Mr. Loch. — How deep do you fill up the tile
drains ? — The tiles themselves raise the drain
about six inches, then a sod of three or four
inches thick is put above the tile, and, generally
speaking, a quantity of the earth which came out
of the drain above that, and then the furrow is
ploughed in above the whole.

Mr. DuNLOP. — How many inches of earth will
you have above the tile ? — From eight to sixteen,
according to the depth of the furrow in which the
drain is put.

If you only filled it eight inches, you would cal-
culate upon bringing down the furrow ? — Of
course the ridges rise generally high in the centre,
and hollow in the original furrow.

Can you state what depth you would expect the
drain to stand ; how many inches would there be
above the tile ? — About as much as would be a
large furrow above the sod, which is immediately
put in above the tile, from nine to twelve inches.

What would it be altogether ? — From 13 inches
to 16 inches.

Mr. Loch. — What is the expense an acre ? — At
the distance of 12 feet it is 71. I8s. 9d. ; but at the
distance of 18 feet it is 5/. 6s. 3d.

Mr. Evans. — Do you lay in the stones indiscri-
minately, or lay a first course ? — Some do it one
way and some the other. It depends a good deal
upon the kind of stones ; if they are round land
stones they are generally broken and thrown in,
if they are quarried stones, which can be raised
in beds or layers, they are generally set with the
hand and a water-course left.

Mr. Loch. — What is the depth of your plough-
ing?— We plough generally about from six to eight
inches deep.

Do not you disturb the subsoil at all ? — The
more improved mode of husbandry is now to sub-
soil plough the land ; but it is found that the
drains i)Ut in will not admit of a sub-soil plough-
ing, and that they, the farmers, must either make
them deeper, or else they will not be able to get
the sub-soil plough used.

When you talk of sub-soiling what is the sys-
tem ? — The general plan is to plough with a com-
mon plough the depth of an ordinary furrow, at

o 2

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

seven or eight inches, and then the sub-soil plough
follows in the same line, deepening the soil, but
not bringing up the sub-soil so as to cover the
first furrows ; the one plough 'n fact follows the
other.

What is the nature of the plough that you
plough the sub-soil with .' — It is much the same
as the common plough, only stronger, and without
a mould board.

How deep do you go altogether? — About from
16 to 18 inches.

Is that found to be very beneficial upon those
sub-soils ?— It has not been long tried, but great
benefit is expected to be derived from it.

Mr. DuNLOP. — Have the crops been looking
•well upon those sub-soil lands ? — Yes.

Mr. Handley. — How many horses do you em-
ploy upon those sub-soil ploughs ? — It depends
upon the stiffness of the sub-soil; if the sub-soil
is not stiff, two are generally used; but stiff sub-
soils are ploughed with three or four horses, ac-
companied with men with picks and hoes, to raise
up the stones.

Mr. Miles. — How often is it necessary to use
the sub-so?! plough .' — It has been so recently in-
troduced that we cannot say ; but it is expected
that one sub-soiling may be sufficient for the
length of the lease.

Of course, the great beneficial result from the
sub-soiling plough is getting rid of the top water ?
— Yes, and gradually deepening the soil.

Fiom the short experience you have had, do
you find that the sub-soiling is much more bene-
ficial where it has been well drained ? — We have
only had the experience of sub-soiling for about
two years ; but I shoidd think that land that is
both drained and sub-soiled would be in abetter
state to receive the crop than when it had only
been drained and not sub-soiled.

At what would you put the expense x)er acre of
using the sub-soil plough ? — Upon that land which
cannot be sub-soiled with less than four horses,
of course it would be a double expense of plough-
ing.

Taking the four horses what would be the ex-
pense .'' — It cannot be less than about 16s. or 20s.
an acre, if you use four horses.

Mr. DuNLOP. — Do you find, from the draining,
a great improvement in the grass"! — Yes.

Which has enabled farmers to get a much im-
proved breed of cattle ? — Yes.

Mr. DoNLOP. — You stated that great improve-
ment had been made in the breed of cattle ; can
you state to what extent they have improved ? —
About seventy years ago the breed of cattle in
Ayrshire was considered not to be better than the
present breeds of Arran and Kintyre, and other
parts of Argyleshire ; but by means of some spi-
rited proprietors, an improved breed of cattle was
introduced into the county, which is now spread
over the whole county, and has extended to other
counties, called the Ayrshire breed of dairy cows.

In the higher parts of Ayrshire there are a great
quantity of sheep ? — Yes.

Sheep have been paying well this year ? — They
have ; the stock farmer is more flourishing than
any other.

Have the farmers in Ayrshire been sending fat
sheep to England ^ — Not that I am aware of ; it is
more a breeding country than a fatting country;
they fat a few bullocks upon the shore, where
they have turnips, and a few sheep, but the upper
part of the county is mostly for breeding black-
faced sheep.

Has the price improved since the steam naviga-
tion ? — I could not say that we feel much direct
advantage from the steam navigation ; our cattle
are generally bought up by the dealers, and driven
up over land.

Mr. Clive. — The effect of steam navigation, hi-
therto, has not induced you or others to fatten
cattle for the purpose of being transported at once
from Ayrshire to London ? — Not yet ; but I believe
in other parts of Scotland it has been practised,
although not in Ayrshire.

Do you ever transport your cattle from Ayr-
shire to Liverpool ? — No, there is very little of
that takes place, they are generally bought up by
the English dealers, and driven over land to Car-
lisle market.

Mr. DuNLOP. — The cattle that are driven from
Ayrshire are almost all in a lean state ? — Yes,
there are very few cattle fatted, except along the
coast.

Chairman. — Do you pay your labourers in kind
or in money ? — Generally in money.

Mr. DuNLOP. — What are the wages of an able-
bodied labourer now in Ayrshire .' — According to
the worth of the labourer, from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d.
a day.

What arc the wages of farm servants living in
the farmer's house.' — The best ploughmen get
from 71. to 8/. for half a year, with board in the
house.

Mr. Evans. — Do you employ Irish labourers } —
A good many ; we could not get on without them.
A great many of the labourers in the county are
employed in manufactures.

And it would be a disadvantage to you if they
were not to come from Ireland .■" — Of course it
would ; we should have to pay higher wages, and
perhaj>s not get the work done so regularly.

With all those improvements, what is the state
of the farmer; is he able to pay the rent which
you have given as the rent of those farms .' — I am
not aware of almost any arrears of rent.

What as your own state as a farmer ; is it better
or worse than it was a few years ago ? — Better.

You state that from an actual valuation of your
stock ? — Yes, I take a valuation every year.

You know that the result is an improved result?
—Yes.

Can you state the rotation generally followed
upon the heavy land ? — The general rotation in
Ayrshire is from six to nine years ; the leases are
made eighteen or nineteen years to suit that rota-
tion, and they get twice through the land in nine-
teen years, upon the nine-years' course ; and
three times upon the six-years' course. The first
year is generally grass, rented at a less price, till
the farmer gets things prepared, so as to go on
regularly with his rotation ; then, after he gets
his land prepared by liming and manuring, he
ploughs it, a third or fourth, according to his
agreement with his landlord, and sows oats upon
it ; the other two-thirds or three-fourths is in
grass, 'i'he farm is divided into so many fields
that one field is taken from grass each year, so
that there is a field in what is called ley or ley-
corn ; another in a green crop, and the third in
white crop, and sown down with grass seeds.
Where the six years' rotation is followed, two suc-
cessive white crops are taken, and no green crop ;
and the grass seeds are sown with the second
crop, and so on through the whole course of the
lease.

How many years of grass afterwards ? — Either

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

vm

four or six, according as he takes two crops or
three crops.

Is it not six, generally, upon a dairy farm ? —
Six, generally, upon a dairy farm.

Chairman, — How long have you pursued the
•system of a six or nine year course in Ayrshire ? —
I have always done that ; my father's course was
a twelve-year course, viz., having only a fourth
part of the land in crop, and three-fourths in grass,
and taking three successive wheat crops from
each hreak, and one of rye grass hay. The system
generally has been pursued in Ayrshire for the last
50 or 60 years.

You consider that by giving the land so much
rest while it is in grass you can farm the land to a
better profit ? — We consider that the rest improves
the land and is equivalent to manure.

Can you state what is the average produce per
acre of wheat .' — The average produce of wheat
upon the lands which are under wheat, may
be about four and a half quarters the Scotch acre,
and the average of the oats upon a Scotch acre,
may be about six quarters.

What is the general condition of the farmers,
upon those heavy soils, at the present time? —
Upon pretty large farms where the tenant is in-
dustrious, and has a good capital, I consider that
they are doing very fairly; they r.re making things
better, rather than worse. Upon small farms
again, in poor soil, where the tenant has not much
capital, I dare say they are not improving their
condition much.

AVhat do you call a large farm 1 — The farms in
Ayrshire are generally small ; 150 acres is consi-
dered a large farm; we ha\e in some instances
farms much larger than that, but generally speak-
ing they are from 30 to 100 or 150 acres.

When you say that small farmers without capi-
tal are not improving their condition much, do
you consider that a man without capital has a
right to expect to do well in any trade ?— No, he
has nothing to lose.

Have there been any improvements uiade upow
the light soils of Ayrshire ?— Yes ; by cleaning,
and manuring with the sea-weed along the shore.

How have they paid .' — They are improving
their condition ; they get their manure at little
expense, and I believe they are doing as well as
any other class in the countr\.

Do you consider the condition of the farmers
upon the light soils to be good .' — I consider that
they are improving their condition as much as
those upon the stronger soils, although their soil
is more precarious from drought.

There was a considerable reduction of rent im-
mediately after the war ? — Yes, but the farms just
now are rising, and there is a great demand for
farms.

How much per cent, are they rising ? — I could
not say as to the per centage ; but I know that in
the event of a farm coming out of lease, there are
a great many people wishing to have it ; and, in
some instances, not fewer than twenty or thirty
applicants.

Persons of capital .' — Yes.

How long has that increased demand been in
existence .' — ^There was always a demand for
farms, even at the worst times ; but it is increas-
ing yeai'ly now.

How should there have been a demand in the
bad times for farms, if it was a losing trade ?•-!
do not mean that there was a demand for them
then at the advanced rent, but at a fair valuation,
by people of skill and respectability.

And now, there is not only a great demand, but
an advance in therents ?— Yes.

Is the rise that is now taking place any thing
equal to the reduction that before took place ? —
No, I do not think it is so high ; the land which is
now let for 21. or 21. 5s. was let above 31. during
the war times.

Mr. jMiles. — How much reduction took place
upon the rent after the war. How far was it de-
pressed from the war rent of '31. } — It came down
from 31. to 21. or 21. 5s., or about a third.

Mr. Handley. — When you speak of 21. 5s. is
that land which has been drained .' — Land which is
capable of being drained.

In the 21. 5s. do you include the five per cent,
paid to the landlord.' — No; that is in addition to
the rent ; but that rent applies to very good land,
which carries large crops, when it is properly
drained and managed.

Mr. Loch. — What are the other out -goings that
the tenant would have to pay in addition to his
rent ; what has he to pay for road money .'—The
road money, I think, is 1/. 10s. per 100^. Scots
valuation ; I do not suppose it is Is. per acre, in
any instance, and in most cases much less.

Have you any poor rates ? — None.

Have you any payment to the schoolmaster? — ■
Yes ; the shoolmaster in each parish receives a
salary, which is about 30/. a year.

Do you pay any thing to the clergyman ? — No ;
that is paid by the landlord.

You have no outgoings of any consequence be-
yond the rent ? — No.

Mr. Miles.— What do the local and public
burthens amount to upon your farm of 400 acres ?
— The assessed taxes upon my farm, for the county
are about 81. yearly, and the parish assessments,
including both landlord and tenant's share,
amounts to about 151., so that the whole public
burthens affecting my farm, both for the tenant,
and the landlord, may amount to 231. yearly.

That includes what the landlord pays ? — Yes ;
the tenant in general pays his share and gets a
reduction.

When he pays the rent? — Yes.

Then upon the farm of 400 acres which you cul-
tivate, your public and parochial burdens are
about 11/. 10s. ? — Eleven pounds ten shillings
affecting the tenant.

How do you pay for the roads in Ayrshire ; have
you county roads or turnpike roads .' — We have
both.

How are the county roads repaired ? — The gene-
ral practice is for the proprietors to make roads
for their own estates, and then to apply the com-
position money of each parish to the upholding of
them.

Each parish keeps its own roads in repair ? — It
dses.

Mr. DuNLOP. — Can you state to the committee
any instances of great impi'ovements that have
been made upon land .'—Yes. A neighbour of
mine, iNIr. Buchanan, of Catrine Bank, had a flow
moss of fifteen acres in extent, perhaps twenty feet
deep of moss, which was not worth, in his estima-
tion. Id. an acre; he drained it to the depth of
four feet ; he did not use either tiles or stones, but
after he had cut the drains a certain width and
depth, he then cut out a slope in the centre of the
original cut, and put down the surface sod or turf,
upon the shoulders which were left at the bottom
of tiie drain, and which he found to suit the pur-
pose very well, and he ultimately drained the
whole 15 aci-es in that way ; and now after ob-

194

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

taining crops of oats, turnips, and all kinds of
things upon that moss, he has laid it down into
grass, and it is now estimated as being worth 21..
an acre in grass. The expense of drainage and
management cost 14/. an acre before he reaped the
first crop.

Chairman. — Will that be converted into any
other crop ? — He expects now that he will be able
to plough it with horses the same as the other
land.

Mr. Handley. — What was his process after
draining; — Applying lime; and there is a large
cotton mill in the neighbourhood ; the night soil
from the cotton mill was applied to the surface,
and clay in some pai'ts.

Any marie ? — No, we have no marie of any con-
sequence.

Mr. Evans. — What kind of sample of corn
grows upon it .' — I believe that the oats he grew
upon that moss would weigh from 38 to 40 pounds a
bushel.

A great quantity of straw.' — -Yes, pretty fair.
Mr. Handley. — \Vhat was his course of crop-
ping ? — The first crop was oats, and then a green
crop of turnips and potatoes; he raised very large
quantities of potatoes upon that moss ; in some in-
stances from 60 to 80 bolls an acre, or from 18 to
24 tons.

Was the ground sufficiently sound to be plough-
ed by horses .' — No, it was all cultivated by the
spade • but he expeets now that it is drained and
consolidated that he will be able to plougli it.

Are these drains standing .'—They are still
standing; he did not inunediately complete the
drainage, but allowed them to stand over during
the heat of the summer, so as to peat the should-
ers at the bottom of the drain.

After the potatoes what was the crop ? — Partly
wheat, partly barley, and partly oats.
And then sowed with grass ? — Yes.
Mr. Clive. — Have there not been many lands
brought into cultivation in consequence of the
high prices during the war.' — I have no doubt that
there have.

Have those lands, within your knowledge, gone
out of cultivation since that period? — No; culti-
vation is still increasing.

Do you apprehend that that cultivation pays
those that cultivate it .' — It has always paid me,
and I should think it pays others, or else they
would not go on with it.

The question refers to light soils. — There is no
land gone out of cultivation that I am aware of, in
consequence of low pi'ices : there may be land
formerly cultivated with wheat turned to oats or
grass, but I am not aware of any lands that have
gone to waste.

Then under the iow prices it still continues to
be cultivated? — There is still an increasing dis-
position to improve lands which are at present
under cultivation, and to bring under cultivation
lands which at present are waste.

Mr. Cayle\. — Taking the condition of the Ayr-
shire farmers generally, should you state that upon
the whole they are as rich a body of men as they
were 19 years ago .' — I should think there has not
been so much money made in Ayrshire, still the
farmers are in comfortable circumstances, and I
believe their mode of living is improved.

Mr. DuNLOP. — Taking a general view of the
state of agriculture in the county of Ayr, do you
see any thing that the legislator can do to benefit
the farmer ? — No, 1 think the legislature should
not interfere with the farmers ; and in making a

general visit through the country I did not find
any complaints, with the exception of two or
three things ; the general impression seems to be,
that whatever difficulties do exist can be best re-
medied by the landlords.

Will you state what those things were of which
some complain ? — A number of tenants think that
much good would be done by altering the law of
entails, so far as to admit the proprietors of en-
tailed estates to rank the expenses of draining
and other permanent improvements upon land as
burthens upon the heirs of entail ; and second,
that the toll dues upon manure shouhl be reduced.
In the county of Ayr manure pays at the toll bars
the same as other things; another suggestion is,
that rookeries should be placed upon such a foot-
ing as not to be hurtful to the surrounding
country.

Mr. Evans. — Are you annoyed with game? —
In some places. Then there is a fourth sugges-
tion ; — i' is alleged, that foreign corn is imported
to British America, and then brought to Britainaf
Colonial produce.

Harvest. — My plan, for many years, of getting
it in, has been to give so much per acre for the whole
— that is to say, for cutting, carting, stacking, and
thatching ; I paying the boy who drives my team,
and allowing each man three pints of ale a-day, and
an unrestricted quantity of small beer. My crop
generally has been about one-third part wheat, the
rest barley ; and my price per acre, lis. Tliose
who get in their harvest in this way, have only to
see that the men, in their anxiety to get through
their job in as little time as possible, do not tie up
the wheat into sheaves when damp, or cart any corn
that is not dry. In many counties, women and boys
reap a great portion of the wheat, which they seldom
could be able to do in this county, from the bulk of
straw. At Holkham, the wheat being short in the
straw, is all mowed with a cradle scythe ; youths,
women, and boys, immediately following the mowers,
binding it up (assisted by a horse-rake) , into sheaves,
which, as the straw is free from weeds, if the weather
is particularly fine, they will carry without setting
the sheaves up in the usual manner, in shocks. I
was at Holkham, about eight days, in the year 1831,
at the time the wheat was harvesting, and a most
animated sight it was. I counted above a hundred
men, women, and boys, employed in one large field.
In this way, 345 acres of wheat were cut, carted, and
stacked in six days ; this was getting on with wheat
harvest more expeditiously, perhaps, than is in the
power of any other person in the kingdom. I saw,
at the same time, 450 acres of turnips, of different
sorts, and mangel wurzel, in which ftlr. Coke chal-
lenged me to find a single weed, excepting some
that might have just sprung up out of the ground.
I could not see one weed that was three or four
inches long ; this was such clean farming, on a largo
scale, as probably could not be seen in any part of
the world. — Hillyard's Practical Far)ning.

A poplar tree of 25 years' growth was cut down at
Wigginton, near York, by Mr. Sherwin. The wood
measured 60 feet in length, and seven inches in diameter
at the top or small end, and the solid wood weighed up-
wards of two tons. Several eminent wood-valuers have
stated that the above extraordinary weight and dimen-
sions are unprecedented by anything that has yet come
within their knowledge. — Iris.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

19$

BRITISH AGRICULTURE,

FHOJI THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA.

Another arrangement, which may serve to account
for the superioiity of Britisli agriculture, is
somewhat akin to tliat division of labour by which
all the arts have been carried to so great a degree of
perfection in this country. Few great proprietors,
comparatively, cultivate their own lauds beyond the
demands of pleasure and convenience. The far
greater part of Britain is cultivated by professional
men, with their own capital, and for their own ]iro-
fit. The price which they must pay for their tempo-
rary rights in the soil, in the shape of rent, instead
of checking their exertions, has a powerful tenilenny
to promote every profitable improvement, to dis-
courage dangerous speculation, and to restrain waste-
ful expenditure. And as it is clearly the interest of
such men, still more than of proprietors tiiemselves,
to obtain the largest produce at the least possible
expense, the intermediate portion of the produce —
that which is disposable for the general consumption
— is consequently as large as industry and economy,
in the present state of our agriculture, can make it.
It is true almost to a proverb, that farming upon an
extensive scale is never profitable to a great land-
holder; and, with a view to the interest of the na-
tion, it ought to be discouraged, as both wasteful
and unproductive. In some countries this mode of
farming is a matter of necessity, as in the north of
Europe, where a class of free tenants does not exist;
in others the business of cultivation must be carried
on as a sort of partnership, or joint concern between
the proprietor and tenant, as on the metairies of
France. Fortunately, tiie general distribution of
wealth has long since removed the necessity for
either of these methods in Britain.

To give full effect to the professional system, it is
necessary that the rights of the landlord and tenant,
respectively, should be clearly defined and well se-
cured by law and the private contract of the parties.
The general principle which should regulate the
terms of this connection seems to be, that while the
farm ought to be restored to the owner at the expira-
tion of the tenant's interest, at least without deteriora-
tioB, the tenant sliould be encouraged to render it as
productive as possible during his possession. In
both of these views a lease for a term of j'ears is
scarcely less necessary for the interest of the land-
lord than of the tenant ; and so much is the public
interested in this measure, that it has been proposed
by intelligent men to impose a penal tax on the rent
of lands held by tenants at will.

That the value ef the property is enhanced by the
security which such a lease confers on the tenant,
will be put beyond all doubt, if the rents of two
estates ior h;-df a century back are compared ; tlie
one occupied by tenants at will, and the other by
tenants on leases for a moderate term, and where
the soil and situation are nearly alike in every re-
spect. If the comparison be made between two
tracts originally very different in point of value, the
advantages of leases will be still more striking.
While tliat vrhich is held by tenants at will remains
nearly stationary, the other is gradually yet effectu-
ally improved, under the security of leases, by the
tenant's capital ; and, in no long period, the latter
takes the lead of the former, both in tlie amount of
the revenue which it yields to the proprietor, and in
the quantity of produce which it furnishes for the
general consumption. The higher rents and greater
produce of some parts of Scotland, than of many of
the English counties, wiiere the soil, climate, and

markets are much more favourable, must be ascribed
to the almost universal practice of holding on leases
in the former country, in a much greater degree than
to any of the causes which have been frequently as-
signed. Less than a century ago, what arc now the
best cultivated districts of Scotland were very far
behind the greater part of England, and indeed had
made very little progress from the time of the feudal
system. It is not 50 years since the farmers of Scot-
land were in the practice of going to learn from their
southern neighbours an art which was then very im-
perfectly known in their own country. But in seve-
ral parts of England there has been little or no im-
provement since, vi'hile the southern counties of Scot-
land have uniformly advanced, andatpresent exhibit,
very generally, a happy contrast to their condition
at the middle of last century.

In respect to farmers themselves, it cannot be ne-
cessary to point out the advantages of leases. It
may be trie that, under the security of the honour of
an English landlord, tenants at will have been conti-
nued in possession from generation to generation,
and acquired wealth which he has never, like the
landholders of some other countries, attempted to
wrest fiom them. But there are few individuals in
any rank of life who continue for a length of time to
sacrifice their just claims on the altar of pure gene-
rosity. Something is almost always expected in
return. A portion of revenue in this case
is exchanged for jiower, and that power is displayed
not only in the habitual degradation of the tenantry,
but in the controul over them, whicli the landlord
never fails to exert at the election of members of
Parliament, and on all other political emergencies.
No prudent man w-ill ever invest his fortune in the
improvement of another person's property, unless,
from the length of his lease, he has a reasonable
pros;)ect of being reimbursed with [)i'ofit ; and the
servility which holding at will necessarily exacts is
altogether incompatible with that spirit of enterprise
which belongs to an enlightened and independent
mind.

The people atlarge are evidently most deeply affec-
ted by every measure which has a tendency to fetter
the productive powers of the soil, and at the sa-ne
time, to depress one of their largest and most valu-
able classes. It is clearly their interest that corn
and other provisions should be supplied in abun-
dance ; and the people of England may justly com-
plain of the want of leases as one of the principal
causes which check the improvement of their own
territory.

What ought to be the term of a lease, can only be
determined by a reference to the circumstances of
each particular case. Lands naturally rich, or such
as have already been brought to a high degree of
fertility, requiring no great investment of capital,
and returning all or nearly all the necessary outlay
within the year, may be advantiigeously held upon
short leases — such perhaps as give time for two
or at most three of the rotations or courses
of crops to which the quality of the soil is best
adapted. The practice of England in this respect is
extremely various, — alniost every term, from twenty
years downwards, being found in different parts of
it. In Scotland, by far the most common period is
nineteen years to which it was formerly the practice,
in some places, to add tlie life of the tenant. In
that country, even when it is thought expedient to
agree for a much longer term, this is still expressed
in periods of nineteen years, — a sort of mysterious
cycle, which seems to be no less a favourite with
the courts of law than with landholders and farmers.
"S'et this term is s imewhat inconvenient, as it

196

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

can never correspond with any number of the recog-
nised rotations of arable land.

It has been maintained by several writers, that a
le;ise for twenty years is not sufficient to reimburse a
tenant for any considerable improvements ; and
landholders have often been urged to agree to a
much longer term, which, it is alleged, would be not
less for their own interest than for that of the tenant.
This is a question which our limits do not permit us
to discuss; but after viewing it in different lights,
assisted by the experience of long leases in different
parts of Scotland, we cannot help expressing some
doubts of their utility, even as regards the parties
themselves ; and we are decidedly of ojiinion, that a
greater produce will be brought to market, from any
given extent of land Jield on successive leases of
twent}' years, for half a century, than if held on one
lease of that duration, whetlier the term be specified
or indefinite, as in the case of a lease for life. As
a general mode of tenure, leases for lives seem to us
particularly objectionable.

The great advantages of a lease are so well known
in Scotland, that one of her best agricultural writers,
himself a landed propriftor, has suggested a method
of confei-ring on it the character of j)erpetuitv, to
such an extent as, he thinks, would give ample
security to the tenant for every profitable improve-
ment, without preventing the landlord from resum-
ing possession upon equitable terms, attheexjjiration
of every sj ecified period. But tlie author of this
plan (l^ovd Kames), in bis ardent wishes for the
advancement of agriculture, at that time in a very
backward slate in his native country, seems to have
overlooked the difficulties tliat stood in the way of
its adoption ; and the great advance in the
price of produce, and consequently in the rate of
rents, siDce ids Lordship wrote, has long since j)ut
an end lo the discussion which his proposal excited.
For a form of a lease on bis plan, the reader may con-
sult Bell's Treatise on Leases ; and the objections to
the plan itself are shortly stated in the supplement
to the sixth edition of Kames's Gentleman Farmer,
published in 1815.

Long leases have been sometimes granted upon
condition of receiving an advance of rent at the end
of a certain number of years ; but covenants of this
kind, meant to apply to the circumstances of a dis-
tant period, cnnnot possibly be framed iu such a
manner as to do equal justice to both parties ; dnd
it ought not (o be concealed, that, in every case of a
very long lease, the chances are rather more un-
favourable to the landholder than to the farmer. If
the price of produce rise as it has done for the last
fifty years, no improvements which a tenant can be
expected to execute will compensate the landlord's
loss ; and if, on the other hand, prices shall decline,
the capital of most tenants must be exliausted in a
iew years, and the lands will necessarilly revert to
the proprietor, as has often been the case of late.
Hence a landholder, in agreeing to a long lease, can
hardly ever assure himself iliat the obligations on the
part of the tenant will be fully discharged through-
out its whole term, while the obligations he incurs
himself may always be easily enforced. He runs
the risk of great loss from a depreciation of money,
but can look forward to very little benefit from a de-
preciation of produce, except for a few years at most.
Of this advantage a generous man would seldom
avail himself; and, indeed, in most instances, the
advantage must be only imaginar)', for it would be
overbalanced by the deterioration of his property.

Where the ciicumslances of a landholder, the state
of his property, and the wealth and enterprising
character of the tenantry, are such as to render long-

leases, or leases for an indefinite period, expedient,
the most equitable mode, in regard to rent, would
be to make it rise and fall with the price of corn
or other produce. A rent paid in corn is, indeed,
liable to serious objections, and can seldom be ad-
visable in a conimercial countr}^. It necessarily
bears hardest on a tenant when lie is least able to dis-
charge it. In very bad seasons his crop may bo so
scanty as scarcely to return seed and the expenses
of cultivation ; and the share which he ought to re-
ceive himself, as the profits of his capital, as well as
the quantity allotted to the landlord, may not exist
at all. Though, in this case, if he pays a money rent,
his los'5 may be considerable, it may be twice or
three times greater if the rent is to be paid in corn,
or according to the high price of such seasons. In
less favourable years, which often occur in the vari-
able climate of Britain, a corn-rent would, in numer-
ous instances, absorb nearly the whole free or dis-
posable produce, as it is by no means uncommon to
find the gross produce of even good land reduced
from tvventy to fift}^ per cent, below an average in
particular seasons. And it ought to be considered,
in regard to the landlord himstdf, that his income
would thus be doubled or trebled, at a time when
all other classes were suffering from scarcity and
consequent dearth ; wiiile, in times of plenty and
chea]jness, he might find it difficult to make his ex-
penses correspond with the great diminution of liis
receipts. It is of much importance to both parties
that the amount of the rent should vaiy as little as
possible from any unforeseen causes, though tenants
in general would be perhaps the most injured by
such fluctuations.

To obviate these and other objections to a corn-
rent, and to do equal justice at all limes to both
landlord and tenant, a plan has been suggested for
converting the coi'u into money, adopting for its
price, not the jirice of the year for which the rent is
payable, but the average price of a certain number
of years. The rent, according to this plan, may be
calculated every year, by omitting the first year of
the series, and adding a new one ; or, it may con-
tinue the same for a certain number of j'ears, and
then be fixed according to a new average. Let us
suppose the lease to be for tv/enty-one years, the
average agreed on being seven years, and the fu'st
year's rent, that is, the price of so many quarters of
coin, will be calculated from the average price of
the crop of that 3'ear, and of the six years preceding.
If it be meant to take a new average for the second
and every succeeding year's rent, all that is neces-
sary is, to strike of the first of these seven years,
adding the year for which the rent is payable, and so
on during all the years of the lease. 15utthis labour,
slight as it is, may be dispensed with, by continuing
the rent without variation for the first seven years of
the lease, according to the average price of the seven
years immediately preceding its commencement, and,
at the end of this period, fixing a new rent, accord-
ing to the average price of the seven }'ears just ex-
pired, to continue for the next seven years, 'i'hus,
in the course of twenty-one years, the rent would
be calculated only three times ; and for .whatever
quantity of corn the parties had agreed, the money
payments would be equal to the average price of
fourteen years of the lease itself, and of the seven
years preceding it ; and the price of the last seven
years of the old lease would determine the rent dur-
ing the first seven years of the new one.

Jhe landlord and tenant, it has been thought,
could not suffer either from bad seasons or any
change in the value of the currency, should such a
lease as this be extended to several periods of twenty-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE;

197

one years. Tbe quantity of corn to be taken as rent
is the only point tbat "-ould require to be settled at
the commencement of each of tliese periods ; and
though this would no doubt be greater or less, ac-
cording to the state of tbe lands at the time, yet it
may be expected that, in the twenty-one years pre-
ceding, all tlie tenant's judicious expenditure had
been fully replaced. Instead of the twofold
difficnltv in fixing a rent for a long lease, arising
from uncertainty as to the quantity of produce,
which must depend on the state of improvement, and
still more perhaps from the variations in the jirice of
that produce, tlie latter objection is entirely removed
by this plan ; and in all cases where land is already
brought to a high degree of fertility, the question
about the quantity of produce may likewise be dis-
pensed with.

Upon this plan we shall take leave to observe,
that if it be applied to leases of nineteen or twenty-
one years, the inconvenience resulting from uncer-
tainty as to the amount of rent, as well as ether
difficultifciS which must necessarily attend it, wouhl
be as great perhaps as an}^ advantages which it holds
out to either of the parties. If it be said that a rent
determined by a seven years' average could not sud-
denly nor materially alter, this is at once to admit
the inutility of tbe contrivance. The first thing
which must strike every practical man is, that corn
is not the only produce of a farm, and, in most parts
of Britain, perhaps not the princijial source from
which rent is paid; and there is no authentic record
of the prices of butcher-meat, wool, cheese, butter,
and other articles in every county to refer to, as
there is of corn. This is not the place to inquire
whether the price of corn regulates the price of all
the other products of land, in a country whose
statute-books are full of duties, bounties, drawbacks,
&c. to say nothing of its internal regulations ; but it
is sufficiently evident, that, if corn does possess this
power, its price operates too slowly on that of other
products, to serve as a just criterion for determining-
rent on a lease of this duration. i>esides, in the
progress of agriculture, new species or varieties of
the cerealia themselves are established even in so
short a period as twenty-one years, the price of
which may be very different from that of the coin
specified in the lease. What security for a full rent,
for instance, would it give to a landlord, to make tbe
rent payable according to the price of barley, wlien
the tenant might find it more for his interest to cul-
tivate some of the varieties of summer wheat ? or
according to the price of a particular variety of oats,
when, within a few years, we have seen all the old
varieties superseded, throughout extensive districts,
by the introduction of a new one, the potato-oat,
which may not be moie permnnent than those that
preceded it? 'J'heremay be no impro[irietv in adopt-
ing this plan for ascertaining- the rent of land kept
always in tillage, but it would be idle to expect any
important benefits from it during such a lease as we
have mentioned. In some instances it is the practice
to agree for a certain rent in money, which does not
vary ; and another portion is determined from time to
time by the ))i-ice of corn, the quantity and kinds of
the corn only being previously fixed by the lease.
This, we think, is a better plan than to make the
■whole rent vary with the price of corn.

With regard to much longer leases, this plan will
no doubt diminish the evils which we think are in-
separable from them but it cannot possibly reach
some of the most considerable. Its utmost efi'ect. is
to secure to the landholder a rent, which shall in all
time to come be an adequate rent according to the
state of the lands and the inode of cultivation known

at the date of the lease. But it can make no provi-
sion that will arjply to the enlargement of the gross
produce from the future improvement of the lands
themselves, vir of the dispos-able produce from the
invention of machinery and other plans for econo-
mizing labour. Old corn-rents, therefore, though
much higher at present than old money-rents, are
seldom or never so high as the rents that could now
be paid on a lease of twenty-one years. But, inde-
pendently of these considerations, which more imme-
diately bear upon the interests of the parties them-
selves, one insuperable objection to all such leases
is, th;itthey partake too much of then-ature of entails,
and depart too far from that commercial character
which is most favourable to the investment of capital,
and consequently to the gre-atest increase of land
pro<luce.

A lease for a term of years is not, however, in all
cases a sufficient encouragement to .spirited cultiva-
tion : its covenants in respect to the management of
the lands may be injudicious ; the tenant may be so
strictly confined to a particular mode of culture, or
a ]iarticular course of crops, as not to be able to avail
himself of the heneficial discoveries which a pro-
gressive state of agriculture never fails to introduce.
Or, on the other hand, though this is much more rare,
the tenant may be left so entirely at liberty, that
either the necessity of bis circumstances during the
currency of the lease, or his interest towards its ex-
piration, may lead him to exhaust the soil, instead
of rendering it more productive. When a lease
therefore is either redundant or deficient in this
respect— when it either permits the lands to be de-
teriorated or prevents their improvement — the con-
nection between Landlord and tenant is formed upon
other views, and regulated by some other principle,
than the general one on which v.'e think it should be
founded.

Notwithstanding the high authority of Adam
Smitii, restrictive covenants are always necessary to
the security of the landlord, and in some cases bene-
ficial also to the tenant. Their expediency cannot
well be questioned in those parts of the country,
where an improved system of agriculture has made
little progress. A landholder, assi.>ted by the ad-
vice of experienced men in framing these covenants,
cannot adopt any easier or less offensive ph-in for the
improvement of bis property, and the ultimate advan-
tages of his tenantry. Even in the best cultivated
districts, \\ bile farms continue to the highest rej-
pcnsible offerers, a few restrictive covenants cannot
be dispensed vfith. The supposed interest of the tenant
is too feeble a security for correct management, even
during the earlier part of a lease ; and in the latter
part of it, it is thought to be bis interest, inmost
cases, to exhaust tbe soil as much ns possible, not
only for the sake of immediate profit, but frequently
in order to deter competitors, and thus to obtain a
renewal of his lease at a rent somewhat less than the
lands would otherwise bring.

With tenants at will, and such as hold on shrrt
leases, restrictive covenants are more necessary than
with tenants on leases of 19 oi- 20 years ; but in
many instances they are too numerous and compli-
cated, and sometimes even inconsistent with tbe
best courses of modern husbandry. The great error
lies in prescribing rules bv which a tenant is posi-
tively required to act ; not in prohibiting such
practices, and such crops, as experience has not sanc-
tioned. 'J he improved knowledge and the liberalitv
of tbe age have now expunged tbe most objection-
able of these covenants; and throughout whole coun-
ties, almost the only restriction in reference to the
course of crops is, that the tenant shall not take two

198

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

culumiferous crops, ripening their seeds, in close
succession. This single stipulation, comhined with
the obligation to consume the straw upon the farm,
and to apply to it all the manure made from its pro-
duce, is sufficient not only to protect the land from
exhaustion, but to insure, in a great measure, its re-
gular cultivation ; for half the larm at least must in
this case be always under either fallow or green
crops, Tlie only other necessary covenant, when
the soil is naturally too weak for carrying annual
crops without intermission, is, that a certain portion
of the land shall be always in gross, not to be cut for
hay, but depastured. According to the extent of this
will be the interval between the succession of corn
crops on the same fields : if it is agreed that half the
farm, for instance, shall always be under grass, there
can be only two crops of corn from the same field in six
years. In this case, not more than two-sixths being
in corn, one-sixth in g'reeii crops or fallow, and three-
sixths in clovers or grasses, it becomes almost im-
possible to exhaust anv soil at all fitted for tillage.
There are few indeed that do not gradually become
more fertile under this course of cropping. It is
sufficiently evident that other covenants are neces-
sary in ])articular circumstances, such as permission
to dispose of straw, hnj', and other ci'ops from which
manure is made, when a quantity of manure equal to
what they would have furnished is got from other
places, and a prohibition against converting rich old
grazing land or meadows into corn-lands. In this
place we speak only of general rules, such as are
applicable to peihaps nine-tenths of all the arable
land of Bi itain, and such as are actually observed in
our best cultivated counties.

For the last four vearsof a lease the same covenants
are generally sufficient, only they require to be appli-
ed with more precision. Instead of taldiig it for granted
that the proportion of the farm that cannot be under
corn will be properlv cultivated, from the tenant's
regard to his own interest, it becomes necessary to
take him bound to this effect in express terms ; the
object generallv being to enable the tenant, upon a
new lease, to carry on the cultivation of the lands,
as if the former lease had not terminated. What
these additional stipulations should be, must depend
in part on the season of the year at which the new
lease commences, and in part on the course of crops
best adapted to the soil and the particular circum-
stances of every farm.

Economical Green House. — Much of the pro
duce of the green house may be procured, at half the
expense, by the use of a pit, v.hicli requires no other
glass than the sashes which form its roof. The amuse-
ment and the product which such a pit, in the hands of
an ingenious amateur, is calculated to atford, are al-
most without end. Small salading may be produced
in it throughout the whole v.inter. Chicory roots
(though this may be accomplished in a common cellar)
may be made to throw out their blanched leaves, which
form the most delightful of all winter salads ; tart
rhubarb, or sea kale, may be forced in pots ; as may
parsley, mint, and other herbs. Bulbs may be forced ;
and a bloom of China roses may be kept up throughout
the winter. But, perhaps, the most important use to
which such a pit can be applied, in a small suburban
garden, is to preserve throughout the winter, and to
bring forward in spring, pelargoniums, fuchsias, sal-
vias, calceolarias, verbenas, and other fine exotic
flowers, and also half-hardy and tender annuals, for
turning out into the flower garden, or into the miscel-
laneous border, in the beginning of sammer. — Loudon's
Suburban Gardener.

AN EXPERIMENTAL FARM THE BEST
MODE OF AFFORDING AGRICUL-
TURAL INSTRUCTION.

Hitherto we have confined our attention to the im-
provements likely to be effected by the operation of
an experimental establishment in the various branches
of rural economy.

We shall now briefly state its importance con-
sidered as an enginefor promulgating a knowledge of
these improvements.

No country in Europe can boast of a greater num-
ber of highly educated and honourable gentlemen
than Scotland, and in no country are the)^ held in
liiglier estimation among the people. When we
consider the numerous and important benefits con-
ferred upon the community mainly through their in-
strumentality, the patriotic spirit by which tJiey are
actuated cannot be too highly extolled. Still it is
a matter of general notoriety that t!ie individual
exertions of almost all the whole of them, when di-
rected to agriculture, whether in the way of improve-
ment or of profit, have very seldom been attended
with success. How then does it happen that these
individuals, possessing as they do much general and,
in many instances, much scientific knowledge, are
yet so little acquainted with those matters that per-
tain so exclusively to their own immediate interest.
The truth is that agriculture, considered as a science,
cannot be pro])er]y comprehended and understood ex-
cept from practice.

Undoubtedly many works have been written upon
the subject, but in scarcely any two of them do the
authors agree, either as to tlie principles or the
details. What is the consequence 1 The ) oung
proprietor takes up a popular author, reads his work,
and, as he thinks, masters the subject. He stiaight-
way commences farming, but, in nine cases out of
ten, he will discover at the end of the season that
the results of nature and the conclusions of his
teacher are, in many instances, at variance. He no
doubt may persist, and frequently does so, but in
the course of time the balance sheet speaks such
unutterable things against the whole concern, that
the gentleman abandons his favourite projects in
disgust, and the agent, whose duty it is to conform
to the will of his master, is seldom able to withstand
the feelings of disappointment and chagrin thus en-
gendered. Improvement, therefore, in the hands of
the proprietor is thus impeded, and his attempts fre-
quently do more harm than good, for the individual
loss is not the only evil that is produced — this com-
paratively is small — but his mind is steeled and
prejudiced against every innovation upon the old
system, which may originate upon the part of his
tenantry, although such innovation can be de-
monstratively shown to have all the characters of an
essential and radical improvement. Should the te-
nantry., therefore, apply for the concurrence and as-
sistance of the proprietor in carrying any such
improvement into effect, they are told that some-
thing very similar had been previously attempted
by himself and utterly failed : or if this cannot he
alledoed, that all innovations are dangerous, that it
is always safest to adhere to the old system ; and if
confirmation be wanted, he will naturally refer to his
own experience.

It is thus that the badly conducted experiments
of those proprietors who are little acquainted with
the practical department of agriculture have a ten-
dency to discourage anv spirit towards improvement
that may exist amongst tenants ; and we belie%e that
many well-meaning gentlemen really make it a
matter of conscience to do so, in order that their

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

199

tenantiy may avoid tbe losses and disappointments
they themselves have incurred in travelling a similar
path.

Now, were an experimental establislnnent in full
and active operation these evils would be removed.
Such an institution might be denominated a iirac-
tical school, conducted on such an elegant and at
the same time sucii an extensive scale, a;-; to realize
to the full all the expectations of a refined and in-
quiring mind. Every sound theory on agriculture
would there be exemplified, and the voung and in-
experienced would learn more of the principles and
minuticE of the science, from the mode of procedure
there adopted than fron\ all the hypotheses and vague
generalities that have ever been penned. And not
only so, but the information thus acquired would be
gradually increased, and the interest kept alive by
the regular issue of the manager's periodical reports ;
and as every innovation would either originate with,
or be subjected to the test of, the principal establish-
ment and its subsidiary institutions, so that the evils
or the advantages consequent upon its adoption
would at once be promulgated and proved before it
could be admitted into the practice of the countr}',
we take but a very partial view of the subject when
we suppose that every home farm, under the imme-
diate superintendence of an enterprising proprietor,
would become merely a profitable instead of a losing-
investment for capital, as has hitherto frequently
been the case. On the contrary, when we take into
account the superior education received by our
country gentlemen, and the almost indefinite means of
introducing and perfecting any requisite impro ce-
ment which thoy possess, unlike the tenantry who,
generally speaking, during the last ten years, have
been cramped and confined on every hand from a
scanty and still decreasing capital, and who, even
granting they had the will, are not possessed of the
power to incur the outlay necessary for these pur-
poses, we say when all these circumstances are
taken into account, we may fairly and legitimately
infer that the home farm would not only indemnif)'
the proprietor, but that it would take the lead in
every movement which bad for its object the improve-
ment of agriculture, and would thus become a
pattern for the imitation of the tenantry on those
estates where the enterprize of the proprietors had
succeeded in establishing them.

The position which the landlord at present occu-
pies with reference to the tenant would in tliis way
be reversed. For, in place of tbe latter soliciting
the concurrence and assistance of the former in em-
barking upon any scheme of contemplated improve-
ment, the landlord, as he ought to be, would become
the moving and effective power, and, far from with-
holding the necessary support, would be the first to
offer it, and even to press it upon tbe acceptance of
the tenantry, in order to induce them to adopt any
particular course or practice, tbe benefits of which
he himself had experienced. Nor is this all. The
landlord could judge of the proceedings instituted
by the tenantry on tbe various farms of his estate,
and thus be enabled to form a discriminating and just
opinion of their several merits. The backward
might be urged forward in the grand marcli of im-
provement, and the enterprising encouraged to per-
severe. But who can estimate oil the advantages
that would arise, could such a desirable consummation
be produced 1 The proprietor would become so well
acquainted with tbe difficulties wherewith his te-
nantry had to contend, and all tbe unfavourable
vicissitudes by which their condition is so liable to
be affected, that he could administer relief in the
way and at the time which no one Would know better

than himself how to determine. Their interest and
that of the tenantry would thus be practically ac-
knowledged to be one and tbe same, and the agri-
cultural distress which is at present so loudly pro-
claimed from all quarters of the island, would exist,
not even in name.

We thus perceive bo'v it is that the qualifications
of our landed gentlemen might be turned to the
very best account through tbe intrumentality of a
properly conducted experimental farm. Let us now
briefly inquire into the manner in which the informa-
tion and interest of the tenantry might be directly
enhanced from the same cause.

We have seen that if the proprietors were to act
the part which an experimental establishment would
put it in their power to do, tbe tenantry would avoid
many of those inconveniencies which are at present
inseparable from an enterprising prosecution of their
profession. But even although proprietors should
not generally and cordially co-operate in a measure
fraught with so many advantages to themselves, it
must not be supposed that the beneficial influences
of sucb an establishment would cease. The tenantry,
in either case, would not fail to receive much sound
and valuable information. The certainty that would
be introduced into all the departments of agriculture,
and the discoveries that would take place in many
would not be thrown away, but tbe intelligent far-
mer by a carefid attention to the experimental re-
sults that would be periodically diffused, would be
continually receiving fresh accessions to his own
acquisitions and experience. A more economical
and at the same time a more effective management
would pervade every department. The sway of
prejudice and error would gradually yield to that of
trutii and reason, and tbe results of every process
would be so accurately noted and foretold as to form
a ?ure and satisfactory guide in tbe outlay of his
capital.

But further, many an anxious parent would be
glad of an undoubted standard of appeal, when the
junior members of a family arrive at such an age as
to be associated with the head in the active manage-
ment of the farm. The ardour and enthusiasm of
the young mir.d, and tbe prudential caution of the
old, seldom coalesce, and tbe consequence is, that
frequent differences in opinion ensue. These, al-
though they may not at first be of a serious descrip-
tion, 3'et from their frequent recurrence are often
productive of very disagreeable consequences. But
were an experimental farm in operation no such un-
seemly scenes would be likely to occur, or if they
did, could they be perpetuated. In its present or
recorded practice and correspondent results, every
difficulty would meet with a ready solution, and
thus a powerful antidote would be afforded for the
prevention of those disputes, which so frequently
mar the peace of families, and in many instances
militate against their interests.

We shall conclude this branch of our subject, by
showing tbe advantages of an experimental esta-
blishment for giving the intending farmer a thorough
knowledge of tbe principles and practical details of
his profession.

Wo have already noticed the diversity of opinion
that ])revails among those who write upon agricul-
tuie. This arises in a great measure from the man-
ner in which the accounts of every individual writer
are liable to be affected by tbe diversities in soil and
climate, as well as from tbe experiments described
being only partially tested and proved — mere read-
ing, therefore, cannot convey a thorough knowledge
of agriculture. The same disadvantage must per-
tain to a certain extent to written lectures. With-

200

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

out meaning in the least to disparage the talents and
assiduity of the present professor of Agriculture, it
must be evident that lectures vvilhout practical
exemplification can only record and generalize past
facts and piobable truths, and, containing as they do
a statement of the various opinions of those indi-
viduals who may have distinguished themselves by
their inrestigations in any particular department,
they must ultimately depend for their verification
upon practice.

The professor, no doubt, performs his duty by
giving his pupils a knowledge of all that has "been
said and written upon a disputed point, but this is
not solving the difficulty, and hence the pupil, at the
end of the session, will be found to have obtained a
knowledge of many fanciiul and theoietical plausibi-
lities, accompanied probably with little sound and
available information on the subject matter of jiis
profession. Hence an experimental farai would be-
come a most valuable adjunct to the agricultural
chair. What cin at present only be described would
(hen be exhibited. The living processes of vegetable
and animal nature would be subjected to the obser-
vation of all. The difficulties likely to occur in prac-
tice would be actually experienced and the best
mode of solving them exemplified. In fact, the ad-
vantages of such iin establishment would be as many
and as important for the acquisition of agricultural
knowledge as a botanical garden for the acquisition
of botany, or the dissection of subjects for that of
anatomy.

Besides, it is evident that lectures are not avail-
able as an engine of discovery, but merely useful as
a means of recording and promulgating a knowledge
of thera, and when it is considered that the merits of
any novel scheme in agriculture cannot at present
be tested and understood until it has been exempli-
fied in the general practice of the country, and sur-
mounted the prejudices and preconceived opinions
of the greater part of the agricultural community, it
is by no means difficult to perceive, that lectures bv
themselves never can be commensurate with the
progress of agricultural dlscover3^ But were the
prelections of the teacher assisted in the manner
proposed, instead of being behind, they would be
considerably in advance in respect of all that was
sound and satisfactory in the science. The advan-
tages consequent upon such a forward movement
must be obvious to all. The most recent improve-
ments would be practically developed when the
pupils returned to their several homes. — Lewis's
observations on the prospects of agriculture.

In an article, by M. Legrand, published by the Uni-
versal Statistical Society of France, on the production
and consumption of eggs in France, and their exporta-
tion, it is stated that in 1835, 76,091,120 were sent into
England, 60,800 into Belgium, 49,696 to the United
States, 42,960 into Switzerland, 34,800 into Spain.
and 306,304 into other countries. Estimating each egg
at one sous, the value ef all these exportations amounts
to 3,829,284f. According to official returns, each in-
habitant of Paris upon an average consumes 115f eggs
a-year, making the annual consumption by the whole
metropolis amount to 101,159,400. We may without
exaggeration, adds M. Legrand, set down the con-
sumption of each individual in the rest of France at
double the number. Consequently, the consunaption
of the whole kingdom, including the capital, must have
been 7,231,160,000 eggs. If to this number be added
1 per cent, reserved for hatching, the total number of
eggs laid in France during 1835 must have been
7,380,925,000,

ON MANURE FOR WHEAT.

The effect of different manures on wheat, is very
remarkable ; it will not be necessary to say much
on the subject, as it is almost exhausted, having
been fully treated by far more able pens ; but hav-
ing made some experiments on the subject, I may
be excused from publishing their results.

I confine my observations to those manures
which are within the reach of most farmers, with
one or two exceptions.

Stable manure will, in ordinary good soils, have
the effect of causing the plants to tiller much, or to
make straw and grass; thereby diminishing the
produce in grain and meal considerably.

Liquid manure, one-third stable drainings, and
two-thirds water, which I caused to be poured once,
over wheat that was just tillering, made the straw
grow rank and coarse, the grain of every variety
of wheat was dark and thick-skinned, hence, con-
taining less meal. The same quantity and mixture
of liquid manure, poured a second time over an-
other portion of wheat, caused it to grow so rank
and full of leaves, rather than straw, that only a
few of the plants produced ears of wheat, some
having rrn up into sharp points, with merely the
rudiments of ears indicated. The few ears that
produced corn, displayed it in its worst form,
hardly in the shape of meal, of a doughy soft tex-
ture, evidently unfit for the food of man : besides,
some of them were smutty. Thus, an over appli-
cfitioi! of manure, excellent, when judiciously ap-
plied, becomes a poison, precisely in the same
manner, as in the human constitution, a surfeit is
usually the parent of some disease.

The wheat on either side, of these experiments,
which had only been manured with the ashes of
Kelp, or Sea-weed, was healthy, productive, and
farinacioiis in the highest degree.

Aly attention was particularly called to the pro-
per application of manures by an old and expe-
rienced farmer, who considered Kelp or the ashes
of Rock Sea-weed, that which is cut, the best of
all, I am convinced by subsequent experience,
that two or three pounds worth of it, per acre,
spread at the proper period, about two months
before sowing time, would always more than repay
itself.

It attracts moisture from the atmosphere, it
materially increases the volume of the grain and
fineness of the sample ; but does not add to the
weight of the straw, though rendering it whiter
and more nourishing to cattle. It causes the wheat
to assume a rich healthy appearance, and is an
excellent application, after a crop of potatoes or
parsnips, both of which require land to be richly
dressed with stable or other strong manures, and
has not the effect of decomposing them, as lime
does.

It is also destructive to insects, and to their
eggs, which lie in the soil or turf — it forces the
earth-worms and wire-worms from their lurking-
places to come to the surface and die ; particularly
when laid on, in a larger quantity than I have
named, some farmers being in the habit of putting
on double, even treble the quantity above stated —
but [ believe, without having produced proportion-
ably larger crops from inferior land ; though it
has been asserted that its eft'ect is very permanent,
being especially apparent on the succeeding clover
crops.

I am inclined to believe, that paring and burning
an old ley, will almost produce an equally good
effect, where the land is suited for it — for, although
the ashes may not be of that superior quality, or

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

201

possessing all those virtues peculiar to Kelp a«hes ;
still, the much greater portion of ashes, that can
by this means be spread on the land, may make
amends in quantit)', for quality.

An additional circumstance in favor of paring
and burning, is, that all the seeds of weeds, or the
eggs of insects which lie concealed in the turf, are
thereby destroyed, more effectually, than by any
repeated ploughing?.

The careful experience of five years on this
head, has convinced me of the propriety of this
practice occasionally ; especially on ground in-
fested with couch, or knot grass. From three
acres of land that had been pared and burned,
■which produced five hundred and forty single
horse loads of ashes, I obtained a very heavy crop
of turnijjs ; the following year I raised ninery-one
thoasaud pounds of potatoes ; and, by an applica-
tion of about forty-five busliels of lime per acre, I
have since reaped fifty-one imperial bushels of
beautiful wheat per acre ; the straw, also, was of
very fine growth, five feet high, and exceedingly
white and bright.

Kelp ashes should lay on the surface of the soil,
a month or two i>revious to sowing time, in order
to weaken their caustic power, or they are other-
wise apt to burn the young and tender shoots of
the corn, as well as the larvje of insects ; but, by
laying a certain length of time on the surface ex-
posed to the action of the atmosphere, or perhaps,
what would be better practice, merely lightly
turned into the soil, they become eminently bene-
ficial.

I am so partial to the use of ashes, that I should
recommend those who have large woods or forests,
to employ women and children to collect the dry
and broken boughs and under shrubs, to be burned
for the sake of the ashes ; which would be found
nearly equal to those of sea-weed, and could thus
be procured at a much cheaper rate ; besides gain-
ing the advantage of converting what is now
wasted, or neglected, into a most valuable and
permanent manure, perfectly free from weeds,
and destructive to insects and w'orms.

Ashes are further beneficial, inasmuch as they
attract the moisture from fogs and dews, and re-
tain it a considerable length of time.

Lime is so well understood as a manure for
wheat, thatit would be a mere waste of time to say
more on the subject, than as far as my own expe-
rieni-e goes ; it appears to impart a greater degree
of whiteness to the straw than any other manure.
Its other excellent qualities of absorbing moisture
from the atmosphere in dry weather, on light or
gravelly soils, and increasing the weight of the
grain, are well understood ; it is to be lamented
that some general rule for its application is not
made known, as, in the best books I have con-
sulted on the subject, it varies in the extraordinary
proportion from fifty-six to five hundred bushels
per acre, which last appears to me to be an absurd
(juantity.

I have found it to answer perfectly at the rate of
forty or fifty bushels an acre on a good loam, and
I should apprehend that double that quantity
ought to be sufficient for the poorest land ; unless
it be to destroy moss, when a still larger top dress-
ing is required, which, if well harrowed in, does
it effectually. This commixture of turf and lime,
if soon after ploughed iu, in turn becomes itself a
manure for the very soil the turf previously ren-
dered barren.

Soot is said to be an excellent top-dressing. I
have tiieu IL but once, without having perceived

the advantageous results that are said to be deriv-
able from it, it is only in the environs of towns, or
villages, that it can be obtained in sufficient quan-
tity to be available to a large farmer. — Couteur on
the Varieties of Wheat .

ON THE SIZE OF FARMS.

The result of the discussion regarding the size
of farms, is given in the Code of Agriculture,
Chapter 1. Section 7, p. 41. A minute investiga-
tion of that subject, however important, appeared
to be inconsistent with the nature of a work of so
condensed a description, as the Code itstlf. It was
therefore thought more advisable, to print sepa-
rately, the argumcntsinfavour of great and of small
farms, in a number of the Appendix, for the infor-
mation of those, who were desirous of having the
question minutely investigated.

Arguments in favour of Large Farms. — 1.
Where a farm is of a large size, less expense is
incurred iu building houses and offices, and in
keeping them in repair, than if the farm were di-
vided, and several sets of houses, &c.were erected
for the accommodation of two or more farmers.

2. The inclosures on a large farm, being on a
greater scale, are originally made, and afterwards
kept in repair, at a less expense ; much ground is
thus added to cultivation, and less shelter is given
to the vermin with which hedges and walls abound.

3. There is also a saving of expense in housekeep-
ing, when two farms are united into one, the
amount of which must vary according to circum-
stances. 4. The saving in the expense of culti-
vation is considerable. When a farm of 200 Eng-
lish acres, is united to one of 300, the work of a
pair of horses and a ploughman will be saved ;
fewer instruments of husbandry are also necessary ;
in particular, one threshing-mill maybe sufficient.

5. Though there are exceptions to that rule, yet in
general, from superior capital, on large farms the
land is much better c\iltivated, more effectually
drained, and more improved by extraneous ma-
nures, which small farmers cannot afford to pur-
chase to much extent, or to convey to any distance.

6. A much greater quantity of disposable produce
is sent to market. The small farmer and his fa-
mily indeed, raise so little, and consume so much,
of the produce of the land which they occupy, that
the surplus they can spare, must always be tri-
fling; and, in unfavourable seasons, none can be
expected. Hence it is only by means of large
farms, or a number of moderate-sized ones, that
great towns or populous districts can be sujiplicd,
in suflScient quantities, with such articles of pri-
mary necessity as grain and butcher's meat. In
regard to the latter in particular, it is generally
sold by the large farmer, in a fattened state, \vhich
is seldom done by the small one. 7. The live
stock on large farms, is confessedly of a superior
quality, because a large farmer can better afford
to purchase the best sorts, and to maintain them
afterwards ; the implements of husbandry are like-
wise of a more improved description, and capable
of performing their work in a superior manner.
8. The labour on a large farm can be better sub-
divided than on a small one, by means of which,
critical periods may be caught, more strength of
labour can be applied to particular parts of the
farm when wanted, and the work may be done
better, and with more expedition, in an adverse
season. 9. The large farmer has full employment

202

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

independent of manual laboin-. He has enough to
do in superintending others, instead of working
with his own hands ; and if he should employ
himself in doing a job at one part of his farm, he
would lose more than the value of his own labour
by his servants being either idle or ill-directingtheir
labour in other places. From thus having full em-
ployment, he is not under the necessity of engaging
in other undertakings, which not only would ab-
stract his attention from his farm, but would often be
attended with real loss. 10. A farmer with a large
capital has usually enlarged ideas, which generally
expand with the extent of his posessions : he usu-
ally receives a superior education, and understands
better every branch of his profession : he is able
to travel about to obtain useful information, and
having more enterprise, and fewer prejudices to
subdue, he is more ready to adopt new improve-
ments.* 11. On a large farm, a greater variety of
practice can be introduced, such as pasturing a
proportion of the farm alternately ; and while the
large farmer may be both disposed and enabled to
change his intended system, should an unfortunate
season or some other incident rendered it neces-
sary, the farmer on a limited scale must continue
in his trodden path, often in oppositicm to the
true principles of his profession. 12. Large farms
are favourable to the improvement of land in an
inferior or waste state. The small farmer gene-
rally leaves it as he finds it ; whereas, when a
great farmer, with a considerable cai)ital, gets such
land into his possession, on an improving lease,
he scon renders the inferior land he occupies, or
even the neighbouring waste, nearly as valuable
as the old cultivated soil. 13. Large farmers,
when they are active, spirited, and intelligent,
are the fittest persons to tr}' experiments, and to
jjrosecute them to the necessary extent ; small
farmers cannot afford it, and gentlemen farmers
(though there are exceptions to the rule,) seldom
give such unremitting attention, as is necessary
for insuring success. 14. i\Iany operations on a
large farm can be done better, and, in proportion
to their importance, at a cheaper rate, than on a
small one. For instance, where a large flock of
sheep is kept, or a number of cattle, careful and
intelligent servants may be hired for attending
them, which no farmer on a small scale can af-
ford. A large farmer can also sell at market, in
the same space of time, ten times the number of
cattle or sheep, or ten times the quantity of grain,
that any sr.all farmer can have to dispose of; and
in general, has better information regarding the
state of the markets. 15. The large farmer, pos-
sessed of all these advantages, in addition to his
superior capital and credit, can generally afford to
pay a higher rent, with more punctuality, than the
small farmer; from wliom the rent which he
agreed to pav, cannot often be exacted without
compulsion. 16. The large farmer pays more
taxes to government tor his house, windows, and
horses, and for every article of his consumption.
Indeed, small farmers, whose rents were under 501.

* There arc few branches of natural philosophy,
chemistrv, natural history, mechanics, &c. which
may not be profitably applied to a large farm. To
take advantage of these, the occupier ought to be a
man of education, and competent to his own pro-
gressive scientific improvement, by reading, obser-
vation, and intercourse with intelligent men. He
may thus be enabled, to discover some new pro-
cesses, by which his own immediate profit, and the
general interest, may both be forwarded. — Bigby's
Report of the Husbandry of Holkham, p. 88.

a year, were considered by parliament, and justly
too, to be in so humble and poor a state, that they
were not made liable to the payment of the income
or propertjf tax : and if all the farmers in the
kingdom had been under that amount, govern-
ment would not have received a single shilling
from the occupiers of land, on account of that tax.
17. Large farms, in the occupation of wealthy
renters, are a species of magazines or repositories,
kept for the use of the public, but without any of
those mischiefs which would attend them if they
were a public concern.* In the last place, res-
pectable farmers are a most important link in the
great chain of society, rarely to be found in any
country. Great I5ritain excepted; — a class of indi-
viduals, whose habits of industry, intelligence, and
spirit, and the extent of whose capital, which it
has required centuries to accumulate, form a spe-
cies of oulwark, materially tending to preserve the
existing order of society ; but if that bulwark
were once laid prostrate, it would baffle human
policy, without the existence of similar circum-
stances, ever to renew it.-f-

Dr. Rigby, in his Report of the Husbandry of
Holkham, after observing that some of Mr. Coke's
tenants occupy not less than 1200 acres of arable
land, maintains, that such large farms, will always
have the advantage, in productive and profitable
cultivation, over small ones, as large manufac-
tories and extensive mercantile establishments,
with large capitals, will be superior, in relative
profit, to those, which are carried on with more
limited capitals, and on a smaller scale. J He adds,
that the improvements which are acknowledged
to have taken place in agriculture, are unquestion-
ably to be dated from the time when the land
began to be cultivated by individuals, on an ex-
tensive scale.

Mv. Blaikie likewise remarks, that where the
system of folding sheep on turnips is practised,
large farms are indispensible. That excellent sys-
tem § is necessary, for m.aintaining light arable
land, in a profitable state of cultivation, more es-
pecially when situated at a distance from manure,
and markets. A flock of sheep however, cannot
possibly be kept with advantage on a small farm.
The gieatest storehouse in the kingdom, (the
county of Norfolk,) depends for its fertility on
this mode of consuming turnips. Though good
land therefore, situated near large towns, and te-
nacious soils, in other situations, may be culti-
vated in moderate-sized occupations, yet, in the great
corn growing districts in the southern parts of the
kingdom, the farms must be large for the purpose
of raising a great surplus produce, otherwise the
inhabitants of the metropolis, and of other large
towns, cannot procure food raised by British skill
and industry, but must trust to the precarious
supplies of foreign countries for their subsistence,
— a state of dependence, to which any nation, who
Cfin produce in its own territories, the indispen-
sable necessaries of life, ought not to submit.

Arguments in favour of Small Farms. —
Such are the argurients advanced in favour of large
farms. They are co itroverted by those whe argue, in

* Gloucestershi 3 Report, p. 54.

t Husbandry of jcotland, vol. ii. p. 1.50.

t Dr. Rigby's F 3port, p. 116.

V) That system is very different from the plan of
folding sheep from upland pastures, upon the arable
laud in the vale, which is highly exceptionable, as
it impoverishes large tracts, for enabling smaller
portions of land to produce grain.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

203

favour of farms of small or moderate dimensions,
on the following- grounds :

In answer to the^rs^ of these conclusions, they
contend, that the saving of expense in building
three or four farm-steads of moderate dimensions,
instead of one on a large scale, is in some mea-
sure imaginary : That the accommodation for
cattle must be nearly the same, whether 100 cattle
are kept in one cow-house, or in four or five. A
tenant occupying 1,000 acre? would expect a bet-
ter dwelling-house than one i-enting only 200
acres. But though four or five inferior houses
would cost more than a single house for a large
farm, yet the expense of erecting additional houses
for servants, would go far to make up the dif-
ference ; and the additional roads on the large
arm, above what would be needed in four or five
small farms, would exhaust the superior expense
of the dwelling-houses. 2. The additional fences
on small farms occupy more ground, and shelter
vermin. But surely the shelter of thorn fences
will enhance the value of a farm, by screening it
and the cattle from the severity of the storms, so
usual in these northern latitudes. 3. If farmers
were all to live in the style of gentlemen, five fa-
milies on 1,000 acres would expend more money
than one family. But if farmers live as they
ought to do, only in a small or moderate degree
better than their own servants, and labour like
them, the exi)ense on that score would only be
small, and would be much more than compen-
sated by the labour they perform. 4. One large
threshing-mill would not cost so much as four or
five mills on even a smaller scale ; but in regard
to horses, ploughs, harrows, carts, and all ordi-
nary implements of husbandry, the expenses must
be nearly the f?ame, whether the 1,000 acres are
farmed by one or by five tenants. 5. It is not true
that land is better cultivated on large than it is
on small (arms ; but in many cases the reverse.
Neither is there any circumstance connected with
small farms, that can warrant an opinion a priori,
that they are not to be even better cultivated than
those that are large. 6. If it is meant, that a
farm of 1,000 acres raises more produce than one
of 200 acres, the remark must be correct. But if
the 1,000 acres were divided into four or five farms,
the produce, instead of being diminished, would
probably be increased. 7. The live stock upon
large farms is not in general of superior quality,
nor are the implements of husbandry more im-
proved, than they are on smaller farms, but ra-
ther in both cases, the reverse : at least they are
in general better taken care of on small farms,
where every thing is more under the eye of the
farmer and his family. 8. If a greater number of
peo])le can be brought to assist at any particular
job, in cases of emergency, on large farms, than
can be collected on small possessions, the work to
which they are called must be great in proportion,
unless we suppose, that those who farm on a large
scale keep a greater proportion of people, than are
kept by small farmers. 9. No farmer can himself
oversee all his servants and labourers when scat-
tered over 1,000 acres of land. He must employ
several overseers to prevent his servants from
being " either idle or ill directed." But one who
farms 300 acres or so, can, by going at the head
of his men, not only direct their operations, and
save the expense of bailiff, but by working along
with them himself, has a good chance of getting
more work performed, than if he were not pre-
sent. 10. It is contrary to almost uniform ex-
perience, to maintain that a large capital gives

more enlarged ideas, than can be enjoyed by the
holder of a more limited stock. On the con-
trary there is probably not a farmer in a thousand
who employs ten servants, but some of them,
though they may be deficient in the punctilios of
good breeding, yet may have acquired as correct
ideas on the theory and practice of husbandry as
their masters. 11. Every variety of practice, such
as pasturing part of the lands, and every experi-
ment a farmer could wish to try, may be intro-
duced on a farm of 2 or .300 acres, as well as upon
one of 1,000 acres, and with still less risk of dis-
appointment. 12. Large farms are not nearly
so fiivourable to the improvement of waste land,
or soils of inferior quality, as farms of small or
very moderate dimensions. 13. Farmers who
act on a moderate scale of operation, will as
readily try experiments, and with still less risk,
than can be done by those Hho farm 1,000 acres.
11. One shepherd and a dog may tend all the'
sheep that can be grazed on the farm of 1,000
acres ; but it is not to sheep but to arable farms
that these remarks refer. 15. So far from large
farms bringing a higher rent, in proportion to
their extent, than those that are small, the reverse
is the case. 100 acres of arable land will almost al-
ways give a higher rent when let in two or even three
possessions, than when let in one. The farms
in the western arable districts in Scotland are
generally of small dimensions, from 50 to 150
acres, and scarcely one in a thousand larger than
300 acres of arable land ; and yet with all the dis-
advantages of a worse climate, which compel them
to keep much of the land in j.asture, these far-
mers pay higher rents per acre, than are paid for
land of similar quality in the Lothians. The farm
of Draffen, on the estate of the Duke of Hamilton,
extending to 600 acres arable, was, till lately, let
in one farm, to a farmer bred in Lo hian. But
when his lease terminated, the farm was divided
into five farms and let at more than double the
rent that could be obtained for it in one farm.
Many suchinstances could bementioned. Thefinest
farm on the West of Scotland, (Girvan-mains, in
Ayrshire,) was long occupied as one farm, at the
rent of 1,6"00Z. for 500 acres, but the proprietor
has recently divided it into three farms, and gets
more rent than he could obtain for it from one
tenant. 16". Large farms may pay more taxes ;
but however beneficial that maybe to the revenue,
it is no advantage in an agricultural point of view.
Farmers never consider the payment of taxes a
benefit, but the contrary. 17. If large farms are
magazines or depositories of farm produce, they
are so much more dangerous in raising prices of
grain. Lastly, farmers no doubt form an im-
portant link in the chain of society, whatever be
the extent of their possessions ; but when they
attempt to raise themselves above the sphere of
their profession, and aim at becoming gentlemen,
they ought to discontinue farming, and let others
who are more industrious, and less ambitious,
occu[)y their possessions. High life below stairs'
is far out of place among farmers.

Butif these objections tolarge farms should not be
satisfactory, their bad eft'ects on the condition of a
numerous and valuable portion of the labouring po-
pulation , would render it desirable, that a large pro-
portion of the arable land should be at all times
kept in farms of small or moderate dimensions.
Wherever large farms generally prcvidl, nine out
of every ten of the poi)ulation of the district
arc reduced to the comlition of servitude, from
which it is almost impossible that they can ever

204

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

extricate themselves. A hind in Lothian, or
wherever there are no farms of small or moderate
dimensions, must continue in that capacity diirii;g
life, and his posterity must hold that station for
ages to come ; whereas the farm-servants in the
western arable districts of Scotland, if they con-
tinue to be frugal and industrious, can soon be-
come farmers on a small scale, and it prudent, they
may raise themselves to be farmers of the first
rank, ftlany have done so, and some hav-e raised
themselves to the ranks of proprietors. Another
unreasonable conclusion come to or implied in the
argument for large farms, is that those who oc-
cupy them are wealthy, active, and intelligent ;
andthat all others are poor, indolent, and igno-
rant. Now, the truth is, that although a man
farming 1,000 acres has ten times the capital of
one who occupies 100 acres, the two are on an equal
footing- ; and intelligence is not attached exclu-
sively, either to wealth or to length or breadth ot
a farm ; and refinement of manners is out of the
question among farmers.

Without, however, pursuing the controversy far-
ther, it may be concluded, that where a proper
course of farming, suited to the lands and local
circumstances, is adopted, ond due attention paid
to the labouring and cropping of the lands, the
public interest is not materially involved in the
diversity of the liize of farms. If all farms were
to be reduced to one size, whether great or siaail, it
would be productive of much inconvenience. If
all farms were to be small, no room would be left
for the exercise of genius and enterprise ; and if
all the farms were to be large, a sufficient number
of tenants possessed of capital and mental abilities
for such weighty concerns, could not be found ;
while all persons of moderate fortune, however
well qualilied they might otherwise be, would be
driven off the field, and reduced to the condition
of hinds and labourers. There is much diversity
in the taste and genius, as well as the wealth of
farmers. Some are poor and others rich ; some
timid and others enterprising; some have capaci-
ties for conducting great and important concerns,
while others have neither abilities nor inclination
for such undertakings. And since men are na-
turally, or from education or other ciicimistances,
so different in respect to abilities and inclination,
it would be wrong to fix either a minimum or
maximum in the dimensions of farms. There is
indeed an advantage, in having various sizes in
the same district, so that enterprising individuals
may have an opportunity of increasing their oc-
cupations, in proportion to their increased means
of cultivating them.

Result. — The size of fartns to be recommended
ought, in a great degree to depend upon the cir-
cumstances of a coimiry. What is a proper size in
one district, is not so in another ; and what is a
proper size at one time is not so at another, even
in the same district. On the wdiole, however, that
size whether small, or moderate, or large, is to be
preferred, for which there is, in any particular dis-
trict,the greatest demand at the time. This demand,
insures, from competition, an adequate rent ; and
while the proprietor thus obtains the value of his
land, the i)ublic ar? also benefited, the greatest
possible produce being procured from the soil,
owing to the superior industry, and exertion re-
quired on the part of the farmer. — Sinclair's Code
of Agriculture.

to know much about it. By some it is thought in all
cases unneccessary and that a crop of vetclies eat
oft" by sbeep will do as well ; I am of opinion that it
is quite impossible to get some land clean without it.
But 1 cr.nnot agree wilh those who say that exposing
t'le land to the sun and air so renovates it as to give
it an increased powter of production , I, on the con-
trary think the land tveakened by such exposure ;
but if it is kept from producing any crop for the
whole year, and freed from twitch and weeds (of
wliich should there be any great quantities, they
will exhaust as much as a crop of corn), it will of
course gather ])o\ver for producing gram another
year. If, by way of experiment, a small piece of a
field intended for summer fallowing were made quite
clean in the spring, and an old barn door were laid
on it to shade it from the sun all the summer, it would
be found that the land so shaded would produce the
next year more crop than the other part of the field,
which liad all summer been exposed to the sun's
rays. — IhUyard's Practical Farming.

"' Summer Fallov^ng.— Never having occupied
any quantity of land that required it, 1 do not profess

REPORT

Of the Directors of the North IVilts Banking Conqmny
to the Proprietors, at the Second Annual General
Meeting, held at Melksham, 2nd August, 1837 : —

In again meeting- the Proprietors of tliis Company, ■
the Directors have much gratification in being able to
lay before them such a st-atement of accounts as they
beheve cannot fail to be highly satisfactory. Keeping-
in view the prudence so essential in conducting the af-
fairs of a banking establishment, and at the same time
combinmg liberality with discretion, the Directors have
been more anxious to establish a good business gradually
than to gam a rapid increase. After a careful examina-
tion of the accounts by the Audit Comirittee, in Janu-
ary last, the Directors then felt justified in making a
dividend of 7 per cent, per annum, for the preceding
half year from the profits of the business, and for the last
half year, (to the ;30th of June) after payment of all
eurrent expenses, allowance for bad debts, and appro-
priating- 500L to the guarantee fund, the Directors have
the satisfaction of placing at the disposal of the share-
holders, a balance of 1,596L 18s. lOd., being more than
sufficient for a half-yearly dividend of 8 per cent, per
annum on the capital of the Company. 'They recom-
mend, however, that a dividend at the rate of 7 per
cent, per annum only be made, as before, the balance of
2631. to be carried to the guarantee fund. The Pro-
prietors will observe, that the sum of 1,418/. 15s., a part
of the preliminary expenses attendant on the formation
of the Company has been paid off from the share pre-
mium account, ; and the Directors have to congratulate
them on the increasing prosperity of the establishment,
the net profits of the last half year amounting- to 10 per
cent, per annum, have been in some degree augmented
by the increased value of money during the late com-
mercial pressure, as well as by the large increase in the
amount of deposits. On resigning the trust confided to
them into the hands of the Proprietors, the Directors
assure them, that their unremitting- attention has heen
directed to the best interests of the Company, and in
conclusion, consider it incumbent upon them, again
strongly to impress upon the Shareholders the impera-
tive duty of their individual exertions for the benefit of
the Bank, both as regards their own accounts, and their
influence with their connections, as theincreased success
ol the establishment and their own pecuniary advantages
to be dei-'ved therefrom must, in a great measure, de-
pend upon themselves. (Signed)

JOHN FOWLER,

(CHAinJIAN.)

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

205

THE LATE COMMERCIAL CRISIS.

For the last nine montbs distress and suffering in
their worst, most protracted, and agg'ravated form
have been passing over the commercial world, both
of this country and America. Inferior to the great
catastrophe of December, 1825, in the pressure on
the bants, and consequent general panic through
the community, the crisis of 1837 has been infinitely
superior to it in the lengthened suffering which it
has diffused through the manufacturing interests,
and the unparalleled distress in which it has in-
volved the working classes. The greatest mercan-
tile houses of 13ritain have been brought to the edge
of perdition ; some, whose credit a year ago stood as
high as any in Europe, have sunk in the struggle ;
the prudent conduct and well-timed liberality of the
Bank of England alone has averted a still greater
convulsion, and possibly saved the nation from the
horrors of a general bankruptcy. While manufac-
tured articles of every sort have fallen a half in
value ; while the produce of the British customs has
sunk £900,000 in a single quarter ; while nearly
one-half of the cotton mills of the island have been
shut up, either from inability to find a market for
their produce, distrust of the solvency of their pur-
chaseis, or the insane attempts of their workmen to
keep up their wages by combination and outrage, in
a period of adversity, at the high level to which they
had risen in the preceding unparalleled prosperity,
— the distress universally diffused throughout the
working classes has been unprecedented. For nearly
six months filty thousand hands have been unem-
ployed in Manchester and its vicinity ; the destitu-
tion of the silk weavers of Spitalfields and Maccles-
field has been relieved for a time only by an united
effort of royal bounty and fashionable expenditure ;
twenty thousaud workmen are idle at Paisley and
its vicinity, of whom nine thousand are daily main-
tained solely by the bounty of the higher classes,
themselves labouring under unprecedented difficul-
ties ; and at Glasgow, what between the long con-
tinued pressure on the masters, and the monstrous
conduct of the workmen, who have chosen this
season of universal suffering to strike to prevent any
reduction of wages, nearly one-half of the labouring
classes have for several months been in a state of
idleness ; and thousands have been kept alive solely
by the munificent bounty which, in periods of real
distress, is never awanting among the opulent
classes in that great centre of manufacturing in-
dustry.

To those, who consider the inevitable effect of
considerable and rapid monetary changes upon the
course of the precious metals throughout the world,
it must appear evident that any such rise of prices,
consequent on an extraordinary and unnatural amount
of mercantile activity, is fraught with inevitable
danger; and that if it continues for a certain time,
and varies prices to a certain height, it must ter-
minate in disaster. Nothing preserves its equilibrium
so completely as gold and silver; by no human
means can their value be kept different for any length
of time in one country from what they are in others.
— When prices have risen to any considerable de-
gree in an)' commercial state, from general con-
fidence and prosperity, the precious metals naturally
find their way into other states, wliere they can be
exchanged for a greater quantity of commodities —
that is, find a more profitable investment. There is,
therefore, a foundation laid in every considerable
and sudden rise of prices in one commercial state
for a certain and probably rajjid reaction ; because
the precious metals will rapidly find their way out

of it, and exchanges in consequence becoming un-
favourable, the banks, which are the great empo-
riums of metallic wealth, will feel themselves under
the necessity, in their own defence, of contracting
their issues ; and a stoppage will in consequence be
given to credit, at the very time when, from the
magnitude and universality of speculating, mercan-
tile men, even of the greatest resources, have the
most need, in anticipation of their returns, of its
assistance.

The effect accordingly took place in this country.
Sagacious observers, amidst the general whirl and
rise of prices, remarked, through all the spring of
1836, that the exchanges were constantly becoming
more unfavourable to this country; and at length
they became so to such a degree, and the drain
which set in upon the bank was so violent, that it
was evident to every observer, that if measures of
defence were not speedily adopted, that great parent
establishment, and with it every lesser bank in the
empire, must speedily become insolvent. At the
same time it became apparent, from the character
and course of mercantile transactions of the parties
by whom chiefly this great drain was kept up, and
the extraordinary magnitude of their operations, that
some new cause had suddenly come into activity on
the other side of the Atlantic, far more powerful in
its operation than the mere tendency of the precious
metals to flow abroad, in consequence of the change
of prices, in quest of a more profitable market than
they could find at home. This was especially evident
from the quarter to which all the shipments of gold
were destined ; America was the great centre to
which they converged ; it seemed as if a vast
magnet had suddenly been discovered in that coun-
try, invested with the quality of attracting the
precious metals from every other part of the world.
Now, the ordinary course of mercantile transactions
could never account for this direction of the precious
metals : for if speculation was rife, and the fever of
enterprise ran high in the States of the Union, it ran
at least as high in the British Islands ; and if prices
had risen to an extraordinary degree there, they
had followed with equal steps on this side of the
Atlantic.

Whatever the cause may have been, however, it
was evident that the root of the evil lay in this drain
of the precious metals to the United States, and to
such a length had it gone, and so gigantic were the
transactions of the great houses engaged in this
traffic, that the affair assumed a national aspect ; it
was a struggle for life and death between the two
countries. The ruling party in America openly gave
out that they had got the gold, and they would bold
it ; that the Bank of England would be brought
down to its marrow-bones ; and that in the commer-
cial confusion and ruin that must ensue in the Bri-
tish Islands, a revolution was inevitable, and the
greatness of England would be at once destroyed.
The drain upon the bank, and the exportation of the
precious metals to the United States, had assumed a
systematic, gigantic form, to which there is nothing
to be found comparable in the whole previous historv
of mercantile enterprise. — For obvious reasons we
do not give the names of the parties engaged in these
enormous transactions : to the mercantile world they
are well known, to ordinary readers they could serve
only to gratify idle, perhaps hurtful, curiosity.
Suffice it to say, that four or five houses of almost
boundless resources, and first-rate respectability,
were engaged in transactions to the amount of above
twenty millions sterling ; the general result of
which, amidst a variety of complicated bill trans-
actions, was, to import cotton to an enormous extent

206

TflE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

into this country ; and export gold, both in the form
of bullion and sovereigns, to a similar amount to the
United States. The bills of one of these houses,
which fell due in June last, are understood to have
amounted to 1,200,000/, The bills of these great
commercial establishments were almost all discount-
ed or made payable at the bank of England : and
when payment of their contents was received gold
and sovereigns were invariably demanded, and could
not of course, be refused ; the moment they were
drawn out of the bank they were shipped for New
Orleans or New York. Thus the drain upon that
great fountain of wealth became unparalleled, and in
the highest degree alarming : and now that the
danger has in a great measure passed, and this
perilous traffic has entirely ceased, it is not going too
far to assert that nothing but the most consummate
prudence, wisdom, and liberality on the part of its
directors could have averted a recurrence to the fatal
step of suspending cash payments, and saved the
nation from the calamity which America has under-
gone— a general public and private bankruptcy.

In these circumstances of danger and difficulty,
the bank had but one course to adopt, and to the
early adoption and steady perseverance in that course
the salvation cf the mercantile world, from even
greater calamities than have actually fallen upon it,
is entirely to be ascribed. This was in mercantile
phrase, to put on the screw : to limit their own issues :
contract the currency of the country : and bring
prices and speculation back to that healthful state
when the present alarming drain might no longer
endanger the existence of every mercantile esta-
blishment in the country. They began to close in
June, 1836, and resolutely threw out the paper of
the greatest and most respectable mercantile firms of
the islands : from no distrust of the solidity of these
establishments, but a determination to put an end to
the withering traffic which was gradually sucking out
of the country the whole metallic currency which
it contained. The houses engaged in the North
American trade were, of course, the first to suffer,
because they were those directly engaged in this
perilous course of dealing ; but the check thus given
to speculation, credit, and confidence, soon com-
municated itself to all other branches of industry,
and produced that severe and long continued agony
and suspense in which they have all been involved
since that time. Superficial observers ascribed the
whole evil to the bank, and were loud in their com-
plaints of any body of men having thus the power
of arresting the marcli of national prosperity, and
reducing to a half the value of every mercantle man's
property ; but all well-informed persons are now
agreed that the conduct of the directors of that esta-
blishment has been at once judicious and liberal ;
and that, but for the early check which tliey gave to
the progress of extravagant speculation in this
country, and the effectual way in which they stopped
the drain to America, a catastrophe similar to that
which has prostrated America, must have ensued,
with ten-fold its suffering and anguish, among the
crowded millions of this narrow and peopled realm.
What was the hidden cause, then, wliich in
America brought about this terrible convulsion ;
and produced a pressure of gold, so eminently
threatening to this country, that the 13ank of England
was driven, as a means of self-preservation, into
defensive measures, which were obvioufily the im-
mediate cause of the disaster? We shall find the
cause in the insanity of the American democracy,
in the violent struggle between the Conservative
and levelling principles of which, for four years,
hat country has been the theatre ; in the monstrous

absurdity of the masses, who, by long continued
clamour and violence in opposition to the united
opinion of all the wealth, and respectability, and
intelligence of the 'country, engaged the executive
in a struggle for life and death with tbe commercial
and intellectual aristocracy, and at length carried
their democratic jealousy so far as, during a period
of unexampled commercial enterprise, to attempt to
force upon the country an exclusively metallic cur-
rency. That is, to ]jass a far stronger measure than
the English bill of 1819, during the fever of 1824.
This is what the American masses have done : it is
in this result that the grand experiments of democra-
tic institutions — self government, and universal
education — have terminated. This is what the sober,
rational, well-matured opinion of the majority has
unanimously sanctioned. They have perpetrated not
merely an act of injustice to others, but of insanity
towards themselves, to which no parallel is to be
found in the whole annals of legal or aristocratic
oppression. No example more eminently instruc-
tive to the people of this country ever was aflforded ;
none could be conceived so wonderfully calculated
to evince, even to demonstration, tlie truth of the
opinions which we have never ceased to inculcate,
that the proceedings and principles of the democratic
multitude are utterly ruinous even to themselves ;
and that, in the blindness of party zeal, or the wor-
ship of republican ambition they urge measures
fitted, not merely in their ultimate, but even their
immediate results, to send themselves to perdition.

Everybody knows the political constitution of
America ; that it is a country of republican institu-
tions, universal suflTrage, vote by ballot ; that the
multitude are the ruling power ; that pledges are
exacted from their representatives, and that the
opinions and wishes of the majoi'ity are directly
brought to bear upon the direction of public affairs.
There is no indirect influence or hidden authority ;
corruption cannot reach, at least in its grosser form,
the millions invested with power ; the naked, un-
diluted, undisguised opinion of the majority, governs
everything. It is on this very account that it is ever
held up by the Radical party in this country, as the
perfection of social institutions : and they are unani-
mous in their opinion, that the sovereign multitude
can — not merely by a fiction of laWjUike the King of
England— but really and truly do no wrong. To shew
that we do not exaggerate their tenets in this par-
ticular, we quote the words of one of their ablest and
most candid writers .- " The theory of the govern-
ment of the United States," says Miss Martineau,
" has grasped and embodied the mighty principle,
that politics are morals: — that is, a matter of uni-
versal and equal concern. Connected with this is
the theory that the majority wili be in the right, both
as to the choice of j)rinciples which are to govern
particular laws, and the agents who are to work
them. This theorv, obvioudii just as it appears, as
long as it applied to objects of universal and equal
concern, cannot be set aside, without overturning all
with which it is involved. Nothing can be more
striking to a stranger, than the experience gained,
after some residence in the United States, of the
ultimate ascendancy of the will of the majority : that
is of the right, in defiance of all appearance to the
contrary." — Blackwood.

JVlAGiNiFicENT Strawberry. — On the 25th of
July, was plucked in the garden of Mr. A. Willison,
Ruswarp, near Whitby, a very larg-e strawberry, of
Wilmot's superb variety, measuring seven inches in cir-
cumference, and weighing an ounce and a half.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

207

SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGRICUL-
TURE—SESSION, 1837.

EVIDENCE OF MB. DAVID WALKER.

Resides in Aberdeenshire — Tenants improving- dur-
ing tlie last three or four Years — Leases of nine-
teen Years prevail — Bone Dust much used —
Lime brought from Sunderland and Newcastle —
The Country, botli in light and Clay Soils, is in a
higher State of Cultivation than formerly —
Furrow Draining has greatly improved the Con-
dition of the Land — Costs about 61. per acre — It
has been going on for the last four or live Years —
Has used the Sub-soil Plough — It is one of the
most beneficial Inventions made of late Years —
Labourers in a good Condition, and all employed
— Much fat cattle sent to London by Steam —
Much new Land has been brought into Cultiva-
tion of late Years, at an expense of 101. to ]5i.
per Acre — Parliament can do nothing for Agri-
culturists— They are in a good and wholesome
Condition.

Chairman. — Where do yo reside? — In Aber-
deen, in Scotland.

What is your occupation ? — Land-surveyor and
land-valuer.

Do you occupy any land yourself ? — Yes, I oc-
cupy a farm of about 220 acres.

Is that in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen ? —
About twelves from Aberdeen, in the county of
Kincai'dine.

Are you well acquainted with the state of the
tenantry in Aberdeenshire ? — I am.

Has the condition of the tenantry in the county
of Aberdeen impi-oved or not within the last three
or four years .'' — I think it has improved within
the last three years.

Does that observation apply equally to those
that hold upon a corn-rent and those upon a
money-rent ? — It applies to both ; but I think
more to those that pay money-rents, in conse
quence of the increased price of cattle.

What is the nature of the soil in that county ^ —
What wc call turnip soil, light land.

What are the ci'ops principally grown upon it }
— Oats, bere, and barley ; very little wheat.

Bere is a coarse description of barley ? —
It is.

Is it used for malting as well as barley ? —
It is.

Do the tenants usually occupy the farms under
leases 'i — Under leases, generally of nineteen years'
endurance.

What are the rotations of crops upon their
farms ? — The general rotation is five years or seven
years ; the five years consist of turnips, potatoes,
and other green ci"ops, succeeded by bere and
barley, with grass two years, and then oats, and
then turnips and potatoes.

Mr. Locii. — What is the seven years' shift .' —
It differs in this respect, that the grass is allowed
to lie three years, and then they take two succes-
sive white crops.

Do they manure again for the second crop ? —
Very seldom.

Is it supposed in that country, that by letting
the grass lie three years, they can afford to take
two white crops ? — That is the general im-
pression.

What is your opinion upon that ? — I am rather
inclined to differ from it, and to prefer the five-
course system.

Chairman. — Do you manure with bone-dust?—
It is very generally used in the county.

Mr. Cavley. — How much per acre ? — It varies
from 10 to 25 bushels per imperial acre, ac-
cording to the mode of applying it.

Do you put any fold-yard manure ? — Yes, it is
sometimes put in with the common farm-yard
dung, and sometimes by itself; and the system of
dibbling is very much introduced now, and it is
dibbled in.

How many cart-loads of fold-yard manure do
you apply to an acre, in conjunction with a me-
dium quantity of bones ? — From 10 to 15 loads of
fold-yard manure.

Mr. Loch. — Do you mean that you dibble the
whole of the crop ? — The bones are dibbled.

Do you lime at all .' — Yes.

To what extent ? — To the extent of 8 to 15 bolls
of lime per acre.

What is that in bushels ? — It is four times that
in bushels.

What does it cost you per acre ? — About 3s. a
boll.

Where does the lime come from ?— Partly from
England : we have got limestone in the county.

Chairman. — Does it come in the shape of
ballast"! — It is sent for to Sunderland and New-
castle.

Has there been much improvement going on, in
liming and boning and artificial manure, in Aber-
deenshire ? — A great deal.

Then you consider the country to be in a higher
state of cultivation than it was four or five years
ago ? — Yes.

Mr. Cay LEY. — Do you apply that to all sorts of
land, or the light land f — To the light land parti-
cularly, but I think improvements are going on,
even upon the stiff clay land ; draining is carried
to greater perfection than it has been before.

Chairman. — Upon any farm that you are in the
habit of surveying, is there much of that stiff clay
land? — Yes, there is, in some parts of the country
along the coast.

Has that been much improved by draining ? —
It has.

Is that stone-draining or tile-draining ? — Stones,
where they can be had ; tile-draining is very little
used.

Mr. Loch.— Is it furrow-draining ? — Furrow-
draining is what I allude to, when I speak of
draining clay land.

What has been the effect upon the land which
has been so furrow-drained? — It is very much
improved in its fertility by the drainage ; it is
more friable than it was ; they can cultivate tur-
nips upon it when it is put into that state, which
could not be done before.

What is the expense of draining per acre ? —
About 61. to do it thoroughly.

At whose expense is that done ; the landlord's
or the tenant's ?— Sometimes both ; the proprietor
often casts the drams, and the tenant fills them.

Chairman.— What rent will your clay land bear
when it is drained'? — From 16s. to 20s. the im-
perial acre.

Mr. Cayley.— How long has this system of
draining been going on "!— Four or five years.

What led to the great stimulus to the draining 1
—The state that the land was in previous to its
being drained.

Do yon plough with two horses ? — Generally
with two ; sometimes with four, after the first crop
of oats, and before turnips.

How deep do you plough when you plough with

P 2

208

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

a pair of horses ?— In ploughing from clover gene-
rally five to six inches deep.

How much do you plough in a day at that rate
with a pair of horses ? — About a Scotch acre, that
is, about an acre and a quarter imperial.

In the other ploughings what is the depth to
which you go then ? — From eight inches to a foot.

What is the nature of your subsoil ? — In some
parts of the county it is sand and gravel, and in
other parts of the county along the coast it is a
retentive clay.

How deep do you plough into it ?~As deep as
they can go.

When is it that they use the four horses ? — Be-
fore turnips or fallow.

How deep do you go when you make use of the
four horses ? — About a foot.

And how much do you plough with the four
horses at that depth ? — About an imperial acre.

Chairman. — Did you ever use the sub-soil
plough ? — Yes.

Mr. Loch. — How do you find it act 1 — Remavk-
ably well upon a soil that requires it.

It stirs the subsoil without raising it to the sur-
face ? — Yes.

And gives a much greater depth for the water to
sink into ? — Yes ; it is one of the most beneficial
implements of husbandry that has been invented
for many years.

How many horses do you work it with ? — Four,
and sometimes six.

What depth do you go with it ? — There is a
plough with a pair of horses goes before it that
turns over the furrow about six or eight inches
deep, and the subsoil plough follows in the same
track to the depth of about twelve to sixteen
inches.

Then it is about ten inches? — Yes.

Do you do that without also furrow-draining,
or is it done in conjunction with furrow-draining ?
— It ought to be done in conjunction with it, but
is sometimes done without it.

What is the expense of ploughing an acre in
that way with the subsoil plough, including the
first ploughing with a pair of horses ? — From 20s.
to 24s. an acre.

That is an expense entirely borne by the tenant ?
— Altogether.

Does the tenant find it his advantage to be at
that expense in order to make the ploughing so
deep ? — I have no doubt of it.

How long has it been practised in Aberdeen-
shire ? — Trench-ploughing has been in practice
a great many years, but not with the same descrip-
tion of subsoil plough.

You reckon that a great improvement ?— I do,
very great.

Chairmam. — What is the condition of the la-
bourers in that part of Scotland 1 — The condition
of the labourers, I think, is good.

Are they all employed 1 — They are.

Do you pay them in kind or in money l— Money
generally.

Mr. Heathcote. — Do not they use spirits more
than beer in that county 1 — Not farm servants.

Mr. Loch. — Have you been in the habit of send-
ing a good number of cattle to the London market
by steam ? — Yes, and it is increasing very much.

Do you fat them in your country"! — Yes.

That is a new source of profit 1 — It is, the in-
troduction of steam navigation has been of great
consequence to Aberdeen on that account.

Mr. Miles, — What is the expense per head of
sending themto London per steam 1 — About 1/. 16s.

for landing them, and there are other charges,
which make it altogether amount to from 45s. to
50s. when sold.

Had you been in the habit of ever sending any
drove previously 1 — It was that which I alluded
to in answer to a former question.

Were they ever fat 1 — Seldom or never fat.

Has there been much new land got into cultiva-
tion, in Aberdeen, the last few years which was
heath before ? — Yes.

What is the expense of bringing in an acre of
land from heath ?— The whole expense may be
from 10/. to 15Z. an acre.

Is there any thing in the condition of the farm-
ing- interest in that district that could be relieved
by any aid from Parliament ? — I am not aware of
any aid that Parliament could give the agricultural
interest in Aberdeenshire that would be of much
benefit to them.

Then you think that, if they pre left alone, they
will gradually get into a good and wholesome
state 1 — I do think so.

Are they in that condition now ? — Yes, I reckon
them so.

And that they have improved the last three or
four years 1 — I am certain they are better, and in
much better spirits than they were three years
ago.

On the Advantages of Using Liqitid Manure
FOR THE Growth of Plants. — Few things, in
the management of plants, are more overlooked
than that of applying liquid manure. When the
roots of plants are confined within a garden pot the
soil soon becomes exhausted ; and if it be desirable to
grow the plant rapidly, it must be turned out of the pot,
and the exhausted soil taken from the roots, and re-
placed with fresh earth, or recoui-se must be had to
liquid manures. Floriculturists cannot be aware of the
advantages of applying manure in a liquid state, or it
would be more frequently used. 1 have found that all
free-flowering plants, such as Petunias, Geraniums,
some of the Calceolaiias, Balsams, and Cockscombs are
improved, and indeed 1 have not found any flowering
plant whatever that has not been benefited by a greater
or less quantity of this element ; many New Holland
plants are increased in vigour by this treatment ; even
the Epacris, Diosma polygalla, and many others, be-
sides not a few of the heaths, are benefited, when it is
occasionally applied, as, for instance, once every seven
or ten days. In watering- plants with liquid manure it
will be observed, that the soil, after having been water-
ed a few times, does not dry as soon as when watered
with clear water, and this independent of the extra nu-
tritious qualities left in the soil by the application of ma-
nure water; it is, then, a great point gained, by what-
ever means effected, when plants, whether in pots or in
the natural soil, can be cultivated without the necessity
of frequent waterings. As there is no more labour re-
quired in using manure water, than in applying the
same quantity of water without any mixture of manure ;
considering, too, that its advantages must be obvious to
all who give it a fair trial ; it does seem somewhat un-
accountable to see persons exerting a great amount of
labour to accomplish very small I'esults. It must be
regarded as so much labour misapplied, when, had half
the same labour and attention been bestowed, using at
the same time liquid manure, far more satisfactory re-
sults would have been ohUin^d.—Flormdturat Maga-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

209

MINERAL MANURES.

The mineral substances which are employed as
manures may be supposed to exert two modes of
action.

1. Tliey may act upon the soil by improving its
texture, or by rendering the parts of it which are in-
soluble soluble ; or by otherwise fitting it to promote
the growth of plants.

2. They may act immediately upon the plant itself,
by being received into its substance.

The manner in which this action takes place upon
the organs of the plant may elude our observation ;
but this much may be admitted, that certain earths,
oxides, and alkalies, or earths, oxides, and alkalies,
combined with acids, pass into the substance of the
plant, absorbed, it may be, in part, from the atmo-
sphere, but chiefly, along with the aqueous portion
of the sap, from the earth in which the roots are
fixed. Some substances taken up in this latter mode
are known to act as poisons, while others exercise a
beneficial action on the plant.

We cannot generally distinguish when a mineral
substance acfs upon the plant, through the medium
of a change of the soil, or when it acts directly upon
the plant itself. All that we truly know is, that cer-
tain eartliy and alkaline bodies, or their saline com-
binations, applied to the soil, promote the growth of
plants, and so, in the language of farmers, are ma-
nures.

Of all the mineral substances known to us, lime is
that which performs the most important part in im-
proving the soil and promoting the growth of vege-
tables. Lime is found in nearly all soils that are ca-
pable of sustaining vegetation, and, in combination
with different acids, in nearly all vegetable sub-
stances.

Lime, as employed in agriculture and the arts, is
derived from three distinct series or orders of rocks.

1. From the rocks of the primary series. These
are very compact and chrystalline. They aiford the
finest of our marbles, and yield a pure lime.

2. From the lower secondary or transition rocks.
These, like the last, are hard and chrystalline, and
yield a lime of good quality.

3. From the carboniferous rocks, or those of the
middle secondary order. It is from this source
that the largest supplies of the mineral are derived.
Of this series is the mountain limestone, which is
the most familiar to us, and the most generally em-
ployed in agriculture and the arts.

4. From the upper secondary rocks. In this se-
ries is the magnesian limestone, which, from its pos-
sessing peculiar properties, to be afterwards adverted
to, is termed hot-lime by agriculturists.

Of the same order of rocks, too — namely, tlie
upper secondary — are the lias and oolite, which are
found in some parts of England, and the lime of
which is employed for agricultural purposes.

The last of the series of the upper secondary rocks
is the chalk, which is found abundantly in the south-
east counties of England and in France, extending
eastward through the central parts of Europe.

Limestone, from whatever series of rocks derived,
when submitted to the action of heat, loses the car-
bonic acid with which it was united, becomes a sub-
stance of an acrid nature, absorbs water with an
evolution of heat, and, by this union, forms what
is termed a hydrate. In absorbing- water, it crum-
bles down by degrees, while at the same time it be-
gins to imbibe carbonic acid from the atmosphere.
In absorbing carbonic acid, the water of the hydrate
is expelled, the carbonic acid taking its place. In
this manner the lime recovers the principles whicli it
had lost by calcination. It becomes again a carbon-

ate, without, however, having recovered its hardness
and external characters. In proportion as its re-
composition takes place, it loses the properties which
it had acquired by calcination, it ceaaes to be acrid
and caustic, and its solubility in water is diminished.
Lime is applied to the ground either in a state of
hydrate, that is, immediately after being slacked,
and when it still retains its caustic properties ; or in
the state of carbonate, that is, after it has again ab-
sorbed carbonic acid from the surrounding medium,
and become mild.

When the object Is to supply calcareous matter to
a soil in which it is deficient, it often appears to be
unimportant whether it is to be applied as a carbonate
or a hydrate. In the latter state, however, it is more
perfectly divided, and may he spread more equally
upon the surface, and better mingled with the soil ;
and further, in its caustic state, it produces effects
which it either does not produce in its mild state, or
which it produces in a less degree.

Lime, in its caustic state, is observed to exercise
a powerful action in decomposing the ligneous parts
of plants. The same effect is indeed produced by
the action of mild lime, but in a less perceptible de-
gree.

Caustic lime, while it dissolves vegetable fibre,
and renders it soluble, has also the property of form-
ing compounds of a soapy nature with the soluble
portion of vegetable and animal substances, which
compounds are not dissolved till after a considerable
time.

Caustic lime thus performs two functions appa-
rently opposed to each other. It decomposes the
inert vegetable matter of the soil, and then forms
compounds which are not themselves readily so-
luble.

Lime forms these insoluble compounds with al-
most all the soft animal or vegetable substances with
which it can combine ; but these compounds, ex-
posed to the combined action of the air and water,
are altered in time ; the lime gradually becomes a
carbonate, the animal or vegetable matters are by
deo-rees decomposed, and furnish new compounds
capable of nourishing plants ; so that lime, in per-
forming two functions seemingly opposed to each
other, really promotes the fertility of the soil and the
o-rowth of plants. It first disposes certain substances
fiisoluble in water to become soluble, while, by com-
bining in part with substances which are soluble, it
prolongs the nutritive action of soft vegetable and
animal substances beyond the time in which they
would have acted, if they had not entered into a
combination with lime.

Of this particular mode of action, an example may
be given in one of the arts. When it is wished to
carry off" from the vegetable juices in the manufac-
ture of sugar the animal substances which have been
used, lime is employed, which combines with these
substances, and rises with them to the surface of the
liquid in the form of a thick scum, which is insolu-
ble in water. This scum laid upon the fields is in-
jurious to plants ; but when it is deposited in a ditch
and is allowed to ferment for a year, it forms one of
the richest manures. Count Chaptal states that he
has proved this fact during a period of many years,
in his manufacture of beet-sugar, by employing in
this manner the scum which is obtained by the first
operation which is performed on the juice of the
beet.*

We have in like manner seen that the application
of lime to night-soil does not hasten the decomposi-
tion of this substance, but, on the contrary, forms

Chimie appliqu6e a 1' Agriculture.

210

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

with it a less soluble compound. It moderates its
action, and renders its effects less sudden but more
permanent.

Mixed, too, with any pure animal substance, lime
does not waste it, as, reasoning from its action on
vegetable fibre, we might infer. It hastens decom-
position indeed, but then it forms with the substances
decomposed compounds less easily decomposable.
Hence it is not opposed to theory that lime should
be applied to the soil at the same time with dung and
other animal and vegetable substances, as is frequent
in the practice of farmers.

Certain acids and acid combinations often exist in
the soil or subsoil, and produce infertility. Lime,
by forming new combinations with these bodies, fre-
quently neutralizes their hurtful effects. Thus, if
sulphate of iron, or green vitriol, which is a com-
bination of sulphuric acid with the oxide of iron,
exist in the soil, and lime be applied, the lime will
combine with the sulphuric acid of tlie vitriol and
form gypsum, and thus convert into fertilizing mat-
ter a substance which, in excess, is injurious.

Now the carbonate of lime performs only in part
these several functions; and although cases may exist
where the application of the carbonate will be as ef-
fectual as that of the caustic lime, yet, in the great
majority of cases, it is better that lime be applied in
its caustic than in its mild state.

Absolute quicklime, however, that is, lime at once
taken from the lime-kiln, will decompose or destroy
living plants ; but it is never employed in this state
by the farmer. It is always slacked, and generally
suffered to slack gradually in the air, in which case
it also attracts some carbonic acid, and then it may
be employed witljout injury even to plants when
growing.

Lime may be applied to the land in different ways,
and at different periods.

1. It may be laid on the surface of land wliich is
in grass, and remain there until the land is ploughed
up for tillage, even though this should be several
years afterwards. The lime, in this case, quickly
sinks into the soil, and acting upon it, prepares it
for crops when it is again tilled.

2. It maybe spread upon the ground, and covered
by the plough, just after a crop of any kind has been
reaped. In this case, it prepares the soil for the
succeeding crops.

3. It may be spread upon Ihe surface, even wlien
plants are growing. This practice, however, though
sometimes convenient, is rarely to be imitated.

4. It may be, and is most frequently, applied
during the season in which the land is in fallow, or
in preparation for what are termed fallow crops. The
luanner of applying it in these cases will be after-
wards explained.

5. It may be mixed with earthy matter, particu-
larly with that containing vegetable remains; in
this case it forms a compost.

The quantity of lime applied to soils is very
various, and is dependant upon the nature of the
soil, the climate, and other circumstances. In
warmer countries a smaller quantity need be used
than in those which are cold and humid.

The stiff' clays for the most part require a larger
proportion of it than the lighter soils ; and in the
case of such soils as contain much undecomposed
vegetable matter, as peat, a quantity should be ap-
plied sufficient to decompose effectually the inert
fibre.

In the north of England and south of Scotland, a
moderate application of lime for the lighter soils is
held to be 120 bushels heaped measure, and a me-
dium dose for soils of different kinds about 130

bushels, though a much larger quantity than this is
frequently applied in certain clay-land districts. I
speak here of newly calcined limestone ; for when it
has imbibed moisture and become a hydrate, it swells
out to about two times its former bulk.

The periods at which doses of lime should be re-
peated, differ according to the quantity applied and
the manner of using it. In cases where the large
applications just spoken of are made, an effectual
liming need not occur in less than fourteen or fifteen
years.

But in other cases lime is applied in smaller
quantity, and more frequently, and there is nothing
opposed to a sound theory in this practice.

The application of lime calls into powerful action
the nutritive principles of the soil ; and hence, if
land be severely cropped after lime has been applied
it is reduced to a greater state of sterility than if the
stimulant had not been given. Lime, therefore, cal-
culated as it is to produce the best eflects in fertiliz-
ing a soil, is frequently made the means in the
hands of an injudicious farmer to injure it. This is
especially observable in the case of light soils, of an
inferior kind. These are frequently so injured by in-
judicious cropping after the application of lime, that
they are reduced to a state of the greatest barrenness.
When soils are brought to this condition by scourging
crops they cannot be restored to fertility by a subse-
quent application of lime. So far from this, the fu-
ture dose generally renders them m.ore barren than
before. The only good remedies are the application
of vegetable and animal manures, and rest in grass.

But although the stimulating properties of lime
may be abused, it is an instrument of production of
the highest importance in the hands of the skilful
farmer. On land improved and cultivated for the
first time, it exercises a very powerful influence, and
it is difficult to conceive how in many parts such
land could be improved at all without the assistance
of this mineral.

Lime is found to improve the quality of plants
jiroduced, to render those cultivated more produc-
tive of farine matter, and even to cause species that
were not before growing naturally to occupy the
ground. Thus, lime spread upon a piece of peaty
land, is frequently found to eradicate in whole or in
part the heaths, and to permit the grasses and clovers
to take their place.

Whenever it is found advisable to deepen a soil by
ploughing up a portion of the subsoil, the applica-
cation of lime is the most speedy means presented to
us of correcting tlie defects, or stimulating the pro-
ductive ])0wers, of the new substance exposed.

To admit of the beneficial action of lime, the soil
should be freed of superfluous water. Not lime
only, but all manures, are inefficient when the land
is saturated in consequence of excess of wetness.

Lime, it has been said, mav be mixed with earthy
matter previous to being applied to the soil ; and this
is a beneficial practice. Tlie lime in this case is
best applied in its unslacked state.

The best earthy materials for mixing with lime are
tliose which contain a certain proportion of decom-
posing organic matter ; such are the scourings of
ditches, the sediment of pools, mud deposited by
rivers and the tides, and similar substances. The
lime may be applied at the rate of two bushels to the
cubic yard, and fifty cubic yards of this mixture to
the acre, will form an efficient manuring for almost
any soil.

Materials for forming manures of this class are
constantly presenting themselves. Old gardens,
waste collections of earth, the sweepings of roads,
and the like, are always to be found in more or less

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

211

quantity. A mixture of lime in the proportion men-
tioned, will ferment these substances even when they
are not peculiarly abundant in organic matter. The
mass will heat, and then it should be turned over
once or oftener to render the fermentation perfect,
and destroy the seeds of plants whicli may be min-
gled with the substances to be fermented.

Of the rocks from which lime is derived, one of
the upper secondary formation is the magnesian. It
is so termed from containing a considerable propor-
tion of magnesian earth, and is distinguished from
other limestones by the eifects of this substance.
When the magnesia exists in a large proportion, it
is found to be injurious to growing plants ; and it is
not until it is combined with carbonic acid, that it
becomes a useful constituent part of the soil. Now,
when magnesian earth is united with lime in the
minerals which form this class of rocks, and when
both substances accordingly are calcined together,
the lime having a stronger affinity for carbonic acid
than magnesia, the magnesia remains longer uncom-
bined with it than the lime. In this state it is found
to burn up as it were vegetation. Hence it is termed
hot lime, and is used in much smaller quantity than
common lime.

Magnesian limestones are usually colouved brown
or yellow. They diifer from other limestones by
dissolving more slowly, and with feebler efferves-
cence, when thrown in the lump into acids. They
may be distinguished by this circumstance, and by
their rendering diluted nitric acid milky. The pre-
sence of magnesia in soils may be known by the
waters upon the surface, which are of a whitish co-
lour, and which lose their transparency upon the
slightest agitation.

Lime, besides being used in the form of a hydrate
or carbonate, is employed in agriculture in its other
combinations ; one of which is the sulphate of lime
or gypsum.

This substance exists in soils, and is found in
plants ; and it is consequently supplied by our com-
mon vegetable manures. It is not, however, em-
ployed directly in any considerable quantity in this
country, the success of the applications that have
been made having been partial and indecisive. This,
there is reason to believe, has arisen from the salt
existing already in the soils to which it had been
applied, in sufficient abundance for the purposes of
vegetation. In other countries it is greatly valued
in certain cases as a manure, and chiefly in the case
of the clovers of artificial meadows.

Gypsum, it has been said, is a compound of sul-
phuric acid and lime ; and it contains a quantity of
water of ci-ystallization. A moderate heat deprives
it of this water, and it may then be reduced to pow-
der, and applied in that state to the soil. It may be
emplo3'^ed, either after having undergone this process
of gentle calcination, or in its raw state 5 but it is
better that it be calcined.

The quantity applied in the countries where it is
used is very small, being at the rate of about 3 cwt.
to the acre. It is sown by the hand, at the time
when the leaves of the clovers and other plants begin
to cover the surface ; and the operation is performed
if possible during slightly showery weather, it
being beneficial that the leaves should be somewhat
moistened, so as to retain a portion of the dust. The
effect of this slight application is felt for several
years.

Gypsum, though not directly applied to the soil in
any considerable quantity in this country, is yet in-
directly applied in all our common animal and vege-
bl e manures. Certain peat-ashes, too, owe their
p roperties to the presence of this salt ; and they are

accordingly applied with g'ood effect to the top-
dressing of artificial meadows.

Lime is also found in combination with phospho-
ric acid, and exists in this state in most excrementi-
tious substances, in the straw and seeds of the cereal
grasses, as well as in peas, and other leguminous
plants. It is also applied directly, as we have seen,
in the form of bruised bones, in which case, as in
that of gypsum, a very small quantity of the material
is required ; and, what is remarkable, while a certain
quantity of it will produce a given eff"ect on plants,
any excess beyond that quantity will produce no in-
crease of eflTect. It would appear in this, as in the
case of other saline substances, that a given quantity
only is required for the uses of the plants. Nay, it
appears that, when used in the quantity required,
certain salts will produce a beneficial effect, while
if applied in a larger quantity, they will produce a
hurtful one. Thus there is reason to believe, in the
case of muriate of soda or common salt, that while
in a given quantity it is beneficial, in a larger quan-
tity it is destructive. Even in the case of sulphate
of iron — a substance regarded as eminently hurtful
to plants — it appears from experiments that in the
due quantity it is fertilizing. And this, perhaps, is
true of all saline substances which are found in
plants, not excepting the carbonate of lime itself: a
certain quantity operates beneficially, while any ex-
cess beyond that quantity is not only superfluous
but hurtful ; in the same manner as in the animal
system, certain condiments in a given quantity pro-
duce a beneficial effect, while, if bevond that quan-
tity, they act as poisons.

Carbonate of lime is sometimes applied to the soil
in the form of gravel and sand. Calcareous gravel
is found in some places, and employed as a manure.
Calcareous sand is found in vnrious parts, chiefly of
the sea-coast ; it is formed of broken corals and shells,
and may be applied at once to the surface of the
ground. When laid upon land in grass it never
fails to renovate and improve it.

Marls are another substance applied to land, and
are held to be valuable in proportion to the calcare-
ous matter which they contain.

Clay-marl, as it is termed, is composed of carbon-
ate of lime, silica, and alumina, with a portion of the
oxide of iron or maganese. It occurs in beds, and is
extensively diffused. It assumes a considerable di-
versity of aspect and character, as it is more or less
indurated, or as the calcareous or aluminous matter
prevails. When very indurated, it is frequently
termed rock-marl.

The eperation of marls is more slow than that of
lime, and they require to be applied in comparatively
larger quantit}^. They should be laid upon the sur-
face, and generally well exposed to the influence of
the atmosphere before being mixed with the soil.
Some marls have been found to be very deleterious
unless they had undergone this previous exposure to
the air. The kinds of soils to which marls are the
most beneficially applied are the sandy, gravelly and
peaty. In this case they supply calcareous matter
to the soil, and improve its texture by the addition of
alumina.

The quantity of this substance applied is exceed-
ingly various, being dependant upon the nature of
the soil, and the proportion of calcareous matter in
the marl. Where the purpose has been to change
entirely the constitution of a defective soil, it has
been applied even at the rate of from 300 to 400
cart-loads to the acre. Hut where the purpose is
merely to give a common manuring, it is applied in
the quantity sufficient to afford an ordinary propor-
tion of calcareous matter. It may be laid upon the

212

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

surface of land when in grass, where it remains un-
til the land is brought under tillage ; and tliis is
generally the best method of applying it.

Shell-marl is an entirely different substance. It
is chiefly a deposite of marine and sometimes of land
shells, found frequently under a bed of peat. It
may be used at the rate of from twenty-five to thirty
cart-loads or more to the acre. It can be applied to
the land when in various states, as when it is in
stubble, in summer-fallow, or in grass. The latter
is a good practice ; for, as in the case of all calcare-
ous matter, the application improves the herbage-
plants ; and the mineral, sinking into the soil, pre-
pares it well for producing crops of corn when it is
broken up for tillage. Its operation is not so quick
as that of calcined limestone, but its effects are more
lasting. The same consequence is produced by ex-
cessive cropping after the application of this sub-
stance as after tliat of calcined limestone. The soil
which has been stimulated by the action of the mi-
neral becomes more barren than before, and it is for
the most part only to be restored by rest and the
action of animal and vegetable manures.

The salts of lime, which have been before referred
to, are the carbonate, the sulphate, and the phos-
phate. Magnesia has also its salts, but the only one
used in agriculture is the carbonate, of which men-
tion has been made. The sulphate has been also
found in nature, and is said to have been employed
beneficially as a manure ; but the quantity of it is
too small, and the expense of obtaining it too great,
to render it of any economical importance.

The vegetable alkali potassa is found in the ashes
of most plants. Wood-ashes consist in great part
of this alkali, united to carbonic acid ; and wood-
ashes form a manure, though not one very highly
valued.

Potassa combined with nitric acid, and forming
the well-known substance saltpetre, has been em-
ployed as a manure, and apparently with good effect ;
but these saline combinations of potassa are expen-
sive, which is probably the great objection to the
using of them ; for otherwise there is reason to be-
lieve that potassa, like lime, exercises a beneficial in-
fluence upon the soil, by rendering soluble certain
substances which were insoluble.

The mineral alkali soda exists in the ashes of sea-
weeds ; and sea-weeds we have seen form a good,
though not a very lasting manure.

The muriate of soda, being the principal part of
common salt, is a substance regarding the efficacy of
which as a manure much discussion has taken place.
Experience is entirely opposed to the application of
common salt in any considerable quantity to land.
The margins of the ocean, and vast saline deserts,
attest the sterile properties of this substance. It had
been known from the earliest times that salt rendered
land barren. A salt soil was regarded by the ancients
as synonymous with an unfruitful one.

Soils abounding in salt, however, have been found
to yield herbage very nutritive and wholesome, and
certain saline marshes are highly valued on this ac-
count.

Salt is probably as esssential to the health of ve-
getables as of animals, and we may believe that a
mineral thus widely diffused performs important
functions. It exists in all plants, is a constituent
part of almost every kind of animal and vegetable
manure, and is found in most soils in sufficient quan-
tity for the purposes of vegetation.

Hence experiments with salt as a manure have in
most cases failed, or been of doubtful success. That
in many cases salt applied in small quantities has
been useful, can hardly be questioned. These, we

may believe, were the cases, comparatively rare,
where there was not a sufficient quantity of salt in the
soil for the uses of the plants, or where it was not
supplied in sufficient quantity by the ordinary ma-
nures. Though salt can rarely be applied with ad-
vantage directly to the soil, and ought never to be
applied at hazard without its being known whether
the salt of the soil is really deficient, yet there is rea-
son to believe that, in various cases, it may be ap-
plied along with other substances. Salt, in small
quantities, appears to assist the decomposition of
animal and vegetable matter ; and a portion of it,
mixed with oi'dinary composts of earth and lime, ap-
pears to increase their fertilizing properties.

The whole subject of saline manures, it is to be
observed, deserves more extended investigation than
it has yet obtained. That all saline bodies that exist
habitually in plants are beneficial to vegetation we
may almost from analogy infer. We see this in the
case of the carbonate of lime, the sulphate of lime,
and the phosphate of lime; and it is not unreasona-
ble to infer, that all saline bodies which exist in
plants in their common state, may be employed as
manures.

The knowledge in which we are now deficient
regards the quantity in which these substances
should be applied. The carbonate of lime is that in
which it appears the greatest latitude may be given.
The sulphate of lime acts in smaller quantity, and
so likewise does the phosphate. The muriate of
soda, supplied in small quantities in the common
manures, promotes vegetation, while a larger quan-
tity is injurious; and the sulphate of iron, a sub.
stance poisonous in excess, if applied in the quantity
suited to the wants of plants, seems calculated to
promote the vegetation of the plants and the fertility
of the soil. —Lowe's Airriculture.

Manure for Grape and Asparagus. — Dr. J.
W. Smith, of Lockport, New York, in a communica-
tion to the American Farmer, says he has found,
from experience, that the coal-dust and scales of iron
from the blacksmith's forge, when properly mixed
with fine garden mould, form incomparably the best
manure for the grape that can be used. For asparagus
he has also made use of finely pulverised oyster shells,
well incoporated with the earth in which it is planted,
or well dug in about the roots of the old berl. The
effects are astonishing, especially on old beds.

Effectual Method for Desthoying Cater-
PiLi,ARs. — An intellig-ent gardener has communicated
to us a ydan for destroying' caterpillars, which we are
sure will be very acceptable to many of our readers
at the present moment, when this destructive animal
is committing such ravages among the currant and
gooseberry bushes in all quarters. His plan is to
smoke them. This is effected by placing' on some live
coal or peat, in a flower pot, or other convenient vessel,
a small portion of tobaceo, and placing' it under the
bush to be smoked. An old table-cloth or carpet is then
thrown over the bush, and bellows used for blowing- the
peat. In this way, the tobacco smoke, which moves
upwards, is confined to the bush, and the caterpillars,
in the course of four or five minutes, fall to the ground,
apparently lifeless. As they soon recover, however, it
is necessary to collect them together with a hoe, and to
destroy them. Our informant states, that he has fre-
quently tried this plan, and always with success. He
recommends the plan being adopted in the earlier stages
of the caterpillar, as thereby not only is the injury they
would otherwise commit pi-evented, but the effect of
the tobacco smoke is found to act more speedily. — Ayr
Observer.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

213

AUSTRIAN COOKERY AND INNS.

There are two reasons why something on the above
important subject should be said in this place: first,
because Austria is universally allowed to be tiie land
of good living, and dinner is a portion of the busi-
ness of the day regarded witli more importance here
than elsewhere ; in proof of which it may be men-
tioned, that the usual morning salutation is not, as
with other nations, " How do you do V or, " Good
morning," but " I wish you a good appetite," and,
after 12 o'clock, the usual dinner hour, " I wish
you a good digestion." The second reason for the
introduction of such a subject is, that the stranger
visiting, for the first time, this remote part of the
Continent, and not much acquainted with its man-
ners and language, must necessarily stand in need
of some information, to enable him to interpret an
Australian bill of fare, and to know what to expect,
and what to ask for at inns. The restaurateurs of
Vienna, Prague, and Pesth, are not much less skil-
ful than those of Paris, and their cuisine nearly re-
sembles the Parisian. Styrian capons, Danube carp,
and fogasch, a species of perch procured only fronri
the Plattensee in Hungary, are among the peculiar
delicacies to which the epicure will direct his atten-
tion, Vienna is plentifully supplied with game ;
and here, as elsewliere in Austria, the puddings
(mehlspeisen) have attained the summit of perfec-
tion. Our business is chiefly v.-ith the " cuisine
sauvage," and the prospects of the traveller in re-
mote districts, far away from cities, and in the
midst of the mountains. Dinner is always com-
menced with soup, usually bread or egg soup, very
tasteless. To this usually succeeds boiled beef, ar;d
then the national dish, chicken fried in lard, and
cut into pieces, called gebackenes hulm, or vulgarly,
hock h'dhnl : it is, on the whole, not a bad dish, and
is, beyond doubt, the best mode of dressing a fresh
slaughtered fowl, as it rarely happens that the
animal is killed until the dinner or supper, of which
it is to form a part, are already ordered. The tra-
veller may safely ask for this dish when in a hurry.
In Hungary, the national dish is a fowl stewed
with red pepper, called paprica h'dnl, which is also
by no means an unsavoury dish. It is necessary to
warn the stranger against veal (kalbs fleisch), the
constant recurrence of which will almost bring him
to loathe the sight of it. Sauerkraut, which is cab-
bage cut into small pieces, laid in a cask between
layers of salt, pressed down by weights above, and
thus pickled in its own juice for six or eight months,
is to be met with every where ; but the Englisli
rarely succeed in accommodating their palates to
it. Even the epicure, however, ma}' dine in content,
if the bill of fare do but contain trout (forelleii) ; and
thsre are very few seasons and situations in which
they are not to be to met with among the mountains.
It would indeed be Avorth the trouble of a journey
to a gourmand, merely to eat the trout. They are
the fish bred in the cold snow-fed rivulets of the
Alps, brought from thence and prepared for the
table in stews, perforated with holes, sunk in some
running stream. They are carefully fed ; and when
required for the table, make but one leap from the
cold water into the saucepan. They are brought to
the table either fried, or simply boiled in tlieir own
dark blue coats, beautifully spotted witli red ; and,
when in good condition, have all the firmness of the
white of an egg. The fish tank, with which every
mountain inn in Austria is provided, often contains
salmon, grayling, carp, or char; they are fed with
bullock's liver cut in pieces, and are often in better
condition in the stew than when first taken ; no one

thinks of carrying or sending dead fish for dinner.
Chamois venison (gems fleisch), and game of
various kinds, including black cock (schildhahn),
and sometimes cock of the woods Cauerhahn^, are
by no means uncommon. The wines of Austrian
growth, chiefly the produce of vineyards around
Vienna, are, for the most part, sour, and not good ;
those of Hungary are far better. The Ofener is a
very excellent red wine ; Schomlauerand Nessmiihler
are good white wines. The inns, in large towns,
are pretty nearly alike in all parts of Germany; but
those in the remote parts of Austria, among the
mountains, display some peculiarities worth notice.
On arriving at the post-house, or inn, the new comer
must not expect to be ushered in by a trim waiter,
with napkin tucked under his arm. He will most
probably have to find his own way, under a low arch-
way, by a passage which, though boarded, serves
for the ingress and egress of horses and carriages,
to the public room, or Gast Stube, vfhicb he will,
perhaps, have to share with the people of the vil-
lage ; unless, as sometimes happens, there is an
inner or better apartment for guests of distinction.
It is generally a low apartment, with vaulted roof,
supported on massive buttresses ; at the door he will
find a little cup for holy water ; not far off hangs a
crucifix, sometimes with a figure as large as life ;
and the walls are ornamented with stags' horns, or
a chamois' head, probably, trophies of the rifle of
mine host. The furniture consists of heavy tables of
unpainted wood, which, when the housewife is tidy,
are kept as clean and white as ivory. Several sleepy-
looking peasants will usually be seen seated on
benches around them, half enveloped in the smoke
of their pipes, nodding over several huge beer
glasses with pewter lids. In the corner stands an
unwieldly stove, the general point of attraction in
cold weather. If the stranger, in search of some
member of the establishment, extend his researches,
he may^ perhaps, find his way into the kitchen ; in
the centre of which, below a gaping chimne}', is a
raised platform paved with stones all scorched and
black. Upon this culinary altar a wood fire is blaz-
ing, over it hangs a caldron, while around it, it it
be near neon, the usual dinner hour, two or three
busy females will be assembled, each tending some
department of cookery, and too busy to notice the
stranger. It is, however, to be hoped that by this
time the kellerin f female waiter) will have made her
appearance. She is a bustling, active damsel (often
the landlord's daughter), with ruddy cheeks, and a
good-humoured smile for every body, very trimly
dressed, and bearing about her the symbols of her
office, a bunch of keys on one side, and a large
leathern purse on the other. Through her active
mediation, the traveller's wants (provided they are
not extravagant^), are soon attended to, and in half
an hour the trout and chamois arc smoking on the
board, and with the never-failing friendly salutation
of " I wish you a good appetite," he is invited to
commence his repast. Sometimes mine host him-
self appears, and seats himself by the stranger's side,
as it would be considered rude to leave him alone
during dinner in this country, a pieceof old-fashioned
politeness which an Englishman, if not prepared for
it, might call impertinence. As he rises from table,
the guest is probably wished " a good digestion ;"
for the douceur of a five-kreutzer ])iece when settling
his bill, the kellerin will smother his hand with
kisses ; for here the expression, " I kiss your hand,"
in return for a favour, is not confined to the word,
but is followed by the act, and as he leaves the
house a hearty greeting of " gluckliche reise" from
the whole household, will follow his departing steps.

214

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

provided he has conducted himself pi-operl}^. The
traveller cannot fail at heing struck with the warm
reception which he meets with often at the little out-
of-the-way inns in the Tyrol. The hospitality which
he receives resembles more the welcome of a friend
than the ordinary entertainment of a passing- guest ;
there seems an anxious and disinterested study on
tlie part of the inmates to make the stranger com-
fortable, and not to contrive how to get the most out
of him, as in Switzerland. Still there is no cringing
or obsequiousness, and tlie traveller must not return
the attempts made to please him with complaints or
dissatisfaction, else there is a chance of his being
left supperless. He must, moreover, not entertain
exaggerated expectations of an Austrian larder ; and
he sliould even be prepared to put up with the incon-
veniences of a German bed. The bed-room it is
true, will often be found deficient in convenience,
destined for ten or fifteen tenants at one time, and
the beds not always provided with clean sheets, un-
less a little coaxing be employed to put the kellerin
into good humour, and thus obtain the concession of
this point. As a general rule, however, the cleanli-
ness of the inns of Tyrol, Austria, and parts of
Styria, is most praiseworthy, as will forcibly occur
to the mind of the traveller as soon as he crosses the
frontier of Italy, and sighs with regret for the clean
sheets which lie has left behind. In the course of
repeated journeys in various parts of Austria, the
writer has liad occasion to remark, that he almost
invariably met with tlie kindest reception in those
places where his countrymen were least known. Is
not the reason of this, that the English carry their
prejudices and habits about with them every whore,
expecting, most unreasonably, 1o find abroad every
thing they are accustomed to at home, instead of
endeavouring to conform with the habits of the
country in which they are travelling? — Band-Book
for Travellers.

Earl of LEicEsxEn. — Mr. Coke, who is now
raised to the peerage under the above title, is not the
first member of his family who has borne it — his uncle,
Thomas Coke, Lord Lovel, having been created Earl of
Leicester in 1744, but died without issue in 1760. On
the death of the Countess of the above-named noble-
man in 1778, ]\Ir. Coke, whose previous name was Ro-
berts, assumed his mother's family name on taking- pos-
session of Holkliam. Mr. Coke has had the offer of an
earldom made to him several times since the year 1801,
from both political parties in the slate, and the noble
lord cow declares th-at he is alone induced to accept the
honour from a consideration for his three children. The
earldom of Leicester is borne as a second title by the
Marquess Townshend, and is also claimed by right of
descent by the family of Lord de ITsle, the Sydneys of
Penshurst Castle : the representative in the female line
of the last Sydney, Earl of Leicester, i« the Earl Ferrers.

SurERioR New Steawberry. — We some years
ag-0 introduced to the notice of our readers two
new varieties of strawberry, the production of Mr.
Henry Bishop of New Scone, wliich have since come
into general cultivation. We have this week to notice
another and very superior variety, raised by the same
horticulturist, wliich he calls the Imperial Orange or
Peach Straicherri/ ; and from a specimen left with us
last Friday, we have no hesitation in pronouncing it the
finest in flavour now cultivated, approaching- to that of
a highly flavoured and well-ripened peach. In size, it
approaches to Kean's seedling, and is a good bearer ; it
is, however, yet scarce, and the raiser has but few
plants of it in a bearing state. It is comparatively an
easy thing to increase varieties, but to produce those of
a superior quality is a more difficult task, and one in
which few have sticceeded so highly as Mr. Bishop. —
Perth Courier.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF PHOS-
PHORUS IN INFLUENZA.

BY Mil n, HUTCHINSON, EAST RETFORD.

(From the Veterinarian.)

Dec. 30th, 1836. — A bay hackney mare, four j'ears
old off, has been ill some time with the influenza.
At the outset she was attacked with a sore throat,
slight cough, the hind extremities much swollen, the
abdomen very much tucked up, and the pulse 70,
very low and weak. She had been lame about six
weeks previous in the off" stifle, but had got perfectly
sound by a seton being inserted over it. That leg-
was now excessivelv swollen, and two abscesses
had formed ; one in the mammaj, and the other just
at the part where the seton had come out : both of
them discharged very freely. I treated her by giving
stimulants, and blistering the submaxillary and pa-
rotid glands, and dovrn the front of the neck as far
as the sternum, and inserting a seton under the jaw
and in the chest.

Slie has now become so weak that she can scarcely
support herself, and will neither eat nor drink any-
thing, so that she subsists entirely upon gruels and
stimulants, which we force upon her.

31st. — She is now much worse, and bears nearly
the whole of her weight against the stall. I have
tried most of the vegetable and mineral tonics. I
have given pulv. lytta; gr. v., in combination with
ginger and camphor, twice in the day ; but notliing
appears to have the least eifect upon her, and the
animal is gradually sinking. The hair on her mane
and tail can be pulled out vt-ith the slightest effort.

Jan. 1st, 1837. — This morning she is down, and
cannot get up without help. I have got her up, and
slie can just manage to stand. I see no chance for
her unless I give something to rouse the system ;
and all the stimulants that 1 liave tried appear not to
have the least effect. I will try phosphorus in its
solid state. R Pulv. sulph. cupri, pulv. sulph. ferri
of each 5j., pulv. zingib., potass. nit. 6t resin, of each
5ij., M cum pulv. sem.lini, Venet.tereb.et petrol, q.s.
In this I put 1| grains of phosphorus and gave it to
the mare immediatelv. Pulse 80 scarcely percepti-
ble at the jaw ; the membrana nictitans of a dark
dirty hue, and the eyes very much shrunk. I left
orders for her to haye plenty of linseed and oatmeal
gruel liorned into her, as she cannot, by any possi-
bility, be persuaded to drink the least quantity.

2nd. — I'his morning she looks a little lively, and
picks a few beans. The pulse is still 80, but plainer
to the finger; the bowels are open, and she certainly
appears to be somewhat better. I repeated the tonic
ball with 1^ grains of phosphorus. The off" hind leg-
is very much swollen, and the fore legs are beginning
to swell a little.

3rd. — This morning she is decidedly better, and
has eaten some oats and beans, but still has an aver-
sion to any fluid. I moved her out of the stable
with great difficulty, and in turning- her round she
slipped down, there being ice on the ground. She
was got up by main strength, and walked into the
stable, contrary to the opinion of some lookers-on^
who said that she never could get up agnin, and that
if she belonged to them, they would shoot her. I
repeated the tonic ball, with two grains of phospho-
rus. I also ordered plenty of gruel and repeated
encmata during the day, as the bowels appeared
rather confined.

4th. — She continues to improve in lier appetite;
pulse 80, but stronger. With the tonic ball give
now only 1 J grains of phosphorus, as I am fearful

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

215

of carrying it too far. Administer spirit terebinth
5J. ol. lin. 5XV. at night.

5th. — She has eaten better, but still will not
drink anything. The bowels are not acted upon — ■
the thigh continues to get larger — the setons dis-
charge a more healthy matter — the pulse about the
same as yesterday. Give the tonic ball, and repeat
the spt. tereb. et. ol. lin. in two hours nfterwards.

6th. — She is not so well, and has eaten very little
since yesterday morning. Pulse 80, hut not so
clear to the feeling; bowels acted upon ; the thigh
become more painful, and there is another abscess
forming. Give in the tonic ball two grains of phos-
phorus and a scruple of opium.

7th. — She has been down during the night, but
was up again early this morning. She has taken a
few cats and beans, and has also drunk some water —
a thing she has not done for ten daj^s previously.
Pulse 76. Give the tonic ball, with two grains of
phosphorus. In the evening I opened an abscess in
the inner part of the stifle, from which escaped a
quantity of healthy puss. The bowels act freely;
the pulse has sunk to 66,

8th. — She appears to be going on very well ; her
appetite is much better, and she has drunk a gallon
of water since yesterda3^ Give the tonic ball with-
out the phosphorus.

9th. — It is very plain that she cannot yet do with-
out the phosphorus, as she has not eaten any portion
of last night's feed, and apjiears much duller. — 8 a.
M. Give the tonic ball, witli two grains of phospho-
rus and a scruple of opium. — 5 p.m. The change
that has taken place since the morning is surprising.
The pulse is 64 and much firmer, the countenance
much brighter, and she appears anxious for more to
eat, as of course I only allow her a very moderate
quantity.

10th — She continues to go on well ; give the
same ball as yesterday.

11th. — Very much better ; she can now walk out.
Pulse 60 ; bowels regular ; but the hind leg still
very much thickened. Repeated the ball without
opii.

12th. — I now think that she must ultimately re-
cover, although it will take a long time to bring her
to her former condition. I will venture to discon-
tinue the phosphorus, and give the tonic ball alone.

13th to 18th. — She continues to improve graduallj^
One of the tonic halls is given daily.

May. — The mare is now in constant work, and in
good condition, but will always have a slight
thickening of the hind leg.

Aged Beech. — The great beech-tree in Windsor
Forest is well worth a visit. It is evidently of very
great antiquity. It is supposed to have existed before
the Norman Conquest, and is mentioned by Camden
as " standing on a high hill (Sunniug-hill), and over-
looking a vale lying out far and wide, garnished with
corn fields, flourishing with meadows decked with
groves on either side, and watered with the Thames."
According to Jesse, the trunk of this tree measures, at
six feet from the ground, 36 feet round. " It is now,''
he says, " protected from injury, and nature seems to
be doing her best towards repairing the damage which
its exposure to the attacks of man and beasts had pro-
duced. It must once have been almost hollow ; but
the vacuity has now been nearly filled up. One might
almost fancy that liquid wood, which had afterwards
hardened, had been poured into the tree. The twist-
ings and distortings of this huge substance have a cu-
rious and striking effect ; and one might almost ima-
gine them to have been produced by a convulsive throe
of nature. There is no bark on this extraneous sub-
stance ; but the surface is smooth, hard, and without
any appearance of decay.

THE TURNIP.

The following interesting account of the Tur-
nip is from "Summer," the third volume of Dr.
Duncan's "Sacred Philosophy of the Sea-
sons," a work which is fast winning its deserved
place in every family library : —

The native country of this useful bulb has not
been distinctly ascertained. Both in France and
England, plants of the same species are found in
a wild state; but, till it be cultivated, it is of little
value ; and experiments have proved that, in this
climate, the indigenous plant cannot, by any mode
of culture, be so improved as to be rendered use-
ful. There hangs a mystery, therefore, over the
origin of this, as well as several other of our use-
ful cultivated vegetables.

The turnip was iamiliar to the Romans, and
cultivated by them with great care and success.
Pliny and Columella agree in considering this es-
culent as next to corn in utility ; and the latter
recommends the extended cultivation of it. both
as the food of human beings and of cattle. It is
sujjposed that the Roman method of cultivation
must have been superior to that of the moderns,
since Pliny relates that some single bulbs weighed
as much as forty pounds, a weight double of that
obtained by the most skilful modern agriculturist.
If this statement can be relied on, it seems to
prove something more than mere agricultural
skill ; for the climate of Italy at present is too
warm and dry to be favourable to the growth of
this species of produce ; and hence it may be fairly
inferred, that a considerable change has taken
place in temperature of that country, — a fact, in-
deed, which is established by more direct proof,
as I have elsewhere shown.* It is well known
that the turnip attains greatest perfection in re-
gions where the climate is moderately cool and
moist. Thus, in the north of England, and in
Scotland, the crop is superior to that raised in the
more southerly parts of the island. It cannot,
however, bear a great degree of cold, and the re-
gions on the Artie Circle are, on account of the
dryness and warmth of their brief summer, and the
rigour of the first part of the year, peculiarly un-
favourable to its growth. Its successful culti-
vation, therefore, in the field, seems to be circum-
scribed to a comparatively narrow boundary to-
wards the north and south; but, as a garden
plant, where luxuriant growth is not required, and
would indeed injure instead of improving the qua-
lity of the plant for culinary purposes, it is far
more extensively raised. At Benares, in Hindo-
stan, a latitude of about 26", turnips, as well as
several other northern vegetables, are raised in
considerable quantities ; and although, in that hot
climate, they lose much of their pecidiar flavour,
are yet eaten with great relish by the European
inhabitants.

The turnip is a biennial plant ; but it is not per-
mitted to attain to its second year's growth by
those who cultivate it merely for food, as it be-
comes deteriorated in its edible qualities when it
begins to produce its seed stalk. After surviving
the winter, its large radical leaves having fallen
olf, a stem shoots up which bears flowers, having
the four petals arranged in the form of a cross,
and hence called cruciform. The varieties, both
under garden and field culture, are very numer-

* " Spring " — Mitigation of Seasons occasioned
by Cultivation.

216

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ous ;* while these again differ with soil and cli-
mate, and modes of cultivation. The agriculturist
seeks to obtain the greatest quantity of nourish-
ment for his cattle in a given space, and therefore
selects those kinds vc'hich are at once largest in
bulk and firmest in texture ; the gardener, on the
contrary, studies flavour and beauty ; which he
discovers to be incompatible with great size.

As an article of human food, the turnip does
not appear to be held in so much request, nor to
be prepared in so many ways in our own day, as
in former times. In the Philosophical Transac-
tions, we are told that during the occurrence of a
dearth in England, :n 1629 and 1630, " very good,
white, lasting, and wholesome bread,'' was made
of boiled turnips, deprived of their moisture by
pressure, and then kneaded with an equal quantity
ofwheaten JJour. The scarcity of corn in 1693,
led the poor of Essex again to heive recourse to
this species of bread. It could not, we are told,
be distinguished by the eye from a wheaten loaf j
neither did the smell much betray it, especially
when cold.t

The ancients seem to have excelled in the mode
of dressing this vegetable. The " Cariosities of
Literature " record the following amusing anec-
dote, which shows to what extent the art of gas-
tronomy enabled the cooks of those days to trans-
form this article of food : — The King of Bithynia,
in some expedition in which he found himself in
the midst of winter, at a great distance from the
sea, took a violent longing for a small fish, called
aphy, — a pilchard, a herring, or an anchovy. The
longings of monarchs at the head of victorious le-
gions are not to be disregarded. But what was to
be done ? His cook, who was a master of his art,
and fertile in expediments, surmounted the diffi-
culty. He took a turnip, and cut it to a perfect
resemblance of the aphyin shape. He then " fried
it in oil j" and being "salted and well powdered
with the grains of a dozen black poppies," his
Majesty's exquisite taste was so deceived by it,
that he "praised the root to his guest as an ex-
cellent fish."^:

Turnips do not contain so much nourishment
as some other garden vegetables. Sir Humphrey
Davy's analysis gives only forty-two parts of nu-
tritive matter in a thousand parts of the com-
mon turnip, and sixty-four in a thousand of the
Swedish.

I have stated that Pliny's account of the growth
of turnips in Italy, seemed to indicate that the
soil and climptc of that country in his day, was
far more favourable for their cultivation than at
present exists, not only in that southern latitude,
but even in this country. The ordinary weight of

* In the account of the turnip, publislied in the
Libiary of Entertaining Knowledge, it is said that
ten varieties ai-e in common cultivation, distinguished
by colour, size, time of coming to maturity, produc-
tiveness, or flavour. Among these the following are
particularly noticed :- -The Maltese golden turnip,
of one uniform orange tinge, perfectly splierical,
and of a fine flavour, sometimes introduced with the
dessert, instead of fruit ; the Swedish, a field turnip,
the most hardy of any under cultivation, hut strong
and harsh to human taste ; the French turnip, or
naveu, carrot-shaped, which is mucli esteemed on the
Continent for its flavour; and the Barbary turnip,
parsnip-like, with fibrous roots, which is prized for
its agreeable pungency.

t Philosophical Transactions, Nos. 90 and 205.

t Cuiiosities of Literature, vol. v. p. 88.

a turnip under British culture, is about six or
seven pounds, but in favourable circumstances
these bulbs frequently reach as high as sixteen,
and in some rare instances, even twenty pounds.
It is stated by Mr. Campbell,* that in 1758, a tur-
nip was pulled at Tudenham, in Norfolk, which
weighed twenty-nine pounds, and this seems to
be the largest on record in modern times. Dr.
Desaguliers has made a curious calculation on the
rapid increase of the turnip, which affords a re-
markable proof of the power of vegetation. One
ounce of turnip seed was found by him to contain
from fourteen to fifteen thousand single seeds ;
whence it follows that one seed weighs upwards
of a fourteen-thousandth j^avt of an ounce; and
comparing this with the weight it acquires in
growing, he found that, supposing the increase to
be always uniform, it may acquire fifteen times
its own weight in a minute ! By an actual expe-
riment made on moss or peat ground, turnips have
been found to increase by growth 15,990 times the
weight of their seeds each day they stood upon it.
" It is not, however, only the size and weight of
the root which renders this crop so productive.
Tlie number contained in a given space, with re-
ference to their size, is very great. Some writers
speak rather marvellously on this subject, but it
is generally thought a good crop when a turnip is
obtained from each square foot of ground. Mill
considers an average crop to be 11,664 roots per
acre which at six pounds each will be 69,984
pounds. "f

From these statements we may be enabled to
form some estimate of the amazing power which
the Creator has put into the hand of man, by sub-
jecting the vegetable world to his skill in the arts
of cultivation. The cultivator of the soil may be
said to create food for himself and his dependant
animals out of the earth. It is not, however, by
miracle, but by making a judicious use of the
powers impressed on nature by an omnipotent and
paternal Hand, that such an effect is produced.
This view opens up a wide field of contemplation,
to which we have already adverted. The varied
and peculiar means by which external nature, in
all its departments, is adapted to the circum-
stances of the human race, and calculated to call
into action, and give salutary exercise to their
powers and faculties, is an exhaustless theme of
admiration and gratitude.

Intellect in Birds. — There is much more in.,
tellect in birds than people suppose. An instance of
that occurred the other day at the slate quarry, belong-
ing to a friend from whom I have the narrative. A
thrush, not aware cf the expansive properties of gun-
powder, thought proper to build her nest on the ridge
of the quarry in the very centre of which they were
constantly blasting the rock. At first she was very
much discomposed by the fragments flying in all di-
rections, but still she would not quit her chosen lo-
cality ; she soon observed that a bell rang whenever a
train was about to be fired, and that at the notice the
workmen retired to safe positions. In a few days,
when she heard the bell, she quitted her exposed situa-
tion and flew down to where the workmen sheltered
themselves, dropping close to their feet. There she
would remain until the explosion had taken place, and
then return to her nest. — Neiv Monthly Magazine.

* Political Survey, vol. ii.
t Library of Entertaining Knowledge-
Substances, p. 235.

-Vegetable

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

217

DRAINING.

NEW PATENT INVENTION, FOR MANUFACTURING DRAIN-
ING AND OTHER TILES.

[The immense importance of draining induces
us to submit every information upon the subject
which may come under notice. The testimonials
in approval of this invention, are so numerous and
respectable, that we feel no hesitation in recom-
mending it to the notice of the agricultural com-
munity,—Ed. F. M.]

Robert Beart, patentee of the invention, requests
the attention of proprietors and occupiers of land to
tbllowing- facts, illustrative of his system : —

Ihe great barrier which has hitherto stood in the
way of improvement of wet and poor sods has been
the high price of draining tiles, and expence of car-
riage, causing an outlay of capita) frequentlv incon-
venient to proprietors. This barrier would be
materially removed by the adoption of Beart's
invention and system of manufacturing tiles. Lan-
ded proprietors, or brick and tile makers, by the use
of one machine, may make from 15 to 18,000 tiles
per week. The labour and expence of raising and
preparing the clay to finally producing the tiles for
use would not, under ordinary circumstances, ex-
ceed 9s. per 1000. Cost of fuel for burning may be
estimated from 2s. to 7s. per 1000, by which estimate
the price at which tiles can be produced may be
calculated at from lis. to 16s. per 1000.

Flat tiles for draining purposes may be produced
at a price proportionably low, viz., from 5s. to 7s.
6d. per 1000. £.

To compare expence ; admitting lOO acres of

land to require 160,000 tiles, at 26s. per

1000, the presumed present average price

would amount to . c 208

At 13s. 6d. per 1000, the average of the above

estimate ■, , » 108

Shewing a balance of. . £100

in favour of making tiles with the machine on the
estate for every 100 acres, and an entire saving of
the carriage of the tiles, which in some instances is
equal to the first cost of the tiles.

To prevent fraud or imposition, the work should
be farmed by contract. Any intelligent common
labourer could (except as to the burning) take the
working of the machine, making and drying the tiles,
&c. as well as (he most experienced brick or tile
maker.

After various experiments, the patentee has
proved that tiles can be burnt much cheaper and
better separately than with bricks.

By a new and more simple combination of ma-
chinery for working the patent invention, the
patentee is enabled now to sell, for the low price of
twelve guineas, machines of equal power to those
which he has been selling at fifty guineas.

This cheap and improved machine is, from its
strength and simplicity, less liable to get out of
repair — the tiles are produced of a better quality —
and the machine, from its reduced size, is more
easily moved up and down the sheds by the tile
maker.

The machine as originally constructed was exhi-
bited at the vSmithfield Cattle Show, in December,
in 1833.

Extract from the proceedings of the Smithfeld Prize

Cattle Club, December 1833.

" The stewards and judges this year, having taken

upon themselves a new task, presented to the club

a report ou the implements and roots exhibited ia

the yard, in which they particularly noticed a new
patent machine for making draining tiles, invented
and made by Mr. Beart, of Godmanchester Mills,
Huntingdon — a machine likely to be of great use to
the agricultural community. ''

The patentee has already been honoured with the
testimonials of many noblemen and gentlemen, pur-
chasers of his machines at fifty guineas each, some
of which he introduces in this prospectus, by their
express permission.

Letter from Mr. Edward Crocker, Steward of His
Grace the Duke of Bedford.
"Park Farm, Woburn, 20th July, 1834.
" Sir. — Your machine for making- draining tiles
has been in use at Crawley Kiln for some months
past, and having promised to send you my opinion
upon it, I can now (after many thousand tiles have
been made with it^ confidently state, that it is
a very useful machine, very easily worked, and has
completely answered tlie purpose of making the tiles
both cheaper and better than those made by hand.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

"EDWARD CROCKER.
" To Mr. Beart, Godmanchester Mills, Huntingdon."

Letter from Sir Charles Merrik Burrell, M.P.

" Knepp Castle, near Horsham, Nov. 14, 1834.

" Sir. — I have the satisfaction to inform you that
so far as the lateness of the season, the necessary
erection of a good drying shed, and the deepening of
a well, permitted, my brickmaker, (under the able
direction for two days of Mr. David Barclay's
manager) has succeeded in making 12,000 good
draining tiles, and a few hundred coker tiles, for
the completion of the former of which I have been
very anxious, as promotive of Pearson's admirable
draining plough, and of its adoption in all wet tena-
cious clays, not infested with surface stones — and
with which object 1 was led to examine and purchase
your ingenious drain tile machine ; the effect of
which mainly tends to excite a spirit of remunera-
tive improvement in clay soils, at a period peculiarly
advantageous to Pearson's drainage system ; and as
the knowledge thereof must tend to the introduction
of your invention, I state my practical opinion ('in
corroboration of a sensible pamphlet published for
Thomas Lav*^ Hodges, Esq. M. P. for West Kent,
by Ridgway in Piccadilly) that combined with the
cheap obtainment of draining tiles for mains and
outfalls, or for veins of sand or shrave (found often
in fields of clay,^ the cheapest, most perfect, and
durable drainage will be within reach of every
owner or occupier of clay lands, that has sense to
understand, and a disposition to improve the
quality of wet clay land, to the especial advan-
tage of the latter, as proved to demonstration
by Pearson's success as an occupier, and by Mr.
Hodges's statements. As to your brick-making
apparatus, I shall be happy to examine it, and I am.
Sir, 3'our well-wisher, according to the merits of
your useful invention,

" CHARLES MERRIK BURRELL.
" To Mr. Beart, Godmanchester Mills, Huntingdon."

" May 30, 1836.
" Sin. — I have to thank you for your liberal re-
collection of myself among your original customers,
by sending me one of your much cheaper and im-
proved drain tile machines which 1 shall avail
myself of an early opportunity of putting in my
brickmaker's hands — though I continue to be
entirely satisfied with that I originally bought of
you in 1834. The drain tiles from which have, as I
anticipated, come greatly in aid of the Pearson
drainage system, and which combination I have car-

218

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ried on for three winters, witbout a single drain out
of (I speak by recollection) about 70,000 rods failing,
the exigence of which, so far as as the results of last
year's wheat crop prove, I feel satisfied will be amply
repaid by one course of crops. In fact, on some
fields, compared with their usual produce, I consi-
der the extra return in wheat to have repaid me all
the expence ot the combined drainage. If the know-
ledge of these observations can be useful to any
farmers, you have my full aquiesceuce in the use of
them. — I remain. Sir, your well wisher,

"C. M. BURRELL.

" To Mr. Beart, Godmanchester."

A Letter from Beilbii Thom]>son, Esq., M, P.
"29, Berkeley Square, Nov. 20th, 1834.

" Sir. — I have to acknowledge and to thank you
for j'our two letters, and to assure you that as far as
I have hitherto tried it, I approve highly of your
patent tile machine. 1 find, however, one defect in
it which I consider arises chiefly from the too great
closeness of my clay, viz. that the air gets into the
clay and spoils the surface of at least one tile in each
box of clay. 1 hope however to be able to obviate
this next season, and in the mean time I will thank
you to send me a fuller and more explanatory state-
ment of your new brick machine. Be kind enough
to direct your answer to Escrick Park, Doncaster,
and to believe me your friend and well wisher,

" "BEILBY THOMPSON.

" To Mr. Robert Beart, Godmanchester Mills,
IJuntingdon."

A Letter from D. Barclay, Esq., M. P.

-• December 9th, 1834.
" Sill. — In reply to your letter requesting that I
would give you my opinion of your tile machine, I
cannot hesitate to say that I highly approve of it.
The machine I purchased of you has been in con-
stant operation from the month of ]\lay until the end
ofOctober, and has accomplished its purpose entirely
to my satisfaction.— I am Sir, your obedient servant,
" D. BARCLAY.
" To IMr. Robert Beart, Godmanchester, Hunts.'

A Letter from Mr. Peter Pv/rves, Bailiff to the Duke
of Manchester.
" Waybiitlge, January 17th, 1835.
" Sin. — I have great pleasure in forwarding you
my testimonial of approbation relative to your tile
machine. Having used it upon this farm for one
season, I can now confidently state its successful
results. One man and two boys with the machine
cau make from 14 to 16,000 tiles per week and the
cost of producing them, 13 inches long, by 9 inches
wide, including coals at 18s. per ton, and every
other expence, did not exceed 14s. per 1000.

" And above all, when we consider that your
machine has feeenthe means of lowering the price of
tiles in this neighbourhood from 35s. per 1000 to
20s. per 1000, I really think that the agricultural
community at large owe you a debt of gratitude for
your ingenious exertions in their behalf.
" I am. Sir, yours respectfully,
"PETER PURVES,
" Bailiif to the Duke of Manchester.
" To Mr. llobertBeart,Goldmanchester, Hunts."

A Letter from Mr. Whiitet, Steivard of Earl de la

Warre.

" Bourn, 16th of February, 1835.

" Sir. — After examining your ingenious patent

inventions for making draining tiles and building

bricks, and having seen them at work, 1 feel no

hesitation in recommending them to my friends. A

considerable saving in the making of draining tiles,

and the highly finished shape of the bricks made by

your machine, will in my estimation justly entitle
them to the pre-eminence of all others which at pre-
sent have come under ray observation.

" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

'" THOMAS WHITTET.
" To Mr. Robert Beart."

In offering some general observations to persons
who are or may become manufacturers of tiles, I
would first observe this patent invention reduces the
making of tiles to a simple mechanical operation,
which gives to the proprietor a very proper control
over the manufacturing of tiles against combinations
among workmen.

A steady agricultural labourer with two boys
will mould by the JNIachine from 15 to 18,000 tiles
per week : and that the difl^erence in price paid for
moulding by the machine, viz. !is. 6d.per 1000, and
the price paid for the common mode of moulding by
hand, amounts to a considerable saving, in the ag-
gregate number of thousands made during the work-
ing season ; and the large and regular supply for
the kilns tends greatly to increase the advantages
of the patentee's system.

Where there are no kilns, sheds, &c. the best
mode of carrying this system into operation is to
erect a few temporary sheds, 7 feet wide and 6 feet
high ; a row of shelves on each side will leave a
passage of 4^ feet wide for the machine to pass
through, and will be found sufficient for the man and
boys to make the tiles and fill the shelves. The
roof should be very flat and covered with tiles, so as
to admit as much air without wet as possible. In
putting up the shelves, the bottom shelf should be
laid firmly upon the ground, and the others to be
supported from the same, and only connected to the
posts to keep them upright.

The sheds should be placed parallel to each other,
about 2 feet apart. The eaves projecting so as ef-
fectually to prevent the rain from injuring the tiles
on the shelves, but admitting the air.

A kiln to burn about 30,000 tiles, and the required
number of sheds, may be built for 120/. The num-
ber of hands to be employed in such a work, would
only be one man, a burner, one man, a moulder, aud
two boys.

The burner could manage two tile yards, if the
distance did not exceed 10 miles, by having an extra
labourer in each yard. The yards would produce
from 3 to 400,000 tiles each.

In considering the various descriptions of tiles
which are made for draining, I object to all except
the common tiles, when the land is not sufficiently
solid to support them ; the better plan is to lay
them upon flat tiles, which made by the machine will
not cost more than from 5s. to 7s, 6il. per 1000. I
object to tiles made with wing or shoulders, because
they take up so much more room in the kilns, and
are attended with inconvenience and more expence
in making, drying, burning, &c. Flat tiles take up
very little room, and if the common tiles are pro-
perly made, they will lock within each other so that
a kiln will hold double the number,

A vs-ord or two of caution is necessary in sending
forth any new machine to the public. At its first in-
troduction it is sure to be met with the obstruction
of the interested and prejudiced ; and the patentee
has found that tlie old workmen ('tile makers) are
reluct;mt to work the machine, and it will require
some firmess on the part of the purchasers to enforce
the proper and successful working of it ; in some
instances, perhaps, it may be advisable at first to
pay the same price per 1000 as under the old
system, until the machine is brought into full
operation.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

219

And with respect to the comparative expence of
making bricks and tiles : — s. d.

Raising and tempering of clay for
bricks, each brick to contain 150

cubic inches, the expence per 1000 3 6

Moulding per 1000 3 6

Stacking in the kiln, burning, and

unloading the kiln, per 1000 3 6

Cost of labour in making bricks,

per 1000 10 6

The raising and tempering of clay for tiles :- -
A tile 13J inches long, and 9 inches wide, f inch
thick, will contain 90 cubic inches of clay.

As this clay for tiles willre(]uire better tempering
or grinding than the 150 cubic iuclies of clav in a
brick, the expense would be about the same per
1000 on tiles as on bricks, viz. — s. d.
Raising and tempering or grinding,

per 1000 tiles 3 6

Moulding by machine per 1000. ... 2 6
Stacking in the kiln, burning, and

unloading the kiln per 1000 .... 3 0

Cost of labour in making tiles per

1000 9 0

Balance or difference in labour,

per 1000 .. . ] 6

The difference in fuel may be calculated from the
difterence in the quantity of clay contained in the
brick or tile.

Per 1000
The conlract price of bricks at m}? yard. . £1 5 0

Deduct duty 0 5 10

Cost of labour and fuel of bricks per

1000 0 19 2

Contract price of tiles per 1000 (labour,

fuel, &c.) Oil 0

Thus it appears plain that the cost of

labour and fuel in producing draining

tiles per lOOO is 5 2

less than the cost of fuel and labour on bricks.

Now if the cost of fuel and labour in Huntingdon-
shire is 5s. 2d. per 1000 less on tiles than on bricks,
wliat satisfactory reason can be assigned that acorres-
ponding difference should not existin otherpartsof the
country I am at a loss to discover. The wholesale
price of bricks in Huntingdonshire is 34s. per 1000,
and the price of draining tiles 20s. per 1000, at
which reduced price of tiles, the consumption has
increased to at least five times the quantity within the
last two years.

Tiles of a larger size may be calcidated from the
increased number of cubic inches of clay contained in
such tiles.

The leading object of the patentee being to advance
the interest of tlie agriculturist, has determined him
not only to study how to be able to reduce the price
of his machines, but also to offer them to the public
upon the most liberal conditions. His price as
stated above is twelce guiiieas, but he will permit any
gentleman to take a machine on trial for two months,
by paying 51. os. and if the machine after such
trial be approved, the remaining 7L. 7s. to be
paid.

The price of the patent apparatus for moulding
bricks, is Jive guineas ; this is foj' the making of fine
bricks for houses, garden walls, &c. the expence of
moulding is the same as by hand. The clay should
be well tempered and made as stiff' as it can be worked,
so that the bricks may retain tlieir shape and smooth-
ness of surface after the contraction vvhich takes jilace
by drying.

witnessed the practical working of the system, either by
themselves or their agents, visiting (during the season
of tile making) the patentee's manufactory, and per-
sonally inspecting- the operation of the machine, also
the construction of the sheds, kiln, &c. &c.

N.B. Much information which would be advan-
tageous, but which cannot be communicated in a pros-
pectus, would be obtained by gentlemen, wlio have not

COURT OF REVIEW.

April 19. — Ik re CniFNXY,

Wliellier a Livery-stable Keeper is a Trader within the
meaning of the Bankrupt Act.

An issue has been tried in this case in pursuance of
the direction made on the previous hearing and the
jury by their verdict had found, that the bankrupt was
not a livery-stable keeper.

Swanstcn now moved for a new trial, on the ground
that the parties had been taken by surprise, in conse-
quence of which many witnesses who could have proved
the trading were not brought forward, as also that he
finding was contrary to the evidence. (Swanston was
proceeding to read affidavits as to new evidence, when
he was stopped by the court intimating to him, that the
might for the present assume, that the bankrupt was
proved to be a livery-stable keeper, and confine him-
self to the queston, whether as such he was within the
Bankrupt Act). Sivanston.— lie clearly was in the
habit of buying and selhng hay and corn for the liorses
standing at livery in his stable. There could be no dif-
ference between a gentleman saying to him, give my
horse so much corn while in your stable, and his send-
ing the corn out, in order that it might be given to the
horse in tlie owner's own stable. If the proposition is
to be established, that a person is not to be considered
as a trader because he confined his dealing to a part of
the public only, it would certainly be established for
the first time. There were many trades of a restrictive
character ; a broker, for instance, and many others. It
had been decided that a lodging-house keeper supply-
ing his lodgers with provisions, was a trader. (Erskine,
C. J. — That was on the ground that he bought and
sold). Before the late act an innkeeper was not a
trader as such, but if he sent provisons out of the house
lie might be made a bankrupt— E.r parte Magennis, 1
Rose, 84. (Per Ctn7((?H.— What further evidence is
there to bring forward ?) He was not then prepared to
state, but he trusted if the court should be of opinion
with him on the first point, time would be allowed for
him to inquire. The trial had quite taken the parties by
surprise.

EnsKiNE, C. J.— It is impossible the parties could
have been taken by surprise. The day was fixed, and
they all had notice of it long beforehand ; and even at
the time the option was given them of having it, if they
chose, put off. But putting this out of the question, I
see no grounds for granting the application ; it ought to
be distinctly stated, wliat is the further evidence which
the witnesses now proposed to be brought forvf ard could
give. The jury differed with me ujjon the fact. They
were of opinion, that the bankrupt was not a bona fide
livery-stable keeper, but that he only took in the horses
and carriages of those noblemen and gentlemen who
were in the habit of employing him, whenever his sta-
bles happened to be unoccupied. I cannot take upon
ine to say the jury was wrong. Upon the general ques-
tion, as to whether a livery-stable keeper is a trader
vvithin the meaning of the act, it is not necessary now
to give any opinion. It is clear, iiowever, that it is not
one of the trades enumerated ; and if he is lo be made a
bankrupt, it niust be from general acts of buying and
selling. In my opinion, in tins case, they were only in-
cidental to the business.

Cross, J. — Issues from this court are in some respects
different from issues diiected by the court of Chancery.
In the latter, all that the court can know must be from
olhers ; here the court itself is present, and is as capable
of forming an opinon on the evidence as the jury. Chif-
ney it appeared gained u livelihood by his skill in horse*

220

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

manship. Originally he had been a trainer to the Duke
of Cleveland, and he now took in young horses and
trained them. It was said he was a livery-stable keeper,
and therefore was a trader ; but I can ag-rce to no such
proposition. It is admitted this is an occupation not
mentioned in the act, and it is attempted to be made
out on the g-round that he supplied the horses he took in
with corn and hay. But I lliink this was clearly inci-
dental to his busmess as a trainer. The buying and
selling, to bring him within the statute, must be sub-
stantive and distinct acts. The case of an innkeeper
has been referred to ; but before the late act an inn-
keeper could not be made a bankrupt unless he fur-
nished provisions out of the house. So also it has been
held that a schoolmaster is not a trader, because he
happens to buy and sell books to his scholars.

Rose, J. — I was not ki the least surprised at the find-
ing'of the jury. — I was only surprised it should ever
have been thought worth while to try the question at
all. The issue, indeed was only granted because the
petitioner was an adverse party, and the assignees having
the legal title, the court did not think fit to disturb it,
without giving them an opportunity of taiting the
opinion of a jury. As to the question whether a livery-
stable keeper is a trader within the bankrupt laws, it is
quite clear he is not so as such. Then, as to his buying"
and selling hay and straw out of doors, there is nothing
to prove it was done generally ; and, in my opinion, it
was merely incidental to his business. The evidence
now tendered merely goes to prove he was a livery-
stable keeper. In my opinion, the finding of the jury
was quite correct.

SUMMER ASSIZES.— NORFOLK
CIRCUIT.

Norwich, Thursday.

NISI PRIUS COURT.

[Before Mr. Justice Vaughan.]

Buck v. Hawkes.

Mr. Kelly and Mr. Gunning for the plaintiff; Mr.
Andrews for the defence.

This was an action to recover the value of a horse on
a breach of warranlry. The plaintiff and the defendant
are both farmers in the neighbourhood of Swaffham,
and the plaintiff having- met with an accident in a gig
and broken his leg through the vice of a horse, a little
time back, was anxious to replace him with a quiet,
steady animal. He accordingly applied to the defen-
dant, who sent him the horse on trial on the 3d of
Blarch in the present year. At first no cause of com-
plaint was perceived, except a little inipatience while in
harness. This, however, soon grew from bad to worse,
one vicious habit followed fast upon another, till the
horse (which had been in the meantime purchased, and
warranted "perfectly sound and quiet in harness") be-
came quite useless. At starting he v/ould either plunge
back, rear upright, or bolt forward with such a rapidity as
to render it impossible for any one to get into the gig with-
out running by his side, and taking the opportunity to
do so at the risk of his neck. Under these circumstances
a letter was sent to the defendant, who took no notice of
it, and the plaintiff sent the horse to stand at a cheap
place, to abide the result of this action, which was im-
mediately commenced.

In the defence, Mr. Andrews called several wit-
nesses, who proved that the horse had been bred by
the defendant, and first put to work in the plough, that
he had been broken into single harness in the spring of
1836, and was a remarkably steady and gentle horse, the
wife and aged father and mother of iNIr. Hawkes having
been in the constant habit of drivmg him up to the day
on which he had been sent to the plaintiff for trial, with-
out any symptom of vice being* developed.

At the close of the defendant's case,

Mr. Kelly replied at length, observing tliat the
plaintiff could have no motive for making any unfounded
attack upon the horse, as, if he had turned out a quiet

one, he would have been satisfied with his bargain, glad
to get so amiable an animal as the defendant's witnesses
had described him to be, in the place of his former one.
In truth, however, the horse never was " broken," but
had only been " gentled," to use the phrase of the wit-
nesses themselves, at the same time working constantly
at such duties as would keep his refractory spirit in
abeyance. When, however, he was exalted to the dig-
nity of a gig-horse, and fed well, with gentle work, he
became utterly unmanageable, as the plaintiff's wit-
nesses showed him to be. Under these circumstances
the defendant was not justified in giving such an ex-
tensive warrantry with his horse, which, as he had not
answered that character, the plaintiff was entitled to
claim back the price paid for it, namely, 26/. He, there-
fore (JMr. Kelly), would look with confidence for a
verdict in favour of his client, who certainly had got a
horse which he dared not use.

His Lordship having summed up the evidence to the
jury, said it was purely a question for them, and they
would give their verdict in favour of that body of wit-
nesses to wliom they attached most credit.

The jury, after some deliberation, gave a verdict in
favour of the defendant at eight o'clock.

OXFORD ASSIZES.

CARR V. SOUTHAN AND SON,

{Special Jury.)

This was an action of trover to recover a quantity
of oats.

Mr. Richards and Mr. Lumley conducted the plain-
tiff's case , Mr. Serjeant Talfourd and Mr. Selfe ap-
peared for the defendant.

The plaintiff was a merchant at Hamburgh, and in
April of this year sold a cargo of oats to persons of the
name of Hentig and Howell who were merchants in
this city. The oats were shipped, and arrived in Glo-
cester on the 8th of May. The plaintiff finding that
the bills he had drawn had not been duly honoured,
directed ^Messrs. Sturge, his agents, to stop the de-
livery of the oats. Hentig and Howell had, however,
previously sold the cargo to a Mr. Vining, who claimed
it under the bill of lading. His claim being disputed,
he applied to them, and they agreed to deposit ivith
him a cargo of oats which had come by a ship called
the Emanuel and were at the time in a bonded warehouse
in Glocester, and the key of that warehouse was de-
livered to Mr. Vining. Two days afterwards an ar-
rangement was made by Hentig, Vining, and Sturge
that this cargo shold be pledged to the plaintiff as a
security for the payment of the bills which he had
drawn, and that the claim on the Ellen's cargo should
be given up. ]\Ir. Vining kept the key of the ware-
house, but allowed Hentig's man to have it from time
to time to turn the corn which had become heated.
On the 17th of May, Hentig's man refused to return
the key, and the defendants took possession of the
warehouse and the corn. The defendants' case was,
that on the 17th of April the defendants gave their
acceptance for the amount of 340Z., and the cargo of
the Emanuel was deposited with them as a security in
case the bill was not taken up by Hentig and Howel),
the defendants stipulating to receive 4 per cent, com-
mission which was explainfd to mean in case the de-
fendants sold this casgo. That bill was paid by Hen-
tig and Howell to their bankers, and afterwards taken
up by the defendants. The key of the warehouse was
not at first received by the defendants, but they after-
wards obtained it, and it was taken from time to time
by Hentig's men, in order that the corn might be
turned. This was as early as the 1st of May. Mr.
Southan having left this city on business, Hentig ob-
tained the key, and during the time of his absence
had pledged the cargo to Mr. Vining, and the plaintiff.
These facts having been proved, and his Lordship sta-
ting that there was no usury in the deposit with the
defendants, the plaintiff elected to be nonsuited.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

221

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT
FOR AUGUST.

It is our truly pleasing and delightful task to have
to intimate, that, notwithstanding the fears which
were, at an early period of the Spring, entertained
that the crops would he, this year, very backward,
and that the produce would fall considerably short of
an average growth, our farmers are now reaping
one of the best and most productive harvests that
has been gathered for a series of years past. Con-
sidering the productiveness of it, as well as the com-
parative additional breadth of land sown with wheat,
this year, we are decidedly of opinion, that there has
been a sufficient quantity grown to meet every exi-
gency, till the next harvest. Although this appears
to be pretty generally admitted, it is, with some sur-
prise, that we perceive the large quantities of fo-
reign wheat and oats which have been imported into
the Port of London, since our last month's report.
A very small portion of the latter, though the duty
has been somewhat lowered, has paid duty ; but se-
veral parcels of the latter have been released, at the
prevailing duty. We cannot but be of opinion, un-
less, indeed, the speculators feel assured of getting
it released, for liome consumption, at a nominal duty,
but which we consider as highly improbable, that
the speculation will be very unprofitable, and that
the corn is not wanted in this country.

We have heard it intimated, that it is the intention
of certain persons, to endeavour, in the next ensu-
ing Session of Parliament, if fossible, to obtain
the total, or at least a partial, repeal of the pre-
sent existing corn laws. If the utter uselessness
of such an attempt be considered, we would advise
our free trade heroes not to waste so much of their
time, which may be valuable to them, in trying to ob-
tain that which no person of rational sense would
ever think of granting, at least whilst the agricul-
turists are almost ground to the dust, by their pre-
sent undue burden of taxes, as well as by enormous
high rents. Could there, possibly, we will ask, be
more just and equable laws, under present circum-
stances, than those which have been concocted for
the protection of the native growers'? A number of
plans, it is stated, are in embryo, to relieve, in some
measure, the agricultural interest, and which will be
submitted to the consideration of the legislature. In
our humble opinion, there is only one method —
which we feel assured would have the desired effect,
by which tlie tillers of England's soil could be placed
in that elevated position in society which they ought
to occupy — viz., for landlords to reduce the rents of
their farms considerably below those at present paid,
which are, in many instances, higher, by nearly, or
quite, 50 per cent., than they ought to be. The ex-
action of such enormous rents, is sufficient, to cause
distress, and which will prevail so long as they are
demanded. Were our plan acted upon, we feel as-
sured, that we should not hear any complaints re-
specting the badness of the times, from the farmers,
who would be in comparative affluence. The agri-
culturists being, almost to a man, fully aware that
high rents have caused their distress, are perfectly
satisfied, that no panacea, liowever plausible, which
may be broughtbeforethe legislature, for the avowed

purpose of endeavouring to ameliorate their distress-
ed condition, can possibly have the desired effect.

With regard to field labours, so busy have been
the farmers in the liarvest field that it has occupied
their sole attention. It is, we feel assured, to all
classes, a source of much joy that the farmers' pros-
pects, with respect to the harvest, are so good, and
that they are being rewarded with so bountiful a re-
turn for the seed committed to the earth, as well as
for the employment of their capital.

During the whole of this month, live farm stock
has been exceedingly healthy. The fattening sheep
and beasts have thrived, in their pastures, exceed-
ingly well ; whilst we have not heard any of our
agriculturists complain of a scarcity of pasture her-
bage.

It is admitted, by all persons acquainted with
rural affiiirs, that the hay harvest, this year, has bene
the most abundant one, within the recollection of
the oldest man living ; whilst it has been stacked, ia
all parts of England, in most excellent condition.

The period having arrived for the principal part
of the beasts which form tlie supplies to Smithfield
at this period of the year, to arrive from our great
northern grazing districts — viz., Lincolnshire, Lei-
cestershire, &c. — we have to remark, that those which.
have hitherto appeared in Smithfield, from those
quarters, have been of somewhat superior quality ;
whilst, those from Scotland, which have been fewer
in number than in several preceding months have
not been by any means so prime as we have some-
times witnessed them to he. With regard to the
sheep, there have been complaints of a scarcity of
prime South Downs, but, in other respects, the ge-
nera] quality of the supplies has been good. Lambs
have come to hand, in prime condition.

I'he prices of most kinds of corn and fat stock
have been somewhat vacillating, but we consider
them lower at the conclusion, than at the commence-
ment of the month.

Here follows our monthly retrospect of the sup-
plies and prices of Smithfield Cattle Market.

SUPPLIES.

Beasts.

Sheep & Lambs.

Calves.

Pigs

June 28. .. 510

8760

232

310

— 31, ,. 2360

25962

295

376

Aug. 4. .. 492

7900

225

302

— 7. .. 2425

260OO

296

389

— 11, .. 680

7922

125

284

— 14. . . 2794

30600

296

398

— 18. .. 694

7002

210

314

— 21. .. 2621

26700

294

392

— 25. .. 635

6020

302

2275

S65

Total .. 13211

146866

3130

Supply ©f^

preceding Ull93
month. J

144717

2231

3000

It appears, by the above comparison of supplies,
that those of tlie present month, have embraced, 2118
beasts, 2,149 sheep and lambs, 44 calves, and 430
pigs more, than those of the previous month.

Q

222

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

PRICES.
Per 81bs, to sink the offals.

InferiorBeef .. .. 2

Middling, do. .. 2

Prime, do 4

Inferior Mutton , . 2

Middling do. . . 3

Prime ditto, . . 4

Lamb 4

Veal 4

Pork 3

July 28.
d. s.
4 to 2
8 to 3
0 to
8 to
4 to
2 to
4 to
0 to
4 to

d.
6

10
4
0
0
6
4
5 0
4 10

'Aug. 25.
s. d. s
2 6 to 2

2 10 to 4
4 2 to 4

3 4 to 3

3 8 to 4

4 4 to 4
4 6 to 5
4 0 to 5
3 6 to 4

The following is a yearly comparison of the trans-
actions in Smithfield Cattle market.

, At per 8lbs, sinking the offals.

Aug. 22, 183(5. A
s. d. s. d.

Coarse and inferior beasts 2 2 to 2 6..

Second quality do 2 8 to 3 2..

Prime large oxen 3 4 to 3 8 ,,

Prime Scots, &c 4 0 to 4 4..

Coarse and inferior sheep 2 6 to 2 10..

Second quality do 3 0 to 3 4..

Prime coarse-woolled do 3 8 to 4 2..

Prime South Down do 4 4 to 4 8..

Lamb 4 0 to 5 2...

Iiarge coarse calves , 3 10 to 4 2. .

Prime small do 4 4 to 4 8..

Large hogs 3 8 to 4 0..

Neat small porlcers 4 2 to 4 8 .

ug. 21,1837.

s. d. s. d.

6 to 2 8

10 to 3 4

6 to 4 0

2 to 4 6

Oto 3 6

4 to 3 2

8to3 10

Oto 4 4

0 t© 5 0

10 to 4 2

8 to 5 0

6 to 4 0

4 6 to 4 10

SUPPLIES.

Aug. 22, 1836. Aug. 21, 1837.

Beasts 2,935 2,621

Sheep & Lambs 23,650 26,700

Calves 325 294

Pigs 330 392

By the above statement of supplies, it appears
that there were in the market on Monday August
22, 1836, 314 beasts, and 31 calves more ; 3,050
sheep and lambs, and 62 pigs less, than on Monday,
August 21, 1837.

There have been received, from Norfolk, this
month, 90 Scots, and home breds ; from Essex,
120 Devous and Herefords ; from Sufiolk, 110
Scots and Devons ; from Cambridgeshire, 113
Devons, Scots, and Herefords ; from Lincoln-
shire, 2,650 short-horns ; from Leicestershire, 2,037
short-horns; from Northamptonshire, 1,006 short-
horns ; from Staffordshire, 51 Staffordshire cows,
steers, heifers, Devons and runts ; from AVarwick-
shire, 54 runts, Devons, and and Irish beasts ;
from Oxfordshire, 56 short-horns, Devons, runts,
and Irish beasts ; from Shropshire, 55 Devons,
runts, and Herefords ; from Buckinghamshire, 60
Devons and runts ; from Herefordshire, 60 Here-
fords ; from Worcestershire, 61 Devons, runts, and
homebreds ; from Wales, 49 Pembroke runts ; from
Gloucestershire, 51 Devons, runts, andlrish beasts ;
from Hampshire, 50 Devons, and runts; from Berk-
shire, 46 Devons, Irish beasts, and Herefords ; from
Scotland, by steam vessels, 287 Scots ; from Susses,
74 Sussex oxen, steers, Scots, and Devons ; from
Surrey, 69 Devons, runts, Herefords, and cows ;
and from Kent, b& Devons, runts, and cows. The
remainder of the supplies has been derived from the
immediate neighbourliood of the metropolis.

About two thirds of the supplies of sheep have
been composed of not far from equal numbers of
South Downs, old and new Leicesters, and Lin-
colns ; the remainder, Rents, Kentish half-breds,
horned Dorsets, Somersets, polled Gloucesters,
and English fed Scotcli and Welsh sheep ; with
1,950, from Scotland; 3,000 from Boston, in Lin-
colnshire ; and 820 do. from Hull, by steam packets.

The supplies of lambs have been chiefly composed
of South Downs, Leicesters, Lincolns, Dorsets,
Kents, and Kentish half-breds, and polled Glou-
cesters ; with 1,040 from Scotland ; 1,050 from
Boston, and 500 from Hull, by steamers.

Those counties, whence the principal part of the
supplies of sheep and lambs have been derived, are
Sussex, Essex, Kent, Middlesex, Hampshire, Berk-
shire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, Herefordshire, Lin-
colnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire.
The number of live pigs which have reached hither,
by sea, from Ireland, has been about 360.

A statement of the quantities of dead meat, which
have been consigned, for sale, to Newgate and Lead-
enhall markets, from the under-mentioned quarters,
durine: the month.

Scotland . .
Yorkshne..

Essex

Surrey

Sussex,. . . .
Berkshire . .
Wiltshire...
Hampshire
Devonshire.
Gloucester .

Total ..

Supply of"!

preceding >

month. J

Beasts.

Number of
Carcasses.

2

26

28

Sheep.
Number of
Carcasses.

10

51

61

60

12

50

44

38

29

24

3/9

6S0

Calves.
Number of
Carcasses.

68
84
19
57
395
158
82
42

905

1818

Pigs.
Number of
Carcasses.

34

61

76

84

35

72

50

37

45

65

559
806

76 less. 301 less. 9131ess. 247less.

than the supplies of the preceding week.

The supplies of live stock, which have arrived at
the above markets for the purposeof being slaughter-
ed and sold, without appearing in Smithfield, have
consisted of 1,300 sheep, 300 lambs, and 133 pigs,
from Scotland ; 600 slieep, from Boston, in Lincoln-
shire ; 650 sheep, and 620 lambs, from Hull, in
Yorkshire ; the whole of which came by steam
packets. There have been also received, from va-
rious quarters 40 packages of beef, and 220 carcasses
0 fslaughtgred lambs.

We regret to state that, owing to the weather
having been very warm, a large portion of the dead
meat has come to hand, in very bad condition, and
sold at verv low prices.

ESSEX.

We have this week to report that full half of the
wheat in our county is secured in very excellent
condition, and in some cases the whole of that crop
has been harvested. With the exception of a day's
rain on Wednesday last, one uninterrupted succes-
sion of fine weather has afforded the farmer a rare
opportunity for so doing. The thrashiug machine
has been in very great request, and will, very shortly,
be the means of supplying our markets with a fair
quantity of wheat. We rejoice that the supply has
has been such, hitherto, as to preclude the admission
into our markets of any foreign grain, which would
have been so disastrous to the farmers at the present
moment. England, now, under the blessing of a
benign Providence, proves herself capable of grow-
ing a sufficiency to meet the consumption of her im-
mense population, and under the fostering protec-
tion of prohibitory laws, has shown herself equal, if
not superior to the vast demands upon her soil ; only
Ifct government do its best to afford encouragement
to the occupiers of the soil, and we fear no lack of
those necessaries of life vi'hich for the last four years
have been so abundant. Some new samples came
upon our market last Priday, and one particularly
good made 15Z. per load; the generality of samples

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

223

we have seen are not so plnmp in the grain as might
have been expected, but presume that has arisen from
the necessity of too early cutting, to get them so
quickly on the market. Smut appears to be by no
means so prevalent this season as last, and we think
the speculators this year, would do well to be on the
alert in housing a goodly quantity of corn, as on the
vchole, we should say, no season has lately been so
productive in quality if not in quantity, as the pre-
sent. In looking through your list of Railway Shares,
•we can hardly imagine how a capitalist could invest
his money in such undertakings, with an almost cer-
tainty of losing, when the price of wheat has been
so very low, and its fluctuations (as in the case of
last year) would have paid an interest of l5 or 20/.
per cent. When wheat averages about 12 or 13/. per
load, arise in the space of two or three years, in
some cases of one, is almost certain to follow, and
being a necessary commodity, always commands a
price something equivalent to the original purchase
money. If we refer to the investment of capital
during the last few years, it has principally been in
Railroads, or in some foreign loans, for the support
of civil wars, at wliich humanity shudders, and in its
murderous application bas tainted our capital with a
deadly stain ; looking at the matter in the abstract,
would not surplus capital be far better emploj^ed in
laying up a store of provisions, in case of need, and
rendering us, in some cases, independent of the high
prices the foreigner would lay upon his corn in case
of scarcity. We feel very great pleasure in giving
to our labouring population a high meed of praise for
good conduct and excellent workmanship, this har-
vest ; they have done much to please their employers,
and hope they will meet with fair encouragement and
employment afterwards. A considerable quantity of
Barley has been housed, but we do not consider the
sample will be so plump as for some years past ; the
late rain, however, will do much to improve it. Oats
have rapidly disappeared, the bulk of straw being
found very light, has afforded a facility for a quick
clearance of the lays ; we have to reiterate our for-
mer opinion that they will not be a great cro]^, we
should say by no means an average one, Peas have
been well got in, and where grown under contract,
will well pay the grower : of these we sa}^ as of
beans there is a fair crop. Some red clover has been
cut in our neighbourhood, and is not by any means
free from maggot, hundreds of acres intended to have
been saved for seed, have been mown for hay from
that cause, which will materially decrease the sup-
ply next spring. White clover is good, and in most
cases well got up. We would impress upon your
readers the necessity of sowing the trifolium as early
as possible now, as it very much tends to secure a
good plant. — sown with rye, tliere is no feed avail-
able so earlv, and certainly none so good ; a good
swath may fairly be antici])ated, on good land, about
the latter end of April. The mangel and turnip crop
goes on improving very rapidly, such a good store
both for man and beast during the ensuing winter,
we should say, was hardly ever exceeded, yet we
would caution our brother farmers against lading in
too great asters of beasts, as a little to spare is al-
ways better tlian a little to buy ; things will no
doubt be bought in high, and we should say go out
very low — the usual result of a flush of winter feed.
Can any of your correspondents inform us whether
they have tried the trifolium seed as a food for sheep
instead of oilcake, and would they oblige me by stat-
ing at what price the seed ought to be bought per
bushel, for that purpose, when oilcake is 8/. per
thousand"! Can any of your correspondents, also, in-
form us whether they have tried any of the lately ad-

vertised vegetables or grain, and oblige us with
the result > To one we must give our thanks, viz.
Mr.Matson, of Wingham.in Kent, for his stock of
Swede turnips, advertised in your columns ; we
have a piece now growing from, seed procured of
him, of very excellent quality, and from their ap-
pearance, well deserve the character he gave of that
stock.— Aug. 25.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

We are now arrived at a season of the year whea
the question as to quantity in our corn crops cease
to be a speculative one ; not so as regards the con-
dition and quality, this still remains doubtful ; on
the whole I should say, in this county, the wheat is
well kerned, the berry very fine, the ear well filled;
but against this must be placed the deficiencies ia
straw, and the smallness of the ear, and in many in-
stances waste from the hig-h winds ; it being gene-
rally remarked that there is more waste than usual
in the dropping of the corn. The continued rain we
had the latter end of the month laid a large portion
of our best wheats, but the fine weather we have
had since prevented the injury the corn would have
otherwise sustained ; our wheat is not free from.
blight, but on the whole less than last year ; reaping
is generally on, and some portion is secured in mow.
I have known the harvest full a month earlier. Bar-
ley on fine lands is good, little straw, but the
quality and quantity will be good ; on stiflf soils
the berry will not be full, and is light and un-
profitable both for the maltster and grinding pur-
poses ; there was a good deal of the best barley cut
during the last rain and this must have suflFered da-
mage, neither has that which was uncut escaped
being injured, at least in colour. Oats are shorter
if as good in berry, but very thin on the ground, and it
does°not appear likely that the former will compen-
sate for the latter. Beans are better that was ex-
pected, and we calculate on a better crop than for
the two last years ; vetches a-e podded well, we
grow but i'bw peas, the flax crop on the whole is
deficient, although there are some exceptions both
as regards seed and flax, but more particularly the
former. The quantity of teasels grown in this
county have been lessening every year, owing to
tlie dryness of the season it will not be an abundant
crop, and for the next year the plants are nearly a
failure. We shall have an abundant crop of apples,
but yet considerably short of a full crop. The crops
of hay are complained of as light, we are in hopes of
adding to our stock the fruits of the present grow-
ing showers. Our markets have been better sup-
plfed with live stock, particularly sheep, and the
prices of lamb and mutton have declined ; beef is also
lower but the supply of good beef is by no means
plentiful, I should quote mutton 5d. to 6d, and
beef old. to e^d., per lb, to sink the offal. Fat pigig
are in demand and sell readily at 8s. 6d. to 8s. 9d.
per 20lbs. There has been great complaints of defi-
ciency of the produce of the dairy this season, and
on all hands is allowed to be a considerable falling
off- butter is very scarce and is worth Is. to Is. Id.
per' lb., a high price for the season ; there has been
within these few days more disposition to purchase
wool, good fine combing lots have been readily
purchased at Is., but the holders are now standing
up for 13d. and I4d., considerable business has been
done this last week or two by way of commencement
in this article. We had a very heavy thunder
shower yesterday and in the night, this morning it
continues showery, and close, a few days more of
this cannot fail to injure the crops. Our markets

Q 2

224

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE:

last and this'week bave been ratber abundantly sup-
plied with wheat which has been sold at 7s. 6d. to
7s. 9d., it must be very prime to fetch 8s. ; beans
Lave been offering more freely at os. to 5s. 3d., for
other corn the price is as yet almost nominal; flour,
43s. to 4.5s. — Aua:. 11.

SUFFOLK.

Harvest partially commenced in some early dis-
tricts of this county, about the 9th or 10th of the
present month, but not generally before the 16th,
in the heavy and woodland districts. The crops
are fully equal to our most sanguine expectations,
(not tliat we would therefore infer they are mosL
abundant), there is a fair bulk of straw, with good
ears, perhaps little short of a fair average crop. The
weather is as propitious as can be desired, and should
it continue, harvest-work will progress rapidly, as all
kinds of corn are ripening fast. We hear complaint
of smut, more general than it ought to be, as so
many recipes for its prevention have been made
public so repeatedly by experienced men. We think
the wheat crop will be about an average ; the ears
are particularly tine and well filled, but the bulk of
straw is not equal to several past years. Barley,
although in some places much injured by wiri-worm
in the spring, such are consequently light in bulk,
but those which escaped the wire-worm are an abun-
dant bulk, with fine ears, and we see no reason to
fear, but altogether, the barley crop will be an ave-
rage one. Oats are but little grown in this county;
few fanners grow more than suflficient for their own
use, such, however, promise a fair return. Eeans
and peas are beyond an average, having escaped the
louse: they are very bulky in the straw, and par-
ticularly well loaded with pods. Vetches for seed,
promise also a most abundant produce, but as they
are now become so much more extensively culti-
vated, (a few years since persons who did not plant
above five or six acres, now sow fifteen or twenty
acres ;) this we consider one of the improved systems
of agriculture ; we would remark, the vetches are
grown on land which used to be a fallow all one
year, and we assert without fear of contradiction,
that as much barley will be grown after vetches, as
where the land has had a naked fallow, the vetches
either mown or fed oflT. Mangel wurzel, Swedes,
and common turnips are each promising to be oood,
and as the clover and grass were also an abundant
crop, there is the best prospect for the grazier as re-
gards a sufficiency of winter provender, we have had
for many years. Although the corn market last Mon-
day receded 3s. to 4s. per qr., the country millers could
not obtain a supply even for present use at a greater
reduction than Is. per qr., the wheat which is in
hand not being held by the needy farmers. The
check which the wheat market has received we
think will be an ultimate advantage to the needy
agriculturist ; had the market continued to advance
the duty on foreign wheat would soon have been
merely nominal, and when, from necessity, a full
supply of English wheat is brought into the market,
the effect would have been more felt. We see no
reason to fear but grain will bear a remunerating
price during the next season, together with the
New Poor Law and the Tithes Commutation
Bill we think, the prospect is much brighter for
the agricultural interest. On the New JPoor Law
we are happy to state (although so much abused
of late) that we know of several Union Houses,
where there are not sufficient able bodied
women to keep them in order, and that it is actually
in contemplation to hire persons for that purpose,

so much for the system of parting man and wife.
We also know of many farmers short of harvest men ,
which does not show that the labourers are pent up
in the Bastiles, as they are designated. As to the
Tithe Commutation Bill, although, as we before ob-
served, the farmer will part with as much money
as before, but he will have the consolation of know-
ing, that that arbitrary power once held, and in case
o{ not thinking exactly as the tithe holder, exercised
too, will be for ever done away. — Ang. 19.

SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

We have had since my last most delightful weather
both for securing the hay and the ripening of the
crops, with the exception of a few hasty showers
accompanied by very boisterous winds which very
much laid the wheat crops, but as the weather has
continued very favourable, and the harvest generally
commenced, we hope the damage done is but trifling-
compared to wl at some would have led us to believe.
From what we can at present see of the wheat crops,
and learn from our brother farmers, we consider we
shall be fully justified in saying there is every
prospect of full an average crop, and of most supe-
rior quality. Barley has very much improved since
the rain came, but is generally short in the straw,
and we think the samples of a great deal will be
chiselly and very uneven. Oats promise to be a
very abundant crop. Beans, though short in the
straw, are better podded than for many years past. .
The turnip crop, now the most hazardous the farmer
has, and yet the most felt when they fail, are, we
are sorry to say, very partial, here and there an ex-
traordinary fine plant, bu t in a great many fields
they are very patchy. Our corn markets are rather
on the decline, millers only purchasing from hand
to mouth, in expectation of wheat being lower. La-
bourers' wages from lis. to 123. per week for hay-
time, and 15s. to 18s. for harvest. — Aug. 18.

YORKSHIRE.

The month of August has been up to the day when
this report is written, which is quite rainy, invariably
fine. The sun's rays have played upon the crop nearly
every day, and it is quite incredible how rapidly the
change brought the corn forward, as well as facilitated
the securing of the hay in the later districts, where
mowing had been retarded, owing to the very wet and
unsettled state of the weather during the month of July.
The harvest commenced in the early districts of the
country about the 19th, but on cold soils it will be two
or three weeks before it is ready, let the weather
come as it rnay. Wheat and barley seem to ripen first,
and the former is now so generally subjected to the
scythe, that the sickle is banished from themostscientific
parts of the county. The wheat is thin, and the ears
are short, but the corn seems very bold, and will
doubtless weigh well, if well secured. Barley is short
in the straw, and thin also, but well eared ; and oats
are short but well corned ; generally, the corn is much
lodged by the heavy rains and winds of July. Cheva-
lier barley especially is completely flattened, where the
sad is in good condition; and thus the farmer who
manages ill has a standing crop, and will have more
corn than the high cultivator. We find the corn ripen
very unequally ; — a complaint which was prevalent last
year, and which was expected to have made the sample
unequal ; experience however shows, that if the corn
has attained a certain degree of ripeness, it will finish
the process in the sheaf, even if it be not all cut in the
same stage, and thus the disparity in the sample is found
less than was anticipated, when it comes to market.
The bean pods are fast filling, and we never remember
seeing that crop better, or more healthy; it will how-
ever be late, but little anxiety is manifested for this

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

225

cl*op, as it will bear almost any amount of unfavourable
weather when cut. Harvest wag'es are proffering' to be
hig-h this year. As much as 15s. and 16s. per week, w ith
victuals and allowance is g'enerally g'iven for the harvest
month. Binders and minor hands, get 17s. per week.
without victuals. The corn ripens very hastily, and
should a week's rain take place, hands will be difficult
to obtain, though we never observed so many Irish
reapers in this country during- any harvest as the present.
We think upon the whole, that the prospects of the
crop are those of nearly an averag'e year. A very g-reat
quantity of hay has been g-ot during- the present
month, and partly owing to the time it has been grow-
ing-, and partly to the very g-enial weather for the six
weeks preceding-, the late crops have turned off heavy ;
and as many farmers have mown their pastures, we do
not apprehend any scarcity of hay for the ensuing-
winter, small as the stock of old is m the country ge-
nerally. Indeed, it requires that there should be no
waste of this precious and valuable feed, for without it
in such a season as the last, the vast herds of cattle which
are now kept in the country must starve. 'J'he crops of
clover are generally reported light, and the stacks are
small ; the second crops are generally better, but they
are seldom mown off. The turnips which had too much
wet, and wei-e beginning to look yellow, and sickly in
some cases from that cause, have recovered wonder-
fully since the dry warm weather, and are in a very
growing state. The late sown ones, which were some-
what unpromising at one time, ai-e progressing much,
and the prospects are those of a full crop ; one of the
greatest blessing-s bestowed by a gracious Providence
upon the farmer, not only as regards his keep in winter,
but as respects his future crops of corn, and even of
seeds. Hoeing- has been somewhat protracted, and
weeds have sprung up fast, but that operation is now
nearly completed. Potatoes look remarkably well ; we
seldom remember seeing the tops look so large and
luxuriant, or fewer complete failures. There can be
little doubt after all the fanciful theories which are
raised, that nineteen-twentieths of the failures arise
from planting- sets which have been exhausted from
germination in the pits, owing to improper methods of
preservation ; and this is proved by the fact, that in the
present season, when every thing was so very back-
ward the potatoes were ungerminated when planted,
and are consequently a crop. We hope some scientific
and practical plan will be proposed, 'ere another pitting
time, \vhereby they may be taken up in a state fit for
planting at the spring. Fallows are not remarkably
clean this season, and if they have been neglected this
month are now in a bad state, as we have never had any
complete fallow weather until the commencement of it.
Pastures are pretty good, and still growing, and stoek
are in a thriving condition ; but markets are lowering
owing to the full supply. Corn is also receding in
price, and old stacks are very scarce. Very determined
opposition is manifested, especially in West Yorkshire,
to the introduction of the new poor law, and cc-rtainly
it can only be enforced at the point of the bayonet.
Throughout the whole county the measure is very un-
popular, and both rate payers and receivers are quite
dissatisfied. Some alterations we think must take place
next session. — Aug. 23.

CUMBERLAND.

The weather, which had continued remarkably fine
up till the middle of last month, broke about the 15th,
and continued to rain in gentle showers for about a
week, after which it literally fell in torrents; by which
the operations in the hay-field were much retarded, and
a part of the hay much injured. On the 6th inst,, how-
ever, it again changed and has continued extremely fine
ever since ; and the hay harvest is nearly brought to a
close. Now that it is secured, one may "speak with some
degree of certainty both as to quantity and quality.
Both meadow and sown grass are a full average crop ;
and though the wet weather injured that which was
abroad in the fieldsvery much, yet the elamage was only
partial, as the principal part of the sown grass was

secured before the weather became so very wet, and
the late meadow was uncut. So generally speaking,
the quantity will be good. The pastures were probably
never more luxuriant at this season than at present.
Botii wheat, oats and barley, are much lodged by the
late heavy rains; but should the weather coritinue fine
as it now is, the crop will not only be little injured, but
will very soon be ready for the sickle. The heat for a few
days back has been intense, and the corn is ripening
apace. Harvest has already commenced, as several
fields of barley have yielded to the sickle. Though at
one time it was expected that harvest would be late, it
is now certain that it will be as early as on an average
of years. Wheat has improved very much during last
month, even on unkindly soils, and now has a fair
quantity of straw. Barley will be a good crop, and so
will oat.% except upon very cold unkindly soils. The
markets have been rather heavy for the last week or two,
which will continue to be the case should the weather
continue fine, as the farmers will be anxious to part with
their grain before the new comes off the ground, the
last year's crop being of very inferior quality in the
northern counties. The turnip crop upon dry soils is
looking very well, but upon wet land it has suffered
severely from the late rains, and will hardly recover, as
turnips never do well after being once set with wet,
Potatosare extremely promising-, and are perhaps the best
crop there has been for very many years. Store cattle
continue to maintain their price ; and fat, though now
plentiful, still meets with a good market. Lean sheep
bring good prices, and lambs have not been higher for
some years. Iliis is owing to the plenty of keep, and
the scarcity of sheep, in consequence of the great loss by
death during the inclementweather in winter and spring-.
-Aug. 17.

NORFOLK.

The reaping of wheat partially commenced about the
21st of August, or even a few days sooner than that
date upon the very light soils, but the general harvest
cannot be dated earlier than the 24th instant, at which
period all hands seem to have been put in requisition
for the purpose of forwarding that important work.
The cutting of all kinds of grain is now in full progress,
and even a portion of the oat crop is already secured in
fine order. Comparing the present crop of wheat with
those of 1835 and 1836, we estimate a deficiency of four
or six bushels per, acre— nearly twenty per cent, upon
the whole produce ; but then it should he borne in
mind, that those were two most extraordinary years,
such perhaps as may not find a parallel in the annals
of husbandry. We are well acquainted with some in-
stances in which the excess of production over that of
ordinary seasons, amounted to a quantity per acre and
weight per bushel which would scarcely be credited if
the fact was not established beyond all contradiction ;
thus although the wheat crop of the present year is
unquestionably lighter than those of the two former,
it is not to be deduced therefrom, that it is greatly
below an average produce ; on the contrary, we believe
it to be about equal to a general average, under ordi-
nary circumstances. The crop of barley is good upon
the deep loams in a high state of cultivation— perhaps
equal to that of last year ; and even upon those of an
inferior description, although the straw is short, the
grain is pretty well filled ; nor can the oat crop, taken
as a whole, be pronounced more defective. Peas and
beans also are well podded, the former are already taken
up, and afford a prospect of producing a good sample.
Turnips and mangel wurzel are as unfailing in plant
and as vigorous in growth as we ever remember to have
seen them at this season of the year, and as the second
cut of hay and aftermath grasses will be sufficient to
carry on the stock till the former is fit for drawing, it
may be presumed there is no reason to apprehend either
a scarcity of cattle food or a diminution in the value of
store beasts during the present autumn. The only
drawback we have to notice in the grazing department
arises out of the over-heating of the hay-stacks; very
many of them have been taken down and rebuilt, evi-

1:HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

dently greatly injured, or even spoiled for the purpose
of being used as provender for cattle ; and in some few
instances they have become ignited, and have thus oc-
casioned a great destruction of property. — Aug. 25.

PERTHSHIRE.

Now that the din and excitement of elections begin
to subside, and the mind again sobered down to write
on, or peruse subjects connected with the rural pros-
pects of the farmer, we shall at this advanced period of
the month, offer a few remarks on the past weather
and present appearance of the crops. The rain that
fell in July amounted to something more than six
inches in depth, or about four times the ordinary aver-
age fall for the month of July. At this place, aud
since the commencement of the present month, very
nearly other two inches in depth has been added. The
temperature for July was 60| degrees Fahrenheit, being
^ of a degree above the average for that month. The
effects of superabundant moisture on the growing crops,
under a moderately high temperature, it were easy
a priori to anticipate. At first a rapid elongation took
place, but saturation on retentive soils produced a
sickly plant, from which subsequent drought will not
recover it. Wheat filled slowly, and will require the
usual period of 70 days to ripen from the time of ear-
ing ; little will consequently come to the sickle this
month. I must here take the opportunity of thanking
your intelligent and polite correspondent, your Gla-
morganshire reporter, for the ready and handsome
manner in which he attended to my request, respecting
the time between the earing and ripening of wheat in
Glamorgnushire. He has thus settled one point on
vegetable physiology, hitherto but little attended to. I
think the mean temperature at his place, from com-
paring notes formerly with that gentleman, is about 3
to 3j degrees higher than it is at this place, and it
•would appear that such temperature hastens the ma-
turing of wheat by ten days sooner than when the tem-
perature is so much lower ; nor is this advantage on
the whole season of its growth, but merely between
the periods of earing and ripening. TUe heavy rains
have twisted and lodged all the cerial crops unless where
very light, but being still green there is a slight buoy-
ancy which will prevent damage by sprouting, and
•which may tend to the production of a good sample,
particularly of wheat. Barley, we are sorry to observe,
has in numerous instances a whitened and sickly ap-
pearance, and much will be light. Oats have a more
favourable appearance, but will come late to the sickle.
Beans will be bulky in the stack, but deficient in the
granary. Hay was never worse got in Scotland, nor
is the crop nearly the usual weight. Turnips came
a'way rapidly unscathed here by the fly ; a weightier
return than usual is expected. Potatoes promise well,
and if plenty in England, will be had at ordinary prices
throughout the winter months. Good samples of wheat
readily bring from 56s. to 60s. where the quality is
sound, and the weight 63 to 64 lbs. per bushel. Some
patches of barley will be cut by the end of next week
in the early districts, but shearing will not be general
till the beginning of September. — Aug. 15.

AGRICULTURAL NOTES FROM THE
STEWARTRY.

A considerable number of cattle have been purcliased
by the dealers in this quarter for Barnet Fair, at prices
■which remunerated their owners. Harvest will com-
mence with us about the 24th curt. The barley crop
has a very promising appearance, and, if the weather
continues favourable, will be better and considerably
heavier than it has been for several years past. The
recent dashing rains partially lodged it where it was
very strong, but the damage so far is not material.
Some fields of oats are ripening rapidly, and promise to
be fully an average crop ; but many that are bearing
the second crop, though they are better than was at one
time expected, will not tell well in the farm-yard, or on
the barn-floor, The wild mustard was extraordinarily

rank, and has been very injurious, particularly where
the stalks were thin, and it has hindered stoling. The
turnips give encouraging earnest of an abundant crop.
The fly has been unknown in this district during the
season ; and where the land was well cultivated and
early sown, the plants have already met in the drills,
and promise a large supply of excellent food for sheep
and cattle. As a great breadth of land is sown, there
is a cheering prospect for the farmer and grazier ; and
as the inlaid prices of sheep are from 3s. to 4s. 6d. each
lower than they were last year, they calculate on an
adequate remuneration, especially if our commercial
prospects brighten, as it is earnestly hoped they will.
The rye-grass crop, though hardly an average one, is
much better than was one time expected. These who
have any to dispose of, readily obtain from 3d. to 3jd.
per 141bs., and in some instances rather more has been
given at roups ; but they are not a certain criterion to
judge by, as soire persons are determined to possess,
no matter at what price. A larger quantity of hay than
was ever known before, has been preserved for seed, and
some of it promises to be of excellent quality. There
will be a large supply for next season, which will
cheapen what is brought from afar, besides being a
source of gain to the home-growers. Meadow-hay is
not only better in quality, but much larger in quantity
than it was last year ; but the prices are not yet fixed.
Potatoes are progressing- rapidly, and promise an abun-
dant crop. In some places, where the stems are very
strong, they have been partially broken by the recent
liigli winds and rains, but the damage is inconsiderable.
Dumfries Herald. S. H.

ON WASHING TREES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir, — I observe in your paper of this week an article
upon the washing of forest trees, wherein you neither
mention what they are to be washed with, nor in what
manner it is to be done. I beg, therefore, to inform
you that I have been making cxpe-rimeats in the wash-
ing of trees for these eight years past.

In the year 1827 I planted a small strip to make an
experiment with the undermentioned kind of forest
trees:— elms, ash, plane, sycamore, chesnut, walnut,
poplar, laburnum, Scotch fir, larch and lilac. When
planted two years, moss began to grow on all but the
laburnum. T had them washed in the month of Octo-
ber with lime water, putting a lime shell about the size
of a half quartern loaf into a pailful of soft water, mix-
ing to about the same consistency as is used to white-
wash the ceilings of rooms, and putting it on with a
whitewasher's brush. In the spring of the following
year I found the bark free of moss, and the trees quite
healtliy. I have continued washing them every second
year smce that time. When planted, they ran from
three feet and a half to five feet in length. There are
many of them now above twenty feet in height, and two
feet in circumference at a foot from the ground. Eight
years ago I planted two fruit trees in my garden to
make an experiment. In the second year I found them
beginning to g'et mossy, the same as the forest trees ;
since which time I have washed one of them every Oc-
tober in the same manner, the other I have done no-
thing to. When planted they were both exactly four
feet high and three inches in circumference each. The
height of the one that has not been washed for these six
years is now six feet four, and the circumference seven
inches and three quarters. The height of the one that
has been washed is ten feet five inches and a half, and
the circumference is ten inches and one quarter, which,
in my opinion, is a certain proof of the utility ot wash-
ing with lime-water.

You may insert this in your paper provided you think
it entitled to a corner in it. A woman can do a hun-
dred of them in a day of that si'<;e. The wages here ars
tenpence, and the expense of the lime about fourpenoe.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE PRINGLE.

Scrementon, Aug. 4.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c.

IPSWICH LAMB FAIR commenced oa Tuesday,
August 22, with nearly as large a show of Lambs as
last year, and at an advance of Is, per head. Gene-
rally speaking they came up in good condition, and
high prices were demanded, which caused a stagnation
at first ; but towards the close of the day a good many
sales were effected, and most of the prime lots were
disposed of. The company on the ground was as nu-
merous as could be expected in the very midst of har-
vest, but the streets were comparatively deserted, and
business was almost entirely confined to the fair-field —
On Wednesday, the steady and unceasing rain until the
afternoon, retarded business, and many lots were
driven off unsold. The trade this day was principally
confined to the dealers, by whom more sheep were
penned than has usually been the case. The demand
for Half-Down Lambs was very limited, and but little
disposition to purchase that stock, the pure Dow-ns
being the favourites. One large grower informed us,
that he had been unable to obtain a sale for a consider-
able number of Half-Downs, and in consequence con-
templates changing his stock ; the only business he
transacted was the sale of a small lot of Downs and re-
fuse Lambs. There was a very small quantity of
Beasts, among which were a few good Devons, but no
stall worthy of notice. Mr. Okey, jun., of Cambridge,
again exhibited some very fine shearling Leicester Tups
and Tup Lambs ; and some very fine Lambs of the
same breed were shown by Mr. Ward, of Sproughton.
A sale of Leicester and Down Tups, by auction, took
place on the ground on the first day. The first sheep
was knocked down by Mr. Spurling for 8l. 10s., the
remainder went at prices varying from 3l, to 5/. ; the
Lambs at prices varying from 2L to 2?. 15s. ; they were
bred by Mr. John Cordy, of Shotley.

DOWNS. W. E.

Duke of Grafton 19 6—19 6

Lord Berners 20 0

Sir W. F. F. Middleton 21 0—22 6

Colonel Rushbrooke 20 0

Colonel Ray, Eldo House 22 6—22 6

G. St. V. Wilson, Esq., Redgrave Park 21 0

W. Newton, Esq., Elden 18 6

Mr. Adams, Barton 21 0-19 0

Mr. Baskett, Pettaugh 28 0

Mr. Crosbie, West Stow 18 0

Mr. Clover, Kirtling 23 6—23 0

Mr. Catchpool, Horinger 21 6

Mr. Catlin, Butley Abbey 25 0

Mr. Catlin, Chillesford 21 6

Mr. W. Clarke, Iken 17 0—18 0

Mr. Cooper, Barnham 19 6

Mr. Chambers, Beacham Hall 12 9

Mr. Cutting, Bacton 17 0

Mr. Edwards, Sutton 18 0

Mr.Fyson, Higham 23 6—26 0

Mr. Gale, Rushmere 20 0

Mr. Gardner, Radwell, Herts 22 0

Mr. Garnham, Rougham 21 0—20 6

Mr. H. Green, Newton 24 0

Mr. Harvey, Risby 18 6—18 0

Mr. Johnson, Higham 23 0

Mr. Jackson, Tattingston 20 6

Mr. Lugar, H engrave 24 0

Mr. Nunn, Tofts 17 6

Mr. Payne, Elden 18 8

Mr. Phillips, Barton 21 0—22 0

Mr. Pettit, Friston 20 0

Mr. Roper, Honiton 22 0

Mr. J. M. Rodwell, Livermere ,24 9—29 0

Mr. Shjllito, Barrow 24 0

Mr. Stannard, Rushmere 17 0 — 17 0

Mr. Smith, Barton Mere 21 0—20 0

Mr. John Steel, Bucklesham 20 0—18 0

Mr. Wing, Cavenham 19 0

Mr. Waller, Eyke 19 0—19 0

Mr. Webb, Ilildersham, Cambs 25 0—29 0

Ms. Webb, Butley, Essex , . 26 0

Mr. Walton, Timworth 22 0—22 0

Mr. H. Wake, Durham Reach, Ipswich 21 0—22 0

HALF-DOWNS.

Mr. Catlin, Butley Abbey 22 0—26 0

Mr. Craske, Stowlangtolt 20 0

Mr. Denton, Rushbrook 19 6—19 6

Mr. Orman, Sutton 24 0 — 24 0

Mr. Rist, Foxhall 21 0

Mr. Sparke, Pakenham 20 0

Mr. Wiseman, Tuddenham 20 0

NORFOLKS.

Mr. Catchpool, Horinger 21 0

Mr. Rist, Foxhall 21 0—21 0

LEICESTFRS.

Mr. Cockerell, Saxham 18 6

Mr. Catchpool, Horinger , 23 0

Mr. Crisp, Chilsford 18 6

Mr. Steel, Bucklesham 21 6

Mr. Sparham, Cripton 19 0

Half Leicester.

Mr. Denton, Rushbrook 19 0—19 0

Mr. Roper, Lackford 20 6—17 6

Mr. John Steel, Bucklesham 21 0—21 0

Mr. Charles Boby, Wallisham 21 0 — 21 0

Mr. Sparham, Troston 19 6—19 6

SHEEP.— DOWNS.

Mr. Catling, Chillesford , . . 37 0

Mr. Fairweather, Winston 39 0

Mr. Morgan, Bramford 37 O

Mr. Webb, Butley 40 0

DOWN CRONES.

Mr. John stannard, Rushmere 13 0

TUPS.

Mr. J. Okey, jun., Cambridge, Leicester Shearlings,
7Z. to 8Z. — Ditto. Lambs, 50s. to 70s. ; slow trade
nnd small demand.
— The Messrs. Ransome, as usual, exhibited in the
barn a variety of ploughs and modern implements of
husbandry. We observed a chaff-engine upon an im-
proved construction, with some simple machinery at-
tached thereto for working it by a horse ; but the prin-
cipal objects of interest and attraction this year, were
Mr. A. Riddle's new scarifier, the Rack-heath and
sub- soil ploughs. The system of under -ploughing,
from all accounts, appears to be productive of the most
beneficial results to agriculture. There were two con-
structions of the sub-soil plough— the Scotch, com-
posed entirely of irou, and the Rack-heath, not wholly
made of that material. This latter implement (the in-
vention of Sir Edward Stracey), is but little known in
this county, although largely patronized in the part of
Norfolk from whence it derives its name.

HORNCASTLE,AuGusT 15.— ANNUAL HORSE
FAIR. — Extract of a letter: — "It has for many years
been usual for horses to make their first appearance in
the town on the night of the lOth of August, but this
year there were arrivals both of horses and dealers on
the 8th, from which time to this date the town has been
gradually filling, until every stable, and every out-
building- which can be converted into one is engaged,
and numbers which cannot obtain accommodation are
distributed among tlie surrounding villages. The show
of good horses is tolerably large, but the demand is

228

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

large also, and high prices are consequently asked ;
they have been given in some instances reluctantly, the
disposition of the dealers evidently beinn: to hang back ;
they are prevented, however, from following' the bent
of their inclination by the numerous foreigners who are
in the fair, anxiously looking for first-rate horses.
Several strings of superior horses purchased by London
dealers were sent oft" yesterday, the chief part of them
belonging to filessrs. Dyson. From the number of
second-rate horses which are coming into the fair, it is
expected they will realize but very low prices."

BRITFORD GREAT SHEEP FAIR. — The
number of sheep and lambs penned amounted to up-
wards of 43,000. Sheep of all descriptions, in good
condition, were in ready demand, and met with a quick
sale, at 2s. per head advance on the prices of last year ;
but inferior stock met with a very heavy sale, and many
of the latter description remained unsold. Wethers
sold at from 25s. to 32s. per head ; ewes, 18s. to 29s. per
head ; lambs, 15s. to 23s. per head. Mr. Gray of Long-
ford Farm sold some choice lambs, from the celebrated
stock of the Earl of Radnor, at 30s. p-=r head ; and Mr.
John Selfe, of Knighton Farm, sold 100 lambs, belong-
ing to his admired stock, at 29s. per head, Mr. Thos.
Waters of Stratford-sub-Castle, and Mr. Stride, of De-
verill, sold ewes at 33s. 6d. per head. There was a
large show of rams, and a particularly fine pen belong-
ing to Mr. Northeast, of Tidworth, and a pen of 60 fine
rams, belonging to Mr. Dear, of Durnford, met with a
sale. There was a large show of horses of an inferior
description, and particularly of forest colts, which met
with a ready sale. — Salisbury Journal.

FALKIRK TRYST.— The first and least extensive
of these great markets was held on Stenhousemuir, on
Tuesday and Wednesday, and the show of small High-
land cattle was very extensive. Stots, for winter keep,
were in good demand, the greater part of that descrip-
tion having been picked up on the first day. Good fat
also met a ready sale, there being rather a scanty supply
of this description on the ground. Six very superior
animals were bought for the slaughter, at about 7s. 6d.
per Dutch stone. Another lot of ten was bought by a
respectable flesher in this neighbourhood, at IIZ. lis.
Heifers were not in such demand, and several lots were
disposed of, about 10s. a head lower than at Balgair. A
lot of sixty-six Rossshire stots, three years old, were
sold for wintering at 5/. 5s. ; and another lot of the same
number was sold by the same gentlemen at 41. 10s. It
was considered that such animals brought from 5 to 10
per cent, more than at Balgair market, and much the
same prices as at this market last year. A lot of sixty
queys, three and four-years-olds, were sold by ]\lr.
Stewart of Lochlane, by Crieff, at 3/. 10s. A lot of
small Isle of Skye stots brought 5L 12s. 6d. The best
lot of lean stock which we observed on the ground,
brought 8/. 10s. Several large lots of small Highland-
ers,fsix quarters old, from Lewis, Harris, and other Isles,
were disposed of from 11. 10s. to 21. 10s. Inferior ani-
mals of this description were sold as low as 1/. 5s. Good
farrow cows brought 6s. 6d. per Dutch stone. There
were few good milkers on the ground, which caused
rather a brisk demand, but jjrices much the same as at
late markets. One superior animal was sold at 12/.;
two rather inferior at 10/.; current prises from 6L 10s.
to 8/. 10s. On Wednesday about a third of the stock
appeared on the ground, principally small Highlanders,
the greater part of which were disposed of by the after-
noon, at prices similar to that obtained on the previous
day. The cattle did not look so well in consequence of
the backward state of the early part of the spring, but
upon the whole it was considered a fair market: —
Horse Market : — A very considerable show of horses
were brought to market brought to market both for
draught and saddle, and several droves of unshod High-
land ponies. There were a great many excellent
draught horses, which sold readily from 20/. to 30/. A
superior pair was sold at 52/. The demand for posters
was not so great, and few changed owners, the quality
of this description being rather inferior. Ponies and
hacks at all prices.

MELROSE LAMB FAIR.-At this great annual
fair for lambs, there were upwards of 80,000 brought

forward, which his nearly one-third more than there was
exhibited last year. The increase, which was principally
on the half-bred lambs, may be accounted for from the
circumstance that the holders of this description of stock
in distant parts of the country, anticipatmg good prices
and a quick sale, glutted the market. In consequence
of the Lockerby lamb fair falling on the same day, the
attendance of dealers was limited, notwithstanding
which a great amount of business was transacted. The
demand was, however, dull, and great numbers were
driven oft" unsold. Leicester wedder lambs brought
from 19s. to 223. ; Leicester ewe ditto, from l5s. to 18s. ;
half-bred wedder lambs, from 16s. to 19s. ; ditto ewe,
from 13s. to 15s. ; Cheviot lambs, from 8s. 6d. to 13s.
The show of grazing cattle was poor, and the demand
dull.

LOCKERBIE LAMB FAIR, August 15th.— Con-
trary to general expectation, the numbers that appeared
were little short of an average — probably reaching
nearly 40,000. In former years, the Cheviots consti-
tuted two-thn-ds of the market; but this year the full
half of the whole would be of the cross-breed between
Cheviot and Leicester ; the greater part of the remain-
der being Cheviot, with a few lots of other crosses and
pure black-faced. The Cheviot lots were all under the
usual number. Those from the farms in Annandale be-
ing short from a fifth to a third ; and from farms in dis-
tricts more to the north and east, the deficiency was still
greater. Tiie half-breds, with a few exceptions, were
little short of their usual number from each farm.
From the rates at the markets of St. Boswell's and Lang-
holm, although comparatively of small extent, the seller
looked for an increase of price above last year ; while
the turnip feeders, judging from their sales of last
spring, and the price of wedders at Inverness, expected
a reduction of 2s. to 3s. a head, especially on half-breds
— the consequence was, that the marketwas a very slow
and dull one ; and although the prices were still high,
they fell in the course of the day, and a good many
thousands went off unsold. The best lot of half-breds,
which were from the neighbourhood, were said to
give 22s. 6d. or 23s. ; but they were of quality
superior to any thing- ever shown at this market before.
A lot from Corric gave 20s. ; and a few very superior
lots, chiefly from the neighbourhood, reached from
17s. 6d. to 19s. Very capital lots, however, only gave
from 16s. to 17s. ; and the great bulk of the tops of this
sort reached from 13s. 6d. to 15s. 6d., and would be
from 6d. to Is. under last year's prices. Cheviot wedder
lambs gave proportionally higher prices. One con-
siderable lot of first-rate quality, from Corrie, were said
to be fully 13s. One large lot from Eskdale, of similar
quality, was unsold late at night. Some parcels from
Moffat, &c., gave lis. to r2s. ; but the general rate was
from 10s. to lis. Cheviot ewe lambs were very scarce;
and those of tolerable quality gave from lis. to 12s. 6d.
Cheviot lambs in general would be 6d. to Is. above last
year's prices. Black-faced seemed to be sold, mostly
early in the day ; but at this market, those of secondary
quality only are shown. All the Scoti and English
wool-dealers who frequent the south-west of Scotland
attended, and as hitherto little business had been done,
very many transactions were consequently made. In
many cases prices were not fixed between the parties ;
but where they were, from 13s. to l4s. for Cheviot washed
laid wool, and 6s. 6d. to 7s. for laid black-faced, might
be the rates. Still it is understood a great deal yet re-
mains in the hands of the farmers.

ELGIN CATTLE MARKET.— There was a nuraer-
ous show of catUe, but very little business v!as done,
and prices were a shade lower than those of last mar
ket day. Mr. Keir, Inschtellie, sold a lot of superior
two-year-olds at 7/. 10s. A lot of three-year-olds, in
fine condition, also belonging to Mr. Keir, was dis-
posed of at at upwards of 11/. a-head. Mr. M'Kessack,
Grangegreen, sold seventeen three-year-old stots, at
6/. 10s., and purchased a lot of two-year-old Highland
stots, at 5/. 5s. ; and Mr. Petrie, Coxton, disposed of
a lot of three-year-olds at 71. Generally, however,
this description of stock sold at from 4/. to 6/. lOs.
There was no demand for lean cattle. There were only
a, few cows in the market ; the prices they brought

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

229

^ere from 41. to 7^ There were several strong useful
draught horses in the market in the afterHoon, some of
which were sold at fair prices — from 17/. to 20/. As
usual, there was a great number of inferior animals
shown, whicli were sold at prices varying from 1/. 10s.
to lOZ. Upon the whole, we may note this as one of
the dullest markets that we have had for a long
time.

SHOW OF RAMS.— The letting- of Mr. Smith's
Rams for the season, took place at Sliedlaw on Tuesday
last. The superior quality of the stock exhibited elicited
the approbation of all who were present. Many dis-
tinguished gentlemen aad breeders from a distance were
in attendance, and tlie sale, we understand, went off re-
markably well. — Kelso Chroyiicle.

SHOW OF RAaiS.— OnTliursdaylast,Mr. Comp-
ton's show of rams took place at Learmouth, and was
attended by a considerable number of eminent agricul-
turists. The number of rams exhibited amounted to
40, and in the opinion of judges they were allowed to be
superior to any ever shown in this part of the country.
Some of the sheep let as high as 20/., or 4/. more than
what they let for last year, and the average upon the
whole was more than last year, a proof that the stock
is superior. Mr. Compton has long- been celebrated as
a breeder, and his reputation stands deservedly high
among- agriculturists, while it is a remarkable fact, that
his stock always brings the best prices in the market. —
Ibid.

SALES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.—
Sales of growing crops have been going on briskly in
this neighbourhood of late. Near the town, potatoes
have brought so high as 22/. and 23/. per acre ; and
in the country, from 18/. to 20/. At Williamston sale,
in the parish of JMadderty, last week, nearly 500 people
attended, and the bidding was very brisk. Wheat
fetched from 16/. to 18/. per acre ; oats from 14/. to
16/., and barley not mvch under. These prices are in
dications of a heavy crop as well as of the high state
to which cultivation is now brought in that district. —
Perth Courier.

RECLAIMED LAND.— On Monday se'nnight, the
first crop was sold off about 50 acres of land near Port
Allen, which has just been recovered from the Tay.
The occasional wetness of the season having retarded
the crop, on ground within this twelvemonth wholly
submerged, the corn was not so heavy as it would have
been under more favourable circumstances. The sale, not-
withstanding, was lively, and the prices good. Wheat
brought about 17/. per acre. The operations of em-
banking and reclaiming lands from the river have been
conducted on a very exsensive scale along- the Errol
shores, and are daily adding great value to the pro-
perty.

GIGANTIC PEA.— Without the least fear of con-
tradiction, or of being imputed hatchet-throwers, we
have seen, with many others, growing- in Mr. Thomas
Hutchinson's garden, at Snenton, a pea of matchless
dimensions and productiveness. The stem measured 5
feet 7 inches in height — it has borne 112 pods — which,
if averaging- five in each, yields 560 peas! Lest any
curious grower should fancy it might be approached,
by taking " French leave," we can assure him he is too
late ; the curiosity is ripened and gathered. — Notting-
ham Review.

EARWIGS.— At Burford, Oxfordshire, the fields
and even housesareswarming with earwigs, whilst other
insects are comparatively scarce. The former are more
numerous this season than ever remembered, and have
for some time been devouring the leaves of the Swedish
turnips, especially near the wall fences, in which they
shelter themselves. The earwigs have also been trouble-
some in tlie gardens this year, destroying the wall fruits,
particularly apricots ; the following plan has been suc-
cessfully adopted for their extirpation :— Cut lengths of
hollow reeds from dried hemlock, easily obtained in the
hedges, in pieces about seven or eight inches long, and
slanting at each end, so that the reed may be placed
under a small branch of the fruit tree against the wall,

and afford every facility to the earwigs to enter ; early
in the morning- examine the trees, and blow through
each reed into a jug with a few inches of hot water in
the bottom, which will force the earwigs into the water ;
replace the reeds, and repeat the visit every morning till
the insects are exteminated.

TO THE HOP GROWERS OF THE COUN-
TIES OF WORCESTER & HEREFORD.

Gentlemen, — The object I have in addressing you is
to point out the gi-eat disadvantage you are under in
putting Hops into Cloth of the Narrow Width, as com-
pared with that used in Kent and Sussex ; and I feel
convinced you require only the facts to be stated to
agree with me that it will be much to your advantage
to use wider cloth : — for instance, a consumer buys 20
Pockets of Worcester Hops and 20 Pockets of Kents,
with the intention of using them in equal proportions,
but tlie latter will weigh from 7 to 10 cvvt. more on the
average ihan those of this district, and when the Wor-
cester are found to run short the Brewer is ordered to
use them sparingly, say one-third Worcesters and two-
thirds Kent, consequently throwing the consumption on
the Kents, and taking it from the Worjesters. There
will be an advantage also in every piece of Cloth of at
least 10s. by putting 1 ewt. 3 qrs. 7 lbs., instead of the
present average of 1 cwt. 1 qr. 141bs., in each Pocket,
and only a difference of 2s. per piece on the first cost.
I should recommend Cloth (common width being only
32 inches) 34 inches in width, and which may, I am
informed, be obtained.

I am. Gentlemen,

Your obedient Servant,
A HOP GROWER.

Worcester, 2-2d August, 1837.

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

231

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

In the early part of the month the unsettled cha-
racter of the weather created some degree of appre-
hension for the fiivourable progress of the harvest,
and the farmers were enabled to obtain an advance
of fully 2s. per qr., and a firmer feeling pervaded the
trade in Scotland and Ireland though the elections
still continued to impede the regular course of bu-
siness. The rains were heavy, accompanied with
violent gusts of wind, and their united power lodged
several of the heavier crops of grain, especially in
exposed situations ; but as the weather generally
partook more of the April characteristic, showers and
sunshine, with a prevalence of light drying winds,
the injury sustained by the wheat was leis than an-
ticipated, while summer grain, with turnips, man-
gel wurzel and potatoes, benefitted materially from
the moisture, particularly as this state of the atmos-
phere was succeeded with hot sunny days and mild
genial nights, which had the eflfect of forcing the
crop rapidly towards maturity, and new wheats ap-
peared at several of the country markets between the
15th and 21st ; and so hastily was the wheat " got
up'' that in several instances farmers " carted up to
the sickle," and fields of " golden grain which were
seen waving in the morning's dew" had become bare
stubbles by the setting sun ; and it is to be hoped
that the growers will not have to repent this hasty
mode of clearing their ground, as complaints are
already made from several country markets of the
condition of the samples.

Speculators towards the close of the month have
had some slight cause for excitement in the unsettled
character of the weather, attended with a falling
barometer, and accounts round the coast of South
Westerly winds which at this season of the year are
usually attended with heavy and continued rains;
their sympathies therefore have had grounds for some
degree of action, as far as self is concerned, the ex-
tent to which the feelings are confined on these oc-
casions, as the controlling influence which the love
of gain has on human action, effaces all kindred par-
ticipation in hopes and fears, and though rain and
storm would destroy the fond exj)ectancies of the
agriculturist and plunge many in difficulties and
ruin, yet the speculator, unscathed himself, and reap-
ing a profitable harvest, allows not his sympathies to
be operated on by the mischance of the many, so that
the few are benefitted. The rain we have hitherto
experienced has been in this country generally be-
neficial, as the heavy storms of thunder and rain in
the metropolis and environs have been, from their
very nature, only partial. The harvest has, however,
been slightly impeded, and old wheats at the coun-
try markets have been held by the growers at higher
rates, which buyers not acceding to, has latterly

limited the transactions of actual business to a very
limited extent ; previously, the new samples in many
instances had been obtaining relatively higher rates
than old ; though many of the parcels of this year's
produce which have appeared at market afford con-
siderable disparity in quality, and are not generally
equal to the samples offering at a similar period of
last season ; mildew, smut and coarseness are com-
plained of, and indeed were apparent in the first par-
cels which appeared in Mark Lane on Monday the
21st., beingonlyoneweeklaterthan the first produced
last year ; the mildew may however have arisen in
the sample, from its having been taken from patches
which had been previously lodged, and which we
believe is sometimes adopted by way of makino- an
impression early in the season. In instances we have
heard, that in threshing out, great disappointment
has been sustained in tlie yield of wheat; these
cases can, however, at present have been rare,
and we are induced to believe that the complaint
will not be general in our principal wheat counties,
though in Suffolk the crop is not, we think, equal to
that of last year; but the same falling off will not
bo felt in the neighbouring county of Norfolk, where
tlie barleys are reported as likely to have proved
coarse, had not the rain fallen, which will ia all pro-
bability mellow the kernel ; we still believe there-
fore that wheat will prove a moderate average, and
barley a full crop. No doubt since 1832 the residue
of old corn has been never reduced to so low a limit
as at present ; and hence it is attempted to draw an
opinion as to the future price likely to be current
the ensuing season, and which is thought will range
from 55s. to 56s. per qr., allowing that the grain is
secured in the best possible condition and fit for im-
mediate use, which it will be required to be in Scot-
land and Ireland. These rates are to prevail after
the first influx of the new growth has had its usual
depression on the currencies. There are, however,
so many casualties that may affect the prices, that
the calculation is somewhat vague, and we only
hope, for the sake of the farmer, that he may not be
obliged to sell his wheats at a lower average. We
must consider, however, that though the superabun-
dance reported in Ireland will increase the quantity
in England available for the consumption, and that
if in Scotland the average produce, which is calcu-
lated upon, be secured, no drain will exist on this
country, yet considering the extent of the annually
increasing consumption, which is mainly dependent
on the new growth, there is required a produce equi-
valent to the necessities of thirteen to fourteen
months instead of twelve, as there ought to be at
least two months consumption of old corn when the
new appears at market. On the other hand the luxu-

232

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

riant crops of potatoes and low price, which will
doubtless rule this season, as they are already selling
at some of the Irish shipping ports at Is. 6d. to Is.
lOd. per cwt, will check the demand for Flour, and
consequently conduce in depressing its value.

The rains in Scotland, which latterly were again
creating apprehensions for the fate of the crops, have
been succeeded with fine weather, and vegetation
is now rapidly progressing. Though the hortness of
the stocks of all grain prevents any material depres-
sion in wheat, while oats maintain fully their quota-
tions. In the more Southern and Western portions
of the kingdom harvest has commenced, and wheat,
barley, and oats have been partially cut, and in the
Northern a few patches of oats, but the farmers will
not be in full operation before the first week of Sep-
tember, even with favourable weather. An average
produce is anticipated of all grain.

In Ireland harvest had been advancing under
most favourable auspices, and the showers wh'ch
have beezi exjierienced have prevented the grain
from prematurely ripening. Samples of new oats
were appearing at most of the leading markets, but
prices had suffered little depreciation, the rates
demanded being for the most part 2s. higher
than those offered free on board in this country, the
difference being as 12s. to lOs. per barrel ; but we
apprehend that the quotations are likely to recede,
from the fact that the smaller farmers being entirely
bare of stock, are likely to be induced to bring their
produce early to market, as the Irish agricultural
banks, without bringing into question their capabili-
ties, will not feel inclined after the experiment of the
last twelve months, to adopt any extensive system of
making advances for the purpose of enabling farmers
to retain their produce. At the leading shipping
ports wheat is expected to set in at 22s. to 243.

Though slight fluctuations have occurred in the
market, vet the general tendency in wheat has been
to recede owing to the favourable character of the
weather for the harvest, millers buving with extreme
caution ; and the heat of the weather preventing
them or bakers keeping any stocks, prices have de-
clined altogether 7s. to 8s., and rallied about 3s. to
4s., leaving the currencies about 4s. worse than at
the commencement of the month. Much speculative
business has been transacting, and parties induced
to purchase sometimes largely on one market day,
taking the chance of the intervening weather to the
next market whether to hold or refuse the bargain,
availing themselves of the usage of the trade to
throw up the wheat bought for instance on the Wed-
nesday, before 10 o'clock of the Friday, by merely
stating verbally " the bulk is not equal to sample"
or in other words, " I have now bought it too dear"
and will not receive it; a custom, while it throws
discredit at the honest dealings of Mark Lane, is
highly inconvenient and injurious to many shippers
on the coast, as they are never certain that the sales
advised will be completed until the succeeding mar-
ket is passed ; but it is a grievance extremely difficult

to surmount, unless determined coalition prevailed
amongst factors not to countenance such a mode of
traffic, or unless the vender and buyer exchanged
notes of sale and purchase, as the bargain cannot be
made binding under the loose system now adopted
in carrying on business. The closing Monday of the
month the trade rallied as there were one or two in-
centives to stimulate the market, an anxiety on the
part of millers to enhance the currencies to enable
them to keep up the price of flour, and speculators
being desirous that the averages should range high
for another week in order to reduce the duties an-
other shilling, as the gloomy prospects for bonded
wheat are inducing holders of the finer descriptions
to release their stocks rather than run the hazard of
increasing their expenses by granary charges and
all the cost and loss attendant on warehousing corn ;
but with fine weather this improvement is merely
ephemeral, an improvement which has been ma-
terially assisted by the limited nature of the supplies.
The new wheats which have appeared at market
are not on the whole (the whole not exceeding 500
to 600 qrs.) equal to the samples produced at a si-
milar period of last season. Some were coarse and
rough, some from their condition exhibited the bad
effects of too hastily reapmg and carting, an error
we fear manv farmers will have to regret this year ;
a few were also infected with smut and mildew
while others were extremely fine and heavy ; a parcel
of the "golden drop" from Kent weighed 65|lh. ;
not that any criterion can be formed of the growth
from this limited show, but we merely allude to the
fact, in order to show that from the quantity the
quality is of little import.

Bonded wheat has met latterly much attention,
and seldom have either purchasers or speculators had
a more favoui'able selection of sample, many of the
Polish wheats being of superior quality, so much so
that extra fine have realized 42s., equal to 70s. free,
and others 68s. The duty, which is not likely to
recede lower than 27s. 8d., leaves little profit to im-
porters, after the prime cost and charges are deduct-
ed, even from these extreme rates, while many sales
are made at much lower relative prices. At Liver-
pool also extensive business has been transpiring in
foreign free wheats, at 8s. to 8s. lOd. for Danzig,
and 7s. 6d. to 8s. 4d. per 701bs. for lower Baltic
qualities. At Newcastle, fine INIecklenburg samples
have been selling free at 56s. the qr. of 631bs. to the
bushel.

In Barley little alteration has taken place, in
price or demand ; a few samples of Chevalier have
appeared at market, the quality stout, but mostly
high-coloured or coarse ; the highest rates noted
were 34s. Malt has experienced a dull, dragging
trade, and little demand except for the finer qualities,
which of late growing scarce and in partial request,
on the part of brewers, have been held at Is. to 2s.
per qr. more money.

The supplies of oats have been principally confined
to Irish and foreign qualities ; the former, during the
month, having comprised 34,147 qrs., and the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

233

foreign 45,294 qrs., which, having been offering
free on the market as they arrived, have kept the
stands well filled with samples, and, except the
limited parcels of English and Scotch, formed
the bulk of the better disposable qualities, as
the samples from Ireland have been either for the most
part inferior, or out of condition. A few parcels of
the Kentish and Lincolnshire oats have appeared at
market of tolerably good quality, and which mani-
festing that the new supply was near at hand, has
added its influence in causing the market to rule ex-
tremely dull, dealers and consumers being with diffi-
culty tempted to purchase, though factors almost
weekly have submitted to lower terms, making feed
Is. to 2s. lower, and English and Scotch Polands,
and potatoes, and forcing Brew 2s. to 3s. cheaper than
at the close of July. The foreign oats have through-
out the month paid the prevailing duty of 10s. 9d.,
which in few instances leaves any profit to shippers,
but they wisely prefer incurring the first loss, than
increasing the evil by incurring the heavy landing-
charges. In Irish Oats free on board nothing yet
passing ; buyers are offering here 9s. to 10s., and
contractors on the otlier side demanding lis. to 12s-
per barrel. It is most probable however if the fa-
vourable accounts of the crops are correct, that
prices eventually will be nearer 10s. than 12s.

Beans, from the limited demand, and the foreign
pressing on the market at a duty of 9s. 6d., have
kept the trade dull and declining, prices being fully
4s. lower.

Previous to the appearance of new English peas
at market, the cop sumption was principally sup-
plied with foreign qualities, which have been pay-
ing a duty of 9s. 6d. The new growth and falling
off in the demand have depressed the currencies 3s.
to 4s. per qr. ; white samples selling at 36s. to 38s.
Maple, oos. to 37s.; and grey and dun, 34s. to
36s ; this year's produce, though in excellent condi-
tion, are in many instances much worm eaten which
deteriorates their value.

The top price of town made flour has been main-
tained throughout the month, but has become per-
fectly nominal and ought to have been reduced, but
millers and bakers are wise in their generation, and
have profited at the expence of the consumer. Ship
flour is Is. to 2s. per sack lower, with a dull trade.
Bended flour has been saleable for export at 22s. to
23s. per barrel. The only alterations in the duties
have been a reduction of 2s. per qr. on wheat, and
2s. 9d. on rye.

In Canada the crops of grain are represented as
having assumed a much more promising aspect since
the rains had fallen, though about ten days more
backward than in ordinary seasons. The potato
crops, where they have not missed, which is exten-
sively the case in some places, are thriving, and have
had their first clearing, for wliich the weather has
been favourable. Turnips, at the beginning of July,
had been only just sown. The markets continued
high, hut great inconvenience was still felt for want
of specie. Indeed, the uncertain state of the cur-

rency, resulting from the suspension of specie pay-
ments, is a severe check on all sorts of industry and
traffic. Though the public confidence in the banks
continued to be maintained, they cannot altogether
obviate the effects of the depreciation of the bank
notes in the United States, which is shown by the
high premium given for specie and bills of ex-
change. The diminution in the stocks of Wheat, es-
pecially ill Upper Canada, occasioned by the demand
from the United States, was being supplied by large
arrivals of foreign qualities ; at Montreal good white
Danzig samples obtained 8s. per bushel of 60lbs.,
mixed do., 7s. 9d., and other descriptions at their
relative value. Lovrer Canada red was noted at 7s.
to 8s. 4d. per minot; superfine flour, SOs. to 51s. 3d.
per brl., fine, 46s. 6d. to 48s. 9d.

At Sidney, New South Wales, on the 26th of
Aprd, the market remained firm at the advance which
had taken place two days previous of Is. to Is. 6d,
per bushel ; wheat having risen from 6s. and 7s. 6d.
per bushel to 7s. and 9s. No cause was assigned
for the sudden enhancement beyond the demand tem-
porarily exceeding the supply. Flour had risen 4s.
per lOOlbs., being noted at 23s. to 25s. The Sidney
Monitor asks settlers, " Why do j'ou brino- your
wheats now to market and get comparatively low
rates, when the harvest has failed in Argyle, at IJa-
thurst, and in a measure at the Hunter 1 Are you
not aware that three months hence wheat will be
10s. to 12s. per bushel ?"

In Van Diemen's Land the improvement which
had, it appears, previously been experienced at Sid-
ney, had caused the holders to demand higher prices,
both at Hobart Town and Launceston ; at the former
market they had succeeded in realizing at one time
as much as 10s., and 8s. 6d. per bushel for inferior
qualities. Potatoes were very scarce and dear»
which was expected to augment the consumption of
flour, and likely to keep wheat at a higher range. At
Launceston, however, little positive effect had been
created in the currencies there, which remained at
6s. to 7s. per bushel.

Accounts have been received from Halifax, which
give a favourable report of the prospects of the farmer.
From St. John's, New Brunswick, we also hear
that the weather was auspicious for the agricul-
turists, and the statements from various parts of the
Province intimated a goodly promise, especially of
oats and potatoes. The total imports into Halifax
fur the year 1836, have been given by the later ad-
vices, and which exhibit how mainly dependent the
British Colonies are on foreign supplies for the
means of subsistence. The receipts of flour during
the year from Great Britain, had been o,ob'o barrels
of flour ; 1 1 casks, 873 bags, and 10 casks of biscuit ;
and 881 barrels, 2,419 bags, and 3,305 qrs. of wheat;
and from the United States, Elbe and Baltic, 14,731
barrels of flour, and 9,123 ditto rye flour ; 6,410 qra.,
2,346 bags, and 1,960 barrels of wheat ; and 1,897
bags of biscuit.

In France the weatlier continues dry and warm
for the completion of the harvest. The agricultural

234

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

reports are still favourable as to quality of wheat,
but the sheaves are less numerous, and thinner tliaa
expected, tliough of heavy quality, and will no
doubt produce a good ordinary average ; not, it is
true, equal to the return of 1836, but farmers, in
forming comparisons, lose sight of the fact, tliat the
previous season the crops were superabundant as a
whole, and not therefore a fair criterion from which
to draw analogy this season. The return of rye
seems general]}' short, and in the more southern and
south-western departments, potatoes have partiall}'
failed. At Paris, however, the new samples of
wheat from those districts whence the metropolis
draws the bulk of its supplies are reported for the
most part dry in condition, heavy and bright ; while
others want colour. Prices of the best new red
wheats are from 41s. to 42s. 6d., white, fine, 45s. 6d.
The finer qualities of old and new wheat were alone
saleable. Rye, 20s. 6d. to 21s. 3d. per qr. The
pi ice of new oats had not set in but it was expected
to be in favour of the purchaser At Marseille the
expectation of the dreaded cholera again visiting the
port had rendered trade extremely inanimate ; few
decided cases had, however, occurred, but where
the disease had appeared, it had proved fatal. It
was hoped rain might fall, succeeded with cooler
weather, which might remove the horrid epidemic.

In Italy business has been rendered almost stag-
nant by the ravages of the cholera, and the want of
intercommunication renders each State dependent on
its own resources, prices have been therefore almost
nominal ; and the supplies reaching the ports from
the Black Sea, are many of them directing their
course to Spain, from whence there is a demand for
hard wheats ; and the exports from Italy and Sicily
to Spain are likely to cause these countries to require
fresh supplies of Taganreg and other Black Sea
wheals, as the season advances, to replace these
shipments. At Venice commercial credit is repre-
sented to have suffered less than at any other Medi-
teranean port during the late monetary^ crisis.
Italian wheats were quoted at 27s. 6d., hard Odessa
the same rates, soft, 2.5s. 6d.: Puglian Linseed, 44s.
Id. ; Egyptian, 40s. 4d.

At St. Petersburg, the grain trade remain quite in-
animate. Oats were noted at 93. 6d. to lis. per qr
as in weight. Linseed had receded in value, and
crushing qualities had been sold at 28s. lOd. to 3ls.
5d. It appears that the shipments of Linseed this
season had been extremely limited, and though the
new crop was estimated ataboat 212,000qvs., scarce.
ly 42,000 qrs. had been sold on contract, though the
June barks had all arrived. In consequence of the
large quantity of oil seeds expected at the Russian
ports, owners, it is stated, must submit to lower
rates in order to realize, especially as there would be
in all probability many forced sales. The cultiva-
tion, it may be remarked, of Linseed has much
increased in the Southern Governments; but the
quality of the present season is likely to be seldom
surpassed, and therefore at reduced rates may be
deemed an article worthy speculative attention. At

Riga, crushing Linseed has been selling at SOs. 2d.,
extra fine, 31s. Id. Hempseed was obtaining only
IBs. lid. ; and the prices of all grain nominal.
Courish wheat, 26s. 5d. to 29s. 3d. Oat*, 9s. 7d, to
10s., weighing 38 to 391bs.

At Konigsherg, the previously dull trade in corn
had been partially enlivened by the advices from
London intimating an improved character of the
trade, and advanced prices ; holders in consequence
had demanded higher rates. Good high mixed new
being noted at 26s. 6d. to 28s. 6d. ; old ditto, 32s. to
34s., but the dull accounts which have succeeded,
caused heaviness again to pervade the trade, par-
ticularly as there are supplies on hand of upwards of
100,000 qrs., the produce of the different harvests
since 1833. At Danzig prices and demand have
also fluctuated, but extensive fresh oiders have been
executed on English account, and large quantities
shipped to this country, which has reduced the
granary rents, which were attaining a higher range
than in England. The holders of Upper Polish
wheats, and especially of secondary and stale quali-
ties, were, however, becoming anxious to quit, and
to effect sales would have accepted low rates ; good
high mixed wheat was noted at 29s. ; fine mixed of
62lbs., 26s. 6d.; red mixed 24s. Wheats were not,
however, expected to recede much lower, as high
mixed Polish wheat at 30s., is calculated a fair arti-
cle for investment, and the banks are ready generally
to advance a sufficient proportion of the value
to enable holders to retain their corn, and not
force it on the market for sale at ruinous rates.
The weather on the whole line of the Baltic was ex-
tremely favourable for the crops, and though in
Mecklenburg the produce of wheat is represented
as not exceeding a common average, yet it is ad-
vancing to maturity under favourable auspices. Rye
yields short of an average, and summer grain is
expected also to turn out deficient, but peas are
abundant. Wheat at Rostock and Wismar was
quoted at 25s. to 26s. Owing to tho increased de-
mand for rapeseed from Holland, Belgium, France,
and England, and the yield ofthepods, on thrash-
ing out being less than was anticipated, prices have
gradually advanced, and the article must be noted
at 11. to 21. per last dearer, and quotations ranging
about 171.

At Hamburg the grain trade has remained in a
languid state, and prices of wheat have been reced-
ing ; fine red marks of 621bs. being noted at 27s.
6d. to 28s. Rapeseed has not experienced any
further improvemfnt, and holders barely maintained
their demands : fine Danish seed by sample obtained
18/.. 17s. 6d. per last, and Jutland quality without
sample, 17/. I5s. ; which was also obtained for
RIecklenburg qualities.

At Rotterdam the sale of grain was confined to
the local consumption at previous currencies, but
rapeseed, owing to orders from France and the Rhin,
had advanced 2/. j)er last; best samples obtaining
24/. to 25/.

The advices from the United States reach down

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

235

to the 1st of August, from New York, aud 31st. ult.
from Baltimore and Philadelphia. From New York
and Baltimore we continue to receive corrohorating
accounts of the bountiful crop of grain this season,
especially wheat and maize, the former yielding fine
quality of 62 to 631bs. per Winchester measure, and
the harvest nearly completed ; but from Philadelphia
attempts have been made to throw discredit over the
favourable character of the agricultural reports, by
stating that in a few counties in the Northern and
Eastern portion of Pennsylvania the crops have
failed, having been blighted with mildew, and in
one or two districts of Delaware deficiency is ex-
perienced, but are obliged to acknowledge that in
the principal wheat growing districts, as the Western
portion of Pennsylvania, in Maryland, Virginia,
Vermont, and the Carolinas', the produce is " good,"
or rather it should be said, abundant. Prices of new
wheats were receding as they became more plentiful,
and flour was also giving way, the best samples of
the former were noted at 1 dollar 70 to 78 cents. ;
Western Canal 10 dollars 50 to 75 cents., and
Howard-Street, 9 dollars to 9 dollars 50 cents.
Foreign wheats were reduced much in stock, but
the finer qualitieshad as yet suffered little additional
depreciation, being held at 1 dollar 60 to 70 cents.

An Account of the quantity of Foreign Grain and Flour
imported into the United Kingdom during the month
ending the 5th Aug. 1837 ; the Quantity on which
the Duty has been paid for Home Consumption, and
the quantity remaining in Warehouse.

CURRENCY PER IMPERIAIi MEASURE.

BRITISH. At'G. 1. Skpt. I.

s. s. s. s.

Wheat, red, Essex, Kent, Suflfolli 54 to 62 52 to 58

White 56 60 52 62

Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. . . 46 60 40 56

White, do. do 50 64 46 60

Irish Red — — — —

Ditto White — — _ _

Barley, Malting, new 2/ 30 30 32

Chevalier, new 29 32 32 34

Distilling 26 29 26 29

Grinding 25 28 25 28

Irish 24 2/ 24 27

Malt, Brown 38 44 38 44

Ditto, Chevalier 58 61 58 61

Ditto, Norfolk and Suffolk Pale 54 58 54 58

Ditto Ware 55 59 55 59

Peas, Hog and Grey 38 40 34 36

Maple 35 41 35 3/

White Boilers 38 42 36 38

Beans.small 40 45 38 40

Harrow 36 42 36 38

Ticks 34 41 34 36

Mazagan 34 40 34 38

Oats, English feed 24 26 23 24

Short small 27 31 24 27

Poland 28 31 25 27

Scotch, Common 25 27 22 25

Berwick, &c 26 29 24 27

Potatoe, &c. ., 27 31 25 28

Irish, Feed 19 21 17 20

Ditto Potatoe 23 25 23 25

Ditto Black 20 23 17 23

PRICES OF FLOUR,

Per Sack of 280 lbs. Aug.]. Sei't.1.

s. s. s. s.

Town-made 50 to 53 50 to 53

Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and Essex 42 46 42 44

Sussex and Hampshire 41 45 41 43

Superfine 46 — 44 —

Lincolnshire, Y<rksliire, and St'icktoM. 42 44 40 43

Northumberland, Berwick, and Scotch. 42 44 41 43

Irish 42 45 41 43

Extra 46 — 44 —

STOCK OF GRAIN, FLOUR AND CLOVEH-
SEED IN BOND IN THE PORT OF LON-
DON ON THE .5Tn AUGUST.

Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans. Pea«. Flour. Clovers '.

qrs. (|rs. qrs. qrs. qrs. cwts. cuts.

251,321 9,313 67,M3 6,156 7,652 32,351

Rye, 987 qrs

Foreign Grain and [ Quantity Quantity en-|

Quantity in

Flour. 1 imported.

tered for

Warehouse.

! consumption!

qrs. bush.j

(jrs. bush.

qrs. bush.

Wheat from Bri'Jsh

Possessions

1654 4

21415 1

Ditto P'oreign

46484 6

1463 3

628561 0

Barley

1613 7

38947 3

Oats

102457 0
5629 6
17095 1

160814 7
5859 3

228803 1

n ve

16443 4

Beans, .

42456 4

Peas : ...

13029 4

6924 5

53808 4

cwts.qrs.lbs cwts.qrs.lbs.

cwts.qrs.lbs.

Flour from British

Possessions

8136 2 20 2432 2 0

23332 3 17

Ditto Foreign

24354 3 3

120 1 22

155671 0 13

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

Wheat.

Barley

Oats

Rye

Bean?

Peas

Wt'ek<>n(ling

I4th July

56 1

29 0

24 3

36 8

40 9

39 7

21st ..

56 11

28 0

24 1

35 K

41 0

40 4

28th . .

59 2

27 10

23 9

37 5

41 0

41 5

4th Aug.

60 1

27 5

24 2

39 8

41 3

40 7

11th .

59 5

28 7

24 2

37 a

40 9

38 7

ISth ..

59 6

28 8

24 5

37 4

40 5

39 6

At(cregateAvcrr.i;e

of the six week?

which regulates

''

58 6

28 3

24 2

37 4

40 10

40 0

Duties payable in

London till Wed-

nesday next incln-

sivc, and at the

Outports till the

arrival of the Mail

of that day from

28 8

19 10

10 9

14 (1

9 6

9 6

Do. on griiin from

British possessions

out of Europe

5 0

2 0

2 0

3 0

3 0

3 0

Foreign Flour 173. 3d. per 1961bs., Britisli Poss

esiions ditto.

3s. per 1961bs.

PRICES OF SEEDS.

Av

GUST 2

8.

There were few parcels of new white Cloverseed at
market, and the trade remains unaltered from last week,
holders of foreign demanding fully previous rates,
as tlie prices abroad are higher in fact than our curren-
cies. In red Cloverseed nothing transpiring, and the
crop in some districts is represented extremely back-
ward. Trefoil unaltered. Linseed inquired after,
and supports its rates of 37s. to 38s. Rapeseed
com.es sparingly to hand, and fine quality to the
seedsmen obtained more money, the quotations hem g
28L to 30/ , but the crushers will not give more than 24/.
Caraway as in quality is worth 40s. to 44s. The new
white mustard seed seed varies much in condition. The
common runs have sold at 10s. to r2s., and a small fine
selected lot, dry, brought as an extra price 14s. Brown
was held at 1.5s. In Coriander no variation. Linseed
Cakes saleable at former rates.

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

BORO', Monday, August 28.

Two new pockets of Hops reached the market during
the past week, particularly good in colour and manage-
ment. One was sokl at 5 gs. per cwt., grown by Mr.
Skinner, of Heathfic'd, Sussex, the other remains on
hand ; a few more are expected about the middle of
tiiis week, although the picking Gannol be general till
about the 10th September. 'J'he District Reports are

236

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

very contradictory. The estimated Duty remains nomi-
nally the same, 190 to 195m.

PRESBNT PRICES.

^ S. jE S. ^ S.

East Kent, Peckets, 4 16 good 6 6 fine 0 0

Bags 4 2 5 15 0 0

Mid Kent Pockets 3 18 6 0 0 0

Bags 3 10 5 5 0 o

Weald of KcntPockets 3 10 4 10 0 0

Sussex Pockets 3 10 4 8 0 0

Yeailings 2 12 3 15 0 0

old 110 2 10 0 0

Oldolds 0 18 110 0 0

WOOL MARKETS.

BRITISH.

Aug. 1. Sept. 1.

Per lb. s, d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Down Tops 1 Otol 1 1 1 to 1 2

Half-bred do 11 12 12 13

Ewes and Wethers 0 10 Oil 10 0 0

LeicesterHogs Oil 10 0 0 10

Do Wetliers 0 10 Oil 0 10 Oil

Blanket Wool 0 C, 0 10 0 6 0 10

Flannel 0 9 11 0 9 12

SkinComljing 0 10 10 10 11

IPSWICH WOOL FAIR.— This fair was held on
Friday se'nnight at the Great White Horse Tavern, and
although not numerously, was most respectably attend-
ed. I'he rig-ht hon. the Earl of Stradbroke was in the
chair, supported by Lord Henniker, Lord Rendlesham,
and W. A. Shuldham, Esq., Sir W. F. F. Middleton,
Sir Robert Harland, Sir Edward Kerrison, Sir Charles
B. Vere, and various other gentlemen. The proceed-
ings at the dinner, which was an excellent one, went ofl'
with great spirit ; but the number of wool buyers was
few, there not being more than half-a-dozen present.
The Chairman, in the course of the afternoon, said, he
believed that 9d. per lb. for flock, and from 14d. to 15d.
for hogget wool, was as full a price as any person could
afford to give. He should not like to ask a higher price
than he knew the purchasers could afford to give ; at
the same time, he had reason to hope that between this
and next March he shoidd be able to make Is. a lb. for
flock wool, and Is. 6d. for hogget. He would rather
wait for the chance of getting that, than sell at the pre-
sent prices. He believed that the great imporbation of
foreign wool, during the last year, had a strong effect
towards occasioning the present depression, as he un-
derstood there was no less than 22 millions of pounds
brouc-ht into the country. R. N. Shawe, Esq. begged
t3 offer his hogget wool to his friend Mr. Eirch, at 32s.
a tod. ( Cheers.) ftlr. Birch observed, in answer, that
he had dealt with Mr. Shawe for several years, and his
wool was generally speaking particularly good. And
allhough 32s. was rather a high price, still he would ac-
cept the ofier. {Cheering.) Sir W. Middleton offered
his wool to Mr. Birch, first clip, 40s. and the second
clip at 28s. Mr. Birch said Sir William Middleton's
wool was of good quality, but it was far beyond the
market price. JMr. Coke had stated that 32s. and 22s.
were fair prices ; he (Mr. Birch) was inclined to differ
with his opinion. He must decline the ofter. Mr. Ox-
borough rose and said, he would take 9d. a lb. for flock
and Is. a lb. for hogaret, if J\fr. Revans would purchase
at that price. Mr. Revans would take the offer without
the slightest hesitation. These appear to have been the
only sales effected.

ST. BOSWELLS WOOL FAIR, July 18.— Owing
to the backwardness manifested by the wool growers to
accept of the terms offered by purchasers at the pre-
vious markets, a greater quantity of wool remained to
be disposed of at this fair than usual. An improvement
having taken place in the demand a great deal of busi-
ness A\as done in this article at an adyance of about Is.
per stone on the prices formerly obtained. A parcel ot
lialf-bred hogg wool of the best quality, belonging to
Mr. Scott, of Courthill, brought 31s. 6d. with an addi-
tional 6d. referred. In cheviot wool not much was done ;
a few clips liowever were disposed of at from 21s. to 24s.
per stone.

LIVERPOOL.

Week ending August 28.
Scotch Wool. — The arrivals of the new clip of
Highland laid wool are light, and for those parcels
coming forward the demand is good at rather improving
prices. There is a fair inquiry for white Highland at
our quotations. Cross and cheviot continue to be neg-
lected.

perstoneef 241b3. p. d. s. d.

f^aid Highland Wool, from ... 7 6 to 8 3

Vfliite do. do 10 6 11 6

Laid Crossed do 10 0 11 0

Washed do. do 11 6 13 0

r.aid Cheviot, do 11 6 13 0

Washeddo. do 15 0 17 0

White do. do 18 0 22 0

Import for llie week 235 bags.

deviously tl^is year 5110 do.

English and Irish Wools, more particularly the
former, have been in steady request during the week.
English combing wools have sold well at improved
rates. The same remark will also apply to the transac-
tions in Irish wool.

English Wool. — Down ewes and wethers, 12d. to
13d. ; down tegs, 14d. to 15d. ; combing fleece, 14d. to
15d. ; combing skin, 13d. to 15d ; super skin, 13d. to
15d. ; head skin, lid. to 122d. per lb.

Irish Wool. — Irish fleece, mixed lots, 12:jd. to 14d. ;
Irish Wethers, 12d. to 13d.; Irish hogs, 14d. to 15d.;
Irish combing skin, 12M. to 13Jd.; Irish short skin,
lOd. to 12d.per lb. Imports this week, 64 bags ; pre-
viously this year, 1,776 bags.

Foreign Wool has been in active demand during
the week. The inquiry has been limited to Peruvian,
iMogadore, East India, and Smyrna, all of which have
fully sustained the accompanying rates. At the public
sale of wool announced to take place on the 1st of
September, 2,000 baks of New South Wales and 700 of
other descriptions are offered. The accompanying
rates are current :— Russia wool, 6d.to7d. ; Odessa,
line, Is. to Is. 9d.; Buenos Ayrcs, 3M. to 4d. ;
Mogadore and Barbary, 3d. to 4d. ; washed Peruvian,
8S^d. t© 9§d. ; unwashed ditto, 6d. to 7d. ; Portugal
R*., lOd. to 12d. ; Portugal low marks, 8^d. to 9id.;
German fleeces. Is. 2d. to Is. 4d. ; ditto assorted.
Is. -Sd. to Is. 8d.; ditto lambs. Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d.;
Spanish R, Is. 5d. to Is. 9d. ; ditto F. S., Is. 3d. to Is.
lOd. ; Nevf South Wales, Is. to ls.9d per lb. Imports
this week, 1866 bales ; previously this year, 30,345 bales.

FOREIGN.

Aug. 28.

Notwithstanding the exceedingly large quantity of
wool which is now on sale, particularly the low qualities,
we have to report a decided improvement in the de-
mand by private contract. There are nearly 10,000
packages of Colonial, German, Spanish, Turkish, Rus-
sian, East India , and Cape of Good Hope wools ap-
pointed for sale by auction the first week in September.
We are glad to perceive that the demand has recovered
from that state of depression in which it has been, for
many months past. At present, we cannot quote any
enhancement in prices, but such is expected to be
speedily the case. A considerable quantity of foi-eign
wool has been lately exported, to France and Holland.

Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s. Od.to 5s. 4d. ; first
Austrian, Bohemian, and other German wools, 2s. lOd. to
3s. lOd. ; second do. ,2s. to 2s. Sd.; inferior do. in locks
and pieces, Is. 6d.to 2s.; German lamb's do., 2s. Od.
to 3s.; Hungarian sheep's do., 2s. to 2s. lOd.; Leonesa
sheep's do., 2s. to 3s.; Segovia do., 2s. to 2s. 6d. ;
Soria do., 2s. to 3s.; Caceres do., 2s. to 3s.;
Spanish lamb's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; German and
Spanish cross do., 2s. Od. to 3s. 4d. ; Portugal sheep's
do., 2s. to 2s. lOd.; do. lamb's do., 2s. Od. to 2s. 6d.;
Australian, fine crossed do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 2d. ; do.
native sheep's do., is. 4d. to 2s. 6d. ; Van Diemen's
Land, native sheep's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d.; and Cape
of Good Hope do., Is. 6d. to 3s. per lb.

Printed by Joseph PiOgerson, 21, Norfolk- street, Strand,
London.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1837.

No. 4.]

[Vol. VII.

THE PLATEe

The animal which forms the subject of the Plate is a West Highland Bull, the pro-*
perty of the Marquis of Breadalbane. This Bull was bred at Taymouth by his Lord-
ship out of a very fine shaped cow of the pure West Highland breed, selected from one
of the best stocks in Argyleshire. This is the third occasion upon which the offspring
of this cow has gained first prizes at the Highland Societies' Annual Show. The sire of
this Bull was also bred by his Lordship, and gained the second prize at the Highland
Societies' Show at Stirling in 1833. He was got by a Bull bred by Mr. Stewart, of
Loch Tayside, from the stock of the late Mr. Stewart, of Auch, one of the most emi-
nent breeders of stock in Argyleshire. A valuable history of the characteristics, pro-
perties, and qualities of the West Highland breed, by Mr. Dickson, of Edinburgh, will
be found in the 4th Vol. of « The Farmer's Magazine," p. 278.

A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY
AND PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE
IN ENGLAND.

When we contemplate the paucity of Agricul-
tural writers at the present day it will not appear
surprising that they should be found but " few
and far between," in the early and ruder period of
our national existence. The sources whence the
history and progress of British Agriculture can be
derived are consequently very barren, and as at-
tention to practical matters bearing upon the pre-
sent condition of the agriculturists, is more likely
to be productive of profit, it is not improbable
that a review of tlie state of Agriculture in England
in the early stages of her history may by some be
thought useless. Without however embarking in
a discussion upon its utility, we think the subject
presents some curious points, which if they do not
instruct cannot fail to interest. We therefore,
propose taking a summary glance at our early agri-
cultural history, noticing by the way such customs
and legislative enactments as seem to have been
established for practical purposes. Previous to
the Anglo Saxon dynasty which endured from the
fifth to the eleventh centuries, Agriculture seems to
have been utterly neglected. The Saxons upon
their arrival it appears found the inhabitants pos-
sessed of numerous flocks and herds which, they
took possession of, for their own use, and if we may

judge from the number of laws passed during that
period they encouraged and followed up the breed-
ing of cattle. It will sound strangely in modern
ears to hear that at that time the price of all sorts
of tame cattle was regulated by law. The Saxons
being of German origin, it is not surprising that
Agriculture should have made little or no progress
amongst them, as the Germans deemed the culti-
vation of the land, an ignoble employment which
they committed to their women and slaves. The
estates of the Saxon Princes and great men appear
to have been divided into inlands and outlands.
The inlands being those immediately adjoining the
mansion, were retained in their own possession,
and cultivated for their own use ; the outlands or
those more at a distance being let to farmers at a
rent which was generally paid in kind, and fixed
by law. In the beginning of the eighth century,
the rent of a farm consisting of ten hides of land,
or about 1 ,000 acres was, by lavY, ten casks of honey,
three hundred loaves of bread, twelve casks of ale,
thirty casks of small ale, two oxen, ten wethers, ten
geese, twenty hens, ten cheeses, one cask of butter,
five salmon, twenty pounds of forage and one hun-
dred eels. These were the means whereby the
households of the aristocracy of that day were sup-
plied. The nature of the implements of husbandry
then in use is very little known, although there are
some pictures of ancient ploughs in existence. In
Wales at this period ploughing by horses, mares, or

R

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

cows, was prohibited, that operation being confined
to oxen, the object being clearly to encourage breed-
ing of cattle. No man was permitted to hold a
plough who could not make one. Britain was at
that time far behind her continental neighbours in
the knowledge of Agriculture, hence the Norman
conquest contributed much to improve it. The
plains of Flanders, France, and Normandy were
well cultivated, and our early histories state that
during the reign of William the Conqueror some
of the Norman Barons not only cultivated land ex-
tensively, but improved by draining, enclosmg,
&c., &c. The monks paid much attention to
Agriculture, working at seed time and harvest with
their own hands, and it is recorded that the cele-
brated Thomas Becket used, even after he was made
Archbishop of Canterbury, to join the monks in
reaping corn and making hay. Tiie Norman
plough had two wheels, and was drawn in Nor-
mandy by one or two oxen, but in England by
more. Summer fallowing was practised in Eng-
land but not in Wales. In the early part of the
twelfth century the vine was cultivated to a con-
siderable extent, and orchards and cider were
abundant, the trees having most likely been intro-
duced from Normandy. Tlie wine is said to have
been as good as that of France, which has led
many persons to infer that the climate of England
must be much changed. If, however, the wine
alluded to be the common wine usually drank
with meals in France at tiiis time, we see no reason
■wliy such wine should not be made in this country
at the present day, it being not of better quality
than some of our cider or perry. During the
thirteenth and fourteenth centuries Agriculture
seems to have made considerable progress. Sir
John Fortescue, who wrote a work in praise of the
English law, notices the progress made in planting
hedges and hedge-row trees, and in a law book
called Field published in Lalin, some valuable
rules on farming are laid down. Directions are
given as to the proper depth of ploughing, the
choice and change of seed, the quantity to be sown
per acre according to the nature of the soil, the
season for sowing, the composition of manure,
and many other useful matters. Farming accounts
were in those days kept in Latin.

In the fifteenth century, the country being em-
broiled in civil wars, labourers became scarce, and
Agriculture declined, the great landowners en-
closed large tracts around their castles, and the
practice of enclosing land and converting it into
pasture became so prevalent, that in the beginning
of the reign of Henry the Seventh an act was
passed to prevent it. To such an extent had the
cultivation of the land diminished, that in 1437 and
1438, wheat, of which the ordinary price was from
4s. to 4s. 6d. per quarter, rose to 1/. 6s. 8d. per
quarter, equal to 13/. 9s. 8d. of our present money.
England, after the last mentioned period enjoyed a
considerable interval of peace, and many statutes,
having for their object the encouragement of agri-
culture, but based upon unsound principles, were
passed. During the reign of Henry the Eighth,
there was a great demand for wool for the Nether-
lands, and many individuals kept flocks to the
number of twenty thousand sheep, when an act
•was passed to prevent any person from keeping

more than two thousand — this law was enacted in
order to discourage pasturage, and to promote cul-
ture. In tlie sixteenth century agriculture advanced,
tlie cultivation of hops was either introduced or re-
vived, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to
promote the growth of flax, by legal enactment.
The passion for tournaments drew attention to the
breeding of horses, and some singular statutes were
enacted, allotting a certain number of breeding
mares for deer-parks, and enjoining not only pre-
lates and nobles, but those whose wives wore vel-
vet bonnets, to have stallions of a certain size for
their saddles. The standard fixed by law was fif-
teen hands for horses, and thirteen for mares, and
''unlikely tits'' were destroyed. At this period
the art of printing was introduced, and agriculture
partook of the general benefit, by the appearance of
the first English Treatise on Husbandry.
(To he continued.)

SiMUT IN WHEAT.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE NOTTINGHAM REVIEW.

Gentlemen, — Reading in your last paper the
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Agricultural Re-
port, I find this remarkable passage — " It is much
to be wished, that some friendly genius would
take up his pen and explain to the world, the
cause of it (speaking of smut) for it is evident by
ocular demonstration, that the present nostrums
of the day are decidedly ineffectual." I have no
pretensions to genius, but I have studied the cause
and cure of smut, as much as any man in England ;
and if the writer of the agricultural report will
adopt the plan which I shall hereafter explain, I
dare stake my head against a smutty crop.

But first, the writer of the agricultural report,
asks the "cause." In my humble opinion, smut
is a disease to which wheat is subject or liable ;
in a certain sense it is hereditary — for if you will
keep continually sowing the same seed, and that
seed smutty, you will always have a smutty crop.
There are some who deny this assertion of mine,
but it has always invariably been the result of my
experience. This smut can be prevented, and
effectually cured, by a proper application. Many
diseases in the human system yield to mercury —
so does smut in wheat. Mineral poison effectually
cures the smutty virus, of which perhaps arsenic
may be the most effectual ; vitriol and mercury, 1
have been told, are equally efficacious ; and so they
may, but they are much more expensive. Arsenic
is, perhaps, the cheapest mineral we can buy, and
as I am confident it is a certain cure, what occa-
sion is there for having recourse to any other } I
agree with the agricultural reporter in saying, he
buys wheat more free from smut from good ma-
naged farms, than he does from those who are
slovenly, and for this reason, smut is highly in-
fectious— and that farmer who grows smutty
wheat one year, is very likely to grow it a second,
and so on in succession, uless he uses a proper re-
medy to cure the evil. A very small quantity of
smutty virus will contaminate a large quantity of
seed : this, some farmers will not believe, and this
accounts for the different opinions farmers hold
on tiiis mysterious subject. Wheat is much more
liable to take the infection after it is wetted, than
before ; so that it is by no means an uncommon

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

339

thing (at least in that part of the country I come
out of) for a farmer to grow a smutty crop after
brining, because they are not aware how easily seed
wheat, when wetted, takes the smutty infection.
I have heard farmers say, they have grown a clean
crop, from seed sown dry; this, I admit, is possi-
ble, and that too, vei-y common ; and it would be
better in every farmer, if he is not particularly
careful in brining his seed wheat, to sow it dry.
I have heard other farmers say, they think brining
seed wheat is but time wasted, as they have fre-
quently grown a clean crop from dry seed, and a
a smutty crop from seed brined ; this last has been
owing entirely to the want of care. I would advise
every farmer to brine his seed wheat himself, or
at least, under his own immediate eye, for the
greater part of the evil consequences arise from
negligence and inattention to this important part
of his business : this perhaps, cannot be fully im-
pressed upon the minds of those who are sceptical
on wetted seed wheat so easily taking smutty in-
fection. Several years have now elapsed since my
experiments on smut were practised ; and the re-
sults, and my opinion of the cause, were published.
For more than ten years I made a variety of ex-
periments on smut, and that too, in a variety of
forms ; the results of them all confirmed me in
my hypothesis : they were, however, published in
the Farmer's Journal, and I received thanks from
some of the first agriculturists in the United King-
dom; some in letters addressed to myself, and
others through the medium of the journal. To
enter freely upon the subject, would swell my let-
ter to too great a length, neither, indeed, can I
now remember every particular. Since the pe-
riod just mentioned, great changes have taken
place in my temporal affairs, and I have long since
ceased to feel much interest in agricultural pur-
suits. But should this letter be approved of as
worthy a place in your valuable columns, I will
renew the subject at a future opportunity, as the
time of year is fast approaching, for farmers to
prepare their seed wheat.
I am. Gentlemen,

Your very obedient servant,

MATTHEW HOLDICH.

[We insert this communication with pleasure, and
gratefully await the performance of our corres-
pondent's promise. In the meantime, ('not with
any wish of forestalling him, but to exhibit before-
hand our own view of the subject, and thereby
enable him to remove any error under which we
may labour^ we insert the mode in which, we be-
lieve, whit© arsenic may be used as a preventive
to the disease in question. The powdered white
arsenic of the shops is usually adulterated with
lime, either as a sulphate or as a carbonate. The
genuine part of the mixtiu'e is a true acid or oxide
of metallic arsenic, called by chemists the arsenion
acid, and capable, like all other acids, of forming-
soluble salt with potassa. It is desirable for the
purpose of the agriculturist, that the arsenic should
be rendered soluble; and therefore it should be
boiled in potash or soda — the former is preferable.
By this means it is reduced to the condition of a
soluble arsenite of potassa: and provided enough
potash be used, and there is no danger of excess,
the whole of the arsenious acid will dissolve, and
any sediment that may remain, is either a sulphate
of lime, resulting to adulterate the drug, or an in-
soluble arsenite of lime, resulting from the decom-
position of a carbonate used for the same fradulent
purpose. It is desirable, in order to obtain a pure
article, that the farmer should buy his arsenic in

a bruised or roughly powdered state. It is even
better to buy it in the lump than in the powder, as
it may easily and safely be reduced to a solution
by the following method : — Wrap the quantity of
lump arsenia intended to be used, in brown paper,
enclose it in an old rag or cloth, sufficiently large
to give the lump room enough to break in. Knock
the parcel well with a brick upon some flat sur-
face, and put it, rag- and all together, into a large
iron pot, kept for that sole purpose, along with
about twice its weight of potash, or more if need-
ful. Boil, and continue the boiling- until a clear
solution, without any sediment, is the result. This
solution is capable of being concentrated, by long
boiling into a salt, which may be kept for
years, and the solution itself will keep. It is
therefore not necessary to rep sat the process every
season, as the article may be kept in store.
Of the degree of strength in which the solution
should be used, we are not judges, not having been
employed in the practice of agriculture ; but cal-
culating upon the extreme virulence and power of
the drug, and the minute size of the seeds of smut,
a very strong solution is certainly not needed.
Neither does it seem necessary that the wheat
should be long steeped in tlie solution, as, if
strong enough, its mere contact is sufficient to de-
stioy the virus or seed of the disease. We have
now done with the subject. On all questions con-
nectected with agriculture, we shall ever be happy
to throw the light of science upon the practical
skill and experience of the farmers, trusting that
our ignorance of the detailsof practical husbandry,
will not prejudice that important class of the com-
munity, against any truths which our scientific
researches may enable us to communicate. — Eds.
OF Review.]

Result of Cutting Down Forests. — A. M.
Devez de Chabriol, in a memoir treating of the
effects arising from the extirpation of forests, cites
several historical documents, all tending to establish
the fact that the temperature of the country is not only
lowered by the taking away the trees, but that streams
dry up, and rain ceases to fall. M. Boussingault con-
firms these by several instances, where lakes have been
diminished in consequence of cutting down the neigh-
bouring woods, and the water restored to its former
level by suffering the trees to grow again ; also, where
the quantity of water has always remained the same
when the woods near it have been left untouched. M.
Boussingault states, that in some of the provinces of
South America, which are covered with wood, it rains
every day ; and in others, where the soil is sandy and
arid, it never rains ; yet these provinces have the same
latitude and climate, and the projections and distances
of mountains are nearly similar.

Statement of the duties paid into the Exchequer by
the following Insurance Companies of England. Also,
the Farming Stock (which is free from duty) insured
in the same period, by each Company respectively : —

Norwich Uuion, .
Royal Exchange ,

County

Guardian

Globe

West of England .

Imperial

Alliance

Atlas

Total Duty.

63,972 2 9

61,197 18 2

44,047 1 0

3-2,934 15 4

29,525 15 11

29,384 7 7

27,483 3 8

24,146 9 4

23,466 18 9

d.

Sum Insured on

Farming Stock

exempt.

£•

8,972,850

4,053,013

5,819,918

614,091

649,482

867,240

243,988

500,703

778,630

R 2

340

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

DESCRIPTION OF MR. BEART'S PATENT MACHINE FOR MAKING

DRAIN-TILES.

The patent machine referred to in last number of I has now been fully described and figured by the in-
the Transactions, as being successfully employed by I ventor, and from these data the following remarks
Mr. Beart of Godmanchester, for making drain-tile, j and figures have been selected.

Fiff.2.

nx

Fig. 3.

l.rJ="

-la

Fig. 1. is an end view of the machine, and Fig.
2. a section on the line a a. In these figures, the let-
ters refer to the corresponding parts in both figures.
A is a box of or mould of cast iron fixed by hook
joints at the corners, and bolted to the frame B also
of cast iron. The box is 13^ inches long, 10 inches
wide, and 6 inches deep, and may be varied in
size, according to the size of tile wanted. It is
fitted with a movable bottom or piston, which, being
attached to the rack-bar C, rises and falls with it. The
rack-bar is acted upon by a pinion fixed in the shaft
D, supported in the frame work. This shaft D car-
ries also a spoke-wheel E, having eight bent spokes
or hands, by which the operator acts upon the ma-
chine.

To work this machine properly, one man and two
boys are required. The man stands on that side of
the machine on which the spoke-wheel is placed,
with his right hand towards the spring-stop F, one
boy between the machine and the table on which the
bending-blocks or horses are placed, and the other
boy behind the table. The man having let down the
piston to its lowest point, takes a lump of clay of
sufficient size ; this he throws with force into the
mould ; if it does not fill up all the angles, he beats
it in with the blow of a mallet, and with the strike or
bow Fig. 3, cuts off any superfluous clay that may
stand above the edges of the mould. He then turns
the wheel E one spoke round, which, being provided
with a catch on each spoke, on its arriving at the

spring F, falls info and i^ locked by it. By this
motion the piston and clay has been raised about one
inch, or the thickness of a tile ; the operator then
leaves hold of the spoke, and with the strike cuts oflf
a slice of clay equal in thickness to the space through
which the piston and mass of clay has been raised ;
the strike being guided in passing from front to back
of the mould by the edges of the same. The nearest
boy now lifts off the slice, lays it upon a tile horse or
bending block. Figs. 4 and 5, where the tile is put
into form by bending the slice of clay on the horse.
This operation is repeated until the mould is emptied.
The boy who removes the slice then moistens the
inside of the mould with a wet cloth, or other wet
substance ; and while the man is refilling the mould,
both boys are employed injwashing down the bended
tiles, and laying them in the drying shelves.

In making soles or flat tiles, the same process is
followed, except that in this case the strike is fur-
nished with one or two cross cutters, as shown by
the dotted marks a a, in Fig. 3, which, simul-
taneously with the cutting of the slice, divides it into
two or three separate portions. These are taken up
by the boys and removed directly to the shelves.

The table or stool that bears the horses is a very
slight fabric, similar to the common moulding table,
and, like it also, is furnished with a water-trough ;
but, unlike it in having no sand-box, that material
not being required in this method of moulding tiles.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

341

Tig. 4.

Fig. 5.

The horses, Figs, i and 5, are in two parts, the
upper or curved part being fitted to the other 1)7
means of a groove and feather. They are covered
■with flannel, which, when moistened, allows the tile
to part freely from them. In lifting the tile to the
shelf, the upper part only of the horse is lifted with
the tile. The strike Fig. 3, is a piece of hard wood,
three-fourths of an inch thick, and shaped as in the
figure. A thin brass wire is stretched between the
points b h, which forms the cutter for slicing j and

in the strike for cutting soles, the cross-cutters a a
are added ; the extremities are formed into handles,
by which the operator holds the strike.

The operations effected by this machine being
purely practical, it sometimes happens that the
moulder succeeds but indifferently for a day or two
at first ; but that period will generally give him
sufficient experience to enable him to turn off 3,000
tiles per day,

FIRST ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF
THE BOURN AGRICULTURAL SO-
CIETY.

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the town of Bourn pre-
sented an unusually gay and lively appearance, in con-
sequence cf its being the day appointed by the above
Society for its first exhibition of stock. The show
took place in an extensive yard in the High-street,
and considering the disadvantages under which an
infant society of any kind naturally labours, was
certainly one calculated to reflect the greatest credit
upon the exertions of the committee, and exhibitors.
Amongst the distinguished individuals who, by their
presence, sanctioned the proceedings, we noticed the
Marquis of Exeter, who expressed himself highly
gratified with the arrangements; and so numerous
was the company, that, at the charge of Is. each per-
son, 18/. I2s. was collected at the gates of tlie yard.
The prizes will be found enumerated below, and we
need only add, that while the wonders of the exhibi-
tion were the beautiful ox shown by Mr. R. Smith
of Burley, which bore off the prize in class 1, and
two gigantic pigs of Mr. C. Sharman of Swinstead,
the whole exhibited was highly approved of, and
commended by both visiters and judges, Messrs.
Bartholomew, of Goltho, near Wragby, Mr. J.
Dow, Elm, near Wisbech, and Mr. D. Webster, of
Weldon, Northamptonshire.

THE DINNER.

At four o'clock, a company of nearly 200 gentle-
men sat down to a most excellent dinner provided
by Mr. Layton, of the Bull Inn, at the Town-hall.
The chair was taken by Sir Jolm Trollope, Bart., and
the vice-chair by Gen. Johnson, M.P., of Witham on
the hill ; these gentlemen being supported by the
Hon. C.T. Clifford, H. Handley, Esq., M. P., Dr.
Willis, Rev. P. W. Pegus, Rev. Sam. Hopkinson,
of Morton, W. Parker, Esq., of Hanthorpe, Theo-
philus Johnson, Esq., H. Ryde, Esq., and a great
number of the most respectable gentlemen and agri-
culturists of the neighbourhood. On the cloth being
removed,

The Chairman rose to propose the first toast "our
young and gracious Queen, and may her rei^n be
long and prosperous." (C/ieers.)

" Queen Dowager and the Royal Family."

" Army and Navy,"

Gen. Johnson responded to this toast.

" The health of the Lord Lieutenant of the County,
Lord Brownlow." (^Cheers.)

The Chairman would next propose to them the
health of a nobleman, which he was sure would be
received by them all in the enthusiastic manner it
deserved. He alluded to the Marquis of Exeter
(Cheers.) The noble lord, with that spirit which
had always actuated him in any measure calculated
to promote the good of the country, had requested
him to place in the hands of the stewards the two
prizes of five sovereigns each which he had this day
obtained, towards the funds for the ensuing year.
(Cheers.) His lordship also much regretted his ina-
bility to attend this dinner, he being particularly en-
gaged— but he had requested him (Sir John) to
express his great satisfaction at the arrangements,
and the manner in which tlie show had been con-
ducted. He had further directed him, in addition to
the two prizes, to place 101. in the hands of the
stewards, to be given in prizes for the ensuing year.
(Great Cheering.)

The toast was drank with three times three.

The Chairman. — I will next give you, gentlemen,
" Success to the Bourn Agricultural Association." —
(Cheers.) It is hardly necessary for me to make any
comments upon the future prospects of this society ;
they are sufficiently shown in the very great support
which we have received to-day. You will be much
pleased, gentlemen, to learn the number of the ex-
cellent attendance of this day ; upwards of 18/. has
been received at the yard, which proves that at least
360 gentlemen must have attended it, and I am con-
fident that none have departed without being highly
gratified that the town of Bourn can produce such a
show of cattle and stock at their first meeting. The
superiority of the neighbourhood of Bourn has been
universally allowed ; and 1 believe that there is no
neighbourhood in England which possesses so many
facilities towards the breeding of stock. (Cheers.)
It has been insinuated, geatlemen, that the members
of this society have been instigated to its establish-
ment by a feeling of jealousy towards the Rutland
Association. Now, although a member of this so-
ciety, I am also an officer, I believe, of that at Oak-
ham ; and I can with much truth contradict the exis-
tence of any such feeling — (cheers) — and I am sure
that the Rutland Agricultural Association will come
forward as a brother ^-and offer you the hand of friend*

342

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ship ; tliey only look for the establishment of an honest
rivalry, and the endeavour which can show the best
stock. I can only say, that we will try as hard as we
can to beat them— (cheers) — and I heartily hope that
all who now hear me will do their best to produce
such stock as will do the greatest credit to their ex-
hibitors. I shall now request you, with three times
three, to drink " Success to the Bouin Agricultural
Association." — (Cheers.)

The Chairman then proceeded to the

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.

Class 1— No. 1— Mr. Robert Smith, of Burley on the
Hill, near Oakham, a 4 years and 7 months old Ox, bred
by Mr. Rose, of Cottom, near Newark, by Ivanhoe, and
fed him on oil-cake, turnips, and hay.— Prize, 8 sovs.

Class 2 — No. 2 — Richard Westbrooke Baker, Esq., of
Cottesmore, in the county of Rutland, an under 4 years
old red-and-white Ox, bred and fed by himself, and was
grazed until the 3rd August, 1837.— Prize, 8 sovs.— No.

1 much commended.

Class 4— No. 2. — Richard Westbrooke Baker, Esq.,
of Cottesmore, in the county of Rutland, a red Heifer,

2 years and 9 months old, fed by him on vegetable food
only.— Prize, 5 sovs.

Class 5 — No. 7.— Right Honourable the Marquis of
Exeter, of Burghley, near Stamford, a 4 years and 5
months Cow, has had two calves. — Prize, 5 sovs. — Re-
turned.

Class 6— No. 1. — Mr. Charles Bagnall, of Irnham, a
2 years and 4 months old Bull, bred by Mr. Codd, of
Heaton, out of " Moss Rose," and got by " Baronet."
— Prize, 5 sovs.

Class 7— No. 1. — Mr. Henry Hodgkin, of Edenham,
a pair of under 3 year old Steers bred by himself, from
his own bull, kept on straw until the 8th May, and after-
wards on grass only. — Prize, 5 sovs.

Class 8— No. 2. — Most Hon. the Marquis of Exeter,
of Burghley, near Stamford, 2 Heifers, one of which is
2 years and 9 months, and the other 2 years and 7 months
old, bred by himself. — Prize, 5 sovs. — Returned.

Class 9 — No. 2. — Mr. Edward Dawson, of Ing-
thorpe, near Stamford, a 3 shear Ram, bred by himself,
and fed on clover, tares, and oil-cake. — Prize, 4 sovs. —
No. 1 commended.

Class 10— No. 3.— Mr. Thomas Casswell, of Pointon,
near Falkingham, in the county of Lincoln, a shearling
Ram, bred by hmiself, and fed on vegetables and oil-
cake.— Prize, 4 sovs. — No. 4 commended.

Class 11— No. 3.— Mrs. Mary Arker, of Pointon, in
the county of Lincoln, 4 theaves, bred by herself, from
a ram hired of Mr. Dawson, and fed on grass only. —
Prize, 3 sovs.

Class 12 — No. 1.— Mr. W. Hardwick, of Dyke, near
Bourn, 4 breeding ewes, having each suckled a lamb or
lambs until the 1st August, bred by himself, from a ram
hired of Mr. Hodgkin, of Edenham, and fed only on
grass. — Prize, 4 sovs.

Class 13 — No. 1. — Mr. Thomas Fountain, of Deeping-
Fen, in the county of Lincoln, 4 shearling wethers, bred
by himself, and got by a ram of Mr. Kirkham's of Hag-
naby, and fed on vegetable food only. — Prize, 3 sovs.

Class 15— No. 3.— Mr. Richard Hickson, of Houg-
ham, near Grantham, 4 shearing wethers, bred and fed
by himself.

Class 16— No. 1.— Rev. W. Pegus, of Ufiington,
near Stamford, a nearly 8 months old boar, bred by
himself, got by Mr. Groom's boar of Stamford, and
kept upon barley meal and vegetables. — Prize, 2 sovs.

Class 17 — No. 2. — Mr. Charles Sharman, of Swin-
stead,inthe county of Lincoln, a 12 months old suckling
Sow, bred by himself, got by a boar of Mr. Scott's, of
Keisby, and fed on barley meal, Imseed, &c. — Prize, 2
sovs. — No. 1 commended.

Class 18— No. 2.— Mr. Charles Sharman, of Swin-
stead, near Bourn, a 12 months and 3 weeks old feeding
Pig, bred by himself, got by a boar of Mr. Scott's, of
Keisby, and fed on barley meal, linseed, &c. — Prize, I
sov.

Class 19— No. 1.— Mr. William Hardwick, of Bourn,
a feeding Pig, bred by Mr. Ullett, of Stow, and fed

upon Oats and grains, having had barley meal and po-
tatoes for 5 weeks previous to the Show. — Prize, 1 sov.

After reading the list, and awarding the prizes, Sir
John Trollope proceeded to eulogise the imnartiality
of thejudges, and concluded by proposing the health
of" Mr. Robert Smith of Burley, and the successful
candidates. (Received lolth much applause.)

Mr. Smith, in returning thanks, assured the gen-
tlemen of the great interest he felt for the Bourn
Society, and of his determination to produce such
animals for exhibition as cannot fail of giving satis-
faction. It was true, h© said, that the animal which
he had shown this day, in Class 1, had procured the
prize — hut then there had been no competition. He
wished that there had been five or six animals com-
peting for that class, as he should then have known
whether or not it was a good animal. However,
whether it will win or lose (concluded Mr. Smith)
I am determined to show it both at Oakham and
London. (Hear.)

The Hon. C. T. Clifford, with the permission
of the chairman, rose to propose a toast. It was his
proud position to be an agricultural landlord — and
still prouder did he feel at seeing before him such a
respectable and numerous meeting of the yeomanry
and agriculturists of the county. I should be want-
ing in the feelings of my own heart (continued the
Hon. Gentleman,) or in the judgment of the since-
rity of yours, if I thought that the toast which I now
intend myself the honour of proposing, needed any
apology. The labours of our honouiable chairman
in the behalf of agriculture are well known — but I
am confident that" I know very little of his feelings,
if he considers any labour whicli he can bestow
upon its cause to be a sacrifice to him. (Cheers.)
Already with reference to the Oakham Society, has
he declared to you, that this association is based
upon the principles of honest rivalry and competi-
tion— and we all know, that competition and energy
must insure success. (Cheers.) Let me hope that
the day is not far distant, when the Bourn Agricul-
tural Association may vie with that of Oakham —
and I trust that the day is not far distant when Sir
John Trollope may proudly repeat his assertion of
this day, that he has never presided in any chair
with greater satisfaction to himself — and I am sure
I may add, to the meeting. (Cheers.) Gentlemen,
I have ever felt the immense importance which de-
volves upon the agricultural interests of the country,
and I will never desert it ! (Much applause.) It is
with the utmost pleasure, then, that I now offer you
a toast which must be highly grateful to my hon.
friend on my right — for what can be more truly gra-
tifying to him than to be chairman of such a meeting
as this, and to know that you appreciate him as I do.
I am confident, gentlemen, that in these remarks, 1
only anticipate the feelings of your hearts, and I
will only on the present occasion act as your fugleman,
and require you to drink the toast with three times
three (cheers), — The health of Sir John Trollope,
and grant that he may live to witness the harmony,
the success, of this association, which he has la-
boured to promote and sustain. (Tremendous cheer-
ing.)

Sir John Trollope then rose amid considerable
applause. Mr. Vice-Chairman and gentlemen, —
VVhat cm I say 1 how can I respond to the flattering
manner in which you have met the toast of my
health ? My noble friend's eulogium has gone far,
very far, beyond my deserts. I appear here as a
neighbour among you, anxious from my heart to
promote our mutual interests. I am an agricultu-
rist, I place my whole trust and confidence in that
species of property, "id every- day experience shows

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

343

that the trust is not ill-placed. I am preud as a
neighbour, and as a humble individual, to preside
over so respectable a meeting as the present, and I
lieartily trust that I may again be called upon for
the flattering- office. (Cheers.) I did not, I must
confess, expect so flattering an exhibition at our
first show, nor so numerous a meeting here ; and I
fear that many of you will think that our landlord
has made but an ill-provision for you ; but if so, I
am happy to see that it has not put any of you into
an ill humour. (Cheers.') Gentlemen, I can only
further assure you that you will always find me
ready to aid the common cause : my humble efforts
will ever be devoted to it — (cheers) — and I will add,
gentlemen, to tlie last shilling! (loiid cheers.) I
have nothing further to sa}', gentlemen, but to ex-
press to you again and again my sincere thanks for
the honour you have done me — and my hopes that I
may continue for many years enrolled as a member
of the Bourn Agricultural Association. fThe hon.
Bart, then sat down amidst much applause) — at the
conclusion of which he proposed the next toast.

" The Stewards of the Society." It is to their
excellent arrangement of the stock exhibited this
day, (said Sir John) that is owing all the gratifica-
tion vou have experienced ; and I doubt not you will
join with me in receiving their health with all the
honours.

Mr. Dunn, of Dowsby, acknowledged the toast.
If the arrangements, he said, l)ad given satisfaction,
he was much pleased ; he could assure them that
they had endeavoured to please all parties. (Cheers.)
For the honour they had done tliem, he must return
his sincere thanks ; and he for one should always be
happy to give his humble efforts to promote their
cause. With the allowance of the chairman he
would propose as d toast " Tlie Committee of the
Society." (Cheers.)

Mr. Larratt, of Thurlby, having been repeatedly
called upon to respond to the toast, of " The Ste-
wards," now rose amid much cheering. He assured
the company he should not have been backward in
answering it ; but as he was labouring with a very
bad cough, he had left that honour to Mr. Dunn.
Called on, however, as he now was, he could not
resist addressing a iew words to them, to assure
them that he had made every effort for the conve-
nience of the exhibitors. He feared that he had
off'ended many agriculturists ; but the fact was, that
though he had been all his life engaged in agricul-
tural, he had never before been at the formation of
an infant society ; and lie trusted that inexperience
would be received as his excuse. He thought, that
if the two societies of Bourn and Oakham would
only act in unison, none in the country could sur-
pass them ; for they were in possession of agricul-
tural advantages and facilities far beyond any other
counties. Otie of these societies is now inferior to
none; and he did not hesitate to say, that from the
nature of the exhibition of this day, the stock shown
next year would be much increased in class and
number. (Cheers.) With his colleagues, he again
returned thanks for the honour done him.

Mr. HoTCHKiN also briefly acknowledged the toast.
The Chairman then recalled the attention of the
company to Mr. Dunn's toast, and he would add to
it " Mr. Parker's good health." {Cheers.)

Wm. Parker, Esq. of Hanthorpe. — Mr. Chairman
and gentlemen, I rise to return you my sincere
thanks on behalf of myself and colleagues, for the
high and distinguished compliment you have done
us. I should be wanting in candour gentlemen, if I
did not declare, that I have been but an Iiumble in-
strument in the formation of this society— but I

should be still more wanting in candour, if I did not
state how much is due to my colleagues, for it is ow-
ing to their great efi"orts that the society has been
brought to the perfection which it appears even at
this early day to have attained. (Cheers.) Highly
gratifying indeed is it to me to see the formation of
such an association — for, to echo the words of the
Chairman, all my interests are bound up in agricul-
tural property ; and, in fact, there is no description
of property that is not greatly dependent upon agri-
culture. Gentlemen, I have an important duty to
perform, and I beg that you will bear with me while
I enter into the circumstances connected with the
formation of this society. In its establishment we
were particularly pledged, in the address which we
sent out to the public, to a certain course of proceed-
ing— it was an address descriptive of the principles
upon which the society was intended to be formed ;
and I now deem it necessary to call your attention
to the following extracts from it. In general, gen-
tlemen, public prospectuses are considered all clap-
trap— but I assure you that ours was any thing but
clap-trap. (Hear.) It contained the following de-
scription of the principles upon which we hope to
conduct it : —

" The following are the motiveswhich have suggested
the formation of this society. First, it has been thought
that the neighbourhood of Bourn is well calculated for
it, as it contains several breeders and graziers of con-
siderable eminence and influence ; next, that the breed-
ing of good cattle and stock is held to be one of the most
important features of rural economy and domestic use-
fulness ; and thirdly, that in a district which is almost
entirely agricultural, such societies (if their primary ob-
ject is the encouragement of industry and good order)
have, doubtless, a tendency to raise the moral tone and
character of the working classes, — a result alike advan-
tageous to themselves, and to those from whom they may
lay claim for support and protection.

"Now while it is deemed necessary in societies of this
nature, that an exhibition of stock should form part of
their plan, it is, nevertheless, intended that the en-
couragement of good labourers and servants shall more
particularly command the approbation of the society
now about to be established. With this view, then, the
committee beg to state, (should it be the opinion of
some that the principle now sent forth to the public is
not in accordance with their professions,) that they only
ask permission and aid to commence it in its present form,
after when they will be prompt to apply themselves to
an extension of its usefulness."

On that address, gentlemen, I intend to ofter you a
few observations : first that it was not alone intended
to form a society for the purpose of showing cattle,
but also to ofter premiums for the encouragement of
good labourers and agricultural servants throughout
the neighbourhood. (Hear.) — I may also here state,
that I am not a great advocate for the awarding of
high premiums for excessively-fed stock, I dare say
that those gentlemen who give their attention to this
over-feeding of such animals, will allow that they
have never any opportunity of realizing one-half of
their value. It was, therefore, not our j;)»'«ma?-i/ ob-
ject ; yet on the outset of our society, it was perhaps
necessary to ofter the highest premium for that de-
scription of animals. Gentlemen, my whole life has
been spent in agricultural pursuits, and I am proud
to say that I am an English farmer. I think we ought
to turn our attention to the encouragement of cattle
fed on the ordinary produce of a farm. (Hear.)
There is very little doubt furthermore, that we shall
find gentlemen very willing to exhibit in the classes
for over fed cattle to receive as a premium a medal
of the value of about 2/. (Hear.) 1 am now about
to ask a question, which, perhaps, some gentleman
in this room will answer, whether the comparative

344

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

merits of animals may not be sufficiently ascertained,
without stuffing them to an inordinate degree ? My
own impression is, that they can, without having re-
course to an expedient which deteriorates from the
quality of the animal, and entails an expense upon
the breeder generally incompatible with his means —
and that by the ordinary produce of a farm. I now ar-
rive, gentlemen, at an important division of my dis-
course— the encouragement of agricultural labourers
and servants. I think we must, in accordance with
the pledge we have given in our address sent out,
bend our attention most particularly to this subject.
I am not condemning our present principles : I felt,
with others, that it was desirable to form them in
accordance with known notions ; but I am sure that
you will consult your own interests and the good of
the country in a ten-fold degree, if you will give
your attention to the encouragement of the agricul-
tural labourer. (Hear.) This plan is adopted, I
see, at the Walthani show, where there is not an in-
stance of more than 3i. being given as a premium for
animals, and upwards oi forty prizes to husbandmen,
shepherds, &c. I beg your attention to this mat-
ter, and I further assure you that my continuance in
this society must depend upon it. I fear, gentlemen,
that you will consider that I have been prosing (no,
no) ; I have done, however, no more than my duty ;
and, in conclusion, I beg you will not forget my last
words — doti't forget the labourers and servants !
(Cheers.)

The Chairman. — '• Success and prosperity to the
Rutland Agricultural Association." (Loud and con-
tinued cheering.)

The Hon. C. Clifford would offer a few remarks
upon the toast. He reminded them that it was no
relative position of interests, but a general desire for
success which should actuate them. As a member
of the Bourn Agricultural Association, however, he
could not help saying, how much he hoped that the
day was not far distant in which it would rival the
Oakham Association in exhibition and rewards.
(Cheers.)

The Chairman. — It is a somewhat singular situa-
tion for me, to be called on to acknowledge a toast
of my own proposing. But let me recal to your
memory, that Oakham has this day borne away all
your best prizes. (They shan't another year.) As a
member of this society, I can't help having a latent
hope in my breast, that we shall one day return the
compliment. (Loud Cheers.)

Mr. Robert Smith. — In answer to the Chairman's
remarks as to the awarding the prizes to the county
of Rutland, it was a fact, that those were the only
animals we could send — and not bad specimens
either. (Hear.) I must beg to make a few remarks
upon one or two parts of Mr. Parker's speech. I
don't think that he has read quite far enough in the
circular. It was at first stated, that the Bourn Asso-
ciation was to be extended to a circuit of twenty-five
miles round, and this was afterwards pulled in to
twelve miles. Mr. Parker said, that he had deemed
it necessary, in first forming this society, to offer
prizes for first class animals. Why, this is plainly
saying, " We must offer some temptations to obtain
a few good animals, to set off our show." — This was
not a very fair feeling. It was not at first my inten-
tion to show, nor was it with any eye to the pre-
mium, because the animal I have shown to-day was
worth much more than eight sovereigns, but my
friend, Mr. Baker, called upon me and said, " Smith,
we'll go as far as we can ; they cannot blame us."
I am only sorry, gentlemen, that there was no com-
petition. With respect to Mr. Baker, he has many
valuable animals in his herd, which are excluded as

having taken premiums. In conclusion, I repeat,
that 1 am sorry you do not allow the limits to in-
clude twenty-five miles ; and further, I assure you,
that if you do not do so, I sh^U never show another
animal.

Mr. Parker then rose, with the permission of the
Chairman. I beg leave, he said, to observe, in reply
to the observations of Mr. Smith, that whatever I
said was spoken in a true spirit of kindness and
good feeling ; it was far from my intention to say
anything that could possibly wound Mr. Smith's
feelings, or throw any slur on the Oakham Asso-
ciation. For my own part, I am very glad they have
borne away the prizes, because I am sure they were
most justly entitled to them. But I assure you,
gentlemen, that in my remarks about over-fed ani-
mals, it was any but my intention to say anything
uncharitable to Mr. Smith ; and I should be very
sorry to witness their absence. They are the leading
features of the show ; but as Mr. Smith himself has
said, that he exhibited without an eye to the pre-
mium, and I believe that to be the feeling of all the
gentlemen who exhibit them, I said, that I thought
a medal would satisfy them ; and I hope that it will
be the practice of this society to deal out the pre-
miums on that principle.

The Chairman. — " The Judges."

Mr. Webster, of Weldon, returned thanks in the
name of his colleagues. It was possible, he said,
that the society might find more efficient judges —
but certainly not more ivilling. He assured them,
that of the animals upon whose merits they had that
day awarded, they had known none of the owners.
(Hear.) In reply to Mr. Parker, he should not
recommend them to reduce the premiums, but he
would recommend the committee to offer premiums
for bulls and heifers of distinct breeds, as closely
bred as possible — and at the same time to give pre-
miums to a few animals of the first quality. (Hear.)
He really believed that some gentlemen looked at
their animals at home, and were so satisfied with
them, that they thought there were none like them.
(^Hear.) In conclusion, he stated, that he should
not have accepted the office of judge, but from his
knowledge of the difficulty there existed of obtaining
gentlemen to undertake it.

Mr. Dow, of Elm, briefly expressed his hope, that
the distribution of the premiums had given satisfac-
tion— and offered his best wishes for the success of
this useful society.

Mr. Bartholomew, of Goltho, also acknowledged
the toast in a few words. If they had given satis-
faction, they were amply repaid for their trouble.

The Chairman. — " Success to the town and trade
of Bourn." (^Cheers.) Though small in size, it does
not yield in public spirit to any town in England.
(^Cheers.) You are all of you witnesses to its very
great improvements, not only as relates to its public
buildings — but also to its agriculture — and you will
join with me in wishing it success.

Mr. Casswell begged to propose, with the per-
mission of the chairman, the health of the worthy
Vice-Chairman, General Johnson. (^Drunk with three
times three.)

General Johnson. — Mr. Chaii-man and gentle-
men, I cannot help remarking, with extreme satis-
faction, the presence of so respectable an assembly
in this room. It has been my lot to see a variety of
assemblies in this room. (Laughter.) With regard
to the Bourn Agricultural Society, having been so
successful in its beginning, I trust that it will long
continue so ; and I promise you, that any exertion
I can make for its well-doing, shall not be wanting.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

34^

(Cheers.) In conclusion, I return you my most
lieart-felt thanks.

Song-, Mr. John Osborne. " The Friar of Orders
Grey."

The Hon. C. CLiFronD, in the absence of the
Chairman, rose to propose a toast which be would
have felt some difficulty in proposing- himself —
" That our Bourn Agricultural Association may take
the precedence of the Oakham one." (Cheers.) I
feel, gentlemen, that to compete with Oakham, we
must have funds, and as a humble individual, I will
not attempt to dispose of the small sum at ray com-
mand at my own discretion ; but if the sura of fifteen
guineas can do anything- towards establishing- the
precedence of Bourn over Oakh-am, I shall gladly
place it at the disposal of the gentlemen of agricul-
tural experience forming- its committee (cheers.) —
and I hope, that when my hon. friend takes the chair
again, we may be able to vie honourably with Oak-
ham in agricultural produce. {Cheers.) Gentlemen, I
don't stand here alone as an advocate for the fat ox,
or, as my friend Sharman would say, for the fat pig
(laughter), but as an advocate for the praise of the
agriculturists of Britain. I am but young in the
schools of agriculture and commerce, but this much
I have ever felt — that the prospei-ity of the one se-
cures the prosperity of the other. I will now con-
clude, that having drunk almost every toast — prize
beasts "and prize sheep — 1 have still one more to pro-
pose to 5'ou, which will secure the prosperity of -all,
and that is, " Success to the scythe, the sickle, and
the plough." (Cheers.)

Mr. Bagnall then proposed " the healths of the
unsuccessful candidates." (Applause.)

Theop. Johnson, Esq., responded to the toast.
He was, he said, in the class of the unsuccessful
candidates -. but he was proud to say, that he consi-
dered the decision of the judges as extremely just.
(Cheers.) He had been desirous to. send to the yard
animals which would not disgrace it — -and he be-
lieved they had not done so. (No, no.) He looked
upon this as the proudest day of his life. He had
constantly resided in the county of Lincoln, and
what he could do to promote the interests of its agri-
culture, he should ever be anxious to accomplish.
He had offered himself as a member of this society,
and he felt very grateful for their reception of him.
Mr. Johnson proceeded to recommend, as a fit ob-
ject for premiums, that very valuable and useful -ani-
mal, the curt horse, for which purpose he offered to
add ten guineas to the fund. A premium for agri-
cultural produce, he also considered as likely to
prove advantageous, such as turnips, mangel-wurzel,
&c., for without them cattle could not be brought to
perfection. It had been some time since in contem-
plation to establish an Agricultural Association at
Spalding, which he formerly intended to support ;
but as, since the institution of the Bourn Society he
had ceased to advocate that at Spalding, he should
throw all his strength into this. (Cheers.) He was
not, he assured them, at all disconcerted at his ill
success. Next year he should try again — and he
had something in store which would equal much that
he had seen exhibited that day. In conclusion, he
would propose as a toast " the health and happiness
of the ladies of Bourn." (Drunk ivith three times
three.)

The CuAinMAN then begged to give them a toast
without the slightest political inclination — " H.
Handley, Esq., and G. J- Heathcote, Esq., the mem-
bers for South Lincoln." He proceeded to read a
letter from the latter gentleman, who was in Scot-
land, expressing his regret at being unable to attend
this meeting — and promising them every support.

Mr. Handley, (continued Sir John) is now sitting
on my left hand, ready to answer for his many sins
— but I am sure that yo.u will not reckon -among
tbem that of being- an enemy to agriculture. {Cheers^
This toast was drunk with due honours.

H. Handley, Esq., acknowledged the toast. When
my hon. friend in the chair (he said) whom I have
known, man and boy, for a period of twenty-five years,
charges me with a catalougue of sins, I am glad to see
opposite to me my gallant friend, who so often presides
here and gives the accused an opportunity of defending-
themselves ; to him I appeal, and am willing to traverse
the indictment. (Laughter.) But, if gentlemen, I
should be found to be a black sheep, you must console
yourselves with the application of the old proverb,
" One black sheep is lucky for the flock." (Laughter.)
On behalf of Mr. Heathcote and myself, I must beg to
return you our sincere thanks ; and I am sure that he
would have been here if possible — for since he has had
the honour of representing this division, I believe this is
the only occasion of his being- absent, (Cheers.) You
have just heard that he is in Scotland; and if your
meeting had taken place a fortnight later, I also should
have been there, for I intend being present at the anni-
versary of the Highland Society at Dumfries. If there
is one gratification which I experience more than an-
other, it is an arena such as this, wherein politics, which
so often mar good fellowship, are banished. (Cheers.)
Mr. Heathcote and myself have ever given our strenuous
support to agriculture, because we are united insepara-
bly to its interests. Gentlemen, I must congratulate
you upon the effects of your first meeting, which are
such as must denote every prospect of future success.
With regard to your limits, I am mistaken if the Hmits
of the Oakham Association are more than 15 miles.
(Hear, and laughter.) But I also labour under another
error ; I thought that the twelve miles was the extent of
your limits in the county of Lincoln as out of it, or I
should have been a candidate. Mr. Webster has read
me a lesson when he said " that he believed some gen-
tlemen looked at their animals at home, and were so sa-
tisfied with them, that they thought there were none
like them." From what I have seen to-day, I believe,
that if I had brought mine, I should have had the con-
ceit taken out of me. As it is, I shall retain that valua-
ble commodity another year. (Laughter.) Next show
I shall enter the contest, and, though not fond of con-
tests (laughter), I shall hope to assist the association in
its attempts to show the elder society that we are not in-
ferior to them — and I trust that we may live for many
years on terms of the most friendly rivalry. (Cheers.)

The Chairman, after a few preliminary remarks, then
proposed the health of" Loi'd Willougbby." (Cheers.)
After which he stated that he had received from his
steward the handsome sum of 20/., to be given for the
best turnip crop, in one or more prizes. He was con-
vinced that it could not be better directed, and trusted
that they should soon see such crops of Swedes as can be
produced in no other district. (Cheers.) This toast hav-
ing been received with due honours, the Chairman an-
nounced the receipt of five guineas frem Lord Lindsey,
whose health he then proposed, which was cheerfully
responded to.

Gen, Johnson then gave the health of a gentleman
present, who had most g-enerously contributed to the
society — Mr, Clifford, (Drunk with three times three.)

The Hon. C. Clifford returned thanks in an able and
eloquent speech, urging them to continue their support
of the agricultural interests in the same active manner
as they had commenced — then (said he) when we look
around us on the aged widow and tlie fatherless child,
we feel that the fatted ox and the good crop have spread
a mantle over their distress — and, instead of seeing
around us jioor-houses, our hearts are cheered by the
siglit of friendly agricultural landlords. I can only say,
that 1 have never raised a glass of wine to my lips with
more gratification, than when I drink " Success to every
agriculturist around me — to every agriculturist of Lin-
colnshire!" (Great applause.)

Many excellent speeches were delivered — toasts given
— and songs sung — and the meeting separated at a late

346

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE

hour, highly gratified at the successful result of their
first anniversary.

The Chairman then announced the receipt of 10/.
from Dr. Hopkinson, of Stamford — which announcement
was received with much applause.

LARDNER'S CABINET CYCLOPEDIA.

DOMESTIC ECONOMY;

BY DONOVAN.

One of the most valuable chapters in the vo-
lume, however, is the fifth, on the "loss of weight
which animal food sustains in roasting and boil-
ing." The whole information on this subject is
worthy of the attention of housekeepers, &c., for
whose use we select some samples.

" It has been already shown, that in whatever
manner meat is cooked, there is a considerable
diminution of substance, the loss consisting chiefly
of water, juices, soluble matter and fat. In an
economical point of view, a comparison of the loss
incurred in the two most usually employed pro-
cesses, roasting and boiling, is interesting, yet has
not occupied the attention of the public as much
a? the importance of the subject seems to demand.
Professor Wallace, of Edinburgh, has given us the
i-esults of some experiments made to determine
the loss which meat undergoes in cooking. It is
to be regretted that it is not more in detail, and
that the weight of the bone in each joint was not
ascertained ; but still it is of great value. The re-
sults, reduced to 100 pounds of meat, are as fol-
low : — lbs.

100 pounds of beef lost in boiling 26|

100 pounds of beef lost in roasting 32

100 pounds of beef lost in baking 30

100 pounds of legs of mutton, averaging about 9§

pounds each, lost in boiling 21i

100 pounds of shoulders of mutton, averaging 10

pounds each, lost in roasting 31^

100 pounds of loins of mutton, averaging 8

pounds 12 ounces each, lost in roasting 3.5J

100 pounds of necks of mutton, averaging 10

jjounds each, lost in rousting 321

Thus, the loss in boiling beef or mutton was less
than in roasting. And it appears that meat loses
by the cooking about one- fifth to one-third, A
few years since, I undertook the superintendence
of some experiments of the same tendency, with
the view of inserting the results in this volume.
These trials were made on several parts of the dif-
ferent animals, with as much attention to accuracy
as the nature of the subject permitted. They were
made on different qualities of the same kind of
meat, at various seasons, both in England and
Ireland, Such experiments are exceedingly trou-
blesome, and occasion no small inconvenience ; it
is, therefore, the less surprising that the subject
has been so little investigated ; and the following
results, in the absence of any others so particularly
detailed, will, perhaps, prove interesting. Allow-
ance must be made for the nature of such pro-
cesses, as the difficulty of fixing an average price
of meat, fish, and poultry, owing to variations oc-
casioned by the supply and the season, the want of
uniformity in the prices of the city, and by the ex-
orbitant demands of sopie vendors of these arti-

cles. Tne degree of fatness was in all cases
brought to a standard by cutting off all excess, and
leaving the meat in a proper state for house-
keepers' use. The meat was in all cases cooked
as nearly as possible to the same degree, and the
weights were determined with exactness : avoir-
dupois weight throughout is intended. The bones
were entirely stripped of their meat previously to
their being weighed. The only cost taken into ac-
count is that of the meat, leaving out fuel, &c.

" Experiment 1, — A piece of beef, roasted. It
consisted of four of the longest ribs, and was not
remarkably fat : its weight was lliLlbs, During
the process of roasting it lost 21bs. 6oz,, of which
lOoz, were fat, and 28oz. were water dissipated by
evaporation. When the meat was dissected off
with the utmost care, the bones weighed 16oz.
Hence, the weight of meat, properly roasted and
fit for the table, was but 71bs. lloz., out of H^ybs.
originally submitted to experiment. This beef
would cost in London 8^d. per lb. The roasted
beef cost, therefore, 12-ii]. per lb. In another trial,
a piece of beef of the same description, the tops of
the ribs having been rejected with their meat, was
submitted to the same mode of trial ; the weight
of bone in lOflbs. was 16oz., and the fat lloz,,
which agrees with the former estimate,"

Other parts are submitted to similar tests, and
we learn, of mutton : —

" Experiment 17, — A leg of mutton, weighing
9|lbs. when boiled gave lib, of bone, shank in-
cluded; it lost in the boiling lib. 2oz.: the meat
weighed 7]bs, 2oz, if the butcher's price was 8d.
per lb., the meat cost about 10|d. per lb,

" Experiment 18. — A similar leg, weighing 9
lbs. 6oz., affoi'dcd 15 oz, of bone, and lost 12oz. in
the boiling : the meat weighed 71bs. lloz. At 8d.
per lb, butcher's price, the boiled meat would cost
9|d, per lb,

" Experiment 19, — A leg of small Scotch mut-
ton, weighing 61bs., afforded 10 1 oz, of bone, lost
5§ oz, in the boiling, and the meat weighed 51b. ;
cost 9Jd, per lb,, if butcher's price be 8d,"

The following arc miscellaneous : —

" Experiment 28. — A fore-quarter of lamb,
weighing 91bs., afforded, when roasted, 20 oz. of
bone, and lost Iflb. in the roasting : the meat
weighed 6Ibs. If the butcher's price be 8^d. per
lb., the roasted lamb costs 12§d, per lb,

" Experiment 31, — A hand of salt pork, weigh-
ing 41bs. 5 oz., lost in boiling 11 oz. The bone
weighed 9 oz, : the meat was 81bs. 1 oz. If the
first cost of the pork was 75d. per ]b. the meat,
when duly boiled, cost 10|d,pcr lb,

" Experiments!, — A knuckle of veal weighing
filbs., when duly boiled, lost half a pound. Its
bones, perfectly cleared of meat, weighed 21bs. 6
oz, ; the meat weighed 31bs. 2 oz. Hence, if the
butcher's price was S^d., the boiled meat cost lO^d.
per lb.

" Experiment 35. — A goose, properly trussed,
weighed 42lbs. : in this state it was roasted, and,
when sufficiently done, was found to have lost 18
oz. The skeleton weighed 12 oz. ; the meat
weighed 31bs, This goose would cost, in London,
4s. 6d. Hence, the roasted meat amounted to Is.
SJd. per lb,

" Experiment 41. — A turkey, with its liver and
gizzard, weighing 41bs. 14 oz., was boiled ; it lost
12 oz. The skeleton weighed 13| oz.; the meat

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

347

31b. 4| oz. If this turkey cost 3s. 6d., the boiled
meat amounted to Is. Id. per lb.

" Experiment 43. — A young duck, weighing
20 oz., lost 5f oz. in i-oasting. Its bones weighed
2^'g oz. : the meat was 12^ oz. It cost 2s. 6d. :
hence, the flesh amounted to 3s. 3^d. per lb.

" Experiment 46. — A fowl, with its liver and
gizzard, weighing l^lb., was roasted. It lost 3 oz. :
the skeleton weighed 4^ oz., and the flesh, I65 oz.
If such a fowl cost 2s. 6d., its meat, when roasted,
would cost 2s. 4|d. per lb.

" Experiment 47. — A chicken, weighing lib.
4|oz., when roasted, lost 3^ oz. The bones
weighed 3 oz., the flesh, 13| oz. If the chicken
cost 2s. 4d.,the meat, roasted, was worth 2s. 8d.
per lb.

" Experiment 56. — A fine mackerel, which,
when trimmed, and ready for boiling, weighed
23|- oz. (including the weight of the roe, 21 oz.).
It cost lOd. It lost If oz. in the boiling. The
skeleton, carefully collected, along with gills, fins,
and tail, weighed 4| oz. Hence, the cost of the
eatable parts of the boiled fish was 9gd. per lb.

" It will now be necessary to collect the results
of all these experiments into a kind of conspectus,
for the sake of more easy comparison ; and it is
to be understood, that, in the following estimates,
when the butcher's price is mentioned, it of course
comprises meat and bone in the usual manner.
But, when the ultimate cost of the cooked meat is
specified, it refers to the price cost of the meat
only, the bone being considered valueless : and it
is supposed that the fatness of the meat was such
as good meat is expected to have, without any re-
dimdancy being left on it. From an average of
the first five experiments, it appears that, when
the butcher's price of ribs of beef is 8^d. perlb., the
cost of the meat when duly roasted and fit for the
table, is ll|d. per lb., and that the average loss of
weight arising from the liquefaction of the fat, and
the evaporation of water iVom the juices, is 18 per
cent. From an average of the next six experi-
ments, it appears that, when the butcher's price
of sirloins of beef is 8^d. per lb., the cost of the
meat, when duly roasted and fit for the table, is
Is. IJd. per lb., and that the average weight lost
during the roasting is 20^ per cent. From an ave-
rage of experiments 11, 12, and 13, it appears that
when the butcher's price of salted briskets of beef
is 6d. per lb., the cost of the meat, when duly
boiled and fit for the table, is 8|d. per lb., and the
loss incurred in boiling, arising from the extrac-
tion of fat and juices is 18 per cent. From an ave-
rage of experiments 14 and 1.5, it appears that
when the butcher's price of salted flanks of beef is
6d. per lb., the cost of the meat, when duly boiled,
is 7f d. per lb., and the loss in boiling is 13i per
cent. From experiment IG, it appears that, when
the butcher's price of salted tail-ends of beef is 7d.
per lb., the cost of the meat, duly boiled, is B^d.
per lb., and the loss in boiling is l.S/j, per cent.
From an average of experiments 17, 18, 19, 20, and
21, it appears that, when the butcher's price of
legs of mutton is 8d. per lb,, the cost of the meat,
when duly boiled and fit for the table, is lOd. per
lb., and that the average weight lost during the
boiling is 10 per cent. From an average of expe-
riments 23 and 24, it appears that, when the but-
cher's price of legs of mutton is 8d. per lb., the cost
of the meat, when duly roasted, is Is. per lb., and
the loss incui-red by roasting is 277u P^'" cent. No
account is here taken of experiment 22, because
the meat, being over-roasted, amounted to Is. 2d.
per lb., and this result vvou'd have rendered the

average above what it ought to be. The loss in-
curred by roasting was 27 f^ per cent. From an
average of experiments 25, 26, and 27, it appears
that, when the butcher's price of shoulders of
mutton is 7d. per lb. the cost of the meat, duly
roasted, is lid. per lb., and the loss incurred by
roasting is 28 per cent. From an average of ex-
periments 28 and 29, it appears that, when the
butcher's price of the fore-quarter of lamb is 8^d.
per lb., the cost of the meat, duly roasted, is is. l^d.
per lb., and the loss by roasting is 22J per cent.
From experiment 30, it appears that, if the first
cost of hams be lOd. per lb., the meat, duly boiled,
skinned, and browned, will amount to Is. IJd. per
lb., and the loss by boiling is 12§ per cent. Fi-om
experiments 31 and 32, it appears that, when the
hand and leg of salt pork average 8d. per lb., the
boiled meat amounts to lOa-d. per lb., and the loss
in boiling is 13^ per cent. From experiment 33,
it appears that, if the first cost ot bacon is 8d. per
lb., the meat, when duly boiled, skinned, and
browned, amounts to lO^d. per lb., the loss in
boiling alone being 6i per cent. From experiment
34, it appears that, when the butcher's price of
knuckle of veal is S^d. per lb., the meat, duly
boiled, costs 10|d. per lb., the loss in boiling being
8^ per cent. From an average of experiments 35,
36, 37, it appears that, at the prices of geese
quoted, which average 122d. per lb. for the raw
flesh, the cost of the i-oasted flesh is Is. 7d. per
lb., and the loss, per cent., I95. From an average
of experiments 38, 39, and 40, it appears that, at
the prices of turkeys quoted, which average lOd.
per lb., the cost of the roasted flesh is Is. 2^d. per
lb., and the loss, per cent., is 204- From an ave-
rage of experiments 41 and 42, it appears that,
when turkeys are sold at the last-mentioned price,
the cost of the boiled flesh is Is. l^d. per lb., and
the loss, per cent, is 16. It appears, also, that the
roasted flesh of turkeys sometimes amounts to 4s.
2d. per lb. From experiments 43, 44, and 45, it
appears that, at the prices of ducks quoted, which
average Is. l^d. per lb. in the raw state, the cost
of the roasted flesh is 2s. 8d. per lb., and the loss,
per cent., is 27^. From experiments 46, 47, and
48, it appears that, at the prices of chickens quoted,
which avei-age Is. 6Jd. per lb. in the raw state, the
roasted flesh amounts to 2s. 7d. per lb., and the
loss, per cent, is 141. From an average of expe-
riments 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54, it appears that,
at the prices of chickens last quoted, the average
cost of the boiled flesh is 2s. 8d. per lb., and the
average loss is 13^- per cent. From experiment
53, it appears that, when turbot in the raw state is
sold at 9-|d. per lb., the boiled fish costs IHd. per
lb. ; the loss in. boiling is 5^ per cent. From expe-
riment 56, it appears that, when mackerel sells in
the raw state at 6^d. per lb., the boiled fish costs
9id. per lb. the loss in boiling being 7^ per
cent. From experiment 57, it appears that the
roasted flesh of a woodcock sometimes costs 16s.
per lb., and sometimes 2s. But the flesh of the
quail is still more expensive. This bird, when
fattened, is sold at the enormous price of 3s. ; and,
when allowance is made for the loss in cooking and
the bones, the meat may be estimated at 2 oz.,
which brings the cost, of the cooked flesh to l/.4s.
per lb ! Those to whom such morsels arc neces-
sary arc not to be envied. A haunch of venison,
weighing SGlbs., will cost 3J guineas. The meat
of this, when roasted and detached from the bone,
will amount to about 3s. lOd. per lb. ; and if the
animal was more than usually fat, to 4s. The fol-
lowing statement gives the results in a still more
abstract form ; but the prices apply to London

348

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

only. The articles are arranged in the order of
their costliness in the London market : —

Names of the articles of food
estimated.

Salted flank of beef, boiled

Salted tail end of beef, do.

Salted brisket of beef, do. .

Mackerel, do

Legs of mutton, do

Bacon, best part, do

Hand & leg' of salt pork, do.

Knuckle of veal, do

Shoulders of mutton, roast-
ed

Ribs of beef, do

Turbot, boiled

Leg's of mutton, roasted

Turkeys, boiled

Sirloin of beef, roasted. .

Fore-quarter of lamb, do

Hams, boiled

Leg's of nmtton,over-roasted

Turkeys, roasted

Hamljurg- hungbeef, ribs

Geese, roasted

Woodcocks, roasted, cheap
season

Chickens, roasted

Chickens, boiled

Ducks, roasted

Haunch of venison, do. .

Turkeys, large, crammed

Woodcocks, scarce season

Quails, fattened

Cost per
lb. raw.

d.
6
6
6
6i

5*

10

10^
8
10
12
12f^

m

13J

Cost per Loss per
lb. cook- cent, in
ed. cooking.

9i
10
lOS

m

lOi

11

lU

m

12

13 1-9
13 1-6
13^
13i
14

18
19

24
31
32

32

46

50

192

13 1-5
137-10
18

7A
10

6^
13^

28
18

5 5-9
217-10
16
201
22i

m

274-10
20^
9 1-5
19*

14 3-5

13*
27" 1-6

It appears from the experiments, that
The loss per cent, on roasting beef, viz. sirloins

and ribs together, is 19g

The loss per cent, on roasting mutton, viz. legs

and shoulders together, is 24|

The loss per cent on roasting lamb, viz. the fore-
quarter, is 22-i-

The loss per cent, on roasting geese, is 195

The loss per cent, on roasting turkeys, is 20^

The loss per. cent, on roasting ducks, is 27J

The loss per cent, on roasting chickens, is .... 14|
Thus, the loss on roasting varies from 143 to
nearly double that rate. The average loss on
roasting butchers' meat is 22 per cent., and on
roasting domestic poultry is 20|.
The loss per cent, on boiling mutton, viz. legs,

is 10

Tlie loss per cent, on boiling hams, is 12j

The loss per cent, on boiling salt-beef, is .... 15
The loss per cent, on boiling s'alt-pork, is .... 13|

The loss per cent on boiling bacon, is 6|

The loss per cent, on boiling knuckles of veal,

is 8i

The loss per cent, on boiling turkeys, is 16

The loss per cent, on boiling chickens, is 13^

Thus, the loss on boiling varies from 6| to 16.
The average loss on boiling butchers' meat, pork,
hams, and bacon, is 12, and on boiling domestic
poultry is 14f . These estimates of butchers' meat
do not agree with those of Professor Wallace. I
shall select for contract all those cases that can be
compared.

Wallace. My trial.
100 pounds of beef lost in boiling. . 26§ 15
100 pounds of beef lost in roasting. . 32 19^

100 pounds of legs of mutton lost

in boiling 21^- 10

100 pounds of shoulders of mut-
ton lost in roasting 31-^ 28

The average loss in boiling and roasting together
is, according to Professor Wallace, 28 per cent.;
according to my trials, it is but 18. I know not
how to reconcile these results otherwise than by
supposing a difference in the meat, or its fatness,
or in the duration of the heat. I used meat of
sufficient, but not unprofitable fatness, such as is
preferred in families ; the meat was in all cases a
little rare at its centre, and the results were deter-
mined with the utmost care. In great public in-
stitutions, where economy is studied and every
thing is regulated by weight and measure, tables
of this kind do not afford a guide that is to be im-
plicitly relied on. It is obvious that another ele-
ment must be taken into the calculation to ensure
true results, — the ratio in which each article of
food satisfies the appetite, which varies with almost
every individual."

On vegetables, the experiments are equally
curious : —

" We may safely assume that one quarter only
of the weight of potatoes is solid vegetable nutri-
ment. According to Vauquelin and Percy, lib. of
good bread is equal, in nutritive power, to 2§lbs.
of potatoes ; and 751bs. of bread and 30 of meat,
are equal to 3001bs. of potatoes. Cabbage has been
examined by Schrader, and found to contain, in
every hundred parts, by weight, but 6{^ of solid
matter : that is, lib. contains less than loz. of
matter that can contribute nourishment. This
agrees pretty nearly with the estimate of Sir H.
Davy. Greens, according to Vauquelin contain 8
per cent, of solid matter capable of nourishing, or
II oz. in the pound. Turnips, according to Sir
H. Davy, contain but 4i per cent, of solid nu-
tritive matter ; that is, lib. contains less than
three-quarters of an ounce. Vauquelin, however,
represents the quantity at 8 per cent. ; and he
found that 31bs. of turnips and 41bs. of cabbage are
equal, in nutritive effect, only to lib. of potato.
Carrots, according to Sir H. Davy, contain 91 per
cent, of solid matter capable of nourishing ; but
Vauquelin's estimate is 14. Adopting a mean,
therefore, we find that lib. of carrots supplies
nearly 2 oz. of solid nutriment. Green peas may
be inferred, from the analysis of Einhoflf, to contain
about 70 per cent, of solid matter ; but how much
of this is nutritive it is hard to determine. Vau-
quelin says, they contain 93 per cent. Sir H.
Davy estimates the solid matter of dried peas at
but 57 per cent. ; and if this be correct, it is not
possible that green peas can contain any thing like
the quantity stated by Vauquelin, or even Einhoff.
It is evident, however, that peas are rich in nutri-
ment, and possess this peculiar quality, that about
one-fifth of the solid matter estimated in the ana-
lysis of Einhoff, partakes somewhat of the nature
of animal matter. Beans also contain this partly
animal, partly vegetable, substance. The solid
nutritious matter contained in beans, according to
Davy, is 57 per cent., the same as in peas. The
beans examined by Einhoff, contained about 75 per
cent, of matter which might be supposed capable
of nourishing. According to Vauquelin, French
beans contain 92 per cent, of nutriment ; and,
modifying Einhoff's analysis of kidney beans, it
would appear that they contain much about the
same proportion. The other vegetables used at
ta))le have not been examined by chemists as to
the quantity of solid matter in them ; but the
examples adduced, which, of course, can only be
admitted as approximations to an estimate of nu-
tritive power, prove that the vegetable esculents
most commonly made use of, contain but a small

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.'

349

ratio of real vegetable matter ; and even the whole
of that may not possess the power of nourishing.
This is a most important consideration to be taken
into account. Butchers' meat taking one kind
with another, averages 35 per cent, of real nutri-
tive matter ; at least, such was the estimate pre-
sented by MM. Vauquelin and Percy to the French
minister of the interior. Adopting this determi-
nation, we are prepared to appreciate the quantity
of real nutritive matter received into the stomach,
when a meal of plain meat and vegetables has been
eaten : it is not practicable to come to any conclu-
sion when made dishes are used. It is a subject of
interest, and particularly so to the inhabitants of
the British isles, who are said by foreigners to
make use of more animal food than is necessary
or wholesome. In order to set the inquiry in an
intelligible point of view, some homely subjects
must be brought before the reader, and some cal-
culations on matters that are not generally made
questions of arithmetic ; the results will, perhaps,
be such as he had not anticipated, and will proba-
bly repay him for the scrutiny that is made into
the secrets of his dinner-table. In the following
estimates, it is supposed that the animal food made
use of is mutton, and that no other is ever resorted
to : a supposition adopted to avoid confusion, and
easily modified into the assumption of any other
meat, by reference to the preceding chapter. Some
persons may smile at the apparently whimsical
turn which a subject of this kind must assume ;
but should they chance to recollect, amidst their
pleasantry, that, perhaps, curtailment of life is
concerned, they may find something in these specu-
tions of a graver character. * *'

" In order, then, to equalise the animal and ve-
getable matter, and to increase the total quantity,
the ratio should be 8^ oz. of boiled mutton, 10 oz.
of potato, and the same of turnip ; the total amount
of food swallowed will be 28^ oz., but the quantity
of real nutriment will be but 6 oz., half being ani-
mal, and half vegetable, matter. This is, certainly,
a sufficient meal for most persons who have but
little laborious occupation ; for, if a pint of liquid
be drank at the same time, the loadon the stomach
will weigh 31bs. ; and this will be increased to 4J
lbs. if a pint of wine be swallowed. Now, the
difference between 8^ oz. of boiled meat and lOoz.
appears very trivial ; but, if the greater of the two
quantities be persevered in regularly every day for
the term" of a man's adult life of half a century ,itmay
excite a little s>irprise in the person who practises
it, to learn that he will have consumed a flock of
sheep, consisting of about fifty-three head, in excess
above what he ought to have made use of. In a
life of sixty-five years, allowing 8^ oz. per day for
fifty years, two-thirds of that quantity for ten
years, and 3 oz. a day for three years of childhood,
the total animal food amounts to 350 sheep. If to
this be added the excess above mentioned, the
number of sheep, the cooked meat of which is de-
voured by one man during a life of sixt3'-five years,
is about 400 ; along with five tons of potatoes,
about the same of turnips or other vegetable, nine
tons weight of common drink, and six tons weight
of wine, at one pint per day for thirty years only ;
thus, for dinner alone, above thirty tons weight of
solids and liqvnds must have passed through the
Btomach. Inordinate work will wear out any ma-
chinery before its time, especially if the work per-
formed be of a peculiarly wearing character.
Whether it is advisable to add the fifty-three un-
necessary sheep to one's dinner, is a question
which every reader will answer to himself as he

thinks proper. The food of old Parr, who died at
153 years of age, consisted of cheese, coarse bread,
milk, and small beer. Would it have made no
difference in the duration of his life if he had
swallowed 1050 sheep, for about this number
would have been his share at the usual rate, along
with his twenty tons of wine ? It may assist in
drawing a conclasion, to recollect that when he
was brought to London and lived in splendour,
' fed high, and drank plentifully of the best wines,'
he soon died; and his death was generally at-
tributed to that cause, for he had vigour of body
' to have lived a good while longer,' as the reporter
says."

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FARMING &
GRAZING SOCIETY.

The annual Cattle Show of the NorthamptonBhire
Farming and Grazing Society took place at Earl
Spencer's farm, at Chapel Brompton, on Wednesday
Sept. 13. The weather was upon the whole tolerably
fine, and a large number of persons assembled on the
occasion, many from a considerable distance, but from
the backward state of the harvest, the attendance,
altogether, was not so large as was anticipated. There
were many good animals exhibited, and the show was
a decided improvement upon last year. Amongst the
beasts which particularly attracted attention, were
Earl Spencer's Durham steer, Mr. Peach's Durham
heifer, Mr. Bouverie's little Hereford ox, Mr. Bailey's
two Scots, and Earl Spencer's two Scots. But the
chief interest was excited by Mr. Wratislaw's heifer,
which was allowed by all persons present to be one
of the completest animals ever shown. The show of
ewes, theaves, and shearhogs was not so good as per-
sons coming from distant counties expected to see
exhibited in a county like Northampton. But it is
necessary to explain, that according to the conditions
of the Society, these classes of sheep can only be shown
in a store state. Very great interest was excited by
the sheep exhibited for the tup sweepstakes, open to
all England. We heard it acknowledged by persons
known to be competent judges, that two more valu-
able tups than those of Lord Spencer and Mr. Inskipp,
never before came into competition at this or any
other show.

The Dinner, and Pbesentation of Plate to
C. HiLLYARD, Esq,. — In the afternoon, upwards of
one hundred agriculturists dined together at the George
Hotel. C. Hillyard, Esq. the President of the Society,
was in the chair, and R. Heygate, Esq. Vice President,
having his customary post of Vice-Chairman.

After dinner, Mr. Hillyard proposed, " The Queen"
in a bumper. (Cheers.) ** The Queen Dowager, and
the rest of the Royal Family," followed.

Lord Spencer then rose, and addressed Mr. Hill-
yard nearly as follows : — I have undertaken, at the
request of the members of this society, a duty which is
far from unpleasing to me. We have all been aware
of the service which you have rendered this society — we
have considered that you were the first to setiton foot—
and that but for your constant and unwearied exertion,
great sacrifice of time, and, I fear, to a certain extent,
sacrifice of money — it must at times have fallen to the
ground. We feel therefore that you have conferred a
great benefit on this county, and we know that your
services have been rendered with a temper and good
humour as gratifying as their efficiency. We therefore
offer for your acceptance this piece of plate. It is but
a small token of our satisfaction, but I know you will
value it in the highest possible degree, because we pre.
sent it as an acknowledgment of your endeavours not
only to serve this society, or this county, but to pro.
mote the agriculture of the whole country. (Cheers.')
I never felt more satisfaction than in contributing to
this piece of plate, and I am most happy in being the
instrument by whom the members are pleased to con ^

350

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

vey it to you. I am sure you will feel the value of the
approbation of so large a body of your fellow farmers.
His lordship, whose speech was received with very
cordial cheers, then presented a large silver bowl, very
hand somely chased, and bearing the following inscrip-
tion : —

" Presented to Clark Hillyard, Esq., their President, by
the Northamptonshire Farming and Grazing Society. — Sept.
13, 1837."

Mr. Hillyard then rose, and said that all this was
so totally unexpected, and had such an effect upon his
feelings, that it was impossible for him to find words
to thank the Noble Lord and the members of that so-
ciety as he ought. So long as he lived, he would
indeed attach the highest value to that cup, and he
trusted that when hereafter it should come into the
possession of his son, he too would equally esteem it,
as a token that his father had been of some service to
the community. {Cheers). Year after year, he had
received from this society the greatest kindness and
consideration. His health at these annual meetings
had always been received with the utmost cordiality,
and he could only wish that every person present
might have reason to thank Providence for the enjoy-
ment of the same health and activity at three score
years and ten, as the individual who now addressed
them. As long as he lived, his services, such as they
were, would be at the command, not only of this, but
of every other society in which agriculture was con-
cerned. {Great Cheering). He concluded by pro-
posing" Success to the Farming and Grazing Society.''
(Drank with warm Cheering).

Mr. Hillyard then proposed the health of the Noble
Lord to whom the chief success of the society was due.
Nothing that he could say could enhance the high res-
pect which they already entertained for the Earl
Spencer, and he should therefore confine himself to
this brief proposal of his health. {Great and continued
cheering, luhich was reneived tvhen the Noble Lord rose
to return thanks).

Earl Spencer in returning his best thanks for the
ompliment they had paid him, begged to add a very
few words on the state and prosperity of the society.
He thought he might fairly say that although he should
have been glad to see a better show, it was a great
improvement upon last year. He was sure that the
keeping up these shows would greatly benefit the agri-
culture of the country in general, and he should be very
sorry if Northampton were the county in which they
should be found to be going back. He hoped therefore,
they would continue to improve year after year. They
ought to have had a better show of sheep. He was
glad to see good animals anywhere, but he must con-
fess that when he saw the sheep exhibited at the
Warwick show, his envy was a little excited. One
of his prizes had not this year been awarded, and this
left him a little more money in his pocket, and he
would propose therefore that a sweepstakes for shear-
hog tups, should next year be entered into, of two sovs.
each, to which he would add twenty sovs. He would
also make a similar proposal with respect to tups of any
age. He would add ten sovs. to a sweepstakes of two
sovs. each. In both cases no restriction as to keep.
He would not pledge himself to continue it after this
year, as he put it as an experiment. He was ready to
go on making every exertion to promote the prosperity
of the society. (Great Cheering),

Mr. Hillyard then proceeded to read over the
awards as follows : —

Earl Spencer's Premiums. —Class 1.— Premium
of seven sovs. — To Earl Spencer for his Durham
steer, bred by his Lordship.

The second prize of three sovs., to Mr. J. Slater,
for his Hereford steer, bred by Mr. Turvell, of Shrop-
shire.

2, First prize of seven sovs. to George Peach, Esq.,
for his Durham heifer, bred by Sir Charles Knightly,
Bart.

Second prize of three sovs. to Mr. James Goodwin,
of Astoa-le-Walls, for his Durham heifer.

3. First prize of seven sovs. to Mr, T.W. Bosworth,

of Creaton, for the best pen of five iong-wooUed

ewes.

Second prize of three sovs. to Mr. Grose, of Har-
leston.

4. The first prize of seven sovs. to Mr. Mark Shar-
man, of Wellingborough, for his best pen of five lon-
woolled theaves.

Second prize of three sovs. to Mr. Tebbitt, of
Murcott.

5. First prize of seven sovs. to Mr. T. W. Bosworth,
for the best pen of five long-wooUed shearhogs.

Second of three sovs. to Mr. Bryan, Brampton.

6. The premiums of ten and five sovs. for the best
shearling long-woolled tup, were not awarded.

7. First prize of ten sovs. to Earl Spencer, for his
two-shear tup.

Second prize of five sovs. to Mr. Falkner, Boughton,

The prize of three sovs. for the best sample of wheat,
war awarded to Earl Spencer.

The prize of three sovs. for the best sample of
barley, to C. Hillyard, Esq. for Ms Chevalier sample.

The prize of three sovs. for the best sample of oats,
to Mr. Vials of Harleston.

The MARauis of Northampton's Premium.— A
Cup, value ten guineas, to the tenant occupier of the
best cultivated farm in the county, that does not ex-
ceed 250 acres, and is not above fifteen miles from
Northampton, was awarded to Miss Houghton of
Wilmer Park.

E. BouvERiE, Esq's. Premium. — A Cup value five
guineas, to the tenant occupier of the second best
cultivated farm, under the like conditions. — No candi-
date.

Sir J. H. Palmer, Bart.'s Premium of Five Sove-
reigns, for the best fat ox or steer, under 70 stone,
that has been in the county from the 20th Februaryj
1837, was awarded to Edward Bouverie, Esq., for his
Hereford steer.

The Hon. E. S. Fery's Premium of Five Sove-
reigns, for the best fat ox, and the best pen of five
long-woolled Wether Lambs, were not awarded.

StaffordO'BrieNjEsq.'s Premium OF Five Sove-
reigns, for the best bull, that has been exclusively
used in the county for the last twelve months, was
awarded to John Beasley, Esq., for his Durham bull,
no other bull being shown for this prize.

Sir Francis La^vley Bart.'s Premium of Ten
Sovereigns, to the owner of the most valuable three-
year-old horse, mare, or gelding for riding, bred either
in the counties of Northampton or Warwick, was award-
ed to Mr. Samuel Rice, of Northampton, for his three-
year-old colt, by Advance, bred by Mr, James Rice, of
Cotton End.

The Silver Cup, given by Sir W. Wake, Edward
Bouverie, Esq. and the President of this Society, to the
farmer of this county, or a farmer's son, not exceeding
25 years of age, who shall plough in the best manner,
with two horses a-breast, without a driver, and within
three hours and a half, half an acre of land, not less
than four inches and a half deep, was won by Mr.
George Tressler, of Moulton, aged 21.

The second prize a cup, given by H. B. Whitworth,
Esq. was won by Mr. Thomas Robinson, of Overstone,
aged 2L

To James Jones, shepherd to Mr. Richard Linnell,
of Stowe, for having reared 298 lambs from 262 ewes,
being 22f to the score, a prize of two guineas.

To Thomas Crick, shepherd to Mr. Wm. Shaw, for
rearing 357 lambs from 320 ewes, being 22;^ to the
score, a prize of one guinea.

To William Hodge, shepherd to Mr. T. W. Bos-
worth, for rearing 187 lambs from 172 ewes, a prize of
10s. 6d.

A prize of two guineas to the unmarried man who
had lived the longest time in the house of a member of
this soeiety as a farming servant, was awarded to Rieli-
ard Croft, for 24 yeai-s servitude with John Manning,
Esq. of Harpole.

A prize of two guineas to the unmarried woman living
in a farm house, under the same conditions, was award-
ed to Hannah Horsley, for eight years and eleven
months' servitude with Mr. Bartlett Miller, of Brampton,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

351

To Benj. Rigby, employed as a labourer in husban-
dry for 37 years, by Mr. Bartlett Miller, of Brampton,
a prize of two guineas.

To John Elliott, labourer, 34 years with Mr. VV.
Watts, of Scaldwell, a prize of one guinea.

To 'I'homas Wallington, labourer, 30 years with Mr.
T. Calhf, of Mear's Ashby, a prize of 10s. 6d.

A prize of three guineas to the labourer maintaining
the largest family, was awarded to James Smart, of
Moulton, having five children under twelve years of
age.

A prize of two guineas was awarded to Henry Adams,
of Hardingston, for supporting three children.

The third prize, of one guinea was not claimed.

Earl Euston's premium of three guineas, and two
premiums offered by J. Percival, Esq. (the first of two
guineas and the second of one guinea), to the labourer,
supporting the largest famiiie-i, were allotted as fol-
lows:—

To Thomas Cooper, of Holcot, and to Stephen Die-
kins of Holcot, respectively maintaining five children,
under twelve years of age, two guineas and a half each.
— To John Birch, of Moulton, and William Abbott, of
Wollaston, respectively maintaining four children, 10s.
6d.each.

A premium of one guinea, offered by S. Percival,
Esq. to the youth under 20 years of age, who had been
the longest time employed in husbandry by the same
master, was awarded to John Adams, aged 18 years,
for ten years servitude with J. Manning, Esq.

A premium of one guinea, offered by S. Percival,
Esq. to the youth, under twenty years of age, employed
in husbandry, who had hved the longest time in his
master's house, was awarded to Thomas Jones, for six
years servitude with Mr. W. Watts, of Scaldwell.

SWEEPSTAKES.

No. 7. A sweepstakes of three sovereigns each, to C.
Hillyard, Esq. for his pair of Hereford steers.

No. 8. A sweepstakes of two sovereigns each, to Mr.
Shaw, of Cotton end, for his pair of Hereford steers.

No. 10. A sweepstakes of three sovereigns each, to
Earl Spencer, for his Durham steer, two years and ten
months old, bred by his lordship.

No. 12. A sweepstakes of one sovereign each, to Earl
Spencer for his Durham steer.

No. 14. A sweepstakes of one sovereign, to C. Hill-
yard, Esq. for his pair of Hereford steers.

No. 22. A sweepstakes of two sovereigns eacii, to W.
F. Wratislaw, Esq. of Rugby, for his half-bred heifer.

No. 23. A sweepstakes of two sovereigns each, to W.
F, Wratislaw Esq. for his Durham heifer.

No. 25. A sweepstakes of three sovereigns each, to W.
Bailey, Esq. of Shenley, for his pair of Scots.

No. 27. A sweepstakes of five sovereigns each to Earl
Spencer, for his two-shear sheep.

No. 30. A sweepstakes of one sovereign, to C. Hill-
yard, Esq. for his fat ewe

No. 31. A sweepstakes of one sovereign each, to Mr.
Mark Sharman, of Wellingborough, for his theaves.

Judges of stock, Mr. Jelicoe, of Biterton, Salop ; Mr.
Thomas Umbers, of Warwickshire; Mr. Oldacre of
Clipston.

The healths of the givers of the various prizes, and of
the successful and unsuccessful candidates, were then
drank and acknowledged. We have not room to enu-
merate them particularly. Several new members were
proposed, among them were the Hon. Colonel Hutchin-
son, by Sir J. H. Palmer ; and Lord Henley, by R.
Heygate, Esq.

The following sweepstakes are open, to be decided at
tlie next annual meeting : —

A sweepstakes of five sovereigns each, for the best ox,
under five years old, to be fed without restriction.

Spencer.

A sweepstakes of thi'ee sovs. each, for the best ox or
steer, which shall be qualified for the 2d class in tlie
Christmas Smithfield Show, 1838.

Spencer — W. F. Wratislaw.

A sweepstakes of three sovs. each for the best steer,_

not exceeding three years and nine months old, and not
weighing more than 70 stone — to be in the possession of
the exhibitor from Jan. 1, and to have neither cake,
corn, &c. from that time, nor any thing but grass after
June I, Spencer.

A sweepstakes of three sovs. each, for the best steer,
under four years old — to be in the possession of the ex-
hibitor on or before February 20, and to have neither
cake, corn, &c. Spencer.

A sweepstakes of two sovs. each for the best pair of
Hereford steers. Conditions as in the preceding sweep-
stakes. E. Bouverie — C. Hillyard.

A sweepstakes of two sovs. each, for the best Dur-
ham steer, not exceeding four years old — to have neither
cake, &c. until August 1. Spencer.

A sweepstakes of three sovs. each, for the best steer,
under three years old — to lie out at grass from May 10,
and to have neither cake, corn, &c. after six months old

Spencer.
A sweepstakes of one sovereign, for the best Durham
steer, not exceeding four years and nine months old,
nor lOOst. Spencer.

A sweepstakes of one sov. for the best pair of Herefoi'd
steers, not exceeding three years and nine months old —
to be in the possession of the exhibitor from Jan. I — to
have neither cake, corn, &c. from that time — and to lie
out, and have nothing but grass, from May 29.

E. Bouverie — C. Hillyard.
A sweepstakes of one sov. for the best steer, undei
three years old, and under 50st. — to have neither cake,
corn, &c. from Jan. I, nor any thing but grass, from
May 29. Spencer.

A sweepstakes of one sov. for the best steer, under
two years old. Spencer.

A sweepstakes of one sov. for the best steer, under
three years old, not exceeding 85st. of 81bs. — to lie out
and have nothing but grass from May 22. Spencer.

A sweepstakes of one sov. each, for the best steer,
under three years old, and not exceeding 80st. of 8lbs.
Robert Heygate— C. Hillyard.
A sweepstakes of two sovs. for the best cow or open
heifer. W. F. Wratislaw.

A sweepstakes of one sov. each for the best fat ewe.
W. F. Wratislaw— T. W. Bosworlh— C. Hillyard.
A sweepstakes of two sovs. each for the heaviest crop
of mangel wurzel — not less than three acres.

Spencer— C. Hillyard.
A sweepstakes of two sovs. each for the heaviest crop
of Svvedisii turnips, of not less than five acres.

Spencer — C. Hillyard.
Entries for Earl Spencer's shearling tup piize :
Spencer — Thos. Umbers.
Entries for Earl Spencer's tup, of any age :
Spencer — John Beasley.
Tn the extra stock were tups of Mr. Pawlets's, Mr.
Ellis's, Mr. Smeaton's and others, some of which were
highly commended by the judges, as were the five shear-
hogs of Mr. Fisher.

Earl Spencer's tups were let on the ground by Mr.
Macquire, and averaged 5/. 10s. The theaves sold by
auction, averaged 47s. the highest pen making 53s.
The ewes averaged 39s, The highest pen making 50s.

We invite the attention of our readers to the sub-
joined paragraph, from which it will appear that our
suggestion as to trying the comparative merits of the
old and new varieties of wheat has been anticipated.

Last week, we examined a field of wheat grown at
Nethertown, which was sown with four distinct varieties
of seed — the old, the Chevalier, Hickling's prolific, and
the Whittingham.* The seed of the two last kinds was
bought at 20s. the bushel, and although the tenant
grudged cropping the entire field at tiiis extravagant
rate, he now regrets, and with reason, that he did not go
" the whole hog." A stock of the old kind, contrasted
with the Wiiittingiiam, actually looks like a dwarf by

* Qu. Whitington.

352

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the side of a ^iant ; in length of ear and plumpness of
pickle, there is the same disproportion as in the bulk of
straw, and, what is perhaps of still greater consequence,
the variety spoken of ripens earlier. As Mr. Smith has
now got a stock of seed, we will watch, if spared, his
proceeding's next year, in the confident hope that va-
rieties of the staft' of life so promising' will soon g-et into
universal favour. Although the straw of Hickilng's
prolific is not so strong, the ears are so remarkably close
and regular, that in all probabilityit will tell as well, or
better, on the barn-floor. Of the Chevalier kind all we
can say is, that it seems decidedly superior to the old, of
which, perhaps, we procured an indifferent specimen. —
Dumfries Courier.

COTTESMORE PLOUGHING MATCH.

Thursday, Sept. 14.

It can but be interesting to all persons concerned
in those agricultural pursuits vs'hich have for their
object the advancement of thatmost important branch
of British industry, and the welfare of those engaged
in it, to witness the continued or rather increasing-
pleasure which the various classes from the peer to
the peasant's child derive from the agricultural
exhibitions in the present day. The encouragement
given to deserving shepherds, skilful workmen, good
labourers, and deserving servants, and the intelli-
gence and excitement to farmers themselves, to im-
prove the system of farming, to discover and promote
the breeding of the best stock, and though last not
least to the use of the most effective implements of
husbandry, are subjects which properly claim a very
general interest in the present day. The meeting
herein referred to, although not embracing at the
present season everj thing we have touched upon in
a specific manner, yet it has one way or other a
remarkable bearing upon them all. Mr. Baker has
for many years not only imparted by every oppor-
tunity he has had, the result of his own practical ex-
perience in agricultural pursuits, but, by a tact
peculiarly his own, has brought out that of others in
various ways, and now enjoys, we hope, the satisfac-
tion of having done much to improve the condition
and pleasures of agriculture.

There was evidently much improvement manifested
in the plough teams compared with former years.
Two teams of Suffolk horses, belonging to George
Savill, Esq. of Cottesmore, performed their work in
two hours and three quarters. — The judges were Mr.
Larratt, of Thurlby ; Mr. Hotchkin, of Edenham ;
Mr. Watts, of Belton.

The awards were as follow : —

Class 1. — A Silver Cup, value Ten Sovereigns, given
by Sir Gerard Noel, Bart., M.P., to a Farmer's Son
of Rutlandshire, not in business for himself, who
shall plough in the best manner half an acre of land in
three hours and a half, not less than four inches deep
(horses abreast), without a driver. — 'No winner of
the first prize in any former year to plough for this
cup.
Awarded to No. 4. — Edward Baines, of Barrow.

No. 3.— Robert Rimington— the work
commended.

Class 2. — Five Sovereigns, given by the Right Hon.
the Earl of Lonsdale, Sir Gerard Noel, Bart., M.P.,
G. J. Heathcote, Esq., M.P., Hon. C. Lowther, M.P.,
the Hon. Charles George Noel, the Hon. Berkeley
Noel ; Revds. Nevile, Baker, and EUicott ; Baker,
Bury, Wilmot, O'Brien, Neale, Costall, Ransome,
Esqrs., and others, to the Ploughman of any county
who shall plough in the best manner half an acre as in
class 1.— Second best, four sovereigns ; third best
three sovs.; fourth best, two sovs. ; fifth best, one sov.

A Silver Cup, value Five Sovereigns, given by Sir
Gilbert Heathcote, Bart., M.P., to the owner of the first
prize plough in class 2.
First Prize awarded to No. 20. — Eli Newbold ; and

the Silver Cup to his master, Richard Westbi'ook

Baker, of Cottesmore.
Second Prize to No. 7.- William Busby, servant to

Mr. Laxton, of Greetham.
Third Prize to No. 18.— Joseph Barfield, ditto to Mr.

Hopkins, of Ridlington.
Fourth Prize to No. 14.— John Shelton, ditto to Mr.

John Hibbett, of Exton.
Fifth Prize to No. 17.— John Glover, ditto to Mr.

Berridge, of Barrow.
The whole of the 22 ploughs which worked in this
class were deserving of much commendation.
Class 3. — To the Ploughboy of Rutlandshire, under 18
years of age, who shall plough half an acre as in class
2. — First prize, four sovereigns; second prize, two
sovereigns ; third prize, one sovereign ; fourth prize,
half a sovereign ; fifth prize, a crown. — A silver
medal given by William Leake, Esq., to the owner of
the first prize plough.
First Prize, awarded to No. 8. — James Allen, servant

to JMr. John Hibbett, of Exton.
Second, to No. 1. — James Hare, ditto to Mr. Laxton,

of Greetham.
Third, to No. 7.— WiUiam Litherland, ditto to Mr.

John Christian, of Barrow.
Fourth, to No. 2.— Henry Tyler, ditto to Mr. Robert

Tyler, of Exton.
Fifth, to No. 6.— Joseph Kington, ditto to Mr. Syson,

of Gunthorpe.

The award for stacking and thatching was post-
poned, in consequence of the lateness of the harvest.

The first prize for shepherding was awarded to
John Freeman, shepherd to Mr. John Berridge, of
Barrow.

The emulation excited among the ploughmen, the
interest even of children, the effect of good plough-
ing upon a surge district ; and, for instance, the
farmers' son who, for nine successive years, bad tried
for the prize, and although so oft defeated, he had
this year the high gratification of receiving from the
hands of Mr. Baker, the prize given by Sir G. Noel,
a silver cup of the value of 10 sovereigns, as the
successful issue of his well directed perseverance ;
he having performed a beautiful piece of ploughing,
with Ransome's Rutlandshire Plough. We observed
Mr. Robert Ransome busily engaged in the field,
making- some trials with the Scotch subsoil plough,
of which so much has been written and s-aid, and we
also noticed a considerable exhibition of Mr. Grant's,
of Stamford, of patent ploughs, turnip-cutters, and
other agricultural machines, and we were much
pleased with a very compact and complete set of
portable horse work and ch-aff engine, which Mr.
Grant exhibited at work in the field adjoining Mr.
Baker's house.

There was much company, and the scene of the
day was one of busy interest and profitable amuse-
ment.

CnANBERniES. — Attempts are now making to ex-
tend the cultivation of the cranberry, so as to furnish
a certain and regular supply to the London markets.
Tt is said that 20/. or SOL worth of tlie berries are sold by
the poor people each market-day, for five or six weeks
together, in the town of Long-town, on the borders of
Cumberland. There is one strong argument in favour
of their cultivation, which is that they will grow with
little trouble in places and on soils where few other use-
ful plants will thrive. They also possess the advantage
of withstanding can-iage to a distance from the spot
where they are reared. The American cranberry is
more productive than the English, but has not so good a
flavour.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

363

NETHERBY AGRICULTURAL SO-
CIETY.

The seventeenth anniversary of this Society was
held on Tuesday August 22nd, in a field belonging
to the " Brewery Funn," near Longtown. The
meeting was attended by Sir James Graham, Mr.
Frederick Graham, the Rector of Arthuret, Captain
Graham, R. N., and several gentlemen of the neigh-
bourhood. Owing to the unfavourable character of
the spring, and the consequent difficulty of bringing
stock into condition, the number of animals exhi-
bited was not so great as we have seen upon former
occasions, but this want was fully compensated by
their acknowledged superiority in quality, affording
ample proof of the beneficial effect produced on the
estate of Netherby and neighbourhood, by the esta-
blishment of the society. The show of brood mares
for agricultural purposes seemed to attract much no-
tice, and to afford great satisfaction to judges ; and
the black cattle, particularly some fine specimens of
the pure Galloway breed from the Right Hon. Pre-
sident's own stock, were pronounced to be unri-
valled.

At the conclusion of the field business. Sir James
Graham, president of the society, with his friends,
and a large number of his tenantry, sat down to an
excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Braithwaite, at
the Graham's Arms, — the Right Hon. President in
the chair ; Mr. John Wright, of Oakbank, vice
chairman.

The Judges of the farms, crofts, draining, &c.,
were the successful gainers of last year's prizes ;
and the Judges of the stock this year were, Messrs
John Wright, John Johnston, Thomas Little ; and
as assistant Judges, Messrs. John Ferguson, John
Birrell, Robert Gibbons.

Premiums offered by the Right Hon. Sir J. R. G.
Graham, Bart., to his Tenants and Cottagers upon
the Estate of Netherby, for the present year ; —

1 . To the best managed of any of the following
farms, a silver tea-pot of 10/. value, or another
piece of plate of the same value. — Guards, Bush-on-
Esk, Smalmstown, Batenbush, Moat, Fauld and
Browside, Hornickhill, Burnfoot, Lairdstown, Stag-
mire, Parcelstown, Randalinton, Bush-on-Lyne,
Inch and Riddingshall, Guardsniill and Millhill,
Longtown Brewery Farm, the Inn Farm, Stone
House, Mossband Hall, Chapleton, Meadhope, and
Sandbed. — Three competitors. Awarded to Mr.
Wilkin of Guards.

2. To the best managed of any of the following-
farms, a silver tea pot, or any other piece of plate,
of the value of 10/.: — Whiteclose-rigg, Redbank,
Glendinning-rigg, North Pedderliili, William and
Georgetown, Oldhall, Nookfoot, Briscohill, White-
close, OakshawhilL, Millees, Cowrigg, Baileytown,
Little Randalinton, and Dashwell-green. — Two com-
petitors. Awarded to Mr. John Batty, of Upper
Whiteclose.

3. To the best managed of any of the following
farms, cash 4/,: — Philipstown, Lawshall, Plump
and Hagtovvn, Moss-side, Hilstown, Frankstown,
Closegap, Liddelstrength, Hightree, Bruntfauld,
Baxtongill, Dikehead, Over Dykehead, Beyond-
wood, Forrest's Arthur's Cross, Sandgreen, High-
plains, Charles-town, North Easton, Lanibhill, Ar-
thur's Cross, Carwinley Mill, Lowplains, South
Slealands, North Slealands, Upper Hallburn, Lower
Hallburn, The Ladies' Seats, Moorstown, DaflTy-
stonerigg, Glinger-burn, Redcleugh, Nether-hirst,
Corrielees, Burntinshill, Peterscrook, Reaburnside,
Slealandburn, Becklees, Fineview, Plada, Caldwell-
path, Creca, Bellfield, Jacksonrigg, Shadwellcreoks,

TodhillriggS, Ninevah, Battiestown, and Green-
swang. — Five competitors. Awarded to Mr. Joseph

Edgar, of Peterscrook.

4. To the best managed small possession or croft,
the farmer of which may be occasionly employed off
his farm, 41. — Five competitors. Awarded to Mr.
Thomas Fairbairn, of Yulescroft.

5. To the best managed ditto ditto on which the
farmer does not reside, under the same conditions as
the last, 31. — Three competitors. Awarded to Mr.
Wm. Graham, of Longtown.

6. For the best executed draining by stone or tile,
laid on slates or stone, the quantity of land laid dry
and fit for aration to be compared with the extent of
the farm without reference to the rent. — First prize,
51. : Rlr. Wm. Morton, Liddelstrength. Second
prize, 21. 5s.: Mr. John Ferguson, Englishtown.

T. To the tenant who shall produce the best lot of
five Galloway cows in milk, bona Jide his own pro-
perty, the first choice of a Galloway bull calf, or a
heifer calf if the president or vice-president think
fit, from the Netherby stock. — Mr. Thomas Gibbons,
Burnfoot.

8 To the Tenant who shall produce the best lot of
two year old Galloway cattle, male or female, not
less than five in number, bred on his farm, and bona
Jide his property, the second choice of a Galloway
bull calf from the Netherby stock, or a heifer calf,
at the option of the president or vice-president, as
above. — Mr. Johnston Pedderhill,

9. To tlie ditto ditto who shall produce the se-
cond best lot of five yearling cattle, male or female,
under the same conditions as the last, the third
choice of a Galloway bull calf, or a heifer calf with-
out choice, from the Netherby stock as above. — Mr.
William Graham, Cubbyhill.

10. Pure bred Galloway cows belonging to the
tenants of the Netherby estate, if approved of by
the agent or under steward, to be served free of ex-
pense for the ensuing season, by Sir James Graham's
bulls.

11. Mares belonging to the said tenants, if ap-
proved as in the last prize, to be served free of ex-
pense, by Sir James's Arab stallion, *' Sultan," for
the ensuing year.

12. The best managed ancient meadow upon the
estate, upon which either lime, short dung, or com-
post shall have been applied for the current crop, ia
proportion to the extent and capability of the farm,
2/. Four competitors. Awarded to Mr. T. Gib-
bons, Burnfoot.

13. To the best managed meadow formed from
lands not originally meadow, and improved since the
year 1824, under the same conditions as the last, 21,
Four competitors. Awarded to Mr. John Irving,
Briscohill.

14. Among the best kept, neatest, and cleanest,
cottages and gardens upon the estate. Lady Gra-
ham gives prizes to the amount of 10/. in money, to
be awarded according to merit, by the judges of the
Netherby Farmers' Society. The following are the
competitors: —

1st Class. — Robert M'Vitie, Duncan Campbell,
John Ferguson, Robert Lockie, and Wm. Johnston.

2nd Class. — John Jeffry, James Pendrigh, John
Little, Wra. Irving, John Bell, and Robert Watt.

3rd Class. — George Graham, George Harrington,
Wm. Edgar, John Ward, John Jackson, James Si-
rey, Wm. Irving, David Park, George Livingston,
Wm. Bell, Wm. Elliot Gill, Robert Kinnear, Wm.
Scott, Mary Bell, James Little, and Nelly Telford,

4th <^lass. — Hannah Irving, Wm. Jackson, and
Jane Irving.

Premiums offered by the Netherby Farmers' So«

S

354

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ciety, to the tenantry and cottagers of the Right
Hon. Sir. J. R. G. Graham, Bart., independent of
the prizes offered by Sir James and Lady Graham,
for the present year : —

1. To the best managed, manured, and cultivated
turnip crop, upon the whole estate, the extent of the
farm and the nature of the soil being considered.
Not to be under ten acres, 31. Three competitors.
Awarded to Mr. Wilkin of Bush.

2. To the best managed turnip crop, under the
same conditions, but not exceeding ten acres, IL 10s.
Two competitors. Awarded to Mr. Johnston,
Landstown.

3. To the ditto ditto potatoe crop, on the same
conditions, 31, Seven competitors. Awarded to
Mr. John Wright, Oakbank.

N. B, The successful candidates for Sir James's
prizes, Nos, 1 and 2, were not allowed to compete
for these two last mentioned prizes.

4. For the best bull of the pure Galloway breed,
bona fide the property of a Netherby farmer, and to
serve cows upon the estate until the 1st of Septem-
ber, 1837, at not more than 2s. 6d. each cow, 51. —
Awarded to Mr. John Wilkin, Mossband-hill.

5. For the second best ditto ditto, on the same
conditions, the bull to be two years old off, 21. —
Awarded to Mr. Johnson Pedderhill.

6. For the best cow of the Galloway breed, bona
Jide the property of a member ; the cow to be in milk
at the time of shewing, il. — To Mr. Ferguson, Eng-
lishtown.

7. For the best Galloway heifer, bred upon the
estate, two years old past on the 1st of March, 1837,
IZ. — To Mr. John Plenderleath, Longtown.

8. To the best ditto ditto one year old, 10s. — To
Mr. John Saunders, Riddings.

9. To the best brood cart mare, of the pure Scotch
breed, 2Z.— To Mr. Robert Wilkin, Guards.

10. To the second best ditto ditto, on the same
conditions, 11. 10s. — To Mr. Hyslop, of Moat.

1 1. To the best three year old cart horse, mare, or
gelding, of the pure Scotch breed, bred on Netherby,
2Z. — To Mr. Johnson, Sandersbush.

12. To the best two years old horse, mare, or
gelding, of the pure Scotch breed, 11, 10s. — To Mr.
Wm. Graham, Cubbyhill.

13. To the best year old ditto ditto ditto, 11. — To
Mr. Richard Tinning, Chapleton,

14. To the best boar, 2Z.— To Mr. R. Wilkin,
Guards.

15. To the second best ditto, ll. — No competitor,
IS. To the best sow, 1/. — To Mr. Armstrong,

Pedderhill.

17. To the man or woman servant in husbandry,
for the longest term of service with one master, but
not less than seven years, ll. — To Wm. Bell, up-
wards of 14 years with Mr. Birrell, of Rosetrees.

18. For the best pen of five yearling Cheviot wed-
ders, 11. — To Mr. John Birrell, Rosetrees.

19. For the best ditto of five yearling half-bred
wedders, IZ.— To Mr. John Wright, Oakbank.

A Yeoman of Cornwall. — An old farmer
of the name of Greenway, who is now 87 years of ag'e
and residing in the parish of Blissland, has this season
in addition to the usual routine of his farm, shorn the
■'whole of his flock. On one af the days when he was so
■"occupied this veteran accomplished the surprising feat
of shearing 26 sheep without the help of any one, but
his dog', whose business it was to fetch the sheep to his
master. — Falmouth packet.

ON HARVESTING GRAIN IN WET
WEATHER.

From the nature of his occupation the farmer
labours under disadvantages, to which scarcely
any other individual who embarks his capital, de-
votes his time, and employs his labour, is subject.
After having expended mucli time, labour and
money in preparing the land for the reception of
the seed, he deposits it in the earth, and so far
puts a termination to the irksomeness of bodily
toil ; yet from that very moment he experiences a
constant degree of anxiety lest the fruit of his la-
bour should be destroyed by the vicissitudes of
the weather, the ravages of insects, or the pesti-
lential effects of mildew or blight. Should the
object of his hopes escape all the dangers to
which it is exposed, and crown his labours with a
bountiful return, when the grain is ready for the
sickle, when he contemplates the successful ter-
mination of the labours of the year — the reward
of his unwearied exertions, the alleviation of his
anxiety, the consummation of his hopes — fickle
and uncertain weather comes, like the destroying
angel, and snatches the reward from him when it
is even in his grasp. In the forward districts of
this country the whole of the wheal and much of
the lent corn lias been already safely secured.
There is, however, still in many, and especially
the northern parts of the kingdom, much grain not
harvested. It is worse than useless to expend
time and labour in producing a heavy crop for the
sickle if the best means be not adopted for securing
it when it has arrived at maturity. In favourable
seasons the harvesting the crop is a most agreeable
and not a difficult task. In uncertain weather,
such as we have experienced during the past week,
and which, from presentappearances, does not seem
unlikely to continue, the task is a most anxious and
burthensome one. Should the atmosphere be close
and warm, and there be not a sufficient interval
of fine weather between the storms, the grain
will soon begin to sprout ; if, on the other hand,
sufficient time intervene to admit of the stooks be-
coming tolerably dry, the lowering sky indicating
another storm, alarms the farmer, and he hurries the
corn into stack ere it is in a fit state, thereby often-
times injuring the grain, by rendering it heated or
mowburnt, or at all events occasioning the ex-
pense and trouble of turning the stack to prevent
such mischief. In most parts of the country it is
the practice, in very uncertain weather, to " hood"
the stooks, as it is termed, by turning two sheaves
down over the tops of the sheaves in the stook.
This mode, although useful to a certain extent,
does not by any means afford efficient protection
against repeated storms of heavy rain. Rain
which lasts for a few hours, falling copiously, as it
usually does in the summer season, soon wets the
straw under the band, and when once the sheaf is
in that condition it requires a considerable conti-
nuance of dry weather or searching wind to expel
the moisture ; and, indeed, it frequently becomes
absolutely necessary to untie the sheaves and
spread them out to dry, a process both troublesome,
expensive, and wasteful of tlie grain. A custom
prevails in the West of England, wheliier intro-
duced iq consequence of the greater dampness of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

355

the atmospliere in that part of the country we
know not, which, having frequently witnessed
and experienced its benetit in unsettled weather
like the present, we are desirous of communicating
to those farmers who raay reside in parts of the
country where it is not known or practised. In
unsettled, or, as it is termed, " catchl^" weather,
the corn is made into small stacks in the field
e\ery evening, provided the whole day continues
fine. Should the weather be such as to allow only
a few hours dry at a time, the grain is only cut
down when the straw is dry, and upon the very
first indication of rain, and sometimes immedi-
ately, according to circumstances, is put up into
small stacks. The size of tiiese stacks varies ac-
cording to the lengtli of the strtiw and the nature
of the crop, those of wlieat being larger than those
of oats or barley The mode in which these stacks
are made is as follows : — ^Men and women are
employed to carry in the sheaves carefully so as
not to shake out the grain, and lay them down
in a circle, with the butt end inwards, round the
spot where it is intended to make the stack. One
man then takes four or five sheaves, and places
them on the butt end, so uprightly that none of tlie
ears can touch the ground ; he then continues to
lay others round in a circle, gradually extending
the size, but taking care to keep it within such
dimensions that tlie ears meeting in the centre shall
be higher than the butts, without the aid of any
additional sheaf, in the middle, thereby securing
the gradual slope downwards of every sheaf
from the centre to the circumference so that any
rain, however violently driven against the stack
cannot penetrate but must run outwards. The
reason for not putting any sheaves in the
middle of the stacks is to avoid the moisture
which might be occasioned by the damp in the
sheaf arising either from wet or from grass or
weeds in the butt end, and also to prevent the
stack from being larger in diameter than one sin-
gle row of sheaves round will admit. We have
often seen, when the darkening sky betokened a
coming storm, every hand upon the farm, men,
women, and children mustered with all haste for
the purpose of stacking the grain after this man-
ner, and by so doing a large tract has been effec-
tually secured in a few hours. When properly
secured with a little straw thrown upon the tops
to keep off the birds, these stacks will stand safely
in the field for six weeks or two months. It is no
uncommon thing to see the field ploughed between
the stacks, which are usually put up in rows,
up to the foot of them in preparation for vetches
or stubble turnips, the weather or the convenience
of the owner not having admitted of the removal.
However heavy the rnin, if properly constructed, it
will not injure the corn, and should the weather
turn out dry, the wind will penetrate through the
stacks, and not only dry but harden the berry, and,
indeed, when it is intended to thrash out the
grain soon, it is a much more preferable mode to
stacking it, or puttingit in'.o thebarn in large masses,
as the process of sweating which renders the grain
moist and imfit for grinding, and which it almost
always undergoes, unless in very liot summers, is
avoided. This mode of stacking will not cost
more than one shilling and sixpence per acre, and,

indeed, we have known it commonly contracted
for at the same time as the cutting, for one shilling
per acre, a very trifling sum when compared with
the relief which it affords to the mind, and the
security to the property of the farmer. This me-
thod has received the approval of some eminent
agriculturists, Mr. Brown, of Markle, in East
Lothian, having in the wet season of 1816, se-
cured thirty-two acres by this mode in one day.
Mr. Curwen, of Workington, was also accus-
tomed to stack his corn in the field, consulting
his convenience for removing it afterwards. It
may be thought by some that we have devoted
too much time and space to this subject, but we
nevertheless urge the adoption of this method
most strongly upon those whose crops may be
exposed to uncertain weather, as one, the cheap-
ness of which, as well as the efficacy, we can
vouch for from the j^ersonal experience and obser-
vation of some years.

The Mining Plough. —Mr. Williara Cobbett
gives a description of a plough used for deep loosening
the earth. He says—" The Plough I wish to describe
is called a miner or mining plough. In this I have
adopted the name given it by the person who is the in-
ventor, and -who is a practical and most judicious
farmer, although he can neither read nor write a single
letter of the alphabet. His farm is in Surrey, and his
cultivation is principally that of the carrot, which he
grows for the London market ; and I need not add,
that his soil is sandy. Although deep loosening may
not seem so essential in any other crop as it obviously
is for the carrot, I have followed the example of this
unlettered farmer in preparing for every crop, and I
now beg leave to describe the implement and the
method of using it. The plough is about one-fourth
greater in all its dimensions than a common swing
plough, and it is about one-third stouter in all its parts^
It has no coulter and no turn-furrow. It has a wheel
which runs under the beam near its end, and upon
which the beam rests by means of an iron which runs
perpendicularly through it, and which has several holes
for fixing the beam higher or lower upon it. Thus the
plough is guided deeper by pressing on the handles,
and shallower by lifting up ; and the common way of
moving it from field to field is by setting it high on the
wheel, and keeping the share off tlie ground. The use
of this plough is to follow in the furrow after another
plough, — and supposing your furrow to be six inches
deep, the miner will stir upsi.'c or eight inches deeper in
the most efficacious manner, and produce an effect
which I have often desired to attain, and have attempted
frequently, by having a second plough to follow the
first with the turn-furrow taken off. But a swing
plough to perform this operation can hardly be held in
the ground for the purpose, and will certainly do no-
thing more than scoop out two or three inches (which
it does most irregularly) of that hard crust which gene-
rally forms the bottom of your furrow, and the break-
ing tlirough which is the thing you want to effect. The
miner produces the effect of a pick-axe in the furrow,
only to a better depth, and the operation is better than
bastard trenching.''

s 2

356

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON SMUGGLING GRAIN— THE CHAN-
NELL ISLANDS.

1 1 will be in the recollection of our readers that
about three years since we successfully drew tlie
attention of Government to the trade in foreign
grain carried on in the islands of Jersey and Guern-
sey, it being asserted that foreign grain was exported
from those islands into England, as thegrowthof the
islands. An inquiry was instituted at the instance of
Mr.P.Thompson,anda report was made, purport-
ing toprove that the charge was without foundation.
A circumstance has, however, recently transpired,
which induces us to harbour stronger doubts than
we then entertained of the soundness of the con-
clusion arrived at by the persons employed to
make that enquiry. Our attention has been drawn
to the report in a Jersey paper, of the trial of a
man of the name of Anley, before the Royal
Courtof Jersey, and which will be found in another
part of this magazine. Anley was, as it appears,
mdicted by the Attorney General for having, on
the 8th of October, 1836, passed a false affidavit,
reporting some corn for exportation to England, he
having described the corn to be the produce of the
island, whereas it was of foreign growth. Imme-
diately upon the indictment being preferred, a
necessary witness of the name of Daniel Hue
absented himself from the island, and did not re-
turn until after the 19th of June in this year. On
the 18th of last month the trial took place, when
it appeared that the act under which he was in-
dicted was passed on the 19th June, 1834, for a
period of three years, that it expired on the 19lh
Jm'jc last, and that having expired, the court had
no power to punish Anley, and he was according-
ly acquitted. The Attorney General made what
we cannot but consider a lame excuse for suffering
the trial to stand over for upwards of ten months,
and thusjustice is defeated. There are, however,
two grave considerations which present themselves
to our mind in this affair ; First, alihough the
party accused in this instance has not been con-
victed, that the fraud has b(;en successfully prac-
tised, and of course it is impossible to say to
what extent, and that therefcre the suspicions
which we formerly entertained were by no means
unfounded. And secondly, whicl) is of still
greater importance, that the act of 1834 having
expired, the British farmer is deprived of the
protection which that law afforded him. Upon
the justice or propriety of tiie present corn laws,
we will not now enter, it is a subject which
would involve a range of argument far too exten-
sive, but as to the justice of continuing the law
of 1834, affecting the Channell Islands, there
cannot be two opinions. So long as it shall be
deemed expedient or necessary to prevent the im-
portation of foreign grain into this country,
every portion of the United Kingdom should
be placed upon the same footing, and whether as
regards the merchants of London, Liverpool, or
the Channell Islands, the possibility of commit-
ting fraud should be guarded against with equal
caution. It is quite enough that the inhabitants
of the Channell Islands should be permitted to im-
port, manufacture, and export foreign grain, free
of duty, it is sufhcient privilege that they should

be allowed to sell the grain of their own growth
in our markets, without payment of duty, import-
ing foreign grain at a lower rate for their own use,
but it is too much to allow them to smuggle in
foreign grain under the guise of home growth, to
the prejudice of tiie fair dealer, and to the injury
of the British farmer. We were successful upon
a former occasion in attracting the notice of Mr.
P. Thompson to this subject, and we trust we
shall be equally so now. Means should be in-
stantly adopted to prevent this illicit traffic.
There should be no waiting until the meeting of
Parliament; some instant remedy should be ap-
plied by the Government.

STRAW PLAT.

The production of little and insignificant things
often employs nn extensive machinery-. In certain
districts it is almost as conspicuous as the wall-
flowers, daisies, and other humble beauties which
garnish the cottage gardens. The children hold it
in tlieir fingers, which weave its material with in-
credible rapidity. Their eyes and their minds are
not required, and their feet are left at liberty, so
that their work is compatible with health and plea-
sure. The}' laugh, and play, and chatter, — in short
they are free with all their faculties, the hands alone
excepted. There is one portion, however, of the
lives of these little mechanics which is not so dis-
encumbered,— we mean when they are learning to
plat. Open a door at a venture in Luton or Dun-
stable, and the probability is that you will find the
cottage crammed full of urchins from four years old
and downwards, marshalled on forms under the
generalship of a dame who for a scanty remuneration
teaches them to plat.

Plat is everywhere. If you were to be afflicted
with a disease which produced an antipathy to plat,
your case would be lamentable indeed, imless you
could transport yourself to a distant region. It
hangs dangling in long sunny rows to dry after the
operation of washing. Tops of bonnets twirl around
in the wind, suspended after they have been stiffened.
On market days bunches of plat hang on the women's
arms like bracelets, as they press on to the ren-
dezvous. Large bundles of picked straws stand in
inviting rows to tempt the country people to embark
ths produce of their plat in a fresh speculation. In
short, the proverb — " it is not worth u straw," is
here completely at fault — for straw is everything.
A man of straw — which means in the language of
logicians a mere nonentity — becomes in these pro-
vinces a most substantial character.

This aspect of the straw trade is exceedingly
pleasing, presenting a whole population engaged in
a lucrative, and, in many respects, healthful em-
ployment, and using their energies, not in the pro-
duction of an injurious or useless luxury, but of a
servicable and pretty article of dress. We hope we
shall not be accused of selfishness when we venture
to assure the female part of the communitj' that they
never look so well as in a good straw bonnet — not as
outlandish Leghorn or Tuscan ; but one made of
Luton or Dunstable plat.

But every sunshine has its shade, — and we must
(ell of the disadvantages of this species of manufac-
ture. And Jirst it keeps children from school. Sun-
day schools are large in the platting districts — for in
most cases they afford the only education which the
boys and girls receive.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

357

We would point out as a secoyid evil connected
with the straw manufacture, the want of subordina-
tion of cliildren to parents. Of course, this is acci-
dental and not inherent. Parents are much to blame
for their inattention to those principles of moral
training- which alone can insure the maintenance of
their authority. Hence the ability of a child to secure
its own maintenance is too often the signal to throw
oft the restraints of duty and affection. At twelve
years old the girl may be seen to assume the air of
independence, and treat her mother with utter con-
tempt. Cannot Mechanics' Institutions and Literary
Societies be made to bear more extensively on the
young 1

where the manufacture of straw bonnets is car-
ri«?d on in congregated masses, a tliird evil maj^ be
distinctly seen, inseparable from the factory system.
When the allotted work is performed at home, tiie
charities of domestic life prevent the vegetation ot
iniquity. But let one or two hundred persons be
collected in one place, and pass their time there
from morning to night, and the consequences may
be foreseen. The hours of breaking uji, are, in such
cases, like so many eruption!* of a moral volcano ;
vice, pent up for so many hours, uses its first mo-
ments of freedom for the contamination of others.

Taken in its whole exti^'nt, this branch of trade
may be considered as less subject to evils than many
other species of manufacture. — Counlvy Miscellany.

A MODE OF PRESERVING CAULI-
FLOWERS THROUGH THE WIN-
TER,

BY PETER MACKENZIE, GARDENER, WEST PLEAN.

Cauliflowers are a great favourite with all ranks
of society, and I believe that ever since they have
been cultivated means have been used to preserve
them tbrougli the winter. I, like the rest of my
brethren, have tried various methods to efl'ect this ;
such as burying them in the earth, hanging them up
by the roots, keeping them in frames, &c. But by
none of these methods have I succeeded so well as
by the one I will presently state, which I have
not seen nor heard of being practisod by any one
else.

Towards the end of Autumn I make a bed or beds,
according to circumstances, of moist sand, in any
cool house that will exclude the frost. The beds
should be four inches deep. Having previously
planted a greater number of cauliflower plants than
would he required at the time they are to come into
use, I take the surplus, when in a good condition,
and cut oft' their roots, leaving a stalk about three or
four inches long; I then cut oft" all the leaves, ex-
cept the innermost row ; and, after shortening these,
I insert the stalk into the sand-bed, and cover the
cauliflower with a flower-pot. In this maener a large
quantity may be contained in a small space : for
example, a bed twelve feet square will hold 288
heads, allowing six square inches to each hea'l.
Again, by takmg those plants that are not in flower
when the frost sets in, and preserving tliem in a
growing state, in any house or slied where the light
is admitted, and which will ))reserve them from a
severe frost, these will come into use about the
month of January ; and, by cutting them, and put-
ting them in the sand-bed, they will continue fit for
use till the spring. In this way I have kept cauli-
flowers to the end of April. It will be necessary,
frome time to time, to examine and cut oft' any de-
cayed part that may appear. — Gardener's Magazine.

TITHE COMMUTATION.

Circular issued hy the Tithe Commissioners, containing
Instructions as to Forms of Appointment and Maps.

The amended Tithe Act, which you will receive with
these Instructions, has considerably changed what
would otherwise have been both the form and the sub-
stance of the instruments of apportionment.

The value of the gross sum agreed for, having been
once set out in Wheat, Barley, and Oats, no farther
calculations in corn will be necessary.

Considerable change is made as to mapping. By the
fir# section of the amended Act the Commissioners are
relieved from the necessity of certifying the accuracy of
the map, and they will therefore be willing to confirm
apportionments without being satisfied of the accuracy
of the maps which may be annexed to such apportion-
ments ; but in these cases no seal will be affixed to the
maps, and these maps will not be received in evi-
dence of the quantities or boundaries of the lands re-
ferred to.

The maps forwarded to the Commission will there-
fore be divided into two classes.

The first class will consist of such as the Comtnis-
sioners will feel justified in sealing, and thus making
satisfactory evidence of contents and boundaries under
the 64th section of tlie original Tithe Act.

For the accuracy of these maps the Commissioners
will still be responsible ; they will therefore require
proof ot their correctness. The mode of proof which
will be least expensive to the parties will be to leave
the lines of construction upon the map, and to forward
the field books with the map to the Commission.

To this class of sealed maps, the Instructions circu-
lated by Lieut. Dawson, Assistant Tithe Commissioner,
dated Jan. 1837, will still be found applicable, with the
exception of the conventional signs, which are not con-
sidered essential, and may be used or not as the parties
find convenient. The maps which will be most accept-
able to the Tithe Commissioners, are the plain working
plans, with the lines of construction, names and reference
figures shown upon them, and ivith no other ornament m-
colour whatever ; and the most ready way of obtaining
the seal of the Commission will be to send up the actual
working plan.

It is to be observed, that the scales of three and four
chains to the inch are the scales commonly used by
land surveyors for their working plan, and consequently
the adoption of these scales by the Commissioners en-
tails no additional expense on the parties, but, on the
contrary, saves the expense of reducing. When work-
ing plans upon these scales, with the genuine and ori-
ginal field books, are sent up, no expense for testing
will be apportioned on the parties, excepting in cases
where indications of inaccuracy or fraud appear on the
face of the map, in which case further tests must be re-
sorted to.

Maps on a smaller scale than four chain* to an inch
do not admit of being accurately tested as to quantities ;
and no map on a smaller scale can therefore receive the
seal of the Commission,

The second class of maps will consist of those which
three-fourths of the land-owners are desirous to use,
but which the parties do not mean to submit to the test
of the Commission.

These maps should be agreed to at a a parochial meet-
ing, attended by three-fourths in number and value, of
the landowners. That they should be agreed to at a
parochial meetinsr, that public notice shall be given to
the landowners, and that every landowner should thus
iuive an opportunity of expressing his opnion
upon them, is highly desirable. But, looking to the
spirit of the report of the committee of the House of
Commons upon which the amended tithe act is founded,
the tithe commissioners, when the maps have once been
adopted at parochial meetings regularly convened, will
allow the requisite number of signatures to be aifixed
after the meeting, if three-fourths of the landowners have
not been present at the meeting.

As to these maps, the commissioners have no remark
to make, but to remind the parties that if, on an appeal

358

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

against an appointment, such maps and the estimated
quantities founded on them, are shown to be inaccurate,
the commissioners may be obliged to direct fresh maps
to be made.

To prevent the multiplication of appeals on the
grounds of inaccurate admeasurements, the commission-
ers will, unless any serious inconvenience is found to re-
sult from the practice, refuse to receive appeals ag-ainst
apportionments, on the grounds of inaccurate admea-
surements, from any parties who have signed the requi-
sition to the commissioners to receive the maps actually
used in the apportionment. Those cases will, of course,
form an exception in which improper means have been
made use of to obtain such signatures.

Two copieis of the map and apportionment must be
made, one for the use of the parish and one for the re-
gistry of the diocese. It is not quite clear, from the word-
ing of the act, whether these copies should be paid for by
the parties as expences incident to the apportionment, or
whether they are to be included under the expences not
specially provided for in the act, and payable out of the
consolidated fund. The question has been submitted to
the proper authorities, and their decision will be com-
municated as soon as received. In the meantime, it may
be satisfactory to the parties to know that there are com-
petent persons in London willing to contract tor copies
of the maps and books of reference, at the price of two-
pence per acre for two maps and two books of refer-
ence, including every expence ; or the maps may be
lithographed on the six-chain scale, and six impre«sions
obtained at a cost of three-pence per acre ; being only
one penny an acre more than would be paid for making
the two copies. Any additional number of lithographic
impressions may afterwards be had for the mere cost of
paper and printing (probably less thana shilling a copy
for every 2,000 acres.)

Where parties wish the copies to be deposited in the
parish chest and Bishop's registry, to be sealed and
made evidence, as well as the original maps, the copies
must, of course, be fac-similes of the map itself.

The copies may be either made before or after the
confirmation of the appointment, but if made before
confirmation they would be subject to any alteration
which might be found necessary to the map itself. If
the draft of the apportionment and the map annexed to
it are returned to this oflice for confirmation without
any copies of the map, the original map cannot again
be parted with, and the two copies, which will ultimately
be required, must be made in this office.

To obviate the objections arising from the expence of
surveying and mapping parishes containing larg-e tracts
of waste or mountain land, or lands covered by a mo-
dus, on which a small rent-charge is to be affixed, the
Commissioners think it expedient to call the attention of
the Landowners to the 58th section of the Tithe Act,
which makes it legal for any landowner to fix the rent-
charge upon a portion of his Estate, provided only that
it shall be of an annual value equal to three times the
amount of the rent-charge. By this means the rent-
eharge may be always apportioned upon the cultivated
lands ; and the unproductive lands, and lands now co-
vered by modus, thus exonerated, will not require to be
included in the map or survey.

With this you receive a skeleton form of an appor-
tionment, which will assist in constructing it in its most
convenient shape.

The valuers who send in drafts of an apportionment
should recollect that, by the 55th section of the Tithe
Act, the agreement on which the apportionment is
founded must be set forth in that draft; and as it will
be convenient to set it forth on pajjcr of the same size
as the apportionment itself, the parties are informed that
paper of the proper size is on sale, and may be had, with
sheets of skeleton forms of apportionment at Shaw and
Sons, 137, Fetter-lane, London.

Tithe Commission Office, Somerset House,
London, August 1, 1837.

The English Yeoman. — " Those whome we call
yeoman, next unto the nobylitie, knights and squires,
haue the greatest charge and doings of the Common-

wealth, or rather are more traueled to seive in it than
all the rest ; as shall appear hereafter. I call him a
yeoman whome our lawes doe call Legatem homium,
a word famiar in writs and enquests, which is a free
man borne English, and may dispcnd of his own free
land in yeercly reunus to the sum of 40s. sterling.
This maketh (if the just value were taken now to
the proportion of moneys) 61. of our currant money
at this present. This sort ef people confess them-
selues to be no gentlemen, but give the honour to all
which bee or take upon them to bee gentlemen, and
yet tJiey haue a certayne prehemiuence and more estima-
tion then labourers and artificers, and commonly live
wealthily, keep good houses, and doe their businesse
and trauaile to acquire riches: these bee ('for the
most part) farmoura unto gentlemen, which with
grazing, frequenting of markets, and keeping seruants,
not idly as the gentleman doth, but such as get both
their own living and part of their masters, and by
these meanes doe come to such wealth, thct they are
able and daily do buy the lands of unthrifty gentle-
men, and after setting their sons to the schools at the
universities, to the lawes of the realm, or otherwise
leaning th?m sufficient lands whereon thej' may Hue
without labour, doe make their said sonnes by those
meanes gentlemen." — Sir Thomas Smith's Common-
ivealth of England.

THE MOON'S INFLUENCE ON
TIMBER TREES.

(from the gakdener's gazette.)

The influence of the moon in promoting and accele-
rating animal decomposition, has been long known to a
class of persons not the most renowned for studying the
doctrines of cause and effect; or for extending philoso-
phical knowledge ; namely the pursers in the Royal
Navy, and the Honourable East India Company's
Service ; — men, however, who are, nevertheless, suffi-
ciently alive to personal interest. — Indeed, it is a fact
well established and authenticated by numbers of these
gentlemen, who have experienced heavy losses thereby,
that if a bullock or other animal, fresh killed, be ex-
posed to the full effulgence of the moon, at certain sea-
sons, and in certain places, a very few hours will be suf-
ficient to render the carcase a mass of corruption ; whilst
another animal, not exposed to such influence, and only
a few feet distant, will not be in the slightest manner
affected.

It would be impossible in the present imperfect state
of our knowledge of this luminary and its influence, to
draw any correct conclusions from so few facts as have
been collected upon tliis intricate but interesting sub-
ject ; but it is most desirable to accumulate the latter as
much as possible, in order to deduce some accurate
reasoning from them. The following, which are of the
highest practical importance to this maritime nation,
will doubtless open a field for investigation that has
hitherto been uncultivated and neglected.

The influence of the moon on vegetation has not been
altogether unobserved ; for, fruit exposed to moonshine
has been known to ripen much more readily, than that
which has not ; and plants shut out from the sun's rays
and consequently bleached, have been observed partly
to assume their natural appearance when exposed to the
effulgence of the moon. From these facts, however,
though fully established, no rational theory has yet
been drawn.

A very intelligent gentleman, named Edmonstone,
^yho was, for nearly thirty years, engaged in cutting
timber in Demerara, and who made a number of obser-
vations on trees during that period, says that, the moon's
influence on trees is very great. So observable is this,
that if a tree be cut down at fisU moon, it will imme-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

359

diately split, as if torn assunder by the influence of great
external force. " This separation of its parts takes place,
I presume," says Mr. Edmonstone, " from the immense
quantity oi juice or sap containedin the body of the tree."
In consequence, trees cut down at full moon, are of
comparatively little use ; and, in a very short time after-
wards are attacked by moths or loorms, somewhat similar
to those so often found in American flour. They are
likewise attacked much earlier by the rot, than if allowed
to remain to another period of the moon's age. Trees,
therefore, which are intended to be applied to durable
purposes, are cut only during' the^rsf and last quarters
of the moon ; for the sap rises to the top of the tree at
full moon, and falls in proportion to the moon's decrease.
"This influence" observes Mr. Edmonstone, "is com-
mon to all the species of trees with which I am ac-
quainted ; and I had occasion to observe it during' an
experience of thirty years, amongst the various kinds of
wood with which the Colonial Settlements of South
America abound."

Althoug'h these observation have been confined to the
continent of South America and the Islands adjoining ;
there can be no doubt that the moon has a corresponding'
influence in other countries ; and Mr. Edmonstone's
observations are of the utmost practical importance to
all persons any way interested in the felling of timber.

C. MACKENZIE.

TRANSPORT OF CATTLE BY
RAILWAY.

(extract from

THE REPORT OF THE SOUTHAMP-
TON LINE.)

The next item in the original estimate of revenue is
the sum which it is presumed •will be receivable from
the conveying of cattle, sheep, and other live stock,
•which it was estimated will produce 27, 155Z. per an-
num. Mr. Pare makes this item ouly 8,309/. 14s. 2d.;
and in his account of the data on which his calculations
are founded, he says, " The cattle and sheep counted
on the road during the fortnight's observation in April
and May, have in this estimate been taken to be the
average of the year. There can be no doubt, however,
that the number, observed is greatly under the average
number, the time of the observation being unfavourable
for this species of traffic." In support of the original
estimate, it may be said that it was proved before Par-
liament by persons practically acquainted with the
matter, resident in the country through which the cat-
tle pass, and interested in that species of trade ; per-
sons who were iully capable of appreciating the advan-
tages that would result to the farmer, the grazier, and
the public, from the avoidance of what is called " sink-
ing" in the animals, by carrying instead of driving
them, as well as avoiding the expense of the latter.
It must however, be admitted, that there is no evidence
from actual experience on this head. The cattle and
sheep by which Liverpool is supplied come by sea from
Ireland and Scotland, and those which are sent from
Liverpool to Manchester are found rather to recover
the effect of the previous sea voyage by the walk to
Manchester, than to suffer any further detriment there-
by. But this will not be the case with cattle fresh from
the pasture or the stall. The object of the graizer will
be to send the animal into market with all his flesh
and all his best condition, and it will be to his interest
to pay for the conveyance by railroad rather than the
somewhat lesser charge of driving, accompanied as it
is by positive depreciation. It is believed that these
reasons will justify the estimate so far as cattle are
concerned ; as for sheep and lambs, they are conveyed
in great numbers on the Liverpool and Manchester
line, and will doubtless be carried in still greater
quantities from the pastures of Hants and Wilts to
London.

A.LTERATION IN THE POOR-LAW
REGULATIONS.

We congratulate the public on some important alte-
rations in the system of granting out-door relief which
have been adopted by the New Poor-law Commissioners
in reference to the unions forming in this nighbour-
hood. Mr. Power, the Assistant Commissioner, was
in Manchester yesterday (Friday), and met the Guar-
dians of the Chorlton-upon-Medlock Union on business
in reference to carrying the New Poor-law into opera-
tion there. Mr. Marsden was called to the chair, when
a code of regulations transmitted from the London
Board were read and generally approved of. Amongst
these was one which obliges the Guardians to appoint
a clerk of ISQl. a-year. Regulations with regard to
relief to the poor were then read, which are to the fol-
lowing effect :— That the Board of Guardians for this
Union shall determine the amount of relief to be af-
forded in every case where application is made for it.
A relieving officer will be appointed, who will have to
devote the whole of his time to relieving the poor, acting
under the direction of the Board. He will have to
attend once in every week in each township of the
Union for the purpose of dispensing relief, re-
ceive applications for relief, and inquire into the
nature of the wants and distress of the appli-
cants. The nature of these applications and the cir-
cumstances of the applicants are to be laid before the
Guardians at their meetings, but this officer is to have
the power of affording, in cases of emergency, imme -
diate relief. In the absence of this officer, in cases of
sickness, accident, or other urgent necessity, applica-
tion may be made to the overseer of the township in
which the case may occur, who is to have the power of
giving relief in provisions, and of providing medical
assistance where necessary, at the expense of the union.
This regulation also provides that the poor seeking this
relief, when refused by the overseer, may apply to a
magistrate, who shall be empowered to order assistance
either in food or medicines (but not in money), which
order the overseer is bound to comply with. The ma-
gistrate is also empowered to order out-door relief to
the aged or infirm, and the Board of Guardians are
bound to comply with the order ; but in other cases
the Board will have the power of determining whether
in-door or out-door relief shall be granted. The above
will shew the nature of Mr. Power's mission ; and it
is understood that the Commissioners have adopted
the alterations respecting giving relief from a feeling
that the system they have adopted in other districts is
not fitted for introduction into the densely-populated
manufacturing towns ; and we are most happy to an-
nounce the news of their willingness to make the alte-
ration.— Manchester Times.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AYR
OBSERVER.

Laight, 25th August 1837.
Dear Sir,— The " Heracleum," of which Mr.
Smith was so kind as to favour me with a few seeds
about three years ago, has exceeded my highest expec-
tations in point of produce— notwithstanding the back-
wardness of last spring. I cut 19lbs. of blades, from,
one plant, on the 31st. May, and had I not afterwards
let to grow to seed, I do not doubt that the same plant
would have produced at least two more crops of equal
weight this season. I cut at the same time one blade
from another plant, which weighed 13 ozs. My tallest
plant was about eight feet high. In comparing this
with yours, you must bear in mind that I have only the
two plants, and that where they grow is between 600
and 700 feet above the level of the sea.

I have as much seed from the two plants as will
plant a rood, which will enable me to form some idea
regarding its feeding qualities. Ot these I can at pre-
sent say little. Horses seem to eat it greedily. — I am,
dear Sir, your's truly,

ANDREW MILLER.

36a

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

1 Vict. cap. 50.

AN ACT TO FACILITATE THE CON-
VEYANCE OF LANDS & BUILDINGS.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF TWO ACTS PASSED RESPECTIVELY
IN THE 5 &C 6 WILL. 4.

I5th July, 1837.

Whereas an act was was passed in the 5 Will. 4,
intituled " An act for the amendment and better
administration of the laws relating to the poor in
England and Wales:" And whereas another act was
passed in tlie 6 Will. 4, intituled " An act to facili-
tate the conveyance of workhouses and other pro-
perty of parishes and of incorporations or unions of
parishes in England and Wales :" And whereas
doubts are entertained as to whether the herein
recited acts respectively apply to lands or buildings
or other hereditaments of copyhold or customary
tenure ; and it is expedient that such doubts should
be removed, and that the provisions of the said acts
should be extended in some respects : be it there-
fore enacted, That the provisions of the said herein
recited acts apply to and comprise lands and buil-
dings and other hereditaments of copyhold or cus-
tomary tenure, as well as lands, buildings, and
other hereditaments of freehold tenure.

Sect. "2 enacts, That whenever any contract shall
be entered into for the purposes of the said recited
acts, or either of them, or of this act, respecting any
lands, buildings, or other hereditaments of copyhold
or customary tenure, it shall be lawful for the Poor
Law Commissioners to direct that the difference in
Talue of such lands or buildings or other heredita-
ments, as of copyhold or customary tenure, and the
freehold or fee-simple thereof, including therein
the value of any fine, heriot, or customary due, pay-
ment, or rent, or any service capable of being valued,
in respect of such land or building or other here-
ditaments, shall be ascertained by such means as
they shall think fit ; and that such difference in
value when so ascertained shall be paid to or in-
vested for the use and benefit of the lord of the
manor of which such lands or buildings or other
hereditaments shall be parcel, or such other person
as will be entitled to the fines payable upon death
or alienation of the same, or to such heriot, dues,
payment, rent, or service respectively; and upon
and from the making of such payment or investment,
such lands or buildings or other hereditaments shall
thenceforth be deemed enfranchised and for ever
discharged from every fine, customary or copyhold,
heriot, due, payment, rent, suit, or service ; and
such lands and buildings and other hereditaments
shall thenceforth be and remain of the tenure of free
and common socage : Provided always, that if any
such lord of the manor or other person be under any
legal disability, the powers of the said recited acts,
and of every other act for building, hiring, or pur-
chasing workhouses, or for acquiring lands for
workhouse purposes enabling persens under dis-
ability to convey or otherwise dispose of and deal
with property, shall apply to such lord of the manor
or other peison as amply and fully as if the case
had been expressly provided for in such acts or any
of them : Provided also, that if such lord of the
manor or other person be dissatisfied with such
valuation, and shall within seven days after a tender
made to him of the amount thereof, or after notice
left at his last known place of residence, or with his
known agent, of such amount being ready to be paid
to him or invested as aforesaid, send notice by the
post to the poor law commissioners of such dissatis-

faction, it shall be lawful for the poor law commis-
sioners to direct a further valuation to be made, at
or within such period as they may see fit, by two
valuers, one to be named by the poor law commis-
sioners, and the other by such lord of the manor or
other person, which two persons so named shall,
previous to their entering on their valuation, name a
third valuer to be referred to in case they disagree,
and the award of such three valuers, or any two of
them, shall be binding on all parties ; and on pay-
ment or investment, under the provisions of the said
recited acts, or anyof them,or of thisact,of the amount
of such last-mentioned valuation, such lands of build-
ings and other hereditaments shall thenceforth be
deemed enfrr.nchised and discharged in manner
aforesaid, and be and remain of the tenure of free
and common socage : Provided always, that it shall
be lawful for any overseers, guardians, lord of the
manor, or other person to complete any voluntary
agreement for the purchase and enfranchisement of
any copyhold or customary lands, buildings, or other
hereditaments, under the direction and with the
approbation of the poor law commissioners, in like
manner as if such agreement had been originally
made under this act, any thing in the said acts, or either
of them, or in this act to the contrary notwithstanding ;
and in every such case, if any lord of the manor or
other person be under legal disability, the power
of the said recited acts and of any other act for
building, hiring, or purchasing workhouses, or for
acquiring lands for workhouse purposes, enabling
persons to convey or otherwise dispose of or deal
with property, sliall apply to such lord of the manor
or other person as amply and fully as if the case had
been expressly provided for in such acts, or any of
them.

Sect. 3. enacts. That when, and so soon as any
such enfranchisement as aforesaid shall have been
made it shall be lawful for the steward of the manor
whereof the same lands or buildings were parcel,
and he is hereby required, on receipt of a certificate,
of such valuation being made and enfranchisement
efi^ected, under the hands and seal of the poor law
commissioners, to enter such certificate on the rolls
or books of the said manor, and to furnish a copy of
such entry written on parchment, to the poor law
commissioners, or to sucli person or persons as they
may direct, and to certify the same to be a true ex-
tract under his hand, and such certificate, or a copy
thereof under the seal of the poor law commis-
sioners shall ' thenceforth be evidence of such en-
franchisement.

S«ct. 4 enacts, That all conveyances or instruments
by way of sale or exchange, or assignment or se-
curity or transfer, to be made under the authority of
the said recited acts or either of them, or of this act,
may be made in such form as the poor law commis-
sioners shall by any order or orders signed by them
and sealed with their common seal, direct or approve
of, or as near thereto as the number of parties, the
nature of the interests, and the circumstances of each
case will admit, and shall be valid and effectual in
the law, without livery of seisin being made, or any
bargain and sale to vest posssession being executed,
and without beino- enrolled.

Inroads of the Baltic. — This sea on the side
of Prussia has been making" slow and steady en-
croachments on the land. There existed, between
seven and eight centuries since, a province named
Willanilie, which has, by little and little, yielding up
its soil to the sea, and is now entirely covered with the
waters. — Railway Magazine,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

361

ON EPIDEMIC OR CONTAGIOUS
TYPHUS AMONG CATTLE.

By Professor Dei.afond, Royal Veterinary
School, Alport.

(^From the Veterinarian,)

[We are pleased that the translation which was given
in the July number of the Veterinarian, of the
distinction between variola and contagious typhus
lias yielded so much satisfaction to our readers.
We were quite aware of some nosological errors
of the learned Professor, and much disliked that
personal feeling with regard to another veterina-
rian, which should have no place in essays like
these.

Instead of pursuing the subject of inoculation
for typhus, we turn back for a moment to inquire
into the actual origin of this disease. The Profes-
sor gives an interesting and correct account of the
origin and progress of the modern epidemics.
We will only remark, that he here confines his
attention to those aggravated forms of contagious
typhus which are generated under the peculiar
exciting causes of disease to which these cattle
were exposed. He believes, as much as any of
our readers do, that cattle eveiy where, if exposed
to the influence of the same causes, or differing
only in degree, will exliibit a similar, but milder
disease — too often fatal, and frequently contagious
— such is the murrain which occasionally occurs in
our practice. — Y.j

Taking its origin in Hungary, the epizootic typhus
of 1711 spread into Italy and German)'. Carried
into the territory of Padua by an infected beast, it
penetrated into the Milanese — the duchy of Ferrara
— the country of Rome, and the kingdom of Naples.
In the states of the Pope alone it destroyed 30,000
cattle.* Leaving Milan, it advanced into Sardinia,
and thence into Piedmont ; and in this last province,
rich in cattle, it swept away 70,000 beasts in 1714
and 1715; and at the end of 1717, the period at
which for a while it disappeared there, the number
of victims had increased to 80,000.

From Piedmont it extended to Switzerland ; it
penetrated into France by the way of Dauphine,
ascended to the north, and then retraced its way to
the south of our country, occasioning losses almost
as great as in Italy and Piedmont.

From the centre of Italy, also advancing to the
north, it passed the mountains of the Tyrol ; and
establishing itself in Germany, and at the same time
avoiding the centre of Hungary, it })enetrated into
another part of the same empire, and reached the
borders of the Danube.

Its continuance in Germany was short, but most
destructive ; and then it passed over into Alsace,
and arrived in Brabant and Holland, and there it
caused 200,000 beasts to perish. From Holland it
reached the shores of England, whore it was as de-
structive as in France, in Italy, and in Germany ;
and, finally, after having for seven years bid defi-
ance to all means to arrest its progress, it assumed
a milder character, and presently disa])]ieared, after
having destroyed more than 600,000 cattle.

At the expiration of twenty years it again appeared
in Europe. It then broke out in Bohemia, among

* The reader who has the work at hand may com-
pare this history with that given by the author of
" Cattle," in page .384, et seq. of that work.

the cattle collected for the ptovision of the French
army occupied for the siege of Prague. From this
point it spread rapidly to the south and to the east,
into Hungary, Bavaria, Styria, Corintbia, and the
Tyrol : it mice more descended into the fertile plains
of Italy, and arriving at the feet of the Alps, it soon
passed into the southern provinces of France. On
the north it advanced into the centre of Germany,
and passed into Holland.

From the province of Luxembourg, and traversing
Alsace, it found its way into Franche Conit6, Lor-
raine, and Flanders. It soon reached Picardy, and
arrived almost at the gates of Paris, and ravaged
most of the provinces in the centre of France. By
means of some commercial transaction, it was con-
veyed a second time from Holland to England.

Until this epoch, no disease had been known (o
be so fatal among our domesticated animals ; fcr, in
spite of the sage advice of the most celebrated
physicians of Europe, and the best sanitary measures
that could be devised by the different governments,
three millions of cattle were swept away by this
epizootic. Its extinction was not complete until after
a domination often years.

During the next twenty years — from 1750 to
1759 — Europe was free I'rom this typhoid epidemic ;
but during the years 1770 and 1771, it began to
appear anew in Holland, and committed the most
d-readful ravages. In one year it destroyed 98,000
beasts in the province of Friedland ; in the south of
Holland, in the same year 115,665 died ; and in the
north of Holland, during the same period, 225,831
were attacked, of which 162,276 perished : in short,
375,441 were lost in one year.

From Holland it spread to Austrian and French
Flanders, and was not slow in extending over the
whole of Laonais ; whence it penetrated into the
provinces of Picardy and D'Artois, to which it for
awhile confined itself, and where it destroyed 11,000
animals.

Scarcely, however, had Flanders and Picardy
begun to recover from their fearful losses, than it
reappeared with new fury, in Hainault first, and
presently afterwards in Holland. It soon thinned
the herds of Flanders, and Picardy, and Soissonnais,
and of Champagne ; but the number of cattle that
were then lost were never accurately reported.

Since the epizootic of 1740, the southern provinces
of France, then, as now, containing numerous herds
of cattle, had been spared by this bovine pest ; but
in the month of August it broke out all at once on
the borders of the ocean, at Bayonne and its en-
virons. From this point it spread in every direc-
tion, until it occupied almost the whole of France,
from the south to the north. The provinces of the
west of France, La Vendee, Brittany, and part of
Normandy alone escaped. In some of the southern
provinces, the number that were destroyed were so
great that after the disappenrnnce of the epizootic
there were scarcely enough cattle remaining to cul-
tivate the soil. Thenumber was estimated at 150,000,
and their value, 152,000,000 francs. During the
wars of France (then a republic) with Austria and
Russia, under the command of General Bonaparte,
in 1793, 4, and 5, and of which Italy was the chief
theatre, an epizootic typhus appeared in some of the
provinces of this beautiful country, and in the course
of three years destroyed betvreen three and four mil-
lions of cattle. In 1796 it broke out among the
cattle forming the convoy of the French army occu-
]iying the holders of the Rhine. It propagated itself
with frightful rapidity through all the departments
in that part of France— it penetrated into Switzer-

362

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

land— it approached the gates of Paris. In the de-
partment of the Lower Rhine alone it destroyed
11,043 head of cattle ; and in the twenty-seven
departments which it more or less devastated, it
swept away 130,000 beasts, whose value was at
least twelve millions of fraocs.

About that period (17'96) a calculation was made
by Dr. Faust of the number of cattle that had been
destroyed by this epidemic typhus in France and
Belgium alone, and he estimated them at ten millions.

In 1814 and 181.5, the coalesced armies arrived in
France, bringing- in their train numerous Hungarian
and German bullocks, among whom this contagious
typhus soon broke out : the malady w-as speedily
communicated to the cattle of our own country, and
in almost ever)' department, except those occupied
by the French army of the Loire, thousands of cattle
were lost.

These historical researches into the appearance of
typhus, and the mortality which it has occasioned at
different epochs, prove —

1. That from 1711 to 1814 contagious typhus has
manifested itself among cattle about once in twenty-
three years.

2. That on each occasion it seems to have derived
its origin from Hungary.

3. That it is by means of its contagious principle
alone that it has been enabled to spread over so many
parts of Europe.

4. That whenever it has appeared, it has caused
great mortality among cattle, &c.

5. That on estimating the ten millions of cattle that
died in France and Belgium alone, from 1713 to 1796,
to have been worth only 150 francs each, there was
a loss of 175 millions of francs.*

What an enormous sum — and to be abstracted from
one source only of national wealth — agriculture !
how injurious its effects on every other branch of
commerce and of wealth '. how ruinous, at the time,
to thousands of deserving individuals ! and how
heavy the tax, through every after age, imposed on
posterity. Who can assure himself that our cattle
may not, at a very short distance of time, be again
swept away in fearful numbers by this destructive
pest. Its history has proved that it appears about
once in three-and-twenty years. Its last visit was
in 1815.

Then it is of the highest importance to inquire,

1st. Whether this typhus is of Hungarian origin,
or springing spontaneously chiefly or only in Hun-
garian or German cattle 1

2d. What are the causes which originally produced
that malady in the animals of those countries 1

3d. Whether the cattle of other countries are not
equally exposed to contract it spontaneously"!

4th. By what means the malady assumes an epizoo-
tic character, and spreads from country to country ?

5th. What are the measures of sanitary jurispru-
dence which can or should be adopted to prevent its
thus spreading from kingdom to kingdom ?

In order to arrive at this important object, we
will again consult the records which have been
transmitted to us by our predecessors.

THE OUIGIN AND CATISES OF CONTAGIOUS EPIZOOTIC
TYPHUS.

The epizootic of 1711 derived its origin from
Hungary, for it was an infected beast from that
country which introduced it into Italy.

* The loss of cattle in England in the two epide-
mics of 1715 and 1746 could not be less than a
million. More than eighty thousand were slaughtered
by order of Government in the second epidemic, and
thirty thousand died in Cheshire in six months.

That of 1740 commenced with some Hungarian
cattle that were attached to the French army at the
siege of Prague.

That of 1770, first appearing in Holland, and
was traced to the commerce in fresh hides which
existed between that country and Hungary and
Dalmatia.

That of 1774 was plainly derived from Holland.
It passed from Holland into Flanders, Picardy, and
Artois, and was carried into the south of France by
means of the infected skins which, coming from
Zealand, were unladen at Bavonne.

The epizootic of 1793, in Italy, was brought by
the Hungarian cattle which were designed for the
provision of the Austrian army, and which commu-
nicated it to the cattle of Lomeline, and of Alessan-
dria, Novara, and Tortona.

It was among tlie German cattle that formed the
convoy of the army commanded by General Jourdan
that the typhoid epizootic of 1795 first appeared in
the department of the Lower Rhine.

The typhus of 1814, in France, was brought by
the Hungarian cattle that followed the enemy's arm)^.

It appears, then, that in all the principal destruc-
tive epizootics among cattle that have prevailed in
Europe, the point of starting has been, in every case
but one, Hungary. This pest, then, is to be traced
originally to this country, as the plague originated
in the east. This is the opinion of Lancisi, Ramaz-
zani, Leclerc, Layard, Vicq-d'Azyr, Paulet, Buniva,
Leroy, and Metaxa.

Other writers, without contesting this origin of
the disease, think that it may be produced spon-
taneously in cattle of all countries, if they are ex-
posed to the influence of the same causes that gave
rise to the development of it in the Hungarian oxen.
This opinion was promulgated by Messrs. Rodet
and D'Arboval, and we heartily concur in it. We
know that, at the present time, typhus does not
reign either sporadical!3r or under an epizootic form,
either in Hungary, or the whole of Germany. M.
Huzard, sen. had full assurance of this in his inter-
course in 18 14 with the Austrian commissaries
attached to this department of political economy ;
and M. Rodet, who had instituted the same inquiries
on the spot in 1806, affirms, that the epizootics
which sometimes arise among the cattle in Hungary
are of the common esanthematous typhus (^typhus
charhonneux). On the other hand, German authors
make no mention in their writings of sporadic or
enzootic typhus in Hungary.

If so, veterinarians have thrown some difficulty
on the origin of typhus: all agree in the following
opinion — that the cattle of these countries, whether
Hungarian, Dalmatian, or German, have a peculiarity
of constitution which disposes them to contract a
typhous affection, of a malignity and subtle con-
tagiousness which has not been observed in the same
disease of the cattle of any other country.

See, then, the causes whicli are more than sufficient
for the development of an epizootic typhus.

Wherever war long continues to rage, typhus
fever breaks out among the cattle. These two de-
stroyers of men and of cattle are in some manner
inseparable. Numerous facts prove this proposition.
It was the war of the succession of Austria, or the
seven years' war, as it is called — an epoch most
disastrous, during which the French invaded suc-
cessively, Silesia, Austria, Prussia, and the Austrian
Low Countries, that the epizootic from 1740 to
1750 raged.

It was also in 1807, during the continuance of the
war of France with Prussia, that the province of
Elbing had its cattle swept away by a typhus, which

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

363

afterwards spread over Eastern Prussia, and raged
there two years.

The same malady broke out in 1810, among- the
oxen that followed the Fiench army in Spain, aid
which communicated itself to the cattle of La Mancba,
and destroyed great numbers of them. In 1814, as
already mentioned, the Prussian army introduced
this disease into France ; and the wars of Russia
with Turkey, in 1826 and 18'J7, will be long re-
membered by the inhabitants of JMoldavia and
Wallachia, on account of destruction of the cattle in
those provinces.

With regard to the human being, the fact needs
no laboured proof, that typhus is an invariable ac-
companiment of the movements of great bodies of
men; and it is as surd\' found among the cattle that
follow the troops. It is easy to conceive why the
epizootic t^'phus has been always brought into
France through the medium of Germany, Holland,
Belgium, and Italy, because these kingdoms have
been always the theatres of the grand European
wars ; and because the cattle destined to provision
these troops have been always drawn from the vast
pastures that border the Danube, or from Hungary
and Dalmatia, in which these animals so plentifully
abound. May it nsver be the destiny of our country
to be invaded again by the Germans, the Prussians,
the Russians, or the Dutch, for to that calamity —
heavy enough — another would speedily follow, a
contagious typhus, sweeping away our cattle.

I'he causes of this connexion between typhus and
the march of armies are numerous, and constantly
acting. M. Rodet has given us a faithful account of
them : " The cattle which follow the armies are
subjected to violent and frequtnt changes of country
and climate and food — exposed, without having
been previously habituated to them, to long and
forced marches, and in despite of the intemperate
heat or cold of the season or the air — sometimes
receiving excessive quantities of forage, and that
often of a bad quality, at other times destitute of all
food, and sinking under fatigue — obliged some-
times to bivouac on the coldest nights in open and
exposed places, and at another time crammed into
stables so closel3% that it is impossible for them to
lie down, and forced to breathe an air impure and
charged with every putrid and poisonous emanation
— drinking plentifully one day of water fresh and
cold, and on another, forced by thirst to drink as
eagerly of that which is stagnant and putrid — these
cattle is it possible that tliey should avoid contract-
ing the most fatal maladies, and especially contagious
typhus'?"

This disease, once declared among a crowd of
animals as highly as possible predisposed to receive
the infection, cannot fail of spreading in every direc-
tion. The subtle emanations which escape the sick
animal, form around him a contagious atmosphere,
which daily and rapidly extends. From this first
source of infection, the typhus is carried to every
place at which the infected animals halt, or feed, or
drink ; and so the disease is soon established over a
vast extent of country. It then attacks successively
all the cattle in the province, if the march of the in-
vaders cannot be ai rested ; nay, even if the enemy
should receive a check, yet the pest has been too
deeply sown, too widely established, and it will
extend from farnx to farm, and from commune to
commune, until the whole kingdom becomes one
infected ground.

If, then, epizootic typhus was not originally a
product of our own country — if it appears chiefly
among the cattle destined for the provision of our
armies — if it has always arrived in France through

the medium of Belgium, or the borders of the Rhine
or of Italy, and at times when war has afflicted these
kingdoms, or our territories have been attacked by
foreign armies — if, starting from its original focus,
it spreads successively through every part of the
kingdom, the sanitary measures, by the help of
which we may be enabled to oppose the march of
the epizootic, and of which we must now treat,
will comprise,

1st. A knowledge of the agents by which the
typhus is propagated — of the means by which the
threatened evil may be repelled, or the malady ex-
tirpated if it has begun to appear.

2d. If it has invaded some one or more of the
departments -a knowledge of the means by which it
maybe confined to this infected spot: or if it has
reached the centre of a commune, those by which
the stables yet sound may be preserved from the
infection that surrounds them : such will be the
course pursued in the remaining articles devoted to
the consideration of this subject.

Recueil de MM. V6t., Janvier 1837.

CULTIVATION OF HOPS.— NOTTING-
HAMSHIRE.

(from the doncaster gazette.)
Our readers in Nottinghamshire will perhaps
require no apology from us for presenting to
their notice some facts relating to a herb which
many of them arc engaged in cultivating ; and its
general use may lead other readers to consider
them not uninteresting. The hop was first cul-
tivated in England in the reign of Henry VIII.
and it is first mentioned in the Statute-book in
1552, in an act 5th and 6th Edward VI. c. 5.
In 1603, hops were rather extensively cultivated.
In 1649, they were considered a " national com-
modity," though a prejudice was excited against
thein on their first being used in ale and beer.
These facts are taken from a short notice in Mr.
Mc CuUock's valuable "Dictionary of Commerce."
A duty on hops was first imposed by the 9th Anne,
c. 12, for four years, at the rate of Id. per lb.
After five several increases by fractional parts of
a penny, the duty was raised in 1804 to S^d. per
lb. which rate, after continuing one year, was re-
duced to 2d. at which it has since continued.
Nothing exhibits so clearly the extremely variable
nature of the hop as the fluctuations in its pro-
ductiveness in different years. In 1825, the duty
of 2d. per lb. yielded 42,337^. and in the following
year it amounted to above ten times this amount,
being 476, 89j/. Hence hops are regarded as a
favourable article of speculation, and the present
season of the year is one of the utmost interest to
the speculator. In 1807, the number of acres cul-
tivated in hops in England was 38,218, and it re-
mained under 39,000 acres until the year 1813,
when the number of acres cultivated amounted to
39,521. In 1819, the number was increased to
51,014, but during the years 1820-1-2-3, there
was a gradual diminution in the quantity of land
applied to the production of hops, and in 1823,
nearly 10,000 acres had ceased to be so cultivated,
the number of acres for that year being 41,458,
In the year 1026, the number had again got up
to 50,471, but in the three succeeding years again
declined, in 1829 the number of acres being 46,135
acres ; and in 1830, 46,726 acres, since which year
it has gone on progressively increasing, and is now
higher than at any former period. The number
of individuals surveyed for the hop duty was 7,242

364

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

in 1834, being the greatest number of persons
surveyed by the excise under any one of the grow-
ing duty trades except malt. The collection of
the hop duty is necessarily carried on differently
from that of other duties. The whole of the ope-
rations required for gathering the crop and pre-
paring the article for sale are always completed in a
period of from four to six or seven weeks, and as
the duty is finally charged as soon as the quantity
can be ascertained by weighing, assistant officers
are engaged, who are checked by the supervisor of
the district ; and this is found to be more economi-
cal than if the duty were collected by officers per-
manently on the excise establishment. The num-
ber of these assistants thus employed is 270 every
year, 59 of whom are engaged in the Sussex col-
lection ; above 50 in the Rochester, Hereford, and
Canterbury collections respectively ; and 7 are re-
quired in Nottinghamshire. The expense of col-
lecting the duty varied from 3,3167. to 3,67.5/. for
the years 1833-4-5. There are four great hop
districts in England, Kent, Sussex, Hereford, and
Worcester. Out of the 55,422 acres under cul-
tivation in 183G, there were 50,366 in the above
four districts, viz. — in tlie Rochester collection,
14,846 acres ; Sussex collection, 12,137 acres ;
Canterbury collection, 10,815 acres ; Hereford
collection, 10,542 acres ; and Worcester collection,
2,026 acres. Mr. Ellis, in the Rochester collection,
is the largest grower of hops in the kingdom, having
474 acres under cultivation. Mr. Ellis has some-
times had so many as 4000 persons engaged at one
time in hop-picking, a large proportion of whom
were Irish. He pays about 700/. a-year on an
average for malt used in ale and beer for his work-
people. In the Rochester and Sussex collections,
there are five other growers who cultivate 135
acres each on an average ; but from 40 to 80 acres
are the largest quantity under cultivation by one
individual in the other great districts. The home-
grower is protected by a customs' duty of 81. lis.
per cwt. which necessarily increases the price to
the consumer, and has led to the gradual increase
in the quantity of land employed in the production
of hops. Notwithstandingthis high duty, there were
52,6991bs. of hops imported in 1834, chiefly from
Denmark and the United States. In the same year
we exported 1, 662, OOOlbs. of hops, chiefly of the
growth of 1832 and 1830, but some of the growth
of so late a periol as 1817. A drawback is allowed
on exportation for hops grown at any period, but
it has been recommended that the period from the
growth to which the drawback should be restrict-
ed ought not to exceed three years, though we
are not aware that the alteration has taken place.
In 1834, the amount of drawbacks or allowances
on hops exported amounted to 13,850/. ; but it
averages rather more than 6,000L a-year. There
being no duty in Ireland on hops, a drawback is
also allowed on hops exported to that country,
which on an annual average consumption of
1,500,000 amounts to about 13,000i. a-year. But
on this point we believe that some change has taken
place respecting the drawback. It is gratifying
to perceive that in the four years preceding 1837,
the cultivation of hops has been gradually increase-
ing in Nottinghamshire. The pros/ress is as
follows : —

Acres cult, in
Duly. England. Duty.

.£1598.. .. 49,1871 ..£272,894

6233.... 51,273 .. 329,895

, 384 53,816J.. 409,005

3842.... 55,422% .. .348,957

Acres cult

Year.

in JSJfltts.

1833.

...720 .

1834.

. . . 726J.

1835.

.,.734i.

1836,

...757f.

We believe that the growers are generally satis-
fied with the present arrangements for the collec-
tion of the duty. The expense of collection, it
will be seen, amounts to a very small per centage
on the revenue derived from a good crop. Very
few prosecutions have been instituted against hop-
growers, and the number does not on an average
exceed one each year. (Jur Retford correspondent
last week very properly directed attention to the
excise regulations to which the growers are
subject, and wc beg again to press the subject
upon their notice. The land under the cul-
tivation of hops in Nottinghamshire is in the
Derby, Grantham, and Lincoln collections, and
the following statement of the number of acres
in each parish for the four years preceding the
present year will doubtless be interesting to our
readers in those places : —

Collection.

Parish.

Derby Eakring ...

Hallara . . . .

Morton . . . .

Southwell . .
Grantham. . Cottingham

Kneesall. . . .

Lincoln

South Muskham . .
. . Askham

Boughton

Bothamsall

Bevercoates

Clarborough

Doddington

Darlton

Drayton

Edwinstowe

Elkesley

Egmanton

Fledgborough

Heddon cum Upton.

Kirton

Markbatn, East. . . .

Markham, West . .

Noimanton

Ollerton

Oi-dsall

Ossington

*Ruffovd

Sturton

Sutton cum Lound .

Tuxford

Upton

Walesby

Wcllow

West Retford

104
18

95;^

21
18
23

9

3

H
lU
13|

3
201
16
531
47i

H

8

14^

H

44|

llf
35

1834 1835

18§

18

3

102-1
21
18

96|

n

18

81
48

81
46^

99i
6

1261
3

21i

23^

9

314

23|

9

3

3

14*
111
18
3
201
19

m

m
n
201
17

57

18

47*
8

511

4§
12

17

17

n

4

551

53

2

11^

18

35

38*

6

26
H
5

32*

1

7261

734*

1836

102

n

18

1341

3
31|
22

9

3
ni
134
20

H

20i
15
21
48i

41-
18 J
161

4

9
53|

7
18
36*

sii

3i
1

The expense of cultivating the land for the
growth of hops is very great, while the produce is
always very uncertain and fluctuating. It appears,
however, that taking an average of years, the fluc-
tuation is less considerable than would be gene-
rally expected. The annual average of the duty
for the ten years ending 1807, was 112,282/. ; and
for the ten years ending 1817, the annual average
was 108,526/. In Kent, hops are grown on land
from 15s. to 45s. an acre, and the average will
therefore be about 30s. an acre. The produce per
acre on a series of years is estimated at 10 cwts.
and the duty therefore will average 9/. 6s. 8d. per
acre, exceeding by six times the rent of the land.

* Ruftbrd has been sometimes partly charged in the
Derby collection.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

365

A hop-ground will generally give constant em-
jiloyment to one man for every four acres. In
Kent, three poles are generally used to the hill.
Up to the time of picking, the expenses are reckon-
ed at 6/. an acre in Kent, and from IIL to 14/. per
ton afterwards for labour only, exclusive of cutting
the hop poles, and other sundries. We trust that
the hop-grounds in our own neighbourhood will
long continue to be a valuable scource of employ-
ment to the labouring elass, and that the country
will always be in such a state of advancement as
to render the demand progressive as well as remu-
nerating to the anxious cultivator.

FRENCH STATISTICS.

The whole superficial territory of France amounts
to 52,768, 600 hectares. (The French hectare equals
four-tenths of an English acre, consequently the su-
perfices of France comprise 21,107,440 English acres,
or 32,980 square miles). Seven millions of hectares
are described as of a rich soil, and the general distri-
bution of the land is estimated as follows : —

Hectares.

Arable 25,000,000

Pasture 4,834,000

Vineyards 2,135,000

Woods 7,422,000

Waste lands 7,799,000

Buildings, roads, cities, &e 1,466,000

TheMarne is the department possessing the greatest
amount of arable land, ot which it comprises 614,000
hectares ; the Cantal is the richest in pasture, of which
it comprises 221,000 hectares; the greatest extent of
vineyards is found in the Gironde, 138,000 hectares;
the most extensive woods are in the department of the
Nievre, of which it contains 239,000 hectares, or more
than one-third of its whole superfices.

Another curious table is that which shows the num-
ber of hands into which the territorial surface of France
is divided — displaying the extent to which the revolu-
tionary principle of the division of property, has already
acted. There are no less than—

6,205,411 properties paying a francs.

land-tax of less than 5

1.751,994 between.. Sand 10

1,514,251 10 and 20

739,206 20 and 30

684,165 30 and 50

553,230 50 and lOO

341,159 100 and 300

57,555 300 and 500

33,196 500 and 1000

13,361 1000 and upwards.

10,893,528

From this table it wouhl appear that there were up-
wards of ten millions of lauded proprietors in France,
eath owning, on an average, about two ncres ; but it
must be borne in mind tliat several properties frequent-
ly belong to one proprietor, and it would tlierefore be
impossible, from the foregoing table, to make any esti-
mate approaching to accuracy, of the real number of
landowners in France.

The returns of the number and kind of buildings on
which the door and window tax has been paid have
furnished materials for the following tables : —

The houses and habitable buUdings

in France amount in number to 6,649,551

Wind and water mills 82,946

Forges, furnace:=, &c 4,425

Manufactories, &c 38,314

Buildings belonging to the Government,

such as palaces, barracks, hospitals, &c 98,000

The general registration of all landed properties in

France, enables the compilers of the work before us to
furnish the exact extent to which property is continu-
ally changing hands. Every year, on an average, the
capital engaged in these mutations amounts to three
thousand millions of francs, or 120,000,000L sterling.

IMPROVEMENT IN SMITHFIELD
MARKET.

In consequence of the inconvenience for many years
felt by the public from the want of an unobstructed
footway north and south, a most important improve-
ment has been etfected by the City authorities in the
formation of a footway more spacious, we believe,
than any in the most crowded thoroughfares. The
improvement in the carriage pavement will consider-
ably promote the humane treatment of cattle, and
effectually prevent the numerous accidents which
happen, resulting from the falling of horses on the
pavement, formed as the pavement was on so many
inclined planes.

Deputy Hicks, the Chairman of the Market Com-
mittee, waited upon the Police Committee of Aldermen
at the Guildhall on the 19th instant, and stated that
both the Market Committee and the Commissioners of
Sewers and Pavements for the City of London had
unanimously agreed that it would be a great accomo-
dation if arrangements could be made bv which an
uninterrupted footway could be secured to the public
from Giltspur-street towards St. John-street, oa the
west side of Smithfield, and that, in order to carry
such desirable improvement into eifect, orders were
issued to make a complete change in the footway, upon
which a range of cattle had always been hitherto tied,
or sheep penned for sale, and between which and the
houses a very inconvenient and frequently a very dirty
footpath was formed, f he change comprehended an
ample footpath, averaging about ten feet wide, which
would be set apart for the sole use of the pubhe, and
upon which cattle nor sheep would he permitted either
to stand or to be diiven, but would at all times form a
safe and unobstructed thoroughfare. The surveyor to
the Commissioners of Sewers, agreeably to their una-
nimous resolution, was now carrying the same into
effect. There could be no doubt that this change
would greatly promote the convenience of all parties, (
and it was because he foresaw that one inconvenience,
would be increased both to the inhabitants and the
public by the improvement that he had waited upon
the aldermen. It was well known that the horse-
market attracted together a vast number of idle and
dissolute persons, who caused obstruction in this prin-
cipal thoroughfare, and the inhabitants had made
frequent complaints of the conduct and language of
parties connected with the horse-dealing. In order to
meet the increase of that very objectionable inconve-
nience he suggested that a resolution should be carried
into effect that no horses should be exposed for sale
or tied to the rail next to the footpath on the west side
of the market, nor within a distance of twenty-eight
feet of the said rail, at which distance rails would be
fixed for the accomodation of the persons interested in
the horse-market, the removal of which would, he
thought, completely abate the nuisance so much and
so reasonably complained of. There was, the deputy
said, another improvement which he conceived would
be beneficial. The Market Committe had resolved that
during Bartholomew fair no stalls should he allowed
to project beyond the line of I'ail in question, so that
many of the evils arising from the crowded state of the
thoroughfares during the fair in that locality would be
obviated by the formation of a clearway, ten feet wide,
for passing and repassing, and he trusted that the
magistral es would direct the police; most rigidly to
carry these regulalions into effect.

The Aldermen stated that they considered the alter-
ations suggested by the deputy would greatly promote
the public convenience, and gave the necessary instruc-
tions to the police.

366

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE PREPARATION OF LIVE-
STOCK AND MEAT IN REFERENCE
TO THEIR EXPORTATION BY

STEAM-VESSELS.

(from the quarterly journalof agriculture.)

Steam Navigation has alread}' attained the ob-
ject of its invention, to a greater degree of jier-
fection than steam-locomotion by land on railwaj^s
or roads. This perfection is, no doubt, in a great
measure, to be ascribed to the favourable nature
of the element upon which steam-navigation is
practised, — water presenting a level surface fa-
vourable to locomotion. The great specific gra-
vity of water too, enables it to float a capacious
vessel, containing within itself the motive power
and the objects carried, as near as possible to the
centre of gravity of the whole mass, — presenting
a combination of arrangement highly favourable
to its locomotion ; and yet, notwithstanding these
circumstances, so favourable to locomotion on
the water, the speed acquired by steam-carriages
on railroads has much exceeded that attained by
steam vessels. Twenty-four miles per hour have
been accomplished by steam-carriages fully load-
ed, on level railways ;* whereas the highest rate
of sailing by steam-vessels with full cargoes, has
seldom, if ever, exceeded thirteen miles an hour.
This comparative slow rate of steam-vessels may
easily be explained, on the principle of resistance
which, iji their ])rogressive motion forwards,
they have to encounter in displacing an element
of so high specific gravity as water ; whereas
steam-carriages have only to displace the light
attenuated air. This difficulty steam-vessels can
never fully overcome. But the recent experiments
with passenger-boats on canals, whose construc-
tion in avoiding friction has enabled them to in-
crease their velocity to ten miles an hour, with a
small moving power ; and those; constantly mak-
ing on the form of paddle-wheels, reasonably
inspire steam-navigators wi;h the confident hope
ot discovering an improved form for steam-ves-
sels, which will acquire a higher velocity with a
diminished moving power, than they have ever
yet attained ;t whereas the impossibility of con-
structing railways generally so level as water, and
of dispensing with the use of wheels of small dia-
meters in steam-carriages, compared with those
of paddle-wheels, together with the bounding mo-
tion forwards of wheels at high velocities on rail-
ways, present almost insuperable barriers against
steam-carriages attaining a much greater increase
of velocity. The compact bulk of steam-vessels
carrying large weights compared to those of
steam-carriages with their lengthened trains, and
the enormous expense of laying double lines of
railways with offsets, amounting to ,50,0O0L a
mile, will ever render steam-navigation a mode
of conveyance, whose cheapness for goods more
than overbalances the advantages of higher speed
on railways. To this advantage should be added,
that of steam-vessels finding at all times, an easy,
ready-made access, into every port on the coasts
of all maritime nations.

* Hig'her velocities, we are aware, have been ac-
complished on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway
in short di-tances ; but we question that trains of g-Qods
have ever been propelled 24 miles in the hour.

t Could means be discovered of decomposing" water
easily, the ocean would afford to vessels an iaexhuus-
tible supply of hydrog-en gas, of high elastic powers,
and of oxygen, the suppoi-ter of light and heat.

These circumstances have hitherto enabled, and,
we think, will still continue to enable, steam-na-
vigation to confer benefits on agriculture, to a
much greater degree than steam-locomotion on
railways. One of these benefits is, that of con-
veying live stock and slaughtered meat to markets
in distant ports with expedition and safety. These
and other products of the farm are sent weekly to
the English markets from various parts of Scot-
land, and the more distant the part is situated
from the English markets, the greater the benefit
does steam-navigation confer upon it. Eggs,
poultry, and other produce, are now reared and
collected in the Western Isles for Glasgow and
the markets on the English coast, and, were the
railroads completed betwixt Liverpool and Lon-
don, it is not improbable that fresh Loch-Fyne
herrings may be served up on the breakfast table
in the metropolis every morning. But it is
Ireland that has derived the greatest benefits
from steam-navigation, benefits which no
system of railways could have conferred upon
it ; for, but for it, the markets of England
would be as inaccessible now, as they for-
meily were to Irish farm-produce. The impor-
tance of such markets may be inferred from the
amount of farm-produce from Ireland, annually
imported into the principal shii)ping ports on the
west coasts of England and Scotland from Glas-
gow to Bristol, and which almost exceeds belief.
It is pleasing to the patriot to be assured, that this
great increase in farm-produce has not arisen from
increased privation to the peasantry of the neces-
saries of life, but from actual improvement in the
fertility of the soil, attained by superior modes of
culture, and from the happy change effected by
the farmer in directing his attention more to the
cultivation of live stock, which the humid and
milil climate of Ireland is better capable of rear-
ing, than crops of corn successively for years on
the same ground.

The intercourse between Ireland and Britain,
which steam navigation has encouraged and esta-
blished, has not failed to impart activity, just
dealing, and knowledge of the world to the Irish
character. Formerly, it was thought enough by
the Irish farmer to prejjare small quantities of
grain, butter, or salted provisions for the dealer
who went his rounds at stated periods, and who
never failed to aggrandize himself by the plunder
of the poor farmer. Oppression in this respect
was then exercised to an injurious extent. Now
the farmer can take his produce to a seaport, if he
be near one, and dispose of it at the current mar-
ket price, or if he be too distant for that, he has
a better knowledge of its value. The dealers
having more competitors, and being more thrown
upon their individual skill, display greater acti-
vity. Some of tfieui purchase stock in the coun-
try, and fetch them for sale to the Smithfield
market in Dublin ; others purchase their stock in
that well frequented market, which is held on
Thursday, ship them for Liverpool on Friday or
Saturday, and dispose of them there either on
jMonday, or send them to Manchester on Wednes-
day, and return again to Dublin in time for the
market on Thursday. In this manner many of
them clad in humble garb, turn over large capi-
tals every week, some buying to the extent of
eighty to one hundred head of cattle and scores of
sheep ; whilst others must confine their purchases
to half a score of pigs ; a cargo of live stock, not
nnfrcquently belonging to perhaps not fewer than
a hundred such individuals. Besides for live
stock, there are large and petty dealers in eggs,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

367

butter, poultry, frviit, &c., who make weekly voy I
ages to dispose of their purchases in the English
markets. We believe the greatest proportion, if
not the whole, of this carrying trade is in the
hands of Irishmen. And such is the force of na-
tional feeling in them, that they will only intrust
their own countrymen as agents to dispose of their
goods in the English markets.

Besides activity, this intercourse has improved
the character of the Irish farmer and dealer in
just dealing. The farmer, although sensible of
the oppressions of the dealer, and the latter de-
sirous of extracting from him large profits, yet
both endeavoured at first, by adulterations and
deceptions, to circumvent the English purchaser.
The natural consequence of such unjust dealing
was the return of the articles on the hands of the
disposers. Frequent losses incurred by this just
retribution, have taught each of them to prepare
his commodities according to the taste of the mar-
ket which he frequents. They are now both sen-
sible that it is only the fair and honest dealer who
obtains the readiest market, and the best price for
his commodities.

Moreover, this intercourse has taught both the
Irish farmers and dealers a knowledge of the mar-
kets of Great Britain. They are now both aware
that their butter must be unadulterated and better
in quality than grease ; that their eggs must be
fresh ; that their fowls must have something more
upon them than bones and feathers ; that their
cattle, and sheep, and pigs, must be composed of
more enticing materials than skins and bones, be-
fore they will find purchasers in the English mar-
ket. The Irish breed of pigs, fifteen or twenty
years ago, was as far removed from excellence in
points as the liveliest imagination can conceive.
They are now much superior in form, and were
they fed on as good food as the English or Scotch
pigs, the Irish pork and ham would acquire as
high a character in the market as the British.
The condition of Irish cattle and their quality as
to breeding have much improved of late, for bulls
of the most esteemed breeds from Britain, particu-
larly Short-horns and Devons, have been import-
ed for the purpose of judicious crossing with the
native breeds. Flocks of Leicester sheep have
also been imported from England, and the effect
of the deep and rich pastures of Ireland, in in-
creasing-the weight of their wool and mutton,
may now be witnessed any week in the markets of
Dublin and Liverpool. Formerly the beef trade
in Ireland was chiefly confined to the curing of
beef for the army and navy and colonies, and
during the existence of this trade, the farmers
suffered severe hardships and losses from the exac-
tions of the contractors. Now, in conjunction with
the curing trade of both beef and pork, which is
still open to the Irish farmers by competition
as before, but on abetter footing, the British mar-
kets are thrown unrestrictedly open to their live
stock. The increase of live stock in Ireland in
numbers, weight, and quality, since steam-naviga-
tion opened the English markets, is already un-
precedented in the annals of any other nation ; and
wei-e the cultivation of turnips universally adopted
in that country, and to which there exists no physical
impediment, its whole stock might at all seasons be
sent in the highest condition to this country ; and
thus the profits of the grazier and feeder might be
enjoyed by the breeder himself. British capital
thus finding its way in return cannot fail to
stimulate the exertions of the breeder and reward
the industry of the cultivator. So favourable an
opportunity as this never before presented itself,

to the landlords of Ireland, to improve simulta-
neously the condition of their land and their small
tenants, by giving a proper direction to this capi-
tal, and prompting their tenants to adopt the best
system of husbandry, and participate in the ad-
vantages derived by the larger tenants, in the
proved excellence and certainty of the English
markets .

Scotland has long enjoyed similar advantages.
Like Ireland she is enabled by the perennial pas-
tures of her hills and glens, to rear much more
live stock than her scanty population can consume ;
but, unlike Ireland, in being joined to England by
land, she has enjoyed that advantage from time
immemorial, and since the Union, in perfect
safety. Droves of cattle have thus for a long
period found their way into England, where they
have been fattened on rich pastures, and rendered
fit for the metropolitan market. It is probable,
from the insular situation of the Western Isles,
that the fine cattle reared there have long escaped
contamination from crossings with the coarser
breeds of the mainland, and been held in security
from the marauding excursions of the predatory
bands which used to molest the farmers in the
plains. The surplus stock reared by the small
tenants of these isles were clubbed together in
droves, and purchased by dealers from England,
who met them on the road. These droves were
placed under the guidance of a confidential person
well practised in the sale of cattle, and who on bis
return home, divided the cash amongst the farm-
ers in proportion to the size and value of their
lots, and deducted the necessary expences in the
same proportion. When all parties became better
acquaii'ted, much of the trade was carried by cor-
respondence, but which at length gave rise, it may
be supposed, to disputations regarding the condi-
tion, age, and value of their respective lots. This
kind of traffic was practised before the institution
of trysts. It was a mi.cli more satisfactory ar-
rangement, however, for all parties, to appoint a
day and place of meeting ; and for this purpose
the Sheriff" Muir, to the northward of Stirling, was
first selected for the purpose. The tryst was after-
w'ards shifted to Stirling, and then to Stenhouse
Muir near Falkirk, which to this day forms the
site of the largest tryst in Scotland. Since this
tryst has been instituted others have been esta-
blished on all the drove roads towards Falkirk,
and on their way thither droves may change
hands three or four times. This central point
attracted stock from all quarters, from Caithness
to the north, Aberdeen to the east, and Argyle
to the west. This tryst was the starting point for
England. Here lean and fat stock congregated
for the same destination, all to be fattened on the
rich pastures of southern England. Although
many of the heavy cattle from the eastern parts of
the country were fat, the journey to England ren-
dered them as fit objects for those pastui-es as the
leanest.

But until the introduction of turnip husbandry,
all t\t stock was, of course, grass fed; and if they
were kept on during the ensuing winter, their con-
dition fell off and had again to be made up in the
summer of the ensuing year. Meat markets were
thus only supplied in summer, and people were
then content to eat salt meat all winter. Turnips
at length afforded fat meat fed in winter, all of
which was readily consumed at home, but, by the
extension of their cultivation, a portion of the fat
stock was exported to England. The southern
counties of Scotland first cultivated the turnip,
and, of course, first enjoyed the benefits of

368

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

feeding cattle in winter. The large markets
of Morpeth, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, con-
sumed all that were fattened for many j'ears ;
but when, at length, turnips became exten-
sively cultivated in the northern counties, the
quantity of fat cattle brought into the market
greatly exceeded the demand of the country.
They were driven into England, and being obliged
to be taken to their destination on foot, their con-
dition, as when they were grass fed in former
times, not only was greatly impaired by fatigue,
but what flesh was left upon them was dete-
riorated in quality, and disposed of at a lower
price, or the cattle were kept on at additional
cost until their condition was restored. In cither
case, the driving of fat cattle was attended with
loss to the dealer, and were it not that they were
generally destined for the London market, where
prices are usually above those of the country,
such a trade would never have been prosecuted
and the advantage of the turnip culture been con-
fined to the rearing of lean stock for the English,
and of fat for the limited home market. To shew
more forcibly the deterioration affecting the
driving of fat cattle, we have only to consider the
actual loss and expense incident to driving. The
driving of a fat beast to Barnet or Norvvich causes
it to lose at least si.x stones of beef and one stone
of tallow: and six stones, at 6"s. per stone imperial,
are 36s. ; the expenses of driving 400 to 500 miles
are from 30s. to 40s., say, 35s., together 31. lis. ;
but in order to restore the condition of ox, he will
require a month's feeding on the finest pastures
before there will be a visible improvement in his
condition, and which, at 5s. per week, will en-
hance the expences to 4/. lis. ; whereas the loss
sastained by steam conveyance is only about two
stones.

Now steam-navigation has greatly altered the
nature of the cattle trade in Scotland. All the
superfluous fat cattle are shipped for London.
The fat cattle and sheep which used to spend
weeks on the hot and dusty roads, are now trans-
ported, in the course of a few hours, to the me-
tropolitan market, no longer subjected to priva-
tion of food than what is congenial with the healthy
condition of the animals ; for food is generally
presented on board at pleasure. This trade, first
begun at Leith, has extended itself to Dundee,
Berwick, Montrese, Aberdeen, Inverness, for the
London, and from the Sohvay Frith for the Liver-
pool market. It is already an extensive trade ;
and, were freights but a little more moderate on
the east coast, thousands of lean stock might be sent
by the same mode of conveyance to the pastures of
England. The fat trade is chiefly carried on in
winter and spring, and a little in grass-fed stock in
summer, but were lean stock conveyed in the same
manner, in summer, a large trade in stock might be
carried on all the year. The charges made at present
from the midland counties of Scotland are 40s.
a-head for cattle uf all sizes and conditions, 3s. 6d.
forsheep, and 2s. 6d. for lambs; butfat cattle should
be charged according to their size, and lean cattle
should not be charged in the same proportion
as fat.

It would be very desirable to ascertain the quan-
tity of stock thus sent to the English market, and
to show its progressive increase since its com-
mencement ; but as stock pays no custom-duty,
no records are kept at the custom-house of the
quantity shipped, and the shipping companies are
unwilling to expose the extent of their trade in
this respect. The shore- dues offices can furnish

the number of kinds of stock exported, but no dis-
tinction is there kept of the number of fat from
lean, nor can they furnish the weight of meat
shipped, as the dues are imposed by the barrel
bulk. This table shows the number of cattle,
sheep, horses, and pigs, and barrels bulk of meat,
shipped from Dundee, Aberdeen, Leith, and Inver-
ness, from 31st May, 1836, to 31st May, 1837, as
furnished by the collectors of shore-dues, viz.; —

Cattle. Sheep. Lambs. Horses. Pigs.

From Dundee —

Per smack for

London • ■ • . ^

.. steamships'! , .^. ,^rnrt r^i^,^ <li

]• ' ^1474 2010 o4bO 42

. . do. for Hull 280 302 50 22

46

80

From Leith for

London

Ditto for Hull ..

From Aberdeen.

1800 2392 3510
41) 3194 4059

}'-

252 3196 4059

7443 945

64

67
16

83

50 2162

From Inverness, from.
29th September,
1836, to 31st May,
1837—

Per steam vessels
. . sailing ditto

41
70

80

111 80

Meat—

From Dundee 940 barrels bulk.
. . Leith . . . 8798 do.

. . Aberdeen 1483 do. and 215 carcasses
of mutton, and
300 tons pickled
pork.
Inverness 400 do.

11,621 do. at 25: cwt. per barrel
bulk, are equal
to 29,(.52i cwt.

To show the advantage to the shipper of stock
by steam, even at high freights, compared to driv-
ing them on the road, let us take two lots of cattle,
each sent to London by the diff'ercnt routes, and
ascertain the cost of expenses when arrived at
their destination. Supposing 100 cattle of 50
stones, at 15/. each, divided into two lots, those sent
by the road will stand thus at the end of their jour-
ney : —

50 stones, less 6 stones loss = 44 stones

at 7s. 6d. per stone £16 10 0

Deduct driving expenses £1 1,5 0
,, commission .... 0 4 0
,, hay or grnss in

London 0 2 0

,, driving into mar-
ket 0 1 0

2 2 0

£14 8 0
Showing a loss per head of 0 12 0

£15 0 0

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

369

Those sent by steam will stand thus :~
50 stones, less 2 stones loss = 48 stones

at 7s. 6d. per stone iglS 0 0

Deduct freight £2 0 0

„ commission £0 A 0

„ hay or grass on

board 0 2 0

„ dues and wharfage 0 6 0
,, hay or grass on

shore 0 2 0

,, Driving to mar-
ket 0 1 0

, 2 15 0

£15 5 0
Showing a profit per head of . . 0 5 0

£15 0 0

From this statement, it is clear that, were the
freights more moderate, the profit would induce
the trade to be prosecuted with vigour. But this
statement supposes both lots to be sold at the same
price, whereas that sent by steam would fetch at
least 6d. per stone more than the other, or 1/. 4s.
Were both lots sent to be grazed, that sent by
steam would take on to feed in fourteen days after
the shipment, whereas that driven by land would
take at least a month, thereby showing 10s. a-head
to the advantage of steam. Besides, the natural
juices of the steam-carried lot would be retained,
whilst those of the driven would never recover
their quality. High as the freight of steam is, it
is trifling compared to the deterioration affecting
the beef, tallow, and quality, and the loss of time
and extra food consumed by cattle driven by land.
It should also be borne in mind, that these calcu-
lations have been applied to moderate-sized cattle,
■which are in general good travellers ; but, were
the effect of travelling on heavy cattle of sixty or
seventy stones to be ascertained, the difference
would appear to be still greater in favour of steam
transport ; and there is another circumstance in
favour of steam which should not be overlooked
by dealers, and that is the rapid return of capital
effected by the quick transit of stock by steam.
Owing to the high freight, the profit by steam is
not great, but the trade thus calculated shows a
profit, which cannot be depended on in the trade
by land ; and, were a shipper only to send regu-
larly twenty beasts a-week, he could contrive to
make a livelihood on the profit, small as that may
be. So far from dealers depending on profits by
driving fat cattle to the English markets, they are
driven to the necessity of confining their dealings
to lean cattle, upon which, when keep is plenty
and the markets brisk, they may derive profit ; but
if not, which is too frequently the case, they are
obliged to procure food at exorbitant prices to
keep their beasts alive. On the other hand, half-
fat cattle will find a market in Smithfield if they
have been brought by steam, for they will cut up
clean and bright, whereas, of those which have
been driven 400 or 500 miles on land, however
well, many will be shoulder-shaken, and cut up
so damaged, that two or three joints of both the
fore and hind quarters will be spoiled. Driven
cattle are frequently damaged by slips and pores
when over-reached, which they are frequently
obliged to be. For instance, Darlington market
is held on Monday, from which cattle are fre-
quently sent to Leeds, a distance of sixty miles, in
two days, to stand the market there on Wednes-
day. We have heard it stated by respectable

dealers in Darlington and Leeds, that cattle will
lose from 281b. to 321b. in these two days' journey ;
and that they would rather pay 10s. a-head to
have them conveyed by the railway, than 2s. (id.
to have them driven. It by no means follows,
however, from this instance in favour of carriage
by railway a short distance, that railway convey-
ance for long distances can ever come into compe-
tition with steam-navigation, or even with driv-
ing ; for the charge of 3d. per mile for an ox by
the railway, which is said to be the general charge
exacted, and, indeed, estimated by the room
which they occupy compared M'ith passengers,
they cannot well be charged less, would incur the
expense of 5/. for 400 miles. Railways may be
useful to agriculture in the carriage of perishable
commodities, such as meat, butter, fish, and the
like, but not the ordinary products of the farm.
The same remai'ks in regard to the conveyance by
steam compared to that by driving, will apply as
well to sheep as to cattle. The freight of sheep
compared with their bulk and stowage is exorbi-
tantly high, but still their condition is so superior
when carried, that no dealer will travel them the
long distance if he can avoid it. The butchers in
Liverpool will give 2s. or 3s. a-head more for sheep
that have been borne by steam from Dumfries and
Galloway than for those travelled by land ; and as
this is the case, a temptation is thus strongly
urged upon the shipper for the employment of
steam. But no kind of stock is so deteriorated by
driving as lambs. They sink very fast on the road
after the second day's journey, and lose not less
than 61b. out of 321b. By steam they will not lose
above lib. or 21b., so, as a set-off against high
freight, the saving upon them by steam amounts
to 125 per cent., which, if realized, would be a fair
profit. The price of lamb in the Liverpool market
being as high as in London, a great stimulus has
thereby been given to the rearing of sheep in the
south-western portion of the country, so that sheep
of fine qualify are now sent from Dumfriesshire
and Galloway, both full and half-breds, many of
them equal in breeding, weight, and quality, to
any reared in the Borders. No quarter of the
kingdom has benefited so largely by steam naviga-
tion as Dumfriesshire and Galloway, which, no
doubt, may greatly be attributed to the encourage-
ment given to shippers by the moderate freights
I exacted in that quarter ; for large fat cattle are
only charged 12s. from Port Carlisle, Annan, Wa-
terfoot, Wigton, Kirkcudbright, Garlieston, and
Dumfries, to Liverpool, small and grazing cattle
8s., fat sheep Is. 6d., atul lean sheep and lambs Is.
a-head, which charges are not more than the ex-
pense of driving. It is quite obvious from this and
other circumstances, such as the adoption of twin
decks, that more encouragement is held out by
the owners of steam-vessels to shippers of stock
on the west coast than on the east, where the
principal accommodation is appropriated to pas-
sengers.

So long as we are adverting to the trade by
steam on the west coast, we cannot refrain from
noticing the change that has already been wrought
on the condition of the Western Isles, in having
Glasgow market at all times accessible to them by
means of steam, and of anticipating a still greater
change to their advantage. Instead of depending
so much on Falkirk trysts for the sale of their lean
stock, the farmers in these islands should endea-
vour to supply the Glasgow market with fat cattle,
not for one of the seasons only, but all the year
roimd, CRpccially as the competition from the east

T

370

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

coast in that market has been greatly lessened by
the removal of the heavy cattle by steam to Lon-
don, which used to be sent to Glasgow, as the
statement of exports from Dundee and other ports,
given above, clearly evinces. The pastures of the
Western Isles are excellently adapted for grazing ;
and were the farmers to endeavour to raise tur-
nips, of which much of their land is quite capable,
they might almost have the monopoly of the Glas-
gow market, and enjoy the profit of the feeder as
well as that of the breeder ; and nowhere could
finer quality of meat be produced. This consum-
mation for these farmers could be accomplished
by themselves, by merely stocking their land
lighter in summer, and raising turnips for feeding
stock in winter. Such a system would also be
more profitable for them than the one which is
pursued ; for, instead of only realizing 11. or 8/.
for good three-year olds, 13/. or 14/. might be ob-
tained ; so that the question with them is reduced
to this, Whether there would not be less risk, less
trouble, and more profit, with two cattle worth
28/., than with three worth only 24/. t The same
reasoning applies to sheep. When land is as
heavily stocked as at present, 15s. or 16s. may be
considered a fair price for a three-year old black-
faced wether, whereas, if it was more lightly
stocked, the same wether might realize 25s.; and
if they were fed in winter on turnips, even a
higher price might be realized for them, and fat
lambs could then be sent in spring off the grass to
the Glasgow market. Nor should we overlook the
importance of the small dealers in eggs, butter,
and poultry, who attend the Glasgow market, to
the small tenants in the Western Isles, the minor
products of whose farms now realize fair prices,
and are carried away by steady customers. These
industrious dealers are the chief support of the
small steam-boats which frequent the tiny har-
bours of the Western Isles ; and they go to their
task of collection, and return as soon as they have
disposed of their commodities in Glasgow. So
also has a great impulse been given to the stock
trade of the north of Scotland, since the Edin-
burgh and London markets have been made acces-
sible by steam navigation. It was only the other
year that stock reared in the north were obliged
to be kept in easy travelling condition, to be safely
driven to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Now the faci-
lity of shipment at Inverness, Invergorden, Find-
horn, and Burghhead, for London, has not only
induced the farmers to fatten them for slaughter,
but now to do it with safety to the animals. One
great drawback to steam navigation in this quar-
ter is the want of coals, which must chiefly be
brought either from the Frith of Forth or New-
castle ; but even this formidable impediment, we
are happy to observe, does not prevent the spirited
prosecution of the trade in this quarter of the
country.

A remarkable feature in the stock trade by steam
is its participation by many people who have no
knowledge of stock. Like the free tea-trade to
China, men of every profession have entered into
the trade of importing stock by steam. Merchants,
bakers, grocers, are now exporters of stock ; and,
as they cannot possibly be judges of them any
more than of the quality of tea, they are obliged
to entrust the purchasing and shipping of them to
persons who may be quite ignorant of the London
trade. That many shippers of stock are really ig-
norant of the business which they take in hand is
clearly evinced, both from the unsuitable condi-
tion of the living animals which they send, and,

more particularly, from the condition of the meat
which they consign to the care of salesmen in the
metropolis. The meat thus sent is likely to be
that of animals in a half-fed state, slaughtered in
a filthy manner, cut up in ignorance of the wants
of the London market, and packed so as would in-
jure the finest quality of meat. It is therefore not
surprising, that meat thus handled and shipped
should be stained when it arrives at its destina-
tion \ and when the salesmen, imder the circum-
stances, cannot possibly realize the top prices,
blame is imputed to them for not having suffi-
ciently studied their employers' interest ; and thus
loss, instead of profit, accrues from mismanage-
ment. Now, were the beasts sent alive in even a
half-meated state, they could be sold to be fed,
and thus probably realize a profit ; but when meat
is sent in the manner described, such prices must
be accepted as the market of the day affords ; and
being a perishable commodity, it must be sold at
any price. To prove still farther the ignorance of
some who have entered into this trade, whole
carcasses have been sent salted to London, in
order to prevent the spoiling of the meat in warm
weather ! Such a proceeding had obviously arisen
from the supposition, that roasting pieces salted
would sell in London. The natural consequence
was, that the prime roasting pieces sold for no
more money than the coarse boiling, and, of
course, loss necessarily ensued in the speculation.
Such shippers do not seem to be aware, that, in
London, different cuts of meat fetch very different
prices. They do not seem to know, that roasting
and steak pieces fetch higher prices than boiling ;
that, in short, from one penny to two-pence per
lb. is the usual difference of the price of meat
from the same carcass. In Scotland this dis-
tinction is too little attended to, and hence the
origin of the ignorance we have been deprecating.
It would be essential to the welfare of every ship-
per (if meat and live stock to proceed to London,
and acquire a knowledge of its trade, before he
presumes to supply the wants of the metropolis in
butchers' meat. The trouble and expense thus in-
curred will be far more than compensated by the
success which will afterwards attend his business.
He will soon discover, that to prejiare live stock
or meat for the London market requires a nicety
of hand and care which he had previously no idea
of. Even the best quality of meat, superiorly
slaughtered and packed, he will soon discover,
will run the risk of being stained and bruised on
the shortest voyage in the most favourable wea-
ther. Nay, he will soon observe, that the retail
butcher, who has a regard for the taste of his cus-
tomers, will not send even a prime leg of mutton
for boiling that had been slaughtered out of, and
carried iiito London, in case it should have been
bruised. He will reserve it for roasting — a spe-
cies of cookery which conceals much of the ble-
mishes in meat. Such is the usual delicacy with
which meat is treated in London. Salesmen, it
thus appears, have a difficult part to act when
doing business for persons who are ignorant of
the London trade. It must be confessed, the
temptation is great by the facility into which this
trade may be entered. The ^driving trade, to be
profitable to all, must be carried on in a great
scale, small lots never repaying the cost of travel-
ling. But any man who can command as much
cash as will purchase an ox, half a score of sheep,
or a score of pigs, can become a shipper of stock
or meat, and he himself may take no trouble in
the matter, but entrust the purchasing and ship-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

371

ping to the shipper, and the disposal of it at mar-
ket to the salesman, who remits his account of
sales and cash as soon as the meat is disposed of,
being generally from five to seven days after ship-
ment. He thus receives his money in a few days
for a new speculation.

But there is no difficulty in acquiring a know-
ledge of tlie London stock trade. A single in-
spection of the different markets in which Scotch
meat and stock arc exposed, will give more in-
sight of the trade than the pursuit of it for years
in this country will ever impart. Thus, in going
into Newgate market of a morning, there will be
seen baskets, hampers, boxes, and packages, of all
sizes and descriptions, containing carcasses of mut-
ton, pork, and beef. Some of the carcasses may
be observed to be wrapped in clean cloth and
straw, and taken out of the package clean, bright,
and fresh ; others huddled together without any
covering, in a state almost disgusting to contem-
plate. The former lots are readily disposed of to
the west-end butchers at the top prices; the latter
will hang on hand for hours ; and, if the weather
is such as to taint meat soon, that which is worst
handled will taint the soonest, and will have to be
disposed of during the first day ; and after cutting
and dividing pieces to please customers, who seem
as if they were conferring a favour in purchasing
such meat, the whole is sold at low prices. Other
lots may be wrapped in dirty mats to save expense,
and disposed of at onlj' middling prices, although
the meat may have originally been pretty good.
It is not easy to conceive the difficulty which a
salesman has to encounter in disposing of perhaps
300 of such mismanaged packages in one day; and
any one who has witnessed those difficulties must
aclcnowledge that the salesman does everything in
his power for the interest of his employers. But
great is the difference in the satisfaction which he
feels, between having a good and a bad article to
dispose of; and yet it is too often unreasonably
expected, that mangled meat shall realize as high
prices as that which has been selected with judg-
ment, and managed with care. It must be obvious
however, to the most inconsiderate mind, that the
trouble of disposing of meat in an injured condi-
tion must be increased to the salesman in a ten-
fold degree. This consideration should induce the
salesman to charge for the time consumed in dis-
posing of meat, as well as the quantity disposed
of, in order to encourage the judicious shipper to
persevere in that wise career, which is conducive
to both their interests. We cannot therefore too
earnestly and impressively enforce on all shippers
of stock and meat, whether from this country or
from Ireland, as well for their own profits as the
character of their respective countries, only to
export for the London market well-fed stock of
fine quality, and the choicest pieces of beef, or
carcasses of mutton aud pork, carefully driven be-
fore being slaughtered, cleanly slaughtered, and
packed in cloths, or clean drawn wheat straw, in
baskets made for the purpose. Such conduct will
insure a recompense per stone for live stock, or
per pound for meat, for the additional care ; and
besides, as all the charges of freight, wharfage,
and commission, affect alike in amount the valu-
able and valueless stock, it appears little short of
insanity to tranship inferior quality of stock and
meat to a market in which the greatest difference
is made in price, according to the quality of the
articles sent to it.

As the conducting of this trade in a proper man-
ner is so intimately connected with the prosperity

of those who embark in it, and the character of
the country as a nursery of good stock, we may
be forgiven if we venture to give a few instruc-
tions derived from experience, in the selection of
live stock and meat, and the preparation of both
for exportation by steam to the London market.

1. Selection of Cattle and Beef. — In the se-
lection of cattle to be sent alive, they should inva-
riably possess fine symmetry and small bone,
carrying the greatest weight of beef on the most
valuable points, such as rumps, loins, and crops ;
the back well covered, the buttocks and flanks
well filled up, and the whole carcass exhibiting a
fulness of flesh, excepting the necks and coarser
parts. They should handle hard and firm, when
they will stand the voyage, and handle and look
well in the market. Firm handlers, whether hei-
fers or oxen, always cut well up. A good coat of
hair, too, is of great use in a sea voyage on deck,
and also of enabling cattle to stand the vicissitudes
of weather in the markets, and it enables them
to be turned out in safety, in case they should not
be disposed of in the first market day. Thin
coated cattle always look tender, and are, in fact,
so under any circumstances. Cattle only possess-
ing these requisite properties should be sent to
Smithfield market, and any others will assuredly
incur loss to the shipper. An ox or heifer of these
properties, weighing eighty stones per Smithfield
stone of 81b., will actually realize more money
than a coarse ox or heifer weighing 100 stones.
Heavy cattle, however, do not take readily in
Smithfield, except for a month about Christmas,
unless they are remarkably handsome; nor do
very light cattle under forty stones, for two or
three months in summer, unless they are really
neatly shaped, and thick on the backs and best
points. The most saleable weights are from fifty
stones to fifty-five stones. Of the Scottish breeds
the Galloway and West Highlanders fetch gene-
rally the top price ; fine Angus and Aberdeenshires,
of fine points and thick backs, take well ; and
handsome, well-bred short-horns also take
readily but do not realize so much money as
Galloways or West Highlanders. Fine crosses are
also very saleable.

The meat intended to be sent to the carcass
market in London, should be taken from such
cattle as we have described. It is not large quan-
tities of lean and fat that are wanted there, but
both well mixed. Ox and heifer beef of equal
quality command the same prices. Rumps, loins,
crops, and other fine parts fitted for roasting and
steaks, are more in demand than the boiling
pieces, and realize comparatively higher prices,
and therefore they alone should be sent. Coarse
beef always fetches low prices in London, and
therefore should be purchased (to use a sporting
phrasej at a low figure in the country to return
any profit, for the best buyers look more to qua-
lity than quantity ; and as this quality of beef is
rather cheaper in London than in Scotland ship-
pers should be cautious in sending any such
thither.

2. Selecion of Sheep and Mutton. — Ripe,
compact sheep, of light weights, carrying a large
proportion of lean on the back, loins, and shoulder,
with a full round leg and handsome carcass, are
admirably suited for Smithfield. Such from 141b.
to 201b. per quarter, will take readily, but they
are most valuable from 161b. to 181b. The nearer
the form and quality approach those of South
Downs the more likely are they to command the
top prices, for the Downs have long been unri-

T 2

372

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

vailed favourites in Smithfield. True bred Che-
viots and the black-faced Linton breed approach
nearly to the qualities of the South Downs, and
command as high a price. Half breds from
Leicester rams and Cheviot and black-faced ewes,
which resemble the true breeds in form and qua-
lity, form saleable sheep in London. The old
black-faced breed are too thin in the leg and back,
and are in London termed "goaty." There are by
far too many of this kind sent from Scotland, and
they are generally, besides, only half meated, or
half fat, and of course only fetch middling prices.
They, however, generally please the consumer for
flavour. Pure bred Leicesters are too fat, unless
they are sent young, and do not exceed 201b. per
quarter ; when above that weight they fetch in-
ferior prices. A fine South Downs or Scotch
sheep, of 181b. per quarter, will fetch 7d. per lb.
by the carcass, whereas a heavy Leicester,
Gloucester, Lincoln, or Kent, of 2'llb. a quarter
and upwards, will realize no more than 6d.

The carcasses of mutton to be sent to London,
should, of course, be those of sheep such as are
here recommended to be sent alive. Large quan-
tities of fat are not so desirble as a proportion-
able mixture of fat with the lean. In using the
loins and other parts of very fat mutton for chops,
much of it has to be pared away, and sold for the
price of raw fat, perhaps four-pence a-pound ;
whereas well mixed chops may be sold for seven-
pence or eight-pence a-pound. This shows the na-
ture of the mistake committed in sending fat heavy
mutton to London. The great point is, to select
ripe mutton and sheep ; for the latter will stand
the voyage better than half fat, and will not lose
half the quantity of flesh iu three days as the latter.
No overgrown animals having masses of fat on
one place and not on another, would therefore
command the top price : but those having plump
carcasses, well mixed with fat and lean, firmly and
equally laid on, with fine symmetry and valuable
points, will always command the top price, both at
Smithfield and the carcass markets.

3. Selection of Lambs. — Lambs area favourite
stock to send to London, and they are always sent
alive. Leicester lambs are admirably adapted for
the London market. They are handsome, com-
pact, thick on all the points, and although they
might become too fat when grown to sheep, they
cannot be too fat as lambs. Their flesh is white,
a property much admired in London, and every
joint of them looks well on the table. The lambs
of the cross between the Leicester and the Che-
viot and black-faced ewes are next best for fat and
lean, and cut well into joints, although they have
not the handsome figures of the pure Leicester.
True Cheviot and blackfaced lambs, unless very
fat, do not take so v^ell in Smithfield, not being so
compact, taking longer time to come to maturity,
not cutting up so thick, and presenting small
joints on the table ; but they make very delicate
and high-flavoured chops. No lambs should be
sent to Smithfield until they are at least three
months old, and have obtained the weight of 91b.
or 101b. a quarter, and if they are not fat enough,
and have not attained that weight at that age, they
should be kept on. Shippers may calculate on a
loss of lib. a quarter on the voyage ; unless, there-
fore, lambs are from 91b. to 101b. a quarter, they
would be too small after that loss, and they then
become unsaleable except at low prices. Ewe
lambs are preferred, being more delicate than we-
thers, which are next in value, for ram lambs are
very unsaleable. All wether lambs, therefore, in-

tended for Smithfield, should be castrated, when a
few days old, and their tails cut short, leaving not
more than three inches. The docking gives them
a very compact form, and it causes the flesh to
grow up towards the back, long tails giving a con-
trary tendency.

4. Selection or Pigs and Pork. — Much cau-
tion is requisite on the part of the shipper of pigs
tor London. A very mistaken notion prevails in
Scotland among many shippers, and the notion
has been contracted in ignorance of the nature of
the London market, that pigs must be fat to suit
the English taste. The fact is quite the reverse,
for the larger the pig is fattened the less monc)''
per pound it fetches. Pigs are worth the most
money when their vi^eight ranges from 351b. to
401b., and from this weight up to 601b. or 701b.,
they are termed dairy fed jjorkers. If at the former
weight, they are of good symmetry, fine quality,
delicate and white in the flesh, and not more than
1 inch or \\ inch thick of fat on the back, they
will fetch the top price of the day. Pigs of the
average weight of (iOlb. will give about 7d. per lb. ;
from 701b. to lOOlb., averaging 8olb., and 2 inches
thick of fat, 6d. per lb. ; from lOOlb. to 1501b.,
averaging PiOlb., and about 2^ inches of fat, 5d.
to 5^(1. per lb. ; from 1501b. to 2001b., averaging
about 1701b., and about 3 inches of fat, 4d. to 4Jd.
per lb. ; and all above the last weight and thick-
ness of fat, only about 'A\(i. per lb. Besides the
large sized, a very small fat pig is not relished in
London. Indeed, we need not be surprised at
this preference, when we consider that only the
small lean and fat jporkers are used for roasting,
chops, and pickled pork, and the large fat pigs are
choped down for sausages. No pigs, therefore,
should be sent to London exceeding 1001b., exclu-
sive of head and feet, but which are only mode-
rately fat and of fine quality ; all other qualities
should be cured as flitch bacon and hams. Pigs,
if possible, should be sent alive to London. Occa-
sionally they arrive in pretty good order in car-
cass, but in carcass in thick weather, the flesh
becomes very soft, and the skin dry, and in dry
weather the skin becomes quite hard and brown
coloured. Of equal qualities, the live pig will
draw from a halfpenny to a penny a pound more
than in carcass. Feeders of pigs shovdd be careful
on what they feed their pigs, especially fish. The
retail butchers are such nice judges of pork, that
on buying a carcass at Newgate or Leadenhall
market and cutting a slice, they can detect the
least peculiarity in taste, which, if they do, they
will return it again, and cause the carcass to be
resold for what it will bring, rather than send any
such pork to their customers.

On the proi)er method of transmitting like stock
and meat to London in steam-vessels, much re-
mains to be told, and that much will be best told
in systematic order.

(To be concluded in our next.)

Lusus Natur-t.. — A most extraordinary pig was
farrowed at the farm of Mr. Webb, of Calcot, at the
beginning' of the week. The head of the animal was
partially divided, exhibiting' three distinct snouts and
mouths, the latter being moved by one underjaw ; also
three eyes, one of which was in the centre of the fore-
head. In other respects the formation was as usual,
with the exception of the skull being- incomplete. —
Reading Mercury.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

373

REMOVAL OF A WORM FROM THE
EYE OF AN ARAB HORSE.

By Mr. W. Jeaffreson, Surgeon- Oculist.

[The volumes of The ViiTEniNAniAN contain several
cases of the removal of a worm from the anterior
chamber of the eye of the horse and the ox* — it
has been extracted from that of the human being —
it has been seen in considerable numbers in the
eye of the fisli ; and, strange to say, parasite as
it is, it is preyed upon by other parasites-f-. We,
however, extract this case from The Lancet of the
5th of the last month, because it is recorded by a
human surgeon, to whom we are at all times thank-
ful for any assistance that he will lend us in effect-
ing the improvement of our art — because he
alludes to " that strange and almost unaccountable
symptom," — a matter in dispute among us — " a
very great weakness in the loins," accompanying
the existence of this worm ; and because his mode
of operation somewhat differs from that adopted
by any of our East Indian veterinarians. — Y.]

A high bred Arab race horse, in the possession of
Captain Seton, Town-major of Bombay, when under
training, was observed to become out of condition.
The horse was dull and " off its feed," and had,
what I have invariably observed, the strange and
almost unaccountable symptom, of very great weak-
ness in the loins. The eye affected was slightly
weak and watery, but free from any perceptible in-
flammation. The aqueous and other humours were
in a perfectly natural state. A worm had been dis-
tinctly seen for several days moving about the vs'liole
circumference of the anterior chamber, exactly like
an eel in a basin of water, apparently in the full en-
joyment of its natural element. It was nearly, if
not quite, an inch long, of the diameter of sewing-
silk, and of a beautiful silver whiteness.

Having previously secured the animal by casting
him on a soft bed of straw, in a strong light, several
persons held his head down securely. In the pre-
sence of many sporting gentlemen (one of whom
secured the upper lid with Pellier's silver elevator)
with a common cataract knife I made a free crucial
incision into the cornea, below the pupil. The
aqueous humour all escaping in a sudden gush,
brought in its tide the worm with it, which did not
long survive the change of its situation, continuing
to writhe about as if in the agonies of death.

The eye was now secured, much after the same
manner as after the operation for extraction of the
cataract from the human eye, taking measures to
prevent the animal from rubbing it against the man-
ger. The wound healed without a bad symptom ;
the aqueous humour was soon re-produced; the
sight was not in the least degree injured ; and the
animal rapidly improved in health, and became a
great and deserved favourite on the turf at Calcutta,
where he was afterwards sent, and won many races.

It is well to observe, that ia peifoiming this
operation a strong light is desirable, as it is a satis-
faction to the operator to see if the worm comes
away with the aqueous humour. I have in two
instances performed this operation, when the aqueous
humour spirted into my face, and then fell on the
ground, and the worm could not be found, although
from the favourable issue of the cases I infer that it
must have come away. The worm does not always

* Veterinarian vol. i, p. 75, 77, 114, 194, and
olOi also vii, 196, 201.

t Kirby's Bridgewater Treatise, vol. ii, p. 354.

confine itself to the aqueous humour in the anterior
chamber. I have seen it disappear, apparently,
behind the iris, and return again through the pupil.

One cannot but conceive, that much mischief is
likely to arise from the long continuance of the
worm, even in the anterior chamber. How much
more injurious would it be in the posterior and more
sensitive parts of the organ, and out of the reach of
observation. It is true, that I have no means of
knowing it to be the fact; but, nevertheless, I firmly
believe, judging from probability alone, that many
eyes are lost from the same cause, simply by the
inflammation and ulceration which are likely to be
produced by the presence of an irritating foreign
body of this kind.

Lancet, 1836-7, vol, ii, p. 690.

UTILITY OF RATS.

The rat, a well-known pest, is sometimes eaten as
a matter of necessity by persons wljo endure the
pains of hunger, and would at another time shrink
from such a meal, although by some nations it is
considered not bad fare. In 1741, Admiral Don
Joseph Pizarro, in the ship Asia, was with his crew
reduced to the utmost distress at sea. Such was the
famine that, when one of the sailors died, his brother,
who lay in the same hammock with the corpse, con-
cealed his death in order that he might receive the
dead man's allowance of provisions. During this
period a single rat sold for four dollars. De Lery
tells us that, during his passage home from Brazil to
France, the people on board endured a dreadful fa-
mine. After devouring every thing, even the horn
out of the lanthorns, they thought of catching rats
and mice which ran about in great numbers famish-
ing with hunger. They laid traps for them, pur-
sued them, and watched them like cats. Whoever
caught one valued it more than he would an ox upon
land ; and two, three, and even four crowns a piece
were paid for them. The ship's barber was so fortu-
nate as to catch two at once, and a person on board
offered to clothe him from head to foot at the first
port to which they might arrive if he gave him one
of them. The barber, preferring life to dress, did
not hesitate to refuse the offer. They boiled the
mice without cleaning out the interior. One of the
seamen having caught a fat rat, cutoff the four paws
and threw them on the deck. Another picked them
up, broiled them on the coals, and eat them, at the
same time declaring that he never had found the
wings of a partridge so savoury. Pliny narrates the
instructive fact that when Hannibal laid siege to
Gassilinum, a rat was sold within the town for 200
sesterces ; tlie man who bought it lived, and the man
who sold it died — so much for love of gold. The
repugnance felt by civilized nations, in times of
prosperity, to rats' flesh is a prejudice, to overcome
which a less degree of privation is sufficient than
might be supposed, as appears by the relations of
persons whose experience entitled them to give an
opinion. In some parts of the world no such pre-
judice exists ; and the rat as food is viewed in the
same light as any other quadruped, notwithstanding
the shudder which even its presence excites amongst
Europeans, and the repugnance manifested to it even
by dogs and cats. Nay, the rat is in certain coun-
tries sought after, as well as its diminutive prototype,
the mouse. Hals and mice are amongst the delica-
cies of the natives of Aracan. The people of Asam,
who take nothing amiss, devour rats and mice in
abundance. When the su](ply of fish fails, the in-

374

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

habitants of tbe Andaman islands are glad to have
recourse to tbe same dainties. The Kalmucs, more
remarkable for a good disposition than for nice habits,
do not object to a plump rat. Tbe children of the
celestial empire, wbo consider all nations but their
own to be barbarians, are well pleased with a dish
of rats. The Tonquinese, second to none in the
plainness of their palate, eat this food with great
good will. The people of Sumatra also relish it.
The Bedouins, whose wretched condition makes every
kind of flesh welcome, consider it no bad fare. The
negroes in Jamaica not only eats rats con amove, but
expend on them some delectable cookery, in which
molasses is largely used. The rats are there very
large ; and so numerous, that they sometimes ravage
and destroy one-twelfth of the produce of the sugar
plantations. Roggewein says, that in the island of
Ceylon the tribe Paruas fed on rats and mice; but
refused cow's beef, deeming that creature sacred, as
the Egyptians did. Our polished neighbours, on
the adjoining parts of the Continent, do not look
upon a nicely cooked water-rat with contempt; and
there, as well as in some other countries, it is eaten
as fasting fare ; because it chiefly lives upon frogs
and fish. We learn from Pliny that, by the edicts of
the Roman censors, and principally by one made by
M. Scarious during his consulship, it was provided
no rats, mice, or dormice, should be served up to
tables at great suppers and feats. The Romans must
have been much addicted to this luxury, since the
interposition of the consular authority was necessary
to restrict it. The rats do not fail to retort on man-
kind whenever they get the opportunity, either
feeding on his deceased remains, or stealing on him
during sleep, or taking advantage of his inability to
defend himself. Coroner's inquests, held on bodies
which had remained unwatched.aftbrd continual testi-
mony of the depredations committed on them by rats.
Instances have frequently occurred in which a rat
has nibbled the toes, fingers, or even the nose and
lips, of a sleeping person. The remarkable case of
the unfortunate officer is still recollected, who, having
descended into a vault under the church, to witness
the interment of a friend, and, having wandered
about, was unfortunately locked up, and found
some time after standing against the wall with his
sword drawn, still in the attitude of defending him-
self, although dead, against the assaults of the rats,
by which be had been attacked and much mutilated.
The case of the Archbishop of Mentz will also pro-
bably occur to the reader, who, it is said, having re-
treated from the rats to a certain tower on an island
of the Rhine, was followed thither by them, and at
last devoured. These vermin have ferocity enough
to attempt anything, and do not want for cunning to
carry their designs into effect. A crowd of persons,
some time since, witnessed with great interest the
sagacity of a rat occupied in a singular way inside
the railing of the Green Park. A cat sat amongst
some bushes, in so natural a position, that she might
have been imagined to be alive. The rat, however,
knew the truth, and was busily occupied in tearing
asunder the remains of his deceased enemy, within a
few yards of the crowd ; but the animal knew there
was a railing between. — Donovan s Domestic Economy
— Human Food ; being Vol. 94 of Dr. Lardner's
Cyclopmdia.

Distinction between Ale and Porter. —
This distinction has been ably elucidated by Dr.
Thomson, in his valuable article on Brewing in the
Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica. " Both
ale and beer are in Great Britain obtained by fermen-
tation from the malt of barley ; but they differ from

each other in several particulars. Ale is light-coloured,
brisk, and sweetish ; while beer is dark- coloured,
bitter, and much less brisk. What is called porter in
England is a species of beer, and the term ' porter' at
present signifies what was formerly called strong beer.
The original difference between ale and beer was owing
to the malt from which they were prepared. Ale malt
was dried at a very low heat, and consequently, was of
a pale colour ; while beer or porter-malt, was dried at
a higher temperature, and had thereby acquired a brown
colour. The high-drying had developed a peculiar and
agreeable bitter taste, which was communicated to the
beer along with the dark colour. This bitter taste ren-
dered it more agreeable to the palate, and less injurious
than ale. It was consequently manufactured in greater
quantities, and soon became the common drink of the
lower classes in England. When malt became high
priced, owing to the heavy taxes laid upon it, and the
great increase in the price of barley, which took place
during the war of the French Revolution, the brewers
found out that a greater quantity of wort of a given
strength could be prepared from pale malt than from
broiim malt. The consequence was, that pale malt was
substituted for brown in the brewing of porter and beer.
We do not mean that the vvhole malt employed was pale,
but a considerable portion of it. The wort was, of
course, much paler than before, and it wanted that
agreeable bitter flavour which characterised porter, and
made it so much relished by most palates. The porter
brewers endeavoure 1 to remedy these defects by several
artificial additions. At the same time various substi-
tutes were tried to supply the place of the agreeable
bitter communicated to ptjrter by the use of brown
malt. Quassia, cooulus indicus, and we believe, even
opium, were employed in succession, but none of them
was found to answer the purpose sufficiently. Whether
the use of these substances are still persevered in, we
do not know, but we rather believe that they are not,
at least by the London porter brewers."

PUBLIC SALES OF LAND. Aug. 30.

BY MR. GEORGE ROBINS, AT THE MART.

The sale of the following freehold estates at Shepherd's
Bush, by direction of the Birmingham, Bristol, and
Thames Junction Railway Company, excited very con-
siderable interest in a crowded room.

The Eynham Farm, with the rectorial tithes thereof,
and land-tax redeemed, with buildings and land, in ail
14a. 1r. IP. Mr. Robins stated that this lot and the
following 16 contained brick earth, and had been re-
sently purchased by the Board of Directors from the
Bishop of London, but not being required for the com-
pletion of the railway was ordered to be sold. This first
lot produced 3,100 guineas.

Lot 2, 6a. 35p. — 1,050 guineas.

■ — 3, 5A. 3R. 16p. — 1,000 guineas.

— 4, 5A. IR. 33P. — 900 guineas.

— 5, 5A. 23R. — 950 guineas.

— 6, 4a. 3r. 16p.— 800 guineas.

— 7, 4a. 2r. 19P. — 700 guineas.

— 8, 4A. IR. 23P. — 550 guineas.

— 9, 4a. 20p. — 950 guineas.

— 10, 7a. IR. 22P. — 850 guineas.

— 11, 6a. 2r. Up. — 600 guineas.

— 12, 5A. IR. 36p. — 810 guineas.

— 13, 5A. 3r. 5P. — 720 guineas.

— 14, 6a. 3r. 7p. — 320 guineas.

— 15, 3a. 1r. 25p. — 320 guineas.

— 16, 4A. IIP. — 580 guineas.

— 17, 3A. 2r. 4p. — 540 guineas.

BY MR. BULLOCK,

The freehold Broadgate Farm, Mitcham, Suffolk,
farmhouse, yards and buildinge, gardens, arable, mea-
dow, and pasture lands, in all 60a., let 75Z. a-year, land
tax 4Z. 4s.— Sold for 1,205?.

The freehold Bentley Farm, one mile from Great
Bentley, Essex, containing 53A. of arable, meadow,
and pasture land, let at 60?. — Sold for 1,450?.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

375

ON THE APPLICATION OF CHEMIS-
TRY TO AGRICULTURE.

It matters little to trace the cause, the fact will,
we apprehend, be readily admitted, that the study
of chemistry, with a view to its utility to agricul-
ture, is altogether neglected in this country. Two
or three works have been published upon the sub-
ject, among which Sir Humphrey Davy's " Agri-
cultural Cliemistry" may be said to stand first.
Several Essays have also appeared, some treating
upon one particular branch of the subject, others
urging generally the importance of the science in its
application to agriculture. Some valuable isolated
articles have also, from time to time, appeared in
the agricultural periodicals of the day, in which
the writers have pointed out that whicli we cannot
designate by a less powerful term tlian the
" national" advantage which would result, were
the application of the science of chemistry to agri-
culture thoroughly understood. That talented
chemist, the late Mr. Samuel Parkes, strongly
urged the importance of the subject, both to the
landowner and the cultivator.

" Chemistry," says he, " will teach him (the land-
owner^ how to improve the cultivated parts of his es-
tate, and, by transplanting and transposing the different
soils, he will soon learn some method by which each of
his fields may be rendered more productive.

" The necessity of analysis to the farmer is evident
from a knowledge of the circum«tance, that some kinds
of lime (magnesian limestone) is really injurious, and
would render land, which had been hitherto very pro-
ductive, actually sterile.

" A knowledge of the great principles of chemistry
will teach him when to use lime hot from the kUn and
when slacked — how to promote the putrefactive process
in his composts, and at what period to check it so as
to prevent the fertilizing particles becoming effete
and of little value.

" It will teach him the difference in the properties of
marie, lime, peat, wood ashes, alkaline salt, soap
water, sea water, &c., and, consequently, which to pre-
fer in all varieties of soil."

To this it will perhaps be answered, by some
mere plodding farmer, who adopts a certain rota-
tion of cropjiing because his father before him did
so and found it to answer, and who limes his land
once in seven years because he has been told that
a more frequent repetition of it would be injurious,
without giving himself the trouble to ascertain the
reason, that this is " book learning," and that he
never knew " book farmers'' do any good for them-
selves. Nothing, however, but the most stubborn
prejudice — the most obstinate determination to
shut out the light of knowledge — can prevent such
a man from admitting, wiien the subject is proper-
ly placed before him, that he himself, by his own
acts, acknowledges the principle of the application
of chemistry to agriculture, and demonstrates the
value of a knowledge of that science. He limes
his land once in seven years because it is found
beneficial ; he abstains from using it oftener be-
cause it has been found to be hurtful : but why it
is beneficial, or why it is liurlful, he knows not.
By using lime, which is not in itself a manure, but
in almost all cases acis ciiemically upon tlie soil,
he shows practically liie application of chemistry
to agriculture ; by not repeatmg its use except at
intervals of seven years, he proves the importance

of knowing, that an over-large dose of calcareous
matter will operate too strongly upon the soil and
render it sterile. This is but one among the
many instances which may be adduced to show,
that a knowledge of chemistry is eminently useful
to the agriculturist. Lime is beneficial in
one soil and prejudicial in another. Soot is used
to a large extent on some lands, and with the most
beneficial effect, whilst upon others it is utterly
ineffective. Bone manure, by the application
of which tens of thousands of acres, hereto-
fore not worth cultivation, now produce ample
crops, would be valueless upon some soils.
Valuable as this manure is, on account of its
being the most portable extraneous manure
which can be obtained, it becomes highly
important that the character of those soils,
in which it may be advantageously used should
be well known. Yet we venture to assert there
are many parts of the United Kingdom in which
It would be found invaluable, where the farmers
are utterly ignorant of the effect whicli would be
produced by its use upon their own land. Upon
some soils soapers' waste may be used with great
advantage, while in others no benefit is perceivable.
So also paring and burning the surface soil will, in
some instances, produce heavy crops, without
injury to the staple of the soil, whilst in other
cases it would be highly detrimental. In some
places lime and marie will improve the crop of
peas, whilst the boiling property is thereby wholly
destroyed. These instances are adduced for the pur-
pose of proving by facts known to most practical
farmers, that a knowledge of thescience of chemistry
must be beneficial to the agriculturist. The import-
ant question however is, how are farmers to acquire
this knowledge ? It may be asked, would you
expect that farmers should send their sons to a
chemist, to go through a course of agricultural che-
mistry ? We answer distinctly, no. At present that
would be impossible, we have not masters to in-
struct them. Such has been the indifference ex-
hibited on the subject, that no chemist has found it
worth his while to devote himself to the study
of agricultural chemistry. All chemists pos-
sess, undoubtedly, a certain degree of knowledge
of the subject, but they pursue it no farther
than is requisite for the prosecution of their ordi-
nary business. We would have a Professorship of
Agricultural Chemistry founded at the expense of
the nation. The remuneration should be such as to
induce a man of talent to accept it, and devote
his whole time and attention to the subject. He
should occupy himself in making experiments and
publishing the result of those experiments for the
public benefit, and he should instruct a certain
number of young men, who would tiiereby them-
selves be fitted to undertake the duty of instruc-
tion in some of the larger schools to which the
sons of farmers are usually sent. We entertain
sanguine expectations that the system of education
in this country will ere long undergo a change, we
need not say improvement; in which case, the
plan which we suggest might be carried out with
much greater f.icilily and effect. At all events, if
in addition to the qualifications usually required
in the masters of schools, means were afforded
of enabling young men intended for instructors,

576

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

to superadd a knowledge of Agricultural Chemis-
try, that school which had a master or assistant
possessing such knowledge would speedily acquire
a reputation and obtain a superiority which would
compel others to supply the same instruction in
their own defence. Thus easily might the means
of advancing the science of agriculture be afforded,
and, as we sincerely believe, a new mine of na-
tional wealth opened. So important do we con-
sider this subject to be, that in the event of a re-
fusal on the part of the legislature to sanction the
application of the public money to such a pur-
pose, we contend that, if the means for founding a
Professorship of Agricultural Chemistry were pro-
cured by subscription amongst the large land-
owners of the kingdom, the benefit v;hich they
would hereafter derive in the improvement of
their estates would repay them a hundred fold.

A CASE OF LAMENESS.

■BY MR. TAIT, OF PORTSOY.

(From the Veterinarian.)

'Tis pleasant to see one's name in print :

A case is a case, the' there is nothing in't. — Byron.

Tlie subject of the following- notice, when one year
old, became lame in consequence of a ringbone in
the near fore leg. He was fired and blistered, which
had the desired effect; but although he went sound,
the enlarged joint was still perceptible. When four
years old, he was taken up and broke for the saddle,
and continued to do work for six months ; after
which he again went lame. The owner wishing to
dispose of him, I became the purchaser (not at a
high figure.) I fired him pretty deeply, and ap-
plied a smart blister ; and in the course of a week he
was sent to grass for a month. He came up sound,
and continued so for two months, when he again
became lame. As the firing-irons had told tales,
you might as well think of shooting a horse that had
these marks, as get rid of him at any price in this
part of the country ; for the good folks here would
as soon see " auld Nick himself," as see a horse that
had been " brunt." As I had been at a good deal of
trouble and expense with him, I tried neurotomy,
as a dernier resort. The operation had a wonderful
effect upon him, a^ he became quite sound, and
continued so ; but falling in by chance with Lord
Kintore's fox-hounds, and after being with them for
a couple of hours, I returned homeward. Being so
delighted with my nag, I tried him over a fold dike
nearly three feet high, which he took ; but on land-
ing on the opposite side, down he came, and re-
versed the order of the day. I crawled out from
below him as well as J could ; but poor Highlander
had only three legs to stand upon, the fourth one
bending to the winds. It was requisite to destroy
him ; and on examining the bony encasement which
enveloped the lower pastern joint, it was smashed
into a thousand fragments ; and the lower end of the
pastern bone was also comminuted. The superior
end of the nerve which had been divided was ap-
proaching to the inferior, by some inherent power of
its own, as I counted upwards of twenty rings
(similar to those in the hoof,) as it were, following
each other, in order to accomplish their object —
namely, re-union.

Poor Law Commission Office,
Somerset House.

To the Churchwardens and Overseers, and other Officers
competent to make and levy Rates for the Relief of
the Poor in any parish or place in England and
Wales.

Gentlemen,

1. You will herewith receive a general order of
the Poor Law Commissioners for England and
Wales, issued by them in compliance with the direc-
tions of an Act of Parliament, passed in the session
of the year 1836, intituled " An Act to regulate
parochial assessments."

2. That Act devolves upon the Commissioners
the duty of prescribing the time when its provisions
as to the mode in whicli property is to be assessed to
the poor rates shall come into operation ; and by the
order above adverted to, the Commissioners have
fixed the 29th September next as the period from
which all rates shall be made in conformity with the
Act. You will observe, however, that as the mode
of rating established by the Act is not now unlawful,
and that as all parishes have been at liberty to adopt
it since the 25th March last, such as are prepared to
do so will, probably, find it both convenient and
desirable to bring the Act into operation without
further delay.

3. The Commissioners also prescribe by the same
order, the particulars to be entered on the rate-book,
and the order in which those particulars, and some
others not provided for by the Act, are to be set
forth.

4. The Commissioners consider it important, that
3'ou should pay strict attention to the made in which
the net annual value of the hereditaments subject to
poor rates should be estimated, for the purpose of
giving effect to the provisions of the Act ; and with
this view it is necessary for you to distinguish accu-
rately between gross and net rent.

5. Gross rent may be said to be that paid to a
landlord who himself undertakes to pay all the usual
tenant's rates and taxes with which the hereditaments
or premises rented by the tenant are chargeable,
together with tithe commutation rent charge, the ex-
pense of upholding the buildings in tenantable re-
pair, insurance against loss by fire, and any other
expenses (if any shall exist) necessary to maintain
such hereditaments in a state to command such gross
rent.

6. Net rent is the amount which is received by
or which remains clear in the hands of a landlord
after all such taxes, charges, and expenses, as are
above enumerated, shall have been provided for.

7. In cases where the rateable property is actually
let from year to year at what may be considered a
fair rack rent, according to the improved value of
the premises or hereditaments to be assessed, you
will only have to learn, whether the tenant or the
landlord agrees to pay the usual tenant's rates and
taxes, and the commutation rent charge, the cost of
repairs and of insurance, and other expenses neces-
sary to maintain the property in their present condi-
tion, or any of them ; and to deduct from the rent
actually agreed to be paid the amount of such taxes,
rates, or rent charge, or other expenses, as may in
fact be paid by the landlord. Such as are paid by
the tenant need not be taken into consideration.
Where the tenant pays all of these charges, the actual
rent will, of course, be the net annual value.

8. Thus, suppose the tenant pays a rent of 76/.,
and all the several tenant's rates and taxes, and the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

377

tithe commutation rent charge, and the landlord only
pays for repairs and insurance, you may state the
matter thus : —

£.
Yearly rent, tenant paying such rates and
taxes, and tithe commutation rent charge 76

£.
Deduct, as paid by landlord

Average Annual Repairs 3

Insurance 1

Estimated net annual value

9. In estimating the cost of repairs, it would ap-
pear that their annual average cost on a series of
years should be considered, not the cost of such
repairs as may be particularly needed at the time ;
and you will take care not to admit into your calcu-
lation the cost of repairs or other improvements by
which the hereditaments would be put into a better
state than that at which they will continue to com-
mand the present estimated rent.

10. This is the limit as to the repairs. The
amount of the insurance against loss by fire to be
deducted from the amount of the rent, must be
limited to such only as applies to the rateable pro-
perty, not such as applies to furniture or other pro-
perty, not subject to the rate.

11. The Act provides, that in case any expenses
besides those for repairs ot insurance should be
found necessary to maintain the hereditaments in the
state to command the estimated rent, such expenses
shall also be deducted from the estimated rent. This
provision is made, to meet the possibility that such
expenses, not coming within the desciiptiou of re-
pairs or insurance may be found ; but as such ex-
penses must be extremely rare, the Commissioners
do not think it necessary to attempt to describe them,
but they will hold themselves in readiness to afford
to you, to the extent of their power, every explana-
tion on the subject, when any case shall arise which
you may deem to require it.

12. In assessing the rate on the different descrip-
tions of property, which are by the Act of the 43d
of Elizabeth rendered liable to it, it will be necessary
for you to have reference to the proviso contained
in the first clause of the Parochial Assessments Act,
by which it is provided that " nothing in the Act
contained shall be construed to alter or aflTect the
principles or different relative liabilities (if any)
according to which different kinds of hereditaments
are now by law rateable." The Commissioners do
not deem themselves competent to enter into any
detailed explanation of either the legal or practical
effects of this proviso. Thev must content them-
selves, therefore, with pointing out that its intent
and apparent object may be understood to be to
maintain unaltered by any of the provisions of the
Act, the principles as to assessment which are
already established by law, as to the proportionate
liability of different kinds of hereditaments.

13. The Commissioners take this occasion of
calling your attention to the further provisions of the
Act. The laws did not, before the passing of this
Act, authorise the payment, out of the rates, of any
expenses incurred in surveying or valuing tlie rate-
able property of a parish ; and such payment will
still be unlawful, except where the provisions of
the Act and the regulations of the Commissioners
are complied with. The Act jirovides, that when it
is made to appear to the Commissioners, by repre-
sentation in writing from the board of guardians of
any parish or union, or from the churchwardens and

overseers of any parish which is either included in a
union, or placed under the separate management of
a Board of Guardians, that a just estimate of the net
annual value of rateable property cannot be made for
the purposes of the Act without a new valuation,
the Commissioners are empowered by the 3d section
to order a survey and valuation to be made, of the
messuages, lands, and hereditaments liable to the
poor rates. Should you therefore experience any
considerable difficulty in making the rate of your
parish according to the mode directed in the order,
and should a majority of you be consequently of
opinion that a new valuation is needed, we recom-
mend that you represent this to us in writing, in the
following or some similar form, transmitting it to the
Poor Law Commissioners, through the board of guar-
dians, under whose superintendence the parish is
placed, and who will offer such remarks thereon as
they may see fit : —

To the Poor Law Commissioners.

We (the majority ofj) the churchwardens and
overseers (or other officers), competent to
make and levy the rates for the relief of the
poor of the parish of are of

opinion that a fair and correct estimate of the
rateable property in this parish, for the pur-
poses of the Act 6th and T'th William IV.,
cap. 96, commonly called the Parochial
Assessments Act, cannot be made without
a new valuation.

C Signed)

14. With regard to the cost of such a new valua-
tion, it may be observed that, where a trustworthy
survey already exists and is accessible to the parish
authorities, the exjjense of a valuation will be
trifling : where none such exists at present, the cost
of a document so useful and desirable for many
other purposes as well as indispensable to the levy
ofa just rate, can scarcely be objected to by the
owners and occupiers of rateable property.

15. By section 5, every rate-payer is entitled at
all reasonable times, to take without payment, copies
of, or extracts from the rates ; and every person
having custody of such rates, and not permitting
any rate-payer to take such copies or extracts, is
subjected to a forfeiture of any sum not exceeding
5/., to be recovered in a summary way before any
Justice of the Peace having any jurisdiction in the
parish or place.

16. By sections 6 and 7, the Justices of the Peace
are required to hold a Special Session four times at
least in the year, to hear appeals against the rates of
the parishes in their divisions. At these Special
Sessions the Justices can onlv enquire into the true
value of the property rated, and the fairness of the
amount at which it is rated, in which matter they
have tlie same powers of amending or quashing such
rates as Justices at Quarter Sessions, except that
tliey cannot at these Special Sessions entertain any
question which relates merely to the liability of any
species of property to be rated, which question
must still be left to the General or Quarter Sessions.

Signed by order of the Board,

EDWIN CHADWICK, Secretary.

The Studs — Race Houses in France. — A few
days ago the Minister of Commerce deposited at the
bureau of tlie studs and of public instruction, at the
Prefecture of the Seine, a book containing the
genealogy of the race horses at present existing in
the different studs of France, and destined for the
re-production of the breed. It is entitled " The

378

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE

Stud-book," and has been drawn up by a commission
composed of the Duke Decazes, the Marquises de
Marmier and de Pange, the Counts do Flahaute,
d'Harcourt, Henri Lacase, Cambis, and de Mon-
tendre, and General Tourton. Never was so noble
a commission formed to search out and to establish
the genealogy of the thorough-bred horse. It con-
tains transcripts of the birth and genealogy of 185
stallions of the English breed, and 179 breeding
mares of the same race. There are also 156 stallions
and 25 mares of Eastern blood. When this work
shall have undergone the sanction of a public scrutiny,
it will become the true golden-book of French chi-
valry ; for it is certain that many a horse born in
foreign countries and of base origin, has, through
inadvertence or knavery, been entered on the noble
list of true French blood-horses.

CONSUMPTION OF MALT AND BEER,

AND NUMBER OF BREWERS, VICTUALLERS, AND BEER-
SHOPS IN SHEFFIELD, LINCOLN, AND YORK COL-
LECTIONS.*

We have collected from various official sources
some facts, from wliich interesting- conclusions may
be drawn, relative to the habits of this large district
with which we are connected. By tlie 1st William
IV. c. 64, the Wellington administration opened the
trade in ale and beer to the freest competition.
Prior to the year 1823, only two qualities of ale
could be brewed, but under a subsequent act the
brewers were allowed to brew ale of an intermediate
quality ; but this regulation being clogged with
many restrictions, its practical effect was compara-
tively trifling. In 1830, on the abolition of the beer
duties, and the creation of a new class of dealers
who, on paying two guineas a year ior a license,
could commence their trade without any necessity of
passing through the old formalities of applying to
the magistrates, the effect, as might have been sup-
posed, was something like that which has taken
place amongst other classes of traders on a larger
scale, when a new source of commerce — whether it
be in South America or China — is opened to their
eaterprize. A general rush is made for the advan-
tages which only a limited number can obtain ; but
every one hopes he may be successful, and lience
the competition is for a time so excessive as to be
scarcely profitable to a single individual. A reaction
then ensues ; many withdraw from the trade ; and
those who have been enabled to live through the
first crisis may hope at length to fix themselves in
securit)'. At all events, the thinning process must
go on until those who are left can reap the usual rate
of profit from their capital. The great number of
beer-shops established since 1830 have been regard-
ed with an unfavourable eye by many persons who
believed that their influence on the morals of the la-
bouring classes would be extremely pernicious. We
think, however, that the following table demonstrates
the fallacy of such an alarm, and shews that the
habit of drinking has not been increased in conse-
quence of the existence of facilities which it was
believed would have that effect. Adam Smith Las
observed (' Wealth of Nations,' p. 146, vol. ii.) that
" it is not the multitude of ale-houses that occasions
a general disposition to drunkenness among the
common people ; but that disposition, arising from
other causes, necessarily gives employment to a
multitude of ale-houses." This is undoubtedly true,
and we have the proofs before us.

* The limits of these collections were defined in the
Gazette of A\xg. 11,

In examining the following table, it must be re-
collected that the period whicli it comprises was one
of growing prosperity, and also that the population
has increased from 7 to 10 per cent, and in the town
of Sheffield, which comprises above one-lialf of the
amount of population in the Sheffield collection, the
increase is rather more than 20 per cent. It will be
seen, however, that the quantity of malt used by
brewers, victuallers, and retailers of beer in the
Sheffield collection shows only the natural increase
of "consumption occasioned by a larger and more
prosperous population, the increase for 1836 over
1831 being less tlranl3 per cent, and intlie previous
year (1835), which was the year of largest consump-
tion, the increase being less than 15 per cent. The
beer-shops had decreased from 940 in 1834, to 768
in 1836, proving that the excitement which had
naturally attended the opening of the trade was
passing away, and that it was settling itself upon the
legitimate foundation of a profitable investment for
a small capital, rather than being resorted to as a
speculation. The number of beer-shops existing
during the years 1835-6, lias assumed all the regu-
larity which distinguishes the older trade of the
victuallers — a still fartherproof, after six years expe-
rience, tliat the true circumstances which determine
the prosperity of the new trade are now understood.
In the Lincoln collection this end does not appear
likely to be attained so early, and this may perhaps
be accounted for by the comparative slowness with
which facts become known and appreciated in a
scattered population. Since 1834 there has been a
great addition to the number of traders, but the ac-.
curac}^ of Adam Smith's views are again proved, for
notwithstanding this increase, the quantity of malt
consumed was only If per cent, greater in 1836
than 1831 ; and the consumption of 1836 as com-
pared with 1834, shews a further decline in the
consumption of malt, though the number of victuallers
and retailers of beer in the latter year was 1478,
while in the year of larger consumption there were
only 1210. In the York collection the number of
victuallers and retailers of beer has decreased ; the
number in 1831 being 1798, in 1834 above a hundred
fewer, or 1682, and in 1836 there were 1650. The
quantity of malt consumed in this collection was
285,101 bushels, in 1831 ; in 1834, 291,724; and
in 1836, 272,946 bushels, being less than the quan-
tity consumed five years before. The circumstances
of the victuallers appear to be more firmlv settled
than those of their new competitors in the York col-
lection. The average quantity of barley used by
eacli victualler in 1834, was 230 bushels, and in
1836, 229 bushels, while the quantity brewed by the
retailers had dimimished from 251 bushels each on
an average in 1834, to 151 bushels in 1836. At the
same time the malt used by the wholesale brewers,
is also less by 22,624 bushels, whereas, if the re-
tailers had kept up the same sale which they had
when they brewed 251 bushels each, there would
have been an additional consumption of above
40,0G0 bushels by the wholesale brewers. The
number of beer-shops was 40 less in 1836 than in
183 1, and it may therefore be assumed that progress
is making towards the adjustment which must finally
take place between the demand and supply. The
process has not yet advanced to the same point
which it has reached in the Sheffield collection.
The number of wholesale brewers, has increased
during the five years in the Sheffield and Lincoln
collections, and decreased in the York collection.
In the Lincoln collection, there has been a gradual
increase in the quantity of malt used by wholesale
brewers ; and in the York collection, on the contrary,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

390

a gradual diminution h»s taken place in each year.
The quantity used by the brewers in the
Sheffield collection, was less in 1836 than in
any previous year. The number of victuallers
who brew their own beer, may be considered
as having been nearly stationary in the Shef-
iield collection ; as gradually increasing- in the
Lincoln collection, and having considerably declined
in the York collection. The number of retailers
who brewed their own beer was about 2 out of 7 in
the Sheffield collection in 1834 and in 1836 the pro-
portion had increased to about 3 out of 7. The
total number who brew has been stationary during
the last two years, and their consumption of malt is
maintained with equal steadiness. The iluctuations
have been in those who do not brew, and who, it
may be presumed, not possessing the necessary, con-
veniences for a Louse of public entertainment ought
not to have entered the trade. The number of
retailers who bi-ewed their own beer was exactly 1
in 3 in the Lincoln collection in 1834, and in 1836
the proportion remained nearly the same. In the
York collection the number of retailers who brew
their own beer is small but tlie proportion is in-
creasing ; in 1834 it was 1 in 5, and in 1836 about 1
in 4. Home-brewed is tlie staple beverage of the
public-houses in the Sheffield and Lincoln collec-
tions ; and in the York collections the sale of the
ale brewed at the public breweries exceeds the
quantity brewed by the victuallers and dealers. A
remarkable difference prevails, in this respect, in
various parts of the country, as the following
instances in the Sbeffiehl, Derby, and Rochester
collections will show :

JBretoers.

Use Bush,

Victuallers.

Use Bush.

Sheffield.. 17 ..
Derby... 17 ...
Rochester 75 . .

213,535

51,229

356,604

.. 1885 .
.. 1994 .
.. 1780 .

318,646

641,313

36,369

It appears from the above statement that the
practice in the Eochester and Derby collections
offer an exact contrast to each other, and that the
Sheffield collection is in a medium state between the
two. We now present the table to which we al-
luded at first, with an apology for having intruded
our remarks at such length, and recommending our
numerous readers in the trade to draw their own con-
clusions from the facts which it presents.

Numbers of persons in the Sheffield, Lincoln, and
York collection licensed as brewers, victuallers, and
retailers of beer, stating the number of each class
who brewed their own beer, and the quantity of
malt consumed by them in the years 1831-4-6; and
for the Sheffield collection for the year 1835 in
addition.

SHEFFIELD COLLECTION.

1831.

1834.

1835.

1836.

Wholesale brewers

7

12

13

17

Bushels of malt

used by them . .

131316

157806

176277

123844

Victuallers

1037

1094

1117

1117

Number of the

above who brew-

ed their own

beer

903

886

895

888

Bushels of malt

they used . .

226885

252928

289436

275028

Retailers of beer

(beer-shops) ..

574

940

781

768

Of these, the num-

ber who brewed

their own beer . .

262

264

281

282

Bushels of malt

used

33784

41979 ,

I 42551

43618

LINCOLN COLLECTION,

Wholesale brewers 26 39

Bushels of malt

used 89715 114869

Victuallers 775 853

Number of the

above who brew-
ed their own

beer 597 643

Bushels of malt

used 175661 174691

Retailers of beer 435 492

Of the above there

were who brewed

their own beer 192 164

Bushels of malt

used 27629 34448

YORK COLLECTION.

Wholesale brewers 55 49 —

Bushels of malt
used 179173 170007 —

Victuallers 1324 1116 —

Number of the
above who brew-
ed their own
beer 516 402 —

Bushels of n\alt

used 91897 92506 — ■

Retailers of beer 474 566 —

Number of the
above who brew-
ed their own
beer 12o 116 —

Bushels of malt
used 14031 29211 —

48
123848

663

168999
596

191
35645

52

157383
1124

412

94422
526

13
21149

HOPS.

Average Growth of Hops per Acre in England.
1807 TO 1834,

Cwts. pracre,

28 Years Ag-
gregate Ave-
rage.

Cwts. per

Cwts. pr acre.

acre.

7 Years Ag-

Years.

Yearly ave

■ gregate Ave-

rage.

rage.

1807

^'100

1

1808

12,20

1809

3,10

1810

3,58

5,58

1811

7,62

1812

1,47

1813

6,20_^

1814

6,44"^

1815

5,47

1816

1,95

1817

2,68

5,48

1818

7,65

1819

8,64

1820

5,14J

>

1821

6,3r

1822

8,71

1823

1,17

1824

6,38 )

5,62

1825

97 1

1826

9,94 1

1827

5,30j

1828

6,62"

1829

1,55

1830

3,51

1831

6,91 >

5,31

1832

5,49

1833

5,94

1834

6,89j

J

5i

380

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

CRUEL EXACTIONS OF STRENGTH
AND SPEED,

(From the Veterinarian,)

We trust that there will be, as there was in Eng-
land, sufficient good feeling on the continent to dis-
countenance, and altogether put down, those matches
against time for long distances which were, some
time ago, becoming the disgrace of the former coun-
try. We insert, with much regret, some late cruel
proceedings abroad.

A match was made on the possibility of a horse
being ridden by the same groom from Paris to Rouen,
a distance of thirty-one leagues, in seven hours.

A little groom, thirteen years old, named David,
weighing with his saddle and boots sixty-three
pounds, started at t o'clock in the morning on the
selected horse, from La Place Louis XV. He was
accompanied by another jockey, named Hawes, who
was to change horses every five leagues. He arrived
at Mesnil-Esnard, a league from Rouen, having an
hour and thirteen minutes remaining, and he cal-
culated on accomplishing the task in tliree quarters
of an hour less than the time appointed. '1 he heat
was excessive, and a dreadful storm, wliich then
burst upon them, rendered it almost impossible to
proceed. He urged his horse on, until tlie noble
animal dropped exhausted. There must have been
foolish bets on the accomplishment of the task within
certain shorter periods than the time allowed ; for
the animal, however tired, might have walked the
distance from Mesnil-Esnard to Rouen, one league
only, in an hour and a quarter.

The animal fell — the proprietor endeavoured to
bleed him, but in vain ; and, rather than the horse
should live in torture, he had him immediately de-
stroyed. This conduct of the loser exhibits much
good and honourable feeling ; yet we cannot help
lamenting tliat so noble an animal should thus perish.

The same horse had, in the last winter, gone from
Paris to Chantilly and back, twenty-one leagues, in
four hours and forty minutes. These are cruel ex-
periments.

The second exhibition took place in Germany.
Count Sandor betted aconsiderable sum that he would
drive the same pair of horses from Presboug to
Vienna, thirty-six and a quarter English miles, in
three hours.

The Count was ready at the starting-post on May
11th ; but an accident having happened to one of the
watches, the judge could not give the signal, and
the affair was postponed. The Count being com-
pelled to be at Vienna, set off immediately in the
carriage which had been prepared, drove his horses
halfway, and rode on horseback the remaining half.
On his arrival, notwithstanding that the rain fell in
torrents, and his horses had undergone some fatigue
in the morning, he fixed on the 14th, for the coming
off of the match. It rained the whole of the 12tli
and 13th, and it was the universal ©pinion that,
over such roads, it was impossible to execute the
task, and that the Count would pay tbe monej',
rather than run the risk of killing his horses. He,
however, accepted all the bets that were offered
him, and started. He had not over-rated the speed
or the stoutness of his horses ; for he rantjje distance
in two hours and forty-two minutes, having eighteen
minutes to spare.

The Count drove himself — his carriage was a kind
of char a hane, weighing about 380 pounds. He
drove the first twenty-four miles in one hour and
fifty-five minutes, and the other twelve and a quarter
miles in forty-six minutes twenty-five seconds. His

speed during the last five miles was so great, that
many persons on horseback, who had come to meet
him, were unable to keep pace with him, and were
fairly distanced, although their horses were fresh
compared with his. It was with some difficulty that
he could stop them when he had arrived at his
journey's end ; and they did not appear to be in the
least fatigued, although the road, composed of soft
earth and of great flints, and one of the worst in
Austria, had been rendered still heavier than usual
by tbe incessant rain of two days. Other difficulties
also were to be surmounted. He had no fewer thaa
nine villages to pass, at each of which his passport
was examined ; besides which, the road was very
hilly, and particularly so in the direction from Pres-
bourg to Vienna, and his horses were not more than
fourteen hands and a half. They were Hungarian
horses, bred in the stud of Count Sandor. A noble-
man who accompanied him part of the way, and before
it was certain that he would win, offered him 6,000f.
(250/.) for them.

Count Sandor has since ofl'ered considerable bets
that he would drive the same horses thirty-six and a
quarter English miles in two hours and a half; and
also, tliat in twentv-four hours he would drive the
same horses from Vienna to Pesth, eighteen German
posts, and over the greater part of the intervening
country there being scarcely the trace of a road.
Neither bet has yet been taken ; and we hope, for
the sake of the noble horses and the after-reflections
of the Count, that the latter trial of speed and stout-
ness never will be made. Y.

Horses.— When in conversation the other evening
with a gentleman who had unsuccessfully tried for a
long series of years to effect the cure of wiudsuckers in
one of his horses, by a variety of ingenious contrivances,
he mentioned with much satisfaction, that he had at
last succeeded in his attempt. He said he had employed
hard-wood mangers, without effect ; he next overlaid
them with sheets of iron, still without effect — it was
gnaw, gnaw, gnaw — crunch, crunch, crunch, with the
usual pernicious result. But one day lately, when ex-
amining the premises of Mr. Templeton, carpet manu-
facturer here, he observed a workman renewing the
covering on a wool-carding machine called the drum,
and this gave him a hint that proved successful. This
covering in outward texture, nearly resembles the
rough wiry face of a domestic wool-card, and it occurred
to our frieud that were he to cover the usually gnawed
furniture of his stable with this article, the propensity
of his " Rosinante" to make chips might be cured.
The application was made — tbe horse renewed his old
practice, but great was his surprise to find his lips
came in contact with a whole legion of tormentors
whenever he attempted to get a bite at his manger.
His philosophy was fairly at fauit — and, after tapping
his claret four or five times in succession, to his deep
chagrin, he gave up the practice. This hint may prove
useful to those who possess windsuckers.- — Ayr Ob-

Powers of Poor Law Auditors. — The
Poor Law Commissioners, in reply to an application
from the Billericay Union, have expressed it as their
opinion, that when once the auditor, in the exercise of
his discretion, has allowed an item in the accounts, the
justices have no power, when such accounts are pre-
sented to them at the early audit, to restore the items
so disallowed ; the decision of the auditor in such a
case being final, and the item to which it relates no
longer a matter of account. But the justices are not
precluded iVom disallowing or reducing any illegal or
exorbitant payment, which may liave escaped the notice
of the auditor, and which may still retain their place in
the account at the time of the justices' examination.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

381

WRESSLE CASTLE.

[The following article willl be found interesting
as it shows the great change which has taken
place in the mode of living in England, since the
year 1641.— Ed.]

Wressle Castle was anciently built by Thomas
Percy, Earl of Worcester, and it is probable that
this castle and lordsliip were possessed by Neville,
Lord Montague, (brotlierof the famous Earl of War-
wick), who was created Earl of Nortliumberland by
King Edward IV. 1463. Henry Percy, called
Hotspur, rebelling- ag'ainst the king, this lordship
became forfeited to the crown, and the King gave
it to his son John, Duke of Bedford, but in 1469
Edward restored Henry Percy, fourth Earl of Nor-
thumberland, to the honours and estates of his an-
cestors. In Drake's History of York, p. 307, is a
curious plate, copied from a window of St. Dennis's
church, York, of several of the Percy family, with
this inscription : — "Orate pro bono. Statu Diu
Henrici Percy, et Johannre uxoris suae, ac lilior,
filiaz 93 suor."

From a very curious volume begun in the year
1512, containing the regulation and establishment
of the household of Henry Algernon Percy, fifth
Earl of Northumberland, at his castle, at Wressle,
the following extracts are taken : — From this book
we see the great magnificence of our old nobility,
who, seated in their castles, lived in a state and
splendour very much resembling and scarcely in-
ferior to that of the royal court. Their household
was established upon the same plan, their officers
bore the same titles, and their warrants ran in the
same form and style. As the king had his privy
council and great council of parliament to assist
him in enacting statutes and regulations for tlie
public weal, so the Earl of Northumberland had his
council, composed of his principal officers, by whose
advice and assistance he established his code of
economic laws; as the king had liis lords and grooms,
of the bed chamber, who waited in their respective
turns, so the Earl of Northumberland was attended
by the constables and baliffs of his several castles
who entered into waiting in regular succession. All
the head officers of his household were gentlemen
both by birth and office, such as the comptroller,
clerk of the kitchen, chamberlain, treasurer, &c., the
table where they sat being called the knights'
board. The number of priests who were kept in
this great household were not fewer than eleven, at
the head of whom presided a doctor or bachelor of
divinity as dean of the chapel ; under him were a
complete establishment of singing men, choristers,
&c., for his chapel service, (nearly similar to York
Minster) viz : — the organist, 3 first trebles, 3 second
trebles, 4 tenors, 4 counter-tenors, and 4 basses.
The ordering for keeping weekly of the organs one
after another as the names of them hereafter followeth
weekly.

The master of the children, if he be a player, the
first week.

A counter-tenor that is a player, the second
week.

A tenor that is a player, the third week.

A bass that is a player, the fourth week. And
every man that is a player to keep his course
weekly.

The above being nearly similar to the establislj-
ment of the chapel of Cardinal Wolsey, who natu-
rally too proud to bear a rival in any point of dignity,
grew jealous of these regulations of the Earl of Nor-
thumberland, especially as they seemed to emulate

his own, for upon the death of the Earl, he required
his successor to deliver up the books used in the
chapel of his father ; which request the young Earl
complied with, and was thus enabled to continue the
performance of musical services on the plan already
described,

Wressle Castle continued in all its splendour till
the fatal civil wars broke out in 1641. It was then
garrisoned with soldiers for the parliament. On the
decline of the king's party it appears, that the northern
counties enjoyed some respite, but in 1648 some at-
tempts being mad e or expected from the royalists, fresh
troops were sent into the north, and in May that
year, RIajor General Lambert ordered a detachment
of 60 men to garrrison Wressle Castle, of which
Major Charles Fenwick had continued all along
governor for the parliament with the entire approba-
tion of the Earl of Northumberland. A resolution
was taken for demolishing all the castles in England,
and while the Earl of Northumberland was exerting
all his influence to save this noble seat of his ances-
tors, a committee at York sent a sudden and unex-
pected order to dismantle it, which was executed
with such precipitation, that before the earl could
receive notice of the design the mischief was done.

Though the Earl of Northumberland was very
active for the parliament against King Charles 1st.
of whose children his lordship had the care during
the unfortunate contest ; yet the losses he sustained,
through the destructive proceedings of the Oliverian
partv, weie immense, for by an account taken at
Michaelmas, 1646, it appears that the damage done
to his lordship's estates was so great that his tenants
were not able to pay their rents, amounting at that
time to 42,554/.

The following is a list of the articles, and their
prices and quantities, which the Percy household
book, in 1512, expresses should serve for a year,
for the consumption and use of his numerous
family : —

Wheat, 236§ qrs. at 6s. 8d. the qr.

Malt, 249, at 4s. ditto.

Oats, for the use of his Lordship's horses, 100 qrs

at 2s. the qr.
Fat oxen 109, at 13s. 4d. each.
Lean oxen 24, at 8s. each, to befedinhis Lordship's

pastures.
Sheep 787, fat and lean, at 20d. each, one with

another.
Porks (Pigs) 25 at 2s. each.
Calves 28, at 20d. each.

Lambs 60, of which 10 at 12d. each to serve from
Christmas to Shrovetide, and 50 at lOd. each*
to serve from Easter to Midsummer.
The whole of the household establishment is for
229 persons daily, and the money annually expended
in housekeeping, 1118Z. l7s. 8d., which, according
to the present value of money, would be 8951L Is.
4d., for the editor of the household book hath proved
to demonstration that the value of money then, com-
pared to what it is at present, vras at least in the
proportion of 8 to 1, and perhaps in some respects
it ought to be estimated higher. Eewards to players,
for plays in Christmas, at 2s. each play, 11. 13s. 4d.
Household wages of his Lordship's servants, 173/.
6s. 8d.

On the 19th of February, 1796, a fire broke out in
the castle at Wressle, in consequence of a chimney
being set on fire to clear it of soot, which entirely
consumed the same in a few hours. The fire had
dather blazed oui cf the chimney most part of the
day, and though no endeavours had been made to
extinguish it, yet at night the family thought it was
out, and accordingly gone to bed, but about nine

382

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

o'clock it suddenly broke out with great fury, and
though the engines were sent for from Howden, and
after they arrived every exertion was used to save
the building-, yet the whole, including even the
parish registers fwhich were deposited in the chapel
of the castle) was consumed. See the Gentleman's
Magazine for May, 1796, p. 647.

The inhabitants of Wressle have a tradition that
all the men capable of bearing arms in that parish,
were with the Earl of Northumberland at the battle
of Chevy Chace, where moat of them were slain; but
the well-known song of that name has been embel-
lished with several circumstances relating to the
battle of Otterburn.

Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, called
Hotspur, was slain at the battle of Shrewsbury, in
1403.

IRRIGATION IN SCOTLAND.

FROM " THE PRACTICAL IRRIGATOR," BY G. STEPHENS.

In 1827, I was employed by Hugh Rose, Esq. of
GlastuUick, to introduce the system of irrigation on
his estates in Ross-shire and Sutherlandshire. On
these estates three water meadows are made, and a
fourth levelled and formed into bed-work, and sown
with grass seeds, for the reception of water in the
autumn of 1830. The largest of these meadows is
at Dalmore, containing sixteen acres, the greater
part composed of sand beds which have been formed
by the action of the water, worth only five shillings
per acre in its original state. To keep the surface
of the ground as nearly as possible in its natural
shape, it was necessary to form the beds the same
way as the water left it, so that the whole is a speci-
men of irregular bed and catch-work meadow.

Any quantity of water that is necessary, can be
admitted from Alness river by means of a flood-
sluice which is erected for that purpose. The water,
in time of floods, contains large quantities of peat
and other substances, which, in a few years, will
form a new surface to the sandy soil.

Arabella meadow, belonging to the same pro-
prietor, and containing three acres, was formed by
means of lifting the turf, ploughing and levelling
the surface, and laying the turf down again. The
third meadow, containing three and a half acres,
was, previously to the formation, full of large stones,
and the surface very unlevel ; the reducing of it to
shape was partly by lifting the turf and partly by
the plough. The water used for irrigating it is all
from springs which rise within the distance of a mile
from the meadow ; and, although it does not con-
tain a large quantity of sediment, it seldom freezes,
which is not the least advantage in irrigation.

Although most of these meadows are formed of
the worst soil, yet, by a careful management, they
have every appearance of doing well, forth© Dalmore
meadow already produces two hundred stone of hay
per acre ; and the advantage alone of the extra sup-
ply of manure, from five to six thousand stone of hay
yearly, in a country where dung cannot be obtained
for money, is not the least.

The late Elliot Lockhart, Esq. M.P. of Cleghorn,
Lanarkshire, commenced irrigation some years ago,
by means of cutting a few catch-work feeders across
the ridges of a field that had been laid down to grass
after corn ; but the levelling of the surface had been
so imperfectly executed, that the water had very
little effect.

In 1827, the proprietor v/as at the expense of lift-
ing the turf, and after having levelled the surface by

means of the plough and spade, the turf was laid
down again, and new feeders were cut for the equal
distribution of the water. The effect of this last im-
provement has been astonishing, part of the meadow
having given, in 1828, the amazing crop of five hun-
dred and forty stone of excellent hay per acre at one
cutting, which is the largest crop ever known to
have been taken from any water meadow in Britain.*
The remaider gave four hundred stone per acre at
one cutting.

At Tarbax, in the same county, there aie about
twelve acres of water meadow, belonging to Norman
Lockhart, Esq., partly bed and partly catch-work.
The formation into meadow cost from four to six
pounds per acre, the original value of the land per
acre of yearly rent was from five to fifteen shillings,
and the produce since it was irrigated, one year with
another, is from two hundred to two hundred and
fifty stone of hay per acre, besides the aftergrass,
which is worth as much as keeps the works in repair.

At Cairnmuir, in Peeblesshire, there are two
water meadows belonging to John Lawson, Esq. ;
the one, containing three acres, cost ten pounds in
forming ; and the other, containing one and a half
acre, cost twelve pounds in forming ; the former
produces, one year with another, hay and grass to
the value of thirty pounds, and the latter four hun-
dred stone of hay per acre, besides aftermath, which
is generally cut and given green to cattle.

A meadow of three acres, belonging to John San-
derson, Esq., at Romana Bridge End, not worth ten
shillings per acre in its original state, has given, one
year with another, since being irrigated, a thousand
stone of hay, generally worth from fourpence to six -
pence per stone.

Among the few farmers who have been particular-
ly interested in promoting the system of irrigation,
is James Murray, Esq., at Drochill Castle, Peebles-
shire. Although Mr. Murray is only tenant of
Drochill Castle farm, he has been at a considerable
expense in forming ten acres into regular bed-work
water meadow. f

* It is a singular fact, but not generally known to
agriculturists, that by merely lifting- the turf of an old
pasture field that is overrun with moss, and by means of
ploughing and loosening the sub-soil, and laying down
the same turf again, the whole of the moss will disappear
the first season, without applying either water or manure
to the surface.

f Tliere is a particular account of this water meadow
in the following letter : —

" Drochill Castle, 24th Jan., 1829.

" Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 20th curt. I have
been duly favoured with, and lose no time in replying
to the queries therein contained. I have irrigated, first
and last, about ten Scotch acres of land, but as seven of
these were only done last year, 1 can only speak of what
I know the other three have produced ; these last, as you
know, I watered in the year 1825, The land previous to
that time was a kind of meadow, and regularly cut every
year, (what of it would cut) but it was very unproduc-
tive; the quantity of hay, on an average of years, was, I
believe, under a hundred stone per acre, and that of very
indifferent quality. Since it has been watered, I con-
ceive it has produced, on an average of the last three
years, three hundred tron stone per Scotch acre, and of
excellent quality. Perhaps the quantity in the year 1827
was under this a little, but the previous and subsequent
years rather above it. I could assign no reason for crop
1827 being les* than the other years, unless it arose from
cutting the lattermath the year before ; and if I am right
in my conjecture, I would rather recommend pasturing
than cutting of the second crop. I believe my second
crop was well worth 11. 10s. per acre, fodder that year
being uncommonly scarce, which made it the more valu-
able; at an average of years, however, Icouldnotcalcu-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

383

The land was partly bog and partly arable. The
boggy part was made into water meadow in 1825,
and has produced large crops of liay and aftermath
ever since; but the arable part did not receive the
water till the autumn of 1827, and even at that time
the ground was not properly covered with natural
grasses, for which reason, the hay crop of 1828 was
comparatively small. But, as the supply of water
is abundant and the quality particularly good, even
that part, in a few years, will become as productive
as the former.

At Glenorniiston, the property of William Stuart,
Esq., in the same county, there are three water mea-
dows, two of them containing about two acres each,
watered by a small brook that runs through the farm
yard, whose washings run into the mecdows. The
third meadow is watered from the Tweed, and con-
tains six acres. The former of these meadows gave,
in 1818, upwards of four hundred stone of excellent
hay per acre, but the latter considerably less, on
account of the inferiority of the water and the im-
possiblity of using it, except when at a certain
height in the river.

As the land is all very dry, the hay is of a
superior quality. What makes these meadows par-
ticularly advantageous, is the scarcity of natural hay
and the want of maaure in the whole district.

In 1827, I was employed to introduce irrigation
into Wigtonshire. The largest meadow is at Dal-
reagle, on the river Bladnock, the property of Sir
Alexander Muir JMnckenzie, Baronet, containing
nearly thirty English acres. It is mostly composed
of peat to a considerable depth, and was, until a few
years ago, overflowed by the water of the above
mentioned river at every flood ; to prevent which,
the former tenant threw up an embankment round it,
and made some partial drains, to free the surface of
stagnant water ; but as the embankment was never
made sufficiently high to ward off the great floods,
the improvement was neglected, and, on my arrival
in the spring of 1827, the greater part of the bank
being destroyed, tlie land had become boggy.

The first operation was to repair the bank, which
cost 140Z. ; the next, to make the large conductor
from the river to tlie meadow eight feet wide at
bottom, through very hard ground, a distance of
nearly half a mile, and build a flood sluice nine feet
high, with hewn stone and lime ; which operation,
cost 601.

The making of the feeders and drains, and level-
ling the surface of the ground, was the next opera-
tion, which cost 61, lOs. per acre, cr whole expense,
including the reparation of the bank, 13/. per acre.
The value of the land previously to these improve-
ments, was from 5s. to I5s. per acre per annum. The
hay crop of 1828 was considerable, besides an im-
mense crop of aftermath.

Although the formation of this meadow has been
very expensive, there can be no doubt as to the suc-
cess, if a regular management be carried on.*

late at above 10s. or 12s. As to the expense of my
meadow, I, upon looking into my book, find it stated at
6U. 19s. for the whole ten acres I have watered, which
comes to about 6/. 4s. per acre. As to my opinion of
water meadows in general, it is decidedly favourable ;
and I would recommend it to every person who has it
in his power to make the experiment, and he may rest
assured that he will have no cause to regret it if the
managemetit be not neglected.

I remain your most obedient servant,

James Murray."

To Mr. George Stephens.

* I have made every inquiry to obtain a true state-
ment of the quantity of last year's crop of hay ; but the

Another water meadow was made the same year at
Craighlaw, the property of W. C. Hamilton, Esq.,
and one near Creetown, for Major Campbell, with a
small experimental one at Castlewig, belonging to
Hugh Hawthorn, Esq.

The formation of these meadows not being finished
till late in the season, tlie first crop could not be
expected to be great ; however, there can be no
doubt as to their future success, if properly man-
aged.

I have been favoured with the following short
statement of the success of irrigation in Aberdeen-
shire, by Mr. John Boulton, land surveyor : —

" The extent of land that has been irrigated under
my direction in this county is, viz. for James Fer-
guson, Esq. of Pitfour, ninety English acres, of all
kinds of soils. The land, previous to its being made
into water meadow, was valued at from 7s. to 15s.
per acre of yearly rent j the exp3nse of cutting
feeders and drains, ^cc, was from 2/. to 14L per
acre ; and the increased value by irrigation has been
from 21. 10s. to 41. per acre. Since the introduction
of the system at Pitfour, I have made many other
water meadows, both for tenants and proprietors,
which have succeeded equally with the first
mentioned."*

Captain Aytoun has had the goodness to favour
me with the following interesting account of Miss
Rutherford's water meadows at Glendevon, and with
a letter from the Rev. John Brown, minister of
Glendevon, siiewing the comparative value of
the same kind of land, under a regular rotation of
cropping : —

" Dear Sir, — As yon have requested me to give
you an account of the produce of Miss Rutherford's
water meadows at Glendevon, and an estimate of the
return made by tliem, as well as for the expense of
formation, I shall endeavour to do so as well as I
can. I must say, however, that if you insert this
statement in the new edition of your work, I should
like your readers to understand that I do not pre-
tend to any knowledge of agriculture, and that,
therefore, it is only the fact which I shall state,
relative to the produce and the expense of form-
ing the meadows, which can be entitled to any
weight, and that my conclusions from those facts
may very possibly be erroneous.

" Miss Rutherford has already formed two mea-
dows, one of which is watered by the Devon, and
measures about nine Scotch acres ; the other con-
tains two acres, and is watered by a small brook.
The large meadow was formed, according to your
directions, into beds, forty feet broad, raised about
twelve inches in the crown. As the turf of this
meadow was too tender to be lifted, the ground was

old lease of the farm being out, and the tenant not havW
ing got a new one, the hay was mixed (tor reasons best
known to the tenant) with other hay, by which means
all my inquiry has been frustrated.

This being the first water meadow that has been made
in the county, it lias met with considerable opposition ;
but the proprietor being fully determined to give it a fair
trial, has appointed an experienced person to look after
it through the irrigating season.

* I'hj product of the Aberdeenshire meadows is very
deficient, in comparison with what the water meadows
produce in other parts of Scotland ; which appears to
me to be wholly owing to the water being spread over
too large a surface — an error too often committed, and
which it is very diflScult to dissuade proprietors from
practising.

Througii the course of experience, I have always found
that it is more advantageous to irrigate two acres well,
than three iadiflerently.

384

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ploug'bed several times, and then formed by the spade
and barrow into bed-woi-k.

*' It was sown with grass seeds about the 20th
June 1827, and, after being watered during the
ensuing winter, produced a crop of three hundred
stone an acre of the finest hay, which was lodged in
the barn-yard by the 1st of July 1828. The turf of
the small meadow was lifted, and, after the ground
Lad been ploughed and levelled for catch-work, was
replaced in the usual manner. This meadow also
produced about three hundred stone an acre of very
fine hay ; but as the water was very deficient in the
spring, it was not cut so soon as the other. After
the hay was removed, the meadows were watered for
about a fortnight, with the intermission of a few
days at a time, and the grass sprang up with the
greatest rapidity. On the 21st July, forty-three
sheep and ten cattle were turned into the large
meadow. The sheep were ready for the butcher by
the iStli of August, and most of them were sold for
4s. 6d. more than they were worth (according to the
shepherd's estimate) when they were turned in.
From the 18th August the meadow was watered as
before, till the 1st of September, when thirty-five
sheep were turned it ; but as they could not con-
sume the grass, and I was desirous of preparing in
time for the autumnal floods, twenty more were put
in on the 10th, and twenty-eight more on the 18th
September, in order that the grass might be eaten
quite bare, before the feeders should be cleaned out
for the winter watering. The sheep were removed
on the 1st October ; but the waterman, being at that
time busy with altering the conductor of the small
meadow, watered the large one again, without clean-
ing out the feeders, &c. ; and on the 18th October,
sixty-seven sheep were turned into the meadow, in
order to consume the grass produced by the last
watering as quickly as possible, previous to the win-
ter watering. On the 29th October the sheep were
removed to allow the works to be cleaned, although
the grass was by no means so bare as it ought to be
before the winter watering commences. The supply
of water for the small meadow was very scanty for
the whole summer ; but, notwithstanding this dis-
advantage, it fed forty-three sheep from 2lst July
till 18th August; and, after being again watered,
it kept ten milch cows from I5th September till 20th
October.

"The soil of both those meadows is a very light
sandy loam, about twelve inches thick, and lying
upon a coarse gravel bottom of unknown depth.
Glendevon being situated in the midst of the Ochil
hills, the climate is severe during the winter, and
the spring very late. The meadows are about seven
hundred feet above the level of the sea. In such a
climate, and at such a height, as far as I can judge,
I should say that the ground, well laid down in
grass, will give much more produce than it would
do if ploughed for corn, &c.

" The rent paid in that part of the country for the
best grass parks is 2L an acre, and in the hands of
the proprietor it may be supposed to make a sum of
about SI.

" However this may be, it is universally allowed
by all the farmers in the neighbourhood, that Miss
Rutherford's meadows will be as valuable in pasture,
after the hay is removed, as they wore before they
were watered. If tliis is the case, and I think the
statement a very fair one, it is evident that, after
deducting from the value of the hay the expense of
making it and of the waterman's wages, &c., the
remainder will sliew the return made for the capital
expended on the improvement.

"The formation of the meadows cost exactly

20/. an acre, and the average price of hay abdut
Glendevon being- 6d. a stone, the account will stand
thus ; — £ s. d.

To three hundred stone at 6d. 7 10 0

£. s. d.
Deduct expense of making hay, &c. 0 10 0
repairing works, &c. 1 0 0

1 10 0

Clear produce per acre, £6 0 0

which, being the return for the outlay of 20/., is at
the rate of thirty per cent.; and it ought to be ob-
served, that the calculation proceeds upon the sup-
position that the produce is not to increase as the
ground becomes richer and richer, in consequence
of continued watering. On the other hand, however,
I ought to mention that, although I could not per-
ceive any error in the estimate which I had made of
the profits of irrigation, still however I was so much
astonished at the apparent result, that I was fearful
lest I, like other sanguine projectors, had taken too
favourable a view of the improvement, ss I was sen-
sible tliat if any error existed in my calculation, it
could only proceed from my estimate of the former
value of the ground, before it was formed into
water meadows. I requested my friend Mr. Brown,
the respected minister of Glendevon, to give me his
opinion of the value of his glebe, which is situated
close to the meadows, and the soil of which is of pre-
cisely the same nature. You will perceive by his
letter, which I enclose, that, while he states that the
aftergrass of the meadows is as valuable as the
pasture formerlj' was, still he estimates the value of
his ground, when under a rotation of crops, at 51.
per acre.

" It must, however, be considered, that, as Mr.
Brown consumes the whole produce of his glebe in
his own family, he returns a greater part of the crop
to the ground than any farmer, with a moderate single
farm, could possibly do, because the farmer must dis-
pose of a very considerable portion of his crop. You
will also perceive that Mr. Brown purchases every
year between three hundred and four hundred stone
of hay, the whole of which, afcer being converted
info manure, is applied to the arable part of his glebe,
which contains only four acres ; and that he does
not charge any portion of the expense of this hay
against the ground, which it appears to me he ought
to do, as certainly, if he did not purchase that quan-
tity of hay annually, and apply the manure it pro-
duces to the ground, he would not have such crops
as he has. But, however this may be, Mr. Brown's
estimate of the value of the ground ought to be much
more relied on than mine; and I therefore request
you will attach it to this statement, by which means
your readers will be able to judge for themselves.
If they should think with Mr. Brown, that, in that
high situation and severe climate, a rotation of crops
is more profitable than grazing, they will probably
reduce the estimate which I have made of the result
of irrigation to twenty per cent. ; but if they should
agree with me in thinking that grazing is the most
profitable husbandry in a country like Glendevon,
then I have no doubt that they will also agree with
me in saying, that Miss Rutherford's profit upon
the capital expended in forming her meadows is not
less than thirty per cent. You are well aware of the
peculiar difficulties which had to be overcome in
forming the conductor for the large meadow ; and
it was owing- to those peculiar difficulties that the
expense of forming Miss Rutherford's meadows was
so great.

I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,

M. C. W. Aytoun,"

- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

385

Glendeoon, 2nd Dec, 1828.
" My Dear Sik, — Your queries lead into a wide
field, and require more experience than I have yet
attained to, to answer them all. I shall, therefore,
confine myself to that part which relates to the profit
which the ground lying- on the river side may afford
to the cultivator. The soil is of no great depth, and
rests on a gravel bottom. I have about four acres of
this kind of land included in the glebe, and have
managed them in the following manner : —

" After liming the whole, I took a crop of oats,
then a green crop, after that a crop of barley sown
with grass seeds; this was succeeded by a crop of
ha3s then oats, &c. as before. The produce from this
management, on an average, was nearly as follows : —
Oats, from seven to eight bolls ; potatoes, about
sixty bolls, measured by the Linlithgow barley flrlot,
heaped ; barley, six bolls ; and hay, about two
hundred stone. After deducting the seed, the
produce may be stated as follows : — Oats, six bolls,
at 17s. per boll, 5L2s. ; potatoes, fifty-six bolls, at
as. per boll, 14/. ; barley, five bolls, at 2()s. per boll,
51.; and hay, two hundred stone, at 6d. per stone,
5/. — the hay oftener above than below that price, the
second cutting paying for the seed and making the
hay. The whole free produce may amount to about
"291. Should we allow 71. for the whole annual
labour bestowed on the field, there will remain 22L
I consider the above as nearly the average of each,
and the average prices. Tlie straw goes to make
manure. I followed the above plan of culture for
nearly thirty years ; at this period the red clover
failed, and the rest of the crops decreased in quantity.
I limed again with Rescobie lime, thirty-six bolls of
shells, barley measure, per Scotch acre. This pro-
duced a tolerable crop of clover the first year after
the lime was laid on, but not equal to what the land
produced when first limed. The second time the
clover was sown on the land thus prepared, it ap-
peared very thin and feeble in the stem, and, indeed,
by the time of cutting the hay, it disappeared almost
altogether.

"In this situation, I divided the field into six
parts instead of four ; by this method, after taking
the same crops, I have two years' pasture. With
this treatment, the cultivated crops will be improved,
and no less will be produced by the pasture. I think
four acres will still produce 201. yearly, after paying
expenses of management. I would mention, that
the green crop has the manure produced by one horse
kept constantly in the stable, summer and winter,
and two and sometimes three cows. To support
these, I add annually to the fodder produced from
the four acres, from three to four hundred stone of
bay, which I purchase. The land you have laid
under water is exactly of the same description, and,
under the same management, would produce the
same rasult. The hay produced on your watered
field was equal to mine in quality, and exceeded it in
quantity by one half. The proportion yours bore to
mine was as three to two, and the aftergrowth in
your field was nearly, if not wholly, equal to what it
would have produced when under pasture, before it
was watered. Your shepherd said that the small
field at Whitens produced nearly five times as much
this year as it did in its former state ; this is. I think,
somewhat exaggerated, and it is scarcely a fair repre-
sentation of it. This field was formerly under the
plough, and, after being quite exhausted by tillage,
it was left to produce such grass as was natural to
the soil and climate. From this treatment, little
produce could be expected. Had this little spot

Stewart, he could not inform me how many sheep
the aftergrass would keep, as he had not then got the
measurement of the field.

"The above is, I fear, but a lame and unsatisfactory
ansvrerto your queries, and conveys little informa-
tion on the points referred to beyond what you are
already in possession of. I rather think that some
trial will be necessary before you can ascertain the
extent of the improvement, aiad the benefit arising
from it.

" The advantage, so far as yet appears, gives every
promise that the plan will succeed, and that the
profit arising from it will amply indemnify you for
your present outlay. As far as I can judo;e, I think,
by the method you have adopted, you will have the
crop of hay beyond what the field formerly produced
when under the ordinary system of pasturing; and a
crop of hay in this sequestered glen is of more value
than in the arable district of the country. Here the
portion of arable ground is very limited in extent, and
insufficient to answer the demands of the store-farmer :
whatever tends to supply this deficiency, confers a
very great benefit on the place. Your servant, after
he gets the measurement, will be able to give you
the remaining information to which your letter refers.

" By comparing the produce from the ordinary
method of management with the produce your field
yields under your new method, you will be able to
ascertain exactly the profit resulting from your ex-
periment. I ever am, my dear Sir,

Your's most sincerelj',

John Brown."

Captain Aytoun,

No. 19, Coates Crescent, Edinburgh.

As to the result of these statements, I leave the
reader to judge ; but, at the same time, I think it
necessary to observe, that the making of the con-
ductor to the large water meadow was attended with
great difliculty, the greater part having been obliged
to be cut through rock, which added considerably to
the expense. By Captain AytDun's account, three
hundred stone of hay per acre is stated as the average
crop, which is considerably too little, the water
having been put on the meadow before the ground
was properly swarded, therefore a much larger crop
of hay might be expected when the land is properly
replenished with natural plants ; also the sum for
keeping the works in repair, and superintending the
regulating of the water through the watering season,
is charged greatly too high, which mistake makes
the profits of the water meadows much less than they
otherwise would have been ; whereas, on the other
hand, Mr. Brown's system of cropping is calculated
at the very highest rate.

We are told of the water of the Nile being so
advantageous in agriculture, and of the watering
system used in China and the East Indies for pro-
ducing large crops of rice and Indian corn; but
though we have no Delta to receive our rich streams,
nor Indian corn nor rice, we have sandy soils and
barren grass lands capable of receiving equal benefit
with the lands of those so much boasted of countries,
if the proper means were employed.

To elucidate this, we have only to examine the
eflfects produced by the accidental overflowing of
the Thames, Severn, Tay, Spey, and Clara river in
Sweden,* which will sufficiently prove the above

* The Clara river has its source in Norway, and,
after having run nearly two hundred miles through the
province of Wermland in Sweden, falls into the lake

_ __j _^ Wenern near Carlstad. This river is generally so much

been cultivated with ordinary care, it would have swelled by the melting' of the snow in spring-, that the
produced a very different crop. When I saw C. | water often rises fifteen feet in perpendicular height,

u

386

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

assertion, and shew the value of the system, without
mentioning the astonishing effects produced by the
common sewer water of the city of Edingburgh and
other towns ; but, were I to omit these interesting-
improvements, I should, by no means, do justice to
the subject.

Immediately below the town of Maybole, in Ayr-
shire, a considerable extent of grass land, belonging
to QueDtin Kennedy, Esq., was partially irrigated
with the common sewer water of that town, but,
owing to the water being imperfectly distributed
over the surface, the crops of hay and grass were
very irregular. To obviate this defect, the proprietor
caused the works to be remodelled under my direc-
tion, which, as will be seen from the subjoined letter,
has been completely successful.*

Alexander M'Laurin, Esq. of Broich, was the first
who collected the common sewer water of Crieff for
irrigation. Mr. M'Laurin 's meadow is regularly laid
_into catch-work beds. The soil is very porous,
with a gravel sub-soil : the supply of water is very
little, which makes the management difficult, the
water being obliged to be changed from place to
place very often. For the first two or three years,
the irrigation did not succeed according to expecta-
tion, which made the proprietor think something must
be wrong in tho management. He therefore took the
charge of changing and regulating the water himself,
which completely confirmed his opinion that the fault
lay altogether in the management, for he has had no
reason to complain ever since. The crops of grass
and hay are constantly equal to his most sanguine
expectations, being generally from three hundred
and fifty to four hundred stone of hay, of the best
quality, per acre.

Edinburgh has many advantages over the most of
her sister cities ; the large supply of excellent spring
water is one of the greatest blessings to her numerous
inhabitants, both in respect to household purposes
and keeping the streets clean, as well as irrigating
the extensive meadows situated below the town, by

overflowing' all the low lands for many miles, which are
mostly composed of fine sand. The greater the inun-
dation is, the more fertilizing' substance is left on the
surface of the land, which acts as a manure, and pro-
duces large crops of oats and barley.

* " Lochlands, 3d March, 1832.
" Sir, — It is with great pleasure I report to you the
state of the meadow groundsin this quarter, which under-
went the operations suggested by you. The conversion
of the piece of ground in Bog'ton, occupied by myself,
into water meadow, has completely succeeded, and
realized your best expectations. From apiece of rough
moss land, which previously yielded not more than fifty
stones, it now produces not less than two hundred stones
of hay per acre of good quality ; and will, I am con-
fident, continue to increase both in quality and pro-
ductiveness. The other and adjoining- portion of meadow
has also, by means of the drainage, been g-reatly im-
proved in the quality as well as the quantity of the
grass. Again, as to the piece of ground in the adjacent
farm of Dangerland, which was drained by your direc-
tions, the improvement in the quantity and the quality
of its grass has not been less than on the piece of Bogton
above alluded to. And, finally, the old meadows of
Tannock and Dangerland, in the immediate neighbour-
hood, the produce of which, previous to the drainage
which you directed, was in many parts coarse and
husky, now yield grass of a very improved quality. I
consider that this last improvement is also to be attributed
to the regulated mode of puttmg on and taking off the
water prescribed in your instructions. I am confident
that the whole improvements on these grounds will
amply repay all the expense.

I am, dear Sir, your's truly.

James Kenvedt."

the rich stuff which it carries along in a state of semi-
solution, where the art of man, with the common
sewer water, has made sand hillocks produce riches
far superior to anything of the kind in the kingdom,
or in any other country.

By this water, about two hundred acres of grass
land, for the most part laid into catch-work meadow,
are irrigated ; whereofone hundred and thirty belong
to W.H.Miller, Esq. of Craigintinny, and the re-
mainder to the Earls of Haddington and Moray, and
other proprietors. The meadows belonging to these
noblemen, and part of the Craigintinny meadows, or
what is called the old meadows, containing about
fifty acres, and have been irrigated for nearly a
century. They are by far the most valuable, on
account of the long and continual accumulation of
the rich sediment left by the water ; indeed the
water is so very rich, that the tenants of the meadows
lying nearest the town have found it advisable to
carry the common sewer water through deep ponds,
into which the water deposits part of the s uperfluous
manure before it runs over the ground. Although
the formation of these meadows is irregular, and the
management very imperfect, the effects of the water
are astonishing ; they produce crops of grass not to
be equalled, being cut from four to six times a-year,
and the grass given green to milch cows.

The grass is let every year by public sale, in small
patches of a quarter of an acre and upwards, and
generally brings from 24/. to 301. per acre per annum.
In 1826, part of the Earl of Moray's meadow fetched
571. per acre per annum.

About forty acres of the Craigintinny lands were
formed into catch-work water meadow before the
year 1800, which comprises what is called Fillieside
Bank old meadows, and is generally let at from 20/.
to 30^. per acre per annum. In the spring of 1821,
thirty acres of wasteland, called the Freegate Whins,
and ten acres of poor sandy soil, were levelled -and
formed into irrigated meadow, at an expense of
l.OOOL The pasture of the Freegate ^Vhins was let ,
previouly to this improvement, for 401. per annum, and
the ten acres for 60/. They now bring from 15/. to 20/.
per acre per annum, but may be much improved by
judiciously laying out 200/. more in better levelling
that part next the sea, and carrying a larger supply of
water to it, which might be easily done without
prejudice to the other meadows.

This, perhaps, is one of the most beneficial agri-
cultural improvements ever undertaken ; for th e
whole of the Freegate Whins is composed of nothing
but sand, deposited from time to time by the action
of the waves of the sea. Never was 1,000/. more
happily spent in agriculture ; it not only required a
common sewer to bring about this great change, but
a resolution in the proprietor to launch out his capital
on an experiment upon a soil of such a nature.

Since the making of the Freegate Whins into water
meadows, Mr. Miller has levelled and formed forty
acres more of his arable land into irrigated meadow,
worth, before the formation, 91. per acre per annum.
It will only require a few years before these meadows
will be as productive as the former ; for it is evident
that the longer water is suffered to run over the
surface of grass land, the greater quantity of fertiliz-
ing substance will be collected : therefore, as the
water is so very superior in quality to all other
water, a speedy return for the capital laid out may
be expected.

The expense of keeping these meadows in repair
is from 10s. to I5s. per acre per annum, which is
more than double the expense of keeping water
meadows in repair in general, for the watering of
them is not only through the winter season, but the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

387

water is put on them for one or two days together,
immediately after every cutting of the grass, through
the whole of the season.

One hundred and ten acres of Mr. Miller's
meadows, in 1827, gave a clear profit of 2,300L

Such specimens, one should imagine, will carry
sufficient weight with them to turn the scale against
any ohjection to the practice of irrigation, arising
from a fear of expense, inferiority of soil, or poorness
of water ; which have always been the principal
charges against the system, and, I am sorry to say,
have prevented many proprietors from making the
experiment. But it is sufliciently proven, that land
of the worst quality, with the poorest water, under
good management, in the highest districts of Tweed-
dale, after deducting the expense of keeping in
repair, brings nearly 71. per acre per annum.

In 1828, a water meadow, consisting of nearly
thirty acres, was commenced at Bertha, on the north
side of the river Almond, for the Right Honourable
Lord Lynedoch, and was completed the following
year. The soil is partly alluvial, and partly gravel
and sand, laid into natural ridges by the action of
water. Previous to its being irrigated, the alluvial
part produced tolerable good pasture, but the gravel
and sand ridges were mostly covered with broom.
The inequality of the surface would not permit its
being formed into regular beds of either catch orbed-
work irrigation ; it is, consequently, made into a
continued succession of both. It commands the
whole of the water of the Almond after the manu-
factories and town of Perth are supplied, which, in
droughty seasons, intercepts the whole ; but although
so situated, and the water running through a poor
country, yet it contains a considerable quantity of
enriching substance, whereby the land has already
been improved three times its former value, and
there is every reason to believe the value will still
be increased considerably. Further particulars will
be found in the annexed letter from the factor on the
estate.*

* "Lynedoch, 29th February, 1832.

"Dear Sir, — I had intended to send you a short
account of Lord Lynedoeh's water meadow last week,
but several unforeseen occurrences have prevented me
from doing- so till now.

" The formation of this meadow was completed early
in May 1829, and for the eight preceding years it was
let for pasture at the average rent of 301. lis. 3d. The
total cost of its formation was 320Z. 10s. 7d., and the
average annual expense of managing it for the last three
years has been \7l. 17s. 5d.

"It is unnecessary to say anything of the produce of
this meadow in l829, as those parts where cutting or
forcing- was necessary to bring it into form, were but
imperfectly swarded when the crop was cut, and yielded
nothing ; but, upon the whole, I reckoned the crop
worth double the average rent which the field produced
while let for pasture.

" The crop of 1830 was put up in twenty-one ricks,
nineteen of which were sold by auction on the 21st of
December of that year for 89/. 16s. 6d. One of these
ricks was selected as an average of the whole, and
weighed, and from this I estimated the produce of the
meadow at three thousand nine hundred stones tron,
and the price at which it sold 6d. a stone. We had rather
unfavourable weather for making the hay that year, and
it was not of the best quality. The aftermath was let for
pasture, fiom the 22d August to the 15th October, for
12/., so that the total produce of the meadow in 1830
was 109/.

"In 1831, from a scarcity of water in the spring and
early part of the sunmier, the crop was, as nearly as I
could estimate it, about one-third less than tliat of the
preceding year, or not exceeding two thousand seven,
hundred stones; but the quality of the hay was so much.

During the period last mentioned, a catch-work
meadow was made for the Honourable Lord Core-
house, consisting of a little more than five aciee,
partly by means of lifting the turf, levelling and
pulverizing the soil, and laying down the turf again;
and partly by ploughing and levelling the surface,
and sowing it with natural grasses. The water used
is of good quality, but rather scarce in droughty
seasons. The grass of the meadow is cut twice a
year; the first crop being generally made into bay,
and the second given green to the cattle. The pro-
duce of hay this year was nineteen hundred stones.

Another catch-work meadow was made in 1829
and 1830 at Dalquharran, the property of T. F.
Kennedy, Esq., M.P. Its extent is about eight
acres, of a gravelly sub-soil, and was prepared in
the same manner as the last mentioned, at an expense
from 41. to 9/. per acre. It is formed into four parts,
two on each side of the burn which runs through it ;
the water, after running over the two upper parts,'
is caught and carried over the two lower, and the
whole being so arranged that any portion can be
irrigated separately. No expense has been spared
to make this meadow as complete a specimen as the
nature and situation of the land would admit.

In a letter from the proprietor just received, (Nov.
7, 1833,^ he says, the part first irrigated produces
three hundred, and the second two hundred stones
of hay per acre, worth, in general, 6d. per stone, and
the aftergrass is worth 20s. per acre annually, and
that he has not the least doubt but that within two
years the latter will produce an equal quantity with
the first.

Since the publication of the second edition of this
work, I have been employed in making many other
water meadows in this country, and in taking levels
and making plans for the irrigation of several hun-
dred acres belonging to different noblemen and
gentlemen in Sweden ; but from the numerous cases
already mentioned, I consider it unnecessary to give
any more examples, as from them the reader must be
convinced of the great value of these improvements;
I shall, therefore, conclude this essay with a short
summary of the advantages to be derived from
irrigation.

The crops on water meadows are produced at the
least expense, and with the greatest certainty of an
early return. On water meadows that are rt-ell
managed, the grass is the earliest and of a superior
quality, well adapted for the feeding of ewes and
Iambs ;* and the hay, when properly made, is equal
to the best clover hay, and superior to any other
kind for milch cows. When the herbage of dry

superior, thatin valuel do not consider it above one-fifth
inferior to crop 1830.

" Our own sheep were turned into the meadow after
the crops of 1829 and 1831 were carried, but I kept no
account of their number, nor the time they were upon
it, in either year.

" I do not think the meadow has yet come to its full
bearing ; on the contrary, it may reasonably be expected
to produce considerably more than it has yet done ; but
even if it should continue to yield only at the rate it has
done for the two last years, it must be held to be a profit-
able undertaking.

I am, dear Sir, your's sincerely,

WiLLIAIM GOODSJIAN."

* If the late Sir George Montgomery, Bart., of Mag-
biehill, had not had recourse to his water meadows in the
cold backward spring- of 1826, his numerous flocks
would undoubtedly have starved ; but by putting them
on the water meadows from the middle of April to the
first of May, he not only preserved the most of his lambs
from perishing, but, in the same year, cut nearly three
hundred stone of hay per acre,

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388

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

porous soils is impoverished for the want of moisture,
and the rich spungy land by its remaining too long
stagnant, both of these evils are remedied. Another
great advantage attending irrigation, is the extra
supply of manure it yields to the arable part of a
farm, especially when the lands are lying (which is
often the case) at so great a distance, that it is almost
impossible to procure it for money.

The success of improving land by irrigation, per-
fectly warrants an experiment in the most unfavour-
able situation. The result will invariably triumph
over every prejudice.

I will conclude this interesting subject with the
following extract from Mr. Walter Blith's Survey of
Husbandry Surveyed. London, 1653. 4to. (Page 25.)

"Thou bast also another great advantage hereby
having water drawne over thy land, thou art in such
a capacity that, in case of drought in time of summer,
thou needest not to fear it. Thou mayest now and
then wet over thy land in the heat thereof, where
grasse, if it have but moysture, will grow far faster
in so hot a time than any ; but be sure not to soake
thy ground too much ; keepe thy land rather in a
thirsting condition, not glutted ready to spew it up
again, so mayest thou preserve thy land greene and
fruitful], when others are scorched all away, then
may a weeke's grasse or a load of hay possibly be
worth three or four.

" I myselfe, by these opportunities, have cut
twenty-four load in a meadow, where I cut but five
or six the year before, when hay sold at a great
value. The directions exactly followed, I will lose
my credit if thou faile of the effect promised."

Quick Work. — Last Saturday week Baihe
Clarkson, of Selkirk, sat down to dinnner in a pair of
inexpressibles, made of wool, which that same morning-
was growing- on the back of a sheep. In the brief
space of eleven liours and a half the fleece was shorn
from the animal, scoured, dyed, carded, spun, woven,
and made into a pair of breeches for a bailie ! Part of
the same cloth was sent off the same day to make
another pair of unmentionables for Bailie Gilmour, of
Glasg-ow, one of the partners of Messrs. Brown and
Co., whose handsome new mill on the Ettrick, at Sel-
kirk, opened with a share in the performance of the
above rapid feat in manufacturing industry.

Mr. Stewart Menteath, of Closeburn, has been in the
practice of steeping in lime water all the Scotch fir he
has used in building the numerous farm houses and cot-
tag-es he has ei ected upon his estate of Closeburn, du-
ring the last forty years. JMany of the roofs of houses
that were built upon the estate before that time have
been renevved. Scotch firj is known to last in the roof
of houses little more than thirty years before it is de-
stroyed by worms, which hve upon the saccharine mat-
ter in the sapwood of Scotch fir as well as other kinds of
wood. Mr, Menteath lately examined a roof made
of Scotch fir not more than 28 years growth, which he
had erected now more than forty years since ; the wood is
perfectly free of worms, and is as sound as the day
it was fisst made use of. 1 he method adopted at Close-
burn is first to cut the wood for the purposes required
and to allow it to be soaked in a solution of lime water
for ten days or a fortnight, before it is employed in roof-
ing-, joisting-, &c. The lime water is made of caustic
lime or fresh slacked lime, and is supposed to extract or
absorb the saccharine matter in the white wood, and
also to destroy the eggs in the wood that afterwards be-
come worms and destroy the wood. The house ex-
amined is that of the Clerk at Closeburn limeworks, and
may be seen by any person who has the curiosity to ex-
amine it. — Dumfries Times.

BAROMETRICAL RULES FOR PRE-
DICTING CHANGES OF WEATHER.

1. — The Rising of the Merctiry presages, in general,
fair weather ; and its Falling, foul weather, as rain, snow,
high winds and sterms.

2. — In very hot weather, especially if the wind be
south, the Falling ol the Mercury fortells Thunder.

3. — In winter the Rising presages frost ; and in frosty
weather, if it falls three or four division, there will fol-
low a thaw ; but if it Rises in a coiitined frost, snow may
be expected.

4. — When foul weather happens soon after the Falling
of the Mercury, expect hut little of it; and infer the
same, if /air weatiier succeeds shortly after the Rise.

5. — When the Mercury continues to Rise for twa or
three days before the foul weather is over, to expect a
continuance of fair weather to follow.

6. — In fair weather, when the Rlercury Falls much
and low, and continues se, for two or three days, before
the rain comes, then expect much luet ; and probably
high winds.

7. — The Mercury generally Rises very fast after great
storms of winds, when before it was very low. Dr.
Halley mentions that he once observed it to rise an inch
and a half in six hours, after a Jong continued storm of
south-west wind.

8.— The unsettled motion of the Mercury indicates un-
certain or changeable weather.

The Words on the plate of a Barometer are not strictly
to be adhered to, though they will in general agree ; for,
the height of the Mercury does not so much indicate the
weather, as its motion up and down ; to know, there-
fore, whether the Mercury is actually Rising or Falling,
observe,—

1st. — If the surface of the Mercury is convex, (or stands
high in the middle) it is then Risi7ig,

2nd. — If the surface is concave, (standing low in the
middle) it is then Falling.

3d. — If the surface is plain, or a little convex, it may
be considered as stationary.

4th. — A small shahe of the tube, will sometimes bring
the Mercury to its approaching height.

The foregoing rules are chiefly to be depended on ; but
the following are not unworthy of regard, —

1st. — The greatest heights of the INIercury are on
easterly and north easterly winds ; and its loivest station
on soutlierly or westerly winds.

2nd. — A continuance of fair weather, the wind being
in the north, and the Mercury high or risiirg, is never
succeeded by raiii, till the wind changes southerly.

3d. — A continuance of rain from the south,\s scarcely
ever succeeded by settled /air weather, before the wind
changes either to the west, or to some point of the north.

4th. — If the Mercury falls, when the wind is full
south, it scarcely ever fails to be a sign of raiH.

5th. — If the weather is going- to be cold, frosty, or
foggy, it rises pretty high ; but if going to be windy or
tempestuous, it will then sink very low ; and as soon as
the first storm is over, it will rise again apace.

The Barometer never fails to shew tlie true cause of
the alterations of the weather ; and we are thereby pre-
pared to expect them ; but, it may sometimes happen
the column of Mercury will not alter its altitude agree-
ably to the foregoing rules ; for, when the atmosphere
is charged with more aqueous matter than it can well
dissolve, or hold m a state of suspension, the surplus
will form clouds ; and those will produce showers of
7-ain when the Mercury stands very high ; and for the
contrary reason, there may be, sometimes, no rain when
the Mercury is very low. Hence it follows, that we are
generally satisfied by the barometer, as to the weather
we may at all times expect ; though, sometimes, the con-
trary may happen. A general monitor, therefore, (to
any wise man) is better than none at all.

C. MACKENZIE.

Kl«l"j.' '''■'"f* flf^p^pllj

63

m

'■n:t'MMi!i\) .iiw»m'it Si WW

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

389

PHOSPHORUS,

WINNER OF THE DERBY, 1837.

(The subjoined description of Phosphorus
should have appeared with the Plate in
the Magazine for September.)

The winner of so important a stake as "the
Derby" must on all occasions necessarily form
an object of considerable attraction in a Sporting
Magazine, as no race in this country can boast of
half the interest which it uniformly excites, not
only in the minds of betting men generally but
with the public at large. This, as many of our
readers are well aware, is produced by two causes,
the first being the great value of the stalies, which
are heavier in amount than in any other race, — and
the second, the immense number of competitors
which are entered for them. We have upon
many occasions heard of the "uncertainty of the
law," which is sometimes called " glorious," but
how much more so must be the " glorious uncer-
tainty " of winning a stake like the Derby ? at
least if we are to be governed by the last, Phos-
phorus being a lame outsider, and standing with
40 to 1 against him, which was eagerly sought
after by those most intimately connected with
the stable, who by the bye are considerable losers
by his winning. Thus stood the winner of the
Derby for 1837, who was bred by Lord Berners,
of Didlington, near Brandon, Suffolk, a genuine
patron of the turf, who possesses some excellent
stock ; (Sir Mark Wood's Camarine, the best mare
of her day was bred by him.) Phosphorus was
got by Lamplighter, out of a Rubins' mare, which
was bred by his Lordship, (then Colonel Wilson,*)
in 1819 ; her dam Tippitywitchet, by Waxy, out
of Hare by Sweetbriar; her dam by Justice, Ches-
nut, South, sister to Sir James Lowther's Babra-
ham. Phosphorus, on the dam side, is half bro-
ther to Recovery and Camarine, and own brother
to Mayday, who broke her leg in running for the
Oaks in 1834.

Looking at the winner of the Derby for 1836,
the most superficial individual must be surprised
at the contrast with 18o7. Bay Middleton, being
possessed of every point to I'ecommend him, while

* The name of Wilson commands great respect
on the turf, there being no less than three equally
conspicuous and equally honourable sportsmen thus
yclept. Mr. Christopher Wilson, now the father of
the turf, and perpetual steward of Newmarkec, re-
sides at Beilby Grange near W^etherby, in York-
shire, where he has a small but very fashionably
bred stud, and was the owner of Chateau Margaux,
now in America, and Comus. He is the only man
who claims the honour of winning the Derby and
St. Leger stakes the same vear, with the same horse,
which he did with Champion, by Pot-8 os, ridden
in each race by Francis Buckle. The turi is highly
indebted to this gentleman, not only for his paternal
care of its general interests and welfare, but for hav-
ing, by his amiable and conciliatory manners and
conduct, united the sportsmen of the north and south,
and divested their matches and engagements of some
disagreeable features which had previously been too
prominent. iNIr. Richard Wilson, now no more, re-
sided at Bildeston, in Suffolk, -was one of the largest
breeders of racing stock, of which he had an annual
sale ; and Lord Berners, late Colonel W'ilson, of
Didlington, near Brandon, Suffolk, above men-
tioned.

Phosphorus paced the course destitute of friends
or admirers, being a striking illustration for those
who support the principle that —

"Nature when unadorned is adorned the most :"

in short, there was nothing in his form to recom-
mend him, except his chest. We followed him to
the stable after the race, and remarked that he
possessed rather a small head, with some slight affi-
nity to the ewe in his neck ; his shoulders were to-
lerably good, but his legs were sadly too light to
please us, or warrant any one in backing him for
the Derby. The form of his chest is superior to
any other point which he developed, which in the
racer must ever be considered of the greatest im-
portance, as it contains the heart and lungs, on
the size and soundness of which the health and
strength principally depend. Speed and wind be-
ing most intimately connected with the size cf the
lungs. Phosphorus must ever be consideied as se-
curing success by the superior developement of
these organs ; he is a tolerably good ribbed horse,
with drooping quarters ; thighs posseessing a
slight inclination to flatness, with but little appa-
rent strength in the hock ; his condition, how-
ever, was such as to reflect the greatest credit upon
Mr. John Doe, his trainer, while Edwards, his
jockey, must be considered entitled to something
for winning with a " a lame un."

Phosphorus made his first appearance, with
John Day upon his back, at the Newmarket first
Spring Meeting, when he started for the Newmar-
ket Stakes, and was beaten by a length by Rat-
trap. At the Second Spring Meeting he was more
successful, winning the Rowley Mile Plate with
ease, beating Lord Orford's b. c. by Mulatto, out of
Medina, Duke of Rutland's b. c. by Catton, out of
Slight, General Grosvenor's b. c. by Sarpedon, out
of Pastorella, by Little John, Lord Suffield's b. c.
Anvil, Mr. Bircham's ch. t. by Polygar, darn by
Skim, out of Pentagon, Lord Stradbroke's ch. f.
Doris by the Colonel, out of Arethissa, Lord Ta-
vistock's b. c. by Camel, out of 31iss Breese ; Ge-
neral Yates's b. c. Grand Cairo ; ]Mr. Page's b. c. by
Muley, out of Young Sweetpea ; and Mr. Newton's

b. f. Fanchon, by two lengths ;. and last, though
not least, "The Derby" by a neck, beating Lord
Suffield's br. c. Caravan, by Camel ; Duke of Rut-
land's br, c. Rat-trap, Lord Exeter's br. c. Hybis-
cus, Mr. Greville's br. c. Mango, Mr. Bowe's ch.

c. Mickle Fell, Mr. Wreford's b. c. Wisdom, Capt.
Gardner's b. c. Benedict, Mr. Osbaldeston's b. c
Mahometan, Mr. Wreford's br. c. Wintonian, Mr.
Osbaldeston's gr. c. Pocket Hercules, Lord Ches-
terfield's c. Critic, Mr. Theobald's ch. c. Sir Fre-
derick, Lord Exeter's b. c. Dardanelles, Mr. Cooke's
Norgrove, Lord Exeter's b.c.Troilus, Mr. Osbaldes-
ton's br. c. Mic Mac, and Mr. Jackson's br. c. Pe-
gasus,— thus proving himself a superior horse,
without having an " outward and visible sign " to
recommend him.

The stakes amount to something like 3,450^.,
after the usual deductions have been made, out of
which, we have been informed, his Lordship has
presented Edwards with a very handsome dou-
ceur.

HoKSEs' Bits. — The bit which is at present in ge-
neral use consists of two iron levers of nearly a foot
long, with a distorted iron arch for a mouth-piece, and
an iron chain uuder the chin for a fulcrum, to give
more effect against the bars. There are several varie-
ties, but the leading principle of all is, an unyielding
pressure exerted on the mouth, the result of which is
that it becomes hardened, its sensation is diminished

390

THfi FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

and deterioi-ated, and consequently to obtain a tender
mouth lacerations and scarifyings are had recourse to,
so that the animal is cruelly tortured, and its mouth
filled with scars and lumps. All this might be avoided
by using a proper bit. The ancients were wiser, as
may be ascertained by reference to the works of Xeno-
phon and others, and also by the examination of bits
found at Herculanoeum, which possess great flexibility,
and cannot exert painful pressure. The chain-bit, con-
sisting of rhree or five links, made flat, thick, and
smooth, which was introduced by Mr. Bracy Clarke,
will obviate these injurious consequences. It should
be used always for breaking in young colts, and, if em-
ployed, will prevent that wildness and untamed fury
which the horse will sometimes exhibit when suffering
from the use of an improperly constructed snaflle, and
which is the cause of a large number of the fatal acci-
dents of daily occurrence.

THE AGRICULTURAL MEETING AND
SALE OF SHEEP AT RAMBOUILLET.

The agricultural meeting was held on the 21st of
May. Prizes were distributed to the best plougli-
man and to the inventors of the best plouglis, and
also to the inventor of a roller, with a harrow attached,
and a brush to keep it free. 'Ihe cattle were few in
number, but very superior. A golden medal was
presented to M. Peschard d'Ablis for a superb bull
of the Norman race. We confess that we viewed
with pleasure and surprise the fineness of the wool,
and the beauty of the form ot some sheep, belonging
to M. Boiseau de VVallerand ; but these, together
with some belonging toM. Peschard d'Ablis, having
obtained prizes at the last meeting of the society,
could not now compete. The gold medal was awarded
to M. Lamey, jun. The first prize for a farmer's
horse was given to M. Durand, of Poigny, for his
Rohan grey horse, four years old ; and an iron grey
horse, two years old, got by a stallion belonging to
M. Dailly, obtained a gold medal. The first prize
lor a diligence horse was awarded to Madame de
Cibois, of Clairfontaine.

A prize was given to M. Gamier, of Plenet, for
the skilful manner in which he had recovered some
waste land ; and honourable mention was made of
MM. Leroi, d'Ablis, and Isambert of Mery, for their
scientific mode of conducting their farms.

On the 16th of June a sale of sheep and wool
belonging to the king's flock of merinos took place at
Rambouillet. The wool was not sold, for no greater
price than 2f. 50c. per kilogramme* was offered for
the ewes' wool, and 2f. 80c. for lambs' wool ; never-
theless, wools far inferior have lately been sold at a
superior price at other markets.

Fifty rams were then sold in separate lots. No.
40, that of the highest price, 2,687f. 50c. (111/. 19s.
7d.) including the expences of the sale, was bought
by M. Sympbal, of the department de I'Aisne ; No.
30 was sold for 2,l50f. (89/. lis. 8d.) : No. 9, for
l,827f. 50c. (761. 2s. lid.) ; and No. 44, for l,290f.
(58/. 15s.) The lowest price was 274f. (11/. 9s.),
and the average price 594f. 36c. (24/. I5s. 4d.) A
dozen ew^es were sold at 75f. 25c. (3/. 2s. 6d.) each,
and 58 others in one lot at 3,117f. 50c. (129/. 17s. 5d.)

Thirty rams and sixty ewes of the Romney marsh
and the Dishley breed have been lately purchased
in England, imported into the department of Pas de
Calais, and distributed among the farmers. These
will much ameliorate the native breed, and increase
the quantity of superior long wool, the use of which
IS every day becoming more extensive in France.
Government should not be inattentive to this.

* The French kilogramme is equivalent to 21b.
3oz, 5dr. of English weight.

REPORT ON FATTENING CATTLE
WITH DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF
FOOD.

IN COJIl'ETITION FOR A PREMIUM OFFERED BY THE
UNITED EAST LOTHIAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ON
THAT SUBJECT.

Agreeably to the condition appended to the
above-mentioned premium, the committee of ma-
nagement, immediately after I had intimated my in-
tention of competing, appointed an efficient sub-
committee to assist me in dividing a lot of twenty
Aberdeenshire polled cattle, into four lots of five
each, and also to superintend and report upon the
manner in which the experiments were conducted.

The cattle were bought at Falkirk, on the 12th of
October, and on the 24th were lotted, and put into
separate yards, each of which had ample space, and
shelter from the weather, by covered sheds, for the
several lots which were distributed among them ;
and conceiving that the object which the agricultural
society had in view in offering this premium, was
to find out a substitute for turnips, each lot of cattla
had a mixture of food allowed them, with the ex-
ception of lot No. 1, which was altogether fed upon
turnips and straw, and may on that account be de-
signated the trial lot ; No. 2 had half the quantity
or weight of turnips which was allowed to No. 1,
with 30 lb. of linseed oil cakes, as a substitute for
the remainder of the turnips ; lot No. 3 had the same
weight of turnips which was given to No. 2, and
had ground corn in the place of the oil cakes ; the
fourth lot got oft'al from a grain whisky distilleiy,
and a portion of ground beans, which was mixed
into their draff every morning. By following out
this arrangement, we have ascertained the quantity
of turnips saved, — the value of the turnips in feed-
ing by themselves, contrasted with the other sub-
stances,— and their value as an auxiliary feeding
when used with those richer substances, which,
without some coarser food, will neither be an econo-
mical nor a beneficial food for cattle. All the lots
had fresh straw given to them daily, which was not
weighed, and below is a state of the food consumed,
and the expense incurred in the fattening of each lot.

LOT NO. 1, FED ON TURNIPS.

1836.

Oct. 12, To price of five cattle £55 0 0

24, — 10 days keep of ditto on turnips

and straw, at 8d 0 6 8

Jan. 1, — 34 tons white globe turnips, at
8s. 4d. per ton, since 24th October
till this date, being 10 cwt per day, 14 3 4

April 7, — 38 tons, 16 cwt. ruta baga, at 12s.
6d. per ton, since 1st January till this
date, being 8 cwt. per day 24 5 0

93 15 0

At tliis date the Judges appointed by the Com-
mittee of Management, inspected the cattle,
and reported their value to be 82/.

June 7, — 21 tons, 9 cwt. ruta baga since

7th April till this date, at 12s. 6d. . . 13 8 2

£107 3 2
The average expense of the keep of this lot, is about 6s.
2d. per week each beast.

LOT NO. 2, FED ON TURNIPS AND OIL CAKES.

Oct. 12, To price of five cattle £55 0 0

24, — 10 days keep on turnips and

straw, at 8d 0 6 8

Jan. 1, — 17 tons white globe turnips, at

8s. 4d 7 1 8

April 7, — 19 tons 8 cwt.ruta baga, at 12s. 6d. 12 2 6

— 1 ton 18 cwt. foreign linseed oil

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

391

cakes, at 11. 15s. per ton, since 16th
Nov.tilhhis date, being- 301b per clay 14 14 6

£89 5 4
Estimated Value at this date, 88/. 10s.
June 7, — 10 tons 14§ cwt. ruta baga, at

12s.6d 6 14 1

— 16 cwt. 38 lb. linseed cakes, at 8/. 6 10 8

£102 10 1
The average expense of the keep of this lot, is about 5s.
8d. per week each beast.

LOT NO. 3, FED ON TURNIPS AND GROUND CORN.

Oct. 12, To price of five cattle £55 0 0

24, — 10 days keep on turnips and

straw, at 8d 0 6 8

— 17 tons white flobe turnips, at

8s.4d 7 1 8

April 7,-19 tons8cwt.rutabaga,atl2s.6d. 12 2 6

— 1 ton 14 cwt. 98 lb. of bean meal,
or 63 bushels ground beans, weigh •

ing 621b. per bushel, at 5s 15 15 0

— 9 bushels bruised oats, at 3s. 6d. l 1 1 6

Estimated value at this date, 77i £9l 17 4

JuneZ4, — 10 tons 14§ cwt. ruta baga, at

l2s.6d 6 14 1

— 1 ton 9 cwt. lOO lb. bean meal,
or 54 bushels ground beans, weigh-
ing 62 lb. per bushel at 5s 13 10 0

£112 1 5
The average expense of the keep of this lot, is about 6s.

7d. per week each beast.
This lot had latterly the rough seed of oatmeal, at l^d.
per bushel, as a mixture to the bean meal, which are
not charged, being worth the price as manure.

LOT NO. 4, FED ON DISTILLERY GRAINS AND GROUND
BEANS.

Oct. 12, To price of five cattle £55 0 0

24, ^ lO days keep on turnips and

straw, at 8d 0 6 8

Nov. 7, — 3 tons 5 cwt. white globe turnip,

atSs. 4d 1 7 1

April 7, — 72 quarters draff, at 4s. 6d 16 4 0

— 60 puncheons dreg, at 2s. 6d. . . 7 lO 0

— 1 ton 14 cwt. 62 lb. bean meal,
or 62 bushels grouud beans, weigh-
ing 62 lbs. per bushel, at 5s 15 lO 0

Estimated value at this date, 8l/. lOs. £94 14 6
June 14, — 37i quarters draff, at 4s. 6d 8 8 9

— 28 puncheons dreg, at 2s. 6d 3 lO 0

— 19 cwt. 104 lb. bean meal, or 36
bushels ground beans, weighing

62 lb. per bushel at 5s 9 0 0

£116 16 6
The average expense of the keep of this lot, is about
7s. 2d. per week each beast.

At the commencement of these experiments, the
different divisions of cattle had each their places, as
Well as kinds of food, allotted for them ; and those
of the trial lot. No. 1, whose feeding was destined
to be turnips alone, from being the kind of food
which they were formerly accustomed to,made a more
immediata improvement than the cattle of the other
lots, so much so indeed, that several of my friends
who saw them during this period, could not believe
that a proper division of the cattle had been made,
as this lot was then, about the end of November, 51.
better than any of the other lots.

By the above state, it will be observed that the
feeding of the lot upon half turnips and oil cakes,
was the least expensive mode which was adopted in
making the experiments ; an that these cattle made
the greatest improvement, (although after ten or
twelve days trial with oil cakes, they were so obsti-
nate in refusing them, that it was found necessary,
to take away their allowance of turnips for some

days, and give them water in their stead, before
they were induced to begin.) This was sufficiently
proved by tlie marked difference in value put upon
them by the judges appointed to report upon the
comparative value of each lot, at the society's show
in April. This contincd in rather an increased de-
gree during the remaining time they were here, par-
ticularly as contrasted with the trial lot, which was
altogether fed upon turnips, having been estimated
by good judges about the beginning of June, to be
worth about forty shillings more each beast, than
those of the other lot.

The improvement of the cattle in lot No. 3, was
much retarded by one of their number being natu-
rally of such an unsettled restless disposition, that
he had neither time to eat himself, nor would he al-
low the others to do so, and although the yard which
they occupied was of sufficient size for a greater
number, it was not until the turbulent ox was taken
away and fed by himself, that the cattle made the
improvement which they ought to have done ; after
that, however, a very perceptible improvement took
place, and by adding a little to their daily allowance
of ground beans, their value when killed, as it ap-
pears by the Flesher's return, was very different
from what it had been valued comparatively with
the other lots at the April show. This untoward
circuiustaace caused a greater expense in the keep-
ing of this lot than would be otherwise necessary.

In the charge against No. 4, it will be observed
that keeping upon distillery offal is more expensive
than the keeping of lots No. 2 and 3 upon half tur-
nips, these however, were the produce of the farm,
and the prices were fixed by the committee, and
high as they are, I could not have purchased turnips
to carry here, unless dy giving four or five shillings
advance upon the ton weight ; therefore a part of
the charge against the distillery offal, will require to
be set down for manure, and the same ought also to
be deducted from the beans, which are charged at
rather a full price.

Upon the whole, it is evident by these experi-
ments, that feeding with turnips as an auxiliary, has
been the most advantageous mode of using turnips,
as by the state it is apparent that if the cattle of lot
No. 1 had only been allowed half the quantity of
turnips which they consumed, and had got oil cakes
in lieu of the other half, as was given to lot No. 2,
the expense of their keeping would have been less-
ened 4Z. I3s., and from superior quality their value
would have been increased 10/., making together
14>l. 13s. ; therefore, by bestowing the remainder of
the turnips, with the addition of oil cakes, upon
other five cattle, the realization upon the turnips
eaten by lot No. 1, would have been 291, 6s. addi-
tional to what it has been.

These experiments were carried on for two months
after the valuation was made at the show in April;
as from an over supply in the market, caused by a
scarcity of turnips, the cattle would not then have
paid for their keep j but by continuing till June, I
have been amply remunerated for all my outlay and
trouble, without taking into account the great advan-
tage of the additional and enriched manure of twenty
cattle fattening upon the farm, where ten only could
have been kept, had turnips alone been used for that
purpose ; and to any person at all acquainted with
agriculture, it must be evident that one cart load of
manure made by cattle thus fed, will be at least equal
to two if the cattle had got only straw and water.

The above experiments, which are corroborated by
those conducted last season by Messrs. Andrew
Howden and Alexander Brodie, junior, tend to show
that the winter feeding of cattle is more capable of

392

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

sue

cessful extension by those who have a sufficiency 1

of straw, but who have not such au abundance of

turnips, as to be able to make all their straw into

manure by cattle upon full feeding, than was for-

merly imagined.

LIVE WEIGHT OF CATTLE BEFORE BEING TRAVELLED TO

GLASGOW.

Lot 1.

Lot 2.

Fed on Turnips alone.

Half Turnip & Oil Cakes.

Sto7ies.

Stones.

No. 1 weig-hed 118

No. 1 weighed 115

— 2 .. 104

— 2 .. 118

— 3 .. Ill

— 3 .. 105

— 4 .. 107

— 4 .. 122

— 5 .. 96

— 5 .. 92

536

552

Lot 3.

Lot 4.

Half Turnip and g^round

Draff, Dreg, and ground

Corn.

Corn.

Stones,

Stones.

No. 1 weig-hed 95

No. 1 weighed 109

— 2 .. 115

— 2 .. 109

— 3 .. 105

— 3 .. 129

— 4 .. Ill

— 4 .. 110

— 5 .. 91

— 5 .. 88

517

545

flesher's stat£ of the weight of beef, tallow,

AND HIDES, the Carcasses in Imperial Stones ; Tallow

and Hides in Ibis.

Lot 1.

Lot 2

Bee

f.

Tallow

Hides

No

Beef.

Tallow Hides

1
1 _.

No

stones

lbs.

Ihs.

lbs.

stones

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

1

62

1

112

96

1

61

11

103

86

2

57

2

104

83

2

61

8

119

97

3

58

12

101

75

3

55

12

115 77

4

54

4

98

68

4

66

9

146 84

5

50

12

99

69

5

46
295

12
10

97 68

283

3

514

391

580 412

Lot 3,

Lot 4.

Bee

f.

Tallow

Hides

No

Be(

stones

if.

lbs.

Tallow

lbs.

Hides

lbs.

No

stones

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

1

51

9

119

79

1

57

6

119

72

2

63

0

84

85

2

54

6

90

80

3

57

5

118

76

3

66

1

112

77

4

59

12

115

75

4

55

6

82

50

5

48

9

84

62

5

46
180

9

0

112

78

280

7

520

377

515

357

From the cattle having travelled to Glasgow, their

weight has not turned out in the manner it would

have done had they been slaughtered nearer home,

besides from a very great dulness taking place in

the butcher market there, Mr. William Thomson^

who purchased the cattle, found a great difficulty in

disposing of the beef so quickly as the time of lift-

ing required, therefore lot No. 1, which was lirst

slaughtered, had an advantage by not being allowed

to fall off from being kept after being driven such a

distance.

JOHN BRODIE.

J

mUfie

/(/

Maim,

lAth An

gUi

,1837

1

ON THE CHOICE OF SEED WHEAT.

Mr. Editor. — Much is said now respecting the
tillering of cerlain wheats and the advantage of sow-
ing such wheats, because they require a less quan-
tity per acre to seed the land, thereby causing a
considerable saving to the farmer, and consequently
affording a larger supply to the public of that now
indispensable grain. It is very easy to talk of these
things, and plausibly too, but it is not so easy to
prove them to really prstctical, intelligent and ex-
perienced agriculturists, who are in the habit of
giving due attention and reflection to their occu-
pation.

We have wheats now presented to the public with
really very attractive names. I will not particu-
larize, but they are pretty names enough — if names
were anything.

It is stated that two pecks per acre are enough
for a good wheat soil. This will not be disputed
by the farmer, if every grain were just placed (as
by dibbling) at the like distance from each other,
and only covered the acre. But we know that in
broadcast, with the best seedsmen, that cannot be
the case. It should, however, recur to the minds of
those who talk of two pecks per acre for a good
wheat soil, that there are many degrees of good
wheat soil. It may be fairly said to be good wheat
soil that will grow pretty regularly four quarters
per acre of good quality, but then there are others
that will produce five, six, and seven quarters per
acre ! Is it required that two pecks should be sown
per acre upon all these diiferent degrees of good ?
Certainly not. If two pecks be enough for the first-
mentioned it must be more than enough for thj last,
because the greater the powers of the soil the more
will any wheat tiller, and every stem that shall rise
be proportionally stouter. Then there are good
soils will each year grow a like quantity per acre,
of good wheat, but which are very different in their
nature. One may be considerably more friable than
the other, and therefore more favourable to tillering.
Here, of course, a difference in quantity of seed is
required.

Then the question arises as to the tillering.
Why all the commonly grown wheats with which I
am acquainted tiller ; and the extent to which any
wheat shall tiller depends upon soil and cultivation.
If nothing is done to it from the time of sowing, it
will not tiller so much as it would do if hoed in the
spring, or otherwise cleaned, so as to raise the soil
lightly around the roots. If the soil be good and
friable, as before stated, tillering will take place to
a greater extent than upon a good soil that is more
stiff. So that testate that such and such a quantity of
stems have been found produced from one grain is
no decisive proof that one kind of vs'heat will tiller
more than another. Hence, then, it appears to me
that farmers «-ill do well to be very much on their
guard against specious high sounding descriptions
of certain wheats, and specimens which may, (as
has been the case in numerous instances of disco-
veries and improved varieties,) have been with great
care and art cultivated for the purpose of deception.

Lastly, is it advantageous to the farmer that he
should sow thin to leave space for his wheat to tiller
very extensively 1 1 conceive not. All the generally
grown wheats tiller fto my mind,) quite enough
for the agriculturist to depend on, as far as he has
a right to so depend upon that circumstance. It is
a maxim of truth, " if you do not sow you cannot
reap." In this question it applies forcibly. If you
sow thin and a backward spring take place, and un-
genial weather generally all along to harvest, how
can the wheat tiller sufficient to fill up so as to pro.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

393

duce a fair crop per acre ? It cannot be the case ;
but if more had been sown the stools would have
been thicker upon the ground and less tillering
would have been necessary and a fair crop produced,
and undoubtedly a much more even crop, as there
would be many more primary stems, for it must ne-
cessarily be that the tillered ears, particularly in an
unfavourable season, will be smaller in proportion
generally than those ears produced by the first in-
tention of nature.

As before observed, it follows that every farmer
should exercise a very careful judgment as it regards
seed for his land, and look with considerable sus-
picion upon the high flown descriptions of the su-
perior qualities of new varieties of seed wheats, &c.
A change of seed is well, and if it can be relied on
that a certain wheat of good quality has been re-
cently produced from a single ear, and no admixture
whatever taken place, it will be advantageous to
procure such seed, as it will ripen equally which
undoubtedly is a great advantage and may perhaps
make a difference of half the rent or more of the
land. J.

Basin gstohe.

COMMUTATION OF TITHES— PARISH
OF TOTTENHAM.

The first parochial meeting of the landowners, from
a notice given by the vicar, took place on Tuesday Sept.
12, in the parochial committee-room, in thepresenceof
Mr. Commissioner Tatham ; presentMr. Jos. Fletcher,
chairman ; the rev. the vicar ; Mr. Cardale, the agent
of the lessee of the rectorial tithes ; Mr. Holbrook,
Mr. William Rhodes, Mr. Townend, and the Rev. Mr.
Thompson, Mr.Whybro, Mr. Dean, Mr. Arthur Dean,
and several other landowners and agents, together
representing about about a moiety of the land in the
parish. The routiue business having been gone
through, the last rate made for the relief of the poor
•was produced, in order to ascertain the proportion of
of property which the persons present represented, the
Tithe Commutation Act requiring the consent of two-
thirds of the landowners to make an agreement for
commutation binding upon the remainder. A difficulty
had been foreseen by the agents of the vicar, affecting
the right of voting, and had been submitted to the
Central Board of Commissioners for their decision.
The question being, whether the voting should be upon
the whole assessment of houses and gardens, or upon
the gardens only, the Commissioners answered, upon
that which pays tithes only — namely, the garden ; so
that a house and garden (and there are many hundreds
such in the parish^, if assessed to the poor-rate at 50l.,
and the garden should be only worth 5/. of that sum,
the vote of the owner would be upon the 5L, and not
upon the 50Z. Upon this subject the Rev G. H.
Thompson observed, that the decision of the Com-
missioners appeared to him to be at variance with the
act itself, for in section 12 the interpretation clause
defined lands to mean and include all messuages, lands,
tenements, and hereditaments. The reverend gentle-
man expressed himself as by no means intending to
question the propriety of the decision of the com-
missioners, it was consistent with sound sense and
equity, his only doubt was the legality of it, and de-
siring to prevent s.t the outset the adoption af a course
upon which hereafter they might be turned round after
great expense had been incurred and much valuable
time wasted, was his only reason for now combating
the question. In this view of the matter the meeting
appeared to concur, but still there was the commisioners
construction before them, and they must either adopt
it or reject it ; if the latter, then must the object of
the meeting fall to the ground altogether, and as that
did not appear to be the wish of those present, and it
having been suggested that the churchwardens and

overseers of the poor, aided by a numerous committee,
appointed at a general vestry, were at this time en-
gaged in revising the parochial assessments, they
might be requested to make the assessments of the
houses distinct from the gardens and otner lands, and
a motion to that effect having been put from the chair,
was agreed to.

Mr. Townend, as a member of that committee,
expresesd great doubt as to their being able to comply
with the wishes of the meeting, and if they did so com-
ply, would it be binding on parties so assessed ? He
thought it would not ; and if appealed against, who
would have to bear the expenses ? At the utmost,
therefore, it could only be considered an experiment ;
but if it failed, how then would the tithe commutation
question stand ? The chasm appeared too deep for
him to fathom, but he would do his best to assist in
getting: over the difficulty.

The" Assistant-Commissioner strongly recom-
mended unanimity upon that and every other question
relating to the matter before them. He explained that
the present could only be treated as a preliminary
meeting, because the lessee of the impropriate rector
was not prepared to name the amount of rent-charge
which he would take in lieu of the great tithes.

Mr. Cardale, the agent of the lessee of the Dean
Chapter of St Paul's, explained why he was not so
prepared, and that before he could be prepared he must
have recourse to Messrs. Belt, Holbrook, and Delano.
the late sub-lessees, for information, but that if the
meeting should adjourn over the holydays to the 21st
of November, he would then be prepared to name the
annual sum at which Mr. Sperling, the lessee, would
be willing to commute the great tithes.

Many gentlemen, notwithstanding the irregularity
of proceeding with the object for which they had met
in the absence of a rate mode upon the principles ad-
vised by the commissioners, were to hear the proposi-
tion of the vicar, and the assistant coramissionerhaving
been appealed to as to the propriety of making any
statement in that stage of the business, thought there
would be no impropriety in complying with the wishes
of the meeting, but if made, it must be without pre-
judice either way ; and the rev. the vicar having as-
sented,

Mr. Dean began by answering several statements
made by Mr. William Rhodes, in allusion to the con-
duct of the vicar some 10 or 12 years since, soon after
hn had been inducted into the living, and expressed
himself glad of an opportunity to do that justice to the
rev. gentleman which the present occasion afforded.
From a letter which he had seen written by the vicar
to Mr. Cortois, then one of the churchwardens, it
appeared that he, the vicar, was desirous of an
amicable arrangement of the tithes with his parishio-
ners, and proposed that the tithe-payers should name a
person to value for them, and he, the vicar, would
name a valuer to meet him. and they to name an um-
pire, and that from the valution so made he would
deduct ten per cent. ; but to that very reasonable pro-
position no answer was ever given, Mr. Bearblock
was then called in by the vicar ; he valued the living at
1,550L, and the vicar, in person, compounded with
most of the tithe-payers for sums altogether amounting
to about 1,100Z. ; most of the compositions were re-
duced into writing, and which stated that those who so
compounded, should not be required to pay Easter dues.
Mr. Dean then called the attention of the landowners
to a statement of the sums at which the vicarial tithes
had been compounded for for the seven years next
previous to Christmas 1835, as the basis of the proposed
commutation, agreeably to the act, as taken from
the accounts of Mr. Whybro, the vicar's collector for
that period ; in 1829, the compositions were 997 Z. 12s.
9d. : in 1830, 9S0l. Os. 3d. ; in 1831, 9&Sl. 6s. 9d. ; in
1832, 912Z. 3», 3d. ; in 1833, 927^. 13s. 9d. ; in 1834,
886/. 16s. 9d.; and in 1835, 779/. I6s., and upon an
average of the seven years, 921/. 15s. 9d. Mr, Dean
further stated that from the banker's book and ledger
of the vicar, the composition paid and remitted to the
banker by his collector amounted to 6,465/. 8s. 9d,,

394

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE^

which divided by seven years gave an average of 923/,
I2s. 6d., making the difference between the two
amounts of 1/. I6s. 9d. only. There were some items
not in those accounts to which he begged to call the
attention of the landowners, not with a view of claim-
ing their amount, but as a reason for adding a small
sum to the average composition before mentioned in
commutation of the whole of the vicar's claims for
tithes, affording, as it would, a further proof of what
the rev. gentleman had so eloquently and feelingly ex-
pressed,— his desire to live and die in peace with his
parishioners ; at the same time he (Mr. Dean) should
not perform his duty to the vicar, if he neglected to
put upon record, and to add that the offer was made,
and must be taken as vpithout prejudice, should it not
be argued to. The items he alluded to were these :^

For premises unoccupied, which will be £, s. d,
chargeable with rent-charge upon the ap-
portionment, upon an average, is not less
per annum than 20 0 0

For gardens not charged for by the vicar, but
which will be charged under the ap-
portionment clauses of the act, not less
than 200 in number, at 3s. each (it is pre-
sumed there are upwards of 500 such gar-
dens the tithe of wiiich the vicar has not
been paid) 30 0 0

For tithes in kind, taken of Messrs, Alger,
Butt, Bailey, Chalkley, and Mr. T. Rhodes,
and others, upon an average per annum . , 20 0 0

For the workhouse field, now in gardens, let
at 30/. per annum, remitted by the vicar to
the poor, but which beforetime paid tithe
per annum 2 2 0

For the tithe of the Lammas lands, 377 acres,
upon which tithes will be charged in ap-
portioning of them (and about to be tried
at law) the vicar is entitled to claim 2s.
per acre for adjustment, or per annum. . 37 14 0

For green crops, cut and carted off by Mr.
James Rhodes and others, for which com-
position was formerly paid, but lately re-
sisted and about to be tried at law, upon
an average of years, cannot be estimated
at less than 50 0 0

For adjustment of stock upon lands that have
paid hay tithe to the rector, now in dis-
pute, and about to be tried at law, upon an
average of years 100 0 0

Total 259 16 0

Now, although several of the items may, according to
the views of parties, be deemed extravagant, they are
not without foundation. The first four of them could
not be resisted. Still, following up the instructions he
had received, his aim was unanimity and the cultivation
of that friendly feeling which their chairman had re-
commended in the truly -christian address which he had
that day so ably delivered from the chair. In accordance,
then, with these professions, and with the instructions he
had received, he would only add 53Z. 4s. 3d. to the aver-
age taken from Mr. Wybro's account, making- together
975/. as the amount of rent-charge in commutation of the
whole of the vicarial tithes.

The Chairman then said, if any landowner wished to
make any remarks upon the proposition of the vicar, he
would be heard.

A. good deal of desultory conversation then took place,
which ended in tlie appointment of a committee to con-
fer with the vicar, and the meeting adjourned to the
21st of November next.

The parish of Tottenham contains, by computation,
4,457 acres or thereabouts, the whole of which land is
subject to the payment of all manner of tithes, as well
great as small, except the vicarial glebe, and except also
the glebe of the impropriate rectory, when in the
manurance in occupation of the impropriate rectors
theniselves. The quantity of land subject to tithes
within the parish, which is now as arable, meadow, or
pasture land, or as woodland, common land, or other-
vtdse, except as aforesaid, is as follows : —

Arable land 434

Meadow or pasture land 3,046

Woodland, plantation, &c 13

Commons, commonable at all times for
horses, neat cattle, and sheep, belonging

to the resident householders 90

Land covered with houses and other build-
ings, curtillages, and gardens 268

Market gardens 27

Arable land subject to Lammas rights,
that is, of depasturing horses and neat
cattle thereon, belonging to the resident
householders, between the 12th August
and the 5th April following, yearly. . . .
Marsh land (meadow), subjectto Lammas
rights, same as the ai'able above de-
scribed 319

Turnpike and other^public roads 98

Rectorial g-lebe 89

Vicarial glebe 8

R.

p.

3

19

0

20

3

24

9
38

58 3 21

38

0

10

Total .4,456 3 17

No modus or composition, real or prescriptive, or cus-
tomary payment, is payable instead of all or any of the
tithes of the said parish.

The question raised at this meeting about the assess-
ment of houses is one that will affect every parish not
strictly rural, and the other question raised by the lessee
of the Dean and Chapter as to claiming a rent-charge
equal to the composition made by liis sub-lessees, and
not the rent at which the lessee let the great tithes to his
sub-lessees, will, if established, go far towards destroy-
ing the hope of the Government of realizing a profit out
of the better management of Dean and Chapter property,
towards a fund that is to do away with church-rates.
When the tithes have been converted into a rent-charge.
Deans and Chapters will know how to deal with it quite
as well as any other body politic or person could do.

Poor Laws. — An account showing the Popula-
tion of England and Wales in the year 1801, 1821, and
1831 ; also the amount of money expended for the relief
and maintenance of the poor, during the years ended
Easter, 1803, and the 25th of March, 1818 and 1837 ;
specifying the amount and rate per cent, of decrease in
1837, as compared with the years 1803 and 1818, the
former being the year in which the smallest, and the
latter the largest, sum of money was expended for the
relief of the poor, for which authentic returns have been
rGCcivcd * —

Population in 1801 8,872,980

Expenditure for the relief and maintenance
of the poor during the year ending Easter,
1803 £4,077,891

Population in 1821 . . . , 11,978,875

Expenditure for the relief and maintenance
of the poor during the year ended March 25,
1818 £7,870,801

Population in 1831 , 13,897,187

Expenditure for the relief and maintenance
of the poor during the year ended JMarch 25,
1837 £4,054,051

Amount of decrease in the year ended the
25th of March, 1837, compared with 1803 . . . £23,840

Amount of decrease in the year ended the
25th of March, 1837, compared with 1818 . .£3,816,750

Decrease per cent, in 1837, compared with
1803 1

Decrease per cent, in 1837, compared with
1818..... 48

Expenditure per head in 1803, with refer-
ence to population, 1801 9.2

Expenditure per head in 1818, with refer-
ence to population, 1821 13.2

Expenditure per head in 1837, with refer-
ence to population 1831 5.10

Decrease per head in 1837, compared with
1803 3,4

Decrease per head in 1837, compared with
1818 7.4

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

395

THE HARVEST SHEAF.

The first ripe Sheaf — the yellow Sheaf —
Which tells that harvest days are come,

We hail it as a glorious gift,
And we will gladly bear it home.

It speaks of days of vernal toil.

When, stalking o'er the furrowed field,

The sower scattered wide the seed,

That earth its produce rich might yield.

It speaks of hours, when, in the vale.

The husbandman breathed out his prayer,

That Heaven would bless the bud and blade —
Reward his industry and care.

It speaks of clear and azure skies —

Of sunshine bright and freshening rain —

Of floating clouds — of silvery dew—
And lovely vales of ripening grain.

The lark, to hail it, sweetly sung.

When, 'mong the clouds of rosy morn,

He swiftly flew, and fluttered high
Above the fields of springing corn.

And where it grew, 'neath Summer's smile,
Oft have we beared the linnet's song,

And cheerful hum of booming bee

While gathering food the flowers among.

The grasshopper besides it chirped
Amid the burning hours of noon ;

And o'er it, like a radiant shield,
Hung beautiful the beaming moon.

Now placed upon the sunny plain.
And gathered with a golden band,

The Harvest Sheaf is pledge secure
Of plenty to a grateful land.

Its tells of coming days of joy,

When, seated round the cottage board,

A thousand feasting worshippers

Shall praise great Nature's Bounteous Lord.

In ancient times, with thankful soul.
To Salem's sacred, beauteous shrine.

The pious Hebrews yearly brought
The first ripe fruits of Palestine.

So, when the yellow fields we view,
A grateful choral hymn we'll raise

To Him who gives the corn and wine —
The heart's accepted sacrifice.

For man may sow, and man may toil,
But Heaven can only grant success ;

Then, while we hold the Harvest Sheaf,
The Gracious Giver we will bless !

Kennoway, Sept. 1837.

THETA.

Mr. Macdonald, ©f Scalps, in the Hebrides,
having had his corn, &c. considerably injured by
mice and other vermin, put at the bottom, near th«5
centre, and at the top of each stalk or mow, as it
was raised, a handful of the stalks of wild mint,
gathered neai a brook in a neighbouring field ; he
never afterwards had his grain consumed. He tried
the same experiment with his cheese and other
articles kept in the dairy, viz., by laying a few leaves
green or decayed on the articles to be preserved from
their attacks, and with equal success.

ON SMUGGLING CORN.— THE CHAN-
NEL ISLANDS.

TO THli EDITOR OF THE MAIIK LANE EXPRESS.

Guernsey, Sept, 8.
Sir, — Your observations on the recent trial in the
Court of Jersey are evidently calculated to create a
belief that fraud is committed with impunity in the
import of foreign grain for the produce of that
island. It would have been more generous to have
stated the whole of the facts, which are these : — So
very particular are the magistrates of Jersey and
Guernsey, to prevent the slightest attempts at fraud,
that every farmer who sells a quarter of corn for im-
portation, is obliged'to appear at the bar of the Court
to swear that it is, bondjide, the growth and produce
of his farm.

Anley appeared to take oath before the Jersey
Court for eight quarters, hut afterwards by adding
the letter y, it enabled him to substitute seventy-two
quarters of foreign corn, thereby making the quantity
" eighty" in lieu of eight ; but the fraud was at
once discovered, and the delinquent arrested.

According to the constitution of Jersey, all acts of
the States, unless they receive the royal assent, can
only continue in force for three years.

In June, 1834, the States of Jersey passed a se-
vere ordinacce against any person convicted of
attempting fraud in the import of corn for England.
This law consequently expired in June last, though
it is again renewed, as the Jersey people are too
mindful of their duty and interests to suffer any indi-
vidual to commit fraud with impunity, and thereby
endanger the privileges of a whole community.

Although the Attorney-General may appear
blameable for suffering the trial to stand over for ten
months, by which justice was defeated, it will
not surely be supposed, for one moment, that a
highly respected officer of the crown could be sus-
pected of conniving at a fraud of the kind.

As to the propriety of preventing fraud in the in-
troduction of grain into the United Kingdom, there
cannot be two opinions.

As it may naturally be inferred, by your numerous
readers, that the quantity of corn imported into the
United Kingdom as the produce of the Channel
Islands, is considerable, I think it right to state, that
according to the official returns, given by the officers
of customs here, from the lltb Oct., 1835, to the
10th Oct., 1836, the whole quantity of corn imported
from Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark, amounted to-
gether to 1,359 quarters, and it is expected that the
returns on the 10th of next October will not exceed
that amount.

Those of Jersey may average much about the same
as the three last islands united.

The English agriculturists will thus be enable to
judge if the introduction of such a quantity can in-
jure them in the slightest degree.

I shall here quote the words of our chief magistrate
Daniel Delisle Brock, Esq., in his official letter on
the subject, written in April, 1835.

" The four islands do not contain 25,000 acres fit for
cultivation, meadows, orchards, and gardens included.
How can this, with any man of reflection, be held up
as an object of jealousy to the landholders, many of
whom are owners of estates to a larger extent 1 Our
connection with Engrland can, indeed, in no way be in-
jurious to her. Her commodities, produce, and manu-
factures are freely admitted, to an extent exceeding-
tenfold the value of our produce, which she so reluc-
tantly takes in return. England trades with no part ot
the world so advantageously as with these Islands, in
proportion to their extent. The goods exported by her to

396

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the Islands amount to at least 500,000/., annually,
while the produce she takes back does not amount to
120,000^. Must we receive all and send nothing
back ?"

I have to request you will insert this communi-
cation in your respectable Journal, in order to do
away the undeserved prejudice which your observa-
tions were calculated to produce on your readers. — I
remain, respectfully. Sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN BETTS.

EMIGRATION.

We have been favoured with the perusal of a private
letter from New York, dated the 8th of August, from
which we make the following extract, for the purpose
of warning those who leave this country for a settle-
ment in the new world, of the numerous hardships to
which they may be exposed on their arrival in the land
of hope, unless they have some money, with which they
may carry themselves into Upper Canada, where in-
dustry is the best property, and surely leads to inde-
pendence.

'• The number of passengers arriving here by almost
every vessel from Europe exceeds all belief, and the
hardships to which the poorer classes are subjected, I
am sure, cannot be known, in Ireland in particular,
else few would venture on such an hopeless expedition.
Hundreds of these poor beings are wanderiag in a
state little short of starvation through our streets, in
search of employment, but we have none to give them,
for the late disarrangement of trade, from which, how-
ever, we are beginning to emeige, has reduced numbers
of our own people to great pecuniary distress.
Several hundreds of your countrywomen, who had the
means, have returned to their native country, but vast
numbers are perfectly destitute, and reduced to a state
bordering on the most abject wretchedness. Many
have perished by disease, brought on by filth and
hunger, and all are most unpopular amongst our
citizens, who naturally imbibe no small degree of
jealousy at these unwelcome intruders into their
country. If means could be obtained for sending them
into Upper Canada, they might do well, for labourers
there, of all denominations, are scarce, and on their
arrival they would obtain instantly emyloyment, at
woges higher considerably than the expenses of living
require. An industrious man in the neighbourhood of
Goderich for instance, in a few years saves so much
from his wages as enables him to purchase a good
sized farm, and that renders him perfectly independent ;
indeed it forces him to employ labourers himself, and
so long as this happy state of society continues in
Upper Canada, so long will labour and industry there
be real good property. No emigrants should come
to the United States who are not possessed of the
means to carry themselves, either into our interior or
into Upper Canada ; and although an American
myself, 1 strongly would reccommend the latter lo-
cation, for there it is far easier to get quickly into a
state of comparative independence than it is in any
of our provinces. You will scarcely give me credit
when I inform you that since the commencement of
this year upwards of fifty thousand emigrants have
been already imported, crowds of them pennyless at
their landing, and what can they expect under such
circumstances but the miseries of pauperism ? Had
means existed for paying their expences into Canada,
they would have become useful members of society,
and increased much the real wealth of that rapidly
improving colony. It would, I should think, be well
■worth while if your Canada Company provided some
money for this purpose, for people, not the means of
cheap living, is the great desideratum in that far-
extended property. Labour itself is what is wanted to
raise the value of these lands immeasurably higher
than they can be sold for under the present system of
mismanagement," &c. &c.

ON THE QUANTITY OF SEED WHEAT
TO BE USED PER ACRE.

la another pait of this magazine will be
found a letter from a correspondent on " the
Choice of Seed Wheat.'" The writer manifestly
possesses a practical knowledge of his subject
vvihich is one, in our estimation, highly interesting
and important. He cautions his brother farmers
against being misled by " attractive names," under
which several sorts of wheat are now offered to the
public, as possessing very peculiar properties. In
this advice we wholly coincide, well knowing that
self-interest will frequently induce individuals to
puff their wares to an extent which the articles do
not merit. We must, at the same time in justice
state that there are no qualities ascribed to those
sorts of wheat to which our immediate attention
has been directed, except one to which our corres-
pondent has adverted, upon which we feel in
anywise sceptical, namely, the small quantity of
seed said to be required per acre. Those who are
acquainted with the productive powers of the best
wheat soils in some parts of this Kingdom, know
that tiiey will produce as many bushels per acre
of tlie sort of wheat commonly grown in their re-
spective localities in which they are situate, as
have been said to have been produced from the
new varieties to which we are now adverting. There
are such a host of circumstances which have an
inevitable influence upon the ultimate amount of
produce, as the nature of the soil, the time of sow-
ing, tlie state of the weather, the climate, the mode
of sowing, whether broad-cast, drilled, or dibbled,
size of seed, &c., that it besomes absolutely neces-
sary in order to judge of the merits of any new varieties
of grain, to make an experiment, with the greatest
accuracy of observation ; by way of comparison with
that sort which has been usually sown. In making
these remarks we would not have it supposed that
we seek to discourage a trial of the new varieties
of wheat, on the contrary, we strongly urge it, feel-
ing confident tl;at vast improvement may yet be
made in the different species of grain generally
cultivated, and seeing that if the individuals who
offer their seed wheat for sale, have really succeeded
in improving the quality of the grain, their brother
agriculturists hnve an opportunity of reapiyig the
benefits of their labour at a comparatively trifling
expense. In respect to the quantity of seed per
acre, it must depend in some degree upon the size
of the grain, it being apparent that one bushel of
wheat of which the berry is small, would contain
very many more grains than that of which the berry
is large. Taking, however, grain of ordinary
size, it does not come within the range of our ex-
perience to know of an acre of land having been
sufficiently "planted" with two pecks, except by
dibbling, a system not much in use, and which al-
thougti it may be advantageously practised upon
light lands, and where hands are plentiful, yet is
by no means capable of being adopted generally.
There is, perhaps, no one subject upon which a
greater difference of opinion has subsisted amongst
agriculturists thon upon the quantityof seed which
should be sown per acre. It will, we apprehend,
be found where the soil is of good quality and in
the best order, and the seed committed to the earth
at the proper season, that two bushels per acre will

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

397

suffice, although, perhaps, two bushels and a half
will be nearer the quantity generally used. Mr.
Coke has usually sown four bushels per acre drilled,
and is of opinion that no saving of seed can be ef-
fected by substituting tlie drill for the broad-cast
system. From this, his opinion, it will be seen
that his notions as to the quantity which should be
used broad-cast, differs widely from those who use
oidy from two to two bushels and a half. Wiien,
however, it is stated that two bushels of seed
will be sufficient when the land is in proper
order, and the seed sown in due season, it
will be necessary to enquire the nature of
the preparation which the soil has undergone.
In the case of a fallow, where the seed is ploughed j
in under furrow, or even where harrowed in if the
land be in good tilth, a less quantity will be ne-
cessary than upon a clover ley, where more of the
seed must be left uncovered, and exposed to the
birds. We hold, therefore, that two bushels of
seed per acre is the smallest quantity which can
be fixed, and which must be increased at the di-
scretion of the agriculturist, according to the con-
dition of tlie land, resulting from a variety of
circumstances, until, for spring wheat upon a
turnip fallow in an untoward condition, it
may be sometimes increased to three bushels
or even three bushels and a half. The next
point to which attention has been ])articularly
drawn, and upon which our corresponvlent ob-
serves, is that of " tillering." He says, very
justly, " The extent to which any wheat will tiller
depends upon soil and cultivation " A thin plant
will tiller much more than a thick plant, but, after
all, the extent of tillering from each plant will, in
a very main degree, depend upon the strength of
the soil. It is quite true that, in some cases,
where the plant, from the changes of the weather
or the ravages of the grub, has stood very thin
upon the ground, it will, if the season be ven/ fa-
vourable, tiller out and recover itself very much ;
but we are fully persuaded, that it is most unad-
visable to withhold seed, and reckon upon the
deficiency being supplied by tillering. It will
be found generally that where the plant tillers
greatly, the ears are not so uniform in size or in
ripening ; and it is not uncommon to find, that
increased luxuriance thrown into the straw, espe-
cially on good land, prejudices the quality of the
grain. It has, in fact, the same effect which earth-
ing up wheat was found to have when the drill sys-
tem was first introduced — that of driving the crop
too much to straw,thereby lessening the quantity and
quality of the grain. The increased quantity sown
per acre at Holkham (four bushels) had for its ob-
ject the correction of this evil, and which may, in
fact, be called checking the disposition to tiller.
We are obliged to our correspondent for calling
altrntion lo the subject, and w'e beg to thank him
for his letter. These are subjects from the dis-
cussion of which practical benefit will be derived,
and we wish it were in our power to induce more
practical farmcis to commit their thoughts lo paper
and make known their experience to their bvotiier
farmers through the medium of the press.

The growth of lueeds around fruit trees recently
transplanted does the latter much injury, and dimi-
nishes the fruit both in size and quality. Sonnini,

in his Bibliotheque Physico Economique, states, that
to prevent this the German horticulturists and
farmers spread on the ground around the transplanted
trees, as far as their roots are supposed to extend,
the refuse stalks of flax, after the fibrous parts have
been separated. This treatment gives them sur-
prising vigour, as no weed will grow under the flax
refuse, and the earth remains fresh and loose. Old
trees treated in the same manner, when languishing
in an orchard, will recover and push out vigorous
shoots. In place of flax stalks, the leaves which fall
from trees in autumn may be substituted ; but those
must be covered with waste twigs, or other more
weiglity material, to prevent the wind from blowing
them away.

Influence of Banking on the Public Mouals.
— Banking exercises a powerful influence upon the
morals of society ; it tends to produce honesty and
punctuality in pecuniary engagements. Bankers,
for their own interest, always have a regard to the
moral character of the party with whom they deal ;
they inquire whether he be honest or trickey, indus-
trious or idle, prudent or speculative, thrifty or
prodigal ; and they will more readily make advances
to a man of moderate property and good morals,
than to a man of large property but of inferior re-
putation. Thus, the establishment of a bank in any
place immediately advances the pecuniary value of
a good moral character. There are numerous in-
stances of persons having arisen from obscurity to
wealth only by means of their moral character, and
the confidence which that character produced in the
mind of their banker. It is not merely by way of
loan or discount that a banker serves such a person ;
he also speaks well of him to those persons who
may make inquiries respecting him ; and the ban-
ker's good opinion will be the means of procuring-
him a higher degree of credit with the parties with
whom he trades. These effects are easily perceivable
in country towns ; and, even in London, if a house
be known to have engaged in gambling or smuggling
transactions, or in any other way to have acted dis-
creditably, their hdls will be taken by the bankers
less readily than those of an honourable house of in-
ferior property. It is thus that the bankers perform
the functions of public conservators of the com-
mercial virtues. From motives of private interest,
they encourage the industrious, the prudent, the
punctual, and the honest, while they discountenance
the spendthrift and the gambler, the liar and the
knave. They hold out inducements to uprightness,
which are not disregarded by even the most aban-
doned. There is many a man who would be de-
terred from dishonesty by the frown of a banker,
though he might care but little for the admonitions
of a bishop. — Gilbart's Practical Treatiseby banking.

Quantity of Food Necessary. • — Now, the
difference between 82 ounces of boiled meat and 10
ounces appears very trivial ; butif the g-reater of the two
quantities be persevered in reg-ularly every day for the
term of a man's adult life of half a century, it may ex-
cite a little surprise in the person who practises it to
learn that he will have consumed a flock of sheep, con-
sisting- of about fifty-three head, in excess above what
he ought to have made use of. In a life ot sixty-five
years, allowing- 8| ounces per day for fifty years, two-
thirds of that quantity for ten years, and three ounces a
day for three years of childhood, the total animal food
amounts to 350 sheep. If lo this be added the excess
above-mentioned, the number of sheep, the cooked meat
of which is devoured by one man during- a life of sixty-
five years, is about 400 .; along with five tons of potatoes,
about the same of turnips or other veg-etable, nine tons

398

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

weight of common drink, and six tons weight of wine,
at one pint per day for thirty years only : thus for din-
ner alone about thirty tons weight of solids and liquids
must have passed through the stomach. Inordinate
work will wear out any machinery before its time, es-
pecially if the work performed be of a peculiarly wear-
ing character. Whether it is advisable to add the fifty-
three unnecessary sheep to one's dinner, is a question
which every reader will answer to himself as he thinks
proper. The food of old Parr, who died at 153 years
of age, consisted of cheese, coarse bread, milk, and small
beer. Would it have made no difference in the dura-
tion of his life, he he had swallowed 1,050 sheep, — for
about this number would have been his share at the
usual rate, along with his twenty tons of wine ? It may
assist in drawing a conclusion, to recollect that when he
was brought to London and lived in splendor, " fed
high, and drank plentifully of the best wines," he soon
died ; and his death was generally attributed to that
cause, for he had vigor of body " to have lived a while
longer," as the reporter says. — Donovan's Domestic
Economy,

THE PROFITS OF LARCH FIR PLAN-
TATIONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF MONA'S (iSLE OF MAN) HERALD.

I wish to draw the attention of the agriculturists of
this Island to the system of planting, by informing
them that a sale of larch poles (as thinnings) will take
place at Snugsborough, next Friday, the 18th inst.

Those poles were planted in the year 1816, upon a
very poor, thin, light soil, on a quarry with an expo-
sure and inclination direct to the south-west. The
plants were seedlings, two years old, and cost Ss. per
thousand. The field contains four acres, and was
planted at two feet asunder, containing 1000 plants
upon an acre. The cost of planting the four acres was
41. 163.; the entire cost, say 40,000, at 8s. per thousand,
is 16Z.; making an aggregate of 20/. I6s. for the trees
and the planting.

I must observe that the ground had previously re-
ceived three ploughings, as a preparation and facility
for dibbling, which was the mode of planting adopted.
This field adjoins the Queen's highway, and is open to
the inspection and observation of every passer by.

The thinnings are from twenty to thirty feet in
length, and of good girths ; and some as straight as
an arrow. This is third time of their being thinned,
and the produce is worth at least, from 30/. to 40/.,
leaving an abundance on the ground for three more
thinnings, and for an ultimate growth.

From the seventh year to the present the field has
been regularly pastured on ; so that no serious loss has
occurred on this point of the expense. The former
thinnings have more than paid for the rent of the land,
as well as every other expense incurred for planting
and the purchase of the trees.

From the data here furnished, any gentleman can
compute both the cost and the advantage of planting,
and draw his own deductions, how far it would be ad-
visable for him to adopt this mode of improving his
fortune, of embellishing his estate, and creating a fund
to pay off a mortgage, or of benefitting the pecuniary
interests of the juvenile branches of his family, without
injuring the Eircy.

I should recommend to as many gentlemen as feel an
interest in their country's welfare, to attend the auction
next Friday, which will take place at eleven o'clock
precisely, and see and judge for themselves, — (seeing is
believing.)

I know of no improvement which this Island requires
more than to have it adorned with plantations. Its
present aspect is in a state of perfect nudity, and nothing
more astonishes our visitors than to observe the want
of wood on the Island. Every other branch of agri-
culture is not a whit behind the surrounding countries,
neither is there in any part of her young Majesty's do-
njinions a district of country more suitable or more

available for planting than the Isle of Man,— consisting
of hill and dale, of various surface and inequalities, and
only wanting woodland scenery to make it the Ultima
Thule of the ancients, and the admiration of every in-
telligent traveller who visits our Isle. I am not with-
out strong hopes but that a Planting Society, or a Joint
Stock Planting Company may soon be formed here, by
whose united exertions we shall soon have anArcadia
of our own. WM. KELLY.

Atholl- street, Douglas, August 14.

ON THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE.

TO TUE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir, — As your observations on the state of agri-
culture, and the means by which the farmer may
obviate the distress which is so generally complained
of, appear to me to be generally dictated by a sound
and impartial view of the present state of agricul-
ture in England, I am induced to make some obser-
vations on an assertion in The Mark-Lane Express
of the 28tb of August, contained in the Agricultural
Report for that month. The writer of that article
boldly asserts, that the chief source of distress to
the farmer is the " enormous rents exacted by the
landlords." If this is a true state of the case, the
remedy is the hands of tho tenants. It is possible
that a man, without muchjudgment, may have taken
a lease of a farm at a rent much above its value ;
but to say that the generality of farmers are so igno-
rant and so unable to calculate the value of the land
they rent, as to offer what may be called " exorbi-
tant rents," is a libel upon them. It is a fact which
requires no proof, that rents, in the present state of
society, are settled by the renter, and not by the
landlord, as prices aie by the buyer, and not by the
seller. There is no monopoly in land. If it is too
high rented, the landlord has the option of culti-
vating it himself. His interest is to let it, and he
will let it at the highest rent offered, whatever that
rent may be. The rent is set by the competition of
the tenants ; if it is too high, thev are in fault, not
the landlord. But this would be of little import-
ance, if it were not that the notion that the landlords
set the rent, produces an unjust complaint against
them, and makes the tenant look on his landlord as
an oppressor, which is a most unfortunate circum-
stance for parties who should consider each other
as partners in interest, and have no jealousy. If
the rent is the real cause of distress the farmer has
himself only to blame, but every farmer knows well,
that in the present state of agriculture, rent is but a
small item in the expenses of cultivation, compared
to what it was in former times. In the old Mar-
tairic system, the rent was one-half the gross pro-
duce. In the three-field system it was one-third. It
has been reckoned since at one-fourth. But who-
ever cultivates on the high farming principle will
find that one-fifth of the produce is as much as can
be allowed for rent. This fifth will, however, be
found to exceed the third which was paid under the
old system, and rents have risen in real value, al-
though not so much as the produce raised.

I only desire to place the subject in the proper
point of view, and if you agree with me, I have no
doubt you will correct the opinion advanced by your
correspondent, and place the relation of the landlord
and the tenant in a proper light.

I remain. Sir, your obedient servant,

Aug. 29. W, B.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

399

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ULSTER
TIMES.

Killiceman House, Povladownylst Sept.
Sir, — Having' reason to believe that the value of
Italian rye jrrass is not suificiently known in the province
of Ulster, I beg' leave to submit the result of a trial of
this g-rass, which, if considered worthy of insertioa, is at
your service. In the Spring- of this year I obtained four
bushels of Italian rye g-rass seed , from Messrs. Toole
and Co., of Dublin ; owing to the severity of the
weather, I was not able to sow any until the 15th of
April, when an orchard, containing- two roods of potato
ground, was sown ; this, notwithstanding several days
of snow and sleet immediately after, was a braird on the
tenth day, and was commenced being used for soiling
on 1st July, being then five and a half feet high. From
the produce of this orchard I fed three horses and three
cows until the 20th ult., and the second crop is now
nearly four feet high. My next sowing- was on the 19th
April, on an acre of turnip ground ; this was mown for
hay on the 7th August, the seed being then ripe, and
producing nine barge carts of hay, and seventeen bushels
of seed. My third sowing was on the 11th of May, on
one acre of land, where winter vetches had failed : this
was mown on the 30th ultimo, and the produce is fully
equal to that sown in April. I omitted to state that the
second crop of that cut on the 7th August is now fifteen
inches high, and also that the seed sown on the 11th of
May was procured from Mrs, Penton, of Armagh, whose
seeds of every description I have always found excellent.
It is necessary to mention that the acre is English mea-
sure, and the quantity of seed to each was two and a
half bushels. It is my intention to sow some vetch
ground with this seed in the present month with a view
to spring seeding, the result of which I shall be happy
to communicate at a future period.

C. HAMILTON.

P.S. — I ought to have stated that the hay is of the
first quality, and greedily eaten by horses and cows,
and appears to retain the sap long-er than any I have
ever seen. - C. H.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH.

Doe dem. Mitchell v. Weller.

Under an Agreement for the quarterly Payment of Rent,
the first Payment becomes due at the End of the first
Quarter, the Custom of the Country to pay Rent in
advance cannot be imported into it.

Erle had obtained a rule to show cause why the
nonsuit in this case should not be set aside, and a ver-
dict, according to leave reserved, be entered for the de-
fendant.

The action was by a landlord against his tenant. The
demise was laid in December, 1835. The premises con-
sisted of arable land and pasture land : the latter was
the principle part of the holding. Notices had been
given to quit the pasture land on the 14th of February,
and the arable land on the 10th of October. It was
admitted that this was the proper notice ; but Manning,
in support of the nonsuit, argued on behalf of the de-
fendant, that as the pasture land was the prmcipal part
of the farm, it was a Candlemas holding, and conse-
quently that the year of the tenancy expired at Candle-
mass, though the arable land was not to be given up
till the October following. At Candlemas, 1835, the
pasture land was given up, but rent remained in arrear,
and in August the landlord put in a distresss for 112/.
5s. 9d., and the notice of distress expressed it to be for
" rent due on the 6th of April." Manning contended
successfully at the trial before Mr. Baron Bolland, that
this was a waver of the notice to quit, and the recog-
nition of a tenancy up to the Cth of April, which he
said was part of another year and on this ground the
landlord was nonsuited at the trial. Erie was riot
called on to support his rule, but the grounds on which
the court made it absolute were elicited in the course

of Manning's argument. It appeared that the holding
of the present defendant had been preceded by a
tenancy which commenced under a written agreement.
The agreement was dated in June : it was for the pay-
ment of rent quarterly ; and here Manning imported
into the agreement a fact of which there was no evi-
dence, namely, that by the custom of the country a
quarter's rent way payable in advance and by anticipa-
tion ; and from that he concluded, that at the expira-
tion of the tenancy, the last quarter's rent, that is, the
rent for the quarter ending at Candlemas, 1S35, was
paid in the preceding January, and consequently that
distraining for rent due on Candlemas-day, was dis-
training for rent in respect of a quarter -w-hich would
not expire till a quarter of a year afterwards. This
part of his argument was disposed of by Mr. Justice
Patteson, who observed that it was a totally gratuitous
assumption that there was any such custom, or that
the rent in the present case had ever been paid accord-
ing to the alleged custom. And Mr. Justice Little-
dale met Manning's position by another observation ;
namely, that as the defendant's holding was in con-
tinuation of one which had commenced under a written
agreement, which spoke only of quarterly payments of
rent, the agreement was inconsistent with the suppo-
sition that the rent was paid a quarter in advance ; the
court therefore made absolute Erie's rule for setting
aside the nonsuit and entering a verdict for the de-
fendant.

Lord Denman, C.J. — This action was brought by a
landlord against his tenant ; the demise was laid in
December, 1835 ; the notice to quit was given in June,
1834 : it applied to premises which were held under an
agreement that the pasture land should be given up in
February, and the arable land in October ; the notice
to quit was therefore sufficient. Mr. Manning says it
had been waived, because the landlord had in August
distrained for rent due on the 6th April, and that this
was an admission of a tenancy still existing, and that
a nevJ year must be taken to have commenced. Now,
is there any thing to show that there is a waiver ?
Waiver is a questionof intention and of fact, and I can
hardly conceive a case in which it can be a question of
law. It is now stated that there was a custom that
rent should be paid advance ; but that does not appear
on my brother Bolland's notes. The agreement which
was given in evidence is so obscure, that we cannot
say when the rent was to be paid, but that was a ques-
tion of fact for the jury. Mr. Erie desired to go to the
jury ; that was prevented : my brother Bolland thought
the construction of the instrument so clear, that it was
unnecessary to leave that point. I do not think that
was correctly done ; and as notice to quit was given,
the rule must be made absolute for entering a verdict
for the defendant.

Littledale, J,— The agreement is not clearly ex-
pressed, but it appears to me that the words bespeak
that the first rent was to be paid on the first quarter-
day after the execution of the agreement ; there is no
stipulation as to any anterior period, so that it comes
to this, that in June, 1816, an agreement is made for
the payment of rent quarterly. That does not mean
that rent is to become due from any day past. It is
the same thing to the landlord whether it is to become
due at one time or at another ; now, if that be right,
then the first payment coming due in July, the last
would become due in April ; that would make the dis-
tress correct, and there is no recognition of a new
tenancy. The notice to quit is perfectly correct.

Patteson, J.— I have not the slightest doubt if the
agreement stands by itself, the meaning was, that the
rent should be paid after the agreement was executed.
All Mr. Manning's argument rests on a gratuitous
assumption, which was not p-oved at all.

Williams, J., concurred.— Rule absolute.

Hart v. Prater,
What (()■« Necessaries for an Infant.
This was an action for the price of a horse : the de-
fendant pleaded infancy ; the plaintiff replied that the

400

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

horse was a necessary ; upon which issue was joined,
and a verdict given for the plaintiff with 3Ql, damages.

Thesiger moved for a rule to show cause why there
should not be a new trial, on the ground that the verdict
was against evidence. The defendant was the son of a
gentleman in the army, who died in the King's Bench
prison, and had for a long time before his death been in
great difficulty. The defendant was entitled, on coming
of age, to some Consols under the will of his grand-
father. At the time when he purchased the hoise he
was nearly of age, and was an apprentice to a chemist
in Bond-street, and was allowed by his guardians 150Z.
a-year. It was contended on behalf of the defendant
that a horse could not be necessary for this young man,
and at all events that it was not necessary that he
should purchase one : but, on the part of the plaintiff,
it was proved that the defendant had been told by Sir
Benjamin Brodie, that horse exercise would be ex-
tremely beneficial to him. Lord Denman, before whom
the cause was tried, left it very strongly to the jury
that the horse was not a necessary. Tn Storey v. Perry,
4 Car. & P. 526, Lord Tenterden ruled, that if a trades-
man trusts an infant, and if it turns out that the infant
has been properly supplieJ by his friends, the trades-
man cannot recover. In Charters v. Bayntun, 7. Car.
& P. 52, it was held that a Stanhope was not necessary
for a young man merely because he held a commission
in the army. [Lord Denman, C. J.— He was very
nearly of age when he purchased the horse.] If he had
died before he came of age, he would have had nothing.

LordDENMAN, C. J. — If it were tried again, it must
go to the jury upon all the circumstances.— Rule re-
fused.

ROYAL COURT— JERSEY.

Friday, Aug. 18.

Before Sir John De Veulle, Knight Bailiff', and the
Jurats De St. Ouen, D'Avranche, Le Quesne, Le
Maistre, Bisson, Edward Nicolie, and Ph. W. Nicolle.

THE CROWN V. ANLEY.

(Before the Petty Jury of St. Helier.)

John Anley, of the parish of St. John, was indicted at
the suit of the Attorney-General, for having, on the 8th
of October, 1836, passed a false affidavit respecting some
corn, for exportation to England, he having declared
the said corn to be the produce of the Island, whereas it
was of foreign growth.

The Jury having been empannelled,

The Attorney-General asked the Advocate of the
accused, if he persisted in his plea of" Not Guilty ?"

Advocate Hammond said, that he had a point to sub-
mit to the Court before they proceeded any further — it
was the same he had raised before the inferior Court,
and he hoped that the Rlagistrates that overruled his
objection would reconsider then- judgment. The la.v
on which his client had been actioned, was dated the
l9th June, 1834, which, being only a provisional one,
had expired by lapse of time, on the 19th of June last.
Now, this law, not having been renewed, it was at pre-
sent defunct, and consequently his client could not be
actioned any further in the matter. The Magistrates
who rendered the former j udgment, had alledged therein,
that it was not stated by virtue of what law the accused
was actioned, but he (Advocate Hammond) would ask
tlie Court, if it was not on the law of 1834, and if not, he
begged to know on what law his client was actioned,
for there was no otlier on which he could be actioned,
and consequently he demanded that his client be dis-
charged.

The Attorney-General supported the accusation,
and said that the lav/ existed when the prosecution was
begun, and the delay had been wholly caused by one
of the witnesses, Daniel Hue, who had absented himself
from the Island for a very long period ; hence they
could not proceed on that account. The said witness
had on one occasion been condemned to pay the expenses
of the day through his absence, and when he knew that

the 19th of June had passed, and the law expirad, he
then returned to the Island : it was thus that justice was
paralyzed.

Advocate Hammond observed, that Daniel Hue was
a witness for the prosecution ; now if his client had
wished a witness to absent himself to paralyze justice,
they could have obtained one for the defence, and have
persisted in declaring his deposition to be essential and
not to be dispensed with, and thus have delayed the
trial, until the law had expired. The fact was, that the
witness, as he understood, had some very urgent busi-
ness to transact in England, respecting a cargo of corn,
and really could not return before he did. As to the
law having expired, he could declare that he knew
nothing of it until long after the 19th of June last. He
could assure the court they had had no design of creating
any delay, becau.-e his client had other points in reserve
to insure his acquittal ; which points, if they put aside
this pretension, he should bring forward. He begged
to ask the Magistrates if they could usurp the power
of the Legislature and renew the law without its
intervention? He was sure that they could not, and
consequently demanded that the accused be discharged.

The Attorney Geneual replied: he begged tore-
mark that if his learned friend's objections were deemed
valid, any person could then tiike advantage in like
manner, and thus paralyze the courselof Justice — they
could commit a crime just before the law expired, and
tlien shuffle out of all responsibility by setting up the
same objection. He hoped that the court would con-
demn the accused to plead to the indictment.

The Bailiff consulted the Bench, when it appeared
that there was a majority of 5 against 2, for discharging
the prisoner from the prosecution.

Judge E. Nicolle, in giving his opinion, observed
that the case ought to have been brought on before, for
if Anley had not been under bail, he would have been
imprisoned the whole of this time. There must have
been a fault somewhere : his discharge was caused
entirely by delay.

The Attorney General said, that, as a Crown
Officer, he begged to defend himself from the imputa-
tion, that the prisoner's discharge vvas mainly through
his negligence in not bringing the case forward before ;
but he had to observe, that the prison being so full of
criminals of late, charged with very serious crimes, he
had brought t/iem forward first as he conceived he ought
to do, and the present case was the first under security
thi't he had brought forward. He would ask the Coun-
sel of the accused, if he had not repeatedly requested
that the case might be brought on, but he had always
answered that Hue, who was absent, must be heard
first. He hoped that the Court would see that the
delay was not his fault.

Advocate Hammond corroborated the statement of
the Attorney Genersl, and remarked that he could not
have consented for the witnesses for the defence to be
called, whilst there was one for the prosecution remain-
ing unheard.

The prisoner Anley was then discharged.

LIVERPOOL ASSIZES.

LANDLORD AND TENANT.

Hill v. Gurden. — The plaintiff' in this action, Mrs.
Iklary Hill, is owner ot the Napoleon Tavern, Preston-
street, with a stable and premises adjoining thereto ;
the defendant, Mr. George Gurden, was of the firm of
Lloyd and Gurden, brewers, and the action was brought
to recover double rent for the premises in question,
of which he was tenant, he having refused to quit after
notice, and also a sum of 13/. lOs. arrears of rent due
for the stable.

Messrs. Alexander and Wightman were counsel
for the plaintiff',— Mr. Cuesswelt, for the defendant.

It appeared that in July 1830 the defendant took the
premises in question from Mrs. Hill on a lease for six
years at a rent of 40/. per annum, but the magistrates
not allowing any individual to hold two licenses, it

tHE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

401

became necessary to get some person to represent him,
and accordingly the lease was made out in the name of
a person named Parker, who was clerk to a wine and
spirit merchant, and related both to Mrs. Hill and Mr.
Garden. For the first three years Messrs. Lloyd and
Gurden took receipts in the name of Parker, — but
afterwards, down to Sep. 1836. they paid in their own
names. They put in their own tenants from time to
time, receiving from some of them 52Z. per annum, and
the last tenant was Mrs. Burgess, who is still in posses-
sion.. The notice to quit was served on the defendant
by the plaintiffs attorney in September last, and he was
applied to several times subsequently to give up posses-
sion, but without effect.

Mr. Justice Coltman was of opinion that under these
circumstances the defendant was not liable to double
rent, and that the plaintiff ought to have proceeded
against the tenant in possession. The arrears of rent
for the stable were proved, and the jury gave a verdict
for the plaintiff for the amount, viz., lOl. 13s.

CORN.

A Table showing the Comparative weights of Grain
in reference to the French Hectolitre and the Im-
perial Bushel.

Killogrammes

lbs. English

Killogrammes

lbs. English

per

per Imperial

per

per Imperial

Hectolitre.

Bushel.

Hectolitre.

Bushel.

1

,79

43

34,06

2

1,58

44

34,86

3

2,37

45

35,65

4

3,16

46

36,44

5

3,96

47

37,23

6

4,75

48

38,03

7

5,54

49

38,82

8

6,33

50

39,61

9

7,13

51

40,40

10

7,92

52

41,19

11

8,71

53

41,99

12

, 9,50

54

42,78

13

10,29

55

43,57

14

11,09

56

44,36

15

11,88

57

45,16

16

12,67

58

45,95

17

13,46

59

46,74

18

14,26

60

47,53

19

15,05

61

48,33

20

15,84

62

49,12

21

16,63

63

49,91

22

17,43

64

50,70

23

18,22

65

51,49

24

19,01

66

52,29

25

19,80

67

53,08

26

20,59

68

53,87

27

21,39

69

54,66

28

22,18

70

55.46

29

22,97

71

56.25

30

23,76

72

57,04

31

24,56

73

57,83

32

25,35

74

58,63

33

26,14

75

59,42

34

26,93

76

60,21

35

27,73

77

61,00

36

28,52

78

61,79

37

29,31

79

62,59

38

30,10

80

63,38

39

30,89

81

64,17

40

31,69

82

64,96

41

32,48

83

65,75

42

33,27

84

66,55

N. B. 2^Hec. = lqr.

504 Kill

0. = 1 cwt.

ACCOUNT OF THE ROYAL STUD.

As very little seems to be known by the public
generally on the subject of the royal stud at Hamp-
ton-court, which has been advertised for sale by
Messrs. Tattersall on the 25th of October next,
and as some erroneous opinions appear to have
been held as to the real proprietorship of the
horses, &c., of which it consists, it may not be un-
interesting to give some account of the facts. The
stud at Ilampton-court, which is a racing stud, is
not national property, and does not belong to the
King or Queen of England as attached to the
kingly office. It was the private property of his
late Majesty, William IV., who derived it from his
predecessor either by bequest or purchase, and
increased it by purchases or by gifts from other
quarters. It is, of course, at present subject to
such dispositions as he thought proper to make of
it in his lifetime, and will pass to his representa-
tives (not in his public capacity), in the same
manner as any other px-ivate and personal pro-
perty of which he died possessed. The stud
at Hampton-court is purely a racing stud ; it
does not contain any carriage horses or
horses for state occasions, and is not a heir-
loom of the crown. It appears, from works writ-
ten on the subject of Newmarket, racing, &c.,
that in the end of Charles the First's reign races
were run in Hyde-park as well as at Newmarket ;
that during the Protectorate of Cromwell the sport
met with no encouragement whatever ; but that it
was revived soon after the restoration, and much
encouraged by Charles II., who formed a race-
course at Datchet. A house was also erected with
suitable convenience for Charles II. at Newmarket,
where some parts of it are still in existence. Wil-
liam III. added to the plates which his sporting
predecessor had established, and Queen Anne fol-
lowed his example. In the reign of George I.
some alterations were made, as to 105^. being
given instead of plates, and so forth, but the sport
was still encouraged. In the reign of George II.,
horse-racing assumed a more decidedly national
character, and several acts of parliament were
passed to prevent racing from becoming a mere
gambling speculation, and enacting such provisions
as should, as far as the legislature could interfere,
make it subservient to the purpose of securing a
good breed of horses for the benefit of the nation.
The celebrated Duke of Cumberland, called the
Fat Duke of Cumberland, in more recent times,
became a great patron of the turf, and under his
auspices the races at Ascot-heath were brought to
great perfection. The royal stud was then kept at
Cumberland-lodge, Windsor Forest, where it re-
mained during the reign of George III. The stud
at Cumberland-lodge, however, could not be
called a racing stud ; it contained a very mis-
cellaneous collection of stallions and mares.
George III., though he encouraged racing so far
as to attend regularly at Ascot-heath, had little or
no connection with the turf. His successor and
the late Duke of York were, as everybody knows,
closely connected with racing, and actively en-
gaged in all its departments, for many years. It
was in the reign of George IV. that the stud now
at Hampton-court was established ; and such stock
as was proper to be placed in a racing stud were
by his command brought thither from Windsor
Forest. Several of the mares now in the stud
were the property of the late Duke of York, of
which George IV., on the death of his brother, be-
came the owner, and the present very intelligent
and respectable stud-groom, Mr- Worley, was at

X

402

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the head of the Duke of York's stud for many
years. His late Majesty William IV., in his capa-
city, when Duke of Clarence, of ranger of Bushy-
park, necessarily came in contact with the racing
establishment, which is in fact on the territorial
domain over which the rangership extends ; and
this circumstance appears to have given him his
first affection for the favourites of his brothers,
and his first insight into anything connected with
racing and the breeding of racers, it being well
known that, in his early life, his pursuits were
quite unconnected with sporting. When W^illiam
IV., however, came to the throne, he appears,
with that strong good sense by which he was al-
ways directed, to have seen the almost national
importance of giving encouragement to a sport
which had become a national characteristic, and
by which, indirectly, a breed of horses had been
created, which, by various crosses, and through
various generations, had had the eifect of render-
ing the British cavalry superior to any other cavalry
in the world, and which, within a few yearSj had
turned the attention of many agriculturists, noble-
men, and gentlemen of landed property, to the
further breeding of horses, and created an impor-
tant and lucrative branch of commerce with foreign
nations. In consequence of this, the greatest at-
tention was paid to the arrangements and manage-
ment of the stud at Hampton-court, which, under
the immediate superintendance of Colonel Wemyss,
Equerry to the late King, and the subordinate ex-
perience and skill of Mr. Worley, whose name has
already been mentioned, has flourished and in-
creased in reputation. Indeed, nothing can be
more admirable than the manner in which the
whole has been conducted, whether in respect to
the details of the arrangement of the various
stables and paddocks, the care bestowed upon the
rearing of the stock, the regulations with regard to
the disposal of them, or the economy with which
the expences have been restrained without any-
thing approaching to penuriousness or want of ju-
dicious liberality. His late Majesty, who seems to
have walked through the paddocks with the same
vigilance with which, when a captain in the navy,
he trod the quarter-deck of a man-of-war, was a
frequent visitor at Hampton-court, and on these
occasions he directed his attention to the most
minute disarrangement of what he considered very
properly to be a matter of importance. It has
been said, and very truly, that "he had a terrible
quick eye to anything wrong, and if there were a
rail or a pail out of place in the fence, he was sure
to see it." This vigilance has been most etl'ective
in preventing accidents to the colts and fillies, and
to infusing through all persons employed in the
establishment an increased zeal and circum-
spection. It may be as well at once to describe
the locality occupied by the stud. It is situated on
the right and left of the road leading from Hamp-
ton-court to Kingston, at about a quarter of a mile
beyond the great entrance gate of Bushy-park on
the way to Kingston. The whole ground plot con-
tains 131 acres. The grass is exceedingly good,
being in many places full of natural clover, and
having none of the sourness which is so offensive
and so detrimental to horses. On the right hand
side of the road the paddocks are sheltered by very
lofty and shady trees, and are consequently much
warmer than those on the left hand, which have
not the same advantage. The ground is divided
into a great number of distinct paddocks, varying
in dimensions from two to five acres each. Every
one of these paddocks is divided from the others

by high palings and by railings, and In every one
is a simple but excellently contrived covered shed
or box for the tenant or tenants of the paddocks.
The greatest attention has been bestowed on the
locks, bolts, &c., and on the manner of the open-
ing of the gates and bars, to prevent any accidents
to the young stock, all which minutiae, to a person
not conversant with the great difficulty in rearing
young stock, and the prevention of the endless
mishaps which attend the slightest inattention to
such things, apparently of little moment, are of
the greatest importance. The stallions are not
suffered to run at large in their respective pad-
docks, but are confined to the houses attached to
them, except on occasions of being exercised, but
the mares and foals enjoy a greater degree of li-
berty, and run loose. They are exceedingly tame
and gentle, and no sooner does Mr. Worley enter
the paddock than the possessors of it run up to
him, or obey his call to them, with the docility of
a spaniel. By command of his late Majesty, no
stock (with the exception of stallions and brood
mares) are kept in the establishment as royal pro-
perty after a twelvemonth old, but colts or fillies
purchased from the royal stud are allowed to re-
main, payment being made for their subsequent
care and keep. The sale of the produce of the
royal stud took place annually at Tattersall's on the
Monday preceding the running for the Derby at
Epsom. At these sales the stock always maintained
a high character, and fetched good prices, varying
from 500/. to 40/. for each colt or filly. Nine lots
were purchased last year for America. The Ame-
ricans, as all breeders know, are making great
progress in the rearing of the best horses, and are
already in possession of the two celebrated horses
Glencoeand Rowton,and of several others of well-
known character, and many other horses of the
royal stud have been purchased by agents from the
continental countries. Within these few weeks
foreigners from almost all parts of the Continent
have been at Hampton-court to view the stud, and
it is not unlikely, without considerable effort be
made at the approaching sale by English bidders,
that many of the best lots may find their way to
the establishments of Chantilly or Meudon, at
which last-named place so many English racers
are to be found. The royal stud at the present
moment contains four stallions and forty-two brood
mares, besides foals. They are all of them beauti-
ful animals, and most of them of the highest order
of blood, and are such as are fitting to constitute
the collection of the Monarch of a people who are
pre-eminent in the breeding and rearing of the
noblest animal in the creation.

MISS LETTY,

WINNER OF THE OAKS FOR 18S7.

FROM A PAINTING BY STRAFFORD, ENGRAVED BY
BECKWITH.

We this month furnish our readers with a most
accurate Portrait of the Winner of the Oaks for 1837,
known to the sporting world under the name of the
Priam filly only, until she carried off the great stake
just mentioned, since which she has been named by
the Hon. Thomas Orde Powlett, of Bolton Hall, neat
Middlebam, Yorkshire, by whom she was bred. Miss
Letty, in honour to Mrs. Powlett, whose name we
believe is Letitia. As in the Derby so in the Oaks,
the backers of favourites were " in the wrong
box," although in the latter case the public running

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

4oa

of Mr. John Day's b. f. Chapeau d'Espagne was such
as to justify her being placed in the elevated position
which she had attained previously to the above race,
while the repeated defeats which Miss Letty sustained
at York, Doncaster, and Catterick Bridge, left con-
siderable odds in the betting against her. Miss
Letty was got by Priam ; her dam (Miss Fanny's
dam^ by Orville ; grandam (Golden Leg's dam) by
Buzzard ; great grandam Hornpipe (Fitz Teazle,
Leopold's dam), by Trumpater ; great great grandam
Luna ('Cardinal Puff's dam) by King Herod ; great
great great grandam Proserpine, own sister to
Eclipse, by Marske ; great great great great grandam
Spiletta, by Regulus, out of Mother Western, by
Smith's Son of Snake, Lord D'Arcy's Old Montague,
Hautboy, Brummer, &c. Miss Letty scarcely stands
fifteen hands high, is a fine bay with four black legs,
and in the opinion of some good judges, her conforma-
tion is well adapted to the peculiarities of Epsom
Downs, After she won the Oaks, we saw her at the
stable, and were surprised to find how little her ex-
ertion had distressed her ; in fact, she won easily by
near two lengths.

PERFOEMANCES.

She came out first at York Spring Meeting, 1836,
for the Two-year-old Stake, and struck her colours
to the Duke of Cleveland's br. c. Henriade, and Mr.
Bell's ch. f. Golden-drop, but was placed third,
beating Mr. Wilkins's ch. c. Abraham Newland, and
the Duke of Leeds' br. c. Wrestler.

She won the Two-year-old Produce Stakes of 100
sovs. each, half forfeit, (10 subs.), at Doncaster, on
Tuesday, Sept. 20th, ridden by Holmes, beating the
Duke of Leeds' br. c. Wrestler, and Mr. W. Turner's
ch. f. by Recovery, out of Primrose.

Two days afterwards sbe came out again at Don-
caster, for the Two-year-old Stakes [T.Y.C.], (34
subs.), and suffeied defeat, being beaten by Lord
Westminster's br. c. Cardinal Puff, by Pantaloon,
Duke of Cleveland's br. c. Henriade, and the late
Mr. Skipsey's br. c. Slashing Harry.

At Catterick Bridge Meeting, March 29th, 1837,
she started for the Claret Stakes of 10 sovereigns
each, with 20 added by the Duke of Leeds, and 20
from the Club Fund, but was not placed, being
beaten by Mr. Wilkins's ch. c. Abraham Newland,
by Malek, Lord Kilburne's ch. c. by Albany, dam
by St. Patrick, and Colonel Cradock's br. c. by Vol-
taire, out of Comedy.

On Friday, May 26, at Epsom, (jockeyed by
Holmes) , she won in a canter the Oaks Stakes of 50
sovereigns each, h. ft. 92 subscribers, one mile and-
a-half, beating Mr. John Day's c. Chapeau d'Espagne,
Lord Exeter's b. Velure, Lord Exeter's b. Comate,
Mr. S. L. Fox's b. Theresa, Mr. Batson's ch. Vo-
luptuary, Colonel Peel's ch. by Bedlamite, out of
Garcia, Lord Chesterfield's b. Vacuna, Mr. Thorn-
hill's b. Egeria, Sir G. Heathcote's br. La Meprise,
Mr. Osbaldeston's b. Ebberston Lass, Lord Veru-
lum's b. Duvernay, and Lord Lichfield's b. Cas-
sandra, thus proving herself, in spite of her previous
defeats, a filly of no ordinary pretensions.

Watering Vegetables. — A solution of soda
has been applied with great success to the watering of
vegetables. The difference between vegetables so
treated and those watered in the usual way is very con-
spicuous. Vegetable marrow in common mould, when
this process has been applied, has been found to sur-
pass plants grown in a bed of dung. The proportion
of soda used is one pound to 14 gallons of water.

THE AGRICULTURAL PRIZES
THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

OF

The prizes of the late noble Francis, and the pre-
sent Duke of Bedford having accumulated to a very
large number, it was lately suggested to his Grace
by Mr. Edwin Landseer, the celebrated animal
painter, to have formed out of the metal composing
the numerous tankards, vases, and cups which have
been presented to the late and present dukes for
their superior breed of cattle, a magnificent salver,
with emblematical embellishments, representing the
several departments of husbandry for wbich the
house of Russell has been celebrated for the last two
generations. This suggestion his grace with the
most liberal spirit decided on adopting, and accord-
ingly cups and other agricultural prizes, to the
number of nearly forty, were placed in the hands of
Mr. Osborn, of Great Russell-street, Bloomsbury-
square, the eminent silversmith, who has executed
the work intrusted to him in a manner that leaves
nothing to be desired. We now proceed to si descrip-
tion of this truly elegant piece of plate. It is of
silver gilt, its shape an oblong square, the dimen-
sions being thirty-three inches by twenty-six. The
centre represents oxen ploughing, in a square formed
by cornucopiiE of exquisite design. The outer rim
is divided into six compartments, the upper circle
representing reaping and sheep-shearing, the figures
in this portion of the salver, being most naturally
depicted. Between these subjects is a coronet with
the Russell arms and the motto of the Order of
the Garter, " Honisoit qui mal y pense." At the ends
are groups of horses and oxen, and the bottom pigs
and sheep ; these latter divided by a beauti-
ful profile of the late Duke of Bedford, said to
be a striking likeness. In the corners are sheaves
of wheat bound up, with implements of husbandry,
of the most beautiful workmanship. The whole is
encircled by a border of oak, richly chased, in hio^h
relief. Its weight is nearly one thousand ounces.
The whole is a specimen of the most exquisite
handicraft, and may be pronounced a chef dceuvre of
its kind, and it has occupied nearly three years in
the manufacture. On the back of this magnificent
article is the following inscription : —

THIS SALVER

Was formed from various cups and other pieces of

plate obtained as premiums by

FRANCIS, DUKE OF BEDFORD,

And awarded to him at agricultural meetings in 1799,

1800 and 1801, and by

JOHN, DUKE OF BEDFORD,

His successor.

In 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810

and 1811, for live stock, cattle, sheep and swine ;

FOR PLOUGHING;

And from cloth manufactured from wool grown at the

Park Farm at Woburn,

Designed by Edwin Landseer, Esq., R.A.

Executed by Mr. W. H. Osborn, Great RusselUstrect,

Bloomsbury-square.

This beautiful work of art has been seen by many
noblemen and gentlemen engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and several of them were so pleased with
the design, which they considered to be completely
unique and novel, that they determined on convertino-
the minor prizes they had won at the Smithfield and
other cattle exhibitions into a piece of plate to be
wrought upon a similar principle. The salver will
be conveyed to Woburn, the seat of his grace, in the
course of a few days.

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404

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT
FOR SEPTEMBER.

Notwithstanding that tliis inonth, especially the
early part of it, has been visited by frt'f[ucnt lieavy
showers, and not a few of them have been accom-
panied by a dense atmosphere — which liave, as a
mutter of course, considerably retarded tlie procuress
of the Jiarvest — wo uro most happy in beiiif^ enabled
to state from the very first sources of information,
that more than a week since, the harvest was
brought to a most auspicipus conclusion, in, we
believe, almost every part of our southern, western,
eastern, and midland counties, whilst it is expected
to be finished by new Michaelmas day, in all parts
of England north of the 1 lumber, with one of the
most abundant corn and i)uls<i crops that is recol-
lected to have been harvested, by the oldest man
living. 'Ihehoi) harvest has proceeded favourably,
and is nearly concluded ; with respect to the produc-
tiveness of it, we may safely venture to assert, that
it has come fully up to the exjiectations of the most
sanguine. Thoao new hops wliich havf; as yet
appeared in the Borough, have been of fair average
quality, but, owing to the great abundance of them,
have produced, comparatively speaking, low prices.

As to the progress of other field labour, uncon-
nected with the harvest, these, of course, can but
have proceeded, this month, to a very limited extent,
nor has it hw,n to say jjressingly necessary. Wheat
sowing has, however, proceeded to a very consi-
derable extent upon a very fine tilth, in Essex, Kent
and Sussex, and will become very general in a
short period. That part of the second crop of both
seed and natural grass hay, wliich stood over for this
month, and which has yielded an ahundant growth,
has been cut, harvested, and carried, in most excel-
lent condition. The pastur<^s too, generally speaking,
are exceedingly well stocked with pasture herbage ;
whilst the store stock and fattening sheej) and beauts,
are thriving rapidly. Of shee[> rot, there aie no corn-

Elaints whafev(>r, and livo farm stock is described as
ealthy and doing well.
With resjject to the jirice.s at which most kinds of
farm produce are ranging, we consider that they are
tolerably remunerative; but we are a])prehensive
that those of com, at least judging from the largo
quantities of foreign now in bond, the owners of
which are waiting u favourable opportunity of re-
leasing for home consumption, will speedily be low(!r
tlian they are at pres<mt.

'i'hfi prices of fat stock have been, tlio whole of the
month, tolerably steady ; but, on account (jf the large
supplies which have been exhibited, tlie trade has
been in a very inanimate state. Toultry and dairy
produce havebeen lieavy in sale, at barely stationary
prices.

The following is a retrospect of the supjilies and
prices of Sniithliold Cattle Market during the month :
I'easts. Sheep & Lambs. Calves. Pigs.

Sept.

Total

i3829

26.'iii()
7000

26220
7002

Sift 222
7521

m256

130B01

1263 2345

About 2,500 of the short-horns which formed the
above supplies, came from Lincolnshire ; 2,000
short-horns from Leicestershire ; 1 ,!i00 short-horns
and Devonfi from Northamptonshire ; 200 Scots
from Norfolk; 90 Scots and Devons from Suffolk ;
120 Scots, Herefords, and Devons, from Essex ; 200
Devons, runts, and Scots, from Cambridgeshire ;
120 runts and Staffords from Staffordshire ; 123
Devons, runts, Scots, Jlerefords, and Devons, from
Warwickshire ; 170 Devons and Herefords from
Oxfordshire; 200 Herefords from Herefordshire;
100 Devons, runts, and Scots, from Buckingham-
shire ; (Ai Devons and runts, from Worcestershire ;
90 Pembroke runts, from various parts of Wales ;
270 Aberdeen and West Island Scots, by steam-
vessels, from Scotland ; 100 cows, Scots, Devons,
steers, and heifers, from Sussex ; f39 cows, Devons,
and runts, from Surrey ; 132 cows, Scots, Herefords,
and Devons, from Kent. The remainder of the
supply of beasts was chiefly derived from the neigh-
bourhood of London.

PRICES.
Per 81bs, to sink the offals,

Sept. 4. Sept. 25.

». d. 8. d. s. d. s. d.

Inferior 13eef 2 8 to 2 10 .. 2 6 to 2 8

Middling, do. ..3 0 4 0 .. 2 10 3 10

Prime, do 4 4 4 8 . . 4 2 4 6

Inferior Mutton.. '3 4 3 6 .. 3 4 3 0
Middling do. ..38 44.. 3 8 44
Prime ditto, ..46 48. .46 48

Veal 4 0 5 0.. 4 0 5 0

Pork 3 6 4 10 . . 3 6 5 0

Here follows our yearly comparison of the trans-
actions in Smithfield Cattle market.

At per 81bs, sinking the offals.

Sept. 26, 1830. Sept. 2.';, 1837.
s. d. 8. d. s. d. B. d.

Coarse and iiifcri.>r beasts 2 2 to 2 4... 2 0 to 2 8

Second (|uality do 2 6 3 0...2 10 3 4

i'rinie large hxen 3 2 3 6, ..3 B 3 10

Prime Scots. &c 3 8 4 0...4 2 4 0

Courme and inferior Bhecp 2 4 2 G...3 4 3 6

Second ((ualily do 2 8 3 0...3 8 3 10

I'liniecoaiKC-wddllcddo 3 6 3 10. ..4 2 4 4

I'riinc SoNlli Down do 4 0 4 4... 4 6 4 8

Lnige course calves 3 8 4 0.,.4 0 4 6

CrlH.e small do 4 2 4 8... 4 8 5 0

Large IjojTB 3 6 3 10... 3 4 4 0

Ncut small |.«rl<era 4 0 4 6..4 G 5 0

aui'i'Lir.s.
Sept. 26, 1836. Sept. 25, 18.37.

Beasts 3,865 3,456

Sheep 28,460 28,256

Calves 270 230

Pigs .380 398

By the above comparison of supplies it appears
that the supply of Monday, Sept. 26,1836, embraced
319 beasts, 204 sheep, and 40 calves more — 18 pigs
less— than that of Monday, Sept. 25, 1837.

The general (|uality of each kind of stock, with
which Smithfield has been supplied, has been tole-
rably prime — jiarticularly those beasts which have
arrived from Scotland and Wales. From Ireland
about 700 large hogs have arrived by steam-vessels ;
but tlie general (juality of them has been very
inferior.

About two-thirds of the supplies of sheep have
been composed of Southdowns, old and new Leices-
ter*, Kents, Lincolns, and Kentish half-bieds j the

THE PARMEU'S MAGAZINE.

remainder of Dorsets, Somersets, yjolled Gloucesters,
and English-fed Scotcli and Welsli sheep, with 900
by sea from Scothind, 400 from Hull, in Yorksliive,
and 2,100 from Boston, ii\ Lincohishiro.

The following is an account of the quantity of
doad stock which has been transmitted for sale, to
Newgate and Leadenhall Markets, since our Inst
month's report.

Ueasts. Silki;p. Cai.vks. Pins.

NuHiberof Niuiiliorof Numberof NiiiulKuof
Cai'casaos. Ciircasscs. Ciircasscs. Carcasses.
Scotland... 18 :.2 — .^9

Yovkjliiic. 28 f)9 — 72

Essex .10 CO 70 HO

Surrey 40 (iO 90 100

Sussex — 22 28 39

nerkshiic . . 1.1 22 39 62

WIltBliii'c... — 29 500 60

Gloucester . — 21 66 49

Hampsliire 6 84 90 62

Devoiisliire. — 16 80 V

Total .. 157 535 953 590

In addition to tko above supplies, about .'>0 pack-
ages of beef, and iiOO carcasses of lambs have ar-
rived ; as also 20 live beasts, 1,000 sheep, and 120
]ngs, from various quarters, the latter of which have
been of somewhat superior quality, and produced
good prices. Store sheep and beasts have been in
very limited demand, and their prices have been
with difficulty supported.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

The month which has just gone by has pretty
much determined the condition of a large portion of
our crops, in tlio early part we had sonio fine harvest
weather, and the wheat and a considerable portion of
barley on tho best corn lands were well harvested ;
this api)lies to the neighbourhoods of Taunton, Wel-
lington, liridgewater, Yeovil, C]rovvch«r, llminster,
&c., very little wlieat being cut during the late rain,
and a good deal of the barley and oats secured, and
I should say the condition of all good; on our high
lands, such as Mendip, the Dorsetshire hills, Moors,
&c., nearly all the wheat was cut, or under the pro-
cess of cutting, and (especially in Dorsetshire,) I
Jiave lipard of its being grown and otherwise in bad
condition ; the barlej- has also suflered in quality,
there will boa largo (luantity unfit for mslting ; hav-
ing a few fine days with rain inlermiting, a large
portion of both wheat, barley, and oals have been
put away very damp, and will not bo fit to take out
before the spring. On the extensive tract of black
peat moor land, extending on average of from four
to five miles wide, and twelve to fif'teon long, oast
and southeast of Bridgewater, nearly one-third of
wliich is now appropriated to corn, the appearance
from the hills by wliich it is surrounded is ([uito
a new feature in our prospects, not fifty years since
it was mostly an open moor without tree or shrub,
witliin these thirteen vfars, the shelter planted here
mostly sprung up, and corn has been grown to an in-
creasing extrnt every year, and now it jiresents a
fine plain, dotted over with plantations of Poplar
trees, Jiirch, and Alder, witli ])a9turoand arable in-
termixed, tl e latter either occupied with wheat or
oats, &c. in stitches. I could count standing
in thi Moor on one spot, between l.')0 and
200 ; both of wheat and oats, there is the
best crop tliat has been known for years,
but owing to the unfavourable season the condition
will not be good ; there is generally two waggon loads
of wheat jier acre, and often three loads of oals,
80 bushels of the latter and 3.') bushels of the former
per acre will not be unfre(|uent this season, the
land is made so productive by burning the first

time 11 is ploughed up, the straw, &c. seldom car-
ried back, but goes to enrich the high lands on the
hills, by whicli the moor is bounded ; except oats
and beanfs, the cpiality of tho corn grown is gene-
rally thin and inferior to the high land, but mak-
ing- in all corn grown a difference of from 3s. to
5s. per quarter in tlio ])riccs, — few of our new
beans will bo fit for an early market, ; should the
weather break up, as it appears now likely to do,
this crop will not have received but trifling da-
mage, wo may consider it (juite an average one.
Beef is still scarce and is selling at 10s. (id. per
score for tho very best, l>s. to '.)s. 6d. buing about
tho average. Mutton is plenty, 5d. to fid. Lamb in
demand, (id, to (ijd. l''at pigs are very scarce and
are likely to be for some months to come, lis. (id.
to 9s. per score. ; poor pigs are also dear. I should
quote old wheat at 7s. 6d. to Bs.; a short supply of
new, 7». to 7s. ()d. Beans, old, 53. 3d. to ,')8. (id. ;
new, 4s. fid. to 4s. 9d. Other grain nominal.
Wo have had but little rain since tho .'ith,
and to day it is very fine ; we have now rocom-
menced hay-making with a good crop of grass. —
September 8.

NORTH DEVON.

The weather having settled fine immediately after
the storm on the29t.li of.luly, the damage done to the
crops was not so great as ex|)ectod ; on the best land,
a considerable ])ortion of early sown corn was ready
for the sickle about the 7lh of August, a few fields
were cut previous to that period, and the necessary
work went on rajiidly with the most jileasing ap-
pearance, until tlie 17th anil 18lli, when it wss
retarded by very heavy rain, but as tho weather was
again fine to the 22nd, much corn was carried in tho
interval, to the afternoon of that day, when the rain
fell in torrents, and unfortuniitely for many, their
corn ricks were exposed to it, when only partly
made, and therefore much injured, and jirobably in
some instances entirwly spoiled, there having been
no settlemeTit of weather since, to take the ricks
abroad to dry ; many which were exposed to this
weather, arc; seen smoking like kilns, and lo this
unfavourable account we must add, that the weather
has not been sufliciently dry, since, (with tho excep-
tion of yesterday,^ to carry corn in good condition,
though much has been put together in such a state,
that it will be several months before it is fit for fi
market. Those larniers who have had the precaution
to i)ut their corn into small arish mows, will have
an advantage over those who have jiut it together in
larger <|uantities, as certainly very little has been fit,
since the rain set in, to secure it without injury, in
the latter manner. On the moorlands and other
coarse soils, (which form the largest ))ortion of this
division of the county )llie injuries will he much felt as
tlio farmers in those parts, did not commence cutting
their earliest crops, until about the 2)iih ult., the wea-
ther since that period, has been mor<i unfavourable for
harvest work, than has been experienced liere,(forso
long a continuance^ since lii22 ; (ho pros(iect still
continues bad, as the weather is to day again both
stormy and wet, with a large portion of corn re-
maining in the fields ; at the commencement of this
week about one-third of the wheat, and two-thirds of
the barley and oats was out, a considerable ((uantity
has been put together since, yet none we think is in
sufficient condition to produce good marketable corn ;
the weather since the rain commenced, has been
mostly cold, and checked the sprouting of the grain,
until within a few days, (hat wo have hoard many
complaints of this kind, and also of its being very

406

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

much stained, in fact there are fields in some situa-
tions, in which the straw is nearly rotten, and quite
black, but these cases proceed either from neglect,
or where a sufficient number of persons cannot be
got to attend to the work ; the repeated hindrances
will however, be very expensive to a great number
of the farmers, and fall principally on those who are
least able to bear such outlays. The early wheat
was secured dry, but is now brought to market very
damp and unfit for use, the quality is not to be com-
plained of, as in general the samples are as good as
in most seasons, there is smut balls in many of them,
though this complaint is not so prevalent as in the
two preceding years ; deficiency in the yielding of
the wheat is spoken of generally, more particularly
in the old white sort, in which it was visible when
standing in the fields, as the capsules on one side of
the ear, and about half an inch around the top, were
found without grain. The barley that has been
carried in good order, produces some samples of fine
quality, but mostly coarse, and of strong colour, and
a considerable quantity (the roots of which were so
much loosened in the storm of the 29th of July, as
to occasion its ripening prematurely,) has been
brought to cutting, 8 or 10 days earlier than ex-
pected, the grain is in consequence light and flinty,
and it is now thought that not above one-half of the
entire crop will be fit for malting ; after the first
rain, the oats improved considerably, and it was
thought they would prove an average quantity, of
good quality; in the part that has been housed, these
expectations have been realised, but the portion now
out in the fields is much stained, and the quality re-
duced ; the whole of this crop will not be fit to cut
for another fortnight, the remainder may therefore
meet a better fate, though from the present un-
favourable state of the weather, there is little reason
to expect it. The caterpillars complained of among
the turnips, were entirely destroyed on the 29th of
July, and have not since been seen, neither have the
flies done much injury, this crop has now a better
appearance in general, than for several preceding
years ; as the after grass is also plentiful, these fa-
vourable prospects has occasioned a brisk sale for
cattle at our neighbouring fairs, with better prices.
The potatoes are much improved by the late rain,
they have recovered an healthy look, and no doubt
is entertained of the late sorts being a crop suffi-
ciently abundant to compensate for the deficiency in
the early sorts ; mangel wurzel is little known here,
the few patches seen, look healthy and strong; we
also (for the first time) observe a few patches of
rape, the plants of which look so promising as will
most probably induce other farmers to make a trial
of it next season; fodder of every kind is plentiful,
and the cattle in excellent condition, farmers there-
fore anticipate good prices at the ensuing fair at
Barnstaple on the 19th inst, ; the remaining stock of
old wheat, and oats, is considerably shorter than last
year at this period, but there is a larger portion of old
barley, nearly the whole of which was thrashed in
March and April last, and therefore stale, and only
fit for grinding purposes. — Sept. 9.

ESSEX.

We have this week to report a general finish of all
kinds of grain harvest in our county, the rains that
have lately fallen have tended very much to deteriorate
the condition of wheat which was exposed to them,
yet we consider a very fair proportion was secured
previous, and will be quite sufficient to meet the
demand that will be made upon the new crop pre-
vious to May Day, when the greater part of what

has been carted lately will be in very fair condition.
We observe many stacks built remarkably narrow, a
plan that cannot be too much recommended in such
wet seasons, as it causes an exposure of a great
quantity of grain to the drying winds which have
lately been so very acceptable. From enquiry, we
find the yield has fully satisfactorily proved an average
crop. We are very much mistaken if there is not a
very great quantity of the swathe corn come to
market miserably stained, sprouted, and mow burnt ;
we have seen several stacks smoking and settling
down so fiat after being once topped up, as to require
much to be put upon them to make a roof at all to be
re-thatc'ied. Many farmers have had the good sense
to re-stack their corn, but must be very much
injured and rendered totally unfit for malting pur-
poses. What red cloverseed has been carried, has
been so in very fair condition, we shall not have an
average crop. Beans have not been got up well, and
will not be fit for grinding for some considerable
time. A farmer in our neighbourhood has very nicely
cleaned a Pea ley by taking the breast off his
plough, and slicing the land with a good hammered
iron share, and with harrowing two or three, made a
piece of land, previously very foul, lay in excellent
clean condition. We observe a few pieces of tares
up and in good plant, and recommend, where it has
not yet been done, as early a sowing as possible, as
experience has proved in nine cases out of ten, a
month's sowing in advance is at least 20 per cent,
gain on the bulk. Trifolium has in many cases
missed plant, and must be drilled in ag;un im-
mediately, which will stand a much better chance
from the fly than the previous sowing. The manure
for the wheat lands is going on very rapidly, the
beautiful weather we have lately had afi'ording a fine
opportunity for the purpose. We know of no better
plan of wetting wheat than that which we have
adopted for years, namely, shooting down four
bushels and putting in a pail about a quarter of a peck
of good unslaked lime, then place it on the top of
the heap, and pour on it a pail of boiling water, after
it has well slacked fill the pail up to the brim, then
throw it on, and immediately well stir up the wheat
with two pints of salt added. We are not aware of
having any smuts with our corn this year, the seed
for which was so prepared last Autumn. We never
remember our pastures and turnips making more
rapid progress than they have done during the last
fortnight, where the meadows had a little dressing
after haying they are really luxuriant. We would
recommend the assessors to be upon the look out in
charging all dogs kept by the labouring classes with
duty, the nuisance is daily gaining ground, and
unless a more efi'ectual check is put upon those keep-
ing them than of late, we may expect to have all our
game literally destroyed ; we know of farms where
two or three years ago a great quantity of game was
to be found, now with not a hare upon them. It was
but the other day two of these brutes wounded our
flock as well as that of a neighbour, biting several,
and destroying one, besides the injury the ewes must
have sustained from their being in lamb. Our corn
markets are very steady, and must continue so for
good samples, as they appear very scarce. The
cattle markets and fairs have been unusually brisk,
beasts as well as sheep at least 10 or 15 per cent,
above the prices of last year. The salesmen are very
sanguine of a further rise when the farmer shall have
had time to bring his corn into market and be able to
purchase. Again we say to our brother farmers be
cautious, as a rise in the price of stock is almost sure
to be followed by a ruinous depression. We would
by no means wish to limit the speculative spirit of

THE PARMEU'S MAGAZINE.

407

agriculture when fairly applied, but woeful experience
has lately convinced us that a surplus of capital in
the hands of the farmer has frequently gone into the
market too hastily, and when the time has come for
the payment of those calls which he would otherwise
have been able fairly to have met, he finds himself
pinched for means, to the market goes his stock
with that of many others in the same situation as
himself, and the return bill has proved he has had to
submit to a tremendous sacrifice to save his credit
with bis tradesman and his landlord he little antici-
pated when buying- in his stock, at a price, which had
he considered, afforded little chance of a profitable
return. Work is plentiful among us and good
labourers scarce, and we have no reason to fear other-
wise will be the case during- the winter. The battle
is now to be fought in our county whether a Church-
rate can be levied, when amajority of the parishioners
in vestry have decided against granting it. It is a
question materially affecting tlie interests of agri-
culture, and we wait with very great interest the
result of the trial, whether Churchwardens have the
power to make a rate where the majority of voters in
vestry are against them. W. C.

Sept. 22.

CUMBERLAND.

The labours of the harvest, so far as reaping is
concerned, is pretty nearly brought to a close, except
in the later districts of the county, which applies to
the^cold, wet, high laying land, near some of the
mountains. The grain, generally speaking, ripened
more evenly, and the harvest progressed more rapidly
and steadily without interruption, than for a number
of years back. There were occasional showers in-
deed, but never so continued as to interrupt the reap-
ing for more perhaps than a day at a time, and that
only seldom. The consequence was, that the grain
was cut as it ripened, without any hurry or difficulty
of procuring hands, and the wages ranged low ; say,
from one shilling and sixpence to two shillings,
without victuals. In districts more distant from the
larger towns they were a little higher. The rain that
fell had a beneficial effect rather than otherwise, and
never threatened to do any damage till Saturday, the
16th inst., when it began to rain in the forenoon, and
continued without interruption almost till Sunday
morning, with a close muggy atmosphere, but on that
day the weather so far changed, that with some slight
showers, there was a continued brisk wind, which
would counteract in some degree the effect of the
rain. But on Monday it again set in very wet,
which was followed, on the succeeding day, by close
warm unfavourable weatlier, though not much rain.
To-day is very fine, and will, to a considerable extent,
make amends for the preceding day or two. Although
there is a considerable quantity of the later sown
wheat still in the field, in different parts of the county,
the great bulk of it has been housed in fine condition.
The same may be said of both barley and oats. The
crop, taking it altogether in this county, may be con-
sidered a fair average in point of bulk, and from
appearance, and all accounts, will yield pretty well
from the sheaf. The wheat is of very superior
quality as compared with last year, but that certainly
was very deficient. The barley too, is a very fair
sample ; and the oats come to market both good in
colour and condition, but they are small in the grain,
owing probably to their ripening too quickly, added
to their being generally much lodged, but they never-
theless yield well from the sheaf. Neither the
wheat, barley, nor oats have suffered in their colour
from the weather, and will not come to market in the

least degree stained. The barley and oats have been
slightly depressed in the market for the last two
weeks, with arather heavy sale; but the wheat trade
has shown a considerable buoyancy, last Saturday it
advanced from 2s. to 3s. a quarter, with a quick
market. Peas and beans are so little sown that they
are scarcely worth while remarking upon, they both
are pretty good in straw, and will be quite an average
crop ; but the latter is rather late. Potatoes will be a
most abundant crop, and very good in quality. Turnips
taking the crop in the aggregate, may be pi-onounced
good,though the wet weather in July seriously affected
both the wet and very dry sandy soils, the latter
quite as much as the former, from the effects of
which they have never quite recovered, though the
favourable weather since has improved them much ;
but on the deep loamy and better quality of dry soils,
the crop is an excellent one. Store cattle and sheep
are still in good demand, and will likely continue so,
as there is an abundance of present keep, as also
plenty for the winter. Beef and mutton maintain
their price, with a fair supply, and good, generally
speaking, in quality considering the poor condition
in which the cattle went to grass. Our prospects
altogether, both as respects farmers, labourers, and
others, are considerably improved, considering the
ordeal of difficulty and distress we have so lately
gone through. And though we cannot expect the
condition of the country to be so prosperous as twelve
months ago, yet a change, much greater than could
have been expected, all things considered, has
already taken place, and a progressive improvement
has evidently taken place, which may be expected to
continue for a considerable time at least. As to the
coming winter, when compared with the last, there is
every reason to think that it will be one of comfort
and comparative happiness. Though the wages, as
regards operative manufacturers, are likely to be
low, yet the primenecessariesof life will be abundant
and cheap. Since writing Cyesterday) the above,
the appearance of the weather is such that one may
consider itsettled. It is now very fine, with arising
barometer, and should it continue so for a few days
longer, all the grain of any consequence will be
secured. — Sept. 21.

NORFOLK.

Our harvest raaj'' be said to have commenced on
the 21st of August, and to have terminated on the
22nd or 23rd of September, although some wheat
had been cut a few days prior to the former date,
and some barley remained in the fields a few days
after the last named period ; consequently, the ge-
neral harvest of the present year has not occupied
more time in its completion than is usually allotted
to the performance of that work under the more fa-
vourable circumstances of longer days and better
weather. Of the twenty fair, or twenty-five work-
ing days, which comprised the whole period of the
harvest, there were five wet days, and several others
more or less favourable for the due performance of
the labour of the fields, still the work was going on
with most improvident expedition, under circum-
stances which scarcely render it necessary for us to
remark, that a large portion of this year's produce
is carried to the homestead in very bad condition.
The weather having become more settled during the
latter period, the barley which had notthen been carted
is secured in good order, whereas much of that which
had already been stacked is not only put together damp,
and imperfectly weathered, but from the superabund-
ance of young clover, with which it is intermixed,
there is some reason to apprehend that no small

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

quantity will g'enerate heat sufficient to render it
useless for the purpose of malting. Beans are still
in the fields, but the cultivation of that description
of pulse is so limited in Norfolk, that it is matter of
little importance what weather may ensue ; the pre-
sent prospect, however, is favourable to the com-
pletion of this latter portion of the harvest. Tur-
nips are still improving, and afford a prospect of
the most unfailing crop we have observed for many
years past. It is true, we have recently seen one or
two fields, and have heard of two or three other simi-
lar cases, where the first sown turnips had been
destroyed by that formidable enemy the black canker,
which had been resown, twice hoed, and apparently
in a state of security, again attacked by that de-
structive insect, and denuded of their leaves down
to the very fibre, in the short space of three or four
days ; happily these instances have nDt been multi-
plied, and it may be presumed, the season is now
too far advanced to apprehend that they should be
so. We hear of no complaints for the want of
cattle food ; the upland pastures still afford a
good bite for sheep, and the marsh lands are,
considering the advanced period of the year, in
no way deficient of grass for store cattle ; and
moreover tlie sets of artificial grasses are so perfect
and luxuriant that in many cases the young clover
appeared above the barley before it was mowed, and
will make excellent stover for the cattle in the ap-
proaching winter. Trifolium is getting out of re-
pute, nor can the holders of that seed dispose of
it at any price ; the unfailing condition of the layers
is perhaps conducive to this end, nevertheless it is
quite certain that either the cultivation of this grass
is imperfectly understood, or that the farmers have
imbibed an unfounded prejudice against it ; taken
as a summer crop in preparation for wheat it is said
to exhaust the land, and as a spring crop for early
feeding, previous to the land being sown with tur-
nips, it is considered less nutritious than vetches,
consequently the latter maintain their ground to the
exclusion of the former, — for ourselves, we believe
the trifolium incarnatum has not yet been fairly tried,
and that when it is so, it will at least be found a va-
luable auxilliary. — Sept. 23.

Important to Guardians and Workhouse
Masters. — In the 2d section of the orders and
regulations issued by the Poor Law Commissioners
for the guidance of boards of guardians, it is stated
that " no guardian shall have power to act in virtue of
such office except as a member, and at a meeting of
the said board of guardians," &c., and it being the opi-
nion of some guardians that no guardian (unless he be
one of the visiting guardians) has the rieht to go into
the workhouse and see their respective paupers, except
in the presence of the master or matron ; and that the
master or matron has the right to refuse such guardian
seeing their paupers, except in their presence ; the
question has been submitted to the Commissioners,
who we understand have stated in reply : — That the
poor law amendment act, sec. 38, limits the power of
guardians to acting at aboard, and distinctly negatives
their right to act, in virtue of their office, singly and
separately. — As a guardian can only pretend to a right
to enter and examine the workhouse at all convenient
times, as a privilege of his office (unless indeed the
power be claimed in his character of justice, in which
the right is unrestricted), it follows that, as a guardian
he can only claim to exercise the right in company with
sufficient members duly assembled at a meeting to
form a board. But if the guardians should think it
desirable to confer on every member the right of entry
at all reasonable times, the Commissioners conceived
that it would be competent to do so by a bye-law, in
■which guardians should have special privileges as visit-

ors, or be exempted from any of the usual restrictions
on visitors. But such a bye-law could not be made to
enable a single guardian visiting the workhouse to give
any directions to the master or in any way to interfere
in the economy of the establishment.

Extraordinary Flower Recently Discovered.
— At a meeting of the Botanical Society of Lon-
don on Friday se'nnight in John-street, Adelphi,
the Secretary read a communication from Mr.
Sehomburgh, dated New Amsterdam, Berbice, May 11,
1837, stating the discovery of a new plant, since named
by permission of her Majesty " Victoria Regina." The
following is a description of this magnificent vegetable
wonder, which was discovered in the bank of the river
Berbice, in British Guiana: — "A gigantic leaf, from
five to six feet in diameter, salver shaped, with a broad
rim of a light green above, and a vivid crimson below,
resting upon the water. Quite in character with the
wonderful leaf was the luxuriant flower, consisting of
many hundred petals, passing in alternate tints from
pure white to rose and pink. The smooth water was co-
vered with them, and I rowed from one to another, and
observed always something new to admire. The leaf
on its surface is of a bright green, in form orbiculate,
with this exception, opposite its axis, where it is slightly
bent in almost : its diameter measured from five to six
feet. Around the margin extended a rim, about three
to five inches high ; on the inside light green, like the
surface of the leaf ; on the outside like the leaf 's lower
part, of a bright crimson. The stem of the flower is an
inch thick near the calyx, and is studded with sharp
elastic prickles about three quarters of an inch in length.
The calyx is four-leaved, each upwards of seven inches
in length, and three in breadth at the base ; they are
thick, white inside, reddish-brown and prickly outside.
The diameter of the calyx is 12 to 13 inches : on it rests
the magnificent flower, which, when fully developed,
covers completely the calyx, with its hundred petals.
When it first opens it is white, with pink in the middle,
which spreads over the whole flower the more it ad-
vances in age, and it is generally found the next day of
a pink colour. As if to enhance its beauty, it is sweet-
scented. Like others of its tribe, it possesses a fleshy
disk, and petals and stamens pass gradually into each
other, and many petaloid leaves may be observed,
which have vestiges of another. We met them here-
after frequently, and the higher we advanced the more
gigantic they became. We measured a leaf which was
six feet five inches in diameter ; its rim five and a half
inches high, and the flower across fifteen inches. The
flower is much injured by a beetle, Thrincius species,
which destroys completely the inner part. We have
counted from 20 to 30 in one flower."

Why the Nettle Stings. — The common or
large nettle is known by grievous experience to every
one, though, perhaps, you have never yet inquired
whence the pain arises from touching it. The sting is
not like a pin or needle, solid throughout ; but is hol-
low at the centre and perforated at the point, and, when
touched, it is not only sharp enough to pierce the skin
but also is so constructed as to inject a particle of
poisonous fluid into the wound it makes, and this is tlie
source of the pain which follows. The wound itself is
so minute that it would scarcely be felt ; but the poison
irritates, inflames, and causes the well-known pain al-
luded to. The plant, the small species of vvhich stings
the most severely, is covered all over with hairs ; but
by using a microscope or a magnifying glass, you inay
perceive that these are not all of one kind, some being
perforated, which are the stings, whilst others are not
Each stinpr stands upon a pedestal, and this pedestal
performs the office both of gland and poison bag. It is
cellular and spongy within ; the sting is placed on its
top, and may be moved by a slight pressure oil either
side, or round in a circle ; it seems to stand, as it were,
on a universal joint. When a boy touches its point, the
base is pressed down into the spongy pedestal, and the
poisonous fluid rushes up through the tube of the sting,
and flows out of the terminal aperture.— Drimmo.'jd's
Letters.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.^

40^

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c.

WORCESTER FAIR.— This great annual fair for
the sale ef horses, beasts, sheep, pig's, hops, and cheese,
took place on Tuesday last. In the horse fair we ob-
served an unusual number of horses and colts even for
this fair, the g'reater proportion of which were of the
cart kind, and g'enerally of an inferior description.
Some few good ones met with customers at high prices,
and many inferior horses i-ealized their full value. Upon
the whole, trade might be called rather brisk. Beasts
were plentiful , and of a much better quality than was
generally expected, and all were sold at prices realizing
full 6d. per lb. Cows, with their calves, were much in
demand, and sold briskly at very good prices. Sheep
were plentiful ; indeed many old men were heai'd to
say that they had never before seen so many sheep at
this fair: although it will be remembered the number
exhibited for sale this time last year created much sur-
prise. The show was not considered superior in qua-
lity, but there being' plenty of customers very few were
left unsold. Store ewes realized about last year's prices.
Lambs were also plentiful, and fetched about the same
price as mutton, viz. from 6d. to 6|d. Store pigs were
plentiful, but as high prices were asked, very few, we
believe, changed owners. Fat pigs were scarce, and
the few that were sold realized good prices. From the
shortness of keep at the commencement of the year but
littie cheese was made, and our fair was very thinly
supplied ; indeed we scarcely ever remember to have
seen so small a quantity, and the demand was equally
as limited , buyers not being' willing to give the prices
asked, anticipating from the present state of the season,
that cheese will be plentiful in the spring of the year,
and prices greatly diminished ; little cheese was con-
sequently sold. Prices averaged about— old, 70s. to
74s.; new (best), 60s. to 68s.; seconds, 48s. to 56s.;
skim, 36s. to 45s. The following is a statement of the
number of beasts, &c. at this fair, viz.: — Beasts and
cows, 526; calves, 17 ; sheep and lambs (including 159
rams), 4,9l6; pigs, 107 ; horses, 386.

At AUCHTERARDER SEPTEMBER MAR-
KET the attendance was very limited. The cattle
brought forward were principally young stock, for
which there was a limited demand, and prices perhaps
10 per cent, below last year. Fat stock were much in
demand, and the very few in the market brought readily
from 8s. to 8s. 6d. per stone Dutch, sinking offals.

AtBALLOCH FAIR there was a larger supply of
horses than there has been these two years, especially
of colts from three to four years old. These were in
demand, and generally brought good prices — the aver-
age being 25/. to 30/. A few very superior draught
horses from four to five years old brought upwards of
35/. Highland ponies in good condition met with ra-
ther a quick sale, at from 10/. to 16/. Shelties down
to 3/. to 41, The market upon the whole was a brisk
one for the sale of eood stock.

SKERLING OLD FAIR.— The number of cattle
was not so great as usual, but those exhibited were ge-
nerally in good condition, and met with a tolerably fair
demand at 7s. per Dutch stone. One fine lot from
Broughton brought 14/. per head. There was a small
show of horses, which were almost unsaleable. A great
number of Highland ponies were offered for sale, which
also met with a dull market.

NORTHAMPTON CHEESE FAIR was poorly
supplied, but what there was fetched high prices. There
was a great number of store beasts, and good beef
eagerly sought after. Of sheep a good supply. Tiie
horse fair was thinly attended.

READING FAIR.— As early as Monday, Cheese
from Wiltshire and Somerset began to arrive, and con-
tinued to do so until the middle of Thursday, and al-
though a greater quantity has been pitched in former
years, it yet surpassed the average, there being between
700 and 800 tons exhibited. The prices demanded at

first were so out of the way that the purchasers stocvft .
aloof, and no material business was transacted untiMhe
afternoon, when the dairymen changing their tone,
some business was eilected at 74s. for the best new
Cheese, and other descriptions varying to 60s. and 58s.
Other quotations are, best old Cheese, 84s.; best new,
66s. to 74s. ; seconds, 56s. to 64s. ; and half coward,
42s. to 50s. A very large quantity remained unsold on
Friday, and during this day, owing t© the dealers re-
fusing to lower their prices, and since the conclusien of
the Fair, several waggon loads have been taken back
to the dairy country, a circumstance almost unprece-
dented ; and which' must have arisen from the manu-
facturers being determined upon high prices. The
Horse Fair was of a most inferior description, nor did
there appear much business going on. The Cow cat-
tle were rather superior, and a considerable number
were disposed of.

KINGTON SEPTEMBER FAIR.— The supply
of sheep was large, nearly 7,000 being penned, consist-
ing chiefly of store ewes, these and fat sheep met vnth
a ready sale at advanced prices. The cattle fair was a
very full one, comprising a large number of very fine
steers, which were sold early and upon pretty good
terms. Fat stock of evci-y description was readily dis-
posed of. A three year old steer, bred by a tenant of
the Right Hon. the Earl of Oxford, in the parish of
Titley, was sold early in the day for the handsome sum
of 45/. ; and we hear that the purchaser (Mr. T.Bach,)
purposes sending it to the Hereford October Fair.

ABINGDON MICHAELMAS FAIR. — There
was the largest supply of sheep ever remembered by
the oldest inhabitants ; indeed so extensive was it, that
the sheep market with the adjacent streets in which they
are usually penned wers totally insufficient to afford
the requisite accommodation. Although buyers were
rather shy considerable business was done, but at low
prices. In the horse fair the supply of nag and cart
horses was greater than on ordinary occasions, but the
trade in them as well as cattle, of which the supply was
very limited, was heavy.

BARNSTAPLE FAIR.— The show of cattle was
larger has been known for many years. During the
early part of the day very little was done in the way of
sales, the prices demanded being higher than pur-
chasers were inclined to give. As, however, the time
for closing advanced, a good deal of business was ef-
fected with fat cattle at from 9s, to 10s. per score, and
with store beasts at about 6s.. The horse fair exhi-
bited a very Rosinante-like appearance, there being
but few good looking animals on the ground.

LEWES SHEEP FAIR.— This fair may be consi-
dered as a large one, there being nearly 40,000 sheep
and lambs penned. The day proved a business-like
one, and a large portion of the sheep met with pur-
chasers, at different prices, according to their descrip-
tion and condition. The following may be taken as a
pretty accurate quotation :— Ewes, from 21s. to 42s. per
head ; wether lambs, from 13s. to 20s., average about
l5s. to l8s. ; wether tegs, from 22s. to 30s. ; the aver-
age price of the ewes may be stated at about 26s. per
head. Messrs. T, and C. Groom, of Lion's Farm,
Somptinff, again obtained 40s. for their ewes, which
were sold to the same gentleman as last year, T. Sad-
dler, Esq., who purchased before they were penned.
This lot of sheep was very generally admired, and
were equal, if not superior to any in the fair.

AIASHAM FAIRS.— An additional interest was ex-
cited at these fairs (which have just terminated) by the
exhibition of a wonderful four years old heifer, the pro-
perty of jMr. Henry Nicholson, of Bedale, The public
are much indebted to this excellent judge of stock, for
his spirited exertions in exhibiting this growing monster.
Those who were favoured with a sight of the animal,
have expressed themselves greatly astonished at the size

410

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

and beauty of the beast ; and we doubt not the spirited
owner will be amply repaid for the expense and trouble
he must necessarily incur in affording' the public so
great a treat. That such of our readers as have not seen
her, may have some idea of her dimensions, we subjoin
her measurement, taken with great accuracy :— She is
5 feet 1 1 inches in heig-ht, 10 feet 10 inches in g'irth in
the widest part of her body, and squares 3 feet 3 inches
from tiie hugging-s to the shoulders. She is calculated
by judges to weigh from 240 to 260 stones, at ]41bs. to
the stone, and is withal exceedingly active. No ad-
mirer sf stock should allow the opportunity to escape
of seeing this extraordinary animal. We understand
Mr. N. will shortly visit this city with his wonderful
phenomenon, and we venture to say, from the description
given to us, that our fellow-citizens may anticipate a
treat seldom to be met with.

FALKIRK TRYST.— Upon Monday, the 11th in-
stant, the sheep sales of this great leading market com-
menced, but the usual quantity did not appear ; there
were only 28,000 upon the market ground, this being
nearly one-third less than at the September market of
last year. They were all sold by two o'clock p.m. The
demand was very brisk. On account of the pastures in
the Highlands being excellent, the stock were of supe-
rior quality, and in good order. The prices varied from
those of last year, only as regards the Cheviot white-
faced wethers, which brought per head from 23s. to 27s.;
and two small lots brought 303. — The difference is from
Is. to 2s. more per head. Black-faced wethers brought
16s., 20s., 22s; one lot of 1,000 were purchased by a
Westmoreland dealer at 25s. This lot was considered
the best in the market. Ewes, according to their qua-
lity, brought 9s., 12s., and 14s., and a lot of superior
ones 16s. — Upon the whole this market was considered
a good one for the Highlanders.

TUESDAY.— About 14.000 cattle appeared upon
the ground to-day, two-thirds of which seemed to be in
good condition. The half of the stock comprised large
Angusshire and four-year old Highland slots. For
these the demand was brisk, and sold readily at 7^ per
cent, above the prices of last year. The former brought
from 111, to 12/. I2s. ; the latter from 51. 5s. to 6/. 6s.
The remaining third part consisted of small lean cattle,
which did not find purchasers so readily; prices for
these ran from 31. 15s., 41. 4s., 4/. 10s.

The stock for WEDNESDAY'S market consists of
about 5,000 of the last mentioned description, which
there is little doubt will be all sold off at fair prices.
A short supply of fat cattle found ready sale ; those of
fine quality brought 10s. a stone Ctron). There was a
large show of horses, but high prices being asked there
was a dull demand.

FALKIRK TRYST.— Further Particvlars.—
Sheep at this market produced better prices, by from 5
to 10 per cent, that at the corresponding market of last
year. The best Cheviot wethers, those of Donald Home,
Esq. and Mr. Paterson, both from Sutherlandshire,
brought 1/. 10s. a-head, but the average for wethers
of this breed was from 1/. 4s. to ll. 10s.. a great im-
provement upon last season, as reported in our paper,
when the averag-e was from 1/. 2s. to IL 5s. Cheviot
ewes from 12s. to 18s. Black-faced wethers brought
upon the average from 16s. to 1/. 2s., but one lot of the
finest quality brought IZ. 4s. 6d., and two lots ol consi-
derable quantity, each from the Ochils, the one belong-
ing to Mr. Maule, of Alva, and the other to IMr. Guild,
of Glenquay, being the best three year old wethers that
appeared, sold for 1/. 3s. The average for this breed is
10 per cent, over last year. We happened to see a
small lot of black-faced rams returning from the tryst
on Wednesday morning, and were informed they
brought 1/. 10s. a-head. Black-faced ewes — for of
Cheviots there were very few — brought from 8s. to 14s.,
fully 10 per cent, above last year's. Upon the whole,
the sheep market was very active, and stock changed
hands very rapidly. The sale of black cattle was rather
dull, and prices much the same as last market. West
Highland stots best lOL ; queys, best, 7L 10s.; grazing
cows, best, 6/. 15s. The cattle sold well, and there
were but few to supply the demand. Small lean High-
land cattle were very low, some of them as low as from

1 /. 10s. to 3/. Aberdeen and Angusshire cattle, best
14/. to 14/. 10s. Two beasts which were consi-
dered rarities, being crosses between an Aberdeenshire
polled cow and a thorough-bred West Highland ball,
bred by Mr. John Burgess, near Granton, were sold
for 33/. each. For horses there was a very dull sale,
still good horses brought fair prices, one we heard of
being sold for 35/., and anether for 32/., but inferior
animals were not on demend. — Stirling Journal.

SHEEP SALES.— The annual sale at Mr. John
EUman's at Glynde, took place on Wednesday last.
After luncheon, tlie show of ram lambs, for a silver
tankard, took place, of which Mr.Denman was declared
the winner, beating the Duke of Richmond and Mr. R.
Boys. The company then adjourned to the pens, where
300 ewes were submitted to the hammer by Messrs.
Verrall and Son. The prices obtained were, for the one
year old, 42s. to 49». ; for two and three years old, 35s.
to 42s. ; aged, 62s. to 86s. The whole averaged 52s. 6d.
Several rams were let at good prices. — ^jMr. Thomas
Ellman's sale of ewes and letting of rams took place on
Tuesday. The price of two tooth ewes varied from 33s.
to 70s. ; four tooth, 31s. to 70s. ; six tooth, 30s. to 62s. ;
full mouthed, 46s. to 62s. — The sale of the late Mr.
Hurly's southdown flock by Verrall and Son, took place
at Iford, on the day following the fair, and was very well
attended by buyers.

FINDON SHEEP FAIR.— This Fair was held on
the 14th instant, when there were penned 14,000 Sheep
and Lambs. Upwards of 11,800 were sold at an aver-
age price of from 20s. to 27s. 6d. for Ewes ; Wethers,
from 30s. to 40s. ; and Lambs, 12s. to 21s.

THE HONINGIIAM HOPS.— The experiment in
which Mr. Crawshay is engaged with respect to the
growth of this plant is interesting, not less nationally
than locally. For although the introduction of various
substitutes for this wholesome bitter, with a view to pro-
fit the brewer rather than the beer, has reduced the con-
sumption, yet still such has ever been the precaviousness
of the crop under the present culture and confined por-
tion of the kingdom, that if the plant can be successfully
grown in Norfolk or elsewhere, two beneficial results
will most probably arise — the beverage, the national
beverage, may again be restored to its original in-
gredients, and hops may be produced insufficient abund-
ance to make them sufficiently cheap. Locally speak-
ing, a variety will be added to the agriculture of the
county, which can hardly fail to be valuable both to
landlord and tenant. For these reasons we have watched
with much solicitude the progress of Mr. Crawshay's
attempt, and we are convinced that he will by his scien-
tific experiments augment the knowledge of the best
principles of hop-gardening to an'extent they have never
yet been brought. We this week visited his plantations,
and they are bounteously flourishing. He has again
enlarged the number of acres, and even this year's
plants are yielding considerably. The blight has par-
tially affected them, but the quality in general is fine.
The main point he has hitherto established is, that the
hop will grow, and grow luxuriantly, in very meagre
soils. It seems also probable that by cutting them in as
he cuts in his vines, and restraining, or rather concen-
trating the vigour of the plant in a smaller compass, he
will assist nature. It is remarked that from those bines,
where the ivind or other circumstances has bent the
head, and turned it down instead of allowing it to run
up, the produce is greater. Mr. Crawshay also antici-
pates an increase from stopping the lateral shoots, in-
stead of allowing the power to be wasted in trailing and
useless tendrils. Should the effect be what he expects,
lofty poles will be unnecessary, and more air and light,
those two indispensable elements of vegetable life, will
be admitted in larger proportions. The picking will
also be rendered more easy. His observations must yet
be in their infancy, but so far as he has gone, the success
justifies his most sanguine expectations. Last year he
produced the best sample in the London market, and
this he will probably be not less eminent. The picking
commenced on Monday, and it is ajoyousas well as a
novel and beautiful sight to see so much profitable em-
ployment given by such wholesome means to the district
I he inhabits. — Norwich Mercury,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

411

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.

It is the usual characteristic of the corn trade at
this period of the year, to exhibit a succession of
fluctuations in accordance to the state of the weather,
and the languor of one market is superseded by the
animation and excitement of another, consequent on
the falling or rising of the barometer ; a gleam of
sunshine, therefore, or a shower of rain, during the
few hours dedicated to the sale of grain in Mark
Lane, have sufficient influence to keep the curren-
cies constantly unsettled, and the quotations the past
month have been mainly dependent on atmospheric
appearances or the inferences drawn by prejudiced
parties from partial accounts received from different
districts of the kingdom. Reports have been rife of
the failure in the yield of wheat on thrashing out,
the prevalence of sprouted corns, and total unfitness
of the new growth, from the excessive dampness of
its condition, to become available to the miller un-
less highly kilndried. No doubt the weather has
been changeable, and by no means favourable to the
harvest for nearly three weeks of the month, but from
the 19th a decided improvement has taken place ;
fortunately the previous wet was attended with a
cold temperature, and in the intervals of rain, drying
winds were experienced, which effectually checked
the extent of the mischief from sprouting and vege-
tation, which must otherwise have ensued ; but lat-
terly the drooping hopes of the farmers have been
cheered by the appearance of a second summer, hot
glowing days, and at times such a searching wind,
that the grain out-laying would not only be rapidly
rendered fit for cutting, but that which was already
stacked in inferior condition would feel most bene-
ficially the influence. Doleful, however, have been
the accounts sedulously spread in Mark Lane from
week to week of the state of the crops in Essex and
Suffolk, parts of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire,
where we have reason to believe the farmers have
suffered more from the vicissitudes of the climate than
in any other part of England, and especially in the
lower parts of Essex, where much deterioration has
occurred from the crop by the rain ; then the condi-
tion of the new samples from this county and Suffolk,
and a few from Kent, not only damp, but absolutely
moist, handling more like grains composed of leadth-an
meal, all contributed to corroborate the rumours, and
give an impetus to the market in favour of old corn or
dry new qualities, which have advanced more than in
proportionate value, especially free foreign. So great
was the disparity in quality, that while some of the
new growth was selling at 42s., other samples were
obtaining 64s. and 65s. The error, however, is, that
speculators and interested individuals are too apt to
draw conclusions from local or partial circumstances,
and have therefore inferred the general inferiority of

the cropsinEnglandjfrom the circumstances occurring
in the few counties previously named, forgetting that
in the southern, western, and especially northern parts
of England, we have every reason to credit the
promise is more favourable than in 1836 ; while
should Scotland ultimately secure her crop, enough
will be found to supply her own wants, and perhaps
to export us a little ; and that Ireland's super-
abundance will reach this country in the shape of
flour, and equalize in all probability the falling off
from Essex, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire ; not omit-
ing a principal feature which ought to be attandant
on all calculations connected with the probable
supply and demand of the flour and meal, that the
potato crop throughout the United Kingdom is
luxuriant, and only fine weather required to secure
this invaluable esculent, to ensure a plentiful supply
throughout the season. Many of the county markets
in those districts, more particularly suffering from
the weather, have advanced more than in proportion
to the rates at Mark Lane, but farmers have been in
part unwilling to bring forward their wheats at the
prevailing rates, and in part have been prevented
from getting their supplies to market, out-door
labour occupying almost their undivided attention,
as they have been snatching off the field the gr^in
during the intervals of dry weather.

In Scotland the weather has of late become more
favourable, and the farmers anxiously availing them-
selves of every appearance of sunshine, were keeping
the markets in limited supply, and the advanced
prices of all old grain and pulse have been fully sup-
ported. The wheat has fared better than other descrip-
tions, being growji most in the Lothians and western
portions of the Kingdom, which have been more
favoured by the weather ; but in the extreme northern
districts many of the oats are not yet ripe ; though
there is still time for them to arrive at maturity with
a fair average character of weather, and with a con-
tinuance of moderate harvest weather, we believe a
middling average crop of grain will be secured.

In Ireland the rains have much impeded the harvest,
and the markets were assuming a firmer aspect both
for wheat and oats, but the weather we have been
experiencing, has been fortunately fully partici-
pated in by our Irish brethren, which is of deep
import to this country, as the bias of the future
prices in England depends much on the state
in which their luxuriant harvest is saved. The
accounts from the south of Ireland report the
crops completely housed ; this remark applies to
the breadth of country from Limerick to Cork, and
from Limerick to VVaterford. Westward there were
some oats in the fields cut and uncut towards the
close of the month, but now there is little outstand

412

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ing to affect the aggregate return ; and it is stated
that the superior quality of the grain this season
had already attracted several English orders.

The fact of the payment of the duty of 28s. 8d. on
about 39,000 qrs. of Foreign Wheat, during the
month in the port of London, has not been without
the influence on the trade in Mark Lane, as well as
on the monetary interest, and has no doubt caused
excitement among many agriculturists. Tbe trade has
been affected to the extent of having about three-
fifths of the amount brought free on the market for
sale, and commanding in very many instances a pre-
ference to the home growth, even when of old quality
and good condition ; the remaining two-fifths having
been already sold to the millers for mixture, as not
more than the same proportionate amount of new
quality can be worked up at present into flour, and
therefore requiring three-fifths old to make it avail-
able for grinding. The amount, however, is alto-
gether trifling, and the effects, if any, which have
heen created, have emanated more from imaginary
than real causes ; but the operation, limited as it is,
is yet stated to have " drawn money out of the
money market to a perceptible amount," and which
has been one of the causes to which the slight in-
crease in the rate of discount is attributed — four per
cent, being the current rate for unquestionable paper.
The farmers, however, need not be apprehensive of
any material effect being wrought on the markets, as
the high rates obtained for the finer high-mixed
Danzig wheats, of 68s. to 73s., and 62s. to 66s. for
fine reds, have been a matter of necessity and not
speculation with our millers, who are known to re-
quire them for working up other qualities of British
produce. The duty has now risen to 29s. 8d., and
the advance of the Is. will be a consideration with
shippers, if they pay it, so nicely balanced has been
the profits attached to the imports which have been
already made. Some speculators, however, seem
flushed with the hope that the duties will before
another harvest, recede to 10s. 8d., others that they
will attain 6s. 8d., and the most sanguine Is. With
such feelings, only though partially prevalent, it is
surprising that so much wheat has paid so high a
range of duty, as it might have been supposed the
quantity would have heen confined to the probable
necessities of the millers for their more immediate
use; but holders have not, perhaps, lost sight of the
circumstance, that the new wheats, in many instances,
require strength, and which requisite many of the
Polish samples possess ; and that, therefore, high
comparative rates may be obtained for such quali-
ties, which accounts for some of the old middling
qualities of our own growth, as Cambridgeshire,
&c., where strength existed, realizing a much
greater relative advance than other liandsomer
parcels ; but these high rates will have little ef-
fect on the averages, as their upward tendency
will be checked by the low prices of inferior parcels.
Efforts have, no doubt, been made to reduce the duty
another shilling below the impost of 28s. 8d,, bu
finding the design fruitless, a portion of the quan-

tity intended to be brought on the market at the
lower duty has been liberated, and attempts have
been made to depress the averages, in order to keep
up the duty, thus enhancing the value of the foreign
corn already available for consumption. Perhaps
the best elucidation of the fact is exhibited in the
Liverpool operations. When the duties were declin-
ing and averages consequently improving, the Liver-
pool averages ranged at 54s. to 55s. ; but when the
minimum duty is attained — at least the lowest pro-
bable point under existing circumstances — a quan-
tity of wheat is entered, and down fall the weekly
averages of the market, not a two or three shillings,
which from common fluctuations miglit occur, but
6s. and lis. — the late returns having been 49s., and
even 44s., which is to be only accounted for by a run
on the inferior qualities. Either speculators and
millers have neglected all better descriptions to pos-
sess themselves of ordinary Irish samples, or it has
escaped the attention of individuals, the sales made
of good wheats, and therefore the Inspector's note
contains only a partial return. This is the way the
law is evaded, and at times rendered perfectly nu-
gatory as a protection to the home grower ; and here
it will be well to again recite extracts from the late
returns made to Parliament by the different Inspect-
ors of averages. We will quote one from a princi-
pal shipping port, the other a principal manufac«
turing town. " Sometimes the merchant in making
a sale engages that the quarter shall weigh a given
weight, which is often, in such a case, a much
greater quantity than the imperial quarter. This is
done by the merchants, under the pretence of the
more readily effecting a sale ; but my opinion is,
that the real cause is to raise the average prices for
certain purposes of their own. To guard against
this, when I receive a return from a miller who has
bought a quantity of corn of a merchant by the quar-
ter, I inquire whether he has measured it, and if I
find that there is an increase of bulk beyond the
number of quarters bargained for, I cause a bushel
of the corn to he weighed, and by that means I as-
certain the true quantity purchased, and direct the
miller to make his return agreeably to the true quan-
tity. Corn is not sold in this market by any other
measure than tl)e boll and the quarter." " There is
great difiiculty in getting returns, as the buyers dis-
like the trouble, little as it is. If the sellers as well
as the buyers were obliged to make returns when we
requested them to do so, they would be a check one
on the other ; and, until there is something of that
kind, a great portion of the grain never will be return-
ed, as it is not easily found out — the sellers throwing
every difficulty in the way to save their customers
being fined." It is to be regretted all Inspectors are
not so diligent and assiduous in their duties as
these two exemplary individuals who made the re-
turns.

Wheat in bond has remained neglected, except
for a few parcels for exports, the speculative atten-
tion being directed towards foreign free parcels ; and
most of the arrivals, which are now coming freely to

TH£ FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

413

hand from the Baltic are going into granary as noted
above.

There have been few samples of new barley at
present at Mark Lane, and those chiefly Chevalier,
from Essex and Kent, very few having been received
from SuiFolk or Norfolk, The samples exhibited
various shades of colour and quality ; a few were
fine, and one or two bright, and held at 37s. to 38s.,
but the other parcels sold at from 30s. to 33s. and 36s.
Maltsters, however, have not yet commenced purchas-
ing, and prices are therefore unsettled. The advanced
rates maintained for malt has drawn more samples to
market, and some very fine old parcels were offering
to-day, but there was less disposition on the part of
brewers to purchase, and a tendency in holders to
give way, without, however, the quotations receiving
any positive alteration.

In reference to barley, the injury sustained in
color, quality, and condition of the new crop is now
generally acknowledged, and it only becomes a con-
sideration to what an extent they may have been
sustained, no doubt the disparity between the dif-
ferent qualities of barley will be greater than for
many seasons ; varying in all shades of discolor-
ment with very little comparatively really bright and
fine, and on the London market such qualities are
likely to be rare, as agents for our principal brewers
will take care in the leading counties of produce of
the article, to clear off these descriptions before
shipment to our port. We should not be surprised
therefore to see a difference in the value of inferior
black barley and bright Chevalier of 14s. to 16s. per
qr., though the currencies are not to be expected to set
in as high as they did last year, say 42s. to 44s. for
extra, 36s. to 38s. and 40s. extra will be nearer
the figure.

The arrivals of oats from our own coast, have
been on a very limited scale, but from abroad the
supplies continue liberal, and during the month,
upwards of 32,000 qrs. have paid duty at 10s. 9d.,
and even now the receipts from abroad as they reach
the port, are offering free ex-ship, paying the pre-
vailing duty of 12s. 3d. The new Irish oats which
have come to hand, have proved extremely fine in
quality, colour, and condition, and a few cotchels
sold at 27s. to 29s., but new samples of 41 lbs.,
cannot be disposed of in quantities above 26s. per qr.
The trade generally has been languid, and the pro-
gress slow towards effecting clearances, except of
good fresh horse corn, which has suffered little de-
preciation from the commencement of the month, but
secondary and stale descriptions, have continued
heavy, at Is. less monev, and even more where sales
were pressed.

The new beans having come to hand soft, old have
realized Is. more money, but now that the supplies
are increasing and improved in quality, these rates
are barely maintained.

The new peas though dry, are much worm-eaten
and inferior to the sample of last year ; fine qualities
have obtained Is. more money, owing chiefly to a
Goverameat contract for 500 quarters, and the sup-

plies being limited. Grey and maple peas in inferior
condition, 2s. to 3a. cheaper.

The flour market has participated in the unsettled
state of the wheat trade, and efforts were made to
enhance the prices to 37 s. and even 60s., but unanimity
could not be agreed upon, and prices only have im-
proved 2s. per sack, making the to prates 55s., which
have been paid, instead of the quotations being as
usual nominal. Ship flour has also advanced 2s.
per sack. Bonded flour remaining dull at 22s. to
24s., extra 25s. to 26s. per barrel, with only a limi-
ted demand for export.

The alteration in the duties consists of an advance
on wheat of Is. per qr., making the duty 28s. 8d.,
also an increase of Is. 6d. on oats, 2s. 9d. on rye, 4s.
6d. on peas, barley and beans remaining unaltered.

In Upper Canada the harvest has commenced, and
the crops of wheat favourably reported ; partial com-
plaints were made of rust and smut, but, in general,
the qualily is superior, and exceeding an average in
quantity. The American agents were again actively
employed in endeavouring to conclude contracts
with the Canadian farmers for the delivery of their
wheat at 6s. 3d. per bushel, before the 25th of Octo-
ber. But our correspondent represents the fallacy
of their being tempted, by the appearance of mo-
mentary gain, eventually to sacrifice their interests
by being compelled to pay relatively higher rates for
bread and other provisions. Danzig wheats had im-
proved in value, and mixed qualities in rather large
quantities had obtained 7s. 9d., white, 8s. At
Quebec it was computed, that, up to the beginning
of August, 57,000 qrs. of foreign wheat had been
imported.

At Halifax, prices of flour were rather on the ad-
vance. Fine American was noted at 45s. in bond ;
Quebec, 50s. ; Hamburg, 45s. to 47s. 6d. per barrel.
Navy biscuits, 25s. per cwt.

From the Mauritius we learn flour, as well as the
finer qualities of Wheat, were being held at higher
rates. American flour noted at 12 to 13 dollars per
barrel ; Danzig do., 9 to 11 dollars ; European, 3
dollars 25 to 50 cents per lOOlbs. Cape do., 5 dol-
lars 50 cents to 6 do.

Most of the French markets are on the advance
for the better qualities of wheat, and complaints are
becoming more general of the badness of the yield
of the new crop. At Paris the limited nature of the
supplies, owing to the farmers being engaged in
field labour preparing for sowing, which prevents
them from thrashing out, and old wheats being
scarce, holders were demanding higher rates. The
fine weather latterly prevailing had enabled the far-
mers to make progress in securing the remainder
of the crops in the northern departments. At Mar-
seille the ravages of the cholera having mitigated,
wheat was likely to experience an improved de-
mand, and was already noted 1 franc 50 cents to 2
francs per charge dearer.

The Italian markets remain quite in a nominal
state, owing to the effect of the cholera.

The later advices from Danzig report the re-

414

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

appearance of rain, and unsettled character of the
weather, but that most of the wheat had been secur-
ed in the neighbouring- districts, except the marshy
grounds between that city and Elbing. The
trade was dull in the absence of orders, and fine
bright mixed qualities were obtainable at 26s.,
weighing- 621bs. The stock of wheat on the 1st of
September amounted to 431,500 qrs., and the ship-
ments during August had consisted of 73,600
quarters.

At Stettin the quality of the new grain appears
to be inferior to that of last season, especially the
barley. The wheat trade was languid, and prices
26s. to 27s. In Mecklenburg, the quality of the new
crop of wheat is very favourably reported, and the
produce likely to prove an average ; prices of old
wheat were noted at 24s. to 25s, ; extra, 26s. Rape-
seed, 18/. per last.

At Hamburg the trade continued heavy, and re-
quiring orders to give it a stimulus ; holders with
difficulty supported the rates of 29s. to 29s. 6d. for
the best descriptions of Upland red. Rapeseed
remained steady at the advanced quotations of 211,
8s. for fine Holstein, 20/. 18s. to 211. 2s. for Elbe
qualities ; on the East Coast, 18/. to 18/. 18s. were
being paid. Red clover was on the advance, owino-
to the accounts in Bohemia and Silesia intimating
rain and unfavourable prospects for securino- the
crop.

At Bremen, Brunswick and Hanoverian wheat re-
mained at 30s. ; rye, at 22s., and fine heavy Oats,
13s. The crop of rapeseed has turned out very
favourably, but still prices ranged at 21/. to 21/.
10s. per last.

In Holland the precarious state of the weather
had been detrimental to the crops, in addition to
which the yield of the wheats was complained of as
well as -along the Rhine, where the grain had been
housed previous to the wet weather. Prices at
Rotterdam on the 20th inst. had advanced during
the last five weeks fully 3s. per qr. Fine old Zea-
land was noted at 36s. to 37s.; Rhenish, of 611bs. to
621bs., 32s. 10 33s. The new oats as yet brought to
market had proved of inferior quality. Mustard
seed is represented to vary much in quality, brown
being worth 10s., and white, 6s. The yield of
caraway seed was very moderate, but good quality,
and held at I7s. to 18s., bags included. Rapeseed
remained at the late reduced rates of 22/. 13s. per
last.

At New York, Foreign wheat continued in very
moderate demand at former rates, and sales of new
home growth had been made at a reduction of fully
10 cents per bushel from previous rates. The
transactions include 5,500 bushels inferior red Ger-
main, at 1 dollar 20 cents each. A cargo of prime
new Carolina, 1 dollar 60 cents, and new Virginia,
1 dollar 62| cents. Good to prime Foreign rye 80
to 82 cents ; old northern, 87^ cents. Oats were
dull, and cargoes of good Delaware sold at 46 cents.
No supplies of the new crop had appeared, though
daily expected. The flour market continues quite

inactive, and sales confined to small parcels of
Western Canal, on which, however, owing to the
limited supplies, holders succeeded in realizing an
advance of 25 cents per barrel — prices 8 dollars 75
cents to 9 dollars. Rye-flour moderate sale, at 5
dollars 25 cents. At Baltimore, the new crop of
Maryland wheat came in very sparingly. The par-
cels at market had been mainly from Virginia and
North Carolina, and being genf^rally free from
garlic had been taken readily at better prices. The
sales of good to prime new reds have ranged from
1 dollar 60 to 66 cents, do. white, 1 dollar 65 to 75
cents ; 4,000 bushels Foreign have sold at 1 dollar
55 cents. Maryland rye is worth 65 cents. Foreign,
70 to 75 cents ; Oats, 40 to 42 cents. The sales
from stores of Howard-Street flour are confined to
retail sales at 8 dollars 75 cents to 9 dollars 25
cents. City Mills, 8 dollars to 8 dollars 50 cents ;
fresh ground, from new and old wheat, 8 dollars 25
to 50 cents. The accounts vary as to the crops,
especially in the newspapers, to which we have
given little credence, as some have stated the failure
to be to the amount of one-third of an average in
Virginia, others 6 to 8 per cent, worse than last
year, and report similarly vague of other States. It
is therefore satisfactory to observe in a correspon-
dence from New York, a remark to the following
effect : — " The grain crops are abundant all over the
Union. Letters to the contrary occasionally appear
in the newspapers of our cities, but they are written
by monopolists and those in their interest."

By late advices from Spain the enhanced
range of currencies which wheat was maintaining
were causing some degree of disquietude to the
agricultural interests, as by a Royal decree of Janu-
ary, 1834, the importation of Foreign wheat was to
be -allowed whenever the price of the native produce
attained 70 reals de vellon per faneaga, provided
this rate was sustained for three succeeding weeks
in the principal markets of the three provinces on
the shores of the Mediterranean. In the province
of Cadiz, which formed one of these specified
littoral districts, wheat was selling at 68 reals. Tbis
near approach to the prohibitory point, in connexion
with the unfavourable state of the crops, the secur-
ing of which the farmers were just completing, was
sufficient to account for the apprehensions of those
interested at a moment when, in addition to the tithe
which they had been wont to pay, they had been as-
sessed by a late decree of the Cortes with other heavy
State impositions, and which could only be alleviated
by the higher rates obtained for the principal com-
modity of wheat. In order to give the British far-
mer some idea of the exactions and just grounds
the Spanish agriculturist has to complain, we will
briefly detail the burdens under which the land-
owner in that unhappy country has to labour, in
order that our countrymen may be thankful for the
blessings which they enjoy in this land of freedom.
Upon rents arising from lands let, or not cultivated
by the owners themselves 5 per cent, is extorted
without any deduction: also ^th integral part of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

415

the rents received by the proprietors and of the
rents to be valued, of the properties inhabited by the
owners ; and an integral quota of the subsidy,
which the industrial and mercantile classes indivi-
dually were in the habit of contributing, or at
which they were assessed without distinction of
natives or foreigners.

CURRENCY PER IMPERIAIi MEASURE.

BRITISH.

Sept. 1.

Wheat, red, Essex, Kent, Suffolk 54 to 62

White 56 64

Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. .. 46 60

White, do. do 50 62

Irish Red — —

Ditto White — —

Barley, Malting, new 27 30

Chevalier, new 29 32

Distilling 26 29

Grinding 25 28

Irish 24 27

Malt, Brown 38 44

Ditto, Chevalier 58 61

Ditto, Norfolk and Suffolk Pale 54 58

Ditto Ware 55 59

Peas, Hog and Grey 38 40

Maple 35 41

White Boilers 38 42

Beans, small 40 45

Harrow 36 42

Ticks 34 41

Mazagan 34 40

Oats, English feed 24 26

Short small 26 29

Poland 26 29

Scotch, Common 22 25

Berwick, &c 24 27

Potatoe,&c 25 28

Irish, Feed 19 21

Ditto Potatoe 23 25

Ditto Black 20 23

Oct. 1.

52 to 64
52 66
40 62
46 64

30

34

32

36

26

30

25

28

24

27

38

44

58

61

54

58

55

59

34

37

35

38

38

40

40

45

36

42

34

41

34

40

24

26

26

29

26

29

22

25

24

27

25

28

17

21

23

26

17

23

PRICES OF FLOUR,

Per Sack of 280 lbs. Sept.I. Oct.I.

s. s. s. s.

Town-made 50 to 53 52 to 55

Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and Essex 42 44 42 46

Sussex and Hampshire 41 43 41 45

Superfine 44 — 46 —

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Stockton. 42 43 40 45

Northumberland. Berwick, and Scotch. 42 43 41 45

Irish. 42 43 41 45

Extra 45 — 47 —

PRICES OF SEEDS.

September 25.

Owing to the favourable alteration in the weather the
speculative demand for Red Cloverseed has subsided,
and prices become nominal, though in Germany the
quotations are on the advance, owing to the unsettled
state of the weather in Bohemia and Silesia. White
remains without alteration, as well as Trefoil. Linseed
dull, but the previous rates are supported, Rapeseed
meets little attention and the quotations nominally un-
altered. Hempseed firm. Caraway excessively heavy,
at 40s. to 42s. Canary is still being kept off the market,
the few parcels shown were held at 45s. to 47s. Cori-
ander nominal. There was a large supply of White
Mustardseed, which was not only out of condition but
is beginning to be discoloured and sales were extremely
difficult at former quotations, beginning at 5s.; in
Brown, no variation. Tares were in more liberal show,
and 6d. per bushel cheaper, 5s. being a top quotation.
Linseed and Rape Cakes fully as dear and in limited
show, most of the arrivals having come into the con-
sumers' hands. The receipts from abroad have been
119,600 Rape from Rotterdam, 2 tons from Copenha-
gen, and 50 do. from Altona; 93,808 Linseed Cakes
from Amsterdam ; 9 tan from Altona ; and 44 tons Oil
Cakes from St. Valery ; and 39 ditto from Dunkirk.

Weekcndinjr
11th Aug.
ISth ..
25th .
1st Sept.
8th . .
15th .
Ac;ij;regateAverr.ge
of tlie six weeks
which regulates

the duty

Duties payable in
London til! Wed
nesday next inclu-
sive, and at the
Outports till the
arrival of the Mail
of that day from
Londoti. . . .
Do. on graiH from
British possessions

out of Europe.

Foreign Flour 17s.

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

Oats I Rye

57 8

57 11

Barley

28 7

28 8

27 8

28 1

29 0
28 7

28 6

19 10

24 2

24 5

23 8

23 6

23 3

23 3

I 5 0
3d. per 1961bs.,
3s. per 1961bs.

2 0

3 0

7
7
6
6

35 U

36 4

3 0

Peas

37 1

14 0

3 0

British Possessions ditto.

An Account of the quantity of Foreign Grain and Flour
imported into the United Kingdom during the month
ending the 5th Sept. 1837 ; the Quantity on which
the Duty has been paid for Home Consumption, and
the quantity remaining in Warehouse.

Foreign Grain and
Flour.

Wheat from British

Possessions

Ditto Foreign

Barley

Oats

Rye

Beans. . ,

Peas : ...

Flour from British

Possessions

Ditto Foreign

Quantity
imported.

qrs. bush,

39
708
7001
94417
2090
16058
14659

cwts.qrs.lbs.

347 0 12
33330 0 19

Quantity en-
tered for
consumption

qrs. bush.

6244
15995

63258 5

40 5

6259 0

50652 6

cwts.qrs.lbs.

6538 2 17
3 2 20

Quantity in
Warehouse.

qrs. bush.

15018
675573
40544
255805
18257
52220
17596

cwts.qrs.lbs,

17638 0 12
164477 1 10

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

BoRo', Sept. 25.

The demand for new Hops has greatly increased
throughout the week— and the supply being moderate,
with the duty falling, the prices are on the advance.
The picking is now nearly finished, it appears they
come far short of the estimate, quality generally speak-
ing good— colour excellent.

The duty now estimated at 175m., few will back it.

PRESENT PRICES.

^ S. JE S.

East Kent Pockets , ,., 410 5 g

Mid Kent Pockets 44 4 12

Bags \ 4 2 4 10

Weald ot KentPockets 3 I6 4 8

Sussex 3 15 4 8

Yearlings in demand 310 410

Olrtolds 18 33

^VOOI• MARKETS.

BRITISH.

Sept. 25.
From the list of prices it will be seen that an advance
has taken place. It has been rapid, and it has not been
thought prudent to state the advances until they have
been somewhat established. The farmers in manyplaces
are holding their wool, and if they should have the
courage to hold it until February, so as to allow what
has been already sold to be worked up, and to be the
means of having theirs sought after for the spring trade,
t is very likely that they will realise a much better price

416

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

than even they can now ; for some of the manufacturers
are putting: their mills to work, which have been idle for
for some time, and are buyers at present prices. It
■would appear from experience that when there is a
middling- trade, that foreign wool is not so much of a
clog to English as might be expected— this might be ac-
counted for by the fact, that the foreign of the same
quality of Eng'lish does not work so well, that of better
quality works better.

Sept. 1. Oct. 1.

Per lb. s. d. s. d. s. d. s, d.

DownTeirs 1 1 to 1 2 1 3 to 1 4

Half-bred do 12 13 14 15

Ewes and Wethers 10 0 0 11 12

Leicester Hogs 0 0 10 1112

Do. Wethers 0 10 Oil Oil 10

Blanlcet Wool 0 6 0 10 0 7 0 11

Flannel 0 9 12 0 10 I 3

Skin Combing ...1 Oil 1112

EXETER. — This market, however viewed, must be
considered an important one. It opened at offers of QJd.
per lb. for yolk wool, but this not disposing the growers
to part with their stocks, the price of this article was
further advanced to lOd.per lb., at whichrate purchases of
several parcels were made. Washed wools also advanced,
and we must quote Knot from 12^d. to 13d.; and Dorset
horn, 13d. per lb. In sorts likewise advance generally
took place, and we have to quote broad head, 9d.; Kent
head, lOJd.; red, green, and pinions, 10|d.to lid.; fell
combing, lid. to ll^d.; fine head, ll^d. to 12d.; Cornish
stripe, 13d. ; North Devon stripe, 13d.; and tops,
16d. per lb.

WAKEFIELD, Sept. 22.— There continues to be a
steady trade doing in wools of all sorts, at stationary
prices. Wool has now reached a price which may be
considered a fair remunerating one for the grower, and
such as cannot be deemed extravagant by the consumer ;
and it seems very desirable that we should avoid those
extremes of high and low prices which generally prove
in the end so prejudicial to all concerned.

LIVERPOOL.

Week ending Sept. 25.

English and Irish. — In this article there is a demand
at rather improved rates. Some parcels of short wools
at Rochdale fetched an advance of jd. per lb. upon some
of the sorts offered. The sale would have been more
spirited but that the sales in some of the Yorkshire dis-
tricts have filled the hands of buyers.

The following are the current prices at our market : —

Current prices of Enghsh, per lb. — Down ewes and

wethers, 13d. to 14d. ; down tegs, 15d. to 16d. ; combing

fleece, 14d. to 15d.; combing skin, 13d. to 15d; super

skin, 14d. to 16d. ; head skin, 12d. to 14d.

Current prices of Irish, per lb. — Irish fleece, mixed
lots, 134d. to 15d. ; Irish Wethers, 13d. to 14d.; Irish
hogs, 15d. to 16d.; Irish combing skin, 13Jd. to 14Jd.;
Irish short skin, lid. to 13d. Imports this week, 55
bags ; previously this year, 2,030 bags.

Scotch. — We have no alteration to notice in the price
of Scotch wools this week. A small parcel of laid High-
land has been sold at 9s. 3d. Owing to the causes stated
last week the business here has been very limited at
present, the price of laid wool is relatively higher in
Scotland than in this market, and until a corresponding
price can be obtained holders here refuse to sell,
per stone of 241bs. s. d. a. d.

iiaid Highland Wool, from ... 8 6 to 9 0

White do. do 11 6 12 0

Laid Crossed do 11 0 12 0

Washed do. do 12 0 14 0

LaidChevlot, do 12 6 14 6

Wasbeddo. do , 17 0 19 0

White do. do 22 0 26 0

Import for the week 559 bags.

Previously this year 7018 do.

Foreign. — There continues a good demand for foreign
wools, and at the full prices of last week. Several lots
of Smyrna, Peruvian, Mogadore, and Russian have been
taken. There was a public sale yesterday, which was
rather spirited, some parcels of Spanish wools sold at
high prices, 200 bags of damaged ditto fetched from Is.

to Is. 8d. per lb., and about 80 bags damaged Smyrna
^d per lb.

Foreign. — Russia wool, Od. to 7d. ; Odessa, fine.
Is. to Is. 9d. ; Buenos Ayres, 3§d. to 4d. ; Moga-
dore and Barbary, 3d. to 4d. ; washed Peruvian,
8§d. t0 9§d. ; unwashed ditto, gd. to 7d. ; Portugal
II., lOd. to 12d. ; Portugal low marks, 8^. to
9M. ; German fleeces, Is. 2d. to Is. 4d. ; ditto
assorted. Is. 5d. to Is. 8d. ; ditto lambs. Is. 6d. to 2s.
6d. ; Spanish R, Is. 5d. to Is. 9d. ; ditto F. S.. Is. 3d.
to Is. lOd. ; New South Wales, Is. to Is. 9d per lb.
Imports this week, 829 bales; previously this year,
33,210 bales. "

SCOTCH.

Per Stone of 24 lbs. Sept. 1. Oct.].

Laid Highland Wool, from. 7 6 to 8 3 8 e'to 9 6

White Do. Do 10 6 11 6 11 6 12 0

Laid Crossed Do 10 0 11 0 11 0 12 0

Washed Do. Do H 6 13 0 12 0 14 0

Laid Cheviots 11 6 13 0 12 6 14 6

Washed Do 15 0 17 0 17 0 19 0

White Do 18 0 22 0 22 0 26 0

FOREIGN.

Sept. 25.

We have to report, a steady business doing, by private
contract, in most kinds of foreign wool, and the late en-
hancement in prices is well supported ; but we do not
anticipate that any further rise will take place, at pre-
sent. Since our last, the imports have been limited,
they having consisted of 200 bales from the Cape of
Good Hope ; 320 do. from Germany ; 140 do. from the
United States ; and 40 do. fiom Russia.

Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s. 6d. to 5s. 4d. ; first
Austrian, Bohemian, and other German wools, 3s. 2d. to.
4s. 4d. ; second do., 2s. 2d. to 3s.; inferior do. in locks
and pieces, Is. 6d. to2s.; German lamb's do., 2s. to
2s. lOd.; Hungarian sheep's do., 2s. to 3s. ; Leonesa
sheep's do., 2s. 2d. to 3s.; Segovia do., 2s. to 2s. lOd. ;
Soria do., 2s. to 3s. ; Caceres do., 2s. to 3s. ;
Spanish lamb's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; German and
Spanish cross do., 2s. Od. to 3s. Od. ; Portugal sheep's
do., 2s. to 2s. lOd. ; do. lamb's do., 2s. Od. to 2s. 6d.;
Australian, fine crossed do., 3s. to 3s. 4d. ; do. native
sheep's do., Is. Od. to 3s. Od. ; Van Diemen's Land,
native sheep's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; and Cape of
Good Hope do., Is. 4d. to 2s. lOd. per lb.

BERLIN, Sept. 13. — Our wool-merchants prognos-
ticate no better prices for the more ordinary sorts of
wool for the next markets than those of the last ; nay,
they apprehend still lower ones ; they even go the
length of maintaining that it is not at all improbable
England will be an importer of New South Wales
and Van Diemen's Land ordinary wools, and thus
press down the prices among our inland growers.
Under such circumstances Ihe only advice to be gnven
to the growers is again to cultivate the^?ie ivools, which
of late years have been so lamentably neglected.

By accounts from St. Petersburg we learn that a de-
cision of the ministers had been made and confirmed by
the Emperor, by which the right-granted previously to
the ministers of finance of the Russian empire, to per-
mit to manufacturers the introduction of wool and
camel's hair, for the use of their manufacturers, is ex-
tended to the 26th of March, 1840, on payment only of
the moiety of the duty fixed by the tariff.

Wool on which the Home Consumption Duties have
been paid at London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Hull,
during the last week : —

WOOL.

This Year,
previous to
last week.

Same time

in the
last Year.

Sheep, Spanish,

.... lb.

945060

7148701

8807572
7042368

1498981

Bristol .

.... lb.
.... lb.

115012
6481337

Other Sorts

.... lb.

15481337

Hull

.... lb.

16709977

Printed by Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand,
London.

Ay

N a

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 1837.

No. 5.]

[Vol. VII.

THE PLATE.

" Victory," the subject of the Plate, is a short-horned Bull, bred by and the pro-
perty of Earl Brownlow ; he is three years old, and of roan colour ; was got by
Edmund (1954), dam Laurell by Grazier (1085), gr. d. Gaiety by son of Duplicate
(994), gr. gr. d. by Duplicate (994), gr. gr. gr. d. by Rob Roy (557), gi'. gi". gv. gr. d.
by Barmpton (54). Victory obtained a premium at the Lincoln show in 1836 ; his
sire, Edmund, whose stock turned out very good, was a son of the still more celebrated
bull Frederick (1060). It is thought that the stock of these two bulls proved as good
as any of the same relation since short-horns were introduced. Lord Brownlow has
refused 250 guineas for Victory. One hundred guineas have been offered to his Lord-
ship for the dam, and fifty guineas for a bull calf, half-brother to Victory, out of the
same dam by another sire. As regards the general character of Earl Brownlow's
stock, it may be confidently stated that there is little if any superior to his Lordship's.
His Lordship has exhibited three times in Smithfield, and carried off prizes on each
occasion. In 1831 he obtained the first prize in Class I. ; a gold medal, for the best
beast in any class, was also awarded to him. The Noble Earl, who is President of the
Lincoln Agricultural Society, has also been a very successful exhibitor at the meetings
of that Society.

A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY
AND PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE
IN ENGLAND.

( Concluded from page 338.)

We last month brought our remarks upon
the history and progress of Agriculture in
England down to the year 1534, when the first
treatise on Agriculture appeared in print ; it
is called " The Book of Husb.indry," and was
written by Sir A. Fitzherbert, a Judge of the
Commoi. Pleas. In this book, amidst a good
deal of useless, will be found a considerable
quantity of valuable matter. As regards cultiva-
tion and the account of the diseases of cattle,
and also tlie observations upon the management
of sheep, it is curious to notice the accor-
dance with present practice. He strongly urges
upon landlords the propriety of granting leases to
their tenants, more especially to those who will
undertake to enclose and subdivide their farms ;
" for," says he, " if an acre of land be worth six-
pence before it is enclosed it will be worth eight-
pence when it is enclosed, by reason of the com-
post and dunging of the cattle, and that it will

preserve the corn without a herdsman." Fitzher-
bert does not describe any of the directions he
gives, or the rules he lays down as the result of
recent experiment, it may therefore be fairly in-
ferred that he committed to paper the practice
generally pursued at that time. The importance
of draining and irrigation seem to have been well
appreciated then as now. Some idea may be
formed of the condition of the farmers of that day
from the following extract from " Harrison," who
says that a farmer " will thinke little of his gaines
towardes the end of his terme, if he have not six or
seven years rent being by him, therewith to pur-
chase a new lease ; beside a fair garnish of pe'w ter
in his cupboard, with as much more in odd vessels
using about the house ; three or four feather beds,
so many coverlets and carpets of tapestrie; a silver
salt ; a bowle for wine if not a whole neast ; and a
dozen of spoones to furnish owte the suit." It
should seem that at this period cattle must have
got scarce from the effects of disease, or some
other cause, as in the year 1563 persons were pro-
hibited by statute from eating meat on Wednes-
days and Fridays, under penalty of forfeiting three
pounds, unless in case of sickness, or by special
license, neither of which was to extend to beef or

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

veal. Complaints were still made of the large I recommended the interposing clover and turnips

number of parks, and the reduction of cultivation
consequent thereon. Great attention was paid
to the breeding of liorses, but the standard for
stallions was reduced to thirteen hands in omes
counties in England, and no stallion of a less
height was permitted to run on the commons or in
the forests, for fear of deteriorating the breed. In
the reign of Elizabeth several agricultural writers
appeared, amongst whom are Tusser, Googe and
Sir Hugh Piatt. Tusser's " Five Hundred points
of Husbandry" contain some useful remarks upon
the state of agriculture in different parts of Eng-
land. Hemp" and Flax seem to have been at this
time common crops. Sir Hugh Piatt, who was a
lawyer, makes a curious statement in his book,
namely, that the Spanish or Merino Sheep were
originally derived from England. Potatoes were
brought into Europe from South America in 1565
and the cultivation of them was immediately
adopted; but in England they attracted little
attention for nearly two centuries aflerwards. It
has been usual to give the credit of mtroducing the
field culture of turnips to Lord Townseud, but in
tins there must be some mistake. There is no
doubt that his Lordship paid great attention to,
and very much improved the cultivation of this
valuable root. Since which time, about the year
1730, its growth has become rapidly extended, but
that the field culture, and use in feeding cattle was
known long anterior to that date, is manifest from
the observations of a correspondent in " Hough-
ton's Collections," published in 1684, who states
that " sheep fatten very well on turnips, which
prove an excellent nourishment for them in hard
winters, when fodder is scarce; for they will not
only eat the greens, but feed on the roots in the
ground, and scoop them hollow even to the very
skins. Ten acres," he adds, " sown with turnips
will feed as many sheep as one huudred acres
thereof would have done." Clover seems to have
been introduced about the year 1646, by Sir R.
Weston, who describes having seen it being cut near
Antwerp. In the seventeenth century, therefore,
Agriculture may be said to have advanced consi-
derably by die introduction of Turnips and Clover
as also by the execution of some extensive ein-
bankmeius and drainages, fens and marshes to
the extent of 425,000 acres in Lincolnshire, Cam-
bridgshire, Iluntingdonshlre, and Kent, having
been recovered and advanced in value from two
and sixpence, to twenty, and thirty shillings per
acre. The expoitation of grain was at this period
regulated by various laws, but the import was per-
fectly free. Enclosures under the authority of acts
of Parliament began to be made about the middle
of the seventeenth century. The early part of the
seventeenth century was not productive of any
Agricultural works of much merit, but it appears
from some few treatises which were published,
that more care and attention were paid to Agri-
cultural operations by farmers. The merits of
clover and turnips seem to have been speedily
appreciated. " Blythe's Improver Improved,"
published in 1649, and " Hartlip's Legacy," in
1650, are the most valuable works of the period.
In Blythe's work will be found the first allusion
to the convertible system of husbandry, he having

which it is stated.

system of " Horse

which he practised

Tull was born in

between culmiferous crops. The " setting of corn,'
in other words the planting or dibbling corn, then
formed subject of discussion. The taste of the
people of London has strangely changed since
those days, as Blythe observes. " It was not
many years since, the famous City of London
petitioned the Parliament of England against two
nuisances or offensive commodities which were
likely to come into great use and esteem ; and
that was Newcastle coal, in regard of their stench,
and hops in regard they would spoyle the taste of
drink and endanger the people." In the year
1673 the winter was particularly severe and was
very fatal to cattle, those only being saved in the
parts of the country wliere clover and seeds had
been cultivated. Blythe gives an interesting de-
scription of different kinds of ploughs, and recom-
mends those drawn by two horses in preference
to the weighty, clumsy machines which require
four horses or oxen, or more. Two centuries seem
to have effected but little on this head, inasmuch
as the prejudice in favour of unwieldy implements
and large teams is still deep-rooted in many parts
of England. There are several other Agricultural
writers whose works appeared towards the close
of the seventeenth century, but which do not con-
tain much worthy of especial notice here.

We now commence the eighteenth century,
in the very first year of
that Tull introduced his
hoeing husbandry," and
upon a farm in Berkshire.
Oxfordshire, received a good education, and was
called to the Bar. He was a man of eccentric
habits, and in many respects sanguine and vision-
aiy. His theory was, that by drilling and horse
hoeing frequently and thereby pulverizing the soil
between the rows, any species of grain might be
grown continuously on the same land, and he in-
stances a case of a thirteenth crop of wheat in the same
held, which promised to be as good as any which
preceded it. There appears, however, to be wan-
ting in the accounts of his experiments that most
necessary of all tests, a statement of the amount
of produce per acre in each of the thirteen years.
He seems to admit the piopriety of changing the
seed, but considers a rotation of crops of different
species as unnecessary, an error into which he fell
iii consequence of his having entertained an erro-
neous notion of the nature of the matter which forms
the nutriment of plants. After studying the sub-
ject much he came to the conclusion, that tne food
of plants consisted of fine particles of earth, he
therefore sought to produce an interminable sup-
])ly of aliment by constant tillage, thereby dis-
solving the " terrestrial matter which affords nutri-
ment to the mouths of vegetable roots ;" and so
far did he carry this notion that he considered
dung of little use, if any, beyond that of dividing
the particles of the sod. His first practice was to
take care that the rows in each succeeding year
occupy the space which was hoed in the year before,
so that the crop should not stand upon the same
spot for two successive years ; this idea, however,
he afterwards relinquished, and drilled his crops
indiscriminately. He published his book in 1731
and died in 1740. Although drilling and horse

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

419

hoeing was known before his time, still he merits
the palm of having established the present system
of horse hoeing husbandry. For thirty years this
system made but little progress ; the application
of it to the cultivation of turnips was tlie most
correct and valuable, but was not appreciated in
England. The Scotch farmers availed themselves
of it about the year 1760, from whence it found
its way into Northumberland about the year 1780,
since which it has, with many improvements, been
extending itself over the United Kingdom. Co-
temporaneously with the improvement in turnip
cultivation and the more general introduction of
that valuable root, an improvement was begun in
another important, but hitl^erto neglected, branch
of British Agriculture, namely, breeding, by the
efforts of Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley in Leicester-
shire. Mr. Bakewell was born in 1726, and
commenced those improvements which terminated
so successfully about the year 1755. By a skilful
selection of the best animals to breed from, with-
out reference to consanguinity, he succeeded in
producing that valuable breed of sheep which has
been introduced either in its pure state or for the
purpose of crossing with other breeds, into almost
every part of this country. Nor was he less dili-
gent in improving the breed of cattle. It is sur-
prising that the improved breeds of cattle and
sheep should have been so rapidly spread over the
country ; nor would it have been possible, but for
the novel mode of letting rams and bulls, first in-
troduced by Mr. Bakewell, and afterwards prac-
tised by other eminent breeders. The prices given
for the purchase as well as for the hire of
Mr. Bakewelfs stock was almost incredible. In
1789 he received twelve hundred guineas for
the hire of three rams for the season ; and in
1792 he received one hundred and fifty-two
guineas for the use of a bull for four months.
Five guineas per cow were commonly paid to
him. As celebrated breeders of that day, and
who should be classed with Mr. Bakewell, were
the Messrs. CuUey ; they were his pupils, and
with Mr. George Cully he afterwards kept up the
closest intimacy. These gentlemen first farmed in
Durham, but afterwards, in 1767, removed to
Northumberland, and were the means of effecting
great improvements in the agriculture of that
county, they were eminently successful both as
breeders and cultivators of the soil. In 1785 Mr.
G. CuUey published his " Observations on Live
Stock," the first work in which the attempt
was made to describe the domesticated animals of
Great Britain, and to lay down the principles
whereby they may be improved. In the latter
part of the eighteenth century the field culture
of the potato was considerably extended. The
Swedish turnip was introduced about the year
1790, and Spring Wiieat about 1795, although
neither were extensively cultivated until the com-
mencement of the present century. The Bath and
West of England Society was establisiied in 1777,
and has been productive of much good, not only
from the judicious manner in which the proceed-
ings of the Society have been conducted, but also
from having served as a model whereby numerous
other societies have been framed. A Board of
Agriculture was also established in 1793, which if

properly managed, would have produced an entire
change in, and caused a rapid advance of the
science of Agriculture. An opportunity vyas un-
questionably then afforded of founding an institu-
tion which would have enabled the agriculturist
to take and maintain his proper position; that
opportunity has been lost, but we still anxiously
look for another. The Board published some
valuable surveys of counties, but beyond this it
effected little good. The eighteenth century may
be said to be rich in agricultural writers, amongst
whom will be found tiie names of Mortimer,
Tull, Bradley, Blackwell, Hitt, Lisle, Stillingfleet,
Hart, Young, and Marshall ; of these the two last
may be said to stand first in order of merit,
although neither of them were bred farmers, both,
after some years devotion to other pursuits, cultivated
assiduously and experimentalized largely. The
works of both are valuable from their having col-
lected and concentrated information upon agricul-
tural matters, which cannot be found elsewhere.
A portion of the works of these two last-mentioned
writers appeared since the year 1800. Marshall
died in 1819, and Young in 1820. We have now
arrived at the termination of the eighteenth cen-
tury ; to those who are conversant with agriculture,
it is unnecessary to state that the improvement in
breeding stock by Bakewell and Cuiley, the
cultivation of turnips upon the Tullian system,
the application of the horse hoe, and the alternation
of white and green crops, a system which natu-
rally followed the extensive cultivation of turnips,
would signalize the eighteenth century as having
laid the foundation for that rapid advance which
agriculture has since made.

The foundation of the convertible system of
husbandry having been laid in the latter
part of the eighteenth century, it was then
only requisite to convince the practical
farmer of its advantages, in order to ensure
its extension throughout the country. This
we readily admit was no easy task, in-
asmuch as the smaller class of cultivators
especially, are exceedingly bigotted to their an-
cient practices, and too wont to be satisfied with
plodding on in the old track pursued by their fore-
fathers. Whenever, however, a country is ad-
vancing in knowledge, when its population has
acquired habits of labour and industry, and when
a demand for labour is occasioned by a home oi
foreign demand for the produce of that labour, be
that produce what it may, agriculture, assuming
the soil to be adapted to the growth of agricultu-
ral produce, cannot fail to partake of the national
prosperity. Down to the middle of tlie eighteenth
century, an attempt was made to encourage culti-
vation, by offering bounties upon the exportation
of grain, and very large quantities of grain were
exported, a fact adduced by some, for the
purpose of shewing that agriculture was in a
more flourishing state then than it has been since tliat
period ; — an erroneous conclusion, inasmuch as is
(he case with Ireland at the present moment; the
export was caused by the inability of the^ inliabi-
tants to consume their own produce. From the
middle of the eighteentii century, wlien those im-
provements commenced in agriculture, which by
increasing the supply of grain and meat would,

¥ 2

420

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE*

in the ordinary course of reasoning, be supposed
to occasion a fall in prices; prices commenced and
continued, to advance, with the exception of cer-
tain fluctuations caused by the weather in particu-
lar seasons, np to the year U5i:}. It is well known
that from tlie year 1750 the trade and manufac-
tures of this country have increased to an enormous
extent, which alone would be sufficient to ac(;ount
for an increas(;d demand for, and consequent ad-
vance in, the price of ugricidtural produce. The
rapid growth of the population, added to u more
luxurious mode of living, the result of an im-
proved condition, gave additional stimulus to agri-
culture. We shall not stop here to en junc how far
war or tiie ciurency may havt; conduced to raise
prices, it is sudicienl for our purpose lo slate that
they were so raised, that an iticreased demand took
place, and that the supply of native growth in-
creased very considerably, although not until lately
to such an extent as to falsify the statf;menls of
those who asserted that (ireat Biitain could not
grow a sunicicnt (juantity of corn for the support
of her population. Orjc convincing ])roof of the
rapidity with which agriculture has advanced, will
be found in the extent of waste lands inclosed be-
tween the years 1750 and IH;j5, the number of
enclosure acts ^lassed during that period being
3,0!.{4. 'J'he increasing value of land, consef|uent
upon advanced [irices of produce, attracted the at-
tention of landowners, and it became an object of
importance to improve the system of husbandry,
as a means of increasing the rent-roll. The estah-
)ishm(;ntof the I'.oard of Agriculture cou))!ed with
the zeal shewn by those men who advocated tiie
pursuit of agriculture at tliat period, amongst whom
Sir.lohn Sinclair, Arthur Young, and Marshall stood
foremost, (if we may be [)erniit,t(;d to use the term,)
rendeied agriculture a. fashionable occupation, and
accordingly almost (;very nobleman and coiuitry
gentleman was engaged in the; cullivalion of land,
more or less. 'Jo some, as in tlu' case of Mr.
(Joke, now Earl of Leicester, it turned out ex-
tremely ])roliluble from his having converted
an iirunense tract of almost barren soil into
('(•rtile coivi-fields. To others although aid(;d
by high prices, it occasioned loss, but it
cannot be doul)te<l that our native agriculture
was materially improved by tin; mania for ex|)eri-
ni(!ntal anrl jiatlern farnis which [)revaile(l for a
considerable; ])eriod. from the year 1790 down
to the present time the (ormation of agricultural
associations has rapidly increa.scd, and wherever
they have bec'U established, the advantages to the
farmers have been manifest. Of late the utility of
these inslilulions has been 7nuch enhanced by the
encourag(;ment which landlords and tena.nts co-
<)|)eratein holding out to the labouring class. Since
the year liiOO iiolh the theory and pi'acticc of
agriculture has beeti most materially advanced by
the industry a,nd talent of individuals who have
taken up the subject as if it were one in which
they Haw tlu; means of improvement upon scieriti-
lic princii)les. We are d(;(;id(:dly of o|)inion tiiat
theory alone will not enable a man to (;nt(;r upon the
pursuit of agricultvne without combining with it
practical knowledge. This is, however, an obser-
vation by no means cottfmed to agriculture ; it is
equally applicable lo any other science or art, but

it will not be denied that he who combines theory
with practice, and who, when he performs certain
opeiations, nolonly calculates upon certain results,
but is acquainted with the principles by which those
results are brought about, is more likely lo effect
improvements than he who is totally unac-
rpiainted with principles, ft was not mere prac-
tice, but a knowleuge of mechanical principles,
which enabled Small to produce t,he plough which
has obtained him such a merited reputation in Scot-
land, and the use of which is now increasing
throughout (ireat IJritain. It was a know-
ledge of principle and not mere practice which
led to the use of two horses abreast in a
plough instead of three at length. This may be
considered one of tJie greatest im])rovements in
fiuni management introduced in the nineteenth
century, and to which must be added the introduc-
tion of mangel wurzel, the use of bone manure,
the systematic cultivation and assortment of plants
and gra.sses as pursued by the Lawson's of I'.din-
burgh, and of Wheat by Ooloncl J.e Couteur, of
.Icrsey, the use of the thrashing-nrachine and
the invention of the subsoil plough. The na.ss-
ing of the Act for the Conmnilation of lithes
is a measure which will mark the year m.}(3
as an era from which Agriculture will receive
a gr(;at and important stimulus. Indej>en-
d(;nl of the encourag<;menl which it will afford to
the outlay of cajiital in cultivating land hitherto
wasle, and improving that which is already under
cullivation, it will woiuhjrfully increase the total
amoimt of agricidtural produce by encouraging
the breaking uj) of poor grass lands, protected by
moduses, and heretofore only ke[)t inider grass
through fear of the tithe owner. The agri-
cultural writers of this century are also of a
superior order; besides the works of Young and
Marshall, noticfid in our last, we may mention
as the most leading, l)ick.'<;on, ('urwen, Havy,
I'daikie, Sinclair, J-ow, IJerry, Dick, Jvondon,
.Tolinson and many others. The science of
Agiicnitine has, as it ueems to us, until within
the last few years, be<;n IrcalwJ with Ihf same want
of attention as the medical treatment of the brute
creation. If an animal was seized with any com-
plaint a mixture was made by some ignorant cow
leech, who knew as lillle of the rpialities of the
article as he did of the character of the disease,
when, should the constitution of the animal be
strong enough lo resist the ravages of the dis-
ease, often aggravated by the treatment, so much
the belter lor the owner, if nol the loss of a valuable
animal, resulted a merited reward for the cul-
pable apathy of the owners of cattle, who never
lie^tirred ihemselves to encourage a better
e<lucate<l class of practitioners. The Veteri-
nary art, combining as well a knowledge of the
diseases of cattle and shecf) as of horses, is now
making great progress, and we trust that no op-
|)ortunity will be Irj.sl by the friends of Agriculture
to promote eiKjuiry into and extend a knowledge
of the princijilcs ufjon which the practice of Agri-
culture is based.

SiiFi'oi.K. — RxmAi. Festival. — (From a corres-
poiiilcnt.) — Oil Tliui'stlay, the 5tli inst., at Oiikloy f'ai'k,
Jvicul. (jJcn. Sir Kdwurd and Lady Kerrisoii f^'-ave their
annual dinner and cntcrtuininent to between live and

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

421

SIX hundred of their cottnpfo tenantry, allotment gar-
deners, provident clubs, and school children of tiu;
parishes of Oakley, l5rooni, IFoxiu', Denluun, lOye, iind
Yaxley, belontrinp to this liberal and vyann-hciirted
landlord, 'I'hc several parties were distributed iit the
throe lodges surroundin}>: this lovely and happy valley.
The train of men, women and children sweeping'' round
the several slopes, covered with venerable oaks, auli-
quated beech, and verdant chesnnts, &c., dressed in
their clean and elegant altire, had a truly picturesque
and beautiful effect. On their arrival at the magnificent
and elegant structure, ('for which sufficient i)raise can-
not be given to that eelclirated architect, Sydney Sniirke,
Ksq.,) the prizes annually given to the most deserving
labourers were awarded by Sir Edward and Lady Ker-
rison, with an appropriate and kind address to each
person :—

1st prize, cottage garden, John Gaffer, Eye.
2nd do. do. Henry Priitt, Hoxne.

.Ird do. servants of longest and best character, .lames

Woods, Jloxne.
4th do. do. .Tames Lawcs, Hoxne.

5th none.
6th prize, servants ot longest and best character, P'liza-

beth Riches, Hoxne.
7th prize, for bringing up a large, family without jiaro-

chial relief, .John 15arncs, Denham.
9th do. best onions, E. Norman, IJroom.
10th do. do. T. Maggct, do.

11th do. do. Rich. Durrant, Soutii Green.

12tii do. best potatoes, .Tno. Laws, Hoxne.
)3tli do. best cultivation,,! no. Bertram, Oakley.
14th do. do. .Ino. Huet, Hoxne.

15th do. cleanest cottage, Mrs. Bumstead, Eye.
Ifith do. do. Mrs. Baxter, Hoxne.

17th do. honey, Mas. T. Tjiws, Hcnham.
18th none.

19th do. spinning, Mrs. Riches, Oakley.
20th do. knitting, do.

An old English dinner of roast beef and phmi pudding
was laid o\it on twelve long tables, in the view of tlie Ix'iui-
tiful 'I'ark Terrace, where flagsi decorated each board,
previously presented to the respective clubs on their
arrival at the hall, as follows : — The centre tables oc-
(iupied by the women of her ladyship's clothing club,
with lour Hags — "Honesty, frugality and neatness."
On each side were the two beneht clubs of Hoxne, (of
weekly savings for sickness or destitution), Krst,
"Hoxne benefit socjiety," " Honesty, prudetice and
cond'ort." Second benefit society of Hoxne, " Honesty,
prudence and comfort," and flanked by cottager and
garden tenants with three flags, " Industry and good
conduct." The schools were plaeeil in the front seg-
ment with three fliigs — " Learn well, and do well." The
allotment system, conducted on this principli;, cannot
fail in producing a spirit of union between the different
grades of society. Tt will also enable the honest p(!asant
to bring up his children in habits of iinJustry. I f cnildr<'n
are brought up in idleness, in idleness or theft they will
grow up. liy giving to deserving men a portion
of land according to their capability, it enables
them to employ their fiimily, and to associate with
their ideas the providing for their necessaries, and
the more their industry the greater their comforts.
The husbandman can tlani bring up his children in
careful and Idliiinriiig habUf,, and they will enrly hi; in-
duced to think for themselves, instead of having llieir
early years ruined by idleness- how essential is it that
they sliould be trained up iri religi(ni« and moral habits,
and suited to fill creditable stations in society. The
l)rin(;ipal nobility, g(!ntry, and yeomen of this district,
!itt.cn(l( d tliiK joyful meeting, all endeavouring to give
their |)ortioii of air to the liui)piness of the iliiy. Ladies
were observed with the gn^'ilest good nature waiting on
the school children, handingthem plum pudding, &e.,
for whom a colhilion wiis sprca^l in the (ireat I'lmquct-
ing Hall, at two o'clock, where 300 were regalod ; and
theday wiisconcludi'd with racincr,jumping,and(lan(Mng
on the lawn until sun-set. The whole assend)ly disperHe<l
in the most orderly aniier possible, and no accident
has ever been known to ocscur in this lovely valley. The
interest taken in this neighbourhood for the poor man's

comfort and independence— Iiis dwelling', his providence
for time of need, his industry, clothing, moral and reli-
gious education, &c., cannot be too generallydiflused,
to prove the widely extended bcnehts of a benevolent
and munificent English landlord -and the value of an
aristocra(!y who live on their native land -<!onsuming
tln;ir luxuries for the support of the tradcsiniin, cheer-
fulness to the fariuer, employment for the laboiu'cr,
(tliiu'ity and sympathy for the sick and ailliclcd. " (io
and do thou likewise."

New Usk for Furzk. — We have occasionally
seen it mentioned in newspapers, that furze or whin
bushes may be rendered suitable for food to cattle. The
following is a paragraph which lately appeared on the
sul)jeet, aiul is worthy of the attention of persons who
keep cattle: -" A gentleman near Hirniingham keeps
one himdrcd cows, and supplies milk to that town ; his
land is of a poor, light, and dry (piality, such as in the
common mode of culture would be insufhcicnt for pro-
ducing fodder to his stock ; he has sown down one liun-
dred acres with furze-seed - he never lets the plant rise
into a shrub, but is constantly mowing it for his dairy
cows ; when bruised in the mill, it is mixed with a cer-
tain portion of chaff, chopped hay or straw, and wash
with grains ; btit the furze forms the principal portion
of their diet, and increases the ((uantity and improves
the quality of their milk. In the ruder parts of the
country, the mode used for bruising the furze tops be-
fore giving them to cattle, has heeti an iron bound mal-
let, with a long handle, with which the furze is beaten
upon a thick flagstone ; in some parts of England,
however, the bndsing process is performed by means
of passing it between coarsely fluted iron rollers,
worked by a fly-wheel, or in other cases bruised in a
machine like a bark-mill ; but in whatever way it can
be reduced to a soft mass, and mixed with a small (pian-
tity of ettt hay or straw, it forms a most useful and
healthy fodder. He also follows an unusual system in
other respects, which he finds most profltaljlc. He
btjys his dairy cows about a fortnight after they have
calved, places them in his pens, and they never stir out
of their stalls until they are fat, and are sold to the
but(;lior, which is usually at the end of live years —
during all that time he continues to milk them, although
they do not have calves ; at the end of five years they
are dry and fat ; as the milk decreases, the fat in-
creases ; and he says, by means of combining milking
and feeding, he loses less of the use of the cow, and
makes more profit than others, and that he does this
with land that woidd actually be otherwise of no value
to him. The system is altogether novel. — Chambers^
Edinburgh Journal.

Tnn Niiw Poon Law. — Return of the number of
hastards, chargeable to the parishes of Englarul and
Wales, in the two years ended the 'J5tli of March 1(335
antl 1H:57 respri^tively ; and the nnmberallilialed iliiring
the same period, in England the number of bastards
chargeable was —

For the year ending 1835 ()5,475

Ditto 1837 39,371

Decrease 26,104

Mastards afTiliatcd: —

For the year ending 1835 11, 244

Ditto 1837 3,862

Decrcasi! 7,382

In Wales the decrease of bastards chargeable to the
different parishes amounts to 59 only, and of bastards
afliliated to 591.

Urkr Hoiisf.h. - The number f)f houses in Eng-
land and Wales, licensed under 1 Will. IV. cap. fi4,
and 4 and 5 Will. IV. cap. Kfj, to sell h«cr, cider, and
perry by retail, in IH.tO, was as follows : — 'I'o be con-
sumed on the premises, :J9,I0(); not to be consumed
on the premises, 5030 ; to sell cyder and perry only,
1608; total, 45,738.— SlatisHcalJournal.

422

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE USE AND VALUE OF LIQUID
MANURE.

(from JOHNSON ON LIQUID MANURE.)

The absolutely fluid portion of the London sewers
consists, generally speaking, of a mixture of urine,
soap suds, street, and other washings, blood from the
slaughter-houses, &c. &c., an immense mass of li-
quid which is naturally of the most fertilizing de-
scription. Thus it has been found by those who are
most deeply conversant with the admirable system
of irrigation, or watering meadows, that the water
taken from a river, beloic even a small town, is infi-
nitely more fertilizing from its waters being mixed
with the town drainage, than when taken from the
river above the town, and consequently unmixed
with the sewer waters. These matters can almost
always be made available near large cities, and there
are one or two cases with which I am acquainted,
as in the fields near Musselburgh, which are traversed
by the Edinburgh town drain waters, in which the
use of the mass is productive of a growth of grass of
the most luxuriant description, ensuring to the farmer
four or five crops in each year. And it must be re-
membered in the cases which I have quoted from the
practical observations of the talented irrigators of
the south of England, that the drainage, which they
have found so useful, is not employed by them as it
issues from the town sewers, but is in fact, mixed
and diluted with all the waters of the river. Liquid
manure has ever been gladly and zealously em-
ployed by the most able cultivators of the earth from
very early periods, and is daily coming more and
more into use even with the most sluggish and in-
dolent farmers. The knowledge of its value too is
not confined to one country, nor has it been one of
the many valuable modern products of vegetable
chemistry. Thus we learn from Sir George Staun-
ton (Embassy to China) that the Chinese farmers
ever prefer night-soil mixed with water — and irri-
gation, which is, as usually practised, the most
diluted method of applying liquid manure, was
known to the Roman farmers in Virgil's days.
Georgics, 1. i. v. 106 — 9.

It is hardly necessary to show that the urine, the
blood, tbe soap suds, and other fluids of the London
drains, are all well-known fertilizers, since every
farmer is aware of the fact, he gladly saves all de-
scriptions of urine for his dunghill— carefully col-
lects and carries, even for miles, the semi-fluid
refuse of the slaughter-houses, and readily gives a
considerable price for even the soap-makers' waste,
since he is fully aware of the value of the small
quantity of alkaline matters yet remaining even in
that ; and while I am writing this sentence, a para-
graph has been pointed out to me in an excellently
conducted paper, the Sussex Agricultural Express,
which details the admirable fertilizing results of
using, as a watering for veg'etables, a very weak so-
lution of soda (one pound in fourteen gallons), and
states, as an instance, that the vegetable marrow-
plant, when growing in common mould, has been
found to surpass other plants growing in a bed of
dung- — the London drainage waters already contain
the soda in its fluid portion, the soda of some thou-
sand tons of soap consumed annually in London all
finding their waj' into the sevi'ers.

Nature is here again our instructor— the fertile
fields of Syria, and some of the most profusely luxu-
riant lands of the Orientalists, abound in carbonate
of soda. This alkali not only enters into the com-
position of many vegetables, but it promotes the
growth of all, by preserving the moisture of the soil.

and by accelerating the decomposition of the nu-
merous organic substances found in all cultivated
lands.

To the immense quantity of urine which is mixed
with the drainage waters of all large cities, one
source of their fertilizing powers must be mainly at-
tributed, a fact well known equally to the farmer
and to the chemist. "All urine," said the late
talented Davy, " contains the essential elements of
vegetables in a state of solution. During the putre-
faction of urine the greatest part of the soluble ani-
mal matter that it contains is destroyed ; it should
consequently be used as fresh as possible; but if not
mixed with solid matter, it should be diluted with
water, as when pure it contains too large a quantity
of animal matter to form a proper fluid nourishment,
for absorption by the roots of plants."*

Urine has been subjected to the most careful
analysis by M. Berzelius, the great Swedish chemist,
and its constituents are determined by him to be as
follows : —

Water 933 00

Nephrin (peculiar animal matter) 30 10

Sulphate of Potash 3 71

Sulphate of Soda 3 16

Phosphate of Soda 2 94

Muriate of Soda ( common salt) 4 45

Phosphate of ammonia 1 65

Muriate of ammonia 1 50

Lactic acid ~j

Lactate of ammonia > 17 14

Animal matter, mixed with nephrin. ... J
Earthy phosphates (earth of bones) and

fluate of lime 1 00

Uric acid ... 1 00

Mucus 0 32

Silicia (Hint) 0 03

1000 1
Well might Davy exclaim after such an analysis
that " all urine contains the essential ingredients of
vegetables," its magic fertilizing eff"ects when spread
upon the earth, need no longer puzzle the agricultu-
rist, since there is hardly a single ingredient de-
tected by the analysis of M. Berzelius which is not
either direct food for vegetation, or furnishes by its
decomposition a supply in another form. It contains
all the ammoniacal salts of the dunghill, the phos-
phate of lime of bones, and abundance of easily de-
composable animal matters.

On the use of the liquid portion of the Edinburgh
town drainage a very able report has been made to
the Thames Improvement Company, by Mr. Thomas
Oliver, an excellent Scotch farmer, in which he says,
" From the elevated position of Edinburgh, there is
a considerable extent of ground which can be over-
flowed by the water from the city drains, in its pro-
gress to the sea, and of late years it has become an
object of attention to the proprietors and occupiers
of ground, so situated as to admit of its application ;
there are, I should think, not less than three hun-
dred imperial acres to which it is regularly applied,
and with great advantage."

" Such ground is annually kept in grass and yields
from three to six cuttings in the season, which, let to
dairymen and others, at rents varying, according to
circumstances, from twelve to twent3'-four pounds
per acre. You will perceive from this statement,
that the chief benefit derived from the drainage of
Edinburgh arises from the fluid part, and if we
reckon the increased yearly value of the land above

* Agricultural Chemistry, p. 295.

t Annals of Philosophy, vol, ii. p. 423.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

4-23

mentioned at ten pounds per acre (vrhich I think is
under the mark) it yields a clear revenue of three
thousand pounds per annum to the proprietors of
those grounds through which the drains pass."*

The history of the adoption of this system of town
drainage irrigation at Edinburgh is vei-y interesting,
and I will therefore abridge and insert the descrip-
tion given of it by Mr. Stephens. t " Edinburgh,"
says this intelligent land drainer, " has many advan-
tages over the most of her sister cities ; the large
supply of excellent spring water is one of the greatest
blessings to her numerous inhabitants, both in respect
to household purposes and keeping her streets clean,
as well as irrigating the extensive meadows situated
below the town, where the art of man, with the com-
mon sewer water, has made even sand hillocks pro-
duce riches far superior to anything of the kind in
the kingdom, or in any other country.

" By this sewer water about two hundred acres of
grass land, (1834) for the most part laid into catch-
work meadow, are irrigated ; whereof one hundred
and thirty belong to W. H. Miller, Esq., of Craigin-
tinny, and the remainder to the Earls of Hadding-
ton and Moray, and other proprietors. The meadows
belonging to these noblemen, and part of the Craig-
intinny meadows, or what are called the old meadows,
contain about fifty acres, and have been irrigated for
nearly a century. They are by far the most valuable,
on account of the long and continual accumulation
of the rich sediment left by the water; indeed tlie
water is so very rich, that the tenantsof the meadows
lying nearest the town have found it advisable to
carry the common sewer water through deep jwnds,
into which the water deposits part of the superfluous
manure before it runs over the ground. Although
the formation of these meadows is irregnlnr, and the
management very imperfect, the effects of the water
are astonishing ; they produce crops of grass not to
be equalled, being cut from four to six times a year,
and the grass given green to milch cows.

" The grass is let every year by public sale, in
small patches of a quarter of an acre and upwards, and
generally brings yearly Jrom twenty-four to thirty
pounds per acre. In 1826 part of the Earl of Moray's
meadow fetched fifty-seven pounds per acre.

" About forty acres of the Craigintinny lands were
formed into catch-work water meadow before the
year 1800, which comprises, what is called Fillie-
side Bank, old meadows, and is generally let at a
rent of from twenty to thirty pounds per acre. In
the spring of 1821, thirty acres of wasteland, called
the Freegate Whins, and ten acres of poor sandy
soil, were levelled and formed into irrigated mea-
dow, at an expense of one thousand pounds. The
pasturage of the Freegate Whins was let previously
to this improvement for forty pounds per annum, and
the ten acres for sixty pounds. Ihej now bring from
fifteen to twenty pounds an acre per annun:, and
may be much improved.

"This," continues Mr. Stephens, "is one of the
most beneficial agricultural improvements ever un-
dertaken ; for the whole of the Freegate Whins is
composed of nothing but sand deposited from time
to time by tie action of the waves of the sea. Never
was one thousand pounds more happily spent in
agriculture ; it not only required a common sewer to
bring about this great change, but a resolution in the
proprietor to launch out his capital on an experiment
of a soil of such a nature. One hundred and ten
of Mr. Miller's meadows in 1827 gave a clear profit

* Paper of I^r. Granville. — Rep. of Committee,
p. 31.
t Practical Irrigator, p. ?5,

of two thousand and ten pounds ; the yearly expense
of keeping these meadows in repair is from ten to
fifteen shillings per acre, whicli is more than double
the expense of keeping water meadows in repair in
general, for the watering of them is not only through
the winter season, but the water is put on them for
one or two days together, immediately after every
cutting of the grass, throughout the whole of the
season."

It must not be forgotten in the consideration of
these very important facts, the northern situation of
the good city of Edinburgh, for it is in the same la-
titude as St. Petersburgh, and therefore the warmth
of the meadows around it, and the consequent rapid
growth of the grass, as compared witli those of the
valley of the Thames, must be under the same cir-
cumstance greatly inferior.

The forcing quality of liquid manure, as shewn by
the constant result of irrigating with common water,
and as still more striking-ly confirmed by the use of
the Edinburgh town drainage waters, is entirely con-
firmed by the practice of Mr. Knight in the employ-
ment of liquid manures for fruit trees, which I can-
not give better than in his own words.

" I have shown in a former communication," says
this able vegetable physiologist, " that a seedling
plumstock, growing in a small pot, attained the
height of nine feet seven inches in a single season;
which is, I believe, a much greater height than any
seedling tree of that species was ever seen to attain
in the open soil. But the quantity of the earth,
which a small pot contains, soon becomes exhausted
relatively to one kind of plant, though it may be still
fertile relatively to others, and the size of the pot
cannot be changed sufficiently often to remedy this
loss of fertility ; and if it were ever so frequently
changed, the mass of mould, whicli eacli successive
emission of roots would enclose, must remain the
same. Manure, therefore, can probably be most be-
neficiallv given in a purely liquid state ; and the
quantity which trees growing in pots have thus
taken under my care, without any injury, and with
the greatest good effect, has much exceeded every
expectation 1 had formed.

" I have for some years appropriated a forcing-
house atDownton to the purposes of experiment solely
upon fruit trees ; which, as I have frequent occa-
sion to change the subjects on which I have to
operate, are confined in pots. These at first were
supplied with water, in which about one-tenth by
measure of the dung of pigeons, or domestic poultry,
had been infused ; and the quantity of these sub-
stances (genernll): the latter) was increased from
one-tenth to one-fourth. The water, after standing
forty-eight hours, acquired a colour considerably
deeper than that of porter ; and in this state it was
drawn off clear, and employed to feed trees of the
vine, the mulberry, the peach, and other plants ; a
second quantity of water was then applied, and after-
wards used in the same manner ; when the manure
was changed, and the same process repeated.

" The vine and mulberry tree being very gross
feeders, were not likely to be soon injured by this
treatment ; but I expected the peach tree, which is
often greatly injured by an excess of manure in a
solid state, to give early indications of being over
fed. Contrary, however, to my expectations, the
peach tree maintained at the end of two 3'ears the
most healthy and luxuriant appearance imaginable,
and produced fruit in the last season in greater per-
fection than I had ever previously been able to ob-
tain it. Some seedling plants had then acquired, at
eighteen months old, (though the whole of their
roots had been confined to half a square foot of

424

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

mould,) more than eleven feet in height, with nu-
merous branches, and have aiforded a most abundant
and vigorous blossom in the present spring, which
has set remarkably well, and those trees which
had been most abundantly supplied with manure,
have displayed the greatest degree of health and
luxuriance. A single orange tree was subjected to
the same mode of treatment, and grew with equal
comparative vigour, and appeared to be as much
benefited by abundant food as even the vine and the
mulberry tree."*

As it is, therefore, evident from the concurring
practice of not only the talented agriculturists of
our own country, but of those of all parts of the
world, from China to Egypt, from the low lands of
northern Italy to those of Holland, that the value of
any liquid manure is as great as that of the more
solid : is it not more desirable, even in a national
point of view, that every facility should be given to
its collection and disposal 1 and if the drainage,
fiom a small country town is distinctly found to
render even the passing waters of a river more fer-
tilizing to the meadows on its banks, how strongly
does this fact shew the immense value of the fluid
matters hourly wasted in the huge drainage of Lon-
don 1 None of which has hitherto been employed
for the purposes of irrigation, and should not some
plan be speedily devised by which this rich liquid
portion may be made available if only on the great
marshes of Essex and Kent ? Let it not be concluded
that the earthy, animal, and vegetable matters brought
down by the flood-waters of large nvers, are of a
small aggregate amount, for such is not the case ; all
the extensive marshy country, at the mouth of the
Missisippi, has been formed by the deposits of that
mighty river, and the same remark applies to the
Ganges, and the Delta of Egypt. It has been calcu-
lated that the Missisippi carries into the sea 8,000,000
cubic feet of solid matters every hour, and it has
been clearly established that at least 700,000 tons of
animal and vegetable manure finds its way yearly
into the Thames, through the sewers of London.

NORTH DERBYSHIRE AGRICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.

Extract from the Speech of Mr. Wright of
Romely : —

It was evident that some plan was wanted whereby
the best mode of performing- every scientific Agricul-
tural operation could be collected together, in order to
introduce into daily practice something like a code of
Agriculture. Societies like that in which they were
then engaged— if properly conducted— were the mo&t
likely to accomplish so desirable an object. These
societies co-operating- together might do much ; for in
them we find, zealously engaged, noblemen, gentlemen,
and men of science, and imparting to others the results
of their experience. We also see landlord and tenant
going hand in hand, and endeavouring, by every means
in their power, to promote their mutual benefit. This
was as it should be, for the interests of both were so
blended and knit together, that it was impossible to
sever them. No line of circumvallation could be drawn
between them. They must stand or tall together. He
had said fall, but he hoped a better fate awaited them ;
the dawn of a brighter day was now open before them,
which would, ere long, break forth into mid-day suns
shine. He was of opinion that great improvement-
would soon take place. By draining ; by deep and

* Trans, of the Hor. See. vol. 2, p. 127.

good ploughing ; by a proper rotation of crops; by a
judicious selection of stock, suitable for tlie soil and
situation ; by using the best and most improved imple-
ments of husbandry ; by keeping strong and active
horses; by employing good and efficient labourers ; by
a systematic mode of management ; by a rigid and
strict economy in every department ; by these and
various other methods much could and would be done.
If any one doubted his assertions, he begged they would
look back for 30 or 40 years, and take the past as some
criterion for the future. He would ask what would have
been thought of any person who at that time had dared
to predict that at no distant period the rent of land would
be doubled ; the price of labour increased in like man-
ner ; and taxation in all its various shapes increased
tenfold ; and yet with all these, the price of agricultural
produce should remain nearly stationary. Would not
the person, who at that time had anticipated such
events, have been considered either a fool or a madman?
And yet strange as it may appear, we have lived to
witness the reality. It is true that in the strug-gle we
have suffered privations and difficulties, in many in-
stances, closely bordering on distress ; yet still we live.
What, said Mr. Wright, has enabled us to endure these
difficulties? He would answer, increase of produce.
Let us persevere in the same line of improvement.
Agriculture may be sick, diseased, and afflicted, but it
will never die ; for be it remembered that agriculture is
the greatest prize a nation can possess, and the only
riches she can call her own.

Middlesex Agricultural Association. — Tuesday
the first meeting of the Middlesex Agricultural As-
sociation took place, when the competitors for the
ploughing match met on Mr. Sherborn's farm,
in a field adjoining the Bath-road, between Houns-
low and Cranford-bridge. The ploughs, thirty in num-
ber, yoked some with two, others with three, fine horses,
were on the ground at nine o'clock in the morning, and
commenced work at ten precisely. The day was un-
commonly fine, the spectators numerous, and the scene
altogether one of the best sights Englishmen could wit-
ness. By three the svork was ended, and the judges —
Messrs. Nash, Tims, and Aldridge, farmers froni Buck-
inghamshire— then came on the ground, and decided the
merits of the day's work. At four the members of the
association and their friends, about 100 in all, retired to
the Rose and Crown Inn, Hounslow, where a substan-
tial dinner was provided as well for the ploughmen and
their drivers as tor the association. The Chairman (Mr.
H. Pownall, of Spring-grove) was supported on his
right by Captain Wood, M.P. for the county, and by
the Rev. Dr. Benson, of Hounslow, on his left. Letters
of apology were received from Col. CHtherow and Mr.
Byng, M.P. for the county. After dinner the prizes
were distributed. The first was won by James Rosam,
servant of Mr. Sherborn , the other successful men were
Emmitt, Little, Nellar, Fullar, Chandler, Merchant,
&c. The premiums consisted of sums of money, vary-
ing from 21. 10s. to 15s., and the ploughboys received
also premiums of a crown each. There were besides
several premiums awarded to servant farming men, for
long service and for good conduct. One good labourer,
James Plimb, had been thirty years with the Sherborns ;
one lad, George Ball, had never been out of temper ; a
prize of a massive silver cup was awarded to JMr. Sher-
born, the proprietor of the team worked by the success-
ful first class prize man, J. Rosam. Among the various
decoration of the room we were struck with samples of
Mr. Eley's new gigantic white wheat, a large beetroot
and turnip (Swede) from the Lunatic Asylum at Han-
well, whose inmates are taught gardening to alleviate
their complaint, and perhaps remove their malady. It
is remarkable that Middlesex, possessing as it does a
large agricultural distriet, especially in the West, should
not heretofore have an association of this kind : the
foundation is now, however, laid by " our country's first
great creditor, the plough," and may much success at-
tend its future proceedings — " Speed the plough,"

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

425

MANCHESTER AGRICULTURAL SO-
CIETY,

Extract from a report of the proceedings at the
meeting : —

The prizes of 1835 were then distributed, " The
Vice-Presidents elect'' was acknowledged by Lord
De Tabley, " The Inspectors" by C. J. S. Walker,
Esq., and " The Secretaries" by Mr. Harapson, who
having been asked by Mr. Davenport his opinion of
salt as a manure, said he had applied it in various
ways. He had sown it on part of a rough grass
field, about one ton and a half to the Cheshire acre,
and he found that the salt decomposed the vegetable
matter, and he afterwards skimmed the surface and
turned the field to a summer farm. He found that
part wbic.b had been covered with salt to be a much
belter crop than the rest of the field, and free from
all kinds of weeds, the salt appearing to have de-
stroyed the vegetable matter. He had also applied
salt in a compost ; and he was convinced that many
farmers in mixing- soil with manure did not take suf-
ficient caution in destroying the vegetable seeds
in the soil, so that, when mixed with compost, and
exposed to sun and air, it vegetated, and this might
account for seeing so many docks and thistles in this
country. He should also wish to call attention to the
mode of using bone dust. In his part of the country,
they had used it to a very considerable extent. He
had tried it both for turnips and potatoes, and had
found it, upon strong land, to answer remarkably
well ; but upon sandy soils it certainly was not
practically beneficial, for it went to a sort of dust.
Farmers at a distance from great towns would do
well to apply bone dust to turnips and potatoes ; for
the cost of manure in carting was great, and bones
would not cost more than 81. per Cheshire acre.
For green turnif s fine bones were the best, for they
acted most quickly ; about two tons to a Cheshire
acre.

Mr. Handley said bones had been used in his part
of the country for the last thirty years, but ex-
clusively to ploughed lands. Boiled bones were
often found there of much more value for agricultu-
ral purposes than those which were unboiled. Over
boning was as fatal as over liming ; and bones were
not beneficial in some lands ; for instance, on Lord
Leicester's estate at Holkham, Norfolk, where there
was a sort of greasy soil, with yellowish flints upon
it, which did not derive the slightest benefit from
bones.

A short discussion was then commenced by Mr.
Phillips asking whether practical men had found
one description of bones more fertilizing than an-
other? Mr. Handley said, " kitchen" bones were
preferable to other bones. Those from the continent
were of all sorts, and he believed that many of them
Were derived from the Church-yards. — Mr. Dixon
believed bones to be valuable manure on all sorts of
soil. It was best to get them fresh, and he recom-
Eiended them to be mixed into a compost, and four
tons to be used to the Lancashire acre. He observed
that draining was better understood now than for-
merly, and he would recommend it to be used still
more extensively.

THE BROWN GRUB.

Sir, — Several of your correspondents speak of the
brown grub, as if it were a new pest to the root
crops. They have always been so here. The only

remedy that I know of (at least without incurring
great expense) is to turn young pigs into the field,
they are very fond of these grubs, and will settle
well when once they have found them. They will
root round every plant and destroy the grubs without
injuring the plant, and indeed will greatly benefit
beet.

Slugs abound to an unusual extent on land sown
down with trifolium, and on lands intended for
wheat after clover, beans, &c. The cheapest and
most effectual remedy I have ever found, is to scatter
leaves of beet, rohl habi, or turnip, over the land,
and pick off the slugs found on them every morning.
Thousands of acres were picked over for weeks in
this neighbourhood a few years since, and to the
amount of two or three pecks per acre of slugs
gathered off. We have repeatedly tried lime, salt,
soot, &c., but prefer to pick them off.

I might not have offered an opinion on the subject,
nor do I mean to argue the question as to the most
efficacious mode of protecting the wheat plant, but
I wish to caution your readers against the danger of
waiting till the wheat is being injured by the slug,
by stating how I have proceeded.

Observing that the land I had sown with trifolium
(and which I had sown over three times from the plant
over eleven acres being destroyed by fly or other
insects) was swarming with slugs, and that the
clover land laying ploughed for v;heat was slimed
over, tliough few could be seen,- I had a shop of
leaves scattered across each, viz. the trifolium and
wheat lands. The result was, that there was about
two slugs on an average on the leaves scattered
across the trifolium, yet they were moving about so
thick, tl)at I could scarcely set a foot without treading
on one or more. On the contrary, on the land lying
ploughed for wheat, the average number of slugs on
each leaf was 18 or 20, and few to be seen on the
land, and these near the leaves. These facts ascer-
tained, I have decided to scatter leaves over the
wheat land immediately and begin picking.

This IS the breeding time of these insects, and if I find
one per cent not to be full grown, 1 shall be surprised,
when from picking when the wheat plant is failing
from the attacks of slugs, not one per cent will be
found to be full grown. They will be of all sizes,
from full grown down to the size of a kernel of wheat,
or less. Hence it is evident that no time should be
lost in waiting 'till the wheat is being injured, as if
some specific must be applied at last, the cost will
be increcsed ten fold. The number will be increased
probably one hundred fold, and the full grown can
be chiefly shaken off the leaves into a hod or shop of
lime, ashes, or soot ; but the young stick close, and
must be picked off, and they being so small, require
much time to find them.

Some of your readers may say, casting lime or salt
over the land is preferable to picking ; I have tried
both repeatedly, but prefer picking off the slugs.
Others may say, why not roll the land sown with
trifolium. To such I say, that having sown the land
three times, and harrowed and rolled each time, and
the last time in particular, three gangs of harrows,
(light, middling, and very heavy) and a roll employed
a day, the land is covered with slugs, yet I see no
diflference, they swarm on the land, and I ho{)e I
have beat them, by sowing a bushel of trifolium and
a peck and half of Italian rye grass per acre.

I am, Sir, your humble servant,

CHARLES POPPY.

Witnesham, near Ipswich, Suffolk.

426

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

MODE AND EFFECT OF EMPLOYING
BONE MANURE.

(by C. W. JOHNSON, ESQ.)

I proceed to notice the effects and modes of ap-
plying bones as a fertilizer, either whole, broken,
or in the state of powder.

The Uoncaster Agricultural Association long since
paid considerable attention to the use of bones as a
manure, and they have made a very valuable report,
to which I have before alluded, of the result of their
enquiries, in which they say: —

"The returns received by the association, satisfac-
torily establish the great value of bones as a manure ;
our correspondents, with only two exceptions, all
concur in stating them to be a highly valuable ma-
nure, and on light soils superior to farm-yard dung,
and other manures.

" In copying the language of one of them in re-
ference to dry sandy soils, we express the opinions
repeated in a far greater number.

" I consider bone tillage one of the most useful
manures, which has ever been discovered for the
farmer's benefit. The lightness of carriage, — its
suitableness for the drill, and its general fertilizing
properties, render it peculiarly valuable in those
pans where distnnce from towns renders it impos-
sible to procure manures of a heavier and more
bulky description." For, as stated by another farmer,
" the carting of six, eight, or ten loads per acre, is
no trifling expense. The use of bones diminishes
labour at a season of the year when time is of the
first importance •, for one waggon load, or 1 20 bushels
of small drill bone dust, is equal to forty or fifty
loads of fold manure. Upon very thin sand land, its
value is not to be estimated, it not only is found ro
benefit the particular crop to which it is applied, but
extends through the whole course of crops."

The report adds, that bones have been found highly
beneficial on the limestone soils, near Doncaster ;
on ])eaty soils, and on light loams ; but on heavy
soils, and on clay, they produce no benefit.

The mode of applying them is, either sowing b)^
broad-cast, or by the drill, either by themselves, or
previously mixed with earth and fermented. Bones
which have been thus fermented, are decidedly
superior to those which have not done so.

The quantity applied per acre is about twenty-five
bushels of bone dust, and forty bushels of large
broken bones. The dust is best f( r immediate profit ;
the broken half-inch bones for more continued im-
provement. ]Mr. Birks says, " if I were to till for
early profit, 1 would use bones powdered as small as
saw-dust. If I wished to keep my land in good
heart, I would use principally half-inch bones, and
in breaking these, 1 should prefer some remaining
considerably larger."

The reason for this is very obvious ; the larger
the pieces of bone, the more gradually will a given
bulk dissolve in the soil.

Such is the result of the application of bones in
Yorkshire. In Middlesex, the practice is scarcely
different, as will be seen by the answers to some
questions I received from a very intelligent corres-
pondent, Mr. John Rayner, of Uxbridge, in No-
vember, 1833.

I. On what description of soil is bone dust em-
ployed with the greatest advantage? On light dry
soils.

II. The quantity per acre 1 From 20 to 25 bushels.

III. How long has its good effects been observed
to last? This question requires a more lengthened
reply. The good effects of bones as a manure, have

been acknowledged by many agriculturists for a
number of )'ears ; but as farmers, generally speaking,
are men who are not fond of trouble, and as there
was great difficulty in breaking bones in sufficiently
small pieces, to prevent dogs, &c. from running
away with them, we can onl)' in a few instances
trace out their good effect. There is a farmer in the
neighbourhood of Watford, who dressed his land
with whole bones, some twenty years since, (at a
period wlien vou could obtain them from London for
fetching^ and he declares that to this day, to use his
own expression, " the land has never forgotten
them." Although the first season or so he found but
little benefit ; this I attribute to the bones being so
large, the ground could not so soon act upon them.
The hone dust is supposed to last but one season ;
the larger sizes of half-inch and inch, are supposed
two or three years, and are always seen to most ad-
vantage after the first season.

IV. What is the expense ? The dust is 2s. 3d.
per bushel, — the half-inch, 2s. — the inch. Is. 9d.

V. What is the season, and on what crops is it
generally applied 1 The turnip season. Bone ma-
nure shows itself to more advantage on this crop
than on any other. It is drilled with a drill made
on purpose, with the turnip seed ; the period is
from May to July. Bone dust is also used with
great advantage on grass lands sown broadcast.

In the valuable and long continued experiments
of Mr. Robert Turner, of Tring, in Hertfordshire,
the use of bone manure has been most decidedly
successful.

The soil on which these experiments were made,
hitherto a common, producing only furze, is sandy,
with a substrata of clay, and then chalk. He began
the use of bone manure in 1831, on this land, and
has continued its employment for the last four years
on a very bold scale, and with unvaried success.
The quantity generally applied was from 24 to 30
bushels per acre, of the description of half-inch and
dust, and the bones were invariably applied to the
turnip crop.

The bones are drilled with the seed, at a distance
of 18 inches, and the turnips are always horse-hoed.
Tte year 1831 was a very good season for this
crop generally. The turnips manured with bone
dust, like most others in the district, were very
luxuriant. About 2,000 bushels of bone manure
being this year employed by Mr. Turner.

In 1832, the turnips were in general a very bad
plant, the fly committing general devastation.
Many cultivators in the neighbourhood of Tring, un-
successtully sowed '^our or five times.

On the turnip land of Mr. Turner, 74 acres were
manured with bones. The eftect, with the exception
of the very last sown four acres, was again most ex-
cellent ; the crop being very heavy, and that too on
land now first cultivated; and there was in no case
any necessity to repeat the sowing. The turnips
were a much better crop than in 1831.

In 1833, the turnip crops in the neighbourhood of
Tring, were a very partial crop.

On the farm of Mr. Turner, about 30 acres were
manured with bones. The eftect, with the exception
of some of the last sown turnips, was very satis-
factory ; the crop very heavy.

1 hese experiments tJie cultivator will deem of the
very first importance ; the soil was not manured with
any other fertilizer, except bones; and in drilling,
every now and then, for the drills breadtli, the bones
were omitted.

On these breadths of land not boned, the failure
of the turnips was general and complete ; they

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

427

vegetated it is true, and came up, but they were
wretchedly small and of no use whatever.

The turnips being fed ofi", and the sheep folded
on the soil, without any distinction being made
between boned and un-boned land, the comparative
experiments upon the succeeding crop were ren-
dered uncertain.

In 1834, Mr. Turner boned about eighty acres of
turnips with the best success, and with the exception
of some destroyed by the wire worm, had a very ex-
cellent crop.

In 1835, on nearly an equal extent of land, not-
withstanding the extreme dryness of the season,
Mr. Turner had again on his turnips manured with
bones, a very excellent plant, and never did this
crop promise better than this season, on the lands of
Tring.

The caterpillars which devastated the chalk dis-
tricts of England, did not however omit this parish,
their ravages were dreadful and complete.

And had not Mr. Turner made a most successful
attack upon them by a detachment of 650 ducks,
procured especially for this purpose, who devoured
the black caterpillars with great voracity, his turnip
crop would have been utterly destroyed. By their
industry however, twenty-five acres of turnips
were cleared of the vermin, and saved from destruc-
tion.

At another farm held by the same gentleman, at
Ellesboro, by the assistance of the same ducks, who
were transported there in carts, for that express
purpose, he saved about eight or nine acres of
turnips from the caterpillars ; so that there is no
doubt of the importance of the services rendered by
these birds. He informs me that he found it neces-
sary to give them a quantity of corn while they were
thus employed in cleaning the turnips.

The soil of the Ellesboro farm, on which the bones
were tried for the first time in 1835, with complete
success, is called white land, and was in a very poor
state of cultivation. The experiment was entirely
successful, and the turnips promised to be very good
indeed ; those that were saved from the caterpillars,
being for the season very excellent.

This soil, called white by the farmers, is probably
a mixture of clay and sand ; it becomes very dry and
loose in dry weather, but is described as " sticky"
in wet periods.

Mr. Turner possesses a capital bone mill, worked
by four horses, in which he crushes all the bones
employed in his farm. He pays for the coarse bones
2^. 15s. per ton, and fetches them 15 miles; a ton
of bones producing of half-inch and dust about 30
to 34 bashels of bone manure.

The cost of the mill, with the substantial shed
which covers the machinery, horse- path, &c., was
about 3001., and it has been rendered available by
Mr. Turner for several other purposes, sucli as chaff-
cutting, thrashing, &c., by whicii the aggregate ex-
pense is materially lessened, and a very considerable
annual saving effected.

For the last two years Mr. Turner has drilled
with his crushed bones, an equal quantity per acre,
of sheep dung, collected for the express purpose, at
an expense of 2^d. per bushel, paid to the collectors ;
this he prepares in the winter, by laying the bone
dust in alternate layers with the slieep dung, and
suffering them to remain fermenting some months
until the turnip sowing. I^y this plan, by the fer-
mentation of the mass, the two manures are
thoroughly incorporated, and he considers that 35
bushels of the mixture, are fully equal in effect to 25
bushels of the bones. So that, allowing 3s. 6d. per
acre for the expense of collecting the sheep dung.

there will be a clear saving of 12s. 6d. per acre in
bones, valuing these at 2s. per bushel.

The mixed bones and sheep dung is invariably
drilled in with the turnip seed.

The practical farmer will hardly need any better
testimony of the important value of crushed bones,
than these extensive and long continued experiments
of JMr. Turner.

They are not open to the common objection to ex-
perimental attempts, that they are carried on in far
too limited a manner, and for much too short a period,
to enable the cultivator to form from them a satisfac-
tory conclusion ; for he has annually manured with
tliem scores of acres of turnip land, and that too in
seasons whicli have afforded him, from the adverse
prices of agricultural pi oduce, but little encourage-
ment to lay out money on any fertilizer of a doubtful
value.

I earnestly therefore, commend these important
experiments to the attention of the practical farmer,
as being fraught with information of the most inte-
resting nature, especially to those who have to con-
tend with the pool', light, upLiud soils; lands which
are now with difficulty retained in cultivation.

In the year 1831, on a thin chalky soil, in the
neighbourhood of Amesbury, in Wiltshire, Mr.
Uevenish employed bone manure of the quality called
" fine," drilled at the rate of twenty-four bushels per
acre, with the turnip seed, on a portion of a field of
about ten acres.

Part of the same field was manured with spit duno-,
at the rate of about 20 tons per acre, and another
portion of the same field remained without any
manure.

The Swedish turnips produced on the boned soil,
were of four times the value of those grown upon the
land manured with spit manure. Those grown on
the soil without any manure, were deemed scarcely
worth hoeing.

Bone manure presents to the cottager or cultivator
of small plots of poor ground, as under the allotment
system, a ready and cheap mode of permanently
improving his land.

It would be well perhaps in some instances, if the
managers under such an excellent system, were
to apply the manure for the holder, and that too, if
they even thought it necessary in consequence, to
add to the amount of the rent.

As a manure for plantations of trees, I am not
aware of any experiments with bones; I should
however strongly recommend their use for orna-
mental plots, but in a roughly broken state. A
considerable quantity of phosphate of lime is con-
tained in all timber trees. There is no manure of a
mixed animal and vegetable nature, which remains
so long in the soil as bones.

As a manure for flower roots, the turnings and
chijipings of bones the refuse of the Birmingham
cutlers, have long been employed with the best
results by my friend Maund of Bromsgrove, the
talented author of " The Botanic Garden."

Not only does he find their use increase the lux-
uriance of the plant, and the beauty of its colours,
but there is in the application of this powder an
elegance and cleanliness which cannot fail of recom-
mending its introduction into the flower garden, and
the conservator}'.

Such have been some of the successful uses to
which bones liave been employed. The turnip crop
has been tlie more generally experimented upon
from the general difiicully of finding for this in-
valuable crop a sufficient supply of manure.

And with regard to other crops, tho care and
labour required for trying with sufficient accuracy

428

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

a comparative agricultural experiment, must account
for many discordant statements. Upon grass lands
however, it has been employed with very general
success ; but for the turnip, on poor light soils, it
seems of the greatest and most undoubted value. It
not only promotes the luxuriance of the plant, but
there is a very great probability that the gaseous
matters involved by the crushed and putrifying
bone, and the vigour it imparts to the crop afford
the young turnip plants very considerable pro-
tection from [he ravages of tlie fly ; at least many
farmers consider this as one of its valuable pro-
perties,

The complete manner in which the roots of the
young turnips envelope the pieces of crushed bone
with which they are drilled, shews the attractive
nature of this manure, and how nourishing it is to
the turnip.

I cannot conclude these observations without pro-
fessing my readmess to assist in any experiments,
and answer any questions which may promote a
cause now proceeding so successfully. The con-
sumption of bones has already rendered it necessarj^
to import them from foreign countries ; and it yet
remains to be proved, whether the fossil phosphate
of lime will not be nearlv as powerful a fertilizer as
the crushed or powdered bones usually employed.

General Directions. — The crushed bones have
been invariably found more immediately beneficial
as a fertilizer, when suffered to remain previously
for some weeks, mixed with earth in heaps, exjjosed
to the action of the atmosphere. By being thus
fermented and dissolved, they are necessarily more
speedily serviceable as food to the plants to which
they are applied ; and this observation more espe-
cially relates to the oat, barley, and other spring
corn, since these do not remain on the ground for so
long a period as other agricultural crops. The
proportion is 50 bushels of bones, with five
loads of earth or clay ; or 40 bushels to five loads of
common dung.

For wheat and pasture lands, the previous fer-
mentation of the bones is, for this reason, not so
essential to the production of immediate benefit.

It is impossible to give any general directions for
the quantity of boaes to be applied per acre, since
soil, situation, and climate, must all be taken into
the farmer's consideration.

The following facts however have been ascer-
tained by numerous experiments, at some of which I
have personally assisted.

I. That crushed bones remain in the soil, for a
length of time proportionate to the size of the pieces ;
the dust producing the most immediate effect, the
larger pieces coutinuing to shew the longest advan-
tage. On arable land their good effects continue for
four years ; on pasture land for eight.

II. On turnips, oats, barley, and wheat, the
quantity applied has been from 25 to 30 bushels, per
acre ; on pasture land, from 25 to 40 bushels of
bone Dust, early in the spring.

III. 'i'he best mode of application is by the drill,
vpith the seed corn.

IV. The bones should, when first used, be always
applied for the sake of correct information, in vary-
ing quantities per acre ; and on no accouni, should
the farmer omit to leave, by compai ison, a fair por-
tion of the field, without any manure.

-AsHBocKiNG Farmers' Club. — This society
held their first meeting- after the recess, on Thursday
last, when the variety and quahty of the specimens of
vegetables, corn, and grasses, and the interest manifested
on the part of the members were highly encouraging to

those gentlemen who first exerted themselves in the
formation of the club, and showed plainly that all that
is required for the purpose of uniting the farmers, is for
a few individuals, in any given district, to make arrange-
ments for their neighbours, and farmers' clubs may be
established in every part of the country, and the whole
body of the agricultural community be placed in a po-
sition formutual information and united effort. Amongst
the specimens exhibited, was the white carrot, grown
upen a clay soil. This promises to be a highly useful
root to a heavy land farmer; a green topped sweedish
turnip, grown on light land, was produced, weighing
lUlbs.; a red globe beet, 27^ inches in girth ; other
specimens of orange, yellow, and white beet were exhi-
bited, besides one of the common sort, weighing 235lbs.;
a decanter white turnip, measured 3 feet 2 in. by 2 feet
Sin. and weighed 15 lbs.; Italian rye-grass, which
had grown 4 feet in eight weeks, from Rev. W. Potter's
— ^this was after the crop had been cut (or seed ; Egyptian
wheat, containing 780 kernels in four ears ; the kohol
rabi, or turnip-rooted cabbage— it is surprising that so
useful a plant as this is not more generally grow n— its
great recommendation is, that it may be planted on land
after tares, and comes in for use soon after Christmas ;
Root and seeds of the Siberian Heracleum, which may
be cut four times a-year, and produces from three to four
feet each time, were shown by Mr. Shaw, of Ipswich ;
plants of prickly Comfry ; and a great variety of agri-
cultural products was exhibited which we have not room
to notice. A subscription has been entered into for the
purpose of purchasing books for the ute of the club,
and judging from what we observed of the proceedings
of the evening, we think that the agricultural public
cannot be too mucli urged to follow the example of the
farmers around Ashbocking. Mutual instruction, union
of feeling and sentiment —these are the benefits of such
meetings.

ASSESSMENT TO THE POOR-RATE.

Sir, — As a valuation and assessment under the di-
reetion of the New Poor Law Commissioners is now in
progress in various parts of the kingdom, allow me to
call your attention to a point which has not yet apparently
attracted public notice.

I am at a loss to know why timber, the produce of an
otherwise uncultivated estate, should not when felled be
assessed to the poor-rate for the current or ensuing
year. In the neighbourhood in which I reside a landed
proprietor having a well-wooded estate nets an income
of from 1,300/. to 2,000/. per annum by the sale of his
surplus timber. Now, as nearly all other descriptions
of produce are subject directly or indirectly to the
poor-rate, why should this exemption be allowed?
Mines are, 1 believe, neither free from poor-rate nor
tithe ; and why should such " mines of wealth" as
these, for the case I allude to is only an isolated instance,
receive the benefit of an exception so peculiarly and
evclusively advantageous ?

Having thus briefly called your attention to the sub-
ject, I shall be happy to leave it in your far abler hands,
and subscribe myself. Your obedient servant,

Oct. 18. A BERKSHIRE FREEHOLDER.

FOR THE SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE.

A QUESTION FOR THE NATURALIST.

Sin,-- -A short time before last harvest I confined a
beautiful aark-speckled cock with three or four speckled
hens, in a rather dark place, to prevent them getting
into some corn near ripening. I believe they were con-
fined about five or six weeks. Th« cock's feathers are
all turned to a beautiful white ; instead of being a fine
speckled cock, he is now a milk white one. In the hen's
feathers we perceived no alteration. Whether the male
bird took his confinement more to heart than his mate-
confined with him, and grieved more, to cause such a
change, I must leave the Naturalist to account for.
I am. Sir, yours, &c.

UnderhiU, near Oswestry, W. BILLINGTON.
Oct. 17th, 1837.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

429

sc

COLONEL."

ThE PROPERTY OF HIS LATE MAJESTY, WILLIAM THE
FOURTH, AND WINNER OF THE DONCASTER ST. LEGER,
IN 1828.

The horse " Colonel" which forms the subject of
our second embellishment, was bred b)' the lion.
Mr. Petie, of Stapylton Park, near Pontefract, and
was purchased or l)im by King- George the Fourth,
for the immense sum of four thousand guineas ; he
is a horse of great power and speed, having run a
dead heat with Cadland for the Derby in 1828, and
carried off the Doncaster St. Leger the same year.
In height the Colonel stands about fifteen-two, is
very handsome, and may with propriety be designated
"a compact horse," with large round barrel, good
legs, and perfect symmetry.

Pedigree. — The Colonel was bred by Mr. Petre in
1825 ; got by Whisker, dam by Delpini, out of
Tipple Cyder, by King Fergus, grandam Sylvia, by
Young Marske, out of Ferret, by a brother to Sjlvio,
Regulus, &c.

Performances. — In 1827 The Colonel won the
Two Years Old Stakes of 20 sovs. each, ('lO subs., J
at Haigh Park, beating Kitty, c. by Tramp, dam by
Filho da Puta, Au Mencruwe, c. Jjy Blacklock, out
of sister to Sophy, bl. c. by Whisker, out of Tralla
and Eliza.

In the same year he carried off the Two Years Old
Stakes at Pontefract of 20 sovs. each, (6 subs.^,
beating Vanish, brother to Coronation and Miss
Pratt, and the Champagne Stakes, at Doncaster, of
50 sovs. each, h. ft., (18 subs.) , beating f, by Black-
lock, out of Marchesa and Ballad Singer.

In 1828 he ran a dead heat with Cadland, for the
Derby at Fipsom, beating Zinganee and 12 others,
bul was afterwards beaten by him.

He won the St, Leger Stakes, at Doncaster, beating-
Belinda, Velocipede, and 17 others ; and walked
over for the 200 sovs. Stales at the same place, (8
subs.)

In 1829 he was beaten at York Spring Meeting, by
Bessey Bedlam, in a match for 300 sovs. each. St.
Leger Course; and started, but was not placed, for
the Gold Cup at Ascot, being- beaten by Zinganee
and Mameluke.

In 1830 he won the Craven Stakes of 10 sovs. each,
at Epsom, beating Harold, Clio, and eight others ;
and ran second for the Gold Cup at Ascot, being
beaten by Lucetta, but beat Green Mantle and Zin-
ganee.

He won a Sweepstakes, at Stockbridge, of 5 sovs.
each, with 25 sovs., (15 sub. J, beating Morris-
dancer, Tyke, and two others ; and ran third for the
Gold Cup at Goodwood, being beaten by Fleur-
de-lis and Zinganee, but beat Green Mantle, Lady
Emily, Refugee, Glenartney, Tranby, and Hindoo.
In 1831 he won the Craven Stakes, of 10 sovs.
each, at Epsom, beating Fortitude, Mahmoud,
Achilles, and four others ; and ran a dead heat with
Mouche, for the Oatlands, at Ascot, being afterwards
beaten by her. Four others started.

On Wednesday, Oct. 25th, 1837, the Colonel was
sold by auction with the Royal Hampton Court Stud,
for fifteen hundred and fifty guineas ; Mr. Tattersall,
the auctioneer, being the purchaser.

The Agricultural Society of the department of
the Upper Rhine, has awarded a gold medal, of the
value of 500 fr. to M. Boucart, manufacturer and
mayor of Guebwiller, for the introduction of the
breed of Durham oxen into the department.

ON THE VALUE OF HUMAN
MANURE.

FROM DR. Granville's report to the Thames im«
provement company.

This very question having been submitted a few-
years since to the consideration of the late Professor
Hembstadt, of Berlin, by the Saxon and Prussian
authorities, who were desirous to apply the contents
of the city drains and cesspools to the recovery of
barren and sandy lands, in the environs of Berlin
and Dresden — that eminent agriculturist undertook,
in conjunction with other learned men and practical
farmers, a series of experiments, which were carried
on for a great length of time, and were varied in
every possible way, in order to avoid all sources of
fallacy. The results of those experiments Hemb^
stadt afterwards published, and they led to exten-
sive agricultural operations, all of which proved suc-
cessful. Professor Scuiibler, the writer of the most
esteemed and certainly the most able Treatise on
Agronomia, or the best mode of knowing- and treat-
ing every species of land, repeated, and added to
the experiments of Hembstadt, from which he ob-
tained alike results. These he published in a tabular
form, which has since passed into the hands of all
the large practical farmers in Germany, and have
formed the basis of instruction on manuring, in the
hands of professors of agriculture, whom many of
the continental governments have, with infinite ad-
vantage, established in institutions purposely formed
to disseminate useful and practical truths in the art
of farming. From that table the following facts may
be collected.

If a given quantity of land sown, and without
manure, yields three times the seed employed : then
the same quantity of land will produce
5 times the quaotity sown, when manured with old
herbage, putrid grass or leaves, garden
stuflf, &c.
7 times with cow dung,
9 times with pigeons' dung,
10 times with horse dung,
12 times with human urine,
12 times with goats' dung,
12 times with sheeps' dung, and
14 times with human manure, or bullocks' blood.

But if the land be of such quality as to produce,
without manure, 5 times the sown quantity — then
the horse dung manure will yield l-i, and human
manure 19f the sown quantity.*

In addition to this information it was ascertained
that the most important crops — those, I mean, which
yield most profit — such as flax, for example, so ex-
tensively cultivated in both Flanders, can only be
obtained in abundance, and of the finest quality, by
employing- human manure.

But by far the most important point of practical
knowledge in this matter, put forward by the same
great authorities, and the truth of which was after-
warvls confirmed to me by more than one great farmer
in East Flanders, is, that while the manuring with
human soil has produced fourteen times the quantity
sown ; where horse dung has only yielded ten — the

* It is curious how this corresponds with one of the
experiments made by Mr. Burrows, an intelligent Nor-
folk farmer, who received the gold medal from the So-
ciety of Arts for them. On four acres of broad cast
wheat, Mr. Burrows obtained 14 quarters and a fraction
of wheat, having- employed one quarter as seed. Had
he manured his land with Flemish manure, instead of
14 quarters, he would have obtained \9i quarters for
the one he employed.

430

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

proportion of the human or Flemish manure em-
ployed was, to that of the horse-dung, as 1 to 5
only ; so that with one ton of the Flemish a larger
produce is obtained, than with five tons of stable
manure. These indisputable truths being once as-
certained, let us see how they would work practi-
cally in this country.

In England, a ton of good stable manure sells for
five shillings. Now an acre of arable land in an or-
dinary state of cultivation in England, is manured
with 20 tons of horse or stable dung evei'y fourth
year, according to Professor Coventry, and conse-
quently entails an expenditure of 5/. in that 3-ear.
It then produces ten times the quantity of wheat
sown. But an acre of the same land, similarly sown,
and manured with Flemish manure, would require
only four tons of it, and entail, at the price we have
fixed for that manure, an expense of 21. 8s. It
would, then, produce fourteen times the quantity of
wheat sown.

Supposing the produce of the acre manured with
horse or stable dung to be five quarters of wheat,*
and to sell for 15/., that of the acre manured with
Flemish manure, will be seven quarters, and sell
for 2lZ.

The end of this comparative farming operation
therefore would be,

1st, a saving in manure.. .£2 12s. per acre,

2nd, a surplus produce ..£6 Os. do. in money

Total £8 12s. per acre.

A sum which the employment of the Flemish ma-
nure would put into the pocket of the farmer, above
the largest numerictil result he can obtain by his
present mode of cultivation. Thus far as to his
private interest; but in this operation the public
would also be a gainer, inasmuch as by means of it,
two more quarters of wheat per acre would be sent
into the market — a circumstance, which in the year
1832, would have prevented the necessity of import-
ing into this country 463,592 quarters of foreign
wheat, as appears from a return made to an order of
the House of Commons, in 1833.

But even this marvellous result of Flemish ma-
nuring, in the cultivation of wheat lands, falls into
insignificance, when compared to that which it yields
whefn applied to other cultivations, the produce of
which, as I ascertained by minute personal inqui-
ries at some of the largest farming establishments in
Belgium, instead of being 9 only, above the ordi-
nary produce, as before mentioned, rises as high as
12, 15, 20, and even 40 per arpent. The same may be

said of it, when applied to lands completely barren,
and which, having been originally rented for one
florin the arpent, have, in the course of four years,
been improved, througli Flemish manuring, into an
easy rent of 30 florins per arpent. Examples of this
sort are numerous, and many such were furnished
me by the authorities at Brussels, La Haye, Rotter-
dam, Dresden, and Berlin.

* This is assuming a most favourable return, since I
find in a report on the " Allotments" in the parish of
Missenden, (as a fact of which they seem proud^ that
the land would, under the plough, in an average year,
produce only 20 bushels of wheat, or 2^ quarters ; and
even Mr. Burrows, in his first rate experiment of four
acres of drilled wheat, obtained no more than 16 quar-
ters and 3 bushels, making 4 quarters and less than 1
bushel per acre. Now I have it in my notes, taken un-
der the dictation of Sir. Smet, a great farmer in East
Flanders, that a measure of wheat land corresponding
to an English acre, manured with Flemish manure, pro-
duced last year VJ sacks of wheat, of the best quality.
The sac contains four measures each, weighing IBOlbs.
of 16 ounces— consequently there grew upon that acre
5,4001bs. of wheat. Whereas, taking the Winchester
bushel of wheat to weigh 601bs. — the acre of wheat land
among the " Allotments at Missenden, produced only
l,^A001bs.,and the experiment of Mr. Burrows, l,9801bs.;
while admitting even luy assumption of 5 quarters to be
correct, the acre in England would yield no more than
2,4001bs., being less than the half of the Flemish pro-
duce.

THE PRICE OF FLOUR AND BREAD
COMPARED.

A baker making the best quality of bread,
pays for his Flour 50s. per sack, and
in many cases for cash, 48s., but taking
the maximum, the amount will be per
sack £2 10 0

From which he will make 94 loaves at 9d.
exclusive of any admixture of Pota-
toes, &c 3 10 6

Profit 10 6

Which at the rate of 10 sacks of flour per week, a mo-
derate average consumption, would yield an income
of 533/., on this moderate scale of business ; the ex-
pences of fuel and labour will he fully covered by
the sale of biscuits, fancy bread, and bakings.
A quarter of Wheat will produce on a
moderate average 6 bushels of Flour, a
sack containing 5 bushels, yielding
nearly 113 loaves. The Wheat costing

now on an average £2 18 0

The loaves yielding 4 4 9

Profit 1 6 9

The following table shows the comparative price

of WHEAT, FLOUE, and URKAO.

It has been made by a party who is acquainted
with the minute workings of all the three trades, and
is therefore deserving ot credit .

A TABLE SHOWING THE COMPARATIVE
PRICE OF WHEAT. FLOUR. AND BREAD.

Wll EAT

Flour

Flour

Loaf

Per Qr.

Per Sack.

Per Qrn.

Per Qkn.

s. d.

s. d.

s. d.

s. d.

112 0

80 0

1 0

1 1

109 4

78 4

- Ill

1 01

106 8

76 8

- lU

1 0§

104 0

75 0

-114

1 Oi

101 4

73 4

— 11

1 0

98 8

71 8

— 10|

-11^

96 0

70 0

- 10,^

- 11^

93 4

68 4

- m

-Ui

90 8

66 8

- 10

— 11

88 0

65 0

- 9f

— lOf

85 4

63 4

- 9^

- 10§

82 8

61 8

- 9i

- lOi

80 3

60 0

— 9

— 10

77 4

58 4

- 8-^^

- 91

74 3

56 8

— 8i

- 9§

72 0

55 0

- H

- 9i

69 4

53 4

— 8

— 9

66 8

51 8

- 71

- 81

64 0

50 0

- 71

- 8^

61 4

48 4

- u

- 8i

58 8

46 8

— 7

— 8

56 0

45 0

- 61

- 71

53 4

43 4

- 6i

— 7*

50 0

41 8

- 6i

— 7|

48 0

40 0

— 6

— 6f

45 4

38 4

- 5|

- 6

42 8

36 8

- 6i

- 6i

40 0

35 0

- 51

- 6i

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

431

GRAVESEND AND ROCHESTER
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual plouglnng match took place on Monday,
Oct, 16, at Cooling. Twenty-five ploughs started for
the prizes on a clover ley belonging to John Murton,
Esq., who hospitably furnished refreshments both to
the ploughmen and spectators. Owing to the late dry
weather, the land was ploughed with difficulty, and by
no means exhibited the usual favorable specimens of
the skill of the ploughmen, nearly all of whom failed to
produce that regularity of furrow which is character-
istic of Kentish ploughing. Amongst the few excep-
tions, however, must be included the holder of Ran-
some's patent plough, which belongs to a gentleman in
the neighbourhood, who has long used it, and who an-
nually sends it to the ploughing match merely to show
how efficiently and easily the land in tliat district can
be ploughed with two horses, there being no prize but
for ploughs drawn by four. Notwithstanding the stub-
bornness of the soil, from drought, this small imple-
ment, drawn by two moderately -sized horses, ploughed
its half acre in a manner that occasioned general sur-
prise and approbation, the unkindly state of the land
scarcely impeding its progress, or the excellence of its
execution. Indeed so signal was its success, that the
judges, who may reasonably be supposed to feel a bias
towards the turnwrist plough to which they have been
accustomed, honourably casting aside all prejudice,
handsomely awarded a sovereign to the ploughman.

The turnwrist plough is undoubtedly an excellent im-
plement where much power is required, as in those very
stiff and stony lands in some parts of Kent, where six
horses are employed in ploughing half an acre a day.
But although the cultivation of land of this description
might answer some years ago, when the price of grain
was high, it is certain that, in the present state of agri-
culture, the tillage of such soils ought t o cease. In all
the other soils of the district included in the Gravesend
and Rochester Association, the two-horse plough is
sufficient, as has been proved by experience of the dif-
ferent ploughing matches since the formation of the
association.

At this time, when economy is so essential to the
agriculturist, the curtailment of unnecessary expendi-
ture is important, but the Kentish farmers do not
appear to be aware of the saving to be effected by
ploughing with two instead of four horses. This sav-
ing may be truly estimated to be equal to a reduction
of from 30 to 50 per cent, upon the rent, which can be
readily shown by the following calculation. The ex-
pense of horse labour and the rent of arable land of the
best description are nearly equal. Now there is a
saving of 30 per cent, in ploughing with two instead of
four horses, which is therefore equal to 30 per cent, in
the rent of land of the best quality. Upon inferior,
and therefore lower rented, land, the expense of horse
labour being the same, and the saving by two-horse
ploughing the same as upon the best land, there arises
a disproportion between the saving and the rent, mak-
ing the saving, in proportion to thelownessofthe rent,
equal to a reduction of from 30 to 50 per cent.

This is a startling statement, but one which will bear
to be strictly investigated, and proves the necessity of
bringing the subject frequently before the farmers of
Kent, to whose want of attention to it can only be
attributed the non-adoption of a plough which promises
80 much advantage to them. — Maidstone Gazette.

Burton - in - Kendal Agricultural Show.
—Extract from a speech of Mr. Hornby, at the
Annual Meeting, Oct. 3. — "There were two ways
in whicn an individual might be the means of instruct-
ing mankind ; first, by teaching them what to perform,
and in the next place what to avoid. If to-day he had
not appeared in the former character, he certainly had
in the latter ; more particularly with respect to the
Caesarean cow cabbage, against which he begged most
strenuously to warn them. {Laughter.) On all occa-

sions he was apt to view with distrust great promises
and great proposals. He had generally found that,
whether in matters moral, physical, religious, or poli-
tical, great promises were found to fall short in the
performance ; but in no instance that he had ever
known or heard of had this been the case more signally
than in the instance of the Caesarian cow cabbage. So
much for that valuable vegetable, which they had been
taught to expect was to make their cows fatter, their
beef more abounding in flesh, their ewes larger, their
lambs, which were half fat, fit for the butcher in little
or no time — (laughter) — nay, they had even been taught
to expect that it would make some extremely orna-
mental plantations, but he was not a very tall man,
and he had not yet lound that there was shade under
them for even him. He hoped there was no one yet in
doubt as to the true merits of this vegetable. He
might mention, as it had some connection with the ob-
jects of the association, that being a short time since
on a visit at Knowsley to Lord Derby, he saw a field
of Italian rye-grass, of which they had perhaps heard,
the aspect of which struck him ; and as he always car-
ried about with him " a little eye" — (a laugh) — for
these matters, he made a few inquiries of Lord Derby's
steward concerning it, and had received the following
answers : — In reply to a question in what season it was
sown, and whether after a corn crop or not ? he was
informed that it might be sown at any season when the
laud was in fit order for small seeds. If sown on a
fallow, or on land free from weeds in October, it would
be ready in the early spring, at a period when the far-
mer had frequently little or no food for his stock. It
might be sown, however, as late as December ; but
the crop would not, perhaps, be quite so good, nor
would it be ready so eai-ly. Three pounds were sown
to the Lancashire acre. It was ready to cut as green
food, or to turn cattle upon in May, if sown in the
autumn. Lord Derby's steward did not mix it ^ith
red clover, but sowed it alone. He found it more suit-
able for green food than any other, and cattle preferred
it to anything. When not grazed, it had been cut three
times during the first year ; — in the second twice, in
the spring and fall. He (Mr. Hornby) might also
mention that he had had some conversation with Sir
James Graham, who was a great agriculturist as well
as a great statesman, on the subject of this Italian rye
grass ; whose opinion was that it was superior to the
common rye grass, and to red clover, and that it was
best sown by itself. He (the speaker) intended to try
some experiments with it on a small scale, and he
should be happy to communicate the result to the meet-
ing next year."

Important to Clergymen and Tithe
Owners.^ — The Poor Law Commissioners have
transmitted the following directions to the various
Boards of Guardians for England and Wales : — " As
respects the relative proportion in which lands and
tithes are to be rated, it is to be observed, that this ques-
tion has, previously to the Parochial Assessments Act,
been frequently the subject of legal controversy, and it
is understood that the proviso at the end of the first sec-
tion of the Parochial Assessments Act is intended to
preserve to the tithe owner the benefit of the decision
in the case of the King v. Jodrell. (1 B. and A. 403.) —
That case decides that any profit accruing to the oc-
cupiers of land after payment of rent and necessary
outgoings beyond that which would repay the expense
of cultivating lands, and which would compensate for
the farmer's trouble, and labour, and superintendence,
ought to be included in the assessment ; and that when
(as might be done before the passing of the Assess-
ments Act) a profit so accruing to the occupier was
omitted in the rate, a proportionate remission should
be made to the tithe owner in rating the tithes. The
Parochial Assessments Act, however, which prescribes
the rent which might reasonably be expected to be ob-
tained to be the criterion for estimating rateable heredi-
taments generally, appears to exclude, in the making
of the estimate, the consideration of such an occupier's
profit as is referred to in the case. But if, after the

432

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

estimate is made of rateable hereditaments (including
the tithe according to the Parochial Assessments Act)
there should appear to be a profit accruing to the oc-
cupier, of the kind described in the case, as that profit
■will not be rated under the Parochial Assessments Act,
the tithe owner would appear to be entitled to a deduc-
tion proportionate to that profit."

ON THE AGRICULTURE OF FLINT-
SHIRE.

Among the great body of working farmers there is
much deficiency of practice, independently of the non-
adoption of the green-crop culture ; among the poorer
ones especially overcropping still continues, and the vile
habit of growing three white crops in succession after
potatoes in an ill-fallow, manured with lime, is not un-
frequently among them ; their usual course being po-
tatoes on the fallow, wheat, barley, and oats ; the na-
tural result of which is, that the last crop does not de-
fray the expenses of tillage and seed, and that varieties
of the most pernicious weeds are profusely generated in
room of prolific plants which ought to occupy their
place. The excellence of the English and Scotch hus-
bandry consists in the introduction of a green crop be-
tween two white ones, by which the soil is never ex-
hausted, and is always clean. The agriculture of this
country has advanced considerably within twenty years,
and among the higher and larger classes of farmers,
the ruinous system first mentioned has become obso-
lete. Even these, however, must plead guilty of taking
two successive crops of corn, and consequently of hav-
ing their land in a very foul state. Nor is there suffi-
cient care taken among any of the agricultural grades
to collect into farm- yard dung, the high cut stubbles
■which every where present themselves. These are
never mown closely and gathered after the sickles have
done their part, but are left to wither in utter useless-
ness ; the fallows not being usually ploughed until the
closing months of the year. In no other particular is
•want of economy and good management more observa-
ble. In all ploughings, when the soil is thick, it is
hardly possible to go too deep, for it will be found on
examining ground the most effectually stirred, that the
fibres strike farther than the implements have reached.

The continued system of forcing the land by heavy
doses of hot lime injures its properties, and the want of
farm-yard dung to supply carbon is sensibly experi-
enced. One-third more at least of produce might be
had by drilling and other improvements of culture.

The late planting of the potato crop is general in the
county of Flint, and the sowing of barley is also post-
poned, sometimes to the middle of May, and without
adequate cause.

The want of care in the management of winter-fal-
lows frequently occasions difficulties in spring ; any
suggestion, therefore, for removing or remedying de-
fective practice in this particular must be useful to
those concerned.

The potatoes also are generally planted too late in
the season frequently ivith the poor not before the end
of May, so that there is not sufficient time for the ap-
ple, and other late kinds especially, to mature their
growth before the winter frosts sets in. It is of the
highest importance that the ground should be deeply
■worked and highly pulverised ; for the potatoe fibre is
extremely delicate, and cannot penetrate through a
hard unyielding soil, though it will run freely through
that which is loose, and occupy the pulverised intervals
between the drills. It is undoubtedly highly absurd,
in shallow soils, to keep on the tops of the potatoes
■where it affords no nutriment, the earth, which, if left
to itself within the range of fibre, would feel it.

The use of brine for cleansing butter after the churn
is far preferable to pure spring water, and it is then
found equal in quality to that produced from Holland.
A FRIEND TO IMPROVEMENT.

Nannerch, Sept. 28.

The aUANTITIES of FOREIGN LINSEED
RAPESEED, and OIL CAKES which have paid
Duty in the Ports of London, Liverpool, Bristol,
and Hull, for the periods under-mentioned : —

For the
Year ending

London.

Liverpool

BiiBtol.

Hull.

Total.

LINSEED.

Michaelmas.

qrs.

qrs.

qrs.

qrs.

qrs.

1834

107074

28718

937

74891

211620

1835

94811

21784

562

87920

205077

1836

157404

36544

1595

112531

303074

1837

144269

33859

1233

117370

296731

RAPESEED.

1834

1132

—

—

41086

45218

1835

7107

30

—

48052

55189

1836

12236

285

—

68102

80623

1837

10136

—

—

52750

62886

OIL CAKES.

For the Yeai

cwts.

cwts.

cwts.

cwts.

cwts.

1833

64813

—

2408

119691

186912

1834

88295

355

645

161312

250607

1835

56845

865

1642

83527

142879

1836

99986

101

2747

174442

277276

up to July

1837

59563

5314

5266

114406

184549

A TABLE showing the Comparative Weights of the
French Killogramme and the Cwt.

1
2
3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

40

50

Cwt.

qrs.

lbs.

Killo-
gramme.

Cwt.

qrs.

2.204

60

1

—

—

4.41

70

1

1

—

—

6.61

80

1

2

—

—

8.82

90

1

3

—

—

11.02

100

1

3

—

—

13.23

200

3

3

—

—

15.43

300

5

3

—

—

17.64

400

7

3

—

—

19.84

500

9

3

—

. —

22,05

600

11

3

—

1

16.10

700

13

3

—

2

10.14

800

15

2

—

3

4.19

900

17

2

—

3

26.24

1000

19

2

lbs.

20.28

14.33

8.38

2.42

24.48

20.94

17.42

13.89

10.36

6.83

3.31

27.78

24.25

20,72

N.B. 50 4-5=1 cwt,, 1016=20 Cwt.

The Cattle TRADE.—From a return wliich has
been published of the number of cattle, &c. shipped
for London and Hull, (chiefly the former,) from Dun-
dee, Aberdeen, Leith, and Inverness, from 31st May,
1836, to 3 1st May, 1837, as furnished by the Collectors
of Shore-dues, it appears live stock and carcase meat
have been sent from these ports in the following quan-
tities.—From Dundee, 1800 cattle, 2392 sheep, 3510
hxmbs, 64 horses, 940 barrels' bulk of meat ; from Leith,
252 cattle, 3196 sheep, 4059 lambs, 83 horses, 8798 bar-
rels' bulk of meat ; from Aberdeen, 7443 cattle, 945
sheep, 50 horses, 2162 pigs, 1483 barrels' bulk of meat,
215 carcasses of mutton, and 300 tons pickled pork ;
from Inverness, from 23d September to 31st May, 111
cattle, 80 sheep, 400 barrels' bulk of meat. The total
amount of barrels' bulk of meat sent from these ports is
11,162, which, at 2^ cwt. per barrel bulk, are equal to
29,125^ cwt. By far the largest share of this important
trade belongs to the port of Aberdeen— the value of the
shipments of beef, mutton, and pork, from thence, being
estimated at from 130,000i. to 140,000/. within the year.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

433

THE GREAT AGRICULTURAL SO-
CIETY — TILE - DRAINING — THE
HARVEST— COCKING AND COOK-
ING BARLEY.

(from the bury post.^

At tbe last anniversary meeting of tlie Highland
Agricultural society, we are glad to see that the
Marquis of Chandos was admitted honorary member
at the same time with the Duke of Bedford, Earl
Spencer, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Western,
Mr. Cote, and three or four other gentlemen. A
man who travels into a foreign country, if lie lias
influence, observation, and talent, may have it in his
power to improve any faulty institutions of his own
when he returns home. The Marquis of Chandos
has travelled, if if we may so express ourselves,
from the Agricultural Society of London to that of
Edinburgh ; and if he does not learn sometliing from
the company into which lie is introduced, by which
he may extinguish the political and extend tlije limi-
ted objects of tbe association of which he is so con-
spicuous a member, and thus improve its character,
be will be one of the most unteachable of mortals.
While the London Society would protect the landed
as an especial and exclusive interest by something
very like monopoly and restriction, — while its pro-
jectors, under the thinnest possible guise of having
national advantage for their object, have mainly in
view the accomplishment of Tory purposes and party
ascendancy — we find the Highland Society of Scot-
land, which has now existed more than fifty years,
in disdain of such contemptible trickeries, pursuing
its ancient course of research into the natural and
artificial resources of their own country, with in-
creased vigour and success. If Lord Chandos reads
the " Preliminary Notice" to the twelth volume,
recently published, of tlie " Prize Essays and Ti-ans-
acticns" of this Society, he will see that instead of
busying itself about Currency and Corn-duties, it
has been engaged in exploring the universal riches
of Scotland ; it has offered a series of premiums for
Geological surveys of the entire country north of the
Tweed, together with detailed reports on the various
portions of the great coal-fields which it contains ; it
has offered 50O sovereigns for the first successful
application of the power of steam to the cultivation
of the soil, sending a deputation of its members to
witness the trial of Mr. Heathcote's steam plough on
the red-moss in Lancashire ; it has offered premiums
for reclaming lands from the sea and on the banks of
rivers, by embankments ; premiums for the improve-
ment of waste grounds, &c. ; for reports on sub-soil
ploughing and trench ploughing, the advantages of
which have lately been brought under the notice of
griculturists by Mr. Smith, of Deanston ; for im-
provements in the breed of live stock ; and for ex-
periments on the feeding of live stock by the
employment of substances other than the common
produce of the farm. It will be seen that the
premiums of this truly patriotic Society are not limi-
ted to objects having relation to the more ordinary
branches of rural economy, though these are perhaps
the primary objects of its attention, but that every
thing bearing upon the improvement of the country
. as to soil, tillage, irrigation and climate ; and upon
tbe iniproveuient of the labouring classes, as to
cleanliness, comfort, morals, and industry are ob-
jects of its solicitude and encouragement. In the.
number now lying before us there are no fewer than
four prize papers on the manufacture of draining
tiles ; there exists, it appears among the farmers of
the north a very strong desire to become minutely

acquainted with the process of tile-draining ; and
by the improved machinery which has lately been
introduced, there is every reason to believe that it
will be very extensively adopted, because of tbe
reduced price at which it can now be effected. We are
sorry to say that within the district around us, tile-
draining has yet to be introduced ; and we are much
inclined to think that if some brick-burner or one
acquainted with the pottery business, with a due
portion of skill and enterpvize, would construct an
apparatus for the manufacture of tiles on sound and
scientific principles, so as to produce a good article
at alow price, he would amply and speedily be re-
munerated for bis speculation. About us, farmers
jog on in the old fashioned way of their fore-
fathers ; they fill up their drains with tliorns, or furze,
or young hazel and wheat straw, thus borrowing of
Peter to pay Paul. Sometimes, indeed, two or three
pipes of earthenware are inserted at the ends of the
drains so that they may be discovered in the ditches,
but even this is by no means a common practice.
Drains thus filled last a very few years only, because
they never can be kept free from moles, rats, and
rabbits ; the two latter of which find it very easy and
pleasant to burrow in them. Thus is the water-
course soon intercepted ; but even were the drains
free from these annoyances, the materials themselves
soon rot and give way to the earth above them on
the pressure of a horse or of a cart-wheel, and thus
is the labour that has betn bestowed all lost. The
manufacture of draining-tiles was introduced into the
west of Scotland in 1823, by the Duke of Portland,
for his estates in Ayrshire. The cost of common
drain-tiles — for it should be observed there
are various sorts and sizes, some for sewers, some
for main-drains, some for furrows — was at that time
31. per thousand, besides the expence of erections.
On opening a new clay field in 1825, with accomoda-
tion to make from thirty to forty thousand tiles
weekly, the cost of common furrow-tiles was reduced
to 25s. 6d. per thousand. Since that time, several
important improvements have been made in the
manufacture, so as to have reduced their cost still
further. In the course of the last twelvemonth the
Marquis of Tweedale has constructed a machine for
making drain-tiles, bricks, &c., not only of great in-
genuity, but of great pratical value, and for which
he has' obtained a patent. This machine was first
exhibited in public at the Highland Society's show,
held at Perth, in October 1836. In the present
volume of their transactions there is a description of
the machine, illustrated by engravings explanatory
of its construction. In reference to the comparative
expence of making draining-tiles by hand labour and
by this machine, it may be stated that a machine
requiring a power equal to one horse, and with the
assistance of one man and two boys, one of these to
" feed in the clay," and two to remove the tiles to
the shelves, will make 12,000 tiles in a day often
hours, when three or four men can produce only
1500 tiles in the same time. The tiles are commonly
13 inches in length. We gather from an article by
Mr. Bearle in this volume, that his draining-tiles
are furnished at about a pound or a guinea a
thousand. Strongly do we recommend a careful
perusal of all these articles, to any one who has the
means and inclination to introduce a most valuable
agricultural improvement into tJiese districts,
with profit to himself and advantage to the farmers
around him.

We hardly know whether, even to the present
hour, there may not be some swaths of Barley linger-
ing in the fields : the harvest, however, if not alto-
gether, is very nearly over, and we are sorry to say

434

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

that a considerable portion of the crops is Loused and
stacked in bad condition. Within our own immedi-
ate neighbourhood we know of two or three Wheat
stacks having- been taken down, and of liarley hav-
ing been removed from the barn, from the fear of
spontaneous combustion. The account from Mark-
lane of many of the new Wheats, is any-thing but
satisfactor}^, and yet it is probable that these were
got up in better order than those which were cut
later. Tliere will be a very great disparity in the
gamples of all grain this year : we know of no barley
about us that was got up without rain. That which
received a few showers only of the earlier rains, if
well secured afterwards, will probably make a more
tender malt than if it it had received no wee after the
grain had become ripe ; for barley cut and carried
in this condition is known to be very hard and
steely, although, from its greater capacity of absorb-
ing moisture in the steep, there may be a greater in-
crease in the quantity of manufactured from it. Barley
hereabout is under an average crop, short in the
ear, as well as short in tlie straw ; while from the latter
circumstance, it would hardly have been practicable
to tie it into sheaves according to Mr. Bayes' mode,
and it might also have been inprudent, because of
the very unusual quantity of green layer, which
must have been tied up with it. VVe found it a very
good plan to heap the swaths into middle-sized cocks,
just as we do hay .- the layer died and dried quicker
than that which was covered with barley on the
swath. In dropping weather, a much less surface
of barley is thus exposed to moisture from the clouds
above and from the earth below, than when it is left
as it has falh^n irora the scythe, and merely lifted
and turned over.

Every one knows that the nutritive qualities of
corn are much injured by being soddon with cold
water ; by what chemical procesa this deterioration
is effected it is not for us now to enquire. The fact
is sufficient for us to suggest whether it would not
be advisable, where any such corn is to be employed
this winter in fattening of stock, to have it ground,
made into loaves, and baked. Cookery, that is, the
application of bent in some form or other, improves
the nutritive qualities of grain, and never was there
more need of it tlian at present. In an extract from
a Paris paper, it is said to have been proved by ex-
periment.«,that 1000 kilogrammes, or 2,2051bs. of oats,
made into 430 loaves and two cf these loaves given
daily to a horse, will keep him in better condition
than six times the same quantity of oats given to liim
in a raw state. The expeni;e of fuel is the only con-
sideration to be put in the opposite scale, and this
is an estimate which every farmer can make for him-
self. But tlie mere grinding of the grain, or tiie
destruction of its texture, by making it pass through
rollers, is of great advantage to the animal which
eats it, by facilitating his means of digestion. In
the beautiful little work on birds, published two
years ago by Dr. Stanley, the present Bishop of Nor-
wich, tliis matter is thus explained in a passage with
which we shall conclude the present article :

" There is anotlier singularity in this mysterious
liquid, (the gastric juice) namely, the different
force with which it acts on the various substances
used for food by different birds. Thus, the gastric
juice in the stomiich of those birds which live on
flesh, acts very sparingly on vegetable substances.
On examining the castings, or pellets, of some
eagles, which had been occasionally fed with dead
pigeons, it was found that the vegetable food, peas,
wheat, and barley, which had been swallowed by
these birds of prey, enclosed within the crops of
the pigeons, remained entire, being only somewhat

enlarged by beat and moisture, though the fleshy
substances, even to the very bones, were entirely
consumed. Again : it has been observed, that this
juice will not act upon the grain swallowed by
poulti-y while it remains whole and entire. This fact
has been further proved by actual experiment. Some
gastric juice was poured into a cup containing some
whole seeds, but it produced no effect upon them till
they were crushed. Hence it has been found that if
oats and barley given to horses are previovsly killed
by heating and crushed, the animal only requires
half the quantity, and yet thrives equally well." —
{Stanley on Birds, Vol. L 57.)

Ceremony of Letting the Waters of the
Nile into Lowed. Egypt. — At four, p.m., of
the 19th of August — the Nile having risen to the
proper height for cutUng the canal through which,
by intersection of other canals from that, the
waters of the Nile are conveyed through the whole
eastern side of that river into Lower Egypt — a large
boat, which had been prepared by having scaffolding
erected, dressed with flags, awnings, and carpets for the
occasion, and crowded with people, was seen slowly as-
cending the stream of the Nile with the assistance of
the wind, that being fair ; and presently another large
dressed out boat steered off to the former ; both were
lashed together, and then these were preceded by ano-
ther boat having a g'un on her bow, which continued
firing without intermission during their ascent up the
river. These three were joined and accompanied by
various other boats chiefly belonging to the nobility and '
gentry of Egypt. Botii sides of the Nile were crowded
with lookers on. The Garden of Rhoda, which lies
contiguous to the spot where the waters are let in, was
also densely crowded. On the arrival of the vessels at
this spot they were received with a salute of artillery,
stationed there for that purpose. Through the whole
night boats were conslantly passing up and down, the
most of them with Arabic music on board ; in fact, for
this one night in the year the Nile may be said to re-
semble Venice in its summer nights of serenading. At
frequent intervals rockets, artillery, blue lights, and
fireworks of various descriptions were fired throughout
the night. Close to the spot where the cut was to be
made, stand the building which contain the machinery
by which the waters of the Nile are conveyed to the
citadel of Cairo. These buildings seemed, when the
fireworks were not playing', like a huge fortification ;
for as the fireworks played, and occasionally lightened
the atmosphere over it, hundreds of people were seen
on its summits. As the morning dawned the boats with
the harems began to appear, with various suites from
different points. First came the ex-sheriff of Mecca,
with his splendid and pampered Arab horses, of the true
Neghed breed, probably the finest in the world ; then
came the dervislies from Turkey, these wore their hand-
kerchiefs and badges on this occasion. The consuls of
European nations, as well as the subjects of those nations,
all repaired to the spot. Next came the military, civil,
and other officers of the Egyptian government ; and
last, not least, at eiglit o'clock, came Habib Effendi,
the venerable and respected governor of Cairo, to at-
tend the opening" of the waters. His baked began to
throw copper money in handsfull for the poor into the
canal. At sunrise the labourers stationed to cut the
soil were at their work, and at a quarter past eight the
waters rushed in, and in ten minutes after a boat passed
through, and floated for two miles inland. Habib
Effendi then ])resented the Cadi of Cairo with a caftan
or robe of honour, and his agent also gave other robes
to the officers of the Cadi. The tents and two most
beautiful flags of cloth of gold were now struck, and in
a quarter of an hour after the cut the whole multitude
had disappeared. All were dressed in their richest cos-
tumes, and all wore happy faces, some perhaps merely
put on for the day, but all saemed to join in praising
the God of the Universe who annually deals out this

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

435

blessing' of waters to Egypt. The shouts of the multi-
tude and the roar of cannon at the first gush of waters
was almost paralysing, joined as it was with a prayer to
Heaven from nearly every human being' on the spot,
whose numbers I should suppose amounted to 250,000
people.

HOP GROWING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MAIDSTONE GAZETTE.

Sir, — I trust you will find space for the following
remarks to thehop-growersof Kent, which truths ought
to be made known to them, as I am convinced many of
them make no calculations on the expense attendant on
growing hops. Many factors and merchants, when
told of these expenses, express surprise, and appear to
doubt the truth of the statement ; but if they will allow
themselves a little Iei^^ure to make these calculations,
they will find I have not exaggerated in the following
statement, by the insertion of which you will-oblige,
A Constant Reader and Subscriber.

TO THE HOP-GROWERS OF THE COUNTY
OF KENT.

The present prices now given for our hops must be
ruinous to the greatest part of our hop-growers. Let
any one of them make a calculation on the expenses of
cultivating one acre of hops, i. e., polling, tilling, ma-
nuring, rent, &c., which they will find at the lowest
calculation to exceed 24/. per acre. Again, let them
calculate the expenses per cwt. of picking, drying, duty,
packing, &c., which will be found nearly 21. per cwt.
Therefore those grounds this year which produce from
6 to 7 cwt. per acre (which is quite an average in this
neighbourhood) will be found to sacrifice or lose from
10/. to 12/. per acre, and those that are fortunate
enough to grow from 14 to 11 cwt. per acre, will about
clear themselves from the expenses attendant on them.
Surely if hop-growers were to calculate and take into
eonsideration the expenses on their grounds and hops,
they would not be induced to make such sacrifices, or
suffer their growth of this year to be sold at the paltry
sum of 4/. per cwt. The fact is, there are but few who
do calculate among them, and those few cannot regu-
late the price. Let the hop-growers be more united ;
let them not trust to factors and merchants entirely to
set the price on their produce. The growers will not
have a hop more sold for sacrificing in the price, as
those that make use of hops are not by any means re-
gulated according to the quantity they make use of by
the price. The brewers put the same quantity of hops
in their beer whether dear or cheap. Hops must be
considered a home consumption ; there are a few ex-
ports of them, but I believe none imported, so that the
growers need not fear that any foreign parts will sup-
ply the demand. I feel confident if the hop-growers
were to keep an exact account of the expenses of their
hop-grounds and hops, many of them would exterminate
them altogether, rather than suffer their hops, as they
will soon, to exterminate their property, if they sell their
hops at present prices.

A HOP-GROWER (bwt henceforward a Hop-
Grubber.)

To Preserve Wall Nails from Rust-
ing.— I beg to communicate a little valuable informa-
tion to those who use many nails for fastening the wall
trees. I use cast nails about one inch and a quarter
long, and heat them pretty hot, in the fire shovel, over
the fire, but not red, and then diop them into a glazed
flower-pot saucer, half filled with train oil. They ab-
sorb a good deal of oil, and thus prepared never be-
come rusty, and will last many years. The effluvia of
the oil also, for a long time, I fancy, keeps insects from
the trees. — Magazine of Dnmestic Economy.

TUSCAN AGRICULTURE.

THE MEZZERIA SYSTEM.

I need scarcely say that the system of agricultural
cultivation, by which the produce of the land is divided
between the proprietor and the labourer, has existed in
Italy from time immemorial, and that the question of its
influence upon the general prosperity, upon the condi-
tion of the peasantry, and upon the value of the pro-
perty, has been long-, frequently, and fiercely debated,
and continues to be so. I feel it my duty not to pass
over in silence a subject which is so intimately con-
nected with the resources, the wealth, and consequently
the commerce of Tuscany.

The opinions of Sismondi in favour of the mezzeria
system are well known ; and from conversations I had
with him in Tuscany, I am aware these opinions have
been strengthened by time and experience. He has.
however, perhaps, rather looked at the question as a
philanthropist, seeking* the results of his theories in the
content and happiness of the laboui'ing poor, than as a
political economist who makes the national wealth the
main topic of inquiry.

But there is a point of view, it seems to me, which
has not excited sufficient attention ; this is the universal
isolation of the peasantry, which is a necessary conse-
quence of the mezzeria system. Where there is no as-
sociation there must be much ignorance. Every pea-
sant's family in Tuscany stands as it were alone : this is
indeed a great security for the public tranquility pur-
chased at a fearful price — at the price of a stationary and
backward civilization. I do not conceive how educa-
tion can break down the barriers which surround every
contatino family. I had occasion more than once to see
four generations inhabiting' the same cottage ; but the
last had not added a particle of knowledge to the igno-
rance of the first; the same gross superstitions ; the same
prejudices against books ; the same unwillingness to in-
troduce any species of improvement in husbandry ; the
same references to ancestral usages. In innumerable
cases families have occupied the same farms for hun-
dreds of years, without adding a farthing to their
wealth, or a fragment to their knowledge. I once asked
a grey-headed peasant how long he and his ancestors
had lived in the same cottage 1 " Non c' e memoria,"
was his answer — " It is beyond memory." It may be
argued that if the contadini do not rise to wealth they
seldom sink to poverty. Is, then, perpetual toil, which
allows of no cultivation to the mind— of no saving- for
the bodily wants — a fit condition for the mass of pea-
santry of a most fertile country— a peasantry which pos-
sesses (in some sort) as a recompense for their labour, a
prescriptive right to half the produce of the soil ? But,
after all, can the system be changed? Certainly not by
direct or violent legislation, nor by individual efforts,
which have failed again and again, because they
struggled against the vis iiiertiie of generations. Yet if
experiments were made in the new lands, where the
mezzeria has not yet been introduced (though it is gra-
dually introducing itself into the JMaremme) ; if the
more improved systems of husbandry gave to the pro-
prietors of land higher rents, and to the labourers higher
gains, the influence of example and the calculations of
self-interest might alter the existing state of things. Tiie
period, however, must be remote.

On this subject I have been favoured with the detail-
ed opinion of one of the largest landed proprietors, and
one of the most intelligent men of Tuscany, the Marquis
Capponi, which I have great pleasure in transferring to
this report,

" The mezzeria system has existed from time immemo-
rial. Of a date anterior to the Roman domination, it
has survived the middle ages, for the feudal system was
never generally prevalent in Tuscany. This system and
form of cultivation is thus far the only on'? understood in
Tuscany. From the earliest periods the plains have
been abandoned in order to carry on the cultivation to
the very summit of the mountains. Property being al-
ways much divided, and the government not being cen-
tralized, did not admit of the great expenses being in-

z 2

436

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

curred which the cultivation of the plains would have
entailed. Could the outlay, which has been gradually
and voluntarily submitted to, almost without its being"
perceived, in the cultivation of the hills, have been skil-
fully employed in the cultivation of our plains, the re-
venue would have been very different, Tuscany pos-
sesses two vast and fertde plains, the Val di Chiana and
the Maremma : they have been neglected till lately.
In the course of three years the Grand Duke has ex-
pended six millions of francs on the Alaremma.

" Every species of cultivation, except that of the hills,
of wheat, vines, and olives, is neg'lected in Tuscany.
Forests have been destroyed or badly managed, and the
cultivation of meadow lands is unknown b.ere.

" Physical circumstances and the nature of the soil
have led to this mode of cultivation, whilst political and
social considerations have determined the particular ar-
rang'ements. The mezzeria differs in the various places
in which it prevails ; it is not the same in Tuscany as in
France ; nor does it even accord with that of Lucca. In
Tuscany it is very favourable to the peasant and it may,
in this country, be regarded as the beau ideal of the
system.

" Two causes may be assigned as having mainly con-
tributed to this :

" 1st. A highly democratical form of g-overnment dur-
ing a period of three centuries, which has left its traces
in the customs of the country.

''2d. The competition of manufacturing industry,
which formerly flourished highly in Tuscany.

"Our mezzeria system, therefore, is such as custom
has rendered it; no wiitten contract exists between
landlord and peasant. One part of the undertaking,
such for example as the trade in cattle, is liable to some
degree of uncertainty in practice. The contract is in
force for one year only ; the proprietor may discharge
his cultivator every year at a fixed period, but a good
tenant will hold by the estate from generation to gene-
ration.

"In the partnership the proprietor supplies all the
capital, and the cultivator the labour and the utensils ;
the produce is equally divided between them, even as
regards the profits arising from the sale of cattle. The
cultivator is only obliged to supply the labour required
in the ordinary cultivation. Should the proprietor be
desirous of making new plantations, or to reclaim waste
lands, the expense falls wholly upon him, and he is
obliged to pay the cultivator wages for extra work, and
also to keap up his new adventures at his own expense,
should their produce prove insufficient.

" The seed for sowing is also supplied at joint ex-
pense ; that required for the support of the cultivator the
proprietor is in general bound to supply him with ;
should he not do so, a good labourer would quit his
employ, which would be the worst thing that could
happen, for the system wholly depends on mutual good
faith, and a good labourer is indispensable to the well-
doing of the landlord.

" The proprietor derives his advantages from the sur-
plus produce, should there be any, from the work per-
formed for him by the labourer or cultivator, and from
the profit arising from the sale of the cattle ; it is the
master or proprietor on all occasions who pays and re-
ceives the money arising out of this branch of business.
This occasions long accounts to arise with every pro-
prietor, which are adjusted yearly.* A cultivator who
should prove a debtor at this settlement would be held
in bad repute. He dreads g'etting into debt, as it would
end in dismissal ; but in case of dismissal the proprietor

* This multiplicity of accounts and complexity of cul-
tivation, together with the many petty sources of reve-
nue altogether render it impossible for the proprietor to
superintend everything, or at any time to know what he
is worth. The income, according to the accounts fur-
nished, by no means corresponds with his actual revenue ;
this fallacious representation, in addition to another er-
roneous idea that has long prevailed, of the large return
derived from agricultural improvement, has been the
ruin of many a proprietor.

loses his claim upon him. In the poorer situations the
cultivators are all in debt for large sums, which at the
end have to be deducted from the half produce which is
assigned to them out of the estate.

" The cultivators reside in isolated dwellings in the
centre of the estate ; the villages are not occupied by
cultivators. They dv,'ell in the midst of their families;
never see their neighbours, except at holiday times, at
church, or occasionally at market, where they are not
often obliged to go, for they buy and sell but little, A
good cultivator rar?ly goes to market; the great recom-
mendation of tlie mezzeria system in this country is,
that the farmer neither buys nor sells ; his land should
supply him with all he wants.

" Every family possesses a head, (capo di casa,) who
is known to and approved by the proprietor ; to him
belongs the government of the family, and the direction
of the agricultural labours ; he negociates with the pro-
prietor or his agent. There is also a female head,
(massaja,) who has the direction of the household eco-
nomy. It frequently happens that two families are
resident in the same dwelling, and under one head.
Families are generally very numerous ; some reckoning
twenty or twenty-five individuals, seldom lesss than six
or eight.

" M. Ridolfi has ably described the manner in which
this system took its rise, in an excellent article in the
Giornale Agricolo. It has sprung up by degrees ; — the
wants and the industry of the labourer have gradually
contributed to the increase of the capital and labour de-
voted to the land. These have undergone a prodigious
augmentation during the last 60 years. The tendency of
the government reforms of Leopold I. was to divert every
thing to this channel.* Estates were divided and ren-
dered free ; impediments were destroyed; full freedom-
of commerce allowed;— all these things rendered agri-
culture so much in vogue, that it became a source oi
luxury. The Tuscans, besides, have no other occupa«
tion — no sort of manufacture — no political existence.
Possessed of home feelings, agriculture for them was all
in all. High prices followed; a fresh divison of pro-
perty took place, by the sale of the convent estates ; and
every one became a cultivator, right or wrong-. Agri-
culture became a passion — a mania.

" Tuscany was formerly celebrated for its high state
of cultivation : it was an Eden— an oasis — the model
country. Tlie beneficial laws of Leopold I., whose re-
putation even exceeded their real merits, occasioned pro-
perty in Tuscany to be much sought after, and attracted
large masses both of home and foreign capital.

" In fact, Tuscany is highly cultivated. If the quan-
tity of labour applied to land— if diligence, aptitude,
readiness, willing labour and love for the soil, on the
part of the peasantry, bring with them good culture,
Tuscany has nothing- to desire in these respects. A
small exient of land, of very moderate fertOity, suffices
for the support of a family of ten or fifteen individuals.
No other system, it is conceived, could draw from the
land so large a mass of produce. The evil lies not here,
but in the enormous capital swallowed up by the land.
Assuredly, the cultivation is by no means scientific. In
the first place, it is no easy matter for science to influ-
ence the mezzeria system, whilst the colonist or labourer
is a joint proprietor, who acts on his own opinion, and
generally opposes himself to improvements which he
does not comprehend. Besides, in what way could
science operate 1 It would begin by changing the en-
tire system, it would not admit of the same land, the
same field being under cultivation for wheat, vines, and
olives, at one and the same time, and frequently for
fruit, herbage for cattle, and all the different varieties of
produce that may be required, not according to the con-
dition of the land, but to the wants of the family ; and
this s^ate of things forms the basis of the mezzeria sys-
tem.

* The French government Sjld landed property to the
extent of 100 millions of francs, in payment of the public
debt. That whicli remains of convent property at pre-
sent does not amount to one-fourth of what it formerly
was.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

437

" The downMl of their delusions has laid bare
the evil — the delusions of high prices and of agricul-
tural improvements. Their capital is unproductive,
their agricultural industry stationary amidst the
progress of all other occupations. Agriculture
gives no fair return for capital, none comparable to
the return given by other sorts of industry. There
is a want of money too ; an impossibility of com-
peting with new comers, whose fortunes are not in
hereditary lands; an inadequacy of the income to
supply the accustomed wants of the family, and the
demands of modern luxury. Landed proprietors
were formerly at the liead of society ; they are now
in the background : they are impoverished, not ab-
solutely, but relatively to others. One ofthe causes
of the poverty ofthe Tuscan proprietors is tlie great
number of buildings required in agricultural pur-
suits; the number of buildings for pleasure villas,
and the maintenance of them, are runious to the
owners, and especially in tlie present day, when
comfort is as much aimed at as grandeur was
formerly.

"And where is the remedy— in the destruction
of the mezzeria system! Impossible. In the first
place, nothing in the world can be more deeply
rooted, and the will of man is powerless in such
matters ; the system is essentially connected with
our existence ; it is the absolute condition of our
being ; the physiological necessity of our country.
How then is any other system of agriculture to be
maintained, and how can the system itself be main-
tained? What is to be done with the dwellings of
our cultivators 1 How are we, under other circum-
stances, to occuppy them with labourers equal to do
the work of the present occupants'! Are we to
change the entire practice of our farms ; to recon-
struct all the buildings in order to adapt them to a
new mode of management? Must we subvert the
entire system of agriculture, root out all that variety
of productive elements that have been planted at
such an enormous expense, and abandon the im-
mense capitals that have been devoted to such ob-
jects 1

" Are we to modify the system ? What changes
time may bring about — and I already perceive in-
dications of some — I will not pretend to say ; but I
would lay it down as a principle, and I think I am
not deceived, that every modification will eventually
prove injurious to the interests of the labourers.
The new proprietors, and tliey are very numerous,
those who have purchased land on speculation, are
already more rigorous than the ancient possessors,
and the latter follow their example, either in a spirit
of imitation, or from necessity.

" I consider the condition of the metayer in every
respect superior to that ofthe day-labourer ; but still
all depends on ancient usages, and the mezzeria
system differs in various places ; in Tuscany, as has
been said, our customs have rendered it more favour-
able than elsewhere.

" At Pistojathe proprietors have leagued together,
and have in some degree followed the example of
Lucca, their neighbour. The land is rich and tlie
culture easy, and the cultivator does not receive the
exact half. At this place and some others they have
begun to introduce the system of farming the land
to the cultivator at a fixed rent, or sometimes farming-
some particular article of produce, such as grain, and
dividing the rest.

" In order that a cultivator may manage his farm
advantageously, the following conditions are re-
quisite : —

" 1st. That the farm be large, and adequate to
the support of his family.

" 2nd. That it be of easy cultivation, and not
overstocked with trees; that the culture be simple,
in order that it may not entail a heavy expense for
management.

" 3rd. That the cultivator be rich enough to pur-
chase the requisite cattle, and himself to supply all
the moveable capital required in the cultivation of
the property, so as to find himself wholly indepen-
dent, and to keep his interest distinct from that of
the proprietor.

" These conditions are in general only to be found
in the plains, where the cultivators are better oiF,
but it is rarely the case in Tuscany.

" I have myself let many farms,* and where all
these conditions were not fulfilled, I have been
obliged to return to the mezzeria system ; where, on
the contrary, they were all to be found, I hope for a
favourable result.

" Various modifications, more or less essential,
would necessarily take place in the system, if exten-
sive manufacturing undertakings existed to admit of
an invidious comparison with the poverty of our
agricultural industry, but I question if that can ever
become the case ; in the first place, the metayer
spirit, when deeply rooted, is fatal to manufacturing-
industry, and, in the next place, large undertakings
require large capitals, and we have already sunk the
largest part of ours.

" Tlie all-important and alarming- problem is that
which regards the working classes — the increase of
the population, which, in Tuscany, has, for some
years past, gone on at the rate of one per cent, an-
nually. This increase is limited, it is true, in the
families of the cultivators ; thoughtful and calcu-
lating, they make but few imprudent marriages ; at-
taclied to a restricted extent of soil, they limit their
family by the extent of their farm, t

" But the families ofthe cultivators are at present
in very easy circumstances, and no doubt do increase,
whilst the field-labourers multiply prodigiously ; the
abundance of agricultural occupations of late years
has produced this result. They subsisted by the new
agricultural undertakings (for the ordinary works
are done by the peasants) ; these occupations have
failed, and the substitution of other trades is not
sufficient for the support of all the new population.
Government works, roads, the Marerania, furnish
subsistence to a part ; entire freedom of commerce
affords facilities of meeting daily with trifling em-
ployments, which serve as a temporary alleviation of
misery, and the low price of all articles of consump-
tion lessens the evil. Besides they liad laid by
savings in times of prosperity ; man}' had never been
able to build themselves houses, but still the evil is
increasing, whilst the means of remedying become
less.

" The same is the case, for the most part, every-
where else, but the spirit which prevails in Tuscany
prevents great disorders as it also denies great re-
sources, a revolution is less to be feared and less to
be desired here than elsewhere.

" Our mezzeria system will, I think, for the
present, be maintained as it is, with its good
and its evil ; but the good is in its nature stationary,

* I take the wheat in payment, calculated on an
averag-e of twenty years, and the remainder in money.

t The rate of wag-es in the country advanced to one
franc, and had continued at that rate even during some
years of low prices, and from the impulse given to
ag-ricultural pursuits, there were grounds to expect a
further advance. It has since fallen to one Tuscan
livre (89 centimes), and in many places to 70 centimes,
and, as work is scarce, a further decline, rather than an
advance, is to be anticipated.

438

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

wLich is not in our day sufficiently felt, but at some
future period the evil will perhaps predominate over
the good, yet how or when I know not. Meanwhile
some estates will be farmed out, and few new ones
will be cultivated ; the vine plantations in the fields
will be suffered to fall to decay without being re-
planted, and perhaps only the wheat lands will be
cultivated by day labourers. Pasturages will be
introduced, but all this will throw a great number of
hands out of employ.

" The practice of farming- out estates at a fixed
rent, instead of a division of the produce, will be-
come more frequent ; the system is yet too new with
us, too little extended, and the conditions not yet
sufficiently fixed to enabl? one to foresee all the
consequences.*

" Until the present time, the proprietors even in
the Maremma, had no other idea than mezzeria farms
(jpodevi) ; the most industrious of them engaged an
agent (fattare) from the neighbourhood of Florence,
to adopt their mode of cultivation and management,
and thought they had performed wonders when, pt
an enormous expense, they had succeeded in plant-
ing a farm in the Maremma. They must be un-
deceived ; but the government is, I think, under the
same erroneous impression, and many things indicate
the intention of preparing the future destiny of this
province, should their undertakings answer, as there
is every reason to expect, under the same mezzeria
plan.

" The government had filled up a large extent of
very fertile morass land belonging to it in the Val
di Chiana, by means of the river deposits, an ope-
ration in which we are very skilful ; but when the
work was completed, the administration, having no
idea of anything but the mezzeria system (poderi),
and seeking to apply cultivation on the small scale
to a country adapted to that on a large scale, became
embarrassed, and could not supply the enormous
expense requisite for the construction of buildings,
&c. — an error which has retarded, and still retards,
the progress of which this province is susceptible.
There is here a promising undertaking open to the
employment of capital ; there are lands for sale to
the extent of fifteen millions of Tuscan b're. But
it may be presumed the government will be warned
by the attempts made in this way, and will in con-
sequence pursue a different one in the Maremma.
It will hold out an example to Tuscany, perhaps a
seducing one, of cultivation on a large scale.''

The high authority from whence these remarks
emanate will make them acceptable.

As, however, I was desirous of getting an accu-
rate return of the results of capital invested in agri-
culture on the mezzeria system. Captain Charters has
bad the goodness to favour me with the following
return of an estate a few miles from Florence, of the
extent of forty acres, and which cost 2,000L
sterling : —

Statement of Produce op Forty Acres of Land

SITUATED IN the PiAN DI RiPOLI,

1. Oil.— 30 barrels, each containing £ s. d.
16 flasks ; 30 barrels, 261 gallons,

at 40 lire per barrel 53 6 8 St.

2. Wine.— 220 barrels,=2,640 gal-
lons, at 10 lire per barrel 73 6 8

3. Grain. — 200 sacks of wheat, =
414 six-tenths bushels, at 14 lire

per sack 93 6 8

Other Grains 10 10 0

£ s. d.

Sale of fruit, vegetables, &c 45 0

Profit on fattening stock 40 0

315 10
Expenses shared by the Contadini
cultivators, viz. : —

Seed 300 lire

Forage for beasts .... 140

Stakes for vines 140

Manure , 140

Wear and tear of im-
plements 88

802 lire = 26 15

288 15

Share of Contadini 144 7

Expenses which fall on the landlord —

Taxes 448 lire

Interest on stock. , . . 120
Wear and tear on
wine-vessels, &c.. 300

868 lire = 28 15

* I have recently heard that some proprietors at
Pistoja have been disappointed, and have changed their

115 12 6

Deducting casualties from foreseen expenses, say
the net produce is about 100 sterling.

Net per acre, 2L 10s.

Purchase money of the land, exclusive of the
house, 2,000/. which is 5 per cent.

The house stands me in 700/. ; which makes 3
seven-tenths on the whole purchase-money.

Florence, 28th October, 1836.

It is estimated that the present amount of raw silk
produced in Tuscany is 250,000 lbs. per annum ; but
that production is very rapidly increasing, the cul-
ture of the mulberry being one of the most lucrative
branches of agricultural industry.

Amongst the arcicles whose cultivation is suscep-
tible of great improvement in Tuscany, vines take a
prominent place. In former times many of the
Tuscan wines were celebrated for their excellence ;
at present there are scarcely any that have any
considerable reputation in the country itself, and
none whose excellence has created a foreign demand.
The mode of cultivation ofthe vine is very unfavour-
able to the production of wines of fine quality ; in
many places the culture is subordinate to that of
olives, mulberry trees, and grain, or considered at
best as only of equal importance, the vine being
produced on the same lands, and subjected to a
treatment altogether unsuited to tlieir perfect de-
velopement. In the countries where fine wines are
produced, all other cultivation is very subordinate to
that of the grape ; but the grape has seldom
any special attention in Tuscany — quantity
appears the great desideratum. The character of
the fruit is little cared for ; the vine is manured and
treated like the olive or mulberry-tree. There are
little pains taken at the time of the vintage ; and the
pressing, the fermentation, and the other processes,
go on as they have gone on for generations, but with
less attention than in the days when the quality of
the wine did obtain for it a demand in other coun-
tries.* Of late, however, there seems a great dis-
position to take measures for the better cultivation
of the grape, and the more careful manufacture ofthe
wine ; and if successful, it may become an object of
no small commercial importance.

* The wines of Chianti were well known in England
two centuries ago, and the Aleatico to a much later
period.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

439

TO THE EDITOR OP THE CAMBRIAN.

Sir, — The ad\^ertisement which appeared in your
last number, headed, " Vale of Neath Brewery —
Malting Barley," is calculated to attract the notice
of Agriculturists in South Wales ; and has led me to
offer the following suggestions on the growth of
Barley, which, without any pretensions to novelty,
may possibly convey a useful hint or two to some of
your readers. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Sept. 27tb, 1837. An Old Barley Grower.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF MALTING
BARLEY.

Climate. — Although no alteration can be effected
in this important particular, and the climate of South
Wales is, from its prevailing humidity, unpropitious
to the growth of the finest barley, still much may be
done to obviate the evil, by attention to the aspect,
early sowing, the description of seed used, and the
condition of the land, so as to ensure an early har-
vest. An aspect to the southward of East or West,
is generally to be preferred, except in such situations
as are exposed to the south-western gales from the
Atlantic Ocean. A south or south-east aspect may
be considered the best in those parts of the counties
of Glamorgan and Carmarthen which lie nearest to
the coast.

Soil. — The most favourable soil is a light and
free working loam, upon a chalk or limestone sub-
stratum, or a gravelly loam, which is not too tena-
cious. The presence of clay or of land springs, is
always detrimental, causing the barle}' to be course
ana harsh in the skin, and the colour to be a deeper
yellow than suits the maltster's purpose. The ma-
turity of the crop on a clayey or wet soil will also be
retarded in ordinary seasons much beyond that which
is grown upon either of the formei soils.

Seed. — This is a subject to which by far too little
attention is usually paid by the farmer, and requires
to be regarded in several points of view, so as to
embrace all those considerations which aff"ect the
quality of the produce. The seed selected should
have the finest and most transparent skin, be of a
pale straw colour, and the fullest and most plump
which can be procured ; in fact, it should be exactly
such as the grower would wish the produce to be.
It is not an uncommon, though a very erroneous
opinion, that a thin barley, if it will vegetate, will
do equally well for seed ; and since a bushel of such
barley contains a larger number of grains, less in
measure is required for seeding the acre, and there
is apparent economy in the use of it. Such economy
however, we never think of adopting in the produc-
tion oi animals, and is equally inapplicable to vegeta-
bles. Those descriptions of barley should likewise be
chosen Avhich are naturally disposed to come the
earliest to maturity, and which may be harvested
before the heavy dews, or more fatal variation of the
weather later in the season. In this respect the dif-
ference of only a few davs may materially increased
the risk. The Chevalier barley is the most approved
by the maltster, and the rath, or early ripe, ranks
next to it. Both of those sorts are not only very
productive, but are usually ready for the scythe or
the hook from ten days to a fortnight before any other
description of barley. In the choice of seed, a
change in soil and climate, but especially the former,
is almost essential ; such as, from chalk or limestone
loam to gravel, or from gravel to either of the others.
And in order to avoid deterioration in quality, the
same seed should not be sown more than two years
on soil of a similar character.

Cultivation. — The most favourable crop to pre-
cede barley, is that of turnips, fed off upon the land
by the system of folding sheep. The freedom of a
turnip crop from weeds by frequent hoeings, the de-
posit of the sheep manure on the land by folding,
and the facility with which a light and earley tilth
for the seed barley is thus procured in the spring, —
all contribute to render a turnip crop the most de-
sirable predecessor of a barley crop. Others may be
rendered almost equally eligible, by careful and
effective cleaning, and by having the land in high
condition ; not by the immediate application of ma-
nure for a crop of barley, which would have a ten-
dency to promote the growth of straw rather than of
corn, but by its application to a previous crop, such
as tares, potatoes, wangel wurzel, or other green
crop, which has aff"orded the opportunity for suc-
cessful hoeing. The land should be ready for its
last ploughing ('which should be a shallow one) so
as to take the seed early in April, at the latest, im-
mediately upon the furrow, working it when in a
state to produce the finest tilth of which it is capable;
by which means the barley will vegetate before a
fresh crop of weeds has had time to grow. Not less
than four bushels of seed should be sown to the acre,
as it is desirable to stock the land thickly, by which
means there is much less danger of the crop running
to straw, and the plants are better able to support
each other when earing. If thinly seeded, it is apt
to tiller out, so as to occupy the spare ground with
weaker stalks, and, as compared with the first stems,
of various growth, which can never overtake the
others, or arrive at maturity contemporaneously with
them. Thus an uneven surface is presented in the
growing crop, and an unequal sample, comprising
a large proportion of two-ripe grains in the corn.
The whole of the crop is probably hazarded by wait-
ing for part of it to ripen ; and the best of the corn,
which is ripe first, is liable to be shed upon the
land or in harvesting. With wheat it is otherwise —
in that case lillering fills the ground, and the tillers
having been thrown out in the fall and beginning of
the winter, are checked, together with the main
stalks, until the spring, when they both vegetate
and come into ear simultaneously. It is customary
to sow grass seeds either with the barley, or to roll
them in afterwards ; but it would contribute to the
quality as well as to the early harvesting of the
barley, if the grass seeds were sown upon the wheat
or oat crops fthe former of which may be safely and
successfully done, when the land is clean, by har-
rovv'ing or rolling them in at the proper season), and
the seed barley rolled down immediately after it is
sown, thereby securing it from the depredations of
small birds, and retaining a degree of moisture about
it favourable to quick vegetation in a dry season.
Without grass seeds the barley crop may frequently
be cut and carried on the following day, provided
the land is free also from weeds, as it will stand till
quite ripe, with much less danger of shedding than
any other corn, and consequently requires much less
field room when cut ; but with them, or with foul
land, another day or two may be requisite to dry the
grass, and thus the crop may be stained by a change
of weather; or if it be prematurely housed to avoid
this risk, some degree of fermentation may take place,
which is no less detrimental to the quality of malting
barley. In either case, care should be had that the
corn is perfectly hard before it is taken up, else
a mow-burnt sample will be the consequence.
Directly it is fit for carting, the crop should be se-
cured in a rick, and be thatched, not suffered to
remain in large cocks or round mows upon the field,
tmtjl the other corn is harvested ; for, barley being

440

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

more delicate and liable to injury than any other de-
scription of corn, a very few hours' delay, or a very
little mismanagement, may make all the difference in
the sale between a malting and a grinding sample : and
it should be remembered that this difference is frequently
more than equivalent to the rent of the land upon which
the barley groivs. When thrashed, it should be tho-
roughly screened, so as to offer the maltster nothing-
but the head of the crop; and the price it will then
command will amply compensate the grower for
leaving a little more grinding barley in the tailing.

N.B. The Chevalier barley was introduced by C.
Chevalier, Esq., of Aspell Hall, near Debenham,
Suffolk, and raised from a few picked grains,
given him about twelve years since, by a labourer
who lived in one of his cottages, and who selected
them from a small quantity of barley which he had
grown in his garden for feeding poultry ; so that
valuable new varieties of grain maybe obtained by
careful selection and good cultivation. It is now to
be procured iu any quantity for seed.

THE GRUB WHICH NOW INFESTS
THE TURNIP FIELDS.

(from the gardeners' gazette.)

A communication was lately made to the Gardener's
Gazette on this subject, which had its origin in a
letter that was sent from Great Missenden, by a cor-
respondent, in which the ravages of an underground
insect were detailed. I am sorry to observe, that
the extent of the injury described, is seriously alarm-
ing ; and what is more, my own inquiries and obser-
vations have led to the discovery, that some of the
most fertile fields of Berkshire are at this moment,
and have been for the last two summers, the prey of
this most disgusting and fatal pest. My researches
have satisfied me that the Missenden grub is one and
the same with that which I have found in every tur-
nip field about the vicinity of Maidenhead, where a
blank, or patch to any extent is discoverable. If any
person walk through the fields and observe a flag-
ging or weakness of the plant, and patches of vacant
ground, of ^^reater or less extent, he may be almost
certain that, if he work about the plants, or even in
any part of the soil, with a walking-stick, so as just
to raise the surface, he will find a grub— perhaps
many more than one, resembling a thick caterpillar
in figure, furnished with two sets of legs, those
nearer the head being six in number, and sharp
pointed. The length of the insect varies from half
an inch to an inch and a half; its colour is a yellow-
ish dirty grey, of different lighter or darker tints.
The insect is extremely powerful, possessing the
elasticity of Indian rubber. On being moved it
coils itself up, so that the head touches the tail ; it
then turns on its side. As to the species, I have no
hesitation to pronounce it to be the larvas, or cater-
pillar-like-grub of the cockchafer ; and being satisfied
of the fact, I extract the following particulars from
the EncyclopcEdia of Gardening. Edit. 1826, p. 429.
" These creatures, sometimes in immense numbers,
work between the turf and the soil in the richest
meadows, devouring the roots of the grass to such a
degree that the turf rises, and will roll up with al-
most as much case as if it had been cut with a turf-
ing knife'' — &c.

Again — " Such are the devastations committed by
the grubs of the cockchafer, that a whole field of fine
flourishing grass, in the summer time, became iu a
few weeks withered, dry, and as brittle as hay ; by

these grubs devouring the roots, and gnawing away
all those fibres that fastened it to the ground, and
through which alone it could receive nourishment.
The larvas having continued four years in the ground,
are now about to undergo their next change ; to ef-
fect this, they dig deep, deep into the earth, some-
times five or six feet, and there spin a smooth case,
in which they change to a pupa, or chrysalis. They
remain in this form all the winter, until the month
of February, when they become perfect beetles, but
with their bodies quite soft and white. In May, the
parts are hardened, and then they come forth out of
the earth."

I have observed these transformed insects, in the
centre of a lump of manure, two or more feet below
the surface ; and have found the grubs, or larva;,
everywhere, while ravaging plants of the cabbage
tribe ; but never met with them in numbers coimt-
less as those in which they now exist. — They also
have changed, it should seem, the scene of their de-
vastations. A few days since, in examining a plot
of Swedes, wherein there were patches void of bulb,
to tlie extent of perhaps from five to ten yards, I
was astonished to see the plants gnawed in holes,
like a honey- comb — every fibre gone, and the bulbs
fairly lifted out of the soil. The sight was frightful
and most discouraging. I took away three grubs,
in order to try the effects of several active substances
upon them ; and sorry I am to remark, that we pos-
sess nothing which promises to destroy them while
the crop shall remain upon the field. The rook,
however, appears to be the most efficient instrument
of destruction ; and, therefore, we are induced to ■
suggest that rookeries be multiplied and encouraged
to the utmost ; also that marigold and rape be again
introduced liberally among the rotation of the farms
as temporary substitutes at least, for the turnip
crops.

I found that pure common salt produced no effect
on the grub, one of which was immersed in it under
a glass during twelve hours. A second was buried
in half-slaked dry lime — it remained as vigorous as
ever. I next blended two parts of powder lime,
with one-third of coal soot, a mixture which yields a
volume of powerful ammoniacal gas (that of smelling
salts or hartshorn, as it is familiarly styled). One
of the grubs, on being immersed in this compound,
covered with a glass, became paralysed, and was un-
able to coil itself up, laying stretched out on its side ;
the other (the third had escaped) underwent the
same ordeal, and its strength likewise failed, but
neither of them died. However, they became flaccid,
remained torpid, and changed to a blacker colour.
Hence, I argue, that we possess a means to injure
them, which, however, is inapplicable to any land
under crop ; liquid agents remain to be tried, but I
fear with very little hope of success.

AGRICOLA.

A SHEEP WITH THREE EYES.

Our townsman, Mr. Watson, druggist, has at pre-
sent in his possession a sheep of the black-faced
breed, distinguished by this unusual deformity. The
left side of the head, together with the horn, are
naturally formed ; but the right side, in addition to
a well-developed eye in the ordinary situation, ex-
hibits another about the size of a pea, placed between
the natural eye and the root of the ear, and close to
the base of the outer surface of the horn. The super-
fluous organ is conclealed by the tuft of wool which
the coarse breeds always have upon the forehead ;
and when this bunch is raised, we bring- into view

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

441

aa eliptical depression, measuring- three-fourths of
an inch in its long diameter, and having in its centre
a small black globular body, resembling, in some re-
spects, the ball of an ordinary eye. It is, however,
devoid of vision, and does not move even when ir-
ritated, being therefore, in all likelihood, unprovided
with muscles by which changes in position could be
effected ; but the surrounding skin is drawn together
over it, mucli in the manner of eyelids, from which
we may infer that the integument is furnished, as in
other eyelids, with a circular muscle — the orbicularis
palpebrarum of anatomists. As there are no muscles
wherewith to move the eyeball, the muscle which
raises the upper eyelid is, as might have been anti-
cipated, also avvanting, since it is associated with the
former set of muscles in the natural state of the
parts. Inconsequence, therefore, of the absence of
moving power, the eyelids, or rather the margins of
integument wliich stand in place of them, are, in this
supernumerary organ, always nearly shut, being only
kept from complete contact, the one with the other,
by their own elasticity, though a little of this con-
stant retraction is also doubtless owing to the con-
nection of the skiu of the forehead, with the
broad subcutaneous muscle running between the
ears from behind, forwards, and called by anatomists
the occipilo-frontalis.

Were this abnormal eye-ball even capable of being
moved about, it would still be useless for the pur-
poses of vision, as it is destitute of the apparatus for
secreting tears, and therefore liable to be obstructed
with dust, or other foreign matter. As it stands, the
globe is dim and gummy, owing to the want of fluid
to wash across it, and keep it pure and briglit.
Nevertheless, the rudiments of part of the lachrymal
apparatus are present, — there being two eminences,
one near each angle of the lids, which would have
formed the opening of the tubes for conducting the
tears from the eye to the nose, had thedevelopement
of the organ been allowed to proceed further.

Some who have seen this sheep, aver that the su-
perfluous eye is possessed of perfect vision ; but,
after a careful examination, we are convinced of the
contrary. Like all other supernumerary organs, the
eye in question is merely rudimentary, being a
model, on a reduced scale, of the properly developed
eye, but incapable of performing its function. It
bears, in fact, no small resemblance to the eve of tiie
mole, which is, as we all know, very poorly, if at all,
gifted with the power of seeing j for it is a law of the
animal economy, that where an organ is not required,
it is either entirely wanting, or, if present, is so de-
fective in part, or upon the whole, as to have but
feeble power of perception, or execution, as the case
may be. And, again, where an organ belonging, as
in the sheep, to an animal high in the scale, is defi-
cient in something which would be requisite to ren-
der it complete of its kind, the dehciency (for so the
researches of anatomists have lately proved) places
it invariably upon a footing with the imperfectly de-
veloped organs of its class, which are found in crea-
tures of a lower grade. So it is with the superflous
eye of the animal under consideration : It is in a
quarter where it is not called for, and is accordingly
scarcely a fourth j)art on the way towards completion.
— thus bearing in its general features a close resem-
blance to the eye of tlie animals whose underground
habits enable them to dispense with sight.

The general law, however, wliich regulates the
occurrence of these monstrosities is not so easily de-
termined. That there must be a law by which such
productions are governed in their origin and pro-
gress, we are convinced, as Continental anatomists
have proved of late that there is a fixed scheme upon

which nature proceeds, even in departures from the
ordinary line of formation ; but so far as we can dis-
cover, an explanation has not as yet been offered ot
the manner in which vices of number and situation
like the present are brought about. T. F. Meckel,
of Halle, and Geoffroy St. Hilaire, of Paris, the au-
thors who have most recently given their attention
to the subject, do not appear to have met with such
an example of anormal development as is found in
this sheep, and where several parallel instances
have not occurred, we cannot, of course, look for at-
tempts to determine the cause of their origin.

Besides having a third eye, this sheep displays an
extra horn, rising from the centre of the forehead,
and connected till near the apex with that of the
ri'^ht side ; but there is nothing unusual in this, the
sh'eep of Iceland and the nortli of Hindostan being
commonly furnished with several horns, and there-
fore we need not enlarge upon it. — Dumfries Herald,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK

LANE EXPRESS.

Sin : — In your paper of the 18th ult. a letter ap-
peared from a Guernsey correspondent, complaining
of the publicity, &c., you gave to the case of smug-
gling of foreign wheat under a false certificate. As
one of the sufferers from this illegal traffic, allow me
first to thank your zeal for the agricultural interest,
and in the next place to show to your readers ut large
that you were not so ungenerous as your correspon-
ent at Guernsey imagines.

In this case of Anley's you have placed before us
how they contrive to send in foreign wheatasfheir own
growth, and by which there was ten times as much
foreign intended to be sent as of Jersey produce,
this proves that their measures, to prevent fraud, are
not so secure as their deputies stated on the late in-
quiry, and when it is taken into account that the
Attorney-General was one of them, he certainly has
not acted with that vigilance which was reasonably
expected of him. Now, Sir, will your correspondent
have the candour to inform us how many prosecu-
tions have taken place since the inquiry? (the
Jersey papers have mentioned some) andivhether in
any c'aae the penalty has actually been levied ? or whether
all of them has not ended like this of Aidey's "?
Your correspondent wishes the public to believe
that the quantity sent to England is so small as to
be of little consequence, and gives a return of 1,359
qrs. only in one year from Guernsey, Sark and AI-
derny, and guesses as much from Jersey ; instead of
which, the quantity received into Plymouth only
from 1st Oct. 1336 to 23rd Sep. 1837, is abouto.iiOO
qrs. On the late inquiry a witness from this neigh-
bourhood stated that more caution was used at
Guernsey ; if so, this will account for their sending so
little compared with Jersey. As to his quotation
from Mr. Le Brock's letter, 1 would observe that
" the produce of 23,000 acres afier so much is taken
up in gardens, orchards, &c., could not make much
difference ;" no, truly not, but the quantity pretended
to be jiroduced from it is beyond belief, there is no
such produce within my information. As to the
commerce of England with the channel islands ad-
vantages, and consequences, the county of Devon
may pretend to at least equal consideration, without
having tlie privilege of exemption from duties on tea,
coffee^ wines, spirits, silk, sugar, timber, &c,, and
your correspondent will oblige us by showing any-
thing that the channel islands purchase of us, that
they can buy cheaper elsewhere. I am, Sir, yours
respectfully, A Devonshire Faiimer.

442

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

LIVERPOOL FAT CATTLE MARKET.

To such of our agricultural readers as have never
been in Liverpool, ('and we believe there are many
so situated,) the folioveing particulars respecting- one
of the most important markets in Britain, will not
be unacceptable. For long the said market was
held at Kirkdale ; but the gradual extension of steam
navigation, turnip husbandry, and the new manures,
led to so many changes, that it was deemed advisable
to meet the trade of Manchester so far, by removing
it to a siteon theLondon'road, about three miles from
the Docks where the cattle are unshipped. With this
view a small joint-stock Company was formed, con-
sisting exclusively of butchers and salesmen — capital
16,000i. sterling. A piece of ground having been
purchased, containing between three and four acres.
It was immediately walled in and covered with iron
pens for holding sheep, and wooden ones for the re-
ception of black cattle. Great skill has been shown
in the arrangement of these ; between each of the
rows are passages for the buyers, from which they
overlook everything; and when they wish to exa-
mine carefully any portion of stock, all that is ne-
cessary is to plant bars across the bughts, and drive
the animals out, in again, or off, as the case may be.
Everything, in fact, goes on like clock-work ; con-
fusion, the characteristic of most other markets, is
here unknown; order loads to facility of selection,
while custom puts huxtering completely down ; after
the necessary examination, the parties are off or on
at a word, and in this way not only hundreds but
tliousands of beeves and sheep change owners in a
briefer space than buyers and sellers consume in
places vre could name, while haggling over a single
lot. Attached to the show ground is an excellent
Inn, with suitable stabling, which the proprietors
take care to let to a careful tenant ; within the area
of the market, a few small counting-rooms have been
built, for which the dealers pay rent ; custom too, is
drawn, at the rate of 2d. per head for beeves, and Is.
per score for sheep ; and from these sources, together
with the value of the sweepings, which are by no
means inconsiderable throughout the year, the mar-
ket, we understand, not only supportsitself, but pays
a handsome rate of interest on the original outlay.
Strangers may indeed say that the customs levied are
too high ; but for this they aie compensated in va-
rious ways, and in none more than the saving of
time ; while as regards the trade themselves, the
chief parties interested, they merely put into one
pocket what they took from another, and in fact de-
serve the best thanks of the public for planning and
pi-oviding what may well be called a model market
for fat stock.

On Monday, the 11th September, we visited the
above market for the first time, and were glad to
learn that we had chosen, upon the whole, a favour-
able day. By a friend who knows the trade well,
the number of sheep was estimated at 8,000, and the
bullocks, at from 1,700 to 1,800 head ; but we have
since seen the Custom-house returns, which gives the
black cattle imported during the preceding two days
at 2,553 head. It is true a few of these may have
been driven on to other markets ; but after making
every allowance in this way, we speak not without
the book, in estimating the value of the fat stock
named in round numbers at 50,000/. sterling. This
is a large sum for one day ; but there are occasions
in v^hich it is even greater, and others in which it is
a great deal less— say 1,000 beeves, and 4,000 sheep.
But these are extreme cases, and taking a fair me-
dium, the value of the white and black stock sold in
Jjiverpool, or forwarded to Manchester, cannot be

under from twelve hundred thousand pounds to a
million and a-half sterling, yearly. But Manchester
draws supplies from many other quarters, and
judging by the census for Lancashire for 1831, we
would say of the two markets that they feed a popu-
lation equal to that of London. On the stock exhi-
bited on Monday week, supposing it all sold, a com-
mission would accrue of l,WOl. sterling, which,
divided among one English, two Scotch, and several
Irish dealers would leave a handsome sum to each.
The aggregate commissions of one dealer are reported
(perhaps loosely,) at 7,000Z.y earl}', and should these
premises be at all correct, we can easily understand
the inference drawn from them, that he has already
realized, and is still realizing a handsome fortune.
The commission charged is 2i per cent., and upou
the strength of this prompt payment is made to the
consigner, and the wh(>le debts guarranteed. The
credit to the butchers is nominally a fortnight ; but
a longer day is frequently taken, and one dealer is
spoken of who is frequently in advance from 25,000?.
to 30,000/. — of itself a very handsome capital.

It is from Ireland, Lancashire draws its principal
supplies of beef and mutton. Of late years the breed
of cattle has been greatly improved, by a cross be-
tween the Teeswater and the native kinds ; the
sheep seem pure Leicester, and thrive so well on the
rich pastures of Meath and some other counties, that
were the artificial equal to the native green crops,
every thing like competition would be set at defiance.
Rich as Scotland is in hill and moor pasture, she cuts
a poor figure as an exporter of fat compared to Ire-
land, as will be seen from the following excerpt from
the Custom-house books — 11th September, 1837 : —

Where shipped. Cattle. Sheep.

Dublin (Irish) 1259 2166

Wexford do 202 580

Dundalk do 275 992

Newry do 133 170

Drogheda do 442 1674

VVaterford do 104 300

Londonderry ...do 82 150

Solway Frith (Scotch) 56 1557

3553 7589

Value of Rail Road Land. — At the Sheriffs'
Court, Somerset, on Thursday last, there was tried
a case of compensation for certain land, the pro-
perty of the Earl Manvers, required by the Great
Western Railway Company for the carrying out of the
undertaking. The property in question was four acres
of land in the Ham Gardens, for which the company
had offered 4,500/., but this tender had been refused on
the part of the noble earl, it being, it was stated, his
determination to make building-ground of the property,
the land being very eligibly situated for that purpose.
He therefore declined accepting the sum offered by the
company, but made a claim of 7,500Z. for the land.
Three surveyors, of high respectability, stated that ac-
cording to calculations they had made, after surveying
the property, they estimated its value to be upwards of
10,000/. The first gave his estimation at 10,905/. ; the
second, 10,132/ ; and the third, 10,266/. Sir|W. Fol-
lett contended that the ground was not at all eligible
for building purposes, being situated near the water's
edge, and anuually flooded. The ground had remained
from the year 1739 as garden soil, and was underlet by
the noble earl for 77/. a year, and the liolder of which
had a tenant at 90/. per annum. He called upon the
jury not to consider the claim made by the noble earl to
be established by the evidence produced. The jury,
after a consideration of upwards of two hours, awarded
the compensation at 3,375/., considering the ground
not eligible for building purposes, .. ^ :.>,>,'.• i__-!^5i^

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

443

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESTON i
PILOT.

Sir, — As some of my agricultural friends seem to
doubt that most vegetables exude by their roots sub-
stances useless to vegetation, for the same species
of plant, but supplying salutary nourishment to
other kind of plants, thereby explaining in a degree,
the advantages derived from a rotation of crops, I
request you to insert the following extracts from Dr.
Roget's Bridgewater Treatise.

I remain. Sir, your's obediently,
One of the Garstang Farming Society.

September's, 1837.

" It had long been conjectured by De Candolle,
that the superfluous or noxious particles contained in
the returning sap are excreted or thrown out by the
roots. It is evident that if such a process takes
place, it vfill readily explain why plants render the
soil where they have long been cultivated less suitable to
their continuance in a vigorous condition, than the soil
in the same spot was originally : and also why plants of
a different species are frequently found to flourish re-
markably well ill the same situation where this apparent
deterioration of the soil has taken place. The truth of
this sagacious conjecture has heen established in a very
satisfactory manner by the recent experiments of M.
Macaire. The roots of the Chondrilla muralis were
carefully cleaned, and immersed in filtered rain
water ; the water was changed every two days, and
the plant continued to flourish, and to put forth its
blossoms ; at the end of eight days, the water had
acquired a yellow tinge, and indicated, both by the
smell and taste, the presence of a bitter narcotic
substance, analogous to that of opium ; a result
which was farther confirmed by the application of
chemical tests, and by the reddish brown residuum
obtained from the water by evaporation. M. Macaire
ascertained that neither the roots nor the stems of
the same plants, when completel3' detached, and
immersed in water, could produce this effect, which
he therefore concludes is the result of an exudation
from the roots, continually going on while the plant is
in a state of healthy vegetation. By comparative ex-
periments on the quantity of matter thus excreted by
the roots of the French bean (Phaseolus vitlgaris)
during the night and the day, he found it to be much
more considerable at night ; an eflfect which it is
natural to ascribe to the interruption in the action of
the leaves when they are deprived of light, and when
the corresponding absorption by the roots is also
suspended. This was confirmed by the result of
some experiments he made on the same plants by
placing them, during day time, in the dark, under
which circumstances the excretion from the roots
was found to be immediately much augmented ; but,
even when exposed to the light, there is always some
exudation, though in small quantity, going on from
the roots. That plants are able to free tliemselves,
by means of this excretory process, from noxious
materials, which they may happen to have imbibed
through the roots, was also proved by another set of
experiments on the Mercurialis annua, tlie Senecio
vulgaris, and Brussica campestris, or common cabbage.
The roots of each specimen, after being thoroughly
washed and cleaned, were separated into two bunches,
one of which was put into a diluted solution of acetate
of lead, and the other into pure water, contained in a
separate vessel. After some days, during which the
plants continued to vegetate tolerably well, tlje water
in the latter vessel being examined, was found to
contain a very perceptible quantity of the acetate of
lead. The experiment was varied by first allowing
the plant to remain with its roots immersed in a

similar solution, and then removing it, after careful
washing, in order to free the roots from any portion
of the salt that might have adhered to their surface,
into a vessel with rain water ; after two days, dis-
tinct traces of the acetate of lead were aflforded by
the water. Similar experiments were made with
lime-water, and with a solution of common salt,
instead of the acetate of lead, and were attended with
the like results. De Candolle has ascertained, that
certain maritime plants which yielded soda, and
which flourish in situations very distant from, the
coast, provided they occasionally receive breezes
from the sea, communicate a saline impregnation to
the soil in their immediate vicinity, derived from
the salt which tliey doubtless had imbibed by the
leaves. Although the materials which are thus ex-
creted by the roots are noxious to the plant ivhich re-
jects them, and would ccnsequently be injurious to other
individuals of the same species, it does not therefore follow
that they are incapable of supplying salutary nourishment
to other kinds of plants ; thus it has been observed that
the Salicaria flourishes particularly in the vicinity of
the willow, and the Orobanche, or broom-rape in that
of hemp. This fact has also been established ex-
perimentally by M. Macaire, who found that the
water in which certain plants had been kept was
noxious to other specimens of the same species, while,
on the other hand, it produced a more luxuriant
vegetation in plants of a different hind. The fact is of
great importance in the theory of agriculture, since it
perfectly explains the advantage derivedfrom a continued
rotation of different crops in the same field, in increasing
the productiveness of the soil. Italso gives a satisfactory
explanation of the curious phenomenon offairii rings,
as they are called, that is of circles of dark green
grass, occurring in old pastures ; these Dr. Wollas-
ton has traced to the growth of successive generations
of certain fungi, or mushrooms, spreading from a
central point. The soil, which has once contributed
to the support of these fungi, becomes exhausted or
deteriorated with respect to the future crops of the
same species, and tlie plants, therefore, cease to be
produced on those spots ; the second year's crop
consequently appears in the space of a small ring,
surrounding the original centre of vegetation ; and
in every succeeding year, the deficiency of nutriment
on one side necessaril}' causes the new i-oots to ex-
tend themselves solely in the opposite direction, and
occasions the circle of fungi continually to proceed
by annual enlargement from the centre outwards.
An appearance of luxuriance of the grass follows as
a natural consequence ; for the soil of an interior
circle will always be enriched and fertilized with re-
spect to the culture of grass, by the decayed roots
of fungi of the preceding years' growth. It often
happens, indeed, during the growth of these fungi,
that they so completely absorb all nutriment from
the soil beneath, that the herbage is for a time totally
destroyed, giving rise to the appearance of a ring
bare of grass, surrounding tlie daik ring; but after
the fungi have ceased to appear, the soil where they
had grown becomes darker, and the grass soon vege-
tates again with peculiar vigour. When two adjacent
circles meet, and interfere with each other's progress,
they not only do not cross each other, but both circles
are invariably obliterated between the points of con-
tact ; for tlie exhaustion occasioned by each obstructs
the progress of the other, and both are starved."

Depth of Wells near London. — Wells 70 feet
deep have been dug at Harrow on the Hill, and
several in London are between 200 and 300 feet deep ;
at other places on rising grounds the thickness of the

444

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

stratum is much greater. In digging a well at Wim-
bledon for Lord Spencer, the workmen were obliged to
go 530 feet before they came to the sand and gravel
containing water. At Primrose-hill, near the Regent's
Park, some years ago, the ground was bored to the
depth of 500 feet without success. One mile east of
London the clay is only 77 feet thick ; at a well in St.
James's-street it is 235 feet, and at High Beach 700
feet thick. In the spring of 1834 a water company
sunk a well on the lower heath at Hampstead, below
the ponds, which was dry to the depth of 350 feet be-
fore reaching a supply of water, and even then the sand
ran with the water in such a way as to make the steam
pump machinery nearly useless. It has already been
observed that the ground rises from the north bank of
the Thames, this it continues to do to the northern
suburbs, Hampstead and Highgate. The ascent in
the town is in most places so gradual as to be scarcely
perceptible ; consequently the town is considered flat,
and indeed it is so far level as to entail on the inhabi-
tants an enormous expense in the proper construction
and maiiiteuanoe of shores and drains to meet the de-
mands of common cleanliness, comfort, and even safety
from disease ; actual measurement, however, shows
that the declivity is not only not sufficient for this pur-
pose, but that the difference of elevation in various
parts of the toisn is very considerable. — Br. Hogg's
London as it is.

THE RIDDLESWORTH STUD.

The following list of the brood mares and young
stock, some of which are exceedingly promising, will,
we doubt not, be acceptable to our racing friends.
Amongst the mares will be found ftlustard, the dam of
Mango and Preserve, Shoveler and Variation, winners
of the oaks, and several others of the most approved
blood. We understand that the stud is open to the in-
spection of every respectable person, and that a book is
kept in which the selling price is put against every
horse composing it — a plan simple in itself, and calcu-
lated to save much trouble to all parties.

BROOD MARES.

Covered by

Shoveler St. Patrick

Sail Merchant

Bee-in-a Bon-
net Merchant

Young Maniac Emilius

Victorie Emilius

Farce Emilius

jMaria Emilius

Benefit's dam Emilias

I'lora Emilius

Ophelia Emilius

Jladelina Emilius

Bravura Emilius

Eloisa St. Patrick

Variation ....Emilius
JMangelwurzel Emilius

Covered by

Mustard Emilius

Surprise St. Patrick

Mercy Emilius

Earwig Merchant

Bucephalia ..St. Patrick
Wild Duck . .Emilius
Mendizabal's

dam Merchant

Erica St. Patrick

Kate Kearney Emilius
Excitement . .St. Patrick
Chincilla .... Emilius
Fortitude (pro-
duce sold) . .Langar

Fidelity Langar

Castaside ....

(The produce of each is for sale.)

YEARLINGS.

B. c. by Emilius, out of Menever ; ch. c. by Emilius
out of Maria ; b. c. by Merchant, out of Mendizabal's
dam ; b. c. by Emilius, out of Mercy ; br. c. by Emi-
lius, out of IMisrule ; ch. c. by Emilius, out of Bravura ;
b. f. by St. Patrick, out of Eloisa ; b. f. by Emilius, out,
of Surprise ; br. f. by Emilius, out of Farce ; br f. by
Emilius, out of Ophelia ; b. f. by Emilius, out ef Flora ;
b. f. by Merchant, out of Shoveler; br. f. by Emilius,
out of Benefit's dam ; ch. f. by Emilius, out of Young
Maniac. foals.

Br. c. by Emilius, out of Ophelia ; b. c. by St. Patrick,
out of Eloisa ; b. c. by Emilius, out of Wild Duck ;
ch. c. by Emilius, out of Victoire ; b. c. by St. Patrick,
out of Erica ; ch. c. by Emilius, out of Misrule ; br. e.
by Emilius, out of Bee-in-a-Bonnet; br. c. by Emilius,
out of i\Iaria ; eh. c. by IMerchant, out of Bucephalia ;
ch. c. by Emilius, out of Farce ; ch. c. by Emilius, out
of Young Maniac ; ch. c. by St. Patrick, out of Excite-
ment ; ch. f. by Emilius, out of Mangelwurzel ; b. f. by

Emilius, out of Menever; ch. f. by Emilius, out of
iMustard ; ch. f. by Emilius, out of Mercy ; b. f. by
Emilius out of ^'ariation; ch. f. by Merchant, out of
Mendizabal's dam ; b. f. by Merchant, out of Madelina;
b. f. by Merchant, out of Surprise ; b. f. by St. Patrick,
out of Sail.

KEILLOR SALE OF LEICESTER
SFIEEP.

This important sale, which has created great sensation
amongst the most eminent breeders of this valuable
stock throughout the kingdom, took place on Saturday,
Sept. 23, and was conducted by Mr. Wetherell of
Durham, in a style which commanded the approbation
of one of the most numerous and respectable meetings
of gentlemen we have ever seen assembled on any simi-
lar occasion. Amongst the company at the pens we ob-
served Lord Storraont, M. P. for Perthshire ; Sir P. M.
Thriepland ; Sir James Ramsay ; Sir J. M. Mackenzie ;
Sir J. S. Richardson ; J\lr. Seymour of Barrymore Cas-
tle, Ireland ; Mr. Smythe of Methven Castle ; and a
host of Pertlishire lairds ; Mr. Davidson of Cantray,
Inverness-shire ; Captain Barclay of Ury ; Colonel
Millar, Fifeshire ; Mr. Herriot of Ladykirk, Berwick-
shire. Amongst the principal purchasers were Mr.
Seymour and Mv. Fox of Fox Hall, Rathowen, Ireland ;
Mr. Davidson ; Mr. Miller of Ballurabie ; Mr. Geekie
of Baldowrie ; Captain Cheap ; Colonel Millar; Cap-
tain Barclay ; His Grace the Duke of Richmond, for
Gordon Castle; Mr. Hutchinson, East Lothian; Mr.
Webster of LTpton Hall, Cheshire ; and many others
from every corner of the three kmgdoms, — over which
this celebrated stock will now be spread. What is more
satisfactory, we understand the prices obtained were
such as fully to meet the expectations of the spirited ex-
poser, who deserves great credit for the skill and judg-
ment displayed in producing* such an extensive collec-
tion of first-rate stock. The sale of Leicester ewes and
rams seemed to create the greatest interest and keen
competition. The best lot of the former fetched 6/. on
an average for each ewe, and of the latter 50/. a-piece.
The South Downs also were generally admired, and ad-
mitted by all to be excellently calculated to supplant
the Cheviot ewe for hill pasture.

The day was favourable ; and it was computed that
not less than 700 of the elite of British agrieulturists
were present. This high compliment was duly appre-
ciated by Mr. Watson. Every arrangement was made
for the accomodation and comfort of the assembly ; and
refreshments were served out in a marquee throughout
the day.

The sale commenced at half-past one o'clock, after an
examination of sires and dames. Mr. Wetherell made
the usual statement as to the terms of roup, and added
some short and pertinent remarks as to the quality of the
stock, and the testimonies received at different times by
their owner, for his success in producing- the finest speci-
mens of sheep of the Leicester breed. He introduced a
novelty in auctioneering-, — a crystal sand-glass, which,
on being held perpendicularly, at any stage of the
roup, gave the purchaser fifteen seconds to make up his
mind. The sand-glass system ought to be generally
adopted — it removes all suspicion of partiality on the
part of the auctioneer, as he must announce when the
glass is held up,— and it is out of his power to accelerate
or retard its motion. Mr. Wetherell went so expedi^
tiously through his business, that, by six o'clock, the
whole 2,100 sheep had chang-ed hands. After the sale,
a numerous company dined in the sale-hall. The gen-
tlemen from a distance fully entered into the spirit of a
" Scotch barn dinner,"— which was sumptuous and Avell
served. The evening was spent in the most harmonious
and enlivening manner. Mr. Watson was congratulated
by his fifuests on the result of the sale, and he returned
thanks in the kindest manne for the attention and sup-
port of the noblemen and g-entlemen in attendance,
more pnrtfcularly to those of them who had been pur-
chasers. The song" and the toast alternately succeeded
each other, and Irish wit, English merriment, and
Scotch good cheer, all united to render the meeting in
the highest degree pleasant and agreeable.

fRE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

44^

SALE OF SHORT-HORNED CATTLE, &c.

The following is a list of the superior short-horned
cattle, Leicestershire, and Southdown sheep, the
property of the Right Hon. Lord Feversham, which
were sold by auction, at Helnasley Castle, on Wed-
nesday, Sept. 26, by Mr. Boulton, of Uoncaster.

COWS.
Lot. 1. Duchess, 11 years old, roan, by Expecta-
tion, dam Nonpareil by Parrington, grandam Beauty
by Baron, (58,^ out of Young Moss Rose, own sister
to the bull Lancaster, which was sold at Wr. Col-
ling's sale for 621 guineas. — Mr. Parkinson, 25
guineas.

2. Dairymaid, 11 jears old, red, by Expectation,
dam by Baron, {o8,) grandam by Windsor, (.598.)
out of a grand-daughter of Washington, (674.) — Mr.
Milward, 16 guineas.

3. Lucy, 11 years old, roan, by Expectation, dam
Favourite by Parrington, grandam by Baron, (58,)
out of the grandam of Lot '2. — Mr. Parkinson, 35
guineas.

4. Sunflower, 11 years old, red, by Expectation,
dam by Emperor, (1013,) grandam by Baron, (58, J
out of Evelina, bred by Major Bower. — vide herd
book. — Mr. Parkinson, 19 guineas.

5. Sally, 8 years old, red, by Dixon's Son of Em-
peror, (1013,) dam Violet, by Wonderful, (700,)
grandam Young Molly, by Baron, (58,) great
grandam Molly, by Hutton's bull, (323,) great great
grandam by Butterfly, (104,) out of Old Daphne by
Globe, (278.)— Mr. Milward, 28 guineas.

6. Rosebud, 7 years old, red, by Navigator,(1260,)
dam Gloucester, by Emperor, (1013,) out of the
grandam of lot 5. — Mr. Parkinson, 20 guineas.

7. Kate, 5 years old, roan, by Alfred, dam Re-
becca, by Matilda's Son of Emperor, out of the dam
of lot 1. — Mr. Milward, 40 guineas.

8. Butterfly, 5 years old, red, by Neptune, dam
Strawberry by Emperor, (1013,) grandam by Snow-
ball, (611,) great grandam by Baron, (58,) out of
Wright's. — Mr. Milward, 25 guineas.

9. JANE, 4 years old, roan, own sister to lot 8.
—Mr. Parkinson, 42 guineas.

10. Vesta, 4 years old, roan, by Neptune, out of
lot 2. — Lord Huntingfield, 22 guineas.

11. Blue Stocking, 3 years old, red, by Young
Grazier, dam by Wiley's Grazier, (1085,) out of the
grandam of lot 1 . — Mr. Scott, 18 guineas.

12. Bet, 3 yrs old, red, by Young Grazier, dam
Betsy, by Wiley's Grazier, (1085,) out of the dam
of lot 3. — Mr. Milward, 41 guineas.

13. Gruyere, 2 years old, white, by Young Grazier,
out of the dam of lot 6. — Mr. Hutton, 24 guineas.

14. Sappho, 2 years old, red, by Young Grazier,
out of lot 5. — Mr. Parkinson, 15 guineas.

15. Rosalind, 2 years old, roan, by Young Grazier,
out of Red Rose, by Wiley's Grazier. — Mr. Hutton,
20 guineas.

16. Buttercup, 1 vear old, red, by Parmesan, out
of lot 8. — Mr. Parkinson, 15 guineas.

17. Euphemia, 1 year old, flecked, by Vulcan,
dam Ef&e Deans, by a Son of Emperor, (1013,) out
of Evelina, graudam by W^onderful, (700,) great
grandam Jessica, by Baron, (58,) great great grandam
Juno, by Jupiter, (344,) great great grandam
Princess, by Windsor, (698,) out of great grandam
of Navigator, i\Ir. Benson, 11 guineas.

18. Louisa, 1 year old, red, by Vulcan, out ef lot
3. — Mr. Parkinson, 18 guineas.

HEIFER CALVES, 1837.

19. Rowena, red, by Vulcan, out of the dam of
lot 7. — Mr. Benson, 11 guineas.

20. Mary, red and white, by Vulcan, dam Molly,

by Wiley's Grazier, out of Parmesan's dam.— Lord
Huntingfield, 14 guineas.

21. Flirt, red, by Vulcan, out of the dam of lot 3.
—Dead.

22. Bravura, red, by Vulcan, out of lot 8.— Mr.
Stamper, 10 guineas.

23. Ruby, red, by Vulcan,out of lot 6. — Mr. Bur-
ton, 10 guineas.

BULLS.

24. Young Grazier, 6 years sold, roan, by Wiley's
Grazier, (1085,) dam Fairy, by Parrington, grandam
by Baron, ("58,) out of the grandam of lot 2. — Mr.
Smith, 22 guineas.

25. Vulcan, 3 yrs, old, red, by Colton, (l849,)
dam Vauxhall, by Vachamour, (747,) grandam
Vicissitude, by Navigator, (1260,) great grandam
Vice, by Candour, out of Rudd's Violet, (See sup-
plement to hard book, page 590.) — Mr. Rowland,
14 guineas.

26. Parmesan, 3 years old, roan, own brother to
lot 13. — Mr. Jaques, 31 guineas.

27. Sir Thomas, 2 years old, white, by Young
Grazier, dam Favourite, the dam of lots 3 and 21. —
Mr. Watson, 20 guineas.

28 Locomotive, 1 year old, dark roan, by Vul-
can, out of lot 1. — Mr. Thompson, 20 guineas.

BULL CALVES, 1837.

29. Brilliant, roan, by Vulcan, out of the dam of
lot 11. — Lord Huntingfield, 11 guineas.

30. Darius, red, by Vulcan, out of lot 2. — Mr.
Wilson, 10 guineas.

50 Leicester ewes, sold for 821. ; 50 ditto, gimmers,
77/. : 6 ditto, tups, 191. 12s.

20 Southdown ewes, sold for 26i. ; 20 ditto, gim-
mers, 28^.; 3 ditto, tups, 31, lis.

THE SMUT.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE ^'OTTINGHAM REVIEW.

Monday morning, Sept. 18.
Gentlemen, — I feel much gratified at your early
attention to my letter on smut, and I sincerely thank
you for your note at the end, to which I write this
to you in answer. I am no chemist ; but I know
arsenic could not be dissolved in water without an
alkali to counteract the asica. I always used the
ashes from burnt potato halm, as possessing much
more alkali than common wood ashes. I did not
know that arsenic could be procured in any other
state than powder, until I saw your note, Now I
always found a residum in the liquid, in spite of all
I could do, which I supposed to be an insoluble
part of the arsenic. But, perhaps, it is as well as it
is: the cost was only 5d.qer lb. My recipe is 2 lbs.
of arsenic to 32 gallons of water, to which add 4 st.
of salt. If seed wheat is ever so smutty, steeped
twelve hours in this pickle, it will effectually cure
smut. But if smutty virus is again put to it, by
powdering a number of smut balls, every kind of
wheat that comes in contact with this powder, will
produce smut in a greater or less proportion. But if
seed wheat is bright and clean, which should be
always selected for seed, there is no necessity for
steeping it all. This quantity of brine will swim
four bushels of wheat. No more is required than to
let the wheat pass gently in through a coarse sieve
into the brine and to well stir and skim every bushel ;
when this is done, draw oft' the brine, take out the
wheat, and lime it ready, for sowing. It is proba-
ble, after liming, it is safe from receiving smutty in-
fection : this I never tried, but it appears leason-
able.

446

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

The accompanying letters explain every necessary
particular : tbey give a liistory of the cause of my
first growing smut, and they give the cure, together
vs^ith the results of my experiments, at least as many
of them as I can remember. In my former account,
the number of diseased ears in every patch of
wheat was stated, in proportion as the seed was in a
greater or less degree contaminated again bv smutty
virus. These particulars I have forgot, but it is of
no consequence, that I know of, the results are the
same.

My chemical friend, who applied to, give me the
necessary information for dissolving the arsenic. He
moreover told me two pounds dissolved inthirty-two
gallons of water, would most assuredly destroy vege-
tation if steeped twelve hours in it. To ascertain
this, I tied a few kernels of wheat in a bag, and
steeped it in the basin, and then sowed them in a
garden pot ; the consequence was, not one grew. I
then added to the poison four stone of salt, and
steeped a few more kernels twelve hours, and they
all grew ; so that I proceed on safe grounds in this
respect.

In some of my experiments, after the wheat had
been twelve hours in pickle, and after this highly
contaminated by smutty virus, it was again returned
for twelve hours more, and then grew as well as the
other.

The other letters accompanying this are so ar-
ranged as to excite and maintain a due interest re-
lative to the subject, and another will be sent,
giving further information, together with some re-
marks on the pepper brand — another disease to which
wheat is liable, and which some parties believe to
be as infectious as smnt itself, although I have not
found it so. In conclusion, I would observe, that
if my personal and travelling expenses are reim-
bursed, I have no objection personally to initiate
eny agriculturist into the various processes of mana-
gement connected with the prevention and cure of
smut, with which my long practical experience has
made me familiar and conversant.
Yours respectfully,

MATTHEW HOLDICH.
[We purpose to insert one of the letters above re-
ferred to at every convenient opportunity during
the present season.— Eds.]

VALUABLE DISCOVERY.— NEW
MANURE.

[Subjoined is a letter from a highly esteemed and
valued Correspondent, upon the merits of a new
manure. We are not quite so sanguine as a friend
of ours an old practical farmer, who, in discoursing
on the effect which he anticipated from the applica-
tion of chemistry to Agriculture, said that he looked
forward to the time when he might be able to carry
the requisite quantity of manure for an acre of land
in his pocket. We ourselves are not a little en-
thusiastic on this head, but as yet we were not
prepared to hear that our expectations were so
near being realized as appears from the com-
munication of Mr. Milburn. If this experiment
has been made with correctness, and the result such
as stated, and which from the habitual correctness
of our Correspondent we cannot doubt, this dis-
covery will work a greater revolution in Agricul-
ture than any which has been hitherto made.]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE " MARK LANE EXPRESS."

Sir, — Your paper being the organ of the agricul-

tural body throughout the country, I have great plea-
sure in calling the attention of your readers to a re-
cently discovered manure, which, from its cheapness,
portability, and facility of application, proffers to be
a great desideratum to the agricultural community.
I shall, perhaps, best serve the public by simply
stating the facts of an experiment on the manure in
question, especially as the seed time is approaching ;
and shall have great pleasure, at a future time, of en-
tering more fully into trials which have been made
by myself and friends on different crops.

Messrs. Hodgson and Simpson, of Walton, near
Wakefield, the discoverers of the Chemical Manure,
very kindly sent me a cask of it last spring, desiring
me to give it a trial with corn. Not having laud
exactly requiring manure at that period, a field was
kindly offered me for making the experiment, by
Mr. Thomas Yeates, of Carlton Mirnott, near Thirsk.
I prepared the seed myself, and it was drilled on part
of the field along with the rest. The field had grown
a corn crop the preceding year ; Mr. Yeates gave it
a few ploughings, and considered a dressing of man-
ure necessary, as it certainly was, for his ensuing
crop.

The field was accordingly dressed with well-
rotted farm-yard manure, except that part of it sown
with the Chemical Manure, which had nothing, ex-
cepting it, laid upon it. The barley sown with the
Chemical Manure came up with a much more vigour-
ous blade, kept its colour better than the rest of the
field sown with farm-yard manure, and at harvest
turned off a much better crop. The fact was, it
lodged, while the remaining part of the field did not,
and Mr. Y. assured me that the ears of the corn
manured with the Chemical Manure were mucli
larger.

This fact seems, beyond a doubt, to settle the
question of the valuable character of the manure, but
it is but one among many proofs of its value, even
so early after its introduction.

The whole expense of manuring an acre of land is
but six shillings! 28lbs. of the manure being sufficient.
It is applied to the seed, thus securing the whole of
tlie nutrition to the plant. The manure in its paste
state is dissolved in water until it becomes of the
consistency of thick cream, it is then poured upon
the seed, and well mixed, and the seed dried with a
small quantity of lime. Nothing more is necessary.
So trifling an expense recommends it to the most
extensive use. Doubtless Messrs. Hodgson and
Simpson may be ranked amongst the benefactors of
man, if this discovery effects what it proffers to
do. Your's obediently,

M. M. MILBURN.

Thorpjield, near Thirsk, Yorkshire.

The Best Butcher in England. — In the
obituary of the Hereford Journal we find the follow-
ing- notice : — " Sunday, in his 59th year, Mr. James
Williams, butcher, Oswestry, one of the town-council,
and a director of the Oswestry House of Industry. At
a very early age he was taken into the late Mr. Mor-
ton's service, and was always remarkable for his indus-
try, activity, and integrity. At twelve years old he
slaughtered and dressed eight sheep in the hour, and
upon one occasion, in order to ' cut up' the boasting- of
a Liverpool butcher, (who had done the feat in 23 mi-
nutes), ' Jem Williams ' slaughtered and dressed a beast
in \9\ minutes ! This fact established him as the ' best
butcher in England.' So attached were Mr. and Mrs.
Morton to this faithful servant, that they left him the
whole of their property, and since which, by his atten-
tion to business, he has closed his life ' a rich man '
(15,000/.)— a lesson to many of his trade."

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

447

ON THE PREPARATION OF LIVE-
STOCK AND MEAT IN REFERENCE
TO THEIR EXPORTATION BY
STEAM-VESSELS.

(from THE QUAHTERLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE.)

[^Continuecl from Page 372,]

1. Driving Live Stock. — Although droving is
a subject which more properly belongs to dealers
who purchase large lots of stock to dispose of at
considerable distances from the place of their pur-
chase, than to shippers of stock by steam, yet as
the latter may have to bring their stock a consi-
derable distance to the shipping port, a few re-
marks on the subject may not be here irrelevant.
When cattle are to be drove to the shipping port,
preparation should be made for some days pre-
vious to their undertaking the journey from the
place at which they have been fed. If they have
been feeding on turnips or grass, less green food,
and some dry food as hay, should be given them
for some days, in order to lighten their bowels for
ease on the journey. For two days at least before
they start, they should be let out of the court, and
especially out of the close-house or byre, to move
and dance about for a short time in a guarded
place or large court ; for cattle, when loose from
confinement, are at first very giddy, and will even
run against any object and throw themselves down.
This giddiness affects cattle that have been con-
fined all winter in byres, much more than in hem-
mels. But they have a great disposition to romp
and skip about even after let out of one field into
another ; the sense of liberty overcoming the
sense of propriety, which they violate on those
occasions with ridiculous earnestness. Nay, the
serious antics of some cannot fail to excite risibi-
lity in the spectator even to a greater degree than
the tricks of a clown. But these humorous ebul-
litions of cattle are sometimes attended with more
serious consequences than laughter ; they may
cause a hoof to be thrown off, a horn to be broken
off, a tendon to be sprained, ribs to be bruised, a
shoulder to be shaken to jelly, the body to be in-
ordinately heated, and the tallow within to be
melted ; and any one of these accidents will prevent
the animal being removed from the premises, per-
haps for some time, for sprains of the tendons and
shocks of the shoulders are frequently very te-
dious in healing. It will thus be seen how cau-
tiously cattle ought to be removed from the quar-
ters which they have occupied for some months.
Besides these precautions at home before they
start on their journey, they should be moved very
slowly along the road for the two first days, not
exceeding seven or eight miles each day. At night,
in winter, they should be put into open courts or
sheds, and in summer they can rest by the side of
a green road or in a grass field. These remarks
apply either to lean or fat stock, but especially to
the latter, for their weight and high condition
render them more liable to injure themselves
when in high spirits. After the first two days on
the road they attempt no more vagaries, and may
be travelled from twelve to thirteen miles a-day
with impunity, provided both the road and wea-
ther are favourable for travelling, and lean cattle
fifteen or sixteen miles per day. There is great
difference between drovers in travelling cattle ;
some will tend them for weeks on long journeys,
and accomplish their task with comparative ease
to their charge ; whilst others, though they may

not actually cause lameness, will yet injure their
condition so much as to render it irrecoverable
for some time. There is also great difference in
the mode that farmers adopt in driving their cattle
to market. Some will take them into it quite cool
and placid, whilst others will exhibit them breath-
ing high with distended nostrils, reeking with
steam from their bodies, and quite loose in their
bowels with a surcharged quantity of green food.
Cattle may thus be easily injured to the extent of
a pound a-head or more. On this account a good
drover deserves to be well remunerated for his
irksome task. It would be much better policy for
the farmer to give his cattle corn and hay for a
few days previous to taking them to market, than
run the risk of injury by improper driving. Good
judges are very chary of purchasing cattle in an
overdriven state, for not knowing the extent of
the injury which they have received, it may be
that a long time will elapse ere they completely
recover. In case of such risks, shippers of cattle
for London should be cautious in purchasing
cattle that have been driven from a distance to a
market ; they should rather purchase them on the
farms they have been fed, and drive them away
when required by their own drovers. One source
of annoyance to drovers on the roads is, the many
gates into fields which are too frequently left
open, greatly to the injury of the stock driven
along the road as well as to the growing crops.
Ploughmen on leaving work in the fields, almost
always neglect to close the gate behind them.
Dogs should never be used in droving cattle ; they
vex them more than assist the drover. When
cattle are put on board the steam-vessel, they
should be provided with hay, and by the time
they have arrived in Smithfield they have taken
with the hay, and handle firm in the market.
Butchers in Smithfield attend to this point of
handling in judging of cattle ; for they cannot be
deceived by their being blown out with green
food. Too many cattle are huddled together in
one pen on board of steam-boats ; they should
never exceed two together in one pen, and if they
have as much room as that one may stand whilst
the other rests, they would not thus occupy an
inordinate space of the deck or hold. Bruises in-
flicted on fat cattle cause the bruised portions of
the flesh to assume that species of inflammation
commonly called blood-burning. Cattle that are in-
tended to be slaughtered at the shipping-port,
should be driven with as much care on the road,
however short the distance they have to travel,
as those which are sent alive to London. They
should rest two days, be fed on hay and water,
and starve for twelve hours before being slaugh-
tered, when their entrails will be in a proper state
of emptiness.

As we are discussing the subject of droving, we
may say a few words on the mode adopted by the
large dealers. When a dealer purchases a lot of
two hundred or three hundred head of cattle, and
intends to drive them four hundred or five hun-
dred miles, he fixes a day for lifting them with
the respective farmers from whom he had pur-
chased them. He has what is called a topsman,
that is a person who hires the requisite number of
drovers, and whose special duty is to provide keep
for the cattle and pay all charges on the road, and
take the general superintendance of the drove,
and act for the best towards them according to
circumstances. The cattle being in different lots
on different farms, he first lifts the farthest off
lot from the great road upon which they are all to

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

travel to their destination ; and in lifting them he
uses all those precautions which have already
been described on first taking them out of their
places of confinement, and first two days on the
road. There are no dealers so attentive as those
who purchase and send cattle from Galloway to
Norfolk and other counties in England to be graz-
ed. Experience has taught them to conduct their
operations quite systematically ; and if it were
not for system, they could not possibly send their
large droves to their ultimate destination with the
success they always display.

On lifting sheep for travelling on the road, the
same precautions are required as those for cattle,
but only they being at all times at liberty in the
fields, will run no risk of injuring themselves by
violent exercise. Dogs, however, may always be
used in driving sheep, for it is not possible, from
their number and quickness, for one man to con-
duct a flock along a road, with the chance of
meeting many obstructions, without such assist-
ance ; but they must never be permitted to irri-
tate the sheep by too much barking and work, or
injure them by biting. During the first two days
they should be driven with care, and with a slow
pace. They should not be put on board too full of
meat, or heated by driving; and too many should
not be put into one pen, or the pens placed too
near the heated flue of the ship, for of all domes-
ticated animals sheep suffer most from the eff"ects
of heat. If sheep are intended to be slaughtered
at the shipping port, in order to export their car-
casses to London, they should rest two days after
the journey before they are slaughtered, and stand
twenty-four hours of that time without food.

Lambs to be exported, when bred near the ship-
ping port, should be driven on the road and put
on board with their mothers, which, after having
suckled them as near to the time of sailing as con-
venient, should be taken away from them cau-
tiously and quietly, or they may be taken from
them at the ship side, for lambs drive very ill by
themselves on the road, aud having thus been
left full of milk on hoard, they will be able to
stand the voyage with comparative ease, for no
animal suffers from the deprivation of food so
acutely, or loses flesh so rapidly, as lambs. When
they are bred at a distance from the shipping port,
they should be conveyed in carts to the ship ; for
they never recover their full appearance after be-
ing driven fifty or sixty miles on a road. But-
chers soon detect their jaded appearance in Smith-
field, and ofi'er inferior jjrices accordingly : they
will have probably lost 71b. or 81b., and when their
flesh is so much shrunk, it cannot present a good
joint, and it must have lost much of its substance.

No very large droves of pigs are sent from
Scotland, for few of the owners of steam-vessels
will permit live pigs to be shipped. They are
considered of themselves unruly animals, and
off'ensive to passengers ; so only the carcasses of
pigs are sent to London, which have been slaugh-
tered at the shipping port, or conveyed from the
country. In driving pigs, the same precautions
as to food is as requisite as for other stock. In
England, wo have seen large droves of pigs led,
not driven, along the road, by the drover going
in advance, and occasionally dropping a bean
upon the road out of a bag slung about him ; and
in their effort to get foremost to pick up the bean,
they thus follow the drover. This practice forcibly
illustrate that proverb, which says, " It is better
to flatter fools than to fight with them." Paddy
is not a bad hand at pig-driving. It is very amus-

ing to witness the manner in which pigs are
sometimes put on board ship. A plank or gang-
way is placed to the ship, and the pig is purposely
held back, on finding which, he vociferously
struggles to gain the deck; piggy's principle of
action being by the rule of contraries.

2. Slaughtering Live-Stock. — After stock
has been carefully driven to the shipping port
where it is to be slaughtered, it should be slaugh-
tered in clean slaughter-houses, by expert slaugh-
ter-men ; for of all things which excite disgust in
salesm.en of meat in London, nothing excites it so
acutely as the reception of meat in a dirty state.
We are sorry to affirm that very much of the meat
sent from parts of Scotland to be disposed of at
Newgate or Leadenhall carcass markets has been
handled in a very filthy manner ; and hence the
opprobrious term of the " dirty Scotch " is not
uncommonly heard in those maikets. Our but-
chers should endeavour to render the opprobrium
inapplicable to themselves. At the same time meat
is very cleanly slaughterad in some parts of Scot-
land, particularly in Leith, Edinburgh, Dalkeith,
and Musselburgh, which we are happy to parti-
cularize for the sake of the metropolis and its
vicinity. Almost every town has its own method
of slaughtering animals ; but, although this is the
case, all the possible variety of ways may be per-
formed in a cleanly and professional-like manner.
The London method, however, differs from every
method in this country, and when it is known that
the London butchers, and the people as consu- .
mers, are so partial to their own method, it would
be desirable to adopt it in this country, to please
them who are our best customers, even although
that method were inferior to our own. But we
confess that of all the ways which we have had
the fortune to witness, and we have seen and stu-
died not a few botli here and abroad, we give a
decided preference to the London, and have no
doubt we are not singular in our preference. We
presume it will not be denied that the beauty and
cleanliness of meat as exhibited in London, excites
the admiration of every spectator, especially stran-
gers, and that is certainly more than can be said
generally of any town in Scotland. We know that
our countrymen are very sensitive on this point,
but we hesitate not to inscribe our own candid
opinion at the risk of offending a very useful and
indeed indispensable and respectable class of men.
But we cannot possibly give a wrong advice in
urging the adoption of the cleanly and even pecu-
liar usages of a market which consumes all our
extra supplies of butcher-meat.

One great difference between the universal Scot-
tish and particular London method of slaughter-
ing oxen, consists in chopping or cutting down
the chine or back-bone. In London the bones of
the chine are equally divided betwixt both sides,
whereas in Scotland one side of the carcass of an
ox has a great deal more hone than the other :
hence here consumers are unequally served with
bone in the side of the ox they may happen to be
served from. The bony side is called the lying
side in this country, and these bones are the spi-
nous processes of the veterinarians. Another dif-
ference is, that in London these bones in the fore
quarter are broken when warm in the middle, as
far as the ribs extend, and chopped back with tire
flat side of tlie chopper, which thickens the fore
and middle ribs considerably when cut up. The
London butcher also cuts the joint above the liind
knee, and by making some incisions with a sharp
pointed knife, cuts the tendons, which contract or

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

drop the flesh of the hind quarter on the flanks
and loins, a contrivance which makes the whole
hind quarter cut up thicker than the Scotch mode.
Another distinction is, that the London butchers,
in opening up the hind quarter, cuts the itch
bone, the pelvis, through the centre, which niakes
those pieces in even a middling animal look well.
Scotcii butchers are indifferent as to the cutting
up of this part. Some of the north country but-
chers have a practice of cutting or scoring the fat
about the itch-bone, or closing of the hind quarter,
which has the effect of making that part of a hei-
fer or ox look like that of an old cow. There is
too much of this system of scoring practised in
Scotland ; and when sent to London, where little
or nothing of it is to be seen on a carcass of beef,
it has a disagreeable appeai-ance.

There is very little difference in the dressing of
a sheep and pig, neither of which can be too plain
done, provided if done clean. The skins of sheep
are not taken off on stools in London as in Scot-
land, but after the body has been hung up by the
legs ; but it is immaterial how it is taken off, if it
he well done. The bone of the fore-leg is left on
and skewered up in order to thicken the shoulder.
Small flourishing is put on the outside of the car-
cass of mutton, in place of the plain scoring put
on them in Scotland. But when carcasses are sent
to London, it is better nut to break the fell at all.
Calves and Lambs are differently dressed in Lon-
don from this country, but as it is not likely that
either will ever be sent to London in carcass, it is
unnecessary here to particularize the methods.

Cutting up of Meat. — The modes of cutting
up meat is more diversified even than the slaugh-
tering, almost every town having its own. But as
London is the great emporium of the export meat
trade of Scotland, the method of cutting up meat
in the metropolis should constitute the particular
study of the shippers of meat. To acquire this
necessary information, the shippers should have a
few of the most expert butchers in London to
slaughter and cut up the carcasses of the various
sorts of animals. They should never consider
themselves above acquiring such information,
when their own interest will be benefitted by its
adoption.

Whether the London method of cutting up meat
is really the best of any, and we think it is, it must
be admitted that the London butchers must
have the most extensive and varied experi-
ence ; and any one has only to witness the opera-
tion performed by expert London butchers, to be
satisfied that they display great science of their
profession, and execute their work with the ut-
most precision. Indeed, the precision with which
they divide the different qualities of meat from the
same carcass, shov/s their thorough knowledge of
the qualities of meat ; and the variety of prices
which different parts of the same carcass fetch,
shows with what accuracy they can gratify the
tastes of the various grades of their customers. In
practising this precision they not only make the
best use of the carcass, but realise the highest
value for it, and at the same time gratify the tastes
of the greatest number of customers. In the car-
cass of any animal, of an ox for instance, there
are different qualities of meat, and these qualities
are situated in different parts of the carcass. All
the best parts are, in London, used for roasting
and steaks, and the inferior for boiling, either in.
pieces or making stock for soups, or minced meat
in the various forms of sausages, pies, &c. The
carcass of an ox is cut up into the following pieces,

as may be seen on referring to the numbers on th

annexed cut, fig. 1-

Fig. 1.

1. Hind-quarter.

1.

loin.

8.

2.

rump.

9

3.

itch-bone.

10

4.

buttock.

11.

5.

hock.

n.

6.

thick flank.

13

7.

thin flank.

Fore-quarter.

fore rib.
middle rib.
chuck rib.
brisket.

leg of mutton piece,
clod and sticking,
and neck.

14. shin.

15. leg.

The relative value of these different cuts of an
ox may be stated at their current value, viz., when
the rumps, loins, and fore-ribs of a fine ox fetch
8d. a pound, the thick flank, buttock, and middle
rib, will fetch 6d. ; the itch bone, thin flank, chuck
rib, brisket, and leg of mutton piece, 5d. ; the clod
and sticking, and neck, 3d. ; and.the legs and shins
2d. a pound. Such is the difference in value of
the different cuts of an ox in the m.eat markets in
London ! As an object of comparison, we shall
also give a figure of an ox cut up in the Edinburgh
method, as in fig. 2, and the great diff^erence be-
tween both methods may be seen at a glance.

2. Fore-quarter.
9. nineholes.

10. runner,"! large and

11. runner, J small.

12. spare-rib or fore sye.

13. brisket.

14. shoulder Iyer.

15. nap or shin.

16. neck.

17. sticking piece.
Now, in Scotland, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and

2 A

1. Hind- quarter.

1. sirloin or back sye.

2. hook-bone.

3. buttock, 1

4. large round, J '
;>. small round.

6. hough,

7. thick flank.

8. thin flank.

450

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

a few other of the large towns, the roasting and
steak pieces may no doubt be sold at 6d. and 7d.
a pound, when the boiling pieces are only worth
od. and 5^d. a pound; but in most towns, and in
the country, the roasting, steak, and boiling
pieces, all realise the same price, and even legs
and shins of beef fetch od. a pound, when the
prices of the better parts are as stated above. It
is therefore obvious, that of the two methods of
cutting up beef, the London affords much more
of roasting and steak, that is, the more valuable
pieces out of the same carcass ; and, of course,
more money would thereby be realised from it.
But from what we have stated, it is not to be in-
ferred that, were a carcass of beef to be cut up in
the London method in Edinburgh, it would there-
fore realise more money than it does by the Edin-
burgh method, for we apprehend the London
prices will never be realised in Edinburgh, what-
ever method of cutting up may be adopted. Rump
steaks in London are generally sold at Is. a pound,
a price which could never be realised for them in
Edinburgh. It may, therefore, be advisable for
eacli place to retain its own method of cutting up
meat. Indeed, the London method has been tried
in Edinburgh and other places, and failed to please
the consumers. But the case is quite altered when
Scotch meat is sent to London. It is then sent
for the English palate, and it ought in reason to be
so sent as to suit the purpose for which it is sent.
It ought to be slaughtered, quartered, and cut up
according to the London method, and which can
easily be acquired by an expert butcher.

Since then, different cuts of the same carcass of
beef realize different prices in London, and since
those of the finest realize much the larger prices,
it is truly absurd in Scotch shippers to send coarse
pieces to the London market. The same expenses
of freight, commission, wharfage, &c. ai'e charge-
able against the inferior as the superior cuts, and
since those inferior pieces realise in Scotland about
as good a price as the best, it is passing strange
that shippers will persist in sending interior meat
to London. It is undoubtedly their interest only
to send the best, and such an arrangement is not
against the consumer in Scotland ; for, since the
inferior pieces suit the taste and incomes of the
working classes, they would consume the inferior
pieces of those carcasses, the best of which had
been sent to London, whilst the upper class could
still be supplied with the best pieces of those cattle
which are slaughtered for home consumption ; for
it is not to be supposed that a portion of every ox
slaughtered in Scotland would be sent to London.
By such an arrangement the tastes of all classes
of consumers would be consulted, whilst the in-
terest of the shipper would be materially promoted.
Supposing, for instance, to take a practical illus-
tration, the side of a carcass of an ox were so cut
as to remove the thin flank and leg from the hind
quarter, and leave the fore and middle ribs of the
fore quarter attached to it. All these pieces are
saleable in London, and on the average might rea-
lize fid. a-pound, from which would fall to be de-
ducted a halfpenny a-pound for expenses, which
would leave ojd. a-pound ; and suppose the re-
mainder is sold at home at 4§d. a-pound, there
would thus be realized for the whole ox, on the
average, fully 5d. a-pound ; whereas, had the
•whole carcass been sent to London, it would not
have fetched more than 5d. a-pound, from which
has to be deducted a halfpenny a-poinid for ex-
penses, leaving only 4|d. for the whole carcass,
making a difference of ten per cent, in favour of

the London method for the shippers. Besides, it
is deserving of consideration, that were the infe-
rior pieces kept at home, the working people of
this country would have it then in their power to
purchase pieces of beef quite wholesome for them,
being portions of well fed animals, but which are
more suitable to their circumstances, and more in
accordance with their usual mode of living —
chiefly on broth and meat, and vegetables ; where-
as, when the whole carcass, or live cattle, are sent
away, only large quantities of offal, and large
numbers of inferior beasts, are left to be con-
sumed by the working people.

We have dwelt the more largely on the manage-
ment requisite in sending beef to the London
market because much of what we have said will
apply equally to sending mutton, veal, or lamb, to
the same market. The best pieces only should be
sent to London, and the remainder kept for the
home market ; and were this recommendation at-
tended to, the expenses of exportation would be
diminished on what was sent, for the best pieces
would pack well together in comparatively small
space, whereas whole carcasses of mutton, by the
roundness of the rib, occupy much unnecessary
room, for which freight must be paid.

Mutton is also cut up differently in London and
Scotland, as may be seen on referring to the two
following figures, of which the first figure, fig. 3,

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

represents the London method. In the fore quar-
ter No. 1 is the shoulder ; 2 and 2 the neck, after
the shoulder has been taken off; and 3 the breast ;
and in the hind quarter 4 is the loin, which, when
cut double, that is, partly from both sides of the
carcass, is called a chine or saddle ; and 5 is the
leg. A leg of mutton in London is cut short ; a
haunch is cut long, taking in the hook-bone, simi-
lar to a haunch of venison. The flap of the loin
is left attached to that part of the fore quarter
called the breast. The Scotch mode of cutting up
mutton is represented by fig. 4, in which, in the
hind-quarter. No. 1 is the jigot, and 2 the loin ;
and in the fore, 3 the back ribs, and 4 the breast
and shoulders. The jigot is cut about halfway

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

45

between the leg and haunch of the London me-
thod ; and the fore-quarter is cut right through
the shoulders in two pieces called the back ribs
and breast. Shoulders of mutton are never cut
off in Scotland before being cooked, except by
keepers of eating-houses, but the London plan of
cutting mutton is decidedly the best, the shoulder
forming an excellent roast, and the best end of the
neck-piece being admirably suited for chops. The
different joints of mutton almost vary as much in
price in London as pieces of beef. The leg is
sometimes sold as high as lOd. a-pound, whilst the
breast of the same sheep will only fetch 4d. or 5d.;
and if in the wholesale market the whole carcass
is sold at 6d. a-pound, the hind-quai'ter will be
worth 7d., and the fore only 5d. From these facts
it is obvious, that it is the interest of the shipper
only to send hind-quarters of mutton to London,
for which 7d. a-pound may be easily obtained, and
a ready market for them in the west-end butchers,
who seldom deal in fore-quarters. The fore-quar-
ters could be sold at home, hence thus realizing
as much for them as they could fetch in London,
besides saving on them the freight, commission,
and wharfage. They form excellent joints for
tradesmen's families, and are in fact generally
preferred by them to the hind quarters, which are
considered dry eating, and certainly do not make
so good broth. Besides the saving of room in
packing the hind-quarters, they would run no risk
of being stained when sent by themselves, as the
staining generally arises from blood oozing out of
the veins in the fore-quarters.

Lamb is cut up in London in much the same
manner as mutton, excepting that the neck and
breast, when the shoulder is taken off, is roasted
whole, and the piece is called ribs of lamb. In
Scotland lamb is cut up exactly as mutton.

Veal is cut up in London in a very different way
from any other meat. The knife is drawn between
the buttock and itchbone and through thg pope's
eye, taking a sloping direction through the thin
flank, and a cut is made parallel to it through the
leg in a sloping direction through the coarse end
of the buttock, leaving a flap. The piece thus cut
out is calledaj^^/e^ of veal. It is like a round of
beef with a part of the thin flank left to be skewer-
ed around it. The round-bone is taken out and
stuffing put into its place. When the itch-bone
and hook-bone are cut from the loin, the piece is
called a ctowp of veal. The hind-quarter of veal
thus consists of fillet, chump, loin, and leg. The
fore-quarter is cut in the same manner as mutton,
having shoulder, breast, and neck. In Scotland
veal is cut very much like mutton.

Pork in London is cut rather differently from
this country. It is the same as the Scotch method
of cutting up mutton, so figure 4 will illustrate the
mode, in which, in the hind-quarter, No. 1 is the
leg ; and 2 the loin j in the fore, 3 back-rib, chine
or hand ; and 4 breast and shoulders, spring or
belly. The spring is used for pickling, and the
hand for roasting, pork chops, or sausages. In
Scotland the hind-quarter consists of leg and loin,
and the fore of back-ribs and breast. For pickling
or roasting, pork is cut in the hind-quarter like
that of English mutton, and in the fore like that
of Scotch. In both countries the ham is cut out
alike.

4. Packing of Meat. — The proper packing of
meat is a very essential duty for the shippers of
meat for the London market ; for on its correct
accomplishment, entirely depends the cleanness
of the meat when exhibited for sale at Newgate or

Leadenhall markets. A great and well-founded
outcry has been raised by salesmen and consumers,
against the state in which much of the meat has
been sent, particularly from the northern parts
of Scotland. So much so, indeed, that meat of
equal quality, transmitted in the same ship, has
been known to bring 3d. a-pound less than that
belonging to persons who had paid proper atten-
tion to packing ; and the unreasonable part of the
affair has been, that salesmen are blamed for not
realizing the same prices for the same kind of
meat, when, in fact, the blame is alone attachable
to the shippers themselves, on account of their
own negligence and ignorance.

Carcasses should be a sufficient time slaughtered
to become firm and stiff, before they be cut down
to be packed. The slaughter-houses should be
immediately washed out and ventilated, to pro-
mote the firming of the meat. Beef ought to hang
from thirty to forty hours, and mutton twenty,
according to the season of the year and the state
of the weather, before either can be firm enough
to be packed ; whereas some shippers in order to
hurry off their quota of meat, by the steam-vessel,
pack the carcasses together in a warm state.
Others press, perhaps, half a ton of meat into one
box, which being insufficiently constructed, goes
to pieces on being removed from the ship or wag-
gon, and the meat thrown down upon the street
in a shocking state of filth. Nay, in order to save
a paltry expense, a shipper from a northern port
has been known to send carcasses of beef, stuffed
full of carcasses of mutton, as many as nine in
one of beef, wrapped in dirty matts. When these
expedients are resorted to, there is no wonder that
much of the meat that reaches London from Scot-
land, should excite disgust, in its heated, bruised,
and stained state, and indisposition shewn to have
any thing to do with it on the part of those to
whom it has been consigned.

The packages which are usually sent with meat
are too large, even those baskets from Edinburgh
and Leith, which contain six or seven carcasses
of mutton, or six or seven cwt. of beef. Their
capacity contains too much meat to be packed to-
gether in one space, without incurring the risk of
injury by bruising, staining, and heating. Those
heavy weights create much trouble in getting them
on board ship, or from ship to the waggon and
carts in London, where the crane is obliged to be
used, and much time consumed in the mere trans-
ference of them to market. Frequently the upper
packages on the waggons are thrust down to the
street from a height of eight or ten feet; and
should any of the baskets or packages ever yield
or break from the superincumbent pressure, the
meat will no less be bruised than by the fall to the
ground. Some reformation in this respect is ab-
solutely necessary to be adopted by the shippers,
in order to remove obloquy from a trade which
doubtlessly confers benefits on both countries,
and to uphold, by judicious management, the de-
servedly high character which Scotch meat has
acquired in London.

As a means of promoting this reformation, we
would recommend that all meat should be sent in
baskets, their lightness, elasticity, and handiness
being superior to wooden boxes of the same
strength and probable durability. They should
not be larger than to contain three carcasses of
mutton or pork of 801b. each. Their length should
be that of the carcass, and their breadth so as to
contain three carcasses on a tier, which a depth
of fifteen or sixteen inches will be able to do. In

2 A 2

452

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

such baskets a hind-quarter of beef, with the fore
and middle rib pieces, could be packed. The beef
or mutton would only thus exceed a little more
than two cwt., — a weight which two men could
easily move about, and carts convey away. Each
carcass of mutton or pork, or pair of hind-quar-
ters of mutton, or hind-qiiarters of beef, rumps
and loins, or fore and middle ribs, should be en-
veloped in stout, clean, dry linen cloth. The
pieces should be packed into the basket in an even
and firm manner, to prevent twisting or friction ;
and if any space is likely to occur, it should be
filled up with hard wheat straw, free from dust
and chaff. Were these precautions invariably used
in sending meat to London, at least a half-penny
a-pound would be gained on its price, and the
meat arrive in good marketable order ; and there
is no manual difficulty in the whole process to pre-
vent any shipper adopting them. The packages
of meat sent to London from the country parts of
England are not heavier than the basketfuls we
have recommended.

5. Stowing Meat on Board Ship. — Although
the shipper may technically have little control in
stowing the cargo of a vessel, that being under the
immediate charge of the first mate, yet if he knows
what is the best method of stowing, he may gain
his object by direct agreement before the
shipment of his goods ; and especially as he
is charged extra freight for meat, at least
double that for ordinary goods, it being con-
sidered a perishable commodity, he has a
sort of right to see that his packages should not
be placed in the worst possible position in the
ship. They should, if possible, be kept on deck,
for the benefit of coolness and air ; but if that is
impracticable under the circumstances, then in
that case they should be placed in a cool, dry si-
tuation below ; and in winter meat in that situ-
ation will long keep fresh and sweet. In no situ-
ation, whether above or below deck, ought they
to be placed near the furnaces or funnel ; and in
case of shipping seas, they should be placed on
dunnage at least four inches in height from the
deck, and covered with tarpaulins ; for nothing
stains and extracts the juices from meat so rapidly
as sea-water.

6. Stowing Live Stock on Board Ship — The
steam-vessels which navigate the Irish Channel
are much belter fitted up for the conveyance of
live stock than those on the east coast. They
have a spacious deck above, and twin decks be-
low, so that generally they have accommodation
for a large immber of animals. Stalls are erected
for cattle, and pens for sheep and pigs. Rings
are placed, to which the cattle are fastened, who
have as much liberty as to yield to the motion
of the ship, and stand up together. The venti-
lation is also complete between decks, where of
course cattle and pigs are more comfortable in
coarse weather. The stock it is true arrive in
London in the vessels on the east coast in good
order, although they do not there enjoy the same
accommodation and fitments as in the Irish ves-
sels, nor are the fastenings of cattle so secure.
Our opinion is, however, that more than two fat
oxen should not stand together, and both fastened
with chains or new ropes ; nor should more than
twenty sheep or pigs be coniined in the same pen.
When larger numbers are congregated together,
they run the risk of being smothered, in case of
falling down by the motion of the vessel. In this
way, at one time, upwards of 100 sheep were smo-
thered, in the passage from Hull to London, and

frequent instances of smothering, to a smaller ex-
tent, have occurred on board steam-vessels. A
man should be appointed to superintend every
thirty cattle, and another the sheep. Cattle should
be allowed a stone of hay, and about five gallons
of water each, every day. Clover may be given
to sheep in summer, but to cattle always hay and
water. In winter, sheep get hay, which can be
slung for them in racks attached to the side of the
pens ; and should the voyage exceed two days,
they should be supplied with water in small
troughs, which couUl also be hung up against the
pens : but sheep never consume much food on
board ship. Pigs are easily fed on board ship on
raw potatoes, and a little water.

After a pretty mature consideration of exporta-
tion of live stock by steam to London, we are con-
vinced, that ultimately, that will be the prevailing
mode of transmitting all the cattle, lean and fat,
from the eastern and northern counties of Scot-
land to England. The fat stock will of course be
sent direct to London, whilst the lean will find a
suitable outlet at Hull, as being perhaps the near-
est point to the pastures of Yorkshire, Leicester-
shire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Essex. The
only barrier against the immediate adoption of this
trade, is the high freights charged by owners of
steam-vessels. We do not mean even to insinuate
that the present freights are higher than the owners
can afford to exact, but we think, that were they
to encourage exportation of stock by steam at all
seasons, by a reduction of freights, they would
ultimately secure to themselves a source of unin-
terrupted employment ; and when the trade was
entirely established in all its bearings, which it is
not yet, it would prove profitable to all the parties
engaged in it, and none of them would afterwards
be disposed to relinquish it. We appeal to the
present stock-trade from Ireland by steam-vessels
in justification of our opinion, in pursuance of
which, hundreds of cattle and sheep are daily
transported in all states of condition, to various
ports in England, whence to be removed, either
to the shambles, or feeding courts, or pastures in
the interior. Since Scotland is similarly situated
as Ireland in regard to the overproduction of stock
for the consumption of her own inhabitants, what
is to prevent her prosecuting the same kind of
trade, in proportion to her capabilities, and if the
conveyance of stock affords profit across the Irish
channel (which it certainly does, or so many
dealers and shipowners would not continue in it
so long from so many ports,) what is to prevent a
similar trade from affording profit in the German
Ocean 1

But let freights continue as they are, we main-
tain that dealers in cattle would derive more pro-
fit in sending them to the English markets by
steam than by land. For we have seen that cattle
of ordinary weights of 50 imperial stones, lose as
much as six stones in travelling to Barnet : hea-
vier cattle will lose more, and lighter less, so that
quantity may safely be taken as the average loss ;
but it is objected to this conclusion, that there
are more cattle sent by land under than above 50
stones. Still we say, that is chiefly occasioned, if
it be the fact, by the cii'cumstance of all cattle
that are obliged to be travelled on foot, being kept
in a lean state; but now that the fat market is
ready to receive fat cattle by steam at all times,
and when the desire of Scotch agriculturists is
evidently to conjoin the separate profits of the
breeder and feeder, much more fat will yearly be
prepared for market, than has been the practice

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

453

heretofore. Now, it is commonly believed, that
about 20,000 cattle are annually reared over and
above the local demand in the counties on the
eastern coast of Scotland. We have seen that
cattle sent by steam, only lose about two stones,
but by superior arrangement and accommodation
they may lose even less during the few hours em-
bracing a London voyage. We have also seen
that this loss leaves a ditference of 4 stones each
in favour of steam conveyed cattle, which over
20,000 cattle at 7s. 6d. a stone, leaves a balance of
30,000/. in favour of the transport by steam, after
l)aying the expenses of travelling by land ; and
were the expenses of travelling by land and water
equal, this large sum would, of course, belong to
the dealers ; but were the water carriage by all
that sum dearer than the expenses by land, still
that sum being saved on the condition of the cattle,
is ready to meet the extra charge of steam con-
veyance. To this consideration must be added,
the superior value of the meat transported by
steam, which is equivalent to 6d. per stone, and
which, over the above number of cattle of 48 stones
each, two stones being- lost, would leave for the
dealers 24,000?. more. The same reasoning will
apply to the saving of mutton, by transporting
sheep to the iat market of London, or the grazings
of England ; but as we know of no estimate of the
numbers of sheep annually sent from the eastern
coast of Scotland to England, we need not annoy
our readers with imaginary calculations.

But if steam-navigation effects a saving in the
deterioration of the flesh of animals, it is imma-
terial, in a national point of view, whether that
saving is a pecuniary benefit to the class of dealers
or of shipowners ; but it is a substantial benefit
and saving to the inhabitants of London in par-
ticular. For it will be admitted, that a regular
supply of well-fed meat is an advantage to the
inhabitants of any town, whatever may be the price
exacted for it ; and had it not been for that regular
supply from Scotland in 1836, when fat stock was
scarce in England, the price of butcher's meat
would then have probably risen to an unprece-
dented height in London. Even under ordinary
circumstances it is apparent, that since the supply
of meat by steam, the price of butcher's meat
has fallen from 7d. to 6d. a-pound in London, —
that is fully 14 per cent. Now, the weekly con-
sumption of butcher's meat, according to the
data furnished by Mr. M'Cullock,* amounts to
75,0001., then a weekly saving of 14 per cent,
on that sum gives at least 10,000/., which is
more than half a million a-year saved on this
article of consumption.

As we have endeavoured to make this paper
as practically useful as we could, under the limit-
ed data which we have been able to collect, we
shall subjoin the amount of dues and wharfage
exigible on exporting live stock and meat to Lon-
don ; and also a list of the names and addresses
of a few respectable salesmen in London known
to ourselves.

The Shore-Dues exacted in the ports of Scot-
land vary exceedingly, some ports charging no-
thing for live stock, whilst others charge very
heavy dues ; but the amount of this impost can
be easily learned by any shipper. The wharfage
in London is very heavy on live stock, — a single
ox paying as much as 5s, at one wharf, and only
3s. at another ; .'is. do not appear an exorbiaiit
charge, when cattle have to be brought ashore in

"* Commercial J3ictionary, art. Cattle.

lighters ; but when they merely step ashore, it is
certainly too high an impost. Suppose a steam-
vessel carries up 80 cattle to London, 20L must
be paid for merely permitting them to step across,
or, at most, standing for an hour in a wharf.
The commission charged by salesmen in Smith-
field for cattle of all weights, is 4s a-head, and
6d. for sheep. Out of this charge, the salesman
pays 6d. for each ox, and Is. 6d. per score of
sheep to the banker or money taker. He pays,
besides, 6d. each ox for tolls and drover, which
leaves a clear commission to himself of 3s. a-head
for oxen and 5d. a sheep. The salesman of meat
in Newgate, Leadenhall, and Whitechapel markets,
charge one penny per stone of 81b. on beef, and
9d. each sheep if under 18 lbs. a-quarter, and one
penny per lb. per stone of 8 lb. in addition,
if the sheep is above that weight. Lambs are
charged 9d. each, and pigs Is. each. The sales-
men pay all exiienses that are incurred after the
meat comes into their custody.

We ought to mention that " no salesman, bro-
ker, or factor, employed in buying for others shall
buy for himself in London or within the bills of
mortality, on penalty of double the value of the
cattle bought and sold. — (31st Geo. II, c. 40)"*

LIVE STOCK SALESMEN IN LONDON, WITH THEIR
ADDRESSES WHERE THEY TRANSACT BUSINESS.

Guerrier and Giblett, cattle and sheep salesmen, 8,
West Smithfield.

Duckworth and Sons, cattle and sheep salesmen, 11,
West Smithfield.

William Vorley and Son, cattle salesmen, 41, West
Smithfield.

Walker, cattle saleman, 8, West Smithfield.

Daniel Mavdwell, cattle salesman, 11, West Smith-
field.

Thomas Evans, cattle and sheep salesman, 15, West
Smithfield.

William Collins and Son, cattle and hide salesmen,
60, West Smithfield.

Robert Hammond, cattle salesman, 17, West Smith-
field.

Langford and Elliot, cattle salesmen, 41, West
Smithfield.

MEAT SALESMEN.

Stubbing and Hammond, 2, Newgate New Market.

Duckworth and Kennedy, 31, Newgate Market.

Challis, Harris, and Lee, Newgale and Leadenhall
Markets.

Pocklington, Frackelton,& Jury, 8, Newgate Market.

Richard Hicks, 11, Newgate Market.

John and Ebenezer Wood, 10, Newgate New Market.

Thomas Bonser, 17, Northampton-square, and Rose-
street, Newgate Market.

B. Chandler and Sons, 133, St. JoLn-street, and
Newgate Market.

Edwards and Walker, 2, Newgate Market.

Scales and Co., 4, Newgate New Market.

Benjamin Stubbing, Leadenhall Market.

Scales and Sou, 44, Aklgate High-street.

Samuel Jutsuni, 64, Aldgate High-street.

Daniel Cork, 18, Leadenhall Market.

William Cooper, Prince's Row, Newport Market.

Peacock and Nottige, Newport jMarket.

POULTRY AND GAME SALESMEN.

Ebenezer Howard, Leadenhall Market.

George Bowles, 20, Newgate-street.

William Hayes, 7 and 8, Newgate Market.

Dean and Hatton, 21, Newgate-street.

Bowles and Bewley, 4, Rose-street, Newgate-street.

M'f 'ullocli's Commercial Diet., art. Cattle.

454

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

RUSSIAN AGRICULTURE AND
GRAIN.

The following is from a very able paper on
Russia, written for the " Eiict/clopadia Metro-
poUtana,^' and forming the principal feature in the
last number.

Agriculture. — Russia is essentially an agri-
cultural country, for, assuming the population to be
50,000,000, full 47,000,000 are occupied in the
various branches of agriculture. The amazing fer-
tility of this immense empire is owing to a soil of a
distinct character. We are acquainted with two
points only on the earth's surface in which nature
has deposited a vast and thick layer of decomposed
humus, entirely formed of vegetable remains ; these
are the north of Hindostan and the south of Russia.
(See Ritter, Erdkunde.) This, the principal basis
of the agricultural wealth of Russia, extends from
the north of Volhynia, cutting the system of the
Dnieper near Kiev and rising from this point towards
Orel thence to Kalouga and to the south of Riazan,
until it intersects the system of the Volga between
Nijnii-Novogorod and Kazan, and terminates south
of Viatka, and near Perm, at the foot of the Oural
chain. The same soil is prolonged, on one side,
from this line, to the Blacksea; and, on the other,
stretches from Perm to Orenburg, and thence to the
Caspian. It circumscribes the region, recognised
by Humboldt to lie on a level with the ocean, from
Orenburg to Saratov, and which, sinking to Tsaritsyn
and thence to Kizliar, on the Terek, terminates in a
semicircle, forming a basin once occupied by the sea,
and the level of which is in some parts, as in the
vicinity of Astrakhan, 97 metres below the ocean.
These vast plains, below or on a level with the sea,
form a superfices of 18,000 square leagues ; but the
entire region, which we have described as a centre of
fertility, presents a surface of more than 65,000
square geographical leagues, or, in other words, an
extent exceeding France, Spain, and Prussia united.
It is covered throughout with a layer of vegetable
humus, varying from a metre to a metre and a half in
thickness, and of such productive powers as not to
tolerate the least manure. Its fertility is exhibited
in two products, corn and cattle. It supplies almost
all the grain consumed by that portion of the Russian
territory extending north of the 61st parallel; re^
stores the equilibrium between the production and
consumption of the region lying between the 54th
and 60th jiarallels ; and finally pours over the rest of
Europe by the Baltic and Black Seas, whenever a
demand is made, corn to an amount exceeding four
millions sterling. According to M. Weydemeyer,
rye returns, in some districts, twenty, and even
thirty for one ; barley and oats, from five to fifteen ;
and wheat from five to thirty fold. This layer of
humus, thus distinguished by its luxuriant harvests,
is only partly employed in the production of grain,
from the thinness of the population. Were it
peopled only in the same ratio as Belgium, it could
support upwards of 124,000,000 of human beings;
but its largest superfices is still covered with the
widely extended pastures or steppes, on which in-
numeriible herds are reared almost without expense.
This line of steppes, which is comprehended in the
region above described, extends from about 25
leagues south of Kiev to Pavlovsk on the banks of
the Don, stretching thence to Saralov on the Volga it
strikes the city of Orenburg, and from this point
takes into its domain the low, and formerly sub-
marine country, surrounding the Caspian. In the

higher grounds are reared horned cattle, sheep, and
horses ; and in the lower, which are in general sandy
and impregnated with salt, the same animals and
camels. Two large oases must be noticed as oc-
curring in the midst of these steppes ; they form the
country of the Little Russians, and that of the Cos-
sacks.

Corn, &c. — It has been seen that corn constitutes
the principal wealth of the Russian soil. Reckoning
one year with another, there are sown in its European
portion 50,000,000 of chetwerts, which yield about
167,500,000 chetwerts. Almost all the Provinces
furnish more than is required for their own con-
sumption. According to M. Schnitzler, there are
only the Governments of Petersburg, Moscow,
Arkhangel, Vologda, and Perm, which consume
more than they produce; the last from being a raining
district, the two first from their populousness, and
the remaining two from the rigour of the climate.
The most fertile Provinces are those of Orel, Kazan,
Nijnii-Novogorod, Penza, Tambov, and Koursk.
Rye and oats are the grains most generally cultivated,
and their yearly produce may he valued at nearly
24,000,000/. The finest wheat is raised in the South,
where alone the land can be said to be really
ploughed ; even here the rotation of crops is very
little understood. In the interior the plough is a
wretched instrument, which merely scratches the
surface, and the harrow is wholly of wood. How-
ever, these disadvantages set in still stronger light
the amazing productiveness of the soil. Hemp and
flax form the next most important article of culture :
the first is raised in abundance in the environs of
Novogorod, Tver, and Riga, and grows naturally
on the banks of the Volga, the Terek, and the Oural ;
the second is grown, of excellent quality, throughout
central Russia and the Baltic Provinces ; that raised
on the banks of the Kama is in most esteem for its
length. The export of these articles, of late years,
has averaged upwards of two millions sterling.
Tobacco is largely cultivated in the Ukraine, and in
the Southern Provinces generally. Hops grow wild
in numerous places ; they are mostly exported.
" Vineyards," says M. Schnitzler, " are rare, and
their first plantation does not date beyond a century
back. The grapes of Astrakhan are distinguished
for size and flavour, and are preserved the winter
through ; they form, as fruit, an article of commerce,
but are not calculated for wine. The wines of the
Crimea and those of the Caucasus are of indifferent
quality, and are only drunk mixed with foreign
wines or brandy. Foreigners have been summoned
to Russia to introduce the most approved methods
into the vineyards here ; and, meanwhile, the Cos-
sacks of the Don prepare their vino marozka, or frozen
wine, with grapes, berries of all sorts, and brandy,
an essential ingredient of every good drink manufac-
tured by the Russians and their neighbours."

AMERICAN THUMB WHEAT.

Mr. Editor, — Seeing- in your paper of the 23rd ult,,
some remarks on the Chevalier Wheat, 1 beg- to hand
you an account of some which I planted called Thumb,
or Turkish Wheat ; it grows in bunches bearded some-
thing like Cone Wheat, or Rivets. It produced at t!ie
rate of 12 quarters 4 bushels per acre ; some of the heads
produced 156 corns and the produce of straw nearly 5
tons to the acre. Should any of your readers feel in-
terested in this matter, you will be kind enough to give
them a reference to your constant reader,
—Reading Mercury. AGRICOLA,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE;

455

GREAT AGRICULTURAL
AT DUMFRIES

MEETING

ROYAL HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

Great Agricultural Meeting and General Show
OF Live Stock at Dumfries, under the Patron-
age OF the Highland and Agricultural Society
OF Scotland.

This great meeting, the second which has been
held under the auspices of the Society at Dumfries,
took place on Wednesda}', 4th October.

The noblemen and gentlemen forming the Com-
mittee were in attendance at the early hour of ten,
on the morning of Tuesday, Mr. Hope Johnstone,
M. P., Convener of the Committee, in tlie chair, for
the appointment of the various Sub-Committees that
were to undertake the active duties of the succeeding
day, and the following gentlemen were appointed
Judges for deciding the premiums for the different
classes of stock, and other subjects of competition.

For Galloway Cattle — Sir James Graham,
Bart, of Netherby ; Mr. Andrews Dalgairns, Ing-
liston ; Mr. Patrick Kirkaldy, Fullerton ; and Mr.
Miller of Ballumbie, from Forfarshire.

For Short-horn Cattle — The Marquis of Tweed-
dale ; Mr. John Grey, Dilston, Northumberland ; and
Mr. John Heriot, Ladykirk, Berwickshire.

For Ay'rshire Cattle — Mr. Bartlemore, Seaside ;
and Mr. Findlay, Lyonstone, Ayrshire.

For West Highland Cattle — Mr. Lome Camp-
bell, Roseneath.

For Cattle of any breed — The same Judges as
for the short-horns.

For Horses — Mr. Dick, Lecturer on Veterinary
Science in Edinburgh : Mr. Walter Cossar, Dunse,
and Mr. James Stewart of Gillesbie.

For Leceister Sheep — The same Judges as for
the short-horns.

For Cheviot Sheep, not fat— Mr. Graham of
Shaw ; Mr. Elliot, Eskdale ; and Mr. Kennedy
Nithsdale.

For Cheviot Sheep, fat — Mr. Pagan, Liverpool.

For Black-faced Sheep— Mr. Gillespie, Douglas
Mill, Lanarkshire ; and Mr. Lome Campbell.

For every kind of Cross in Sheep — The
Marquis of Tweeddale ; Mr. Grey, ; Mr, Heriot; and
Mr. Handley, M. P. for Lincolnshire.

For Swine — Mr. Pagan ; and Mr. Wetherell,
Durham.

For Extra Stock — Mr. Handley ; Mr. Charles
Stewart, Hillside, Dumfries-shire ; Mr. Hunt of Pit-
tencrieff, Fifeshire ; and Mr. Wightman, Courance,
Dumfries - shire ; — assisted by the Judges of the cor-
responding classes in competition.

For Butter and Cheese — Mr. Hill, Edinburgh.

For Implements — The Duke of Buccleuch ; Mr.
Heathcoate, M. P. for Tiverton ; Mr. Parkes Lanca-
shire; Captain Johnston, R. N., of Cowhill ; Mr.
Stewart, Cairasmuir, Dumfries-shire ; and Mr. Slight,
Curator of the Society's models, Edinburgh.

For Roots and Seeds — Sir William Jardine,
Bart., of Applegarth ; Mr. Hannin, Drumlanrig ;
Captain Johnston ; Mr. Lawson, the Society's Seeds-
man ; and Mr. Henry Stephens, Edinburgh.
For Wool —Mr. Nixon, manufacturer, Hawick.

For Sweepstakes— Mr. Bartlemore ; Mr. Findlay ;
Mr. Gillespie ; Mr. Campbell ; Mr. Dick; Mr. Cossar.

The stock of all kinds brought forward, in compe-
tition for the premiums, amounted to 784, being 278
more than were exhibited at the former meeting at
Dumfries in 1830, and tlie largest number that had
yet been exhibited at any of tlie Society's Shows.

cattle.
Of tlie Galloway breed, 85 animals were entered
for competition, namely, 7 bulls, 19 cows, 18 quays.

and the remainder oxen and young stock. The
small number of bulls, 4 of the whole number being-
bull stirks of the indigenous breed of the county,
cannot fail to excite surprise, for the comparative
large number of cows evince that this breed is still
extensively cultivated, and the general excellent
quality of the cows exhibited, also prove that it has
not been deteriorated. Indeed, there is no danger of
deterioration in quality, or diminution in number, so
long as the Galloway stock shall continue to be fa-
vourites in the London market. Comparing them
with the kindred breeds in Angus and Buchan, they
exhibit superior disposition to fatten, and lay on
more flesh on the most valuable points. Amongst
the competitors of this class of stock we are pleased
to record the names of the Earl of Galloway, Earl of
Selkirk, and Mr. J. J. Hope Johnstone of Annan-
dale, M. P.

The Premiums awarded were as follows : — For the
class of bulls, the first premium of twenty sovereigns,
or a piece of plate of tiiat value, was awarded to Mr.
William Marshall, Kirkland ; and the second, of
ten sovereigns, to Mr. Alexander Sproat, Brig-
house.

For the class of bull stirks, calved after 1st Jan-
uary, 1836, the premium was awarded to Mrs.
Sproat, Grennan.

For the best pair of fat oxen, calved after 1st
January, 1834, the first premium of ten sovereigns
was awarded to Mr. Mure, Grange and the second,
to Stair H. Stewart, Esq. of Physgill.

For the best single fat ox, the premium was
awarded to Mr. Hope Johnstone.

For the best pair of speyed heifers, calved after
1st January, 1834, the premium was awarded to
Mr. Mure, Grange ; and for single speyed heifers,
calved after 1st January, 1833, the premium was also
awarded to Mr. Mure, Grange.

The first premium for cows was awarded to the
Earl of Galloway; and the second to Mr. William
Sproat, Borness.

For the best pair of queys, calved after 1st Jan-
uary, 1835, the first premium was awarded to Mr.
William Sproat, Borness ; the sscond to the Earl of
Selkirk ; and the third to Stair H. Stewart, Esq.

In the class of stirks, calved after 1st January,
1836, the first premium was awarded to Mrs. Sproat,
Grennan ; and the second to Mr. Alexander, Cul-
cagrie.

In thifs class of stock the Judges commended the
fat ox belonging to Mr. Mure, Grange, as an animal
of great merit ; as also the cows belonging to Mr.
William Gilkerson, Beaumont, Cumberland, Mr.
John JNlackenzie, Barnhill and Mr. John Maxwell,
Westwater. They considered the whole class of
queys calved after 1st January, 1835, as being very
superior.

In the class of short-horns, the number of animals
entered for competition was 21, comprising 6 bulls,
4 bull stirks, 7 cows, and 4 heifers. It is pleasing
to observe the extension of this fine race of animals,
and the more particularly so that in this part of the
country, at the former show of the Society at Dum-
fries there was no breeding stock of this class exhi-
bited. In the class of bulls the first premium of 20
sovereigns was awarded to Mr. William Mylne,
East Lothian, and the second premium of 10 sove-
reigns to Mr. George Reid, Ballancreiff, in the same
county. The honorary silver medal was awarded to
the breeder of the best bull. The young bulls were
considered by the Judges as undeserving of com-
mendation. In the class of cows, the premium of
10 sovereigns was awarded to John Stewart Lyon,
Esq., of Kirkmichael. For the best heifer calved

456

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

after the 1st of January, 1835, the first premium was
awarded to Mr. John Graham, Kirkandrews-upon-
Eden, Cumberland. The Judges remarked that all
the heifers in this class were very good.

In the class of Ayrshire stock although the
number of competitors was limited, there were some
fine specimens exhibited. There were 6 bulls, 11
cows, and 14 queys. For the best bull calved be-
tween Jan. 1834 and Jan. 1835, the premium of 15
sovereigns was awarded to Mr. Allan Kirkpatrick,
Millreocb, Ayrshire. Mr. James Speirs, Raithill,
was the breeder of this bull, and to him was awarded
tha honorary silver medal. For the best cow, the
first premium of 10 sovereigns was awarded to Mr.
James Wilson Knockshinnoch, Ayrshire ; and the
second premium to C. G. S. Menteath, Esq. of
Closeburn. For the best pen of queys, calved after
the 1st Jan. 1835, the first premium was awarded to
Mr. James Newbigging, Poniel, Lanarkshire ; and
the second to Mr. George Lorimer, Kirkland, Dum-
fries-shire. Commendation was passed by the
Judges on the bulls belonging to Mr. Theophilus
Paton, Swinlees, and Mr. ^\'^lliam Milligan, Nether
Dalpedder. The queys belonging to IMr. William
Walker, Kelburne Place, Ayrshire, and Mr. John
Borland, New Cample, Dumfries-shire, were also
favourably noticed.

The first and second premiums for fat oxen of the
West Highland breed, were awarded to C. G. S.
Menteath, Esq., of Closeburn.

For the best fat ox of any breed, pure or cross,
calved after the 1st. January, 1833, the premium of
10 sovereigns was awarded to J. Stewart Lyon, Esq.,
of Kirkmichael, for his white ox. The Judges ex-
pressed their opinion that the two short-horn oxen
exhibited by Mr. Lyon in this class were fine
animals, and in perfect maturity.

HORSES.

Of horses there were exhibited in competition 16
stallions, 19 brood mares, six draught geldings, and
four fillies- Amongst the stallions there were some
fine animals, but the fillies possessed no merit.
The premium of 20 soverigns for the best draught
stallion from three to twelve years old, was awarded
to Mr. Loudon, Cranstoun, Abington, Lanarkshire.
For the best stallion, from three to twelve years old,
for breeding coach or chariot horses, the premium of
20 soverigns was awarded to the beautiful bay horse
belonging to Mr. Robert Moffat, Scaleby, Cumber-
land. For brood mares, the premium of 10 soverigns
was warded to Mr. George Hislop, Moat, Cumber-
land. For three-year-old draught geldings, the
premium was awarded to Mr. James Smith, Roberton,
Kirkcudbright.

Were it not that it was considered an animal of
too great size and strength for agricultural purposes,
the stallion belonging to Mr. James Steedman, Bog-
hall, near Edinburgh, would, in the opinion of the
Judges, have deserved the premium. This animal
possessed perfect symmetry and fine action.

SHEEP.

The sheep stock brought forward iu competition,
was very numerous, indeed, more so than at any
former general show, there being no fewer than 512
exhibited. The first in order was the Leicester
breed, in which the first pi'emium often soverigns,
for tups not exceeding five years old, was awarded
to Mr. Wm. Marshall, Kirkcudbright ; and the
second, to the Duke of Buccleuch.

For shearling tups, the premium was awarded to
Mr. William Brcdie, X'pper Keith, Haddington.

In the class of ewes , the premium was awarded to
Mr. Sober, Watkin, Plumpton Wall, Cumber-
land.

In the Cheviot breed, for the best three tups not
exceeding 43 months old, the first premium of tea
sovereigns, was awarded to Mr. William Aitchison,
Menzion J and the second, to Mr. James Brydon,
Moodlaw, Dumfriesshire.

For the best pen of ten ewes, not exceeding six
years old, the first premium of ten sovereigns, was
awarded to Mr. James Brydan, Moodlaw, Dumfries-
shire ; and the second, to Mr. Thomas Little, Penny-
and, Dumfriesshire.

For the best pen of ten gimmers, Mr. Little also
obtained the premium.

For fat wedders, not exceeding fifty-six months
old, the premium was awarded to Mr. Thomas
Laurie, Terreglestown, Kirkcudbright: and for fat
wedders, not exceeding thirty-two months old, Mr.
Laurie also obtained the premium.

In the black-faced breed, for tups not exceeding
forty-three months old, the first premium cf ten
soverigns, was awarded to Mr. 11. M'Turk, Hastings-
hall, Dumfriesshire; and the second to Mr. James
Welsh Braefoot, in the same county. For ewes, not ex-
ceeding six years-old, the first premium was awarded
to Mr. Andrew Weir, Linburn, Ayrshire ; and the
second to Mr. James Milligan, Kirkhope, Dumfries-
shire.— For gimmers of the same class, the premium
was awarded to Mr. James Milligan, HayfielJ, Dum-
friesshire. For fat wedders, not exceeding fifty-six
months old, Mr. Thomas Robertson, Broomlee,
Peeblesshire, obtained the premium, and Mr.
Charles Stewart of Hillside, Dumfriesshire, obtained
the premium for fat wedders, not exceeding thiity-
two months old.

For wedders of a cross between Cheviot ewes and
Leicester tups not exceeding twenty months, the
first premium was awarded to Mr. James Mitchell,
Bankhead, Dumfriesshire ; and the second to Mr.
Thomas Laurie, Terreglestown. In the class of
any cross, under thirty-two months old, Mr. Laurie
also obtained the premium for his wedders. For
lambs from cheviot ewes, by Leicester rams, and
dropped from the 1st. of March, the premium was
awarded to Mr. Archibald Roden, Duncow, Dum-
friesshire ; and for lambs, a cross between Cheviot
and black-faced ewesand any ram, except Leicester,
the premium was awarded to George Bell, Esq.,
Woodhouselees, Dumfriesshire.

SM'INE.

For this district of the country the competition for
swine was very limited. The first premium, being
eight sovereigns, was awarded to Richard Tinkler,
Esq., Eden Grove, Westmoreland, for a boar not
under 12 months, not exceeding four years old ; and
the second premium in the same class, was awarded
to Mr. James Wilkin, Tinwald-Downs, Dumfries-
shire. The Judges reported that the sows exhibited
in competition, were not of sufficient merit to de-
serve premiums — and in the class of young pigs there
was even no competition.

EXTRA STOCK.

A great variety was produced under this head,
many of them possessing much merit. Premiums
were recommended for bulls belonging to the follow-
ing exhibitors, viz. to Mr. John Cleland, New Dairy,
Mr. Laurence Drew, Carmyle Mills, Mr. Anthony
Rigg, Torkatrine, and Mr. John M'Kenzie, Barnhill.
For cows to Mr. John Cleland, Mr. Laurence Drew,
and Mr. Studholme, Kingmoor House, Cumberland,
and also to this last-mentioned exhibitor a premium
was recommended for a short-horn heifer. For oxen,
premiums were recomraeded to be voted to the
Duke of Buccleuch, for two very fine dun West
Highlanders — to Mr. John M'Queen, Auchenhay,
for two Aberdeen polled stots, commended as store

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.'

457

cattle ; and to Mr. William Martin, Dardarroch, for
a two-yesr-old Galloway stot. For two very fine
speyed Galloway heifers, a premium was recom-
mended to the Earl of Galloway. For Leicester
sheep premiums were recommended to Mr. John
Bell, Harraby, Cumberland, Mr. Wm. Purvis,
Burnfoot, and IMr. Jas. Wilkin, Tinwald-downs,
For eight Cheviot tup lambs, to Mr. William Pater-
son, Terregles; and to Mr. Thomas Little, Penny-
land, for ten Cheviot ewe lambs. For black-faced
sheep, to Mr. Adam Blacklock, Minnigaff; IMr. Jas.
Milligan, Hayfield, and Mr Hope Hunter, Kirkton.
For a colt a premium was recommended to JMr.
Chas. Philip, Craikup ; for a very good mare and foal,
to Mr. Jas, Church, i'ower of Sark ; and for a foal,
to Mr. Thos. Dalzell, Holm. The stallion. Grey
Wiganthorpe, belonging to Mr. Feigusson, Cumber-
land, was highly recommended by the Judges as a
breeder of coach and hunting horses. For pigs, in
this class, premiums were recommended to be
awarded to P. Miller, Esq., Forrest, and to Mr.
John M'Turk, Pennershaughs. The stock exhibited
by Mr. Lawrence Drew, Mr. John Cieland, and Mr.
John Lorimer, were favourably noticed by the
Judges.

IMPLEMENTS.

In this department tha exhibition was extensive,
and of considerable interest. Premiums were re-
commended to Mr. Cbarteris, Dumfries, for a model
of the Hydro-Pneumatic Pump; to JMr. Geddes,
Cargen-bridge, for a Turnip Drill, with an im-
proved Seed Discharger; also a Plough, with a
sowing apparatus and harrow attached ; and, like-
wise, a Turning Machine, for making rake and fork
handles ; to Mr. John Hamilton, Torthorwald, for
various agricultural implements of good workman-
ship ; to Mr. John Harris, Dalscairth, for the work-
manship exhibited in the manufacture of a double
Paring Plough ; io Mr. John Hunter, Morton Mill,
for a machine attached to a common cart, for filling
and rolling the ruts of roads ; to Mr. Thomas
Plamilton, Ryedale Tile Works, for specimens of
Draiu Tiles of superior texture. Mr. Buchanan
of Glasgow exhibited a Carriage, which he styles
the Equirotal Carriage. A Sub- soil Plough, con-
vertible into a draining and trenching plough, vras
exhibited by the Muirkirk Iron Company.

ROOTS AND SEEDS.

The exhibition in this department excited con-
siderable interest, for, besides the splendid collec-
tion of Messrs. Lawson and Son of Edinburgh, the
nursery and seedsmen to the Society, there were no
fewer than twenty exhibitors, each of whom ex-
hibited good specimens ; and premiums were recom-
mended to the following exhibitors, viz. : — To Mr.
Thomas Smith, Penfillan, for a new potato from
Chili, and for a new white carrot with green top ;
Mr. Robert Robson, Gallowberry, for a new early
oat, weighing 451bs. per bushel ; Mr. R. Arthur,
Walltower, North Berwick, for fifty-two varieties
of seedling potatoes; Mr. VVilliara Skirving, Liver-
pool, for improved Swedish Turnips ; Mr. James
Biggar, King's Grange, near Castle-Douglas, and
Mr. Thomas Kennedy, Dumfries, for superior rye-
grass seed ; and Mr. William Hodson, Walton, near
Whitehaven, for superior Swedish turnips. The
various specimens of seeds and roots exhibited by
Messrs. William Samson and Co., Kilmarnock ; Mr.
J.'Hannay,Dalquhan ; Mr.Thomas Hannah, Mosside
of Maybie ; Mr. Andrew Duff, Denvale Park ; Mr.
James Smith, Ayr ; IMr. Clover, Torthorwald; Mr.
J.Johnstone, Conhealh ; William Maxwell, Esq. of
Carruchan ; Mr. Daniel Macnaughtan, Airdrie, near

Kirkbean ; Patrick Miller, Esq., Forrest — were con-
sidered worthy of notice.

Amongst several new and rare species of seeds
and plants exhibiled by Messrs. Lawson and Son,
we cannot refrain especially noticing the following,
viz. : — The Rohan potato ; the golden globe mangel
wurzel ; a very luxuriant specimen of vicia villosa;
the Cumberland new early oat, and the winter oat ;
Italian and Annat barleys ; new ten-rowed Chevalier
wheat ; diamond drop wheat ; Whitworth's prolific
wheat; Russell's white wheat, and Victoria spring
v;^heat ; cheiwpodium 'pdnoa, from the mountainous
northern districts of South America; an improved
Heligoland bean ; poa nemoralis %ar, nervosa ; the
gama grass from North America ; Alsike clover from
Sweden; several species of melilots ; Finusunc'mata
and pyrenaiea, obtained from the Pyrenees, through
the kindness of Sir John Nasmyth, Bart., of Posso ;
interesting specimens of the Piniis Austriaca and
sylvestris, exhibiting the comparative superiority in
growtli of the former.

BUTTER AND CUEESE.

The competition in this department of the froducts
of live stock was numerous, and the various speci-
mens exhibited considerable excellence. The first
premium for butter was awarded to Mrs. Fairbairn,
Westerkirk, Langholm ; and the second premium to
Mr. Patrick Trainer, Castle-Douglas. The first pre-
mium for full-milk cheese was awarded to Mrs.
Janet IMackie, Lime-kilns, Annan; and the second
premium to Mr. Gavin Hamilton, Little Milton,
Kirkudbrigbt. For skim-milk cheese the first pre- "
mium was awarded to Mrs. Janet Mackie ; and the
second to Mr. William Niven, Barnmuir, Closeburn,
Dumfries-shire.

WOOL.

For the best lot of combing wool, of seven fleeces,
the premium was awarded to Mr. William Marshall,
Kirkland, Kirkudbrigbt.

For the best sample of white Cheviot wool, the
premium was awarded to Mr. Robert Laidlaw,
Nether Cassock, Langholm.

SWEEPSTAKES.

The competition in this particular department
was extremely limited, and only consisted of Ayr-
shire Bulls, the sweepstakes on which was gained
by Mr. Theophilus Paton, Swinlees, Ayrshire ; of
Ayrshire Queys, gained by Mr. George Lorimer,
Kirkland, Dumfries-shire ; of Mares, gained by Mr.
Lawrence Drew, Carmyle Mills, Lanarkshire ; of
hlack-faced Tups, gained by Mr. Robertson, Broom-
lee, Peebles-shire; and of black-faced Ewes, gained
by Mr. Andrew Weir, Linburn, A.yrshire, and Mr.
James Milligan, Kirkhope, Dumfries-shire.

This meeting of the society excited great interest,
not only in the local districts immediately connected
with it, but in the other portions of the kingdom,
and even abroad. Distinguished visitors from Eng-
land, Ireland, France, and Germany, combined to
render the meeting one of national importance. Much
interest was excited by the presence of Mr. Heath-
coat's Steam Plough, which had been brought from
England at much labour and cost, in order to ex-
hibit the mode of its operation in Lochar Moss.

THE DINNER.

About five o'clock, the company began to move
towards the pavilion, built for the occasion, adjoining
the New Assembly Rooms, George-street ; and at six
o'clock precisely the Chair was taken by the Marquis
of Tweeddale — supported on the right by the Duke of

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE;

Buccleuch, Viscount Sydney, Sir James Grabam of
Netherby, Bart., the Rev* John Yorstoun, of
Torthorwald, and Mr. Payne; and on tbe left by the
Earl of Galloway, the Earl of Traquair, the Right
Hon. R. C. Fergusson, of Craigdarrocb, M.P., the
Hon. Sir Edward Vavasour, Mr. Evans, one of the
Members of the County of Dublin, and Provost
Kemp. J. J. Hope Johnstone, Esq. of Annandale,
M.P., officiated as Croupier — and seated either im-
mediately adjoining him, or in the body of the House,
we observed the Earl of Selkirk, Viscount Glandine,
the Hon. P^dward Lascelles, the Hon. Mr. Langdale,
M.P., the Master of Rollo, Sir Robert Abercromby,
Sir Wm. Maxwell, Sir Wm. Jardine, Sir John
Gordon, Sir John Stuart Forbes, Barts. ; Sir Charles
Gordon, Secretary to the Society ; Mr. Handley,
M.P., Mr. Heathcoat, M.P., Mr. Blair, M.P., Gen.
Sharpe, M.P., Mr. Pringle, M.P., Mr.Hastie, M.P.,
&c. &c. The principal Landed Proprietors of
Dumfries-shire and Galloway acted as Stewards, to
whom, and to the Judges, proper places were
assigned.

The cloth havingr been removed.
The Chairman proposed, in succession, " The
Queen," and " The Queen-Dowager, and the rest
of the Royal Family ;" both which toasts were drank
with the utmost enthusiasm.

The Chairman then proposed " The Army and
Navy."

General SiiARrE returned thanks.
The Noble Chairman rose, amidst much cheering,
and said — I am now about to propose a toast whicli
has always proved a most acceptable one at the great
meetings of the Highland and Agricultural Society
of Scotland. It would not be becoming in me, as
one of the office-bearers of this Society, to pronounce
whether the exertions of the Highland and Agricul-
tural Society, in promoting the interests of agri-
culture, have had all the effects which we desired
from them ; neither is it for me to say whether the
system which has been adopted to carry out those im-
portant measures is the one best suited for that pur-
pose. It is for this company to say whether we have
been successful or not — (great cheering) — it is for the
agriculturists of Scotland, to whom this Society has
been known for a number of years, to decide. (Con-
tinued cheers.) All that we claim in point of merit
IS, that we have been the willing instruments in
offering to the public detailed results of improve-
ments and of experiments which have been made on
various soils and climates, and which we think best
adapted for this country. Such being our objects,
we feel justified in calling upon the friends of Scot-
land to join our ranks, and to enlist themselves with
us in this grand undertaking. (Cheers.) We have
the means within our reach of imparting to the agri-
cultural youth of Scotland a system of practical
knowledge, superadded to those excellent habits,
which, even in the depression of agriculture under
which their fathers laboured, enabled them, aided by
their economy and industry, to bear up against the
storms which were then about to overwhelm the
agricultural interests of the country. (Cheers.) When
I call upon you to look back for the last twenty
years, or even for a shorter period, I am fully con-
vinced that those even who have lived in parts of
the country the most favoured in soil and climate,
will allow with me, that a knowledge of agricultural
subjects is no longer a monopol3^ How far the
Highland and Agricultural Society has been the
means of effecting this object, it is not for me to
say ; neither is it for me to say what share the High-
land Society has had in stimulating that enterprise
■which now seems to pervade every district in Scot-

land. (Cheers.) Does not the building- in which
we are now enjoying ourselves — (cheers) — do not
the steam plough, and other improvements in ma-
chinery, which have beeu brought, many of them
from a great distance, and at a great expence — does
not the assembling of upwards of one thousand of
the agriculturists in this district — does not the pre-
sence of so many distinguished visitors, whom we
now see around us, and who have taken such a deep
interest in the whole of the proceedings — do not all
these prove — can anything be more convincing —
more decided — than the fact, that the operations of
the Hiohland Society do not only meet with appro-
bation in tl)is part of Great Britain, but also in the
sister kingdom ? (Cheers.) Having said so much
on the advantages of the Highland Societ}^ it is ne-
cessary that I should now mention one or two ob-
jections which have been made in regard to the com-
position of the Society. I have been told by many
persons, that they would wish to see the Highland
Society partake more of a scientific character than
it does at present. But I would call upon those
gentlemen, and ask them what it is they mean by
the word science, as connected with agriculture ;
and I am afraid they would be obliged to explain the
word science by another word, theory. Nothing, I
am convinced, it would be more dangerous for them
than to have it put to the vote of this company, whe-
ther the word practical should be exchanged for the
word theoretical. (Cheers.) If such gentlemen as
I liave alluded to would take the trouble of search-
ing the records of the Highland Society, they would .
find, in the prize essays — in the treatises — in the re-
ports of committees — and in the letters which have
beeu addressed at various times to the Secretary of
the Society — they would find more scientific infor-
mation thus belonging to the Highland Society, than
they would perhaps find in any other institution in
Great Britain. (Cheers.) There is another point,
v,'hich I and others have often felt, and particularly
strangers and visitors in Edinburgh, and that is, the
want of a place in which we might display drawings
of animals — models of agricultural instruments —
specimens of the different kinds of grasses — of the
different kinds of grains — of the different quarries —
marbles — in short, of the minerals and produce of
the country. In that feeling I most sincerely agree;
but I am glad to say that visitors to Edinburgh will
now find a Museum, attended to by Mr. Lawson,
seedsman in that town, where they will find every-
thing in the highest state of perfection ; and nothing
will be more gratifying to the members of the High-
land Society than that strangers coming to Edin-
burgh should honour them by visiting it. {Cheers.}
I am glad, in conclusion, to say, that the reception
which we have met with in this district of Scotland,
has been of the same kind with which we have been
honoured in other parts of the country which we
have visited. If anything were wanting as a stimu-
lus to the Directors of the Society to use their ut-
most exertions in promoting the interests of the
agriculture of the country, I am sure that the lasting
impression which has been made on our minds by
the hospitable and kind way in which we have been
received, will have that effect. I shall now conclude
by proposing " Prosperity to the Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland." (Immense cheer-
ing.)

The Chairman afterwards proposed the " Church
of Scotland."

The Rev. Mr. Yorstoun of Torthorwald returned
thanks.

The Chairman then, after apologising for the un-
avoidable absence of the Duke of Sutherland, Pre-

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459

sident of the Society, proposed the health of that
Nobleman, which was drank with great applause.

The Chairman then proposed the healths of the
Lord-Lieutenants and Lieutenancy of the three coun-
ties immediately associated with the meeting.

The Earl of Galloway said — In the absence of
the Marquis of Queensberry, her Majesty's Lieu-
tenant for the county of Dumfries, whose late indis-
position I am sure is regretted by all present, I beg
leave, in the name of that noble Lord, of myself, and
of the Lieutenancy of the counties, to return our cor-
dial thanks for the honour done to us ; and I can as-
sure you that we shall cordially co-operate in for-
warding the interesting and laudable objects of this
Society. (^Cheers.) If I may calculate on the en-
couragement which this meeting is likely to have
given to others by the gratification of mind which I
have experienced, by the success which has attended
me as a competitor at the exhibition to-daj' (cheers),
then I feel assured that I am justified in adding my
feeble testimony to the weighty authority of the no-
ble Lord beside me, that this in an excellent institu-
tion. (Cheers.) The Highland Society brings to
bear, as was well observed by the noble Chairman,
practical science on the original simplicity of our
agricultural economy — it is the instrument of arous-
ing the dormant energies of our citizens, as well as
of our rural population — it quickens the invention,
and stimulates the exertions of the philosopher and
the mechanic, as well as of tlie farmer and the la-
bourer ; and unites all classes in the great work of
ameliorating, and improving, and benefitting not
their native country only, but the whole human race.
(Great cheering). There is another advantage in
connexion with this association, which I should be
sorry to pass over. It promotes harmony and peace,
the happy offspring of industry, when well directed
and blessed from above. When political meetings
are held, and the mighty and stormy contest of anta-
gonist principles is exhibited, a meeting of this cha-
racter acts as oil poured on the troubled waters
(immense cheering), and serves to show that, for a
moment, men may, wifh advantage, forget their
many differences, and unite in one common and be-
neficial purpose of ameliorating the condition of
their native country. (Continued Cheers.) Having
alluded to other meetings in passing, I would not be
understood as meaning to dispute the necessity or
utility of such meetings. While right and wrong
exist on the earth — while the evil and the well-dis-
posed continue to inhabit the world — while Satan
continues to wage war against the Lord Almighty —
so long will the allies and the enemies of truth — the
friends and foes of religion — be ranged on opposite
sides. But the happy purposes of a meeting like
this disarms for a time the necessity of hostility-
allays the angry passions — brings us back to com-
mon interests — and leads us to the contemplation of
the great Author of our being and all his blessings —
that to him belongs the silver and the gold, and the
cattle upon a thousand hills ; and reminds us of his
promise, that while the earth endures, seed time and
harvest shall not fail. If ever there was a period
when the truth of God falsified the fears of man, it
is now when we compare the abundance of the au-
tumn produce with the scantiness of our spring
hopes. (Cheers.) So has it been with the growtli
of this Society, wliicL has outstripped, in its rami-
fications, the most sanguine hopes of its founders ;
and the Highland Society of Edinburgh, in 1781,
has now become the Highland and Agricultural So-
ciety of Scotland, extending its friendly hand even
to the sister kingdom, and circulating benefits, ad-
vancing civilization, developing knowledge, and sti-

mulating industry in the remotest parts of the globe.
(Cheei-s.) Remembering the purpose for which I
rose, I must again return thanks in the name of the
Lieutenancy of the counties. I congratulate the
members of the Society on its flourishing state.
May it long continue to do so, and become still more
a blessing to this country. (Cheers.) Perhaps you
will permit me to propose another toast before sit-
tingl down — a toast which I am sure will find a re-
sponse in every breast. It is to the health of a No-
bleman who is distinguished alike for his public and
private qualities, who, having won laurels in his
country's cause on the field of battle, has not, on his
return to liis native country, neglected the acts of
peace ; and who has been a patriotic and energetic
supporter of this Institution. (Cheers.) I need not
tell you that the toast is to the liealth of the Noble-
man beside me — " The President of the meeting, the
Marquis of Tweeddale." (Loud cheers.)

The Marquis of Tweeddale returned thanks. He
said — I most sincerely entertain the opinion, that
the more elevated a man's rank may be in this coun-
try, Avhere there is a precedency of rank, the more
ought he to consider himself bound to do all that is
in his power for his country. (Cheers.) It has been
m}"- good fortune to have lived in days when there
was as much excitement and as great stimulus for
young men to serve their country in the field of
battle, as there is now for those who have retired
from that service to come forward and do a'l that is
in their power to promote the interests of agriculture.
(Loud cheers.) If it has been my good fortune to
have served my country either in the one one way or
the other, I must add, that I have been too much
accustomed to hear, at the meetings of the Highland
Society, the compliment which I have this night re-
ceived to tliink myself totally undeserving of it.
(Loud cheers.) So long as I have strength of mind
to devote to the service of the Highland Society, or
any institution of a similar kind, depend upon it that
that will be the great object I shall ever keep in
view. (Cheers.) I now beg to propose a toast. All
persons here must have witnessed, since their com-
ing into the town, the civility and attention which
have been shown to us, the orderly state of the town,
and the kindly disposition of the people towards the
great concourse of strangers which have met on this
occasion. (Cheers.) I have heard with great plea-
sure that the assistance given to our proceedings by
the Provost and Magistrates has been of the greatest
service, and deserves the highest compliment which
it is in the power of this meeting to bestow. I call
upon you, therefore, to drink to " The health of the
Provost and Magistrates, and prosperity to the town
of Dumfries." (Great cheering,')

Provost Kemp returned thanks.

The Duke of Buccleuch was received with loud
and continued cheering. He said — I rise, by per-
mission of the chairman, to propose a toast, and I
can assure you it is with the utmost pleasure I rise
to propose the health of the croupier of this meeting,
Mr. Hope Johnstone. (Loud cheers.) To most of
those present he is well known, and his motives are
duly appreciated ; and to those who do not know
him, I would say that, as a country gentleman, as
a magistrate, and as a landlord, there is no man
whose reputation stands more high for activity and
assiduity in the discharge of his duties : there is no
man more justly and universally popular, or better
liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaint-
ance ; and there is no one wJio takes a greater in-
terest in the proceedings of this society, or in
superintending and forwarding the interests of this
county, in which he resides ; and one need only visit

460

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

the neighbourhood of his estates, to see the active in-
terest which he takes in promoting the prosperity of
that part of the county, aud in setting an example to
others, that each, in his own sphere, may do what
lies in his power to promote the prosperity and wel-
fare of his fellow creatures. (Loud cheering.) I pro-
pose " The health of the croupier, Mr. Hope John-
stone." (Loud cheers.)

- The Croupier was received with much cheering.
After explaining that he accepted his present situation
only in deference to the wishes of the dinner com-
mittee, he said, the terms in which ray noble friend
has alluded to me, makes me regret my inability to
express my gratification ; but I frankly and broadly
acknowledge that my gratification is considerably en-
hanced by the circumstance that my name has been
mentioned by him. (Cheers.) It would be affecta-
tion in me — an affectation of whicli, 1 trust, I am
incapable -to pretend that I am insensible to the
manner in which my health has been received. It
is true that, to a great proportion of those now pre-
sent, my name can be of no consequence, except from
the position in which I now stand ; but I also know
well — I have been made sensible of it for a long pe-
riod of my life, and the events of every day have
brought it more home to my breast — that with many
of those present I stand on the most friendly and af-
fectionate terms. (Cheers.) I should be doing
violence to my own feelings, as well as acting an
ungrateful part to them, if I did not thus publicly
avow that this is one of the greatest enjoyments of
my life. (Continued cheering.) Referring to the
purpose for which we have met, I will say that there
is no man who possesses greater anxiety than myself
for the prosperity of the Highland Society. At the
same time, I feel that my power to do so has been
comparatively small : Early in life I was brought
forward to the discharge of duties which are attached
to the situation I hold ; and I have felt all along that
I should have broken down, and become unable to
discharge them, if it had not been for the kind as-
sistance which I have uniformly received. [Cheers.)
The result of my connexion with this county, and
with all with whom I have had the good fortune to
be associated, has been to produce feelings, and to
establish a connexion on a footing which will con-
tinue as long as my existence ; and I should be
happy to think that it will not end there, but con-
tinue to generations yet to come. (Loud cheers.) 1
shall only say, in conclusion, that, if the welfare of
the Highland Society, or of the district with which
we are connected, can be promoted by any effort of
mine, I shall always endeavour — no matter at what
sacrifice to myself — to promote them to the utmost
of my ability. (Loud cheers.)

The Chairman — I rise now to propose the healths
of the judges — (cheers)— and I trust youwill excuse
me, if in the course of doing so, any observations of
mine should prove disagreeable to any person in the
room. The judges have an important duty to per-
form, which they do in a silent manner, and so escape
displeasure. But it is customary at the meetings of
the Highland Society, for the chairman to express
with good feeling any remarks on the state of the
show, which may have been indicated by the opinions
of the judges. I am glad to say, in the first place,
that the labour of the judges is becoming more diffi-
cult at every meeting of the society which I have
attended. (Cheers.) I trust you will believe that
this does not proceed from any loss of the knowledge
which they may have possessed at former meetings ;
but from the circumstance that there is so much im-
provement in the breeding, crossing, rearing, and
managing of all kinds of animals, as exhibited at

every show, that it is one of the most gratifying
spectacles the judges can contemplate, even though
at the expense of increased labour and difficulty to
them as individuals. (Cheers.) I am old enough to
recollect the day when little or no attention was paid
to the comfort of the animals ; when it was considered
sufficient only to throw the meat down to make them
fat ; and when it was thought that the skin which was
thick enough to keep the water from our feet, must
be thick enough to keep the animal from cold.
(L^aughter and cheers.) But all this is now done
away ; and as a proof of it, I may mention that it
would be difficult any where to produce finer animals
tlian those that were shown on this occasion. I pro-
ceed now to a task which is less pleasing to me, and
have to state that the judges were disappointed in
the show of short-homed yearling bulls ; but a great
source of gratification is, that seven years ago the
same observation was made with respect to Leicester
sheep, and I have no doubt, that in future the suc-
cess of the breeders of short-horned bulls will be
equal to that which has marked the progress of the
Leicester sheep, which, I am happy to say, has ex-
hibited most striking marks of improvement on the
present occasion. (Cheers.) I have no intention to
detain you longer, but beg now to call upon you to
drink the healths of the judges, who have come, man)'-
of them from a great distance, and at great trouble
to themselves. (Cheers.)

John Grey, Esq., of Millfield-hill, Northumber-
land, returned thanks. He said — If I say that we
decided in everv instance inihebest and wisest way
that might have been, I should be arrogating to us a
wisdom more complete, and a judgment more infalli-
ble, than belongs to human nature. But this I can
say, that we endcavouied, and intended in every in-
stance, to do whatis right. (Cheers.) I can bear testi-
mony to the expressions of the noble lord in the chair,
regardino- the great improvement of the exhibition
which we have seen to-day. I had the honour to be
present at the exhibition seven years ago, and there-
fore I am the more capable to make a comparison
between that day and this. I do not wonder that the
native breeds of cattle should be shown in such ex-
cellent condition to-day ; but I must say that the
stocks of Cheviot and black-faced sheep were su-
perb : and though the exhibition in other depart-
ments— in short-horned for instance — was not so nu-
merous as might have been expected, yet there were
animals shown of great individual merit; and the
show of Leicester sheep, as the Chairman remarked,
far exceeded the former one, and indicated the rapid
progress that has been made in the rearing of that
branch of stock. (Cheers.) You will excuse me if
I take up your time for a little longer on the present
occasion, but I am sure it must be gratifying to all
who have been called from a distance to act as
judges on this occasion, to render their services to
the best of their ability in promoting the interest of
this most important smd influential meeting. (Cheers.)
It has been surmised by some, that the interests of
agriculture now occupy a less predominant station in
the sources of national prosperity than they formerly
did. In these days commerce and manufactures are
indeed making rapid strides over the land ; but in
refutation of that surmise, we need only revert to
the exhibition of this day, and to the crowds of spec-
tators who have attended it. (Cheers.) I would
call upon you to look round upon the meeting I am
now addressing— to look round upon the multitudes
of strangers wlio have assembled here from all parts
of the country, and say whether these do not bear
testimony to the increasing interest and importance
of agriculture. (Cheers.) While we contemplate

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461

these things, we must feel that there is no danger of
the interests of agriculture — no danger but they will
continue to be an influential source of national pros-
perity, even as they are a fertile source of individual
wealth, and of national happiness. (Cheers.)

The awards of the Judges were then read by the
Secretary, after which the Chairman proposed suc-
cessively the healths of the successful and unsuc-
cessful competitors.

Sir James Graham proposed the health of the
Duke of Buccleuch.

The Duke of Buccleuch returned thanks.
Mr. Maxwell, of Munshes, proposed the health of
" The three Members for the Counties connected
with this district."

Mr. Blair, M. P., returned thanks for himself
and colleagues.

Provost Kemp proposed " the healths of the Mem-
bers for the District of Burghs," which was acknow-
ledged in a short speech by General Sharpe, M. P.

The Croupier rose to propose a toast, which he
felt was one that needed no eloquence of his to at-
tract attention to it, and on which the possibility of
a difference of opinion could not exist. It could
never he a matter of indifi'erence to any man who
had the welfare of his country at heart, what was the
character of such a numerous and influential body as
the tenantry of Scotland. (Cheers.) He conceived
that agriculture was the basis — the substratum — on
which the prosperity of the country depended ; and
every man connected with Scotland must consider it
a subject of the highest gratification, that he was able
to speak of the tenantry of Sotland in terms of un-
qualified praise. As a proof of the skill and indus-
try of the tenantry, and of the rapid advance in im-
provement which they were making, he said that
districts of country which, a few years ago, were no
better than so many morasses, now yielded magnifi-
cent crops, and sent forth for exhibition some of
the splendid animals which they had witnessed in the
show-yard. Some oftbose animals to which he referred
had never been at a lower elevation than 500 feet
ahove the level of the sea, and were reared in situa-
tions which, a few years ago presented nothing to
the eye but a wild uninteresting and dreary waste*
(Cheers.) — These were some of the indications that
the tenantry were, day after day advancing the
wealth and welfare of the country. He, therefore,
called on the meeting to drink to the tenantry ot
Scotland ; and to wish that their success may be
commensurate with their merits ; and that their pur-
suits might tend to their individual comfort, as much
as they did to the welfare of society at large. (Loud
cheering.^

Mr. AiTCHisoN, who was loudly called on by the
meeting, rose to acknowledge the toast. He said : —
In compliance with the arrangement of the toasts,
seconded by the call which has now been made for
me, I stand forward to acknowledge the very com-
plimentary notice which our kind-hearted Croupier
has now taken of that body of men to whom I have
the honour to belong. I trust the tenantry of this
country will ever prove themselves worthy of the
high encomiums which have now been passed upon
them ; that they will ever be found zealous and in-
dustrious in their humble hut useful pursuits, honour-
able and straight-forward ia the several stations of
life, and that the unanimity of sentiment and reci-
procity of conduct will continue to exist betwixt the
proprietor and cultivator of the soil, which have
been greatly instrumental in raising us to that agri-
cultural and pastoral distinction which must ever be
the glory and the pride of every true hearted Scots •
man. (Loud c/ieers.) And allow me to add, that

we duly appreciate the honour conferred by our
worthy Croupier, and benefit by the example set by
the noble lord now in the chair, who unsheathed the
sword in defence of his country's rights in time of
war, and who has now turned that sword into a
plough-share, by leading his countrymen on in the
path of useful improvement. (Cheers.) I ask, if the
increasing interest, and the stimulating spirit which
the Highland Society every where produces, does not
prove the impetus which it has given to agricultu-
ral improvement. The whole length and breadth of
Scotland, year after year presents one rapid panora-
mic succession of improvement. Little more than
half a century ago we were scarcely recognised in
the map of agricultural Britain. In a country pecu-
liarly the " land of mountain and flood," not pos-
sessing either a fertile soil or a genial climate, we
have risen with a rapidicy which almost bafiles de-
scription, and rebukes comparison. Our southern
neighbours were wont to decry us as a country with-
out wealth, and without capability, inhabited by a
hardy and intrepid race of men, more famous for
those moss-trooping exploits to which the Right
Baronet, Sir James Graham has so eloquently al-
luded— for deeds of knight-eriantry, and of daunt-
less daring — than promoters of the domestic arts ;
ever distinguished for that flame of national liberty
which animated their breasts and nerved their arms
to deeds of patriotism and valour, and which in-
ternal feuds might occasionally cause to burn less
bright, hut which no foreign foe could ever effec-
tually extinguish. Are we, who are reaping the
fruits of their virtue and their valour, less dis-
tinguished in achieving the victories of peace than
they were in those of war'? What they achieved by
the sword for the liberty of country, aye, and of
mind, we are achieving by the plough-share, by
triumphing over the rude obstacles of nature.
Steamers are now plying from the remote shores of
Ross and of Sutherland, carrying the well-fed pro-
duce of that country to the capital of Europe ; and
do not these three counties afford a large supply
to Lancashire, the workshop of the world — (Loud
Cheers) ; and I am told that the cotton lords of Man-
chester prefer nothing so much as a Durafries-shire
leg of mutton. (Laughter and cheers.) In short,
wherever you turn your eyes, whether to the remote
parts of the North Highlands, or the more cultivated
parts of our native border, you see the spirit of en-
terprise and the hand of industry every where at
work. You behold bone manure climbing up our
most precipitous hills ; and many of those trackless
wastes, and fathomless morasses, which awed the
energies and baffled the skill of our fathers, now
transmuted into cultivated plains of the loveliest
green, and extensive breadths of turnip husbandry.
These I characterise as victories of peace ; and these
to a great extent I claim as the achievment of the
founders of this country, no doubt aided by a
liberal-minded aristocracy, who have ever acted to-
wards us as a body of men worthy of their highest
favours, and with whom they were ready to sink
or swim — (loud cheers) — who have ever recognised
that, if they were the lords of the soil, it was we
who conveyed to them her treasures. (Continued
cheering.) While I make bold to express these sen-
timents, are we not bound on our part to do honour
to whom honour is due — to pay that due deference
to rank, to worth, and to talent, which I hold as one
of the safeguards and essentials in the domestic go-
vernment of the country, landlord and tenant not
looking upon each other as possessing any distinct
interest, but as integral — as indissoluble — links iu
I the chain of the gi-eat body agricultural. (Cheers.)

462

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Directed by such sentiments, we will, in one barmo-
nic body, under the patronage of the Highland So-
ciety Siaow of Scotland, obtain further honours, and
arrive at a greater height of improvement, so long as
the rude face of nature invites the band of industry
— so long as the arts and sciences are called into ac-
tive operation, and man recognized as an energetic
and progressive being. Mr. Aitchison, after allud-
ing to the liberal expressions which fell from His
Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, relative to landlord
and tenant, expressed his wish that those sentiments
of live and let live, which was the motto of His
Grace's actions, should not end there, but run through
all the different currents of society, — for that tenant
ill required such liberality, ill discharged his duty to
the peasant and to his country, who did not recog-
nise in the practical sense of the word the doctrine
of " Live and let live." (Loud and long-continued
cheering.^

The Chairman — I rise to propose a toast, which
I do with great sincerity, and I do it in the true
spirit of a Scottish agriculturist. You will all agree
with me that it ill becomes us, the great majority of
the company being Scottish agriculturists, to sit still
and hear the compliments which have been paid us
by our friends from the neighbouring country, with-
out explaining to them fairly the situation in which
we are placed with regard to them, and the improve-
ments which have been introduced into this country.
The noble Marquis then referred to the great advan-
tages which Scotland had derived from English
breeders of stock, and also how much the}?- were in-
debted to English improvements on agricultural im-
plements, amongst which he particularly charac-
terized Mr. Crosbie's clod roller, as likely to prove
of the greatest advantage to agriculture." He con-
tinued : Were I called upon to state, from what I
have seen and heard, which J. considered the most
perfectly trained establishment in the north of Eng-
land, I should at once say it is that belonging to the
Right Hon. Bart, now on my right hand. {Great
cheering.) I must acknowledge that at one time I
thought I had something to do with the introduction
of tile draining into this country ; but when 1 con-
sulted some of my friends on the subject, they treat-
ed my pretensions with the most perfect contempt,
and told me that it was on Sir James Graham's estab-
lishment they had first observed the advantages of
the system, and from him it had been brought into
use. (Cheers.) I now call upon you to add Sir
James Graham's health to the toast which I am about
to give, and to drink to Sir James Graham and the
agriculturists of England. (Loud cheers.)

Sin James Graham said— Occupying as I do, a
private station, and not being privileged with a seat
in the Legislature, I am ashamed in the presence of
so many Members of Parliament, and distinguished
agriculturists, to return thanks in name of the agri-
culturists of England. But if a sincere attachment
to the interests of agriculture — if an early participa-
tion in its pursuits — if an enjoyment of its pure and
endearing feelings— can render me worthy to return
thanks for the agriculturists of England, then, hum-
ble as I am, I do not declare myself altogether un-
worthy. (Cheers.) The hon. member for Kirkcud-
bright has told you, that his honourable career of
life, being cast, in the first instance, far from his na-
tive land, and after that the cares and duties of an
active public life, have distracted his attention from
their early bent towards agricultural pursuits. The
case has been far otherwise with me. The happiest
period of my life was spent on my paternal estate ;
and no cares have ever been able to estrange me, or
ever will estrange me, from the simplicity and con-

tentment of that situation. (Cheers.) A gentleman
who lately addressed you observed that to the indus-
trious, moral, and religious tenantry of the land, the
improvement of the soil is mainly to be ascribed.
But I consider that these benefits are not to be as-
cribed so much to the liberality of the landlord, or
to the industry of the tenant, but mainly they are to
be ascribed to the national character of the Scottish
peasantry. (Cheers.) I agree with my hon. friend
— ihey are the best peasantry in the world. He
talked of the advantages of parochial education, and
I agree in all he said ; but I wish to remind this
meeting, that the education of Scotland has always
had a regard to the national establishment. I do not
dwell on that ; but wlien he addressed you in praise
of their moral and religious character, I could not
avoid this opportunity of stating my opinion,
which is, that the national character of the people
is intimately connected with the national institutions
of the country ; and that it is to this remarkable
character these improvements are in great part to be
ascribed. Nor is it in agriculture alone that the
people of Scotland excel ; we have proofs not of
their industry alone, but also of their intelligence ;
and in saying this, I am sure that I speak the senti-
ments of the people of England. It has been rightly
remarked that one of the greatest discoveries of
modern times is the apjdication of steam to naviga-
tion ; and it does so happen, now we are met in the
county of Dumfries, that it was at Dalswinton, in
this county, as I contend, that the first application of
steam to the purposes of navigation took place.
(Cheers.) If we wish to study the means of over-
coming an ungenial soil and climate, we foreigners
from England have only to look across the Border
for a bright example. Much has been said of the
excellence of the cattle on the banks of the Tees, of
on the still more fertile plains of Herefordshire, but
in the Smithfield market, we see the West Highland
and the black cattle from Scotland entering into suc-
cessful competition with these animals from the very
heart of England. Whether we look at the agricul-
ture or the manufactures of the country, we still be-
hold the palm borne away by Scotsmen, and this
leads me back to my position, that it is to the national
character, grounded on the national institutions of
the countr)^ that all this is to be ascribed. Some-
thing was said by your noble chairman respecting my
progress in tile draining. I was early impressed —
for the soil on my estate is of a very wet, adhesive
quality — I was impressed with the conviction, that
without draining, all other improvements would be
in vain. I accordingly directed my attention to the
subject of draining ; but such is the intelligence of
Scotchmen, that though I only commenced twelve
years ago, a Scotchman has already made a discovery
on the subject, which causes me to regret that I be-
gan so soon. A discovery has been made by Mr.
Smith, of Deanston, that to make the drain twelve
or fifteen inches below the surface, is of far more
efficacy than the method formerly practised ; and I
repeat again, that I regret I commenced draining
so soon, and had so much accomplished before this
discovery was made. But this is only wasting
your time. (Cries of no, and cheers.) I beg-
to repeat what has already been said, that the foun-
dation of the prosperity and national independence
of a country is to be found in its domestic agriculture.
I believe that it is connected — intimately, indissolu-
bly connected — with every other branch of national
industry. As such, it is surely entitled to protection ;
indeed, in my view of the matter, the simple
question for us to decide is, whether we shall protect
and foster the comparatively rich soils of England,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

46S

Ireland, and Scotland, or tbe fertile plains of sterile
Poland and Lithtunia, (Cheers.) My friend Mr,
Fergusson had been a distinguished advocate of the
rights of Poland ; but I know he is no Pole on this
question. (^Cheers and Laughter.) For no man can
be a more warm defender of the rights of national in-
dustry than my right h on. friend. (Cheers.) lam
also for protecting- our national agriculture. I do so
from no selfish motive — it is true all I possess arises
from the land ; but if I were convinced of a better
method than to protect our domestic agriculture, all
private interests should be as nothing, and I would
unhesitatingly support it. (Loud cheering.) I have
only farther to say, that whatever may be my future
fortunes in life, 1 am and shall ever continue attached
in heart and soul to the pursuits of agriculture, and
certainly in behalf of myself and of the agriculturists
of England, I can conceive no higher encouragement
than the kindly welcome which vre have met with on
this occasion, and I beg leave most cordially to re-
turn our thanks. (Great cheering.)

The Chairman rose to propose the health of a
gentleman to whom they were under great obligations.
They had all of them seen Mr. Heathcoat's steam
plough in operation, and had no doubt formed their
opinions upon it. He regretted that in its present
state, it did not appear to be adapted for working
upon ordinary lands ; but in course of time, and
that a short time, he trusted it would. Mr. Heath-
coat was present on this occasion, and would, he
had no doubt, favour the meeting with a statement of
what were his expectations in regard to this matter.
He begged to propose the health of Mr. Heathcoat,
M.P., the ingenious promoter of the application of
steam to agriculture. (Cheers.)

Mr. Heathcoat returned thanks ; but we regret
to state, that from the position in which we were
placed, and the low tone in which he spoke, we
were unable to catch the purport of his observa-
tions.

Mr. CuTLAR Fergusson rose to propose the
health of an honourable and distinguished member of
the sister kindom, together witb prosperity to the
general agriculture of that country. He said, I am
one of those who think that the fates of Ireland and
England are so intimately connected together, that
neither can flourish if the other fades. To
give encouragement and incitement to mea-
sures for promoting the interests of agriculture,
would be, in my opinion, effectually to promote the
peace and tranquillity of that land. (Cheers.) Mr.
Evans is much respected in Ireland, as a person sent
to represent his native country in Parliament, and
is respected by all parties— he is also devoted to
the pursuits of agriculture, and on that account
he is well entitled to the favourable notice of this
company, and of that Society which has made such
vigorous progress in Scotland. (Cheers.) I will
not farther take up the time of the meeting, but I
will say this, that if ever a vow was offered in sin-
cerity, I now offer it for the prosperity of Ireland ;
and the means whice I believe to be of all others the
best calculated to forward her prosperity, is the
success of her agriculture. (Cheers.) I beg to
propose Mr. Evans, and success to the agriculture
of Ireland. (^Loud cheers.)

Mr. Evans returned thanks. He said, my hon.
friend has eulogised me in a way which I do not
deserve, thereby doing injustice to me, though he
has done justice to the country to which I belong.
It would be out of place for me to detain you with
any lengthened observations on the state of Ireland.
I have heard my friend dilate on the advantages of
education to this favoured country, and I felt and

went along with him in bis speech. The cause
which has placed Scotland so eminently above other
countries has been education. I come from a country
of better soil, and more genial climate ; and why has
she not kept pace with this country in the race of
civilization and improvement, but from the want of
education ? I am happy however to say, that the
Members of the present Government have united in
establishing a system of education, which I believe
will ultimately work out the salvation of Ireland.
(Cheers. They have established not normal schools
of agitation, but model schools of agriculture, coupled
with an enlightened system of education, which
must ultimately tend to the advantage of my country.
Since I have been in Scotland, I have been delighted
to see the terms which subsist between landlord and
tenant. There is no servile subjection on the one
hand, and no haughtv demeanour on the other; in
this country the column of society, though its Corin-
thin capital be highly decorated, is yet placed on a
solid base. (Cheers.) I beg to return you thanks
for myself and my country. I shall return to that
country better informed on many subjects ; and I
trust that happy days are yet in store for Ireland, by
the establishment of a Society similar to this, when
party spirit, — which I am sorry to say is now too rife
in Ireland, — shall have been in some measure
allayed. (Loud cheers.)

The Chairman then proposed Messrs. Fournier
and Bella of the Agricultural Institution, Grigon,
and the other distinguished foreigners who have
favoured the meeting with their attendance.

M. Fournier returned thanks in the French
language. The Chairman explained that M. Fournier
regretted his inability to address the meeting in
English, but expressed his delight with the whole
of the proceedings. He also stated, that having
come to England to inspect the state of agriculture
in this country, he was now convinced, from what
he had seen to-day, that the precedence was to be
given to Scotland. (Loud cheers.)

The Chairman then stated that several toasts still
remained on the roll, but that in consequence of the
lateness of the hour, he was reluctlantly obliged to
break up the meeting.

The company accordingly separated shortly after
11 o'clock.

LAMBS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HEREFORD TIMES.

Sir, — Many Farmei-s of your County having enquired
where they could get the Receipt for dipping Lambs, to
preserve them from ticks, the fly, &c. &c., as practised
und approved almost universally in Wiltshire, Berk-
shire, &c,, I beg to hand you a copy , which you will
please publish in your widely circulated Paper, and
also keep a (jopy in your office for the use of the Here-
fordshire Farmer. 1 f dipped in this manner, there is not
the least necessity for shearing the Lambs, consequently
the wool is more valuable next year.
Your's, &c.

A. MALLISON.

Cirencester, Sept. 23, 1837.

Receipt fur dipping Lambs for July or August.

21bs. oFsoft soap— lib. of white arsenic— Put 4 gallons
of water in an iron pot, when the water is lukewarm
put in tlie soap, stir it v/ell, and when it boils, add your
arsenic ; boil it for ten minutes and keep stirring it all
the time. Add 26 gallons of cold water, this will be
liquor sufficient to dip lOO Lambs. Take care to keep
the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears of the lamb out of the
liquor in dipping, for which a low flat tub with a door
laid flat or stage, resting upon and leaning down to the
tub, to drain tiie Lambs upon when dipped, is best.

464

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CORN.

A Table sliowing the Comparative weights of Grain
in reference to the Dutch Scale and the Imperial
Bushel.

lbs.
Dutch

lbs.
English

lbs.
Dutch

lbs.
English

lbs.
Dutch

lbs.
English

scale.

Imperial
bushel.

scale.

Imperial
bushel.

scale,
101

Imperial
bushel.

1

,47

51

24,18

47,88

2

,94

52

24,65

102

48,36

3

1,42

53

25,12

103

48,83

4

1,89

54

25,60

104

49,31

5

2,37

55

26,07

105

49,78

6

2,84

56

26,55

106

50,25

7

3,31

57

27,02

107

50,73

8

3,79

58

27,50

108

51,20

9

4,26

59

27,97

109

51,68

10

4,74

60

28,44

110

52,15

11

5,21

61

28,92

111

52,63

12

5,68

62

29,39

112

53,10

13

6,16

63

29,87

113

53,57

14

6,63

64

30,34

114

54,05

15

7,11

65

30,81

115

54,52

16

7,58

66

31,29

116

55,00

17

8,06

67

31,76

117

55,47

18

8,53

68

32,24

118

55,94

19

9,00

69

32,71

119

56,42

20

9,48

70

33,19

120

56.89

21

9,95

71

33,66

121

57,37

22

10,43

72

34,13

122

57,84

23

10,90

73

34,61

123

58,31

24

11,37

74

35,08

124

58,79

25

11,85

75

35,56

125

59,26

26

12,32

76

36,03

126

59,74

27

12,80

77

36,50

127

60,21

28

13,27

78

36,98

128

60,69

29

13,75

79

37,45

129

61,16

30

14,22

80

37,93

130

61,63

31

14,69

81

38,40

131

62,11

32

15,17

82

38,87

132

62,58

33

15,64

83

39,35

133

63,06

34

16,12

84

39,82

134

63,53

35

16,59

85

40,30

135

64,00

36

17,06

86

40,77

136

64,43

37

17,54

87

41,25

137

64,95

38

18,01

88

41,72

138

65,43

39

18,49

89

42,19

139

65,90

40

18,96

90

42,67

140

66,38

41

19,43

91

43,14

141

66,85

42

19,91

92

43,62

142

67,32

43

20,38

93

44,09

143

67,80

44

20,86

94

44,56

144

68,27

45

21,33

95

45,04

145

68,75

46

21,81

96

45,51

146

69,22

47

22,28

97

45,99

147

69,69

48

22,75

98

46,46

148

70,17

49

23,23

99

46,94

149

70,64

50

23,70

100

47,41

150

71,12

N.B. 1 last Dutch = lOf qrs. Imperial.
100 lbs ,, 108 lbs. English.

THE SMUT.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE NOTTINGHAM REVIEW.

Gentlemen, — The greatest difficulty I shall meet
■with will be to convince my brethren of the soil of
the facility with which wetted seed wheat imbibes
smutty infection. The cautions which I shall here-
after give may appear to many useless and unneces-
sary. And although I have staked my head against a
smutty crop of wheat by adopting my cautions, and

the use of my specific, yet I would not venture, uii-
less the management devolved upon myself. But
admitting that some of your readers feel convinced
that my cautions are necessary, and believing smut
to be a contagious disease and highly infectious
when coming in contact with wetted seed, I will
suppose him to give the following cautions to his
farming man or bailiff: —

" John, there's a fellow in the Nottingham Review
says, smut is a contagious disease in wheat, and is
easily conveyed or given to seed wheat, iii the com-
mon practice of brining ; he recommends the seed
to be passed through a coarse chaff sieve, in the
brine, every bushel of it to be well stirred and care-
fully skimmed. Then, he says, the floor must be
well washed, where the wheat is to be laid, when
taken out of the brine. He next says you must pull
off your dirty shoes, and either put on a pair of
clean ones, or do this part of the work without; and
that after liming and putting it up in sacks,he won't let
any one come near it with his dirty shoes on, lest he
should bring the smutty infection to the newly
cleansed seed. Let all these particulars be attended
to, John. Do you hear ?" " Yes, Sir," John
answers. But believing, nay, being fully convinced,
that the writer is a fool, and his master not much
better, for believing him, John follows his old plan,
as being much the best. So he gets a sack of wheat
on liis back, and plunges it into the tub all at once,
so that it never gets half stirred, nor half skimmed,
and some of it hardly wetted. If he gets a clean
crop, which may follow, what is the use of all these
previous precautions 1 If he gets a smutty crop,
which may happen, why then ' this fellow's nostrums
and precautions are all quackery. I was a fool to
take any notice of him ; as I have got a smutty crop
by the application ; whereas, by my old plan, my
crop would have been free.' One of these is the
probable result in the adoption of my pi-inciple, un-
less it passes through the hands or under the eye of
the master.

Having stated these few preliminaries, I will now
proceed to give a short history of my growing smut,
the experiments I afterwards tried, and the cure
wliich I at length adopted, convinced me it is a dis-
ease to which wheat is subject and liable. You may
compare it to the itch in the human system, or to the
SCAB in sheep, though I am not quite certain whether
it would yield to the same application. But I com-
pare it more to a certain other disease, because like
it it yields to mercury, but can again be infected by
coming in contact with the virus.

1 think it was about the year 1815, a brother of
mine, since dead, being editor of the Farmer s Jouriial,
sent me a small quantity of the Hungary white wheat ;
it grew in Kent and was the handsomest white wheat
I ever saw. Previous to this time, my experiments
were confined to the different varieties, as to which
were the most productive, the least liable to mill-dew
and the most profitable for fen-farmers to grow.
This white wheat was sent me, therefore, under the
idea of adding one more to the number of my varie-
ties. My brother about the same time sent me some
white wheat, which was grown at the Cape of Good
Hope, and which never ripened to perfection with
me. I had about the same time grown the Talavera
white wheat, but it proved so delicate and tender in
wet harvest, I soon gave it up. The Hungary white
wheat pleased me so much in two seasons I got
enough to sow me an acre. Previous to the years
1818 and 1819, I never brined my seed wheat. I
am much inclined to think white wheat of every va-
riety is more smutty than red ; whether this is really
true I do not assert; but I do think the Hungary

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

465

white is more subject than any other. From sowing
the seed two or three times upon the same soil, my
acre of Hungary white proved remarkably smutty
(and I ever after grew smutty wheat, until I applied
arsenic), yet I determined to sow it again ; and be-
fore seed-time saved a sufficient quantity of soap-
suds to wash it previous to sowing. I remember my
brother was at my house when I was preparing my
seed wheat, and he said unto me, " What are you
going to do ?" " Have you faith ?" says 1. " Yes,"
he answered, " hut not in smutty seed producing a
clean crop." — Yours,

The result of this conversation will be stated in my
next, MATTHEW HOLDICH.

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.

TO THK EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir,- -It is with much reluctance I intrude myself
on your notice, hut being aware of the influence of
your respectable journal among the agriculturists of
the United Kingdom, I am induced to make some
remarks on the letter which appeared in your paper
of the 9th inst., from " A Devonshire Farmer." In
the first place, he insinuates what is wrong, that
your Guernsey correspondent complained of the
puhlicity you gave to the c;ise "of smuggling corn
under a false certificate.'' As your correspondent
on that subject, I positively deny the charge, having
only expressed my regret that you did not state the
lohole of the facts.

The " Devonshire Farmer" is equally in error
when he assumes that the corn had been actually
smuggled into the United Kingdom, while the action
entered was for the attempt at fraud in endeavouring
to export it from Jersey, as the produce of that island.

It is singular enough that the first case of the kind
which occurred in Jersey some years ago, originated
with a Devonshire man of the name of Steeres, a
native of Plymouth, who attempted to commit a
similar fraud as Anley, to whom he thus gave the
example, by falsifying a certificate for ths very same
quantity. On that occasion, a Jersey farmer of the
name of Rondil sold Steeres eight quarters of corn,
the produce of his farm, and took the usual oath at
the bar of the Royal Court of Jersey, but the Ply-
mouth man contrived afterwards to add the letter y
to the word " eight."

The attempt was at once discovered, and the
delinquent Steeres ordered to be seized, but aware
of the penalty on being discovered, he escaped from
the Island before the warrant for his apprehension
could be executed.

In both cases the attempt was discovered, and the
intended smuggling prevented.

The parties concerned in Anley's case are actioned
to pay the full penalty in virtue of the renewal of the
Corn Law, made more severe by the states of Jersey last
month, of which the following is the 5th article,

" Every person convicted of having falsified a
declaration required by the present law, or of having
passed rt false one, or who shall make use of such
declaration, knowing that it had been falsified, or
that it is false, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding
one hundred pounds sterling. Shall moreover suifer
an imprisonment at hard labour of three months at
the least, and not exceeding one year."

The above article will no doubt satisfy the mind of
every unprejudiced agriculturist, and I hope may
have the same effect, on due reflection, on the
" Devonshire Farmer," who may rest assured that

no other attempt at fraud has oecurred since that of
Anley and his confederates, and consequently no
penalty has been required.

When the official returns of the imports into Eng-
land of corn from the Channel Islands are made up
to the end of this month as usual and printed, they
shall be sent to you for the information of your
readers. I firmly believe they will find that the
whole amount from all the Islands united, will not
exceed what is stated by the " Devonshire Farmer"
as imported into Plymouth alone from Jersey, as
most if not the whole is eagerly bought by Devon-
shire cornfactors for that market. It will, however,
be found, I do verily believe, that the whole of the
above quantity is much exaggerated, as nearly the
whole exported from Guernsey, Alderney, and
Sark since last year, were sent to Plymouth, and are
consequently included in the imports said to be from
Jersey. In the words of our respected chief magis-
tate, " If any abuse of our privilege to import our
own corn into the United Kingdom be alleged as
having opened the way to the fraudulent introduction
of foreign grain, we challenge the strictest inves-
tigation of the charge, assured as we feel, from the
scrupulous attention paid to that subject, that it can
have no foundation in truth. We are at the same
time ready to admit our willingness, and we may
add the wish of the Island, to relinquish the exercise
of that privilege, so long as it may be the occasion
of distrust or jealousy, in order to remove all doubts
as to the possibility of such an abuse."

Instead of that miserable jealousy which seems to
exist in the minds of prejudiced men respecting
these Islands, their local situation might be availed
of to relieve the foreign importers of bonded corn,
by allowing them the privilege to have it manufac-
tured into flour for the use of the West India
Colonies at a reduced duty, rather than to allow
foreign flour to be admitted therein^ree of duty from
the bonded warehouses.

The British agriculturists would by such a con-
cession be thus relieved also from their constant
dread of a change in the corn laws by continued
petitions to grind bonded corn in England.

The granting of such relief also to the depressed
state of the trade of this Island would be considered
as a boon by the inhabitants, for their voluntary
sacrifice of their charters, when required for the pro-
tection of the revenue, while at the same period im-
mense sums were paid for the redemption of similar
rights in the Isle of Man,

Erroneous calculations and mercantile jealousies
have already succeeded in depriving us of nearly the
whole of our commerce. Those regulations which
were intended to suppress the contraband trade in
England, now serve to deprive us of the privilege
of trading with foreign nations, and while every
encouragement is given in France to English smug-
glers, it is not permitted to the French or other
strangers visiting our port, to carry away the smallest
quantity of tobacco, salt, and liquors. Our port
continues to this day, as if in a state of strict blockade
in time of peace, and the oflicers of the British
Customs here, by acting to the very letter of the lawj
rather than to the spirit thereof, seem more assiduous
to protect the French revenue, (which they do effec-
tually) rather than encourage British Commerce,
which would be benefited if these Islands were free
ports like Gibraltar, and other ports in the Medi-
teranean have always been.

The "Devonshire Farmer" and other prejudiced
persons reproach us for being exempted from duties
on various articles. If it were not so, the Islands
would soon become desolate, and the inhabitants

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466

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

would emigrate to foreign countries. Many are even
now leaving, from the little encouragement given to
the mercantile and trading classes. In requesting
your early insertion of this letter,

I remain respectfully, Sir,

Your obedient and humble servant,
Guernsey, I3th Oct. JOHN BETTS.

GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTAL
DISTILLERY.

The extensive premises formerly the Hope
Brewery, in Brown's-lane, Spitalfields, having re-
cently been fitted up as an experimental distillery
upon a large scale, under the superintendence of
Dr. Birkbecli, by order of the Lords of the Treasury,
for the purpose of fully testing the efficiency of Mr.
Rudlcin's apparatus for taking the excise on spirits
in the process of distillation, several preparatory
distillings have taken place vrithin the last fortnight,
and on Tuesday, October 10, the distillery was set
at full work. The experiment, so far, has been in
the highest degree satisfactory, and, in the opinion
of Dr. Birkbeck and other scientific men, sufficiently
conclusive as to the utility of the invention. Its
objects, and its great importance in a national point
of view, if it should realize the expectations of the
inventor and of the scientific gentlemen (Professor
Brand, Dr. Birkbeck, and Mr. Lubbock,) who have
recommended it to the government for universal
adoption, in room of the present defective system of
excise, may be rendered intelligible, as well as
interesting to the public, by the following par-
ticulars.

The instruments at present in use for determining
the amount of duty which the distiller is required to
pay are the saccharometer, by which the officers of
excise are supposed to ascertain the quantity of sac-
charine matter contained in the liquid before it goes
into the still, and therefrom the quantity of alcohol
which the distillation should produce ; the thermo-
meter, for ascertaining the temperature, which is im-
portant for determining ultimately, by comparison
with the bulk, the strength of the distilled spirit ;
and, lastly, the guaging-rod, by which the contents
of the vats, puncheons, &c., are ascertained in
gallons.

The utter inefficiency of the saccharometer and
thermometer for the purposes for which they are
used has long been acknowledged ; so much so that
in the last report of the Commissioners of Excise
Inquiry, it is declared, that there " is at present no
security for the collection of any portion of the
revenue, except in the conscientiousness of the dis-
tillers ;" and 25 per cent, is allowed to the distillers
to compensate for the errors of the instruments. But
notwithstanding this liberal allowance, or rather
unwilling sacrifice, a far greater quantity is actuall}-
distilled and brought into the market than the excise
officers, with all their vigilance, have ascertained to
be produced even in distilleries where no fraud has
Been attempted or desired ; respectable distillers —
as, for instance, Mr. Smith, of Whitechapel, — often
paying to the exchequer the duty upon 60,000 and
80,000 gallons in a year, which had escaped the
calculation of the Excise, over and above the 23
gallons in every 100 which they are allowed free
of duty on account of the imperfections of the instru-
ments. The government, chiefly through the medium
of the Royal Society, has long applied itself to
remedy this evil. About seventy years ago Lord

George Cavendish carried on a series of laborious
experiments for this purpose, which led to no result,
and upon his failure the matter was committed to
Sir Joseph Banks, but his labours were attended
with no better success. Several others, amongst
whom the most remarkable was Mr. Pettinger, have
since attempted various improvements on the sys-
tem ; but all the expense that the Government has
hitherto incurred has literally been thrown away.
But, to use the emphatic declaration of Dr. Birkbeck,
in reference to the present experiment, " Mr. Rudkin
has solved the great and important problem." If
his instrument eventually realizes bis professions,
and bears out the results of Tuesday's trial, as well
as previous experiments, it will do away with all the
inconveniences of the present system, and prevent
the possibility of loss to the revenue, as it registers
the quality, temperature, and strength of every gal-
lon of spirits as soon as it is produced, and before it
comes under fhe control of the exciseman and dis-
tiller.

It will also relieve the distiller from the interrup-
tions to which he is at present subject, and which
one distiller (Mr. Smith, of Millbank^ states to be
attended with a loss of 3,OO0L a-year, being obliged
to prepare the wash at one time, and to distil at
another, besides other interruptions. The govern-
ment anticipates a saving of several millions a-year,
should the new plan succeed, besides the total sup-
pression of illicit distillation.

ON THE POTATO.

BY EVAN HUEST, GARDENER TO SAMUEL HOLE, ESQ.,
CAUNTON MANOR, NEAR NEWARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

[From the Floricultural Magazinefor October. J

As I am a subscriber to your valuable Floricul-
tural Magazine, I send you the treatment which I have
for the last twelve months pursued with the Ashtop
Kidney Potato. I have noticed the failure of that
valuable root for several years ; I have seen them
planted in large quantities, and in some cases scarcely
any of them came up, owing, I believe, to their hav-
ing been pitted in the winter, and then sprouted, and
planted in that state.

The mode which I have found to succeed is as
follows : — First I got my Ashtop Kidney Potatoes,
that are for seed, up just before they are ripe, and
put them in the sun on the open ground in the gar-
den, and let them stop in the open air about a month
or five weeks ; I then shift them to their winter
quarters, which is into a dry chamber, and spread
them thin, and they stop all the winter uncovered,
only in severe frosty weather I also cover them, and
keep the frost from them. When the frost is gone,
they are uncovered and covered according to the
weather, but I never keep them covered in mild wea-
ther, and so I treat them all the winter, and when I
want any to force, I plant them with their sprouts
on them, and can assure you, that they are a deal
earlier, and I have extraordinary crops ; as for those
that I plant in the spring in the open grounds, I al-
ways reckon to plant my first crop the first week in
April ; 1 plant them two feet row from row, and
from ten to twelve inches set from set, and I always
plant the potato whole, and I have excellent crops.
If you think the few observations above worthy of
notice, they are at your command.

Caunton, Aug. 1., 1837. EVAN HURST,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

467

NEW MANURE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir, — I perceive in your paper of last week, an
announcement of a " valuable discovery" of New
Manure, from a correspondent of your's, signed
" M. M. Milburn." In reference to which, I do in
the first place acquit Mr. ]Milburn of all blame in
connection with that letter ; hut my object in ad-
dressing you, is to do justice to an individual who
Messrs. Hodgson and Simpson know to be the
discoverer.

The person I allude to, has spent some hundreds
of pounds, as well as much of his time, in bringing
the manure to its present state of adaptation and
usefulness; and I have no doubt but this discovery-
will cause a " great revolution" in agriculture, when
it shall have been more fully tested, and its merits
practically known. The gentleman, however, to
whom the public is indebted for it, is Mr. Hopwood
Furness, who I now wish to record in the annals of
your miscellany, as the original discoverer of the
Chemical Manure ; and when this discovery is
carried out to its farthest extent, it will, I think,
shew clearly that chemistry has much to do with
agriculture as a practical science.

I beg to take this opportunity of expressing my
approbation of the pains you have taken to enforce
this subject upon the agricultural world. I have to
add, moreaver, that Mr. Furness is himself un-
acquainted with the communication 1 now make to
you, nevertheless, I submit this for insertion in the
"Mark Lane Express," at the earliest possible period.
I remain. Sir, your's respectfully,

JOSEPH BOWER.

Hunslet, near Leeds, Oct. 5th.

LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL
MEETING.

The anniversary meeting of the Liverpool Agricul-
tural Society was held on the 5th of October. The
attendance was both respectable and numerous ; and
after two o'clock, when the prices of admission was
reduced, the ground was much crowded. The
weather being remarkably fine, added very much to
the effect of the meeting. There was a marked im-
provement in the breed of cattle, and many excellent
bulls, milch cows, heifers, and yearlings were ex-
hibited. A fine heifer, belonging to Mr. Scotson, of
Toxteth-park, nearly four years old, and not full
fed, weighed 22 cwt., and was estimated at 18 score
per quarter. The stallions were fine animals, and
were excellent for power, action, and symmetry,
amongst which we may mention Nos. 3, 9, 11, and
12 as useful horses for drawing, and agricultural
purposes generally. The brood mares and team
horses were superior to those shown last year. Many
of the pigs were so fat that scarcely a snout or a foot
could be seen. Mr. Lynn, of the Waterloo Hotel,
h.ad several sorts on the ground, and was very suc-
cessful in gaining prizes. He showed part of a litter
by a Neapolitan boar out of a Berkshire sow ; she
had brought up eleven. The sheep, too, were good
specimens, both for weight of carcase and fine fleeces.
On the whole, we congratulate the agriculturists on
their great improvements, considering tiiis meeting
to be the best that has been held here, but still we
would advise farmers to further emulation, and to
bring their best stock to the show.

A great variety of agricultural seeds, Italian

grasses, &c., were exhibited by Messrs. Whalley
and Skirving, and others, amongst which we ob-
served, on the stand of Messrs. Whalley, some fine
Swedish turnips, mangel wurzel, Altringham carrots,
one of which measured 21 inchesinlength, and 7 inches
in girth, and many samples of nice sound apples. Mr.
Skirving had several good samples of sound mangel
wurzel, and excellent Swedish turnips, one of which
weighed 271bs. Mr. Asheroft, of Alston, near OrmS'
kirk, exhibited four roots of mangel wurzel, weighing
120lbs., one of which weighed 371bs. ; he had also
four Swedish turnips, weighing 791bs., and one of
them 231bs. There was a drumhead, or Scotch cab-
bage, grown by Mr. William Johnson, farmer. Rain-
ford, which weighed 56lbs., and another 421bs.

Mr. Nathan Gough, of Salford, Manchester, had
a very compact domestic steam-engine, one horse
power, at work, with an upright churn. It was very
much admired for its simplicity and portableness,
and cannot fail being a valuable acquisition to farmers,
as it stands in a small compass, burns little fuel, is
set to work at a trivial expense, and is said to pro-
duce more butter than a hand churn.

There were on view a number of ingenious hay,
straw, and turnip cutters, and other agricultural im-
plements.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR 1837.

The Committee of the Liverpool Agricultural Society
are aware that it is difficult, year after year, to introduca
into their reports subjects which are interesting' to the
majority of the subscribers to the funds entrusted to their
manag-ement ; but a report is always justly expected,
and, least any misappropriation of any sum should be
suspected, the Committee refer to the subjoined abstract
ot the accounts, the particulars of which may be seen,
by any Subscriber to the Society, on apphcation to the
Treasurer.

RECEIPTS.

£. s. d.

Subscriptions , 377 14 0

For Admission of Non-subscribers to the

Show Yard 114 5 6

For Entry of Cattle, Implements, &c 12 3 6

504 3 0
Balance due to Treasurer 78 2 5

582 5 5

DISBURSEMENTS.

£. s. d.

Balance of last year's account 82 2 6

Premiums and medals awarded 299 10 0

Advertising, printing, &c 49 0 10

Expenses of committee, judges, and fitting-

upof show yard at the annual meeting. .. . 47 13 6

Salary to secretary, treasurer, and inspector 89 5 0
Incidental expenses, (including- rewards to

ploughmen, postages, &c.) 14 13 5

582 5 7

This is the eighth anniversary of the meeting of this
Society ; and if the Committee declare that since its
institution the face of the country has been improved by
draining, marling, planting hedges, &c., it is hoped that
the uninitiated will believe them ; farmers themselves
know whether it be true or otherwise. If they assert that
improved breeds of live stock have become more com-
mon, many who attend the show may be inclined to
doubt it, upon the grounds that the same exhibitors
gain the rewards almost every year; but tlie Committee
are sorry to observe that many farmers who have good
beasts do not bring them to the show. It is notorious
that in no part of the United Kingdom arc there more
good agricultural liorses to be seen upon the roads on a
market day than in the neighbourhood of Liverpool,
many of them much better than those which carry off
the prizes. It would appear from this statement, that
either agriculturists are lukewarm in this cause, or that

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468

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

they entertain such a dread of the great names which,
as was said before, year after year carry off the prizes,
that they dare not show their stock in competition with
those belong'ing- to such successful men.

If any individual imagines that, because the same
names figure repeatedly in the lists, there is anything-
bordering upon favour shown to any parties, the com-
mittee boldly and most confidently deny the charge, and
submit to the judgment of all impartial men, that if farm-
ers in general will not exhibit then- good animals, they
cannot expect to el.tain the preuiiunis.

If the resolution of the committee, printed in page 13
of the book of particulars, be referred to, it will be seen
that, if any prizes be awarded to any nobleman or gen-
tleman who is occupier of iiis own estate, he m ill be en-
titled to a silver medal only, which rule causes those
who are solely dependent upon farming to carry ofT all
the valuable prizes, excepting- those for bulls and stal-
lions. The only alteratiqns which have been made in
their rules are, that the rewards for long servitude and
bringing up families without parochial rehef, are in fu-
ture to be confined to the counties of Lancaster and
Chester.

The committee have to report the death of their late
secretary, Mr. Thomas White, which occurred in June
last, and feel called upon to acknowledge the valuable
services rendered by him to the society of which he had
been a zealous and active supporter from its commence-
ment. At the general meeting held this morning Mr.
R. Ledger, of Hale, was appointed to the vacant office.

The committee cannot conclude their report without
expressing regret that many owners of estates within the
district (and forty miles round Liverpool) have not yet
become subscribers to this society.
October, 5.

PREMIUMS AWARDED BY THE LIVERPOOL
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1837.

Class I. — Best Cultivated Farms, &c.

To Richard Watt, Esq,, of Speke, for the best culti-
vated farm of 119 acres, the society's silver medal.

To John Clare, Esq., of Fairfield, near Warrington,
for the best cultivated farm of 70 acres, the society's sil-
ver medal.

To Mr. Colton Woodfin, of Saltney, for the second
best ditto of 200 acres, the society's silver medal.

To Mr. Edward Webster, jun. of Huyton, (not being
dependent upon farming- exclusively for a livelihood,)
for the best cultivated farm of 143 acres, the society's
silver medal.

To Mr. Thomas Wylde, of Weavei-ham, Cheshire, for
improving 10^ acres of meadow and pasture land, (not
usually overflowed in times of flood,) by throwing water
over it in the most equal and judicious manner, a piece
of plate value five sovereigns.

To Mr. James Rose, of Hale Gate, as tenant and oc-
cupier of a farm of 215 acres, for laying 8520 yards of
drains for most effectually draining 24 acres thereof, a
piece of plate value ten sovereig-ns.

To Mr, Hugh Speed, of Hupton, as tenant and occu-
pier of a farm of 110 acres, for laying 15,092 yards of
drains, for most effectually draining- 30 acres thereof,
a piece of plate value seven sovereigns.

To Mr. Thomas Williams, of Northop, FHntshire, as
owner and occupier of a farm of 254 acres, for laying
down 29 acres to permanent meadow, a piece of plate
value four sovereigns.

To the hon. E. M. L. Mostyn, as owner and
occupier of a farm of 299 acres, for laying down 8| acres
to permanent meadow, the society's silver medal.

To Mt. John Thompson, Woodstock Farm, Chat
Moss, as occupier of a farm of 75 acres, for having ju-
diciously covered with marl 15 acres, a piece of plate
value three sovereigns.

To Mr. Robert Jenkins, of Pl-as-y-ward, near Ruthin,
as tenant and occupier of a farm, for cutting, laying, and
plashing 8192 yards of fencing, a piece of plate value
five sovereigns.

To Mr. John Warburton, of Sandiway, near North-

wich, for judiciously cutting and plashing 1656 yards of
fencing, the society's silver medal.

Class II. — Crops and Productions of the Dairy.

To Mr. John Dawson, ©f Gronant, as tenant and oc-
cupier, for the best crop of mangel wurzel, of six acres,
being 47 tons 7 c-.vt, to the acre, a piece of plate value
five sovereigns.

To Mr. John Harrison, of West Derby, for the best
crop of mangel wurzel, of six asres, being 27 tons 8
cwt. to the acre, a piece of plate value three sovereigns.

To Sir H. B. Houghton, Bart., as owner and occu-
pier, for the best crop of Swedish turnips, of 11 acres
being 24 tons to the acre, the society's silver medal.

To John Dawson, Esq., of Gronant, as ovvfuer and oc-
cupier, for the best crop of Swedish turnips, of 11 acres,
being- 34 tons to the acre, a piece of plate value 6
sovereigns.

To Mr. George Wright, of Walton, near Liverpool,
as tenant and occupier, for the best crop of Swedish tur-
nips, of six acres, being 36 tons to the acre, a piece of
plate vale four sovereings.

To Mr. Edward Webster, of Bold, as tenant and oc-
cupier, for the best crop of Swedish turnips, of 2J acres,
being 22| tons to the acre, a piece of plate value three
sovereigns.

Class 3. — Rewards.

To John Hough, farmer's man-servant to Wm. Web-
ster, Esq., of Upton, for 18 years' servitude, four
sovereigns.

I'o Thos. Riding, farming labourer to Mr. Henry
Ashcroft, of Altear, for 40 years' servitude, and for
iiaving conducted himself to the satisfaction of his em-
ployer during that period, four sovereigns.

To William Cornes, farming labourer, to Mrs. Long-
ton, of CroHton, for 34 years' servitude, and for having
conducted himself to the satisfaction of his employer
during that period, two sovereigns.

To Ellen Price farmer's woman-servant to Mr. Wil-
liam Philips, of Frankby, for 31 year's servitude, and
for having conducted herself to the satisfaction of her
employer during that period, three sovereigns.

To Jane Birkett, farmer's woman-servant to Mr.
James Pover, of Leasowe, for 25 years' servitude, and
for having conducted herself to the satisfaction of her
employer during that period, two sovereigns.

To John Bennett, of Great Neston, labourer in hus-
bandry, for bringing up nine legitimate children, the
youngest being 17 years, without parish relief, six sove-
reigns.

To John Newton, of St. Helen's, for bringing up six
legitimate children, the youngest being 17 years old,
without parish relief, four sovereigns.

To Ellis Lancely, of Barrow, Cheshire, for bringing
up nine legitimate children, the youngest being nine
years old, without parish relief, three sovereigns.

Class 4. — Live Stock,
horned cattle.

To Hollinshead Blundell, Esq., West Derby, for the
best bull, three years old, twenty-one sovereigns.

To Mr. John Highfield, of Seven Oaks, Cheshire,
for the best bull, two years and four months old, a piece
of plate, value fifteen sovereigns.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, of Toxteth-park, for the best
bull, one year and eleven months old, a piece of plate
value ten sovereigns.

To Mr. Wm. Bloor, of Point of Ayr (being solely de-
pendent upon farming), for the best bull, three years
old, bred within the limits of the Society, a piece of
plate, value ten sovereigns.

To Mr. Wm. Atherton, of Upholland (being solely
dependent on farming), for the best bull, one year and
seven months old, a piece of plate, value five sove-
reigns.

To Richard Pilkington, Esq., Windle, for the best
cow or heifer of any breed, a piece of plate, value seven
sovereigns.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., Talacre, for the second
best cow or heifer, five years old, a piece of plate, valiie
four sovereigns.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

469

To Richard Pilkington, Esq,, for the best two-year-
old stirk or heifer, of any breed, a piece of plate, value
five sovereigns.

To Richard Pilking'ton, Esq., for the best yearling-
stirk or heifer, of any breed, a piece of plate, value three
sovereigns.

To Mrs. Scotson, of Speke (solely dependent on farm-
ing-), for the best two-year-old heifer, a piece of plate
value five sovereigns.

Mr. Mr. Richard Jackson, of Noctorum, Cheshire,
(solely dependent on farming) for the second best two-
year-old heifer, a piece of plate, value two sovereigns.

To Mr. Richard Jackson, of Plas-y-ward (solely
dependent on farming), for tlie best one-year-old stirk
or heifer, bred and belonging to any one within the
limits of the Society, a piece of plate, value three sove-
reigns.

To Mr. William Howard, of Knowsley, for the se-
cond best ditto, a piece of plate, value one pound ten
shillings.

To Mr, Samuel Scotson, for the best cow or heifer,
showing the most symmetry, lat, and weight, a piece of
plate, value five sovereigns.

To P. H. Fleetwood, Esq., for the second best fat
cow, a piece of plate, value three sovereigns.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., for the best cow, of
any breed, for feeding, after milking, a piece of plate,
value three sovereigns.

HORSES.

To. Mr. James Heap, of Little Hulton, for the best
stallion, for the general purposes of agrieuh.ure, a piece
of plate, value ten sovereigns.

To Mrs. Anne Brownbill, of Kirkby, for the second
best stallion for ditto ditto, a piece of plate, value seven
sovereigns.

To tlie Earl of Derby, for the best brood mare for the
general purposes of agriculture, a piece of plate, value
five sovereigns.

To Mrs. Mary Cartwright, of Tarbuck, for the second
best brood mare for ditto diito, a piece of plate, value
three sovereigns.

To Mr. James Shepherd, of Kirkby, for the best
brood mare of the waggon kind, a piece of plate, value
five sovereigns.

To Mrs. Anne Brownbill, of Kirkby, for the best
yearling colt, gelding, or filly, for the general purposes
of agriculture, a piece of plate, value four sovereigns.

To Mr. Henry Swift, of Lathom, for the best two-
year-old colt, for the general purposes of agriculture, a
piece of plate, value four sovereigns.

To Mr. William Boyes, of Speke, for the best two-
year-old gelding or filly, for the general purposes of
agriculture, a piece of plate, value four sovereigns.

To Mrs. Mary Cartwright, of Tarbuck, for the best
three-year-old gelding or iiUy, for the general pur-
poses of agriculture, a piece of plate, value five sove-
reigns.

To Mr. William Webster, Jun., of Upton, (being
solely dependent on farming-) for the best pair of horses,
for the general purposes of agriculture, a piece of plate
value five sovereigns.

To Mr. William Knowles, of Bootle, (being solely
dependent on farming) for the second best pair of horses
for ditto, a piece of plate value three sovei'eigns.

To Mr. Robert Lucas, of Liverpool, for the pair of
horses suitable for any purpose, a silver medal.

SJIEEP.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., for the best pen of three
yearling long wool ewes, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. S. Scotson, for the second best pen of three
yearling long wool ewes, a piece of plate value one
sovereign.

To Mr. Robert Jenkins, of Plas-y-ward, for the best
pen of three yearling short wool ewes, a piece of plate
value three sovereigns.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, for the best long wool ram
under three years old, a piece of plate value two
sovereigns.

To John Dawson, Esq., for the second best long wool
ram under three years old, a piece of plate value one
sovereign.

To Mr. S. Scotson, for the best short wool ram, a
piece of plate value two sovereigns.

To Mr, Thomas Williams, of Northop, for the second
best short wool ram, a piece of plate value one sovereign.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart,, for the best pen of five
fat wethers, the Society's silver medal.

To John Dawson, Esq,, for the second best pen of
five fat wethers, the Society's silver medal.

'Jo Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., for the best pen of five
fat ewes, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, for the second best pen of
five fat ewes, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Thomas Palmer, of Walton, for the best pen
of five long wool lambs, a piece of plate value two
pounds ten shillings.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, for the second best pen of
five long wool lambs, a piece of plate value one pound.

To Mr. Tiiomas Williams, of Northop, for the best
pen of five short wool lambs, a piece of plate value two
pounds ten shillings.

To Mr, Robert Jenkins, of Plas-y-ward, for the second
best pen of five short wool lambs, a piece of plate value
one pound.

PIGS.

To Mr. Samuel Towers, for the best boar, not more
than two years old, a piece of plate value four
sovereigns.

To Mr. Samnel Towers, for the second best boar, not
more than two years old, a piece of plate value three
sovereigns.

To John Dawson, Esq., for the best breeding sow, not
more than three years old, a piece of plate value three
soveieigns.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart,, for the second best
sow, not more than three years old, a piece of plate value
two sovereigns.

To Mr. Jeremiah Shaw, of Kirkdale, for the best fat
pig-, twelve months old a piece of plate value two
sovereigns.

To John Dawson, Esq., for the second best fat pig,
eleven months old, a piece of plate value one pound ten
shillings.

To Mr. Luke Fairclough, of Liverpool, for the thu-d
best fat pig, nine months old, a piece of plate value one
sovereign.

Extra Stock.

To Richard Pilkington, Esq., for the best cow of any
breed, belonging to any person within or beyond the
hmits of the Society, five sovereigns, or plate of that
value.

To John Dawson, Esq., lor the best two-yea-old hei-
fer of any breed, belonging to any person within or be-
yond the limits of the Society, four sovereigns, or plate
of that value.

To Richard Pilkington, Esq., for the best one-year-
old heifer of any breed, belonging as before, two sove-
reigns, or plate of that value.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart., as landlord, for keeping
the best boar of any kind, to serve the sows of his
tenantry gratis, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Richard Thomas, of Liverpool, for the best
pair of draught horses employed in Liverpool, five sove-
reigns.

To Mr. William Pickup, of Liverpool, for the second
best ditto, three sovereigns.

To Mr. John WooUright, of Liverpool, for exhibiting
a brood mare, shown as extra stock, the Society's silver
medal.

To Mr. Lynn, Liverpool, for exhibiting as extra stock
three pens of Neapolitan pigs, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Robert Lucas, tor exhibiting, as extra stock,
a calf nine months' old, the Society's silver medal.

Sweepstakes.

To Richard Pilkington, Esq., for the best short-
horned bull, 2l. 2s.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, for the best short-horned
bull, one year old, \l. lis. 6d.

To Richard Pilkington, Esq., for the best short-
horned cow, in calf, not fed for the butcher, 3Z. ; for
the best cow of any breed, not fed for the butcher,

470

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

11. lis. 6d. ; for the best short-horned heifer, two
years old, ll. lis. 6d. ; for the best short-horned
heifer, one year old, ll. Is.

To John Dawson, Esq., for the best male calf under
a year old, \l. is.

To Richard Pilkington, Esq., for the best female
calf under a year old, ll. is.

To Mr. James Heaps, for the best stallion of the
waggon kind, 2/.

To Mr. Isaac Moss, for the best stallion for agricul-
tural purposes, 21.

To John Dawson, Esq., for the best ram, ll.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, for the best ram, one shear,
1/. is.

To Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart, for the best boar,
ll. is.

To John Dawson, Esq. for the best sow, ll. Is.

To Mr. Samuel Scotson, for the best Swedish tur-
nips, (four roots) 15s.

To Mr. Michael Ashcroft, for the best mangel-wur-
zel, (four roots) 15s.

Implements.

To Mr. John Carter, of , for exhibiting a turnip

cutter, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Nathan Gough, of Manchester, for a port-
able steam-engine, suitable for churning and other
purposes, three sovereigns.
_ To Mr. Vickers, of Manchester, for a new descrip-
tion of draining plough, two sovereigns ; for a culti-
yator, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Robert Jones, of "Warrington, for a curd-
mill, upon an improved construction, the Society's sil-
ver medal.

To Samuel Scotson, of Toxteth-park, for an oil-
cake crusher, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. Cartmell, of Liverpool, for a machine for
crushing oats and beans, the Society's silver medal.

To Mr. James Ife, for an improved lever corn drill,
the Society's silver medal.

Roots.

To Mr. William Taylor, of Rainford, for exhibiting
a drum-headed cabbage, the Society's silver medal.

THE DINNER.

The annual dinner took place at Lucas's Reposi-
tory, Great Charlotte-street, in the evening-. It was
most numerously and respectably attended, the large
and splendid room being nearly filled. About 500
gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner, provided
by Mr. Horn, of the Mersey Hotel. The chair was
occupied by Lord Stanley, the president of the
society, who was supported on the right by J. I.
Blackburne, Esq., M. P. for Warrington, on the left
by the Hon. R. B. VVilbraham, Esq., M.P. Amongst
the gentlemen present were Wm. Wallace Currie,
Es., — Barton, Esq., the Rev. J. J. Harrison, the
Rev. T. Moss, of Walton, John Bourne, Esq., T. R.
W. France, Esq., Richard Leyland, Esq., Robert
Pigot, Esq., Michael Hughes, Esq., C. Bourne,
Esq., the Rev. Mr. Robinson, John Wilson, Esq.,
J. Formby, Esq., &c. &c.

The silver tea-pot presented to Mr. Brown of Pen-
rith, by the East Cumberland Agricultural Society, for
his gratuitous services as secretary, contains the follow-
ing inscription ;— " Presented to James Brown, by the
3\Iembers of the Agricultural Society, as a testimony of
their Esteem and high opinion of his valuable services
as Secretary to the Society from its information." On
the opposite side is the following :— " Sir G. Musgrave,
Bart. President, W. Marshall, Esq., Vice President,'
R. Tinckler, Esq., Chairman of the Committee."

WHITTLE PLOUGHING MATCH.

Extracts from speeches made at the meeting
upon subjects of interest to the practical farmer: —

Mr. Baker rose, and begged to call the attention
of the company to some Italian ray grass, a speci-
men of which he produced. It was remarkable for
its rapid growth. Every one knew that common
ray grass was at the present time scarcely sti; ring,
and aflForded scarcely a bite for a sheep, but this was
a bite for a bullock. It was sowed in March, and in
April it was found to be as high as that now pro-
duced— nearly two feet, when other ray grass was
scarcely stirring. He had last year cut from this
description two crops of seed, and some he cut three
times for cattle, and he was quite satisfied that the
produce was three times greater than that of any
other grass. It shot out as quickly as lucerne, and
might be cut in a fortnight ; and in a month it attained
a height of two feet. Cattle were very fond of it,
and sheep devoured it with great avidity, which they
would not do with common ray grass. It mattered
not what time of the year it was sowed. That now
produced was sowed last August twelve months,
and during the winter he made a bet with Mr. Perry
that his ray grass would be higher than Mr. P's
oats. Mr. Baker also observed that much had been
said about improved stocks of wheat, and he, for one,
was glad to find the attention of the country turned
to it, for it was apparent tliat wheat in general de-
generated, but was sometimes improved by inocula-
tion ; it was well known that white wheat would de-
generate into red, and if it were sowed on another
description of land, it would become white again.
Much disappointment had been caused by persons
introducing wheat undeserving the recommendation
of it, by interested persons. At Liverpool, a pre-
mium had been offered for the production of the best
kind of wheat, and Mr. Whittington produced some
which obtained the prize. Liverpool was a place
where much corn is exhibited, and there were good
judges there. Mr. W. stated that he obtained it in
Switzerland, and had now sufficient stock to offer it
to agriculturists. As far as the testimony of judges
went, the wheat was highly spoken of, and the cha-
racter of Mr. Whittington was such that there was
no doubt of the correctness of his statement. He
(Mv. Baker) had some of the wheat, having obtained
a quarter at a high price. It grew best on poor
lands, and was very productive. Mr. B. produced
a sample of the wheat.

LordRAYLEiGH expressed great gratification at the
observations of Mr. Baker, for it was much to be
desired that Members of the Society should give
each other all the information in their power. With
respect to the Italian ray grass, he could confirm
what had fallen from Mr. Baker. When he went to
Lord Western respecting the late county meeting, his
lordship took him over his farm, and he then saw
some of that grass. Lord Western gave Gibbs, of
London, more for it than Mr. Baker would like to
give, but his lordship spoke very highly of it, and
said that sheep gave a preference to it, and would
leave any other food for it. It had been tried by
Lord Western's man of business, Mr. John Hutley,
in a variety of ways, and on a piece of ground where
there had been a dung heap, it grew in a short time
to the height of four feet. Really I wish that more
real business was done at these meetings, and fewer
formal toasts drank. The health of the Queen should
be given, and the others be all of a business nature,
and produce business speeches from those who ad-
dressed the company. (Much applause).

Mr. R. Baker said, he should be glad to find the

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

471

suggestion of Lord Rayleigh followed up, and he
should wish that at each meeting a subject should be
proposed for discussion at the next meeting ; then
members would be prepared. At the season for
wheat sowing, said Mr. B., there is a subject deserv-
ing of attention. There is a disease in wheat,
known by the name of smut or bladder. I have
given some years' attention to it, and have been
perfectly successful this season, and in preceding
ones, in growing wheat without bladders. When I
find ray neighbours growing bladders, and I am with-
out them year after year, I assume that my principle
is correct. I have endeavoured to disseminate ray
plan by a letter in one of the local papers, and no
doubt many have tried it ; and we shall hear the re-
sult ; but sufficient has been shown to prove that the
smut ball is so infectious, that if in thrashing they
become broken, and attached to the sound blade, it
so far aflfects it that it produces smut next year. 1
know a remarkable instance to prove this. A field
of wheat adjoining a barn door, was sowed with
wheat, and when the men were thrashing in the barn
wheat which had the smut, they placed the machine
so as to carry the dust over the growing wheat, and
the latter from the door was affected, and it shaded
off weaker in the distance, till it lost its effect. This
proves that the infection spreads in the vegetation.
All farmers agree in steeping their seed wheat. That
will not protect it from the worm eating the plant ;
but it is because it is supposed that the solution will
destroy the smut ball, without injuring the wheat.
Lime is considered one of the most active agents,
but it does not always insinuate itself sufficiently
into the crevices of the wheat. A Mr. Bohr has
found that immersion in lime water, sufficiently
strong, is most effectual ; and I have carried out
that principle. I put about a bushel of unslaked
lime in 60 gallons of water ; the wheat is then im-
mersed in the solution, and well washed in it, the
liquid being occasionally skimmed. If the wheat is
much affected, I give it a second washing, or a third
if necessary'; tlie better it is washed the greater
certainty is there of success. I then put one or two
pounds of salt to the wheat, and then the usual
quantity of lime on it to dry it. Last year the
corners of a field were dug up, to make the work
look neat, and when the field was reaped, it was
found that there were smut balls in the wheat, in
those corners and nowhere else ; and on investigation
I found that the man had sown the corners with dry
wheat.

Mr. Speakman said liis father had always wetted
his wheat in the old fashion way, in chamber ley and
lime, and he never had any smut ; therefore, he
thought that smut was to be referred to the land on
which it appeared. Last year he bought seed wheat,
clear for any soil, and he wetted it with lime, salt,
and vitriol ; this year it was full of smut, pepper-
corn, and other things. He bad some wheal of Mr.
Cox ; it was wetted with chamber ley, in the old
way, and that was quite free from smut ; he, there-
fore, attributed smut to the land. Mr. Beadel, of
Heybridge Hall, steeped his wheat in ley, and never
grew any smut.

Mr. Baker said that the wheat spoken of by Mr-
Speakman, as having smut, might have been infested
in the seed ; he wished to know why Mr. Speak-
man's father used chamber ley ?

Mr. Speakman replied that he did not know, but
he attributed smut greatly to the mode of farming.

Mr. W. SiiEPPARD said, that with respect to
wetting the seed, he could bear testimony to the good
effects of lime and water, and he was convinced that
if it was allowed to lie long enough there would be

no loss ; but if it were only partially wetted, and
then put through lime, there was not sufficient pene-
tration. There was also sometimes carelessness in
sweeping it up, and it was put into sacks but par-
tially wetted. He had followed the system of lime
and water 30 years, and had never grown bags.
When he was an apprentice his master boiled water
and put lime into it, but he had left off boiling the
water, and used the cold pond water.

Mr. Bakek said he considered lime to be the prin-
cipal agent.

BREAD WITHOUT YEAST.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BUCKS GAZETTE AND BEDFORD
CHRONICLE.

Sir,— I have been induced to make the following- re-
mai-ks in consequence of the great scarcity of yeast in
many places ; and though that scarcity may not exist
every where, yet some of the curious may be induced to
try the experiment, and they will thus be provided with
resource in case of the failure of the article, wiiich many
persons have no idea can be dispensed with in the mak-
ing' of bread.

Bread has been universally admitted to be tlie most
useful and nutritious article of food on which man sub-
sists ; and when we consider how much more salutary
it is when made with yeast, than when made without
any, or with that which has lost its virtues, we shall rea-
dily perceive the utdity of a substitute ; for althoug-h
there are some persons who even prefer what is called
heavy bread, yet this is only an exception to the g-eneral
rule, and I have no doubt that most of the readers of this
article would prefer that which u light.

In making bread, the salt which is put in, mixing with
the carbonic acid gas contained in the yeast (in which
it abounds providing it is good) causes a kind of effer-
vescence, and then, being placed in a warm situation,
the gas, in endeavouring to escape, causes the bread to
rise and make it light.

If muriatic acid and carbonate of soda be mixed toge-
ther, carbonic acid gas will be evolved ; therefore, if a
portion of muriatic a'cid be mixed with half the quantity
of meal or flour intended to be used and a portion of
carbonate of soda with the other half, and the whole af-
terwards well mingled, the carbonic acid gas in endea-
vouring to escape will make the bread equally light and
palatable as when made with yeast ; and I ought to re-
mark that no salt will be required, for the ingredients
used being component parts of salt, the addition of that
article (which is of importance when yeast is used) is
altogether unnecessary.

The proportion, perhaps, may vary according to the
taste of the maker, but generally four drachms of muri-
atic acid, and two drachms and a scruple of carbonate
of soda, will be found sufficient for one stone of meal or
flour ; practice, however, will prove the best guide.

The Good Old Times 1 1 1— By the statute 27
Henry VIII. c. 25, it was enacted that " a sturdy beg-
gar is to be whipped for the first time ; his right ear
to be cropped for the second ; and, if he again offend,
to be sent to the next Quarter Sessions, and if convicted
to suffer death as a felon." By the 1st Edw. VI. cap.
3, it was enacted that an able bodied person wlio did
not apply himself to some honest labour, or oftVr to
serve even for meat and drink, if nothing more was to
be obtained, should be taken for a vagabond, branded
on the shoulder with the letter V, and adjudged a slave
for two years to any one who should demand him ; if
he ran away, he was to be branded with the letter S,
and adjudged a slave for life ; and if he again ran away,
he was to suffer death.

472

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ANNUAL RETURN UNDER THE

A TABLE (in which each County is placed according to its rate of decrease in 1837, compared witli
Removal of Paupers, Law Charges, &c., in England, and for Wales, during the years ended on
Decrease in the year 1837, as compared with the years 1834 and 1836 respectively, and the rate per
Expended for purposes other than the Relief of the Poor, in the years ended on the 25th March,
amount of the three heads of Expenditure in the years 1834 and 1837, showing the Total Decrease

COUNTIES,

Sussex

Bedford...

Buckingham .......

Northampton

Kent

Leicester , . .. .

Oxford...

Suffolk

Berks

Hertford

Norfolk

Surrey

Huntingdfin

Southampton

Wilts

Esiiex

Middlesex

Warwii;k

Cambridge

Gloucester -

Derby

Worcester

Salop

Dorset

Hereford

Lincoln

Rutland

Stafford

Monmouth ,

Nottingham ,

Somerset

York, West Riding.

Chester

Lancaster

Westmoreland

York, East Ridins...
York, North Riding

Cornwall

Cumberland

Durham

Devon

Northumberland ....

Totals of England.
Totals of Wales . . .

Totals of England and Wales 1389/187

Popula-
tion
in
1831.

272340

95483
146529
179336
479155
197003
152156
296317
145389
14334)
390054
4863.34

53192
314280
240156
317507
1358330
3366 1 0
143955
387019
237170
211365
222938
159252
111211
317465

19385
410512

98130
2253-27
404200
976350
334391
1336854

55041
204253
190756
300938
16968!
253910
49447:
22291

309100;

806182

Expended for the Relief

of the Poor

in the Years ended

25th March,

1834.

246626

77819

124200

140179

343878

100857

120616

245509

100183

85799

306787

261501

35844

293466

173925

239946

582412

158159

96497

161449

72721

81612

82493

84293

5668S

161074

9008

120512

27626

66030

17628C

251821

92640

253405

22283

9111)

75810

93037

43067

79399

210825

71983

6029371

287883

1836.

161589

48524

74436

91901

247930

7007

77322

187896

6534S

59369

230762

18:^279

2727

141934

133472

185396

408027

116404

74808

116185

55018

587

64003

680 19

42195

131685

7510

92176

22377

50366

140442

197386

73894

193S54

18019

70446

61639

74856

34883

65392

172406

62800

446208(1
255546

1837.

£

116684

37530

63329

74072

185503

55019

66483

136870

566 It

49670

177538

151959

21676

123840

105451

148654

360981

98910

62722

105670

48867

54706

56351

58267

39218

111242

617

83817

1948;

46562

124699

179610

6791

183790

16162

66339

56013

70653

32598

60594

161696

59363

3803309
241432

OS

129942
40289
60871
66107

158375
45838
54133

108639
4356
36129

129249

109542
14168
79326
6S474
91292

221431
59249
33775
55779
23854
26906
26142
26026
17465
49832
2829
38695
81,39
19468
51587
72211
24723
69615
6121
24772
19797
22384
10469
18805
49129
12620

2226062
46451

6317254 4717629 4044741 2272513 672888 36 14

£

44905

8994

111''7

17829

62427

15058

10839

51026

8725

9699

53224

35320

5597

18094

28021

36741

47046

17194

12036

10515

6151

4082

7652

9752

2977

20443

1331

8359

2890

3804

15743

17776

5977

10064

1857

4107

5626

4203

2285

4798

10710

3437

658771
14117

Expenditure

per Head

(with reference to

population 1831)

for the years ended

25th March,

1834. 1836. 1837

s. d.
18 1
16 4
16 11
15 8

14 3
10 3

15 10

12 0
15 9
10 9

13 6

12 U

14 6

9 5

13 5

8 4

6 2

7 9

7 5
10 7
10 2
10 2

9 4
5 lO
5 8
5 10

8 9

8 11

7 11
6 2

5 1

6 3

8 6
6 6

9 3

7 2

s. d.
11 10
9 9

12 8
9 0
8 3

11 10

7

7
8
7
4
4
4

6 11
4 1
4 5
2 11
6 7
6 11
6 6

6 10
6 4

s. d.
8 7
8 0

3

9
7
9
3
9
11
1
3
8 1
6 2

8 9

9 4
5 4
5 11
8 9

4 1

2 9

5 10

6 6

5 10
4 8

3 10

4 9

6 7

5 4

5 10

6 0

.5 00

x'%

s. d.
9 6
8 4
8 3
7 5
G 6

6

5

6

4

5

6

5

5

3

3

4 8

2 11

2 1

2 11

1 11

1 2

3 5

1 2

* Under this head are included the charges incurred for the conveyance, &c., of parish property.

t There being no separate head for this item of expenditure in the year ended 25th March, 1834, a comparison

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

473

POOR - LAW

AMENDMENT ACT.

1834) showing tl

e Amount of Money Expended for the Relief and Maintenance of the Poor, and in

the 25th March,

1834, 1836, and 1837, respectively; spec

ifying the amount and

rate per cent, of

head of Expenditure in those years, with reference to the

Population in 1831 ;

ilso the Amount

1835 and 1837, stating the Decrease in the latter,

as compared

with the former year, and the total 1

in the year 1837.

r?

tC

.G

00 .

2 •

Total Expenditure

Total Decrease

n^

Expended in Re-

'^*i

c "

J>"

cS

for the

in Money

2 ts
0.4,

moval of Paupers,

n 2

" —'

Expended for pur-

CO ™

'" —

Relief of the Poor,

expended for

= S

Law Charges,* and

c£

poses otlier than the

^ -C

a-3

Law Charges, &c.,

Belief of the

■S tc

Travelling Expenses

o'?

relief of the poor in

'li

(S &

and

Poor, Law

* .S

of Overseers, for the

3?^

S"^

tlie years eiuled

for other purposes.

Charges, &c..

^ «

Years ended 25th

||

p. i-

25th March,

s.|

in the years

and for other

p-S;

March,

L- CS

aj "

ended

Expenses, in

a a.

la

a S

Si

s S

25th March,

the year ended

i"

« 3

si

25th March,

1- ^

"

« w

W

1

1837.

V ■"

1834.

1837.

Q

1835,f

1837.

Q

1834.

1837.

a

d£

£

X

£

^e

X

.£

X

X

787Z

2713

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11967

18970

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285436

131364

154072

54

1866

227

1639

88

5864

1348

4516

77

85549

39105

46444

54

3140

1054

2086

66

12543

5116

7427

59

139883

69499

70384

51

3311

1148

2163

65

13123

4396

8727

67

156613

79616

76997

49

15340

6206

9134

60

47743

23790

23953

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406961

215499

191462

47

5472

2338

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57

12091

6410

5681

47

118420

63767

54653

46

4441

1124

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75

11695

4795

6900

59

136752

72402

64350

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2880

4866

63

19775

10464

9311

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273030

150214

122816

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3458

767

2691

78

11597

4226

7371

64

115238

61611

53627

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2057

756

1301

63

12187

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100043

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5397

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141344

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16905

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22251

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8954

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232263

139242

93021

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1678

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9171

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193400

114077

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7

789884

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9209

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58

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236384

174838

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20
37

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115879

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52

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613963

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7511219

4808735

2702484

36

is necessarily made

with the y

3ar ended 25lh March, 183

5.

E. CHADWI

CK, Secretary.

474

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

LANCASTER AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

Abridged report of proceedings at the meeting
held on the 10th Oct. :—

The Chairman at the dinner, John Baldin, Esq.
said there could be no dispute that there had been
great improvements of lute in farming, in the breed-
ing of stock and in agricultural implements. Among
other things he might congratulate them on their
deliverance from the visitation which had threatened
the potato, which some apprehended to be an inhe-
rent disease in this root, valuable to the rich, and
particularly so to the poor. Tbanks to an all-wise
Providence all their fears upon this point had been
dissipated by the late crop. (^Applause.) There had
been great ignorance both of the cause and the
remedy of the disease in the potato, many suppo-
sitions had been hazarded, but he believed the true
cause would be found in the mild winters with
which we had been visited of late, and the cure in
the severe character of the last. He was happy to
find that the cultivation of the turnip was going on
and increasing in such a degree, that more than
double the quantity grown a few years ago, was pro-
duced now. (Applause.) He was also glad to find
the advantages of bone as a manure more and more
appreciated — (Cheers) — and that the inspector of
crops found that the turnip crops of some of the
claimants for the Society's prizes were raised by
bone manure. The capabilities of bones for raising
turnips had been proved beyond dispute, and he
trusted the absurd prejudice which had hitherto pre-
vented its general use in this district were now fast
disappearing. There was one plant which they had
been taught to believe would almost rival the turnip.
There was the Coesarean cow cabbage which the
President proceeded to denounce as worthless, and
a glaring piece of trickerv. The agricultural peri-
odicals had also been teeming to overflowing with
accounts of various sorts of wheat, red, yellow, and
mixed, stated to be remarkably prolific. He would
give an instance of the quackery or ignorance of
those who advertised these crack sorts for sale.
There was a belief in the north that poor land re-
quired a greater quantity of seed per acre than richer
soils. But with respect to one of these wheats the
leverse was maintained, and it was stated that on
poor land where a bushel an acre had been sown, the
produce has been 40 bushels an acre, and on good
land where two bushels had been sown, the produce
had been from 70 to 80 bushels an acre. They might
credit this statement or not just as they felt inclined.
He was not an enemy to the careful selection of
wheats for seed, for on this a great deal depended,
but he thought it incumbent on the farmer to use his
exertions to make every inch on his farm as pro-
ductive as possible, and he wished to persuade them
to trust to their own care and exertions in selecting
the best ears of wheat, for by selecting the best
heads he believed the potato oat, the Chevalier
barley, and other such sorts were produced. Another
point he wished to impose on his agricultural friends,
was to grow their own turnip seed, which might be
done in a corner of their fields or gardens. He
believed they might also grow their own clover seed
with advantage. A little while ago, in going over
the farm of one of the most skilful and energetic
members of the Society (Mr. Ellison, the Sizergh)
he saw some white clover seed nearly ripe, of the
most beautiful description. Mr. Ellison's intention
was to set women and children to pluck this, and
that gentleman would inform them how it had

threshed. He was happy to see that the modern iron
plough had in some measure come into use, and he
trusted they would soon entirely discard the old
heavy plough which required much greater draught;
and he trusted they would no longer have the spec-
tacle of three, four, or five horses to drag it, and
attended by one or sometimes two drivers. They must
all have been pleased with the show of horses to-day,
in which great improvement was visible. A chimerical
notion was abroad, that railroads would soon super-
sede the use of horses. So far from this being so the
contrary was the case, and in the instance of the
Liverpool and Manchester railway it had been ascer-
tained that double the number of horses were re-
quired now, than when fifty-two coaches ran between
those two towns before the construction of the rail-
way. The important effect of railroads on agriculture
could scarcely be over rated. He would mention
one or two instances. It was found that if a beast of
50 stone were driven eighty or a hundred miles to
market, it would suifer a loss of two stones ; and
fat beasts would suff"er still more in proportion,
especially in hot weather. By railroad they would
be taken on moderate terms, without loss of time,
and with comparatively little cost for keep on the
road. No sort of butcher's meat depreciated in value
more in travelling to market than fat lambs. It was
well known that fat lambs brought pretty near as high
a price in the Liverpool and Manchester markets as
in Smithfield. Now in two years' time the farmers
in this neighbourhood would be within three hours'
ride of the Liverpool and Manchester markets, and
within twelve of London. (Hear, hear.} This
was an important matter for consideration. If the
funds of the Society were in a tolerably good state
( " Yes," from Mr. Binns) there was a subject which
he should like to hear discussed — the propriety of
giving a premium for those who excelled most in the
art and mystery of sheep shearing. (Hear.) There
was much carelessness in this respect, and he had
himself seen three or four ounces of wool left to
adorn the animal in deep tufts. (Hear.) The sheep
shearing of the neighbourhood was undoubtedly
capable of great improvement.

The Secretary then read an account of the system
of husbandry practised in the farm of Mr. Corbishley,
of Thurnham, the winner of the prize of five sovereigns
for the best farm. The extent of the farm is 53
acres, customary measure ; the arable land he fallows ;
lavs down 10 acres yearly for mowing and pasture ;
he stall-fed 2^ acres, and turned out his stock at
night on 3^ more, which enabled him to keep ten
cows, one bull, and four horses. The manure made
by them was three tons per week from the 10th of
June to the day of inspection ; he purchased from 50
to 100 loads of lime yearly, and had drained upwards
of 1,000 roods.

Mr. Thomas Jackson, of Berwick Hall, winner of
the prize for the best crop of turnips, stated that he
planted 22 acres in all ; 122 Swedes, and PJ of the
common white. On weighing the turnips on one
perch, statute measure, he found 7§ cwt., which
would be 60 tons per acre. The portion thus weighed
had been manured with common farm-yard compost ;
but he had no doubt that those manured with bones
would turn out equally well. Some of his West-
moreland friends, he knew doubted the accuracy of
his weights, but he would vouch for the fact. The
application of bone as a manure for turnips, was, he
was convinced, a great improvement.

The Chairman said, than the prejudices against
bone manure nothing was more absurd. In York
it had been used most extensively and successfully,
on as poor land as any in the kingdom. One cart

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

m

load of ttls manure to a statute acre would answer
very well ; a cart containing 25 bushels sold at 2s.
9d. a Winchester bushel.

Mr. Skirving said, he should always be happy
to shew any improvement in the seed of turnips. To
shew the importance of getting a good quality he
might state that lie had now upwards of 30 different
sorts, good, bad, and indifferent, and that there was as
much as 10 tons per acre difference between some
of the crops. He could speak confidently to the
advantage of bone as a manure for turnips, for they
thus produced more food above ground, and the
bulk contained less fibre and was better " grown out."
He agreed with what had been stated by the chair-
man respecting the varieties of seed wheat ; there
was a great deal of humbug in it. There was
one new plant — the Italian r3'e-grass — which was
worthy of notice. A defect of clover was that it
would not thrive in certain elements and seasons,
and the species called trifolium raeanatum, although
it did very well in a mild winter, would not stand a
severe one. The Italian rye-grass, however, would
Stand every weather ; in some fields about Liverpool
it had been mown on the 10th May, at a time when
there was scarcely a blade of grass to be seen in
other fields. Its value to farmers at this season of
the year would always be very great. The steward
of Lord Derby said it was as fine a herb as could
possibly be, and it had been mown as often as three
times in one year.

Mr. Patten : Does it require more manure than
the other grasses ?

Mr. Skirving : I presume it does ; it grows so
rapidly.

Mr. EiDSFORTH inquired what sort of manure was
best adapted for it — bones, farm-yard manure, or
night soil.

Mr. Skirving thought either farm-yard or bone
manure, particularly the latter.

Mr. Jackson : When should it be sown ?
Mr. Skirving : At any time almost ; either in
March, April, or May. Some had been sown in
November, after another crop.

Mr. Ellison remarked, that Mr. Skirving had
grown a turnip of 271bs. weight, which had gained
the silver medal of the Highland Society at Dumfries.
He eulogized the care taken by Mr. Skirving to
obtain good seeds, and siid there was some necessity
to get seed from a robust plant as to breed from
a good animal. What was wanting was, to obtain
the greatest possible quantity from the soil. " Oh !
but," it had been said to him, " you must thereby
exhaust the land !" To be sure he would, and he
wanted to do so. But was there nothing that came
to their assistance here; was there not manure?
(^Hear.) He (Mr. Ellison) had had some rye giass
and it had turned out extremely well, and he had
got seed from it, which could not have been very
good, for it weighed 251bs. to the bushel.

Mr. EiDSFORTH said, the inspectors were much
pleased with the arrangements made by Mr. Cor-
bishley to economise the compost on his farm. By
means of drains and gutters from the various com-
post heaps and buildings on the farm, all the urine
and moisture was collected and conveyed to reser-
voirs. The inspectors suggested that by a very
little trouble this might be turned over to and ma-
nure a five acre field with little or no trouble, and
without carting. ]\Ir. Corbishley's drains were
also in good order, and his drilled beans (some as
late as May) the best they had seen anywhere in the
county.

Mr. Ford inquired of Mr. Skirving, whether the
Italian rye grass could be laid down as pasture.

Mr. Skirving said, it could, if mixed with white
clover. It could not, however, be called a perren-
nial, but one of the artificial grasses used in a three
years' change of husbandry. It made hay of the
best quality, and he would advise every one who
possibly could to try it.

Mr. CoRBisHLEY Said, it was the first time he had
tried the soiling system, and he found that it an-
swered his purpose.

CULTIVATION OF PEAT MOSS.

Mr. BiNNS, the Secretary, then rose to read a com-
munication on the subject appointed for discussion:
— " The best mode of improving peat moss, to bring
it into profitable cultivation." Mr. Binns then read
as follows : —

The cultivation of peat mosses in England, Scot-
land and Ireland must be considered by all a subject
of the greatest importance, when it is considered
that in the latter country alone there are five millions
of acres of waste land principally peat moss, nearly
all reclaimable which might afford profitable employ-
ment and be a source of riches to the country. This
important subject therefore well deserves the atten-
tion of all agriculturists. To confirm my own opinion
of the practicability and the advantage of improving
the mosses or peat bogs, I quote the observations of
the late Mr. Nimro, one of the commissioners ap-
pointed by Government to make a survey and report
on the Irish bogs* he observes, " I am so perfectly
convinced of the practicability of converting the
whole of the bogs I have surveyed, about 150,000
acres, into arable land, and that at an expense which
need hardly exceed the gross value of one year's
crop produced from them, that I declare myself wil-
ling, for a reasonable consideration, to undertake the
drainage of any given piece of considerable extent,
and the formation of its roads, for the sum of one
guinea per acre, and to prepare the same for the re-
ception of any crop for 10/. per acre, which is little
more than seven years' purchase of the rent it would
then afford."

" It is observable," says Mr. Nimro, " that in all
the rivers and streams which intersect bogs, the ac-
cumulation of hog on their banks is prevented, and
its place occupied by rich succulent pastures, at least
in all places where the water runs with tolerable
rapidity. Where, on the other hand, the stream is
scanty and sluggish, the bog whether the cause or
the consequence of this condition has grown to the
water's edge, but even then the bog is shallow at the
water's side, in comparison of its depth a little way
off. I have met with a few, and but very few places,
where the method of turning tlie water on the bog has
been attempted. The most perfect example was near
Killarney, wheie a common peasant seeing perhaps
the effect of a stream from a hill upon the bog below,
turned it over a few acres by means of little chan-
nels of two or three inches deep, and thereby, not
only procured abundant crops of hay, but so far
ameliorated the bog as to admit of its bearing car-
riages. Originally it had been a dangerous swamp.
Those natural hollows where the water is constantly
soaking, continue little better than quagmire, while
the banks between them which are only wetted in
flood time, are quite firm, and afford good pasture
though formed over a considerable depth of bog.
But I am perfectly convinced from all that I have
seen, that any species of bog, is by tillage and ma-
nure, capable of being converted into soil fit for the
support of plants of every description that can be
submitted to the operations of the farmer, and with
due management perhaps the most fertile green crops ,

* A bog is a term used in Irelaud for peat moss.

476

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

such as rape, cabbages, and turnips may be raised
with the greatest success on firm bog-, with no other
manure than the ashes of the same soil. Permanent
meadows may be formed on bog more productive
than any other soil. Timber may be raised, espe-
cially fir, larch, spruce, and all the aquatics, on the
deep bog, and the plantations are fenced at little ex-
pense ; and with a due application of manure, every
description of white crops may be raised upon bog."
The estimate which Mr. Edgeworth, another of
the commissioners, gives of the expense of improvino-
peat bogs, is founded on the supposition, that the
machines and railways would last four or five years,
so as to make land worth 30s. per acre ; it is as
follows : —

£. s.
Wear, tear, and share of capital, per acre, 0 8

Draining 0 10

Turning up surface 2 13

Digging and filling clay 2 13

Carrying out clay on moveable railway . . 1 14
Spreading clay and shifting the railway. . 0 10
Damages for gravel pit 0 7

8 15 per
Irish acre — equal to 5/. 8s. per English acre.

Mr. Blacker in his claims of the landed interest
states an encouraging instance of the successful cul-
tivation of peatbog, on the Dungannon school lands,
of which remarks " no situation offering less encou-
ragement to the settler than the allotments on the
school lands afford, could, I am persuaded, anywhere
be found , as they are in general as bad as almost as
imagination can picture, an advance of money to 49
tenants, never at any time exceeded 123i. 13s. 8id.,
and of which 631. 12s. lid. only remained due at
December 1835, tlie Commissioners of education ac-
tually received in rent 193/. 19s. 8d., besides esta-
blished an annual rental of 66/. I3s. 2d. Now of these
49 families, consisting, perhaps, of over 200 souls,
there was not, I believe, more than three that would
not have fallen upon the parish for support, had
there been poor rates to have had recourse to ; ne-
vertheless, in three years, they had realized to the
commissioners of education, a rental, which, at twen-
ty-five years' purchase, would amount to the sum of
1,666L 9s. 2d., and adding the money already re-
ceived, say, 193L I9s. 8d., makes the entire sum
gained out of nothing 1,860/. 8s. lOd. Mr. Blacker
further observes, " I purchased one-third of a mile
of railway, which is laid from the clay island to the
bog, and 1 lend them this at such a charge as pays
interest on the cost, and finds lime to mix with the
clay ; and the reclaiming is going on with wonderful
rapidity without costing the Commissioners of edu-
cation a sixpence."

The first process in the improvement of peat
mosses, consists in draining, which on mosses of
considerable depth must be effected by degrees,
opening out first a shallow cut to drain the excess of
water, and sinking deeper as the moss acquires so-
lidity, without this precaution the soft salistratum is
set at liberty and fills up the drain. When the
drains have been dug to a sufficient depth, a sod in
the shape of a thick wedge, with the sharp end cut
oif, may be introduced into the drain, leaving a nar-
row opening at the bottom, the upper part of the
drain is then to be filled with the moss. The next
operation is either to pare oflf and burn the rough
surface, or to plough and tear it in pieces with the
harrow and leave it to gradual decomposition.
The latter was practised in Chat-moss, under the
management of Mr. Reed, who obtained most luxu-
riant crops of wheat, potatoes, turnips, and clover.

Marling or claying next folIo^'S, Which is best done
by means of a moveable railway, after that the moss
is ready for manuring and sowing.

Peat moss is well adapted to the growth of green
crops, as rape, clover, turnips, potatoes, tares, and
cabbages. Tho first crop after clearing the surface
and marling, may be rape, the rape ought to be eaten
on the ground by sheep, which enriches and gives
solidity. The rape to be followed by oats, then tur-
nips, manured with bones or other manure, part of
the turnips may be eaten on the ground, and part
given to cattle in the house or yard. The turnips to
be followed by oats sown witli red clover, which
should all be mown and given to cattle in the house
or yards. The same rotation of rape, oats, turnips,
oats, clover or tares, may be continued. By thus
having three green crops for two white ones, and
two of the green crops being consumed in the house
or yard, an abundant supply of manure will always
be at command, and every crop will be a luxuriant
one. The moss lands are very subject to grow a va-
riety of troublesome and succulent weeds, such as
red shanks (Polygonium Persiraria), &c., which by
drilling all the grain as well as green crops, would
be kept down, and a superior crop secured. Black
mossy soil is also well adapted to the growth of flax.
When the climate is favourable winter tares may be
sown immediately on the removal of the oats in Au-
gust or September, the tares may be mown in May,
and be followed by turnips the same year.

Mr. Eidsforth and Mr. Ellison, of Sizergh, both
of which gentlemen have had experience in drain-
ing, thought the better way would be to take several
large cuts and drains in the moss, to drain off the
superfluous moisture and top water.

Mr. Rawsthorne inquired if Mr. Binns, in his re-
port, was not alluding to the Irish peat mosses? It
would be desirable to discuss the matter in its ap-
plication to our own particular locality.

Mr. Binns, in reply, stated, that both Mr. Ellison
and Mr. Eidsforth discussed the matter as if all the
bogs in this country were six or eight feet deep, and
not twenty and thirty, as there are some about Raw-
cliflfe, and in the south of the country. If a drain
were dug ever so deep at first, the pressure of the
superincumbent moss would cause the soft under
moss to rise and fill the drain.

Mr. Ellison said that with respect to the cultiva-
tion of moss, a great deal of what had been stated by
Mr, Binns was undoubtedly veiy good. He (Mr.
Ellison) had done a good deal of draining himself,
and ids plan at the Levens mosses was to make a
great cut in the moss and take advantage of the fall.
They might get draining done in Ireland for ten
shillings an acre, but he could not get it done at that
price in England. His plan was to make the drains
distant from each other, and they could not get these
made for less than 4d. a rood, and 3d. on moss land
that had been brought into cultivation. At this rate,
supposing 70 square vards were drained to the sta-
tute acre, would cost 23s. 3d. The white moss on
the surface, it was necessary to take oflf, and he
thought the best plan was to burn it, but there was
great difficulty in getting it consumed, and it might
sometimes be the be^t to leave it to rot. After they
had got a level surface from the removal of the white
top moss, it was necessary to tnke out some of the
marl or clay and spread it plentifully on the surface
of the black moss. Till that was done vegetation
would take place, but to no useful purpose until a
weight was put on the land. He intended in a short
time to bring ten more acres into cultivation, and
the above was the mode he should adopt. After
bringing the surface soil to the proper degree of so«

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

477

lidity, all that was necessary was to keep the drains
open, but if the earth got into your neighbours'
drains you cannot keep them out of your own. This
led him to speak of the inconveniences of having a
slovenly farmer for your neighbour. In the course
of his own experience he had himself suffered from
this. In one instance a neighbour suffered his field
to be over-run with coltsfoot and thistles, which
were allowed to run to seed, and which seed soon
communicated with bis own fields. The moss lands,
when properly brought into cultivation, was worth
almost as much more as other soils. Turnips and
Timothy grass might be grown to great perfection
on moss land ; only get a good carrier drain. No
grass was so well adapted to moss land as the Ti-
mothy grass which he had before spoken of ; white
clover also did very well upon it, as did Swedish
turnips and mangel wurzel. On one piece of moss
land which he had reclaimed, he had put only 600
carts of clay per acre, of half a ton each cart. In two
years time he should put on it 300 carls more, and he
should then be able to grow wheat upon it. {Hear,
hear.) Moss land required great caution in manur-
ing, and if over manured for turnips, as was fre-
quently the case, a great deal of chickweed appeared.
He had let some white clover run to seed on this
land, and was confident it would thrash well.

My. Eidsforth said he had tried lime on moss
land, and found it answer very well.

Mr. Ellison said he was confident that employ-
ment might be found for the labouring population of
this country, especially the women and children, in
plucking and preparing it, if farmers would turn
their attention to the growth of seeds. "Oh!"
but it had been said to him, " If every body grows
it, who is to buy it 1 " Why, Mr. Skirving would
buy it, and other seedsmen would buy it. (Mr.
Skirving: Yes, as much as they liked to send.)
Why should they go to Holland, and France, and
Germany for their seeds, instead of those nations
coming to usl There need be no complaints of a
surplus population then, for from June to October
hands might find employment, at fair and liberal
wages, in plucking the different sorts of seed which
it was in the power of the farmer to grow.

Mr. Eidsforth, as one of the inspectors, spoke
strongly in favour of the seeds showf^ to them at
Mr, Ellison's. Some of the furnishing grass seeds
were the finest he ever saw in his life.

The Chairman proposed that they should drink

Mr. Ellison's good health, with many thanks for the

statement which he had made. Drank accordingly.

Mr. Eidsforth bore his testimony to the fact, that

white clover grew best in heat.

Mr. BiNNS begged to inquire at what depth clay
was found in the mosses alluded to by Mr. Ellison.
Mr. Ellison said from one to ten feet.
Mr. BiNNS said a moss required very different
treatment where there were thirty or forty feet
between the surface and the clay or marl. As he
had explained in the few observations which he had
thrown together, with a moss of this depth, if a pool
were cut ever so deep, the soft nature of the substrata
around would quickly fill it up. With regard to an
objection by Mr. Ellison, that in the above estimate
allowance must be made for the low rate of Irish
labour, he might state that the work done was in
proportion to the pay, and that an English labourer
would perhaps be as well worth 2s. 6d. Mr. Binns
then entered into a variety of interesting details
respecting his plan of drainage.

The Chairman proposed the health ofa most ac-
tive and efficient member of the society — their

secretary, Mr. Binns, with thanks for the interesting
paper which he liad just read.

Mr. Binns repeated that his paper had had the
effect he intended — that of promoting discussion.
Of the importance of the subject to every person in
the three kingdoms there could be no doubt, and the
consideration of the subject was sufficient to stimu-
late their best energies. It was gratifying to witness
the progress which agriculture was making, as shown
in agricultural meetings, and in the altered appear-
ance of the face of the country, but in his opinion
agriculture was still in its infancy, nay in embryo.
Look at the cattle shown that day. He did not wish
to find fault with what was an improvement on
former years, but certainly some had been shown
that to the critical eye did not deserve to be ex-
hibited, and yet compare them with the generality of
those shewn in the fair on the day. And all those
in the fair might have been as good as the best of
those shewn in the area on the morning. Con-
sidering that those sliewn to-day were so far short
of perfection he would maintain they might. Would
any one maintain that they had arrived at the height
of perfection ? (A. remark was made about pasture
which we did not catch.) Pasture, said Mr. Binns,
there ought to be no such thing as pasturing cattle
at all. It is the greatest waste imaginable. Then
our present crops of grain might be nearly doubled,
(" yes,'' from Mr. Skirving, " no, no," from Mr. Elli-
son.) By an ecomomical system of soiling cattle, (in-
stead of turning them into the field to trample down
the grass, and exposing them to the scorching rays of
the sun,) aid keeping them in a shed during the
day, and turning them out for a little exercise at
night, they had their bellies filled at all times, and
three times the quantity of compost was made. He
repeated that the science of agriculture was in its
embryo state as yet. The quantity of manure made
under the soiling system would goon increasing in a
compound ratio ; they would get three times the
quantity the first year, in the next five, in the next
ten, and so on, they would go on until they had
more manure than they knew what to do with. The
present system of agriculture was in many respects
in what might be called a barbarous condition. Mr.
Binns concluded by thanking the company for the
manner in which his health had been drank.
(^Applause.)

Some matters of detail respecting the mode of
draining peat mosses were then entered into in
answer to questions put by Mr, Rawsthorne, who
stated incidentally that he had seen an excellent
little pamphlet by Mr. Blacker, detailing the ad-
vantages of the soiling system. He should recom-
mend that these should be generally distributed.

Mr. Binns stated that at the May meeting it was
ordered that a hundred copies should be procured
and circulated among the subscribers.

A New Flower.— At the flower show in the
Egyptian-hall on Thursday there was exhibited, for the
first time in this country, a specimen in full blow of that
magnificent plant Fuchsia fulg ens. It was introduced
from Mexico by Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, and
for its culture they obtained the large silver medal.
The leaves of the plant are of a bright green, tinged
with a beautiful deep purple towards the centre. The
flowers are red, and the inner fold of a deep scarlet.
They measure three inches and a half in length, and
hang down in luxuriant branches of from thirty to sixty
blooms, varying according to the strength of the shoot.

478

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STEAM
PLOUGH.

The plough itself is managed with great labour by
three or four stout Englishmen trained to the busi-
ness. The apparatus has the appearance of a house
of considerable size, roofed in, with a high chimneJ^
Tlie horns or stilts of the plough are connected with
strong iron rods, on which there are wooden knobs
or handles to hold by. One man guides the plough
behind, and another works before, by means of the
reverse stilts or knobs. The work is most severe.

" Three separate pieces of machinery are included
under the general head ofsteam-plough— the plough,
properly so called ; the steam-engine by which mo-
tion is communicated to it; and the auxiliary, a
kind of pulley, by means of which the plough is
carried from, as well as to, the engine.

" The plough, though it may appear to a stranger
to its mechanism as a thing of secondary importance,
is, in reality, the portion of the entire concern on
which most ingenuity has been expended. It weighs
12§ cwt., measures 30 feet from one extremity to the
other, is Sg feet across the centre, and is about 2^
feet high in the middle of the body. The sole is 10
feet in length, and has a bearing surface of about 10
square superficial feet.

" The body of the plough is a triangular box. The
short sides and extremities are furnished with cut-
ting apparatus. 'I"he opposite surface cuts the fur-
row, and is therefore called the furrow side. The
land side is perfectly flat, being only made forgoing
against the perpendicular side of the uncut ground,
and not for cutting ; while the furrow side is armed
with a knife and scissors, to enable it to make way
through the soil, and is so shaped as to turn it aside
as soon as cut.

" Two sets of cutting instruments are fixed in the
body of the plough — the one acting vertically, the
other horizontally. Those having the upright move-
ment are placed in the beaks of the plough, and serve
to cut the coarse and resisting herbage on the moss.
They consist, at each end, of a coulter and chopping
knife, placed scissor-ways, the one against the other,
so as to clip the matted surface of the bog, and serve
as pioneers for the rest of the machine. The hori-
zontal knives, on the other hand, arelaid immediately
upon the sole or bottom of the plough, along the
lesser sides of the triangle, and are designed to slice,
or rather saw, the roots of plants, which would
otherwise obstruct the progress of the machine.

" The coulter works up and down at an angle of
45 deg. to the ground. The chopping knife works
against the edge of the coulter in a reverse direction,
so as to clear it from all obstructions, and with a
force sufficient to divide the strong stalks of heather,
as well as the soft spongy matter of the sphagnum,
or bog-moss, with which otherwise it would be im-
mediately entangled : while, from being attached at
its upper end to the small connecting-rod, motion is,
at the same time, communicated to the sole-plate
knife, and it commences a sawing motion, popping
in and out with great rapidity, so as to keep itself
clear of roots and soil, much in the way by which
the coulter effects the process.

" As it is almost impossible to turn a plough of so
great a length and weight, when it has reached the
end of the furrow, the one in question is made
double, so that it can be driven with either end fore-
most. In this way it proceeds alternately backwards
and forwards in the field, being pulled from and to
the engine, as is hereafter to be explained, with
scarcely so much delay as is necessary in the case
of such as are drawn by horses. It requires, how-

ever, like all other ploughs, to be slewed a little oc-
casionally while in motion, by the men who hold the
stilts.

" Though the plough is furnished with six handles
at each end, it does not require more than two men
to direct it, since, as has been been already shown,
the way in which it is fastened to the band, permits
either beak to be elevated or depressed with the
greatest ease. One man stands by each set of stilts
— he who is at the hindermost end being the one
upon whom the greatest part of the management de-
volves. The drums are partly sunk below the
ground-line when the plough is in action, and are
placed at such a height above the level of the sole,
as to allow the body to be immersed in the soil to a
depth of nine inches. The large jug-like mouth
formed by the projecting centres of the mould-
boards, causes a slice of earth, eighteen inches in
breadth, to be completely turned over, after being
cut from the furrow.

"The engine, by which the power that moves the
plough is generated and applied, has next to be de-
scribed ; it is mounted ujion a platform, which again
is hung from the large outer wheels or drums, on
which it is transported from place to place — the
whole being under the shelter of a canvass roof, that
it may be protected from the weather.

" The large wheels upon which the engine travels,
are eight feet in diameter. The spokes and fellows
are of wood, but the naves are of iron, and each
wheel is hooped with iron in the ordinary manner.
There are twelve of these large wheels in all, six at
one end and six at the other, and they are embraced
by a pair of hands proceeding lengthways in respect
to the machine, each hand enclosing of course six
wheels. These bands form an endless flexible railway,
on which the wheels move, and are made up of spars,
each 7^ feet long, 4 inches broad, and two in thick-
ness. They are bound together by two inflexible
bands of iron upon their inner surface, the bands
being so placed that each line of wheels has one ap-
propriated to itself, and to keep the railway upon the
wheels the head of every alternate bolt employed to
fix the spars to the iron is made to project a little
over the tires or rims of the wheels.

"The enoine and gearing rest upon a platform,
which is f 9U to the axles of these outer wheels, so
as to keep those of the end apart from the other, and
hold the bands extended ; the length of the machine
reaching in this way to 32 feet. 'I'he entire breadth
is 22 feet 6 inches ; and as the united measurement
of the bands in breadth is only 15 feet, it follows that
there is a space between them of 7^ feet. The engine
being placed upon the centre of the platform, occu-
pies its vacancy, rising up so as to come just to the
inner margin of the bands, while the chimney goes
up between them, and passes through the roof.

" Besides being attached to the axles of the large
wheels, the platform is supported upon the endless
railway by iron rollers.

"The large bands give breadth of surface to the
wheels, the entire bearing of the machine upon the
moss being about 370 square feet, and form a port-
able road, the successive portions of rail laying
themselves down as the engine moves before the
foremost drums, as these outer wheels may with pro-
priety be called.

"Though the weight of the entire machine is
twenty-five tons, usuallj' carrying a load of fuel
which brings it in all to about 30 tons, it is so con-
trived as to be capable of travelling on the surface of
bogs, the consistence of which would be sufficient to
sustain the weight of horses previous to a long and
expensive di ainage ; the superficial bearing on the

No. L

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

479

moss being, as already mentioned, so extensive that
it presses ■!! times more highly on the surface than a
man does while walking.

" The engine is constructed much on the plan of
those employed on railways. It is, however, a great
deal heavier, and is so connected with a particular
kind of gearing, as to be hindered from working with
rapidity. It is a non-condenser, and is furnished
with two cylinders, each ten inches in diameter.
The pistons make a stroke of two feet, about sixty
times in a minute ; and as each stroke carries the
machine forward an inch, it moves at the rate of five
feet a minute.

"The machine can travel where a cart would be
swamped ; and is often on ground which would set
at nought all attempts to transport fuel over it; be-
sides it would be a very difficult matter to convey
coal over an extent of moss fit to support such a
carriage ; so that the application of the peat, raised
in the cutting of the road way drains to the wants
of the engine, cannot be dispensed with, notwith-
standing the several drawbacks which attend its
use.

"The plough is dragged by a flat iron band, 52g
inches broad, and 1-17 of an inch in thickness, con-
nected to the engine by its ends ; while its middle is
passed round a pulley placed 320 yards oiF, at tlie
extremity of the field, and directly opposite to the
great machine. The band is made up of a number
of pieces joined end to end. Whenit was first formed,
the ends ofthepieces had an overlap of several inches,
and were in that way riveted together ; but as these
joinings were very liable to be broken when the
band was coiled, from the piecings being too un-
yielding, Mr. Parkes found it necessary to unite
them by riveting each end to a piece of thin elastic
steel about six inches in length, keeping the ends,
at the same time, separate to the extent of half an
inch ; by which contrivance the whole is rendered
so strong, that a weight of three tons would fail to
break it if suspended from it ; while it is so pliant,
as to be incapable of receiving injury in the rolling
up." — Patnphlet by Mr. Blacklock.

HEATHCOAT'S STEAM PLOUGH.

[The following account of the exhibition of
the Steam Plough, at Dumfries, being from the
pen of Mr. Parkes, tlie engineer and co-opera-
tor with Mr. Heathcodt, will be found more
satisfactory than any of the other reports, by in-
experienced hands, which have been published.
—Ed. F. M.]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUMFRIESSHIRE AND GALLO.
WAY HERALD.

Sir, — I have waited that a week might elapse
after the exhibition of Mr. Heathcoat's Steam
Plough, before noticing some of the almost number-
less observations, and replying to some of the almost
numberless queries made to me on a subject which
has interested so many persons, in order to take the
same opportunity of correcting any mistakes, or sup-
plying any deficiencies, which might naturally enough
have crept into the reports given of that exhibition
by yourself and brother Editors. These reports,
confined, as they principally are, to the operations
of the third day, require no correction on my part,
as they are substantially accurate so far as they go ;
and I pity any Editor or Reporter, as well ^s the nu-

merous assemblage whose curiosity led them to
LocharMosson that dismal morning. To see plough-
ing on that day after twelve o'clock, was impractica-
ble. I myself neither saw the plough nor my men, nor a
single furrow turned between that hour and four
o'clock ; yet I held communication with them and
the plough. With my finger — metaphorically speak-
ing— on the pulse of the engine, I could tell whether
the plough, even at 320 yards off, was doingits duty,
or whether my men were obstructed by any peculiar
difficulty. I could stop the plough to an inch at
each bout, and start again, assured that all was
right. I confess that, though the behaviour of the
mass of the visitors on that day annoyed me, I was
proud of having been able to gratify them in de-
fiance of their irrational conduct. I was pleased to
find that steam had again conquered difficulties,
which neither the four-legged brutes, nor men could
have done, even on hard land ; that I could, by an
almost invisible agency, impel to a distance of 320
yards, and bring back safely to me, a plough travel-
ling on an undrained bog, poached and mashed as it
was by 2000 people, and by two days previous
trampling. The compliments I received from many
mechanical and agricultural gentlemen, strangers to
me, as well as from several who had attended on the
previous days, when all was working to perfection,
on being able to plough at all with the moss in such a
state, and with my view of the furrow entirely inter-
cepted, gratified me even more than the satisfaction ex-
pressed by the many intelligentpersons.who had the
wisdom to be present on the two first days. Floughiiig
however, after twelve o'clock it was not ; nor was it
possible for the uninitiated to comprehend the various
mechanical operations, single and combined, by
which the plough was made to go in a right line,
and the machine and auxiliary at right angles to it.
For this, the spectators have no one to blame but
themselves ; their over-eager curiosity defeated it-
self. The Committee and myself relied too much on
the intelligence of the Scottish peasantry by issuing
sixpenny tickets. Of the intelligence of a sixpenny
JUDGE an anecdote, amongst others which I could
relate, will not be unamusing. A man presented
himself at the machine, and begged hard to be ad-
mitted to see how things were done there, as he had
waded to the other end, and minutely inspected the
plough and auxiliary. I admitted him, and after
some minutes of observation, I asked him what he
thought of it; to which he replied, "It's gey fine,
but no sae fine as a balloon." Well, said I, if you
will stay a little longer, you shall be gratified ; at
one o'clock I expect the Committee, and their arri-
val will be the signal for the boiler to explode, and
we shall then all plotigh the /i'l/wirf air together. My
sixpenny friend bolted instanter ; but the boiler be-
haved with becoming respectfulness to the Committee,
though the rain and the people did not. Of a
shilling judge I have an anecdote also, of a different
stamp. I was returning home after the first day's
work, and overtook a strapping Dandie-Dinmont-
looking yeoman, with a shaggy great-coat on his
shoulder, though it rained hard. He stopped my
carriage, and asked me if my name were not Parkes.
Answering in the affirmative, he begged to have the
liimour of shaking me by the hand, adding that he
was an Ayrshire farmer, — that he had come all the
way to see the Steam Plough, — that he had paid a
shilling to see it, and would pay the last shilling he
was possessed of to see it again, as he had never
been so highly gratified. I regret my inability to
express this man's sentiments in his own racy
dialect.

Were J tp attempt replying to the thousand ob-

480

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

jections urged by certain spectators against the
invention I should commit as great a folly, as
did the Athenian artist of old, who exposed
his work in the forum, requesting his enlightened
countrymen to mark the faults with a pencil.
His picture was scored all over, yet his work,
the anecdote, and the moral, are alike immortal. I
will, however, notice two errors of opinion enter-
tained hy many very competent judges of the merits
of the invention, whose strictures would have
vanished, could they have had a moment's conversa-
tion with me. 1 understand that many persons left
the ground, believing that the pause made by the
plough at the end of each furrow was unavoidable ;
and they thence concluded that but very little
ground could be turned over in a day. In regular
work, the pause does not exceed 20 seconds; but the
people would examine the plough, and were not
content merely to see it move to and fro between the
machine and auxiliary. They broke through the
ropes, pressed on the ploughmen, and obstructed my
view, in order to obtain a sight of the plough when
it finished its career. I therefore, adopted the plan
of letting them in to examine it at each end — first,
after four furrows, then, from necessity, at the end
of each furrow — on condition that they retired be-
hind the ropes when the plough was in motion.
This arrangement caused me much trouble on the
machine, as I had to pump down the steam, damp
the fire, and yet have power ready prepared, after a
five minutes' pause. Nevertheless, the plan
answered very well on the two first days, and gave
much satisfaction to the spectators, many of whom
also had an opportunity of inspecting the machine
and engines at the same time. On the third day, the
numbers became unmanageable, and, as already ex-
plained, the work was very imperfectly performed.
The second objection to which I allude, regards
the amount of power required, which I stated to all
querists as equal to 15 horses, and which was by
some thought enormous. Steam power, expressed
in relation to that of horses, is a ridiculously indefi-
nite phrase, and can only be properly understood by
engineers. All that regards the public, or indivi-
duals, is the economical result of the application of
any motive force whatever to a given object, 1 can
however, popularly illustrate the power of Mr.
Heathcoat's machine, compared with that of horses
in ploughing mosses. On Chat Moss, in Lancashire,
after two years' drainage, a common light swing
plough is used, with one horse in pattens, a plough-
man, and a boy. The depth ploughed is 4 inches.
The plough is choked, and has to be thrown out and
cleaned every 20 yards, the boy being occupied
incessantly in clearing the coulter. In this manner
they contrive to grub up one quarter of an acre
per day. With two ploughs driven by the machine,
I should turn over eight acres per diem, nine
inches in depth, completely reversing and burying
the useless surface, and bringing up that which ulti-
mately turns into useful soil. By comparison of
surface, the machine would thus perform as much
work as 32 horses, 32 men, and 32 boys on Chat
Moss. Bv comparison of depth and surface, its
power would equal that of 72 ploughs, 72 horses, 72
men and 72 boys. Of the quality of the work done,
no comparison can be instituted. The system pur-
sued on Chat Moss, previous to marling, requires 3
ploughings, 4 inches deep, 5 cross-cuttings, and 4
harrowings ; after marling, 1 ploughing and 3
harrowings. Our system would require 1 ploughing,
9 inches deep, 2 harrowings, and no marl at all.

Into the important subject of after-culture of moss
nd thus ploughed and prepared, ou which numerous

questions were asked me, as well as on the cost of
the operation, I cannot now enter, nor do these
matters concern the public generally. Suffice it to
say, that Mr. Heathcoat is ready and desirous to
undertake the reclamation of any eligible and exten-
sive tract of bog ; and that he and myself are ready to
treat with any proprietor of bog disposed to employ us.
All intelligent bog owners are well aware, that no
soil varies more in its quality, nor demands more
various treatment, than moss lands ; that some re-
quire far less draining than others, and could be
cultivated at much less cost ; that manures which
fertilize one, would prove to be poison to others.
For these reasons, therefore, I am evidently unable
to give any satisfactory answer as to the cost per acre
of reclaiming bogs, as each particular bog would have
to be minutely inspected and surveyed by myself,
before I could form an opinion on the subject. I
fear that I have already occupied too much of your
space ; and for a correct illustration of the machinery,
its mode of action, and its effects, can, with confi-
dence, refer all enquirers to Mr. Ambrose Black -
lock's excellent pamphlet on the subject. — I have the
honour to remain. Sir, your obedient servant,

.TOSIAH PARKES.

Forests, and Meadow and Pasture Land
IN Europe. — ' La Statistique,' a French periodical
devoted to the collection of interesting facts, con-
tains details relative to the extent of surface covered
by forests, and meadows and pastures, in the different
countries of Europe ; from which it appears that in
Germany, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Bohemia, and
Gallicia, the proportion of forests to the territory of
each country is one-third ; in Austria, Prussia, and
Illyria, it is one-fourth ; in Belgium and the States of
Sardinia, one-fifth ; in Switzerland, one-sixth ; in the
Netherlands, one-seventh ; in France, one-eighth ; in
Italy, one-ninth; in Spain, one-tenth; and in Great
Britain the proportion of forest and woodland is one-
twentieth. The land in meadow and pasture is, ac-
cording to the same authority, in the proportion of one-
half to the remainder of the surface, in England and
Wales ; one-third in Great Britain and the British
Isles, Denmark, Bavaria, and the Duchy of Brunswick ;
one-fourth in Austria Proper, the continental States of
Sardinia, Styria and Illyria ; one-fifth in Prussia, Hun-
gary, Holland, and Belgium ; one-sixth in Switzer-
land, Bohemia, and the Austrian Empire ; one-seventh
in France, Italy, Scotland, Wurten/berg, and the Duchy
of Baden ; one-eighth in the Duchy of Hesse-Cassel ;
one-ninth in Moravia and the Duchy of Nassau ; one-
tenth in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Portugal,
and Sardinia ; one-eleventh in GaUicia, Lombardy, and
the the Venetian Provinces ; one-twelfth in the Tyrol ;
one-fortieth in Turkey in Europe ; one fifty-sixth in
Russia in Europe ; and in Spaiu the proportion is as
low as one sixty-fifth of meadow and pasture land to
the remaining surface of the country.

Entomological Society. — Mr. Sells read a letter
from Mr. Manning of Helston, on the ravages of
the Athaha Centifolium, on his turnip fields. It con-
tained no new facts, but merely stated the opinion of the
writer, that hoeing the turnips facilitated the work of
devastation. He had found the practice of turning
ducks into the fields, the surest mode of exterminating
them. Mr. Westwood exhibited a specimen of a turnip
grown in his grounds at Hammersmith, which had been
attacked by a large grub, very dissimilar to the Negro
Caterpillar, and which was very prevalent in the neigh-
bourhood of Oxford, the root being completely riddled.
Their attacks are generally at night, when the root is
full of leaves, keeping in the day tiine, in the loose soil
surrounding it, and the alteration in the leaves, soon
shews the extent of devastation. Nothing is yet known
of its natural history, but in Oxfordshire its ravages are
very considerable.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINfiJ

4BI

LONG SUTTON AGRICULTURAL
ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FARMEr's MAGAZINE.

Sir, — One of the pleasantest and most interesting
meetings which it has been my privilege to attend,
was held at Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, on the 9th
Octr., being the first general meeting of the Long
Sutton Agricultural Association. The fineness of the
day, and the novelty of the occasion, drew together
many hundreds of spectators, including nearly all
the principal agriculturists of the neighbourhood. The
shew of stock was highly creditable to the exhibitors.
Mr. Melton's bull was highly commended, and the
2 5'ears old heifer shewn by Mr. John Stanger, ex-
cited general admiration. The chief attraction of the
day, however, was the plough-field upon the farm of
Mr. John Clarke, where the competition for the cup
and other pi'izes was truly spirited. Twenty-five
ploughs (out of thirty-eight entries) entered the field,
and never in my experience, have I seen a ploughing
match contended for, or the work executed in better
style. The principal feature was the close compe-
tition between the four young farmers for the cup,
Masters Eno, Eweu, Holbourne, and Skirkham, and
it is but just to say, that their work equalled if not
excelled the whole field. After a most careful ex-
amination, the cup (perhaps the first given for ages
in this district) was awarded to No. 4, Mr. Joseph
Kirkbam, of Sutton. In an adjoining field, a party of
Ledgers and ditchers were contending for the pre-
miums offered in their class. This is a very useful
addition to those incitements for the improvement of
agricultural labourers. The whole scene was en-
livening in the extreme, and every countenance gave
evidence of the greatest pleasure and satisfaction,
and the expressions of hope that this useful society
might go on and prosper were universal. A highly
respectable party of about 50 sat down to a good and
ample dinner at the Bull Inn, Wm. Skelton, Esq. in
the chair. The same excellent spirit pervaded the
meeting, every one appeared to vie with his neighbour
in earnest desire and endeavour to promote the har-
mony and best interests of the meeting. Many ex-
cellent speeches were delivered bythe much esteemed
and able chairman, and others. Much useful infor-
mation was elicited on many subjects, particularly
upon ploughing and the construction of ploughs.
The result of the discussion was, that the improved
Yorkshire ploughs, now in common use, were well
suited to this district, the expense excepted. If
Messrs. Ransome, or someone in his line, would send
down an agent, I think in the sequel, a cast iron
plough might be made to suit this district, the soil of
which is an alluvial vegetable mould, and thus save
the expense complained of. Some observations were
made upon the selection of wheat for seed, and many
varieties were exhibited in the straw, and one,
which is a new selection, was particularly admired,
and its propagation gave pleasing hope of some fur-
ther improvement in this grain, setting the ridiculous
pufiing oflP of new varieties entirely aside. The whole
proceedings of the meeting strongly evinced to me,
that I was in the midst of true British Farmers,
anxious to promote the general welfare of all classes.
Farmers at home, speaking upon subjects they well
understood, and the result was one of entire satis-
faction and pleasure, in short, I have never known a
day pass off so universally gratifying at Long Sutton,
as the 9th of October, and it will, I doubt not, be
long so remembered by all who attended it. The
judges were Mr. Wm. Stanger, of Fleet, Mr. Robert
Goulding and Mr. Richard Hickson, of Holbeach,

whose decisions I believe gave general satisfaction*
The premiums and rewards were awarded as follows :

TO SHEPHERDS.

£. s.

Samuel Barrack, shepherd to Mr. H. Anderson,
Lutton 3 0

John Harlock, shepherd to Mr. R. Peele, Long-
Sutton 2 0

John Wray, shepherd to Mr. J. Clarke, Long
Sutton 1 0

TO PLOUGHMEN SERVANt's CLASS.

Thomas Thistlewood, servant to Mr. Hol-
bourne, of Gedney c , 3 0

Henry Goss, servant to Mr. Spikings, of Tyd. 2 0

Samuel Hurling, servant to Mr. Cole, Long

Sutton 1 0

labourer's class.

William Allen, labourer to Mr. J. Peele, Long
Sutton 3 0

Moses Hockerstone, labourer to Mr. C. Hart,
Long Sutton 2 0

Wm.Taylor,labourer to Mr.R. C. Catling, Tyd. 1 0
boy's class.

Thomas Hurling, servant to Mr. Cole, Long
Sutton 2 0

Wm. Bradley, servant to Mr. Clarke, Gedney 1 0

William Percival, servant to Mr. J. Rogers,
Long Sutton 0 lO

hedger's and ditcher's class.

Anthony Baker, of Gedney 2 0

Robert Wright, Long Sutton 1 0

LENGTH OF SERVITUDE.

Thomas Thistlewood, servant to Mr. Hol-
bourne, Gedney 2 0

LENGTH OF FEMALE SERVITUDE.

M.L. Davis, servant to Mr. Read, Long Sutton 2 0
Elizabeth Dolton, servant to Mr. Wilkinson . . 1 0

TIME ON SAME FARM.

John Mitchel, Mr. R. Peele, 31 years 2 0

James Haines, Mr. Ewin, Gedney 1 0

LABOURERS BRINGING UP FAMILIES WITHOUT
PAROCHIAL RELIEF.

William Wolsey, Gedney

John Wilkinson, Long Sutton.

2 0

1 0

WIDOWS SUPPORTING THEMSELVES AND FAMILIES
WITHOUT RELIEF.

Sarah Clare, Long Sutton 2 0

Sarah Burton, Long Sutton 1 0

Stock. — Best bull, Mr. Melton, Long Sutton j
best cow, Mr. Cooper, Gedney ; best rams, Mr. R.
Anderson, Long Sutton ; best pen ewes, Mr. John
Ewen, Gedney ; best pen shearling ewes, Mr. Col-
ton, Lutton ; best boar, Mr. Cutter, Lutton ; best
sow, Mr, John Clarke, Long Sutton ; sweepstakes
for best pen of 20 lambs, Mr. John Ewen, Gedney.

Long Sutton, Oct. 21, 1837. J. C.

Important Information. — The beech tree is
said to be a non-conductor of lightning-. So no-
torious is the fact, that the Indians, whenever the sky
wears the appearance of a thunder storm, leave their
pursuits and take refuge under the nearest beech-tree.
In Tennessee the people consider it a complete protec-
tion. Dr. Becton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchell, states that
the beech tree is never known to be struck by atmos-
pheric electricity, while other trees are often shattered
into splinters. May not a knowledge of this fact aflbrd
protection to many when exposed 1 And if such are the
qualifications of this tree, may it not be made useful as
a protection to our dwellings'?— ^wjerican pai>er.

482

THE PARMER'S MAGAZINE.

SALE OF THE HAMPTON COURT
STUD,

Wednesday, October 25.

BROOD MARES. gs.

Grey Arabian mare of the purest caste, covered

hy The Colonel 50

Ditto and ditto (from the Imaun of Muscat) ,

covered by The Colonel 150

Ditto and ditto (from the Imaum, &c.) covered

by A ctieon 105

Burden, by Camel, out of Maria, covered by

Actaeon , 115

Miss O'Neill, by Camillus, out of Birming-
ham's d., covered by Acteeon 50

Shortwaist, by Interpreter, out of Nancy,

covered by Camel 60

Chesnut mare, by Oscar, out of Camarine's

d., covered by Actajon 670

Pleur de Lis, by Bourbon, out of Rachel, by

Stamford, covered by Emilius 550

Gulnare, by Smolensko, out of Medora, covered

by Actajon , 395

Jewess, by Moses, out of Calendulse, covered

by Plenipo , 200

Xarifa, by Moses, her d. by Rubens, covered

by Taurus 80

Zaire (Crutch's dam) by Selim, out of Zephy-

retta, covered by Rockingham. 36

Nanine, f Glaucus's d.,) by Selim, covered by

Emilius , 970

Wings, (Caravan's d.,) by the Flyer, covered

by Actffion and Camel 600

Scandal (Intriguer's d.,) by Selim, covered by

The Colonel , 400

Lady Sarah, by Tramp, d. by Cervantes,

covered by Actaaon 260

Rachael, by Whalebone, out of Moses, d.

covered by Actjeon 180

Lady Emmeline, by Young Phantom, d. by

Orville, covered by the Colonel 300

Sarah, by Whisker, out of Jenny Wren,

covered by Acta30a 300

Galatea, by Amadis, out of Paulina, covered

by The Colonel 105

Young Mouse, by Godolphin, out of Mouse,

covered by Aotason 360

Maria, by Waterloo, out of Belvoirina,

covered by Actoeon 170

Variella, sister to Voltaire, by Blacklock,

covered by The Colonel 180

Delphine, by Whisker, out of My Lady,

covered by Plenipo 360

Locket, by Blacklock, out of Miss Paul,

_ covered by Rockingham 200

Peri, (d. of Sir Hercules,) by Wanderer,

covered by The Colonel 210

La Danseuse, by Blacklock, out of Madame

Saqui, covered by Actaeon 380

Ada, sister to Augusta, by Woful, covered by

Rockingham ,. , 120

Marpessa,by Muley.out of Clare, cov. by Camel 230
Sultana, sister to Sultan, by Selim, covered by

The Colonel , 120

Spermaceti, by Whalebone, covered by Glaucus 105

Leeway, by Aladdin, covered by Taurus 220

Black Daphne, by Juniper, out of Spotless,

covered by The Colonel 190

Young Espagnolle, by Partisan, out of Espag-

nolle, covered by The Colonel 220

Elizabeth, by Rainbow, out of Belvoirina,

covered by 'Taurus 84

Codicil, by Smolensko, out of Legacy, covered

by Camel ^ . = «o.,, ,.,,„,,, ^ ,,»-»., goo

Sister to Sailor (Cloudesley's dam), by Scud, gs.

covered by Rockingham no

Miss Clifton, by Partisan, out of Isis, covered

by Plenipo. . 100

Miss Craven, by Mr. Lowe, dam by Soothsayer,

covered by Glaucus 150

Aricia, by Rubens, out of Diana fActaeon's

dam), covered by Rockingham 77

Belvoirina, by Stamford, covered by the Black

Arabian 55

Palatine, by Filho, out of Treasure, covered by

Actaeon 90

Icaria, by the Flyer, out of Parma, covered by

Buzzard 61

COLT FOALS.
Chesnut, by Actffion, out of Wings (blind).. 46

Bay, by Dr. Syntax, out of Sarah 190

Bay, by Plenipo, out of Zaire 110

Chesnut, by Actason, dam by Oscar, out of

Camarine's dam 150

Chesnut, by Actason, out of Scandal 105

Brown, by Mulatto, out of Lady Sarah 80

Bay, by Mulatto, out of Lady Emmeline 105

Brown, by The Colonel, out of Young Mouse. 200
Brown, by The Colonel, out of Black Daphne. 210

Chesnut, by Rubini, out of Galatea 62

Chesnut, by Action, out of Locket 37

Bay, by Glencoe, out of Shortwaist 105

Brown, by The Colonel, out of the first Arabian

mare 71

FILLY FOALS.

Chesnut, by Actason, out of Gulmare 63

Brown, by Camel, out of the Sister to Sailor... 165

Chesnut, by Cain, out of Elizabeth 81

Bay, by Plenipo, out of Rachel 69

Bay, by Croesus, out of Variella. 71

Bay, by The Colonel, out of Young Espag-
nolle 70

Bay, by Rubini, out of Speimaceti 46

Bay, by Rubini or Cain, out of Sultana 70

Bay, by Glencoe, out of Marpessa 62

Bay, by Actaeon or Cain, out of Delphine. ... 26

Chesnut, by Cain, out of Codicil 31

Chesnut, by Cain, out of Ada 30

Chesnut, by Cain, out of Burden 33

Chesnut, by The Colonel, out of Miss

O'Neill 70

Bay, by Camel, out of Xarifa 40

Chesnut, by The Colonel, out of La Danseuse 51
Chesnut, by Aotason, out of the second Ara-
bian mare 58

Bay, by The Colonel, out of the third Arabian

mare 76

STALLIONS, &c.
The Colonel, by Whisker, d. by Delpini, her d.
Tipple Cider, by King Fergus, out of Sylvia,
by Young Marske ; is the sire of D'Egville,
Cobham, Drummer, Lieutenant, Skirmisher,
Heiress, Arsenic, Recruit, Toothill, Post-
haste, &c 1550

Actaeon, by Scudiout of Diana, sister to Emily
('ihe dam of Emilius by Stamford) ; is the
sire of General Chasse, The Stag, Burletta,

Golden Drop, &c 920

The Black Arabian, from the Imaum of Mus-
cat 580

The Bay ditto, from ditto 410

Blood Royal, by Royalist, d. by Sir Harry

Dimsdale 96

A . b. gelding, rising two years, by Rubini, out

of a well-bred mare • . . 35

A grey ditto, rising two years, by Pacha, out

of a well-bred mare , . 46

The sale lasted till five o'clock.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

483

THE LATE SIR MARK WOOD'S STUD.

The sale of this unrivalled racing and breeding stud
took place at Hare-park, four miles from Newmarket, at
a little after twelve o'clock on Saturday se'nnight, and at-
tracted a very larg'e attendance of sporting' characters of
the highest class ; there were also several foreigners pre-
sent, all anxious to get the brood mares, and nearly all,
we are happy to state, disappointed. The stud, alto-
gether, was unique of its kind ; but the most interesting
lots were the brood mares Camarine and Lucetta, the
yearlings out of them, and the foal out of Lucetta.
Camarine was purchased of Lord Berners, at three
years old, for 1,400 guineas, and proved herself to be
the best mare seen on the turf since Violante. She is
out of the same dam as Recovery, May Day, and Phos-
phorous, and is now nine years old, Lucetta was bought
of Mr. Batson, at the same age, for a large sum (2,000
guineas, we believe), was beaten in two or three of her
early races, but trained on, and proved a valuable pur-
chase ; she is eleven years old. The yearlings out of
these mares are their second produce, their first foals
having died ; they are remarkably active and promising ;
indeed it was observed of the yearlings generally that
they were unusually large and racing-like. The fancy
lot of the young- stock, however, was the Lucetta foal,
which is, beyond doubt, the most perfect ever seen : the
great price paid for it and for most of the other lots
serve to prove that when blood and appearance are
combined the foreign purchasers will never have a
chance with the English admirers of thorough bred
stock. There were several commissions from Denmark,
Sweden, Austria, Germany, America, and France for
Camarine and Lucetta; all of them were liberal, but
fell infinitely short of the prices realized ; the Bustard
mare and two or three of the horses in training are all
that are likely to quit the country. From the following
return it will be seen that the six brood mares fetched
3,525 gs., the seven horses in training, 1,198 gs., the
three two-year-olds 766 gs., the five yearlings 2,235 gs.,
and the four foals 1,181 gs.; total 8,905 gs. A shootmg
pony brought ICO gs. : —

Guineas.
A chesnut mare, by Bustard (by Castrel) out of
Camelina (sister to Camel) the dam of Becas-
sine, covered by Physician (both untried) .... 120
Camarine, by Juniper, out of a Rubens mare, her
dam Tippitywitchet, by Waxy, out of Hare, by
Sweetbriar, covered by Physician (both untried) 1 ,550
Lucetta, by Reveller, out of Luss, by Hedley, out
of Jessy, by Totteridge, covered by Plenipoten-
tiary (both untried) ^ 1,000

Pastime, by Partisan, out of Quadrille, by Selim,

covered by Physician (horse untried) 380

Louisa, by Orville, out of Quadrille, by Selim,

covered by Physician (horse untried) 125

Roscoe's dam, by Blacklock, out of Altisidora,
covered by Plenipotentiary (horse untried) .... 350

YEARLINGS. Gulncas.

A bay yearling filly, by Cetus, out of Lucetta
(mare untried) t . » . . . . 310

A chesnut yearling colt, by Rowton, or Cetus, out
of Camarine (mare untried) 1,010

Brother to Rococo, by Cetus, dam by Blacklock,
out of Altisidora, &c 250

A bay yearling colt, by Rowton, out of Bustle, by
Whalebone 155

A bay yearling filly, by Cetus or Rowton, out of
Pastime, by Partisan, out of Quadrille, by
SeUm, &c , 510

FOALS OF 1837.

A colt foal, by Jerry, outof Lucetta (mare untried) 640
A colt foal, by Jerry, out of Louisa, by Orville . . 250
A colt foal, by Plenipotentiary, out of Pastime

(horse unti'ied) 260

A filly foal, by Vanish, dam by Bustard, out of
Camelina (sister to Camel), the dam of Becas-
sine (mare untrid) 31

HORSES IN TRAINING.

Amesbury, by Phantom, out of Euphrasia, by

Rubens 180

Tom Beazeley, 4 yrs. old, by Jerry , out of Tippet,&c. 250
Blankney , 3 yrs. old, by Velocipede, out of Lunatic,

the dam of Bessy Bedlam 105

A chesnut filly, 3 yrs. old, by Langar, out of

Isabel, by Wanderer • • 100

A bay colt, 3 yrs. old, by Catton, out of Slight

(claimed in July for 200 gs.) 400

A chesnut colt, 3 yrs. old, by Partisan, out of

Aline, by Woful 80

A bay colt, 3 yrs. old, by Cetus, out of Leila, by

Waterloo 83

TWO YEARS OLD.

A brown filly, by Camel, out of Codicil, bought
at his Majesty's sale for 300 gs 510

A roan colt, by Partisan or Cetus, out of Louisa,
by Orville, &c 165

A chesnut filly, by Rowton, dam by Sam, out of
Morel 91

Boulogne-Sur-Mer, October 11, 1837.— Grand
Ploughing Matgh at Montreuil Sur-Mer, — The
grand ploughing match at JMontreuil, op3n to fo-
reigners, came off on Saturday last, the 14th instant, in
a field of ten acres on the left of the Paris road. The
weather bemg extremely fine, and a market day, the
number of spectators was very great. The prize for the
best invented plough was 500 francs, given by the Agri-
cultural Society of the Departme;it, and a gold and sil-
ver medal for the second and tiiird inventions. The
greatest interest was excited by the appearance of a
steam-plough and semoir, made by an English engineer
at the extensive iron foundry at Charenton, a small
village near Paris, which has the advantage of plough-
ing, breaking the clods, and sowing the seed as it passes
along. This was the first time that such an invention
was ever shown in France and astonished all present at
the facility with which it cut through the ground, and
its superiority over the common plough. The mayor
and the members of the municipal corporation, the pre-
sident, secretary, and members of the Agricultural So-
ciety, besides all the influential farmers or cultivators of
the department, were present to witness the competition
for agricultural improvements. The grand prize was
awarded to a Monsieur Lefevre, one of the most influ-
ential agriculturists, and also engineer, in the environs
of Montreuil. The gold medal was voted to Mr.
Wilson or Wilkinson, for his steam-plough, besides a
sum of 300 francs in money, and being made an
honorary member of the Agricultural Society of Mon-
treuil, and correspondent. A most sumptuous dinner
was provided at the expense of the society, of which up-
wards of 300 persons partook, The Agricultural So-
ciety of Montreuil intend to award prizes every year for
the best improvements in agricultural implements of
all descriptions, either for cutting hay, reaping, plough-
ing, sowing, &c. It is not improbable that the steam-
plough will in a few years be generally adopted in the
North of France, the granary of the empire, as coal is
most abundant, and can be procured at a trifling ex-
pense from Valenciennes and Mons, by the canal of
Cambria, to Lille and Arras. Ploughing has already
commenced in the departments of the Pas de Calais,
and the North, to the great disappointment of the ten-
der-footed sportsman.

We are informed that the extensive sale of short-
horn beasts, the property of T. B. Topham, esq., went
oft' exceedingly well, and was attended by a great num-
ber of agents of different noblemen and gentlemen in
the county. One valuable cow sold for sixty guineas,
a yearling heifer, for sixty guineas, and some yearling
bulls, averaged from forty to fifty guineas.

2 c 2

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINEc

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT
FOR OCTOBER.

The weather of this month having been uniformly
fine, the finest, we believe, of that of any October
which has for many years preceded it, there scarcely
Laving- been, notwithstanding its occasional morning
and evening somewhat dense fogs, and heavy night
dews, any rain in our southern and midland districts,
or, indeed, much, in any other part of England since
its commencement ; and that little, with the excep-
tion of what fell on the 24th and 25th, consist-
ing of light evening showers, unaccompanied by any
atmospheric turbulence. Hence, the field labours
usually carried on at this period of the year have
proceeded to a great extent without having expe-
rienced much interruption from unseasonable
weather, and are, consequently, in a very forward
state.

Trom the best and most accurate information
which we have been enabled to obtain from practical
and extensive farmers respecting the corn and pulse
harvest, which appears to have been brought to a
very general and auspicious conclusion in every
part of England, we are much gratified in being
enabled to assert that it has been quite as productive
as the most sanguine appear to have anticipated. So
that we may safely conclude, although the harvest in
its early part was much interrupted in the western
parts of England by heavy showers of rain, whilst
in Kent the corn was parched up and became pre-
maturely ripe from the eflFects of a latter August and
early September sun, which latter disaster will occa-
sionally happen on those poor thin clayey soils that
ought never to be sown with any kind of grain, but
be appropriated to the growth of coppices, and the
hardy kinds of timber trees, that a suflicient quantity
of English corn will be found to supply our wants
until the next year's harvest.

The hop, and in some few instances, the second crop
meadow and seed hay harvests were brought to a
favourable conclusion early in the month, both hav-
ing been productive of good crops ; those hops
which we have seen, of the present year's growth,
being, for the most part, plump, full burred, and of
very bright and rich complexion ; the hay, for that
of an autumnal cut, sweet, nutritious, and well
harvested. The pastures and sheep downs are, too,
for the time of year, unusually well stocked with
luxuriant herbage ; and the stock depastured on them
is doing well, and thriving rapidly, though mid No-
vember is the time of year when heavy beasts are
withdrawn from their pastures to be stall or close
fed for winter consumption. Every other description
of live farm stock is, generally speaking, in a
healthy state. Of sheep-rot, we have heard no com-
plaints whatever.

The accounts which we have received from Scot-
land respecting the harvest are of a very favourable
and gratifying nature, the crops having been in the
whole of the southern parts already stacked in very
excellent condition, whilst in the northern districts
the harvest is drawing rapidly to a conclusion. The
quality ot the corn is represented as being remark-
ably prime. °

In all parts of Ireland the harvest has been con-

cluded, and the yield is represented as being very
good, both as to quantity and quality.

The turnip crop is very abundant in all parts of
the United Kingdom, and we are happy to state, that
it is much more free from insects than in the gene-
rality of many past seasons.

In our corn aad cattle markets which have been
held during the month, the trade has been in a very
sluggish state, and prices have been generally
drooping ; with good supplies oifering.

The following is a retrospective statement of the
supplies and prices of fat stock in Smithfield Cattle
Market in the course of the month : —

Beasts.

Sheep.

Calves.

Pigs.

Oct. 2. .. 3496

26020

223

386

— 6. ,. 598

6090

194

298

— 9. .. 3394

26500

200

429

— 13. .. 594

7121

200

362

— 16. .. 3460

25920

200

396

— 20. . . 605

7521

198

372

— 23. .. 3874

24220

200
1415

362

Total .. 16021

123392

2605

Supply of^

preceding S13829
month J

130801

1263

2345

2192

7409

152

260

more

less

more

more

than the supply of preceding month.

About 3,420 of the short-horns which formed a
portion of the above supplies, came from Lincoln-
shire ; 2,200 short-horns and Devons from Leicester-
shire ; 1,750 short-horns and Herefords from
Northamptonshire; 219 Scots from Norfolk; 100
Scots from Suffolk ; 110 Scots, and Herefords, from
Essex ; 170 Devons, Herefords, and runts, from
Cambridgeshire; 100 runts and Staffords, from
Staffordshire ; 90 Scots, Herefords, Devons, and
Irish beasts, from Warwickshire ; 70 Herefords
and runts, irom Oxfordshire ; 250 Herefords from
Herefordshire ; 75 runts, Devons, and Herefords,
from Buckinghamshire ; 60 Devons, runts and
Irish beasts, from Worcestershire; 70 Pembroke
runts, from Wales ; 200 horned and polled
Scots, by steam- vessels from Scotland, 98 cows,
oxen and runts, from Sussex ; 100 cows, Scots,
Devons, and Herefords, from Kent; and 200
cows, steers, Scots, and Herefords, from Surrey.
The remainder of the bullock supply has been
derived from the vicinity of the Metropolis.

PRICES.

Per 81bs, to sink the offals.

Oct.

2.

Oct. 23.

s.

d.

s.

d.

s. d. s.

d.

Inferior Beef . . .

. 2

4 tc

) 2

6 .

. 2 4 ts 2

6

Middling, do. .

. 2

8

3

8 ,

.28 3

8

Prime, do

. 4

4

4

4 .

.40 4

4

Inferior Mutton.

. 3

4

3

6 .

.32 3

4

Middling do. .

. 3

8

4

2 .

.36 4

0

Prime ditto.

4

4

4

8 .

.42 4

6

Veal

. 4
3

0

4

5
4

0 .
8 .

4 0 5
.36 5

n

Perk

4

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

485

Here follows our yearly comparison of the trans-
actions in Smithfield Cattle market.

At per 81bs, sinking the offals.

Oct. 24, 1836. Oct. 23, 183/.
s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Coarse and inferior beasts 2 0 to 2 4... 2 4 to 2 6

Second quality do 2 8 3 2... 2 8 3 2

Prime large oxen 3 4 3 8.. 3 4 3 8

Prime Scots, &c 3 10 4 2. ..4 0 4 4

Coarse and inferior sheep 2 4 2 6... 3 2 3 4

Second quality do 2 8 3 0...3 6 3 8

Prime coarse-woollcd do 3 4 3 10. ..4 0 4 2

Prime South Down do 4 0 4 4... 4 4 4 6

Large coarse calves , 3 10 4 4... 4 0 4 4

Prime small do 4 6 4 10... 4 8 5 0

Large hogs 3 2 3 8... 3 6 4 6

Neat small porkers 4 4 4 8. .4 10 5 4

SUPPLIES.

Oct. 24, 1836. Oct. 23, 1837.

Beasts 3,150 3,874

Sheep 23,500 24.220

Calves 230 200

Pigs 380 362

By the above comparison of supplies it appears
that the supply of Monday, Oct. 24, 1836, embraced
724 beasts, and 720 sheep, less — 30 calves and 18
pigs more— than that of Monday, Oct. 23, 1837.

With respect to the quality of the stock which has
been exhibited for sale in Smithfield, this month, we
conceive that it has been quite as good as that shown
in many preceding Octobers, more especially the
short-horns from our northern districts. Those
beasts which have arrived by sea, from Scotland,
have not been to say very prime, whilst the number
of them has been very limited, owing to the compara-
tive low prices which are being realized for stock
here. From Ireland, there have been received
nearly 900 large hogs, by sea, a large portion of
which has been much out of condition.

About two-thirds of the supplies of sheep have
consisted of not far from equal numbers of South-
downs, Lincolus, Leicesters, Kents, and Kentish
half-breds ; the remainder of Dorsets, Somersets,
polled Gloucesters, and English-fed Scotch and
Welsh sheep, with 2,500 from Boston ; 500 from
Hull ; and 800 from Scotland, by steam packets.

The following is an account of the quantity of
slaughtered meat which has been received at Newgate
and Leadenhall Markets, from the undermentioned
quarters, since our last report.

Beasts. Sheep. Calves. Pigs.

Number of Number of Number of Number of
Carcasses. Carcasses, Carcasses. Carcasses.
Scotland... 30 100 — 70

Yorkshire.. 50 75 — 89

Essex 60 80 150 100

Surrey 100 200 300 400

Sussex, — 30 40 50

Berkshire . . 20 50 70 80

Wiltshire... — 50 200 80

Gloucester . — 22 80 30

Hampshire 10 20 40 15

Devonshire. — 12 17 20

897

934

Total . , 2/0 639

In addition to the above supplies, about 25
live beasts, 800 sheep, and 25 pigs have arrived
from Scotland, 400 sheep from Hull, and 600 sheep
from Boston ; the whole of which have arrived by
sea, and been disposed of in the above markets, with-
out appearing in Smithfield.

As the " season" for the transmission of dead
meat, from Scotland, and various parts of England,
has now commenced, it is anticipated, that the ar-
rivals will shortly be very large, whilst we may state,
that the supplies of the past month have been, for
the time of year, good. With the exception of a few
carcasses having arrived, in an unsaleable condi-
tion, the supplies have been in primestate.

NORFOLK.

Since our last the uninterrupted fine weather has
afforded every facility for prosecuting the business
of the season, consequently the bean crop, the only
remnant of the harvest, which was still outstanding,
has been secured in fine condition. Wheat sowing
is proceeding steadily, and some of that which was
first put in the ground, already shews itself in the
ridges ; it must be admitted however, that although
the present most extraordinary fine weather :3
calculated to facilitate the performance of the work
on all the less adhesive soils, yet, on those of a more
stubborn and tenacious character, there is some
difficulty in preparing the land for the reception of
the seed, from the want of moisture, and in many
instances it has baen found necessary to discontinue
the work altogether ; the same cause also restricts the
use of the dibble, in consequence of the great diffi-
culty of getting the hole to stand, a circumstance
the more to be regretted, because the planting of
wheat by means of the dibble, is not only the most
judicious and the most perfect piece of husbandry
which can be adopted for securing a good crop and
an even sample, but it affords employment for a
number of women and children, which enables them
to make some provision in the articles of bedding or
clothing, against the approaching winter ; and this
too, at no additional expence to the farmer, because
as the quantity of grain required for seeding an acre
of land from the dibble, is a bushel less than is
allowed to the drill, the value of the grain saved in
the one case, is about equal to the increased es-
peuditure in the other. In a bad season expedition
is of so much importance, that the drill is necessarily
resorted to, but where it is practicable, the planting
of wheat by the dibble, is a process which ought
never to be omitted. We have hitherto had to
report very favourably of the turnip crop, nor is
there now any other reason for us to change our
tone, than such as arises out of the peculiarity of the
season ; namely, that as the plants have attained a
sort of premature ripeness, and have therefore ceased
to vegetate unusually early, so they will the sooner
lose their quality, or perhaps even decay ; and thus
it may be necessary to feed or draw them off the
land, sooner than may quite suit the convenience of
the grazier. Grass keeping has been somewhat
plentiful during the last few months, and as such,
the number of store beasts which had been transferred
from the hands of the breeder, to those of thegrazier,
favoured the supposition that the demand would be
proportionably limited during the period for com-
pleting the winter store; — be this as it may, it is quite
certain that our northern neighbours have been en-
abled to dispose of their black cattle at a very high
figure ; in short, at such prices as afford but little
prospect for remuneration to the grazier. Wheat
comes very badly to hand, although somewhat im-
proved by a month or five weeks of dry weather.
The proportion of that which is in really fine con-
dition, is so small compared with the damp and
inferior samples, that it is somewhat extraordinary the
prices of the former in tbo provincial markets,
should not have attained to a higher scale than 48s.,
or 50s. per qr. Barley is less variable in quality,
and therefore more equable in price than wheat ; no
great quantity is yet offered for sale, although of the
two grains, the latter has the advantage in market-
able value. Preparations are making for carrying
the provisions of the Parochial Assessment Act into
execution. It cannot be denied that this measure
is well calculated to equalize the assessments upon
rateable property, but the boon is ungraciously re-
ceived both by the landlord and the tenant j the

486

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

former because he considers it an unwarrantable
expose, and tbe latter, because it subjects him to an
expence from which he probably will derive but
little benefit. Nine-tenths of the parishes would be
well satisfied to let the matter rest as it is ; the re-
luctance with which they set about it, and their
being compelled to do so at the eleventh hour, in
conformity with certain recommendations from the
" Board," sufficiently attests this fact. — Oct. 23.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

Except the commencement of the last month, we have
had a continuance of mild, and mostly dry weather.
Vegetation seems to have taken new life, our pastures
are now clothed with plenty ; a considerable, and in
many cases, valuable addition has been made to our
winter stock of hay, the fine dry week we had at the
end of the month has enabled our farmers to clear the
field of the numerous mows of oats, barley, and late
wheat, and with few exceptions the beans also are
safely covered in, and thus as far as we are concerned,
the harvest is at an end. The quality of wheats that
have hitherto come to market are much better than
might be expected, but the dryest and best generally
turn out first, with hopes of making a good price for
seed, and the crop cannot be fairly judged of this, yet
what finds its way to the mil) is found to come in a
good weight per bushel, 62 to 65. Vetches are very
plentiful, and the price lower than it has been for years
past, 4s. 6d. to 5s. is the price. Oats were harvested
badly, anfl there are few samples quite sweet, price 18s.
to 20s. Flaxseed is inferior in quality, and much less
in demand than last year, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 9d. per bushel ;
good flax maintains its price, is worth from 5/. to 5Z. 8s.
per pack ; I cannot speak of the quality of the new.
There is a very general complaint of the inferiority of
the barley, comparatively but few lots uninjured by the
wet, and a large proportion quite unfit for malting, for
the finest lots there is considerable inquiry, 5s. to 5s. 3d.
is asked for old ; around the cyder districts the stocks
of malt are large, but in other parts it is by no means
heavy ; the quantity of old barley is small, and most of
it has been in dust or threshed since the spring. On
the whole our bean crop is well secured, and the bulk
will be more than an avei'age, but the quality is by no
means superior, and they will not be likely to weigh
well. We have commenced sowing vetches, and only
waiting for rain to proceed with wheat sowing, in a
week or ten days this will be generally progressing ;
our late turnip and beet-root will be greatly benefitted
by the very growing warm weather we have had lately ;
and there is also every prospect of a good potato crop ;
they are now worth only from 4s. to 5s. per sack for
the best sorts, and expect they will be lower before
digging is over. Apples are unusually fine and juicy
this year, and are selling from Is. 6d. to 2s. 3d. per
bushel of six pecks, equal to six pecks of potatoes 20lbs.
to the peck. Fat stock have maintained their pricebetter
than was expected, the supply has not exceeded the de-
mand ; good be?f is, and is expected to be scarce, 8s.
6d. to 10s. per 20 lbs. to sink the offal is the present
price. Pork is still scarce and dear, 8s. 6d. to 9s. 6d.
per score. Mutton, 5d. to 6d. per lb., a good supply.
The price of poor stock does not lessen on the approach
of winter, the abundance of food at present keeps it
from pressing on the market. We had some very heavy
rain on the morning of the 6th. — Oct. 7=

LINCOLNSHIRE— LINDSEY.

The harvest, which began later this year than for
several former periods, hasbeenfrom such cause rather
lingering, and as is generally the case rains have in-
tervened, and much corn has been hastily carried ; but
the latter part is in much better condition, and the
thrashing machines are now every where in full opera-
tion. Wheat and barley come freely and in abundance
to market, and as a necessary result the prices come

rapidly down. Wheat, as before reported, yields a full
crop on all strong, heavy, and rich soils, and on the
chalk and weak land is coarse, thin, and light, both in
quality and quantity. Barley passed too rapidly from
the red rowed stage to ripening ; hence the grain is
generally coarse skinned, and not so plump as usual,
and is not expected to malt well. Oats are by no
means a heavy crop, and rather discoloured from the
frequent rains. The bean harvest is proceeding fast to
a close, and has proved a good one, and the crop, which
is the best known for many years, will prove a valuable
substitute for any deficiency in oats, and supply the
consumer with the means of cattle feed, rather than
purchase oil cake at the same high prices, which the
scarcity of last winter caused the farmers to submit
to ; and which the crushers of Linseed still demand.
The meat markets have kept wonderfully high, and
still continue at full 6d. per lb. for all good qualities.
Winter food for sheep was never more abundant, both
grass and turnips, and at the fairs lambs and store
sheep sell briskly, and at high prices. Wool rather
improves in value, and all things considered, the graziers
have had a more profitable season than for many sum-
mers past. The tithe commutation act is giving a fresh
stimulus to agriculture in this county from the pros-
pect of ploughing up the poor meadow lands which
have been kept in that state, being only liable to a
small modus tithe of from Id. to 4d. an acre, but if
ploughed were liable to corn tithe in kind. Many con-
tracts for a rent-charge have been made, and it appears
likely that few parishes will be left next Michaelmas
for the interference of the commissioners. Lord
Worsley's common fields inclosure act is very generally
brought into action, and almost every piece of open
land will be divided and allotted amongst the several
owners, and brought into improved cultivation during
the present winter and following spring ; — many ex-
changes of detached lands will through it be made to
the great convenience and advantage of agriculture in
general. There is one oversight in the act, in making
the new roads through the open fields, viz., the com-
missioners ought to have had power to charge the ex-
penses of making such roads upon the whole parish by
a rate for that purpose ; for a proprietor whose estate
was liable to the repair of all roads through the parish
before the inclosure, may not have any open land, and
cannot be charged upon his old inclosure, for inclosing
those always in use as public highways ; although had
such been indicted the whole parish must have borne
the expence of a complete repair.— Oct. 8.

WOODBRIDGE.

After the most variable weather experienced since
1816, our harvest is now finished; the commencement
was favourable, and about one-fourth part of the wheat
was secured in fine order, about one-half was hurried
up during' tbe wet weather in a very damp state, and al-
though sound, will not be fit for shipping without par-
tially drying on tbe kiln before the spring ; the remain-
der of the crop was g'ot up tolerably dry, but is -partially
sprouted. It is difficult to form a correct opinion ot the
yield, so little having been thrashed, and the conflicting
reports of the growers, but from what has been thrashed
and judging from the bulk and weight of the sheaf in the
fields, from an extensive examination by the writer, he
is decidedly of opinion the crop is a full average, al-
though falling short both in quantity and weight of the
last four years' excessive crop. The weight this season
will vary from 561b. to 631b. the bushel imperial. Bar-
ley coming later than the wheat, came in (with the ex-
ception of a small breadth on the early soils) for all the
wet weather, and more or less stained, some quite black
and very much sprouted ; the greater portion was
housed in the fine weather (from the 15th to 22nd of
September) in good condition; a portion previous to
this was carted in the worst possible order, and a great
deal of it will be mow-burnt, so that we shall have the
smallest quantity for malting purposes we have liad for
years. The quality, as represented from other parts of
the kingdom, is coarse, but it is of fair body, and tlie

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

487

rains have rendered it kindly, and so far improved it.
The weight of our best quahties will average about 501b.
to 521b. per bushel. Beans on all soils are a very abun-
dant crop, and are sound and dry, so as to come out fit
for shipping- earlier than usual, having been well sea-
soned in the field. Peas of all descriptions are a great
crop, principally secured in'good condition, but the qua-
lity is much effected by being worm-eaten. Oats from
the cold spring never grew kindly, and prove a very in-
ferior crop both in quantity and quality, so that we shall
require a large import, of which last year we had no ne-
cessity, an unusual circumstance of late years. Rye and
Brank but little cultivated novc, what is grown yields
abundantly. Tares a great produee, part badly har-
vested. Potatoes, turnips, and mangel wurzel, are ge-
nerally most prolific, which together with the heaviest
crop of hay, almost ever remembered, will enable this
county to produce a great increase of fat meat over late
years. The stock of old wheat left over both in the
hands of the farmers and merchants, is the smallest
since 1832, and with the improved means of our agricul-
turists to hold back their corn, and the unsuitable con-
dition of the great bulk of the new crop, we are likely to
have bui a scanty supply of wheat till after Christmas.
In spring corn we had but little left of any description.
White cloverseed, suckling, and trefoil, were short in
breadth this season, the crop, however, i-! well spoken
of, but from the cold weather and partial wet at its lar-
vesting, the seed is greener and browner than for the
last five years, in other respects it is sound and dry. The
fed of red cloverseed crops are harvested, the quality of
which is good, and the crop fair ; a large bre idth of the
aftermath was left for seed, and has turned out well
owing to the latter fineness of the weather for bringingf
the seed to maturity.— Oct. 16.

SHROPSHIRE.

During the past month there has been a variety of
■weather, which at times alarmed persons whose wheats
were exposed to such changes, and caused many to
hurry their grain to the stack-yard in a very improper
state ; some hauling it by night as well as by day,
where the farms are extensive, which accounts for so
many damp samples being offered on the market. The
yield is generally spoken of as an average one. The
barleys are dark in colour, and real fine samples for
malting purposes very scarce ; from the present ap-
pearances, this kind of grain is likely to be much dearer
than many anticipated in the early yart of the harvest.
There has been several samples of new oats offer-
ing they are generally of a good quality, and some
very fine and bright ; this crop is considered a good
one upon the whole. The Swede turnips are looking
well, and appev.r in a healthy growing state ; but the
common ones have changed their appearance much for
the worse within the last three weeks ; they are become
yellow and unkind in a great many places. — Oct. 7.

PERTHSHIRE.

Throughout the month of September, and what is
past of the present month, the weather has been highly
favorable for maturing, cutting down, and securing the
crops. The rains that fell occasionally gave little hin-
drance to harvest operations, and in some instances was
salutary on dry open lands for the sowing of wheat.
A few late patches of oats still remain uncut, but for
the most part shearing is about over all over the coun-
ty. In the lower districts, some beans and spring-sown
wheat are still in the stook. In the Highlands, the
crops are nearly all secured. Wheat occupied much
less breadth last season than usual, and being laid flat
on rich lands by the excessive rains in July and August,
besides fallow wheat suffering considerably by the fly,
the return will neither be abundant nor the sample gene-
rally fine. A favorable ?eed bed this season gives better
promise than at the corresponding period last year. On
clay lands, fallows are sown, and for the most part
brairded. Barley, on strong lands, is a light and defi-

cient crop. Beans are well podded, and oats have a
fair appearance. Potatoes will yield a full return, and
from the loss by early frosts last autumn, will likely
soon be taken up. Turnips will not be weighty. We
have seldom observed a better appearance of young
grass; clovers plant close. In the corn markets wheat
maintains its price ; barley is inquired after, and 52lbs.
the bushel brings about 28s. per qr. ; oats have fallen
something in price. Cattle have rather improved in
price over the early autumn markets ; horses meet dull
sales. — Oct. 8.

Lime in AcnicuLTURE. — A very interesting- paper
was lately read before the members of the Lyceum
of Natural History in New York, by William Partridge,
Esq., on the proper application of lime to agricultural
purposes. Mr. Partridge maintains that the common
practice of burning lime before using it on land is
founded in error, and that the limestone ought to be
groimd, instead [of burned. Mr. Partridge says, that in
burning the stone two materials essential to agricultural
productiveness are driven off, namely, its water and its
carbonic gas ; and he ascribes to this circumstance the
fact, that during the first year the good effects of
lime are not observable. He adds, that as the lime re-
turns gradually to its former state of carbonated hydrate,
its fertilizing properties are evolved. Mr. Partridge
adduces some facts, which seem strongly to favour his
theory. An experimental trial of the plan would be
desirable in this eountry.

Leslie. — In a late number of this paper, notice
was taken of a fat sheep of the Leicester breed, o£
uncommon weight, reared by the Earl of Rothes ; and
many may perhaps be apt to think that the weight to
which it had attained might have been pmely the result
of accidental feeding ; but, within these few days, there
was killed, by Joseph Stewart, of this place, one of his
lordship's stock ewes, only three years old, which,
weighed, without the tallow, eight stones six pounds
imperial, and cut, at the eleventh rib, of fat, 4^ inches ;
and all the way from the cushion to the shoulder, 3j
inches. The same individual, about a year ago, killed
a sow of Lord Rothes' fattening, of the extraordinary
weight of 48 stones imperial, and depth of cut through
the shoulder of 195 inches. So much for the rearing
of bestial. In regard to agricultural produce, especially
green crop, we may be permitted to recall to mind the
splendid display of turnips made by Lord Rothes last
year, at the show of the Highland and Agricultureil
Society at Perth — one of which, when its contents were
scooped out, held within it a hare, a brace of pheasants,
two brace of partrides, and, if we recollect aright, a
snipe — were it not that some of his present crop of
turnips surpass in size those of last year ; one, in par-
ticular, measuring in circumference around the middle
33 inches, and from top to root around 41 inches ! Lord
Rothes delights in agricultural pursuits, and endea-
vours in all ways in his power to promote all improve-
ments in farming matters, and all others connected
with the breeding and rearing of farm stock. 'Twere
much to be wished, that, in these respects, the landed
gentry in general would imitate if not emulate hi«
lordship. — Fife Herald,

Eclipse Wheat for Seed. — Mr. John Lewin,
deputy-chairman of the Central Society, of Wick-
ham market, Suffolk, has selected and grown this
wheat the last three years. His specimens of the straw
and corn were exhibited at the general meeting of the
society in December, 1836, and admitted by all who
examined them to be the finest they had ever seen. The
straw of this year's growth is as stout and strong as
reed, measuring from six feet to six feet six inches high.
The ears are stout, strong, and long, in full proportion ;
in fact, Mr. Lewin lias two ears now in his possession,
one with 102, and another with 119 grains, making 221
grains in two ears of wheat.

488

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c.

WEYHILL FAIR, Oct. 10.— The Fair commenced
•with the sheep this morning. Ihe day was clear and
beautiful, and the numerous and extensive view of
sheep was very interesting ; purchasers were anxious,
and the sale commenced pretty freely in the early part
of the day, but about 12 and 1 o'clock became some-
what slack, until the buyers saw the farmers would not
give way ; and by 4 o'clock most of the sheep were
sold. The number penned may be justly estimated at
one hundred and ten thousand, and the prices fairly
quoted as follow: — Down Ewes, ISs. to 30s., up to
38s, and 40s. ; Down lambs, 14s. to 25s., and 30s. ;
Wethers, 24s. to 35s., and 45s. Upon the whole the
Fair was considered much better than Wilton, and we
think that general satisfaction was arrived at between
buyer and seller. The Horse Fair is large, and many
two-year old cart colts are already bought up for the
London trade, at good prices. Hunters and nags are
not so fine as we have known them in former years,
notwithstanding which there are some very stylish
field and cai riage horses on the hill ; the prices of course
vary considerably. We should say it is premature to
judge so early, as we do not consider this part of the
fair as yet commenced in good earnest. We have heard
of several strings of fine horses, in the neighbourhood
of the hill, which have not yet appeared. Very little
business was transacted on Wednesday, except in the
Horse Fair. Hops continued to arrive [till Thursday
morning, and on Friday pockets were thrown down and
samples drawn, but no appearance of business. The
number of pockets grounded in the country rows was
4700, in the Farnham Acre about 2,225 pockets. In the
country rows last year there were 5,249 pockets, and in
the Farnham 3,000, shewing a considerable falling off
in the growth this year. The prices asked in the country
rows from 71. 7s, to 8?,, and in the Farnham rows 81.,
but these prices could not be realised, and consequently
trade was exceedingly flat. The general prices were —
Farnham, 71. tn 8^. ; Country, 51. 10s. to 6/. 10s. ; Sus-
sex nominally, 41. to 41. 4s, The Cheese Fair was not
large, but in general the quality was good, and the
prices high. Mr. Courtney's Chevalier prolific six
rowed Wheat attracted great attention.

M ALTON FAIR.— From the excellence of the
turnip crop generally in this part of the country, on the
Wolds in particular, owing to the judicious use of bones,
there was a very large demand, and high prices were
consequently asked and obtained. Mr. Robert Topham,
of Scampston, we believe, showed the best sheep, which
we heard were sold as high as 7d. per lb. On the whole
the fair v;as a good one.

At AYR MICHAELMAS HORSE FAIR there
was but a middling supply. The horses were chiefly of
the draught kind, and the greater number of inferior
description. Really good animals find purchasers at
fair prices ; but there were comparatively few sales ef-
fected when we went to press. There was a large show
of young Queys and Bulls of the pure Ayrshire breed for
the supply of the gentlemen who advertised for stock
for the Prussian Government, and good prices were
given. — Ayr Advertiser.

FAIR OF KELLS.— This fair was one of the most
numerously attended held there for many years. There
was a large show of fat cattle, and much business trans-
acted, but at a considerable reduction in prices. The
show of sheep was also large, and they met ready sale
at an advance in prices. Pigs were in good demand,
the supply considerable, and prices very high. Although
the horse fair was well attended, yet there were very
few good ones ; but such as appeared went off at remu-
nerating prices, A vast number of an inferior descrip-
tion remained unsold. The fair was perfectly peaceable.
—Drogheda JoumaU

CAISTOR FAIR.— There was on the first day an
abundant show of sheep, which realised g'ood prices ;
ewes from 30s. to 38s. or 40s, ; he hogs from 22s. to 30s.
The appearance of the beast fair was very animating ;
there was a considerable number of really good cattle,
which sold well. The horse fair was rather dull ; a few
of the better sort of working horses sold at a good rate.
The town was thronged with merchandize and the vota-
ries of profit or pleasure ; few depredations were com-
mitted, as the light-fingered tribe were not so numerous
as formerly.

THORNE FAIR.— The show of horses was large,
but chiefly of an inferior description, and many went
away unsold ; the demand for good ones was brisk, and
the few offered for sale found ready purchasers at high
prices. A very poor show of cows, and calves, and in-
calvers, which met with a ready demand at great prices.
There was not so large a show of beasts as at former
fairs, and they met with a ready sale. Fresh steers and
heifers fetched from 9/. to Vll. The show of sheep was
verv large, but they did not meet with a ready sale.

WARWICK MICHAELMAS FAIR.— Our fair
for cattle was attended by few buyers. There was a
good supply of both mutton and beef, but the latter was
not of the highest quality. The prices were, for beef,
52d. to 6d, ; new mutton, 5§d. ; shearhogs, 6d. Milch
cows very dear, and store stock sold briskly.

BAKEWELL FAIR.— The supply of horned cattle
of every description was great, but little business done ;
those which changed hands were sold at lower prices.
Beef about 6s. per stone ; there was the usual quantity
of sheep penned, the sale of which was dull at a de-
cline in price. Pigs sold well. A few dairies of cheese
in moderate condition, at about 3s. to 4s. per cwt,
lower.

EARLSTON FAIR.— There was a tolerable show
of cattle for turnips, but few fat beasts were exhibited
for sale. There was a good demand for young beasts.
High year olds brought from 5/. to 11. ; two-year-olds
from jl. 10s. to llZ. ; milk cows brought from lOLto
\il. In the horse market a considerable number of
horses were shewn, the greater part of which were
of an inferior description. Good draught and saddle
horses Avere in request. Colts and fillies, rising three
years, sold readily at from Ml. to 20Z., and some even
brought higher prices.

WOOLER FAIR. — There was a large supply of
all descriptions of sheep,lthough short of the demand.
A number of dealers being present from the south sales
were readily concluded. The following is a statement
of the prices : — Bred wedders brought from 37s. to 45s. ;
half-bred dinmonts from 30s. to 36s. ; Cheviot wedders
from 28s, to 31s. ; wedders, for turnips, from 24s. to 30s.
There were several lots of ewes shewn, which were
disposed of at prices similar to those at St. Ninian's
Fair, The supply of cattle was indifferent. Those that
were good in condition sold readily. Two and half year
olds, for turnips, brought from lOL to \2l. Good milk
cows were much in request for the Edinburgh market,
and brought from \2l. to 18/. each. There was a con-
siderable number of horses in the market. Good ani-
mals were sought after, and brought fair prices, but for
those of inferior quality there was little demand.

MILNTHORPE FAIR.— The show of cattle was
in some respects better than in former years. Calving
cows, in which the show was good, have not been
known for many years to sell so high. The sale of
small and lean stock was very limited. The show of
sheep was good, and they met with a ready sale. In
horses little business was done.

WEOBLY FAIR.— There was a large supply of
first-rate stock, upwards of 300 head, principally steers.
We noticed Mr. Lewis, of Newchurch, Mr. Ardern, of

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

489

the Leys, Mr. Grifjfiths, of Devereux Wootton, Mr.
Merrick, Mr. Moore, Chadnor Arms, and different
other breeders whose fine stock sold at good prices.
There was a large supply of good sheep, which were
sold at from 6d. to 6Jd. per lb. Pigs met with a ready
sale, and brought good prices. Cheese sold at from
45s. to 60s. per cwt. Butter at from 12s. to 12s. 6d.
per stone of 12lbs. The Earl of Warwick's Steward
purchased a great number of very fine animals. There
was a great number of good horses, and mares with
colts at their sides, many of which sold well.

SHERBORNE PACK-MONDAY FAIR.— The
number of if heap penned exceeded that generally wit-
nessed, and amounted to 14,500, most of which were ra-
pidly disposed of at good prices. The bullock fair was
also largely supplied. Pigs were likewise numerous,
and trade in this particular brisk. Wool was dull of
sale, buyers offering but 14d. per lb. ; and sellers not
being disposed to part with their stocks at that price,
but little business was transacted. The horse fair, like
that: of many of our neighbouring towns, afforded but
little inducement to purchasers wanting good cattle,
and those horses that changed hands did so upon the
principle of exchanging one animal for another. The
fair, on the whole, might be fairly pronounced to be the
largest and best for business witnessed for some years
past.

ALRESFORD FAIR.— There was a good supply
of stock at Alresford Sheep Market, at which a number
of dealers attended, and nearly all the sheep were sold
to the satisfaction of both buyer and seller. Good stock
realized high prices, and sheep sold on quite as good
terms as at the late Weyhill Sheep Fair. The show of
stock exhibited was considered very superior. The best
pen of 100 Soutli Down Ewes, belonging to Mr. Budd,
of Hatch Wari'en Farm, realized £446, who was ad-
judged the Ten Guinea Cup ; but in consequence of a
dispute respecting it, the Cup is withheld, and the claim
will lie between him and Mr. R. Minchin, of Sutton
Farm. ]Mr. King, of Cocum Farm, Barton Stacey, was
awarded the 10 Guinea Cup for the best South Down
Wethers. Much business was transacted, and it was
generally considered a good market. A large party of
farmers and yeomanry dined at the Swan Inn, when a
handsome Cup, value 20 guineas, was presented to Mr.
Dancaster, the Lessee, for his liberal exertions in pro-
moting the interests of the markets and sheep fairs.

HONITON GREAT MARKET was not so nu-
merously supplied with cattle as we have before seen
it ; there were some superior cows and calves, and
oxen and steers, which met a ready sale at remunerat-
ing prices ; the number of sheep penned was less than
2,000, with a dull sale ; there were several East Coun-
try jobbers in the market, but they did not show any
disposition to buy.

STRANRAER HORSE FAIR. — The show of
horses in point of numbers was great, but in regard to
quality and condition, it was rather indifferent, as a great
proportion of the good animals throughout the district
had been previously bought up by dealers. Prices for
ordinary descriptions were ranging from 201, to 25/.
A pair of young horses rising three years old, fetched
60 guineas. A lot of inferior animals, amounting to
about 500, stood long in the market before one of them
changed owners. Upon the whole the business trans-
acted was limited.

PONTYPOOL FAIR.— A great many horses were
shewn, but a very few good hacks could be met with.
Best-making cheese, 65s.; average seconds, 45s. ; which
met a ready sale. There was more money circulated
this fair than any preceding one for the last seven years.
HAY FAIR. — There was a fair supply of cattle, and
a brisk demand for fat animals, but stores were rather a
dull sale. A large quantity of sheep, far beyond the
demand, and a slack sale.

PRESTEIGN FAIR.— Cattle of all descriptions
met with a ready sale at advanced prices, but slieep
were in little demand.

AtPARTNEY FAIR the number of sheep penned
was smaller than at the last fair ; the trade vas dull,
and prices rather lower.

FALKIRK THIRD TRYST'—Falkirk, Oct. 9.
— This being the last Tryst for the year, is considered to
be the largest for all kinds of stock. Early this morning
sales commenced with the sheep, of which there were
35,000, all in the very finest condition. The sales very
brisk, indeed so much so, that by three o'clock, p.r.i.,
every lot had found a purchaser. The prices of last
market were fully maintained, and those of last year's
market were lower than this one by 2s. 6d. to 3s. per
head. The prices for Cheviot or white faced wethers
ran from 23s. to 28s. ; ewes from 18s. to 20s. ; and one
particular lot of 1,100 of these wethers were sold by Mr.
Paterson, of Ross-shire, at 30s, 6d. ; and a lot ef ewes
were sold by the same dealer at 21s. 6d. These lots
were considered to be the best of their kind in the mar-
ket. Black-faced wethers brought from 20s. to 23s. ;
ewes from 9s. to 14s. Two lots of these, about 1,000 in
each, were reared upon Lawers, the estate of the late
Lord Balgay. The wethers which composed the first
lot brought 25s., and the ewes 18s. There was a large
show of Highland poneys, which commanded ready
sales and good prices, which ran from 31. to 10/. Of
late years the breed of those has been much improved.
Six geldings, three-years-old, which were matched for
phaetons, were purchased for a London gentleman at
65 guineas.

Tuesday, 10. — To-day a very numerous assemblage
of dealers took place upon the market ground. It was
evident that this market would turn out a brisk one from
the limited quantity of stock which appeared at the Sep-
tember market, and also from the abundant crop of win-
ter keep ; nearly 20,000 head of black cattle appeared.
The greater part consisted of four-years-old Angusshire,
and large Highland, and the remainder of small High-
land stots. There was a brisk sale for the former kinds
and at prices rather higher than those of last market.
Angusshire stots brought from 10/. to 13/. ; a lot of 500
was purchased by a Yorkshire dealer at 13/. 5s. ; and
another small lot at 41. 10s., these were very large prime
cattle; several lots of horned Angusshire stots three-
years old were sold at from 8/. 59., to 9/. Two lots of
Fifeshire brought 11/. to 11/. 10s. ; the small highland-
] ers three-years-old brought 41., 10s., and 5/. ; and four-
years-old 5/. 10s. to 6/. The sales generally were made
for the large kind of stock, which found a ready mar-
ket, at nrices from 15s. to 20s. above those of last year.

PENNYMUIR TRYST.— The supply of sheep was
fully as great as last year. The demand was good, and
the whole, with the exception of a few lots, were sold
off at the following prices: — Ewes from 19s. to 23s.
6d, ; young wedders, 21s. to 24s. ; and one prime lot
belonging to Mr. Orde was sold as high as 27s. 6d. ;
old wedders, 25s. to 30s.

HAWICK TRYST, Oct. 17.— The show of High-
land kyloes and horses was fully as great as on former
occasions. Stirks sold from 21. lOs. to 3/. 10s. Two
years old, from 3/. 10s. to 41, 10s. ; and three years old
from 5/. to 61. 6s. Foals brought from 5/. to 8/. ; and
colts and fillies of two and a half years old, for which
there were several inquiries, brought from 15/. to 20/.,
and some sold as high as 24/. and 26/. For horses of
inferior quality, which were as usual pretty numerous,
there was little demand. The few fat beasts shown
were soon disposed of at from 5s. 3d. to 6s. per stone,
sinking offal.

RINK FAIR. — There was a considerable show of
sheep, for which there was a good demand, at the fol-
lowing prices : Cheviot ewes from 18s. to 23s. 6d. ;
young wedders from 21s. to 24s. ; old ditto, from 24s.
to 28s. 6d.

GREAT ANNUAL FAIR OF BALLINASLOE.
—RISE IN PRICES.— This fair, which generally
regulates the fairs and markets of Ireland, and has a
considerable influence on prices in England, commenced
on Wednesday. On account of the immense quantity
of live stock exported to Eaglish and even to some
Scotch ports, a considerable diminution of supply was
calculated upon, particularly of sheep, droves of which
are almost daily conveyed by steam to Liverpool,
Bristol, and other markets. Notwithstanding, the
sheep fair was one of the fullest ever witnessed at
Ballinasloe, and prices were considerably higher than

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

last year, when they were considered remunerating to
the breeder,

Ballinasloe, Thursday, Oct. 5. — The number
of sheep exhibited for sale at this fair exceeded, by some
thousands, that of any previous year, since 1S30. The
number altogether shown was about 65,000, 60,000 of
which were disposed of at excellent prices. On M'^ed-
nesday 43,000 sheep were sold, being the greatest
number disposed of, on the first day, for many years.
The sale commenced at 11 o'clock, and all that was
good was disposed of at 2. On Thursday every kind of
sheep were in good demand, and at an advance of from
3s. to 5s. on the preceding day's prices. Mr. Dillon's
(Caher) sheep, as usual, exceeded any stock in the fair;
he got for 20 ewes, three and four years old, 41. lOs.
each. His rams were allowed, by the best judges in
Ireland to be much superior to any ever shown in Bal-
linasloe, and were freely hired at from 17Z. to 2lZ. each.
Mr. Taaffe sold 100 tops at 55s., and his second lot at
48s. Mr. J. French sold 200 tops at 52s. 6d. ; Mr.
Balfe sold a lot of ewes at 45s., and Mr. T. Seymour
produced a lot of ewe hoggetts, which hid him great
credit. He disposed of some at il. each, and Mr. Bar-
ton, of Straffon, purchased a lot at 3l. 10s. each. Mr.
Harkin, of Roscommon, sold a lot of 100 wedders to
Mr. R.H.French, for 52s. 6d. each. On the whole there
has not been so brisk a sheep fair for many years. Col.
Westenra's horses were sold by auction to-day, and
fetched from 50l. to 150Z. each. Mr. H. Cassidy was
the purchaser of one horse for 150Z., and Mr. Corbally
of another for lOOZ." The prices of sheep here quoted
are certainly very high, they are, in fact, enormous ;
and the sheep breeders and the landlords have great
cause to rejoice accordingly, for to them all the advan-
tages of the high prices will belong. The facility of
communication caused by steam has raised the Irish
markets almost to the English standard. Prices of all
the necessaries of life are now nearly as dear here as in
England. The black cattle fair commenced at Ballina-
sloe yesterday. There was every prospect that the
landlords wonld get as high prices for bullocks as they
had obtained for sheep. A considerable number of
English buyers attended the fair.

FAT STOCK.— The three-vears-old Cheviot wedder,
fatted by Mr. Thomas Laurie, Terreglestown, which
gained the prize the Highland Society's Exhibition,
was slaughtered on Monday by Mr. Kerr, butcher.
Although great expectations had been formed of its
weight, it fairly exceeded them,and in place of 45 46^1bs.
per quarter. Mr. Kerr also killed a heifer and Gal-
loway bullock, fatted at Raehills, one of which gained
the prize. The weight of each animal was, as near as
may be, 80 stones, and the tallow of both weighed up-
wards of 30 stones. Weight of hides, 5 stones each.—
Dumfries Times.

DAIRY STOCK FOR PRUSSIA.-On Tuesday
two of the Commissioners for purchasing dairy stock for
Prussia, came to our cattle-market, according to notice,
and proceeded to select from a considerable number of
cattle, which had been brought forward by neighbour-
ing farmers and cattle-dealers. They made their pur-
chases after a earful inspection of the different lots, and
bought in all about sixty head of cattle, including a few
superior bulls. The majority of their purchases were
two- year-old queys, and the average price given for
these, we understand, was 8/. 10s. Four very superior
animals were submitted to their notice, but the Commis-
sioners not being disposed to give the price asked, 12/.
10s., they remained unsold. The Commissioners were
to proceed to Dairy on Wednesday, and Ayr on Thurs-
day, to make further purchases of cattle. They intend
to take out with them to Prussia altogether about 150
head of Ayrshire dairy stock. — Kilvtarnock Journal,

BLACK JACK, NIGGER CATERPILLAR OF
THE TURNIP, OR LARVA OF ATHALIA
CENTIFOLIjE. — An arrangement has been made be-
tween the Entomological Society of London and the
Agricultural Society of Saffron Walden, whereby the
sum of ten guineas has been proposed as the prize to
be given to the writer of the best Essay Cto be drawn up
from personal observation) upon the natural history.

economy, and proceedings of this insect, to be illus-
trated by figures of the insect in its different states ;
together with the result of actual experiments made
for the prevention of its attacks, or the destruction of
the insects themselves.

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

BoRo', Oct. 23.

The market has been languid during* the past week,
none but fine samples appear in demand, tliis descrip-
tion fetch rather more money; whilst ordinary sorts
are forced on the market at lower prices. Duty es-
timate 175ra.

PRESENT PRICES.

j£ s. £ s. jS s.

East Kent Pockets, from 4 4 to 6 G superfine 0 0

Bags ,,...4 0 5 5 0 0

Mid Kent Pockets 3 15 4 15 6 6

Bags 3 10 4 10 5 5

Weald of Kent Pockets 33 3 15 4 4

Sussex do 3 3 3 10 4 4

Yeailings,. 2 16 3 10 .... 3 15

Old 110 2 10 2 16

Odolds 0 18 110 .... 2 2

WORCESTER, Oct. 21.— Our market to-day has
been very quick, and the best samples of Hops much
in request at an advance from last Saturday of at least
2s. per cwt. ; other descriptions met a ready sale at
former prices. There were very few Hops fresh in from
the planters, the greater proportion of those sold being,
the remainder of the previous supply, which were not
disposed of last market day. Number weighed to-day,
l,5971bs. new hops, 43 do. old ; do. in the week, 937 do.,
new, 71 do. old.

EAST RETFORD, Oct. 19.— Since our fair of the
2nd and 3rd inst., there lias been but little doing in the
hop trade, with the exception of a few prime samples,
which have reahsed from 5s. to 7s. per cwt. more than
was obtained at the fair. It may, however, be stated,
that fine ones are scarce, and ;have now got into few
hands, so that we apprehend they will be still higher be-
fore the commencement of the new year. The price of
North Clays may be quoted from Al. 8s. to 5/. 12s. ;
Kents, 3/. 12s. to 5L 5s. ; and Sussex, 3Z. 3s. to 4Z. 4s.
For the information of those in the trade, we^may re-
mark, that our duty has come out greater than we had
expected, being nearly 2000/. higher than last year, and
may be stated as follows : —

ACRES. DUTY.

Lincoln Collection 612 £4600

Derby ditto 120 953

Grantham ditto 29.... 251

761 .... £5804
From this statement it will appear that the North Clays
have produced within a very trifle of the celebrated
growth of 1834, when the duty was 6233/., and in which
year the old duty of the wliole kingdom was 189,713/.
Now, supposing the growth of the North Clays, and of
the kingdom to be in the same ratio in these two years
respectively, the old duty of the kingdom this year may
fairly be estimated at 177,366/. which, in all probability
will not be very far from the truth. The Nottingham-
shire growth this season has averaged nearly 9 cwt. per
acre, and had the weather been propitious during the
picking season, it would have been the largest since
1826.

EAST RETFORD, Sept. 28.— The hop season has
at length terminated, and what has hitherto been a
matter of surmise and speculation has resolved itself
into a certainty, so far as to enable us to offer such
observations as may in some measure assist the holder
in ascertaining the value of his article, and the pur-
chaser as to how far he may be justified in his specula-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

491

tion with respect to the extent of the produce, the
quality, and the probable risk. In the first place we
may observe, that the present year's growth has been
a remarkably quick one, and, contrary to the opinions of
most, has proved itself far superior to general antici-
pation. When the backward spring did cease, the
vegetative powers of the plant were called into active
operation, and with one or two trifling checks was
kept up until it attained to maturity. At the period of
writing our general account three weeks ago, we ex-
pected the sample would have been somewhat finer
than it really is, but the contrary is owing, in a great
measure, to a week or ten days wet and windy weather
during the picking season, which not only tipped the
fruit, but, as a matter of course, in some instances
slightly, and in many very much, discoloured the
sample, particularly the late pulled ones, though we do
not consider them much the worse for use, — indeed,
for our own consumption, we should give them a de-
cided preference. Of the quantity of hops grown in
this kingdom, nearly the whole is consumed in it, for
we find that during the last twenty years only
764,83'ilbs. have been exported, and of these 426,342lbs.
have been shipped to Hamburgh; 75,998lbs. to New
South Wales; 70,309lbs.toFrederickstadt ; 63,999lbs
to Stockholm ; 27,6011bs, to the Isle of Man ; and the
in smaller quantities to the Cape of Good Hope, to
Guernsey and Jersey, to Konigsberg, St. Peters-
burgh, Antwerp, Trieste, &c. The old duty upon
764,834lbs. would amount to only about 212Z.
annually, or about 320/, in the whole, which appears
to be but a mere trifle as compared with the general
growth of the kingdom. With respect to the imports,
a very small quantity, comparatively speaking, finds
its way into this contry, owing to the high protecting
duty to the home grower of 81. lis. per cwt. As
several of our neighbours may be imacquainted with
the amount of the duty upon hops, distinguishing the
new from the old, we may state that up to 1802, the
old duty, as periodically raised, was 10s. 8^d.4-20ths
per cwt.; but in the succeeding year an additional
duty of l|d. 8-20ths per lb. which raised its amount
to 1/. 3s. 4d. per cwt. ; but this increase only continued
one year, for on the 10th July, 1805, ^d. per lb. or 43.
8d. per cwt was taken off, and the duty of IBs. 8d. per
cwt. has continued to be imposed up to the present
time. In order, however, to keep the account of the
growing crop with more accuracy, and also for the
purpose of estimating the relative duties, it was
thought necessary to retain the annual amount of the
old charge, particularly for the sake of shewing the
extent of the comparative growths in the years antece-
dent to the duty being raised in 1802. In order to
ascertain the quantity of hops now on hand (without,
of course, those of the present year) we will take the
duties as paid for the last six years, — say from 1831,
— for in the two years preceding that, not half a crop
was realized, so that we may fairly surmise the stock
on hand at that time would be exceedingly small indeed.
The whole duties, therefore, for the North Clays, and
for the country (in the latter of which the former is,
of course, included) would stand as under —

North Clays. Whole Kingdom,

1831 ^3,762 11 2 £393,700

1832 1,621 2 4 241,400

1833 1,621 17 0 272,894

1834 4,870 10 10 329,895

1835 347 16 2 409,005

1836 2,964 2 0 348,957

Annual average £2,531 6 7 for the

kingdom£332,641

The consumption of the country, during the same
period, judging fiom the quantity of malt used
(4,279,468 was consumed by brewers and victuallers
and by retail brewers from the 5th January, 1S3G, to
the 5th January)— say 4,000,000 quarters annually, for
the last six years, (a considerable increase has taken
place the last two or three years^ would amount to
about 248,000?. and we shall have the calculation as
follows—

Gross amount of the hop duty for the
last six years £1,995,850

Gfoss amount of the consumption for the
last six years 1,488,000

£507,850
Now this amount appearing equnl to two years, con-
sumption seems to be considerable ; but it must be re-
collected, considering the imports and exports to be
equal, that in this amount is included hops of every
shade and quality we may reasonably infer that full one
fourth are totally unfit for use, which would reduce the
quantity to little more than a year and a quarter's growth
for a two years' consumption, with a still further hazard
of the crop of 1839 faUing short in its season. At all
events a door for speculation upon almost sure grounds
is open, and which, should prices be anything like
reasonable, cannot fail to stimulate the commercial world
to expend their money in what v/as once thought to be
highly advantageous investment. Again it may be
safely asserted that the present year's growth in the
south is not only short but the qualities, in many instances,
very inferior. From the information we have been able
to obtain from private sources there is a doubt whether
the duty of the whole kingdom will reach 170,000?.;
this circumstance fairly considered must give the North
Clays a decided pre-eminence v/ith the commercial com-
munity, as it cannot be doubted that, next to the
celebrated Farnham growth, ours stands the next in
point of quality, fineness, and strength; and therefore,
all circumstances taken into consideration, we may
fairlv presume that the best clays will be worth from
51. lbs. to 61. 10s,, and mferior qualities in proportion.
Judging from the samples with which we have been
favoured from all parts of the district, we can fairly
pronounce most of them excellent in quality and flavour ;
and though many of them are rather discoloured by the
late rains we have no fear of their being able to do
business well for some years to come. For the infor-
mation of the North Clay cultivators we subjoin an
extract from a letter iust received from a gentleman in
London possessing ample means of knowing well the
subject he writes unon. He states, the plant in the
progress of its grow'th this summer sustained in many
districts attacks of blight, in consequence of which, the
crop is not so large as many expected, but the quality
is generally good. The present estimate of the duty ot
the several districts is as follows :— Kent, 92,000/.; Sussex,
46,0C0/. ; Worcester, 30,000L ; Farnham, 7,000/. ; King-
dom, 5,000/.; total, 180,000/. New hops are coming
freely to market, and prices having set in extremely
moderate, as will appear by the annexed currency, has
caused a lively trade. The demand being fully equal to
the supply, there appears every probability of the present
prices being supported throughout the season. New
Kent pockets, 70s. to 90s. and New Sussex ditto, 63s.
to 80s. per cwt., very fine and choice, higher, yearling
Kent pockets, 70s. to 90s., yearling Sussex ditto, 48s. to
63s. per cwt., 1835, from 42s. to 50s. per cwt. Another
friend from Maidstone writes as follows:— " For the
better judging of what your North Clay growththis
year may be worth, I can state that throughout Kent,
the crop is fully one-third short of expectation, and
many of the planters here think it strange that the duty
should maintain its position, and shrewdly suspect that
the speculators have some motive in keeping where it
is. The duty is at present estimated at 175,000/., and at
that few are inclined to back it. There is a greater
elasticity in the market than I noticed a week ago,
amounting in some instances to 4s. per cwt. I send you
the present prices which you may fully rely upon to be
correct. East Kente, 90s. to 107s., Mid Kents, 85s. to
94s." We will now proceed to notice the samples in the
different parishes of the district.

BELLMOOR.— Under the able superintendence
and good management of Mr. Peacock, this plantation
has of late years acquired considerable celebrity, and
tiie present year's growth is as good as we have ever
known it. 'Phe sample is very fine and full of condition ;
and though we have seen the hops get to a larger size,
we never saw them more close and compact, they are
consequently fit for doing business of the first order.

492

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINEc

CLARBRO', &C.--The produce of Mr, Hudson's
plantation this year is perhaps the largest in the district ;
the quality very g-ood, and the sample remarkably fine,
and for colour they are as good, if not better, than any we
have seen. His neighbours, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wheel-
wright, are equally good, being perfectly sound, and
free from every disease ; and the same remark will apply
to Mr. Wilkinson's in the adjoining parish of Sturton,
and also to the Rev. R. Hutchmson's, at Tilne ; these
latter have for many years been considered stronger tlian
most others in the neighbourhood. The sample of Mr.
Jackson, at Ordsall, is beautiful, and for quality, we
think, cannot be excelled.

UPTON. — The plantations here have done better
than for some years past, and though the weight per
acre will not average so much as many others in the
Clays, yet the produce is quite sound, and consequently
capable of doing a good business. Mr. John Ibberson's
and Nettleship'g samples are fine in condition, and the
same may be said of two or three of their neighbours.

ASK HAM.— The Beastwood plantation has this
year fully justified the character it has maintained for
a series of years, and we may fairly challenge any other
part of the district for either quality or colour. The
picking here closed after most others, and yet the last
fruit proved itself to be as good if not better than the
first. The samples of Messrs. Bullivant and Smith, as
also those of Mr. Scrimshaw, Mr. Kelton, Mr. William
Ibberson, Mr. Clarke, and Mr. Harvey, are now be-
fore us, and we may safely aver that finer and better
hops cannot be found in the district. The other part
of the parish has produced some good hops and some
but indiff'erent. The plantation belonging to Mr. Ben-
jamin Smith has yielded an excellent produce, which
are quite sound and remarkably full of condition.

EAST MARKHAM.— Some parts of this parish
have produced some hops equally as good as Beastwood.
The samples of Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. Swinglehurst
are uncommonly fine, and in the best possible condition,
quite equal to any other we have noticed. Mr. Rose
has a pretty sample and a good fair crop. Some of
the other plantations have come down rather light, but
the produce is quite sound.

ELKESLEY. — The hops produced in this parish are
not far behind any others, if anything at all. The
sample of Mr. Richd. Fox is remarkably fine in the
scale, good in colour and of excellent quality. Those
of his neighbours, Mr. Weightman, Mrs. Hudson, and
Mr. Thomas Johnson, are also uncommonly full of condi-
tion, and will do business quite as well as any other in
the neighbourhood.

BEVERCOTES AND WEST MARKHAM.—
Some of the plantations here have not proved so good
as we had anticipated. Being ripe somewhat early,
the wind and rain which prevailed for upwards of ten
days so dashed them about, as in a great measure to de-
stroy the produce ; the consequence is, that it would
not stand a proper fire in the drying, and the sample
has turned of quite a dark brown colour ; they conse-
quently look more like hops of five year old growth
than those of the present year. Others, however, are
difi'erent. The plantation of Mr. Mansell, of whom we
before spoke in commendation in our last general report,
has proved itself to be as good as we then stated. It is a
three-year old piece, and contains little more than two
acres, from which has been gathered rather more than
30 cwt. of excellent hops. The sample is particularly
fine, and the quality really excellent. Mr. Thomas
Denman's produce is excellent in condition, and sound
in quality ; the same remark will apply to one or two
of his neighbours. Mr. B. Booth has a sample and
produce which it would be difficult to improve upon in
the neighbourhood.

WALESBY.— The yield of this parish will be as
great, if not greater, than any other in the North
Clays, and the growers may fairly challenge any other
for firmness and quality. Two or three of the planta.
tious have averaged from 12 cwt. to 15 cwt. per acre.
Mr. Joseph Smith, Mr. Justice, Mr. Cannon, and Mr.
Ratclifi'e will show some of the best hops in the fair.

KIRTON. — The produce in this parish is not so
large as Walesby, but the samples we have seen are
sound and good, as well as fine in condition.

BOUGHTON.— The growth in this parish varies
considerably : some parts producing as good a sample
as any other we have mentioned, whilst some others
are rather indifferent. In the best plantations, the
yield is large and fine, perfectly sound, and in excellent
condition. Of the samples of Mr. Frogson, Mr. Don-
caster, Mr, Ward, Mr. Grosveuor, Mr. Squires, Mr.
Flower, and two or three others, we can speak in terms
of the highest commendation. The scale of the sample
is fine and bright, and quite capable of doing business
to the satisfaction of the consumer. Some of the other
plantations have rather been touched with the mould,
but not to such an extent as had been calculated upon,

EAST DRAYTON.— The hops here are remarkably
sound and good, but the produce is not so large as in
several other parts. Some years back the hops grown
in this parish were much sought after, and, we doubt
not, for quality they will this year maintain their an-
cient character.

OLLERTON. — Many of the samples here are rather
high in colour, most of them being exceedingly ripe
before pulling commenced ; they are, however, calcu-
lated to do business well, though we believe they have
come down lighter than the growers had anticipated ;
this, however, it must be acknowledged, is generally
the case to a greater or lesser extent, throughout the
district.

RUFFORD. — This year's production here is remark-
ably fine and good ; and, taking the whole of the plan-
tations together, will average as great, or perhaps
greater, weight per acre than any other in the Clays.
The scale of the hop is particularly fine, and they have
come down in very excellent condition. We have seea
some in which the colour is rather more viewly, but we
very much doubt whether they are more efficient for
business. Mr. Williamson's are well cured, and the
samples of the Earl of Scarbrough, Henry Machin, Esq.
&c., are altogether undeniable.

OSSINGTON.— Weare not aware that the produce
of these plantations, belonging to J. E. Denison, Esq.,
will come into the market ; but, whether or not, they
are uncommonly good, and in the very best possible
condition.

TUXFORD AND SCARTHING MOOR.— The

growth of hops at Tuxford this year is greater than we
have known for some years past, and the samples, ge-
nerally speaking, as good as their neighbours. We had
an opportunity, on Monday last, of inspecting the qua-
lity, which is so fine as to entitle them to a high place
at the coming fair. Mr. Richardson, Mr, Briggs, Mr.
Bryan Clarke, Mr. Wilmer, and Mr. Daft have all a
fair produce. At Scarthing Moor, Mr. Voikers and
Mr. Skefton have each a plantation, on the Kent sys-
tem, which have produced a fine crop of a very good
quality. The colour is tolerably fair, and the condition
excellent.

WOODCOTES.— Mr. Billyard's yard here has pro-
duced one of the best samples we have seen ; indeed,
with a few exceptions, they are as fine as any of the
present year's growth.

[Several of our agricultural friends in Nottingham-
shire, particularly the hop growers, having sufi'ered
severely from the extensive ravages of the wire worm,
a gentleman of considerable experience recommends
them to try soot, which he has proved for a long period
to be an effectual remedy against their progress. He
further states, that a few years back he told a neigh-
bour of his who was greatly pestered with this enemy
to vegetation, to use soot, when his friend found it so
efficacious that he recommended him not to acquaint
any other person with the secret.]— Doncaster Gaz.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

493

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

Though the harvest may be now considered as
completed, with the exception of the oat crop in
the more northern districts of Scotland, yet v\e
will defer until the ensuing month any detail of
the estimated produce of grain throughout the
United Kingdom, merely observing that from all
the information we have at present received re-
specting the new growth, there is little reason to
anticipate a very depressed range of prices for the
better descriptions of wheat and barley, though
oats and pulse are likely to assume a low average,
as the yield and quality are plentiful and good, nor
is it to be apprehended, that the currencies will
rule higher than at present, but on the contrary,
the ultimate tendency must be towards a decline
from the prevailing rates, as it is calculated, and
we believe on sound premises, that the present
year's produce of grain, pulse, fruits and veget-
ables, in fact, taking the whole mass of vegetable
esculents, is one of the largest tbat we have been
blessed with for many years ; and the abundant
growth and superior quality of potatoes will there-
fore materially diminish the consumption of the
coarser meals, besides that Ireland last year, not
only exported much less than usual, but in many
places imported from England, and the demand
for flour in their home markets was also greater
than customary, while this year it will probably
be turned towards potatoes, and they are likely to
carry an extensive export trade in corn and flour,
owing to the good quality and condition of their
kiln dried shipments, competing with the damp
bad state of the English crop. It may be also
observed, that the late depression in the prices is
not attributable to the quantity of foreign wheat
which has paid duty ; the total amount throughout
the kingdom not exceeding 200,000 qrs. ; but to
the article having been thrown mostly on those
markets, where the rise or fall of prices influences
the whole country, and the depression in these
markets must have been further increased by many
of the holders being anxious to quit their foreign
wheat to replace the large sum of money required
to pay the duty, which is the highest that has been
ever received. The markets may also be influ-
enced, should we experience a severe winter, as
farmers may be induced to thrash their wheats for
the sake of the straw, and should the winter on
the other hand be mild and open, and the markets
dull, there will be no inducement for the farmers,
who are generally in much better circumstances
than a few years' back, to bring their wheat to
market, and (he damp state in which a great deal
of it is harvested will make most of the larger far-
mers very reluctant to thrash out,

A weekly decline in the value of wheat has been
experienced during the three flrst weeks of Oct.,
samples of the better description having receded
6s. to 7s. per qr. ; and inferior and ill-conditioned
quahties being nominal, as no certain price could
be offered to them, the rate realized depending en-
tirely on that offered by the buyer. The reduction
in value has been mainly caused by the pressure of
the foreign free samples on the market, and sup-
plies coming forward rather more liberally, though
farmers have been generally too busily engaged in
field labour to allow them to thrash out freely ;
the unusual fineness of the weather inducing them
to hasten all their out-door operations ; previous,
however, to the rain we are now experiencing, the
progress of sowing had been checked from the
want of moisture, both light and stiff soils being
too dry to admit of ploughing with any utility or
the reception of the seed. At the close however
of the month, the fine Danzig wheats getting into
fewer hands, and the millers still requiring a large
proportion of the old growth to mix with the new,
the weather having been too mild and genial to
improve materially the samples, which require
frost and drying winds, those parcels available for
grinding purpose have become more firm, and fine
foreign even held at an advance of about 2s. per qr.

Owing to the favourable accounts from the
United States there has been latterly an improved
feeling in bonded wheats for export, and holders
are asking higher prices, American merchants
offering liberal advances to induce shipments, and
some few hundred quarters have been shipped to
the Mauritius, Madeira, Sydney, and North
America.

The flour trade has remained in a very heavy
state, but the controlling influence of the leading
millers has again prevailed, and flour has remained
throughout the month at nominally 65s. per sack,
notwithstanding the constant depression of 2s. to
3s. per qr. in wheat ; when it is notorious that no
such price as 55s. exists, with perhaps a solitary
instance, 50s. and 52s. being outside quotations,
but it enables bakers under the plea of the nominal
quotations to keep np the price of bread at 9d.,
and the object is thus attained. Country shippers
consequently feel dissatisfied with the sales made
by the factors, as they are returned bond fide ac.
cording to the prices paid, which do not bear their
usually relative proportionate value with the town-
made qualities, ship marks having receded 3s. to
4s. per sack, Norfolks only obtaining 42s. Bonded
.flour has met a partial demand for export chiefly
to the West Indies at 23s. to 24s. for Danzig and
Hamburg qualities.

494

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

The barley trade has rather altered its character,
and maltsters do not seem disposed to grant the
current rates for the quality of malting barley
oiFering, for though the samples may be denomi-
nated the best at market, yet with very few ex-
ceptions they are all more or less affected by the
weather, and prices therefore of every description
must be noted fully 2s. lower ; picked samples of
Chevalier, or Norfolk and Suffolk, would, and are
likely to continue to obtain extra prices, say 37s. •
38s., and even 40s., but as they are and will be
scarce they can afford no quotation as to a general
range of currency; distilling barley of 511bs. has
been latterly selling at 30s., old barley quite neg-
lected.

Malt has experienced little animation, and only
the finer qualities, principally of new, at all sale-
able, ship samples obtaining 62s. to 63s., Ware,
64s. and 65s.

The oat trade has worn a depressed aspect
throughout the month ; in the early part the anti-
cipated large supplies from Ireland, which had been
retarded by contrary winds, and the foreign oats
on arrival being pressed on the market, and
latterly the large receipts when they did come to
hand, have contributed in forcing down the cur-
rencies 2s. to 3s. per qr. with a dull trade at the
decline, the shipments advised from Ireland as
taking place and about to come forward being still
considerable ; during the month we have received
from the Sister Kingdom about 60,000 qrs., the
quality of which is superior in weight, condition,
and colour. The offers free on board are numer-
ous, but speculators are by no means anxious at
present to enter into contracts anticipating still
further reduced currencies.

Beans having com© more freely to market, and
the new proving generally fine, though several sam-
ples out of condition, has caused prices to recede 4s.
to 53. The same remark is applicable to grey and
maple peas, which are 5s. to 6s. lower ; but fine
white qualities having till lately proved barely equal
to the demand, and the new samples being very un-
sound, the worm having committed extensive depre-
dation, has enabled factors to maintain prices, until
the last week, when the increased supplies from
Essex and Suffolk forced prices down fully 2s.
per qr.

In Canada the crops are represented as promising
abundance, and great portion secured ; in New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia the same bountiful re-
turn was being reaped by the agriculturists, and
potatoes plentiful. In Upper Canada produce was
fast reducing in value. At Kingston wheat was noted
4s. per bushel, flour 13s. 9d. to I5s. per cwt.; and
a party visiting lake Ontario country had been
offered any quantity of wheat at the head of the lake
at 3s. 8d. per bushel. The wheat crop in York
state was likewise reported good.

The French markets have exhibited the past week
much less firmness, and in some instances a slight
decline in the currencies is apparent, where the

supplies are increasing, owing to the farmers having
advanced with their sowing, favoured by fine wea-
ther, and having been enabled to dedicate more time
to thrashing- out. Complaints are, however, still
made of the yield in some districts, and as the de-
mand is entirely dependent on the new growth, a
deficiency in some departments seems anticipated
before another harvest. At Marseilles prices were
firm from want of supplies, and at Bordeaux the
late arrivals of new wheat were realising as much as
45s. 6d. to 47s. 8d. per qr. At Rouen the new
wheats have proved of so fine quality that most sam-
ples have been fit for seed, which has reduced the
prices of those parcels previously selected for this
purpose. But farmers are represented as holding
for higher rates, and which they are blamed for at-
tempting, as ultimately they will cause the averages
to advance, and the duties to decrease, especially at
the ports where the lowest class of duties are estab-
lished, that is, from the departments of Calvados to
the river Velaine, and enabling speculators to enter
their foreign wheats ; at a time also, when the new
produce is likely to be coming freely to market. Al-
ready a cargo of wheat was reported as having been
liberated, arriving from Guernsey, and would pro-
bably be re-exported to Rouen. The accounts re-
specting the Cloverseed crop were very unfavoura-
ble, the produce proving very deficient, so much so,
that purchases of four year old seed had been made
at 25s. to 25s. per cwt., quality which was consider-
ed unsaleable in the usual course of trade ; new qua-
lities are expected to obtain 44s. ; at Poictiers clo-
verseed is noted at 46s.

The Upper Baltic markets from the absence of
demand are ruling very dull at nominal prices ; and
the supplies going into granary, where there is a
large quantity of grain still lying which has been
bought for English account, principally at Danzig.
At St. Petersburg the prices of grain had materiallv
advanced, oats having risen 4roubles per tschetwert,
owing to the unfavourable accounts of the harvest.

At Danzig prices of wheat have receded about
2s., good high mixed qualities selling at 29s., ;
mixed, 26s. to 27s., and it was expected that with
a continuance of the prevailing dulness, wheat
would be obtainable at still lower rates.

By the agricultural reports from Mecklenburg,
the wheat appears to have been housed in excellent
condition, and new samples have appeared at Ros-
tock of remarkably fine quality, weighing 611bs. to
631bs. ; but the abundance of the produce has been
overrated, and wheat is not expected to recede be-
low 24s. Barley is noted at I5s. to 17s., weighing
501bs. to 521bs. Freights will, it is thought, rule Is.
to Is. 6d. lower in spring than in any other port in
the Baltic, owing to the number of vessels in har-
bour. In Holstein the wheat trade is heavy, the de-
mand being confined to the local wants ; at Kiel,
the better descriptions of new barley were not looked
for at market before November ; but from the Danish
Islands shipments were making to Norway at I3s,
6d. to 14s, 6d. per qr. Rapeseed had receded ra-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

495

thei in value, being noted at 18Z. to 181. 10s., Lut
owing' to the unfavourable accounts of the whale
fishery, had advanced to 191. to 191. 10s. Linseed
was also improving, and crushing qualities worth
34s. to 35s. At Hamburg some sales of wheat were
eflfecting at from 28s. to 30s. 6d,, according to
quality, some of which has been for export to Jersey,
and prime old wheat offering from the' near Baltic
ports at 24s. 6d. to 25s. 6d. ; Rapeseed firm at 19/.
15s. to 20/. ; from Denmark 18/. 10s. to 19/. ; East
Coast of Holstein, 19/. to 19/. 10s,; West ditto,
19/. 15s. to 20/. Linseed 37s. to 38s., with a
freight of 3s. 3d. from Schleswick, and 4s. 3d. from
the Baltic.

At Rotterdam the wheat trade has ruled dull, but
the supplies of new being short, previous rates were
maintained, and the stocks of old fast decreasing.
Blue peas and tick beans were the only articles freely
ofi'ering of the new crops. Hempseed was selling at
28s. which was expected to be its lowest point. The
new red cloverseed was improving in sample, and
held at 37s. to 39s. per cwt.

By the latest advices from the United States to
the 2nd of October, we find that at Baltimore, owing
to the limited character of the supplies of native
wheat, the prices, which were tending upwards,
have now been confirmed at an advance, and prime
red Maryland and Virgina wheats realized 1 dollar
75 cents ; other descriptions range lower, according
to quality. Maryland wheats come to hand very
sparingly, and it is now stated as fact, that if the
Virginia wheats were not directed toward the Balti-
more market, those of Maryland would fall far short
of the demand. An extensive business has been
done in foreign wheats, at prices ranging from 1 dol-
lar 55 to 78 cents ; all the recent arrivals had been
sold, and the old stocks in store reduced to about
45,000 bushels. No new cloverseed had reached
the market, but old was noted at 7 dollars 50 cents
per bushel. No alteration in the price of flour;
Howard-street qualities, ex store, 8 dollars 50 cents ;
for City Mills samples no demand existed for foreign
export, the sales being confined to domestic and
coastways consumption. At New York, the busi-
ness transacting in wheat was becoming much more
extensive, owing to the increased Supplies and choice
of samples. The Genesee wheat did not give satis-
faction in quality this season, being only reckoned
fair. The prices of the better qualities are advanc-
ing, and the trade wearing an improved aspect,
but we still doubt the policy of European ex-
ports from this country however tempting the
advances may be on the part of American
merchants by way of inducement to consign. Prime
Virginia wheat has obtained 1 dollar 81 cents ;
Genesee, 1 dollar 75 to 81 ; and Ohio, 1 dollar
75 cents. The stock of foreign wheat was so far
reduced as to admit of few transactions, and only
25,000 bushels had been sold, at 1 dollar 12J to
68§ cents, as in quality. There are only 3,000
bushels of foreign rye left on hand, and held at
1 dollar. The supplies of Western Canal flour had

been coming to hand more freely, owing to the
release of the boats grounded on the Overslaugh,
and a further reduction of 12^ to 25 cents had been
submitted to, prices being noted at 8 dollars 75 to
87^ cents.

CURRENCY P£R IMPERIAL MEASURE.

BRITISH. Oct. 1. Nov. 1.

S. S. 9. 8.

Wheat, red, Essex, Kent, Suffolk 52 to 64 45 to 57

White 52 66 50 62

Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yoikshire. .. 40 62 40 55

White, do. do 46 64 46 58

Irish Red — — — —

DittoWhite — — — —

Barley, Malting, new 30 34 30 34

Chevalier, new 32 36 36 38

Distilling 26 30 25 30

Grinding 25 28 24 28

Irish 24 27 24 27

Malt, Brown 38 44 38 44

Ditto, Chevalier, new and old 58 61 58 64

Ditto, Norfolk and Suffolk Pale, do. ..54 58 54 60

Ditto W^aie 55 59 55 59

Peas, Hog and Grey 34 37 30 33

Maple 35 38 32 34

White Boilers 38 40 36 38

Beans, small 40 45 38 40

Harrow 36 42 34 38

Ticks 34 41 32 37

Mazagan 34 40 32 36

Oats, English feed 24 26 22 24

Short small 26 29 24 27

Poland , 26 29 24 27

Scotch, Common 22 25 20 23

Berwick, &c 24 27 22 25

Potatoe.&c 25 28 24 27

Irish,Feed 17 21 17 20

DittoPotatoe 23 26 22 24

DittoBlack 17 23 17 21

PRICES OF FLOUR,

Per Sack of 280 lbs. OcT.l. Nov, 1.

S. S. S. 3.

Town-made 52 to 55 52 to 55

Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and Essex .... 42 46 40 42

Sussex and Hampshire 41 45 39 41

Superfine 46 — 42 —

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Stockton. 40 45 38 40

Northumberland. Berwick, and Scotch. 41 45 39 40

Irish 41 45 39 40

Extra 47 — 39 42

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

Weekending
15th Sept.
22nd ..
29th . ..
6th Oct.
13th , .
20th . ..
AggregateAverr.ge
of the six weeks
which regulates

the duty

Duties payable in
London till Wed-
nesday next inclu-
sive, and at the
Outports till the
arrival of the Mail
of that day from

London

Do. on graiH from
British possessions
out of Europe. ...
Foreign Flour 19s

Wheat.

53 3

31 8

Barley

29 6

Oats

23 3

22 11

23 0
22 8

21 9

22 3

22 8

13 9

2 6

Rye

33 3
32 11
32 4
32 5
32 7
30 2

32 3

Beans

40 3
40 6
40 6
40 3
38 10
36 10

39 6

3 0

3 0

Peas

36 4

37 2
36 5
36 10

5
34 11

36 4

15 6

3 0

Id. per 1961bs.,-
3s. per 1961b8

British Possessions ditto

PRICES OF SEEDS.

Oct. 23.

Tiie Cloverseed trade still remains in a very inanimate
state ; no new samples of red are yet offering-, and in
white little speculative interest exists, prices remain

496

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

therefore, nominally unaltered. The accounts from
Holland report the samples latterly received from the
interior to exhibit an improvement in quality, and prices
were 35s. to 39s.percwt. In Trefoil no variation. The
Linseed trade has been materially influenced by the
reported failure in the Whale fishery, and prices
have advanced fully 3s. per qr. ; but the holders
of Oil having succeeded in obtaining' the advance
demanded on Oil are endeavouring to depress the trade
in seed, and sales to-day ruled extremely dull, the en-
hancement remaining nominal. Rapeseed has partici-
pated in the advance, and is 1 1, to 21. per last dearer,
Baltic being worth 26/. to 27/., Irish, 23.. per last,
Hempseed dull, at 32s. to 35s. as a top quotation. Cara-
way dull, and in Coriander nothing doing'. Canary
remains firm at 48s. to 50s. Tares very dull, and 3s. 6d.
per bushel the highest rate. Linseed Cakes fully as
dear, as well as Rape, but in the latter little doing.

POTATOE MARKET.

SouTHWARK. — Waterside, Oct, 23.— During the
week the supplies of Potatoes have consisted of 766
tons from Yorkshire ; 285 do. from Scotland ; 235 do.
from Guernsey and Jersey ; 250 do. from Kent, Essex,
and Suffolk ; making the total receipts 1,542 tons. The
fineness ot the weather has enabled the growers to make
considerable progress in lifting their Potatoes, the pro-
duce of which is still most favourably reported. Sup-
plies are consequently increasmg, and as they are ex-
pected soon further to augment, it prevents the market
from experiencing any animation, the dealers purchasing
with caution, even at the reduced rates below noted.
The accounts from the Channel Islands report an
abundant produce, and owing to the favourable sales
of their growth the last season, farmers have dedicated a
larger breadth of land this year to their cultivation,
York, reds, realized 60s. ; Scots, 55s,; American natives,
50s.; Kidneys, 60s. ; Shaws, 45s. to 50s. ; and Guernsey
blues, 50s.

-WOOIi MARKETS.

BRITISH,

Oct. 1. Nov. 1.

Per lb, s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

DownTep;s 1 3 to 1 4 1 3 to 1 4

Half-bred do 14 15 14 15

Ewes and Wethers 1 112 1112

Leicester Hogs 1112 1112

Do. Wethers Oil 10 Oil 10

Blanket Wool 0 7 0 11 0/011

Flannel 0 10 13 0 10 13

Skin Combing 1 112 1112

EXETER. — This market was dull, and although for
a superior lot or two of yolk wool, lOd, was offered, yet
generally this article must be stated at a decline, the
terms of most houses and agents being from 9d, to 93d,
per lb. The transections consequently were limited,
being confined principally to the few purchases on the
first named terms, and the quotation for yolk wool must
he from 9d. to lOd, per lb. Washed wools are, — Knott,
12d, to 13d.; Dorset Horn, 12|d. to 13d. per lb. In
sorts but little alteration has taken place, and broad
head must be quoted at 9d, ; Kent head, lOd, to lOJd, ;
red, green, and pinions, lO^d, to lid,; fell combing,
103d,to llgd, ; fine head, lid, to l'2d,; Cornish stripe,
13d, ; North Devon stripe, 13d,; and tops, 16d. per lb,

LIVERPOOL,

Week ending Oct. 23.
Scotch, — There has been less demand for Highland
laid wool this week, the stocks being light, and holders
not inclined to press sales, we cannot vary our quota-
tions much, 3d, per stone less would be taken in
quantities. In white Highland, cross, and Cheviot wools,
the transactions have been limited, rather under our
quotations.

per stone of 241bs. s. d, s. d,

Laid Highland Wool, from ,,. 8 9 to 9 3

White do, do 11 6 12 0

LaidCrossed do 11 6 12 6

Washed do, do 13 0 15 0

I..aid Cheviot, do 13 0 15 0

Washeddo, do 16 6 19 0

White do, do 22 0 26 0

SCOTCH.

Per Stone of 24 lbs, Oct. 1,

s, d. s. d.
Laid Highland Wool, from. 8 6 to 9 0

Nov. 1,

s. d. s. s.

8 9 to 9 3

White Do. Do U 6 12 0 11 6 12 0

LaidCrossed Do 11 6 12 0 11 6 12 6

WashedDo. Do 12 0 14 0 13 0 15 0

Laid Cheviots 12 6 14 6 13 0 15 0

WashedDo 17 0 19 0 16 6 19 0

White Do 22 0 26 0 22 0 26 0

FOREIGN.

Oct. 23.

Owing to the large quantity of wool which will
shortly be submitted to public competition, the foreign
wool trade has become in a sluggish state, but the quo-
tations noted on Monday last have been tolerably well
supported. The quantity of wool which will be offered,
at the approaching sales, which are appointed for the
26th, 27th, 30th, and 31st inst., as also the 2nd and
3rd proximo, is 6,050 bales, but we anticipate, ere the
sales commence, that an additional quantity of wool
will be added.

Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s, 4d, to 5s, 4d, ; first
Austrian, Bohemian, andotherGerman wools, 3s, 4d.to
4s, 4d,; second do,, 2s, 2d. to 3s,; inferior do, in locks
and pieces, Is. 6d, to2s,; German lamb's do,, 2s. to
3s.; Hungarian sheep's do., 2s. to 3s. ; Leouesa
sheep's do., 2s. 2d. to 3s.; Segovia do., 2s. to 3s, ;
Soria do,, 2s, to 3s, ; Caceres do., 2s. to 3s. 2d, ;
Spanish lamb's do,. Is, 6d, to 2s, 6d. ; German and
Spanish cross do., 2s, Od. to 3s. Od. ; Portugal sheep's
do,, 2s. to 3s. ; do. lamb's do., 2s. Od, to 2s, 2d.;
Australian, fine crossed do,, 2s, 6d. to 3s. 4d. ; do.
native sheep's do., 8d, to 2s, 6d,; Van Diemen's Land,
native sheep's do,, Is. 6d, to 2s, 6d.; and Cape of
Good Hope do., is. 4d. to 2s. lOd. per lb.

NEW SOUTH WALES AND VAN DIEMEN'S
LAND. — The imports of wool into the ports of London
and Liverpool from these colonies, averaging 200 lbs.
per bale, in 1820, amounted to 99,400 lbs.; in 1825, to
323,995 lbs,; in 1830, to 2,000,7001bs.; in 1831, to
2,531,205 lbs,; in 1832, to 2,096,600 lbs,; in 1833, to
2,989,600 lbs,; in 1834, to 2,245,800 lbs.; in 1835, to
3,952,400lbs,; and in 1836, to 4,-556,600 lbs. The wools
for 1837 have not yet all arrived ; but the calculation is
that about 30,000 bales, or 6,000,000 lbs., will be the
total quantity imported this year, being an increase on
the quantityof the preceding year of about l,500,000lbs.,
or 33 per cent., which, at Is, 6d. per lb., will produce
450,000/. Now that capital is flowing into these colonies,
and the nature of the soil and climate of New South
Wales being fully equal, if not superior, for the growth
of wools than the the continent of Europe, it is expected
that in the course of ten or fifteen years we shall be in-
dependent of the supphes from foreign countries, al-
though 3,813,250 lbs. were imported last year from
Spain, and 36,180,000 lbs. from Germany, which, at an
average of 2s, 6d. per lb, is equal to 5,000,000/., less only
844/, 1 he government of New South Wales has already
appropriated about 5,000,000 acres, a considerable
quantity of which is under cultivation ; the remainder
being used for sheep walks and grazing. Swan River,
South Australia, and Port Philip have their flocks and
herds, and are prospering.

Wool on which the Home Consumption Duties have
been paid at London, Bristol, and Hull, during the
last week : —

This Year, 1 Same time
WOOL.

Sheep, Spanish, lb.

Bristol lb.

Australian lb.

Other Sorts lb,

Hull U).

previous to
last week.

in the
last Year.

1071955

7697090
10 6973
7277120

1751549

115012

6527064

17698444

18832885

Printed by Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand,
London,

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1837.

No. 6.]

[Vol. VII.

THE PLATE.

The subject of our first Plate is that celebrated Cart Stallion, "Active," who
took the prize for the best Cart Stallion at the Rutland Agricultural Show, in
1837 ; also the prizes at the Lincoln Agricultural Shows in 1833, 1834, 1835,
and 1836; the property of Richard Thacker, of Canwick, Lincolnshire.

"Active" is a beautiful rich red roan, seven years old, near seventeen hands
high, with short clean legs, full of bone, sound and good tempered with beautiful
action, has travelled four seasons on one round and proved himself a sure foal-
getter. He was got by that celebrated roan horse, Waxwork, the property of Mr.
Woods, of Elm, Cambridgeshire, which horse is allowed by competent j udges to
be the best cart stallion that travels the kingdom. Waxwork was got by Mr.
Mews' old roan horse. Matchless, who was sold to Mr. Quartermaine, of Garsing-
ton, near Oxford, when sixteen years old, for 200 guineas.

Active's dam is a capital brown cart mare, the property of Mr. John Adams, of
Landbeach, Cambridgeshire ; she was got by Mr. Aspland's noted brown horse,
Willingham.

ON THE READIEST AND MOST EF-
FECTUAL MODE OF IMPROVING
THE CONDITION OF THE AGRI-
CULTURAL LABOURER.

The principle upon which the New Poor Law is
based, namely that of throwing able-bodied per-
sons upon their own resources and compelling
them to earn their own bread instead of as has
heretofore been too much the case subsisting upon
the industry of others, is unquestionably sound.
Whilst, however, society has a right to require
that every man shall support himself and his
family by his labour, we hold that every unem-
ployed individual disposed to labour has a right
to demand that employment be found for him.
The season is now approaching when this subject
will be pressed upon the attention of the Boards of
Guardians in the various Poor Law Unions in the
shape of application for relief from able-bodied la-
bourers out of employment. That horrible crime in-
cendiarism is again showing itself, and in conse-
quence of the recent destruction by fire of agricul-

tural property to the value of near 3,000/. upon
one farm in Essex, a meeting was held at Halstead,
for the purpose of considering the best means of
guarding against or if possible of preventing a
recurrence of the evil. It is exceedingly difficult,
nay almost impossible to trace the motives of the
individuals who adopt this terrible means of attain-
ing some end. It was the general opinion of the
meeting at Halstead, that the fires there were not
the act of the labourers, they being at this time
apparently happy and contented. We have
recently visited a ]>art of the county of Sussex,
where several fires took place some years back,
the origin of which was never discovered. It
seems, however, that some of the labourers, of
whom there were many then out of employ,
(whether from actual knowledge or as a mere
opinion is not known), stated, that the firing the
stacks did not originate in any ill feeling towards
the individuals whose property was destroyed, but
to open the eyes of both landlords and tenants to
the situation in which they the labourers were
placed from their being unable to obtain employ-

2 D

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ment although willing to work. If this indeed
were correct, it was a terrific mode of enlighten-
ing them on the subject. We know well that
upon the approach of winter the farmer requires
a smaller number ofworkmen, and he has a full right
to discharge those whom he does not want. No
one has any authority to compel him to find
employment for more labourers than he in his
judgment may deem requisite ; and should there
be employment in other quarters within the reach
of the labourer he can have no just grounds of
complaint. Should it however turn out otherwise,
as is too fiequently the case, and as we know to
be the case already in some places, that labourers
and their families are rendered destitute of the
means of subsistence from want of employment;
justice and humanity, nay society will demand,
that he who has toiled through the summer
sun and has gathered the golden grain into the
garner, shall not perish for want, so long as he is
•willing to perform the task which providence has
allotted to him of earning his bread by the sweat
of his brow. The rights of property should ever
be held most sacred, but there is a point beyond
which a man " has not a right to do what he will
with his own," The owner of a large tract of
wheat land in an extensive territory might if he
pleased, accumulate his stacks in his yards year
after year, until they were finally consumed by rats
and mice ; or he might suffer his land to remain
wholly uncultivated, there being sufficient means
afforded to the inhabitants of obtaining food else-
where. But were the owner of a whole island to
adopt a similar course, at the same time refusing to
the inhabitants the use of a portion of the land
whereon to raise food, they having no other means
within their reach, such an exercise of the rights
of property would become a monopoly, and the
persons who suffered from it could scarcely be
expected to respect rights so exercised. The situa-
tion of the agricultural labourers in many parts of
England is very much akin to that of the inha-
bitants on an island as described above. Em-
ployed during eight or nine months of the year
at a rate of wages which will not enable them to
lay up store for the winter, they are discharged and
left to struggle on, half-starved, eking out a miser-
able existence derived from the uncertain contribu-
tions of some humane and more wealthy neigh-
bours. Now that the Legislature has determined
that out-door relief shall no longer be given to the
able-bodied who are out of employ, it seems to us
that where the supply of labour exceeds the de-
mand there are but three modes whereby full
means of subsistence can be supplied to able-
bodied labourers without driving them into the
workhouse, which for the sake of society as well
as on their own account should be a dernier resort.
First — By giving an allotment of land to every
labourer.

Secondly — By expending a larger quantum of
labour upon the land.
Thirdly — By emigration.

Now, first, as regards giving an allotment of
land to every labourer.! It is stated, that time was
when every cottage had its rood of land ; and it
will now be seen upon close observation, that there
is a portion of land, varying from a quarter of an

acre to an acre, and even more, attached to almost
all the ancient cottages in this country. As,
however, the population increased, new cot-
tages were of course built ; and as the value of
land and the yrice of produce advanced enormous-
ly, the new cottages had no land attached to them,
and, indeed, such was the greediness for land, that
in many cases in which the old cottages were at-
tached to farms, the land was taken away and thrown
into the farm. Land now, however, although still
much sought for, is not so highly valued, and thus
one obstacle to letting land to labourers is re-
moved. The host of unemployed labourers, and
the consequent pressure upon the poor rates, some
years since attracted the attention of parties inte-
rested, and the system of giving allotments
of land to cottagers was commenced, has
continued to spread, and has been found to an-
swer wherever introduced. We are aware that an
apprehension has been entertained by f\iimers, lest
the labourers should become so independent, by
being bettered in their condition, as not to be under
sufficient control. This is wholly a mistake.
The man who possesses property of his own, and
feels that he has rights to defend, is most likely to
respect the property and rights of another. Im-
piudence and recklessness are generally found as-
sociated with want and misery. If it were neces-
sary, evidence could be adduced from a hundred
different places of the beneficial results of allotting
land to labourers, not only as regards the labourers
themselves, but also as regards the rate-payers,
who were before compelled to support them in
idleness. To give a labouier land whereon to
raise the necessaries of life is tantamount to giving
him employment. That labourers prize the pos-
session of land highly, is manifested by the eager-
ness with which they apply for it, and the gratitude
which they express on obtaining it. The English
labourer is naturally industrious ; it is the treat-
ment which he has received which has altered his
nature. In the year 1833, a labourer in the pa-
rish of East Bourne, in Sussex, who had for a long
period been in the receipt of 10s. per week from the
parish for the supportof himself and family, relin-
quished the " parish pay" upon having one acre
of land let to him and a second given him rent free.
He has never since troubled the parish, and is now
a man of substance. In that and an adjoining
parish, thanks to the benevolent feeling of a
resident landowner, who possesses not only
the means but the will to ameliorate the con-
dition of the labourer, between one and two hun-
dred allotments have been granted, some paying at
the rate of eight pounds per acre, and others four
pounds per acre, according to the quality of the
land. Excellent general rules regarding the con-
duct of the tenantry are laid down, the rent is ne-
ver asked for, and is always brought punduallj/.
There is a remarkable instance amongst these cot-
tage tenantry of an old lame man, who has an al-
lotment of four acres, on the top of a hill nearly as
elevated as Beechey Cliff, and not very far from that
spot, which was covered with furze, but which he
has enclosed and cultivated, and from being in a
state of absolute want, he now possesses a cow,
an ass and cart, a fine piece of turnips, and a
piece of land sown with wheat, which lie has

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

499

chalked this summer by his own labour. For this
allotment he pays six shillings per acre. These
particular cases are mentioned for the purpose of
showing that labourers will work diligently
upon land if they can get it, that they will
pay as much or more rent than can be obtained
in any other way, and that by adopting this system
the time which is unemployed for hire may be
beneficially occupied, and a store set apart which
will preclude the necessity of ha%'ing recourse to
the parish funds ; thus equally benefiting the land-
lord, tlie farmer, and the labourer himself.

We shall now proceed to consider the second
mode, namely, that of " expending a large quantum
of labour upon the land !" We take it for granted
that our readers will admit that whatever the legis-
lature may attempt by statutable enactments, no
man can be permitted to perish from absolute
want. If then the labourer is without means of
subsistance and without employment, he must
either have parochial relief without work, or the
parish must find work and pay him for it, or the
charge of supplying absolute necessaries must fall
upon his charitable neighbours, or he must subsist
by plunder. Where relief or work is provided by
the parish the expence is borne rateably by all,
where relief is obtained from charity it falls upon
individuals and unequally. In any case, in
purely agricultural districts, the burthen falls upon
the land, and hence it is that the interest of the
landowner is as indissolubly mixed up with that
of the labourer as with that of tenant. The tenant
is affected only by the variations in the amount of
poor-rates. Upon bargaining for a farm he takes
the poor-rates into account, as one of the items of
expenditure and offers a rent accordingly, higher or
lower as may be the amount of the charge. It is
the landlord who actually pays the rate, and is
therefore the most deeply interested in reducing
the amount of it. When the tenant has a lease
he has a direct interest in reducing the amount of
the poor-rates as any saving thereby effected puts
so much money into his pocket. Nor indeed is
the matter much altered in the case of those te-
nants who hold their farms by the year, upon well
regulated estates, it not being usual to alter the
amount of rent except upon some considerable
change in the price of produce or the charge of out-
goings. It cannot thus be doubted that as a mere
question ofexpense,thelandlordand tenant are both
interested in the condition of the labourer ; when-
ever therefore, a surplus of labour does exist, land-
lords and tenants should co-operate to find employ-
ment, so that value be obtained from the labourer
for the relief afforded. There is as yet but a
very inconsiderable portion of the soil of this king-
dom which is farmed upon the best system now
practiced. The system of convertible husbandry
is adopted in many parts of the country but it has
by no means as yet become general. That system
has most materially contributed to increase the
acreable produce of soil, and to add to the em-
ployment of labourers ; whenever labour can be
profitably employed upon the land the te-
nant farmer obtains the double advantage of re-
ducing his rates and increasing the profits of his
farm. It therefore behoves him to enquire whe-
ther any alteration in his accustomed practice can

be effected whereby an increased quantity of
labour may be applied so as to make a profitable
return. We feel well pursuaded, that as com-
pared with the whole surface of the country, there
is but a very small portion upon which more la-
bour could not be expended to advantage. One of
the most ready means of beneficially absorbing
a very large portion of labour may be found in
the destruction of weeds, the prevalence of which
cannot fail to strike the eye of the traveller upon
every road in the kingdom if he do but cast a look
into the adjoining fields. Great labour is expend-
ed in fallowing a field for wheat, and great cost is
incurred in covering it with manure, but from the
moment the seed is committed to the earth until
the crop be fit for the hook, no care is taken to
keep the plants free from weeds, save and except
the cutting out the thistles and large plants of the
like kind, which would otherwise out-top the grain.
The same remark applies to spring crops with this
difference only, that the land being stirred some
months later, is not likely to be so full of weeds. It
seems to be a fact wholly lost sight of that weeds are
supported by the same nutriment as cultivated
plants, and that the suffering them to grow is to
wilfully permit the absorption of a large portion of
tliat manure which had been previously applied at
a great expense. To destroy weeds is to preserve
the nutritive powers of the soil for the present and
succeeding crops. Land sown with beans when well
cultivated is an excellent preparation for wheat,
yet how often do we see land upon which beans
have grown so perfectly covered with grass and
weeds, that but for the stubble it would be impos-
sible to determine whether it had not lain uncul-
tivated and unfilled during the whole summer.
One or two extra hoeings would have kept
the land in good tilth, and not only would
sundrj- ploughings, harrowings, and pickings in
preparation for the wheat-sowing be saved,
but the exhaustion of the soil by the growth of
weeds obviated, and the delay occasioned by the
after tillage, frequently prolonged by uncertain wea-
ther to the deterioration of the future crop, pre-
vented. It is stated as one among the advantages
derived from growing turnips and vetches, that
they do not exhaust the land ; we have not the least
doubt, but that this circumstance is in a very con-
siderable degree owing (we do not lose sight of
the necessarily sucking qualities of straw crops)
to the practice of keeping the one clean by hoe-
ing, and the smothering quality of the other,
which keeps down the weeds. Will any man con-
tend that the growth of weeds is not injurious to
the land, and that an outlay of capital to destroy
them would not be profitable? It would seem
almost as if there existed a desire to encourage
the employment of labour unprojitaby, as in
many instances the road sides, the hedge-rows, and
tlie corners of the fields may be seen thickly
stocked with weeds in rampant luxuriance, well
filled with seeds to be in due time wafted by the
wind over the whole of the adjoining land, thereby
creating a new and continued source of labour
which might have been checked by their early
eradication. Until, however, the tenant can be
convinced practically of the benefit of such a
course we fear little progress will be made. A

2 D 2

f HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

landlord in Sussex has adopted a new mode of
correcting the evil consequent upon the growth of
weeds. Whenever any of his farms are found
to be overstocked witli weeds tlie rent is
immediately raised, it being a maxim with the
individual in question, that, " if a tenant can
afford to grow weeds he can aftbrd to pay more
rent." This mode has, as we are informed, been
found effectual on the estate alluded to. Experience
shows that the land is capable if tilled with more
minute care, of produchig a much greater pro-
duce than it now does. A labourer in Sussex has
this year grown 3 qrs. and one bushel of wheat on
one half-acre, and 11 sacks of oats on anotiier
half-acre, and that too upon land by no means of
the first quality. We have hitherto only noticed
■what we think may be beneficially done even
under the present system. But if recourse were
had to the soiling system as pursued in Holland,
and described by Mr. Blacker in his work on that
subject, an almost unlimited source of labour and
increased produce would be opened. Tons and
tons of Dutch cheese are imported annually and
consumed in this country, which might be made
here if the soiling system were adopted more ex-
tensively. In all stiff and wet soils where the
green crop husbandry cannot be so well intro-
duced the landlords should encourage tlie tenantry
bymakingan outlay indraining; this would notonly
give employment during the season when it is most
needed, but would amply repay them in the in-
creased value of their property. Unhappily, few
of our landlords who have the means of expending
money upon improvements, possess sufficient
knowledge to enable them to judge when it may
be laid out with a prospect of advantage. A
school for instructing the owners of property in
sound principles of management is as requisite, as
for the purpose of increasing the knowledge of
the tenant farmer. We have recently seen a barren
piece of land whisli was totally covered with shin-
gle upon the beach by the sea side, which has
been converted into good land by bringing soil from
land a short distance off at an expense of 16/.
per acre, and wliich now lets at 40s. per acre.
Here it will be seen the whole expenditure con-
sisted of labour, by which the labourer was directly
benefited, and the landlord receives two pounds
per acre for an original outlay of 16/. a tolerably
profitable investment of capital.

Having considered two of the modes wliereby
the means of support might be made available to
the labourer, when out of employment, we now
come to the third and last, namely, " Emigration."
In entering upon the consideration of this subject,
we cannot refrain from adverting to the erroneous
conclusions drav^n from the doctrines of Malthus
on the subject of population. The general propo-
sition laid down by Malthus, and which has given
rise to much discussion is, " that there is a ten-
dency in the human race to increase and multiply
beyond the means of subsistence." It would open
far too wide a field of argument to answer our
present purpose, were we disposed to attempt a
refutation of the truth of this proposition in the
abstract. If, therefore, we should concede its
correctness in the abstract, we cannot help liken-
ing the fears of those persons who are alarmed,

lest the population should outgrow the means of
subsistence, to the old gentleman, who was in the
habit daily of admonishing his servants upon the
necessity of being sparing in tlie use of coals for
fuel, inasmuch as it had been most satisfactorily
ascertained Uiat the coal-pits in the North of Eng-
land would not last out more than two thousand
years. Taking Great Britain alone, experience
proves that the productive powers of the soil have
kept pace with the increase of population, and
that in consequence of improvements in agricul-
tural management, the labour of one-tliird of the
inhabitants is sufficient to provide food for the
rest. It is admitted by the most enlightened agri-
culturists of the day, that if all the cultivators
pursued the best system of husbandry provision
might be made for the supply of a population one-
third larger. We ourselves are disposed to con-
sider thir calculation within the mark. If to this
increase be further added the produce which might
be raised from the millions of acres still lying-
waste and uncultivated in the British Islands, we
do not hesitate to express our full conviction, that
there is a capability in the soil of Great Britain, if
skilfully applied, of supporting in full plenty
double the present population.

The British Islands are as but a speck in the
map of the world ; if, then, we contemplate for a
moment the effect of improvement in agricultural
management throughout the world, which is at pre- .
sent for the most ))artofa wretched description; and
if to this we add the possible produce, not of mil-
lions but of myriads upon myriads of acres of rich
and fertile lands, over which the ploughshare has
never gone, nor even the foot of man trod, we may
safely lay aside all apprehension lest " the popu-
lation of the world should outgrow the means of
subsistence," until a period far beyond that in
which an exhaustion of the coal-pits of the North
is calculated upon. We shall not, however, further
pursue this question here, but content ourselves
with entreating the attention of our readers to a
valuable article upon the subject, extracted from
the 13li) volume of 2'//e Quarterly Journal of
Agriculture, and which will be found in the 14th
page of our Paper of this day. Whenever a
want of the means of subsistence manifests itself
extensively and continuously, it is indicative
either of want of civilization or misgovernment.
The inhabitants of some countries, being wild,
uncivilized, and wanting in industry, seek not to
lay up store for the morrow, and are, therefore,
frequently exposed to famine and its consequence.
In one portion of the civilized British Islands,
namely, Ireland, a remarkable instance is afforded
of a rapidly inci easing population, despite misery,
and privation frequently amounting to actual
starvation, the effect of misgovernment. When
we speak of misgovernment, we do not use the
term as between parties in the state politically, but
having reference to the culpable negligence of the
government and the owners of the soil m respect to
the social condition of the peasantry. Stimulated to
early marriages by the conviction that their situation
could not be worse than when single, just as the
labouring classes in England under the old Poor
Law were bribed to marry by the system of al-
lowance for children, it will only be possible to

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

501

correct the evil by improving theii mental and
physical state, so that notions of prudence con-
nected with an apprehension of the loss of present
comforts, and tlie advent of future incumbrances
may restrain a too early union of the sexes. It may
be, that it will turn out impossible to counteract the
■mischief in Ireland without staying the rapid pro-
gress of population, by drawing offa portion of the
marriageable of both sexes by emigration to the
■coloniesjbut as a general reinedy it is one which we
consider to be of a doubtful character,and not to be
had recourse to without due consideration. Emi-
gration must be considered in a two-fold point of
view, namely, as it affects the individual and as it
affects the nation. As it regards the individual it
may be highly beneficial. The man who is pos-
sessed of a small capital in this country where he
is compelled to toil day by day for the support
of himself and family, who experiences diffi-
culty, after undergoing much privation, to lay up
his rent against quarter-day, who sees no prospect
of advancing himself or family in society, and who
can only hope for a bare sufficiency of food and
clothing, may well become a citizen of the world,
and disclaiming all predilection to his native land
betake himself to some other country, where,
in a genial climate, and upon a fertile soil, he
Jnay till his own land, and enjoy an ample supply
of the necessaries of life. The sturdy labourer
may, if he is enabled to raise the passage-money,
follow the same track, in both these cases the in-
dividuals will be benefitted, but how stands the
account as regards the nation at large? The weallli
of a nation consists in the productive industry of
her inhabitants. It will, we apprehend, be ad-
mitted that England is wealthier at this time than
when her population was only one-half its present
amount. The emigration of the naturally idle,
who live upon others, or of the man who actually
cannot obtain employment may benefit the nation.
The emigration to the colonies of artificers or manu-
facturers, who cannot find employment here, and
whose habits render them 'ncapable of cultivating
the soil, where such persons are in request, may
be beneficial, but the abstraction of capital whether
it consist of money or of sinew and bone only,
which might be productively em[)loyed in this
country, we hold to be a dead loss to the nation
at large. Whilst therefore there are in Great
Britain millions of acres of land uncultivated,
and niillions more not half cultivated, whilst these
lands are not only capable of producing the means
of subsistence to millions who would cultivate
tliem if permitted, but also a surplus to be bar-
tered with their manufacturing fellow country-
men for other necessaries of life, and afford an
increased revenue to the landowner, to be applied
to the same purpose, we trust that except in ex-
treme cases recourse will not be had to emigration
as a means of providing for the labourer.

BouLOONE-SuR-.AlKn, Nov. 14. — Exportation
OF HoRSF.s FROM ENfii.AND TO Franck. — ( From u Cor-
respnndent. J —Dnr'inf; the p;ist month a fyreat number of
horses, and many otthcm of the finest breed and hig'h-
est blood, hiive at-iived at tlii'^ port from England — a
great portion of which were for the Kinsj- of the French,

the King of Belgium, and the King of Bavaria ; the re-
mainder have been purchased for other distinguished
foreigners, and for the French and Belgian dealers. The
following is a list of the arrivals from England, from the
1st to the 31st Octcber : —October 1st to 3rd, 14 horses;
4th to 10th, 35 horses ; 11th to 17th, 39 horses ; 18th to
24th, 18 iiorses ; 23 to 31st, 13 horses — making a total of
119. The number which have been embarked here for
England, during the same period ^attached to carriages
and belonging to private individuals for their own use},
is only 29 — leaving a balance of 90 horses against Eng-
land in favour of the continental buyers. The duty upon
horses imported into France is as follows: — Stallions,
geldings, and mares, 25f. each; colts and fillies, 15f.
each. Every encouragement is given in France to the
importation of English blood horses, which meet with a
readj sale at enormous profits.

ON THE NEGLIGENCE UNIVERSAL-
LY DISPLAYED IN PRESERVING
MANURE MADE UPON THE LAND.

It is needless to descant upon the value of ma-
nure to the farmer. The large sums expended
annually upon extraneous manure, as lime, bones,
soot, rape, &c. prove it to be indispensable. The
benefit resulting from the convertible system
mainly arises from the increased home supply
of this article so obtained, hence it is truly
surprising to see what little care is bestowed in
collecting and preserving the manure made upon
the farm, whilst, perhaps, at the same time, much
money is expended in purchasing foreign manure.
Nothing is more common than to see dung heaps
made upon rising ground, thereby affording the
gieatest opportunity for the more valuable part
to drain away, and it is quite usual when the
rain has inundated the cattle yard to open drains
for the purpose of letting off the water to waste,
carrying with it at the same time the urine and.
essence of the manure. It would be difficult to
calculate how much loss is sustained by the gene-
rality of farmers annually from not husbanding
their natural sources of manure and from the ex-
haustion of the soil occasioned by the growth of
weeds. In no one department of farm managef
ment is the want of a knowledge of the science o-
agriculture more conspicuously displayed than in
permitting the urine and liquid part of the yard
manure to run to waste. Science consists in a
knowledge of the laws of nature. Were the prac-
tical farmer acquainted with the quality of urine
he woi'ld pieserve it with as much care as he does
the golden grain when stored in his granary. Sir
Humphrey Davy after examining an analysis of
its properties by M. Benzelius,the celebrated Swe-
dish chemist, observed, "all urine contains the
essential ingredients of vegetable." This analysis
is given in an article " on the use and value
of liquid manure," by Cuthbert Johnson, Esq., to
whom the agricultural world is much indebted for
several valuable publications. To this article as well
as to another " on the value of human manure,"
from " Dr. Granville's report to the Thames im-
provement company," and of which we have given
extracts, we earnestly entreat the serious atten-
tion of our readers, being convinced that there is
no subject more deserving their consideratiop.

50^

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

POVERTY AND PAUPERISM,
(from walker's original.)

I give the following extract from my pamphlet
on Pauperism, on account of the distinction drawn
between Poverty and Pauperism, and for the sake
of correcting certain erroneous notions connected
with the two.

" In order to exhibit pauperism in its strongest
colours, suppose an extensive and fertile parish
■with an unusual number of wealthy residents,
with large woods, much game, a facility of smug-
gling, two or three commons, several almshouses,
endowments for distributing bread and clothes,
and much private charity ; and suppose the rich
to take no farther concern in parochial aifairs,
than alternately to grumble ^at the amount of a
rate or the harshness of an overseer, as applica-
tion is made to them for their money or for their
protection. Under such circumstances, the spirit
of paupei'ism will be at its height ; and yet people
who should know better, will be found to hold
such language as this ; ' I don't know how it is
the rates in this parish are so high ; we are par-
ticularly well oflf for provision for the poor ; there
are almshouses, and regular distributions of food
and clothes ; they have all common-rights, at least
they all take them ; they pick up fuel for nothing —
I am sure they are never out of my woods ; they
smuggle almost every thing they want ; and then
private charity is really quite unbounded ; and
yet I can't say I see much gratitude in return ;
the damage done to property is immense, and
the expense and vexation about game com-
pletely destroy all the pleasure of it. I often
wish I had not a bird or a hare on my
estate. Really it is in vain to do any thing for the
poor; indeed, I think the more pains one takes,

the worse they are. Lord gave them an

ox to roast last King's birth-day, and they abso-
lutely pulled down his park paling to make the
fire.'* For poverty put pauperism, and for charity
indiscretion, and all will be explained. Giving to
pauperism is only * sprea<ling the compost on the
weeds to make them ranker.'

" It is of the utmost importance accurately to
distinguish between poverty and pauperism ; for
by confounding them, poverty is dishonoured and
pauperism countenanced. Supply poverty with
means and it vanishes, but pauperism is the more
confirmed. Poverty is a sound vessel empty, but
pauperism is not only empty but cracked. Poverty
is a natural appetite, merely wanting food — pau-
perism a ravenous atrophy, which no food can
satisfy. Poverty strives to cure itself — pauperism
to contaminate others. Poverty often stimulates
to exertion — pauperism always paralyses. Poverty
is sincere — pauperism is an arch-hypocrite. Po-
verty has naturally a proud spirit — pauperism a
■ base one, now servile, now insolent. Poverty is
silent and retiring — pauperism clamorous and im-
posing ; the one grateful, the other the reverse.
There is much that is alluring in poverty, but
pauperism is altogether hateful. It is delightful
to succour the one, and irksome to be taxed for
the other. Poverty has the blessing of Heaven
as well as those who relieve it — pauperism, on the
contrary, has nothing in common with the Chris-
tian virtues. St. Paul has described the spirit of
pauperism, and given his decided opinion upon it.
" Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought ;

This actually happened a few years since.

but wrought with labour and travail night and
day, that we might not be chargeable to any of
you, to make ourselves an ensample unto you to
follow us. For even when we were with you, this
we commanded — that if any would not work, nei-
ther should he eat. For we hear that there are
some which walk among you disorderly, working
not at all, but are busy bodies. Now those that
are such we command and exhort by our Lord
Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and
eat their own bread." Indeed the injunctions of
Christianity are wholly in opposition to the spirit
of paupeiism ; and the merit of those institutions
which serve to encourage, and of those individuals
who thoughtlessly succour it, may be estimated
accordingly.

" In such a parish as that above described, the
ample fund capable of being raised, and, from its
supposed management, necessarily abused, would
alone induce an over-population, and the charit-
able endowments and private largesses would
powerfully contribute to the same end ; besides
which are to be taken into the account the pau-
perized habits produced by poaching, smuggling,
and gathering fuel, and by the barbarizing pri-
vileges of common-rights. Increase the supposed
advantages of such a place, and pauperism will
increase in the same or in a greater proportion.
How vain from such a population to expect gra-
titude for favours, or respect for property ! " Do
men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from this-
tles V Idle and lawless habits and abandoned
principles can be the only fruits. They alone are
in their hearts grateful for assistance, who are
really striving for themselves — the traveller faint-
ing on his journey, and not the beggar by the
way-side."

ON THE RISE AND FALL IN THE
PRICE OF WOOL IN PRUSSIA.

('from the statistical journal.)

[We have not reduced the dollars and groshes in
the following article into corresponding English
values ; for as the prices are introduced merely for
the purpose of comparison, the reasoning will re-
main the same with money of any denomination.
The writer of the article resides at Breslau, and is
intimately acquainted with all the Prussian wool
marts. Indeed, we believe it may he stated, that
every thing from the pen of the author has the sanc-
tion of the Prussian government, and that he ex-
presses the prevailing sentiments in Prussia on this
interesting subject.]

Forty or fifty years ^ago the price of wool was from
10 to 12 Silesian rix-clollars per stone, and, con-
sequently, from 55 to 66 Silesian rix-dollars, that is,
from 44 to 52^ common rix-dollars per centner, of
Sj stone. There were then no complaints of being-
obliged to part with wool at too low a price ; as little
was it imagined that a time would come when a sheep
would be reared whose fleece might fetch from 120
to 140 rix-dollars per centner. How absurd would
any man then have been considered, if he had pre-
dicted that the time was not far distant when the
farmer would become inconsolable, on account of his
getf'ng only from 70 to 100 rix-dollars for a centner
of wool. Or what would have been thought if the
price had suddenly risen to that height ? We last
year obtained such prices as an exceedingly flourish-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

503

ing period ensured — a period, the recurrence of
which then took place for the third time. In the
present year, however, the average high prices
descended about one-fourth; but it still retains a
position, an approach to which scarcely any thing
indicated in past times. But wool is not the only
article that has fallen in price. Other productions
have experienced even a greater depression ; and
with cotton, for instance, this is notoriously the case.
The sheep farmer should take these circumstances
into consideration, and derive consolation from
them. We shall here take the liberty of presenting a
brief commentary for his use.

True, indeed, say the Lauclatores temporh acti, wool
formerly fetched a very low price. But, then, what
sort of wool was itl And what would such sell for
now ]

Unquestionably, it would fetch less than it did
then. But this is saying nothing to the purpose.
The farmer, like every other man of business, must
advance with the times, and accommodate himself to
the circumstances of the period in which he exists ;
if not, he will be outstripped in the race, and when
left behind, will only have himself to blame for his
fate. Do we pay the same price now for goods and
manufactures wnich we did fifty years ago? From
a thousand other objects, let us for instance, select
calicoes. A yard of cotton cloth, for which from 10
to 12 Silesian groshes was formerly paid, may now
be purchased for from four to five : and so it is with
innumerable other things. The essential question,
then is, and ever will be this : — At what cost can an
article be manufactured 1 So long as that cost is
covered, the figures may assume any form in the
account without prejudice to the production of the
article. Now, in the application of this question,
we must seek the solution by the factors, namely: —
1st, the cost of the sheep ; 2nd, the feeding ; 3rd,
the management.

With regard to the first — sheep, under the exist-
ing circumstances of the times, are not much dearer
now, when they bear on their backs wool worth
from 70 to 100 dollars the centner, than when their
wool brought only from 40 to 50 dollars.

The charge for feeding depends on the value of the
land, and the use which may be made of it. The
value is now very little, if any thing, higher than it
was forty or fifty vears ago ; and if heavier burthens
raise that value, a compensation is to be obtained by
the more profitable employment of the laud. If,
indeed, we take the present price of corn as a
measure of value, and apply it to past times, we
shall find that the value of land has decreased, and
therefore that we might now produce wool at a lower
price.

The management includes the expense for pens,
for good fodder, and for the attendance of persons
charged with the care of sheep. The pens recently
erected have been of an expensive kind ; but, being
a sort of luxury solely introduced by the high price
received for wool, such constructions are by no
means necessary. Many examples show that these
enclosures can be rendered perfectly suitable to their
object at comparatively small cost. But it is urged
that an improved breed requires better fodder than
the common race of sheep. Easily as this assertion
might be controverted, we shall let it pass for what
it is worth, only remarking, that the mere production
of this better fodder, by giving an increased impulse
to the regular progress of agriculture, is an indirect
gain to the public, and that the existence of the
lamented low price has not discouraged the pro-
duction of grain. The pay of all the persons em-

ployed in the management of sheep is much greater
now than formerly. We have, indeed, master shep-
herds, who receive even higher remuneration than
the land-steward of large estates 1 It must be allowed
that such is the fact. But still there are many places
in which this cannot be the case ; in many others
the payment is not higher than in former times ; and
indeed, in most instances it is lower. Heretofore,
the shepherd received a tenth of the flock, for which
the principal sheep were selected. Any breeder
may, therefore, make a calculation of the value of
this tenth, and compare it with what he now pays to
his master-shepherd, and having done so, then let
him say whether that item of outlay is at present
greater than formerly. Since then, the result of the
calculation on all the three factors shows a dimi-
nution of expense, it of course follows that if, here-
tofore, the breeding of sheep was profitable, it is
more profitable now ; or, inversely, if it is a losing
trade at present, it was more so in former times.

The real subject of complaint, to speak plainly,
is solely this : — that the fall in the price of wool oc-
curred too rapidly and unexpectedly, and all at once
to too great an extent. Plans and calculations
were founded on the basis of preceding years, and
the sudden disappointment of the speculators could
not fail to" produce a severe shock. We have, how-
ever, more than once survived similar concussions.
In 1826-27, the price was lower than it is at present ;
and yet the conviction was soon again forced on
every one, that the breeding of improved races of
sheep is a branch of industry which the agriculturists
cannot abandon. Experience is at all times the best
teacher, and the production of wool every where
very soon attains its limits; not so the consumption.
A growing population and progressive civilization
are two causes constantly operating to create a more
extensive demand. A failure in wool caused by
mortality among the sheep, cannot be so easily com-
pensated as a failure in vegetable productions ; for
animals cannot be so rapidly reared and extensively
multiplied. Cotton, which may be regarded, in some
measure, as the rival of wool, increases in thirty
years four-fold ; whereas, half a century must pass
away before an increase of one-half can be added to a
given quantity of wool : it is obvious that the former
affords a much wider scope for augmentation than
the latter. It is, however, on this account that the
embarrassment of the present crisis has not affected
wool nearly so much as cotton.

From these facts we may then confidently infer
that we still have a sure market for our produce,
and also, that it will soon again command a better
price. It cannot, however, be too often repeated,
that a price forced up to an extravagant height,
cannot fail to prove as injurious to the production as
to the consumption of wool.

Subsoil Plough. — A meeting of agriculturists
took place a few days ago on the farm of Mr. Philhps,
of the New Lodge, Lilleshall, in this county, a tenant of
his Grace the Duke of Sutherland, to witness the work-
ing of tlie subsoil plough with a new description of
coulter introduced by him, which completely does away
with the objection of many farmers, from the plough
bringing to the surface the subsoil. The present coulter
is made in a semi-circular form, and sharp on the fore-
part, which, as the subsoil is raised by the plough, cuts
through it and does not throw that portion of the sub-
soil, &:c., so injurious to vegetation, upon the surface.
The leading plough was worked by a pair of breast-
horses, and the subsoil plough with six.— Shrewsbury
Chronici,e.

504

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

RURAL POLICE.

The necessity of establishing an efficient police for
the prevention of crime and the apprehension of
offenders in the cauntry districts is daily becoming
more obvious. Owing to the defects of the existing
system there is almost perfect impunity for criminals
beyond the immediate precincts of the large towns,
ani the natural effects of improvements in munici-
pal government, such as have been effected in our
own town, where we have a most efficient preventive
force, will be to drive hordes of gentry who live by
fraud or violence to prey upon our neighbours in the
country. It was only the other day that a regularly
organised gang of highwaymen, sheep-stealers, and
burglars were discovered in the very heart of Cheshire,
at least discovered to any practical purpose, — for so
extended were their ramifications, and so desperate
their proceedings, that they seem to have held the
country people for miles around so completely in awe
of them that not one dared to give information of
their lawless deeds. With an efficient rural police
such a state of things could not have existed for a
week, whereas it seems to have prevailed for years
without any check whatever. Now and then a mem-
ber of the gang was apprehended and punished, but
he remained true to his fellows, and the very persons
who gave evidence against him, though they kuew
that he had numerous associates still at liberty, were
silent as to the rest from a dread of their vengeance.
We are glad to find that the inefficiency of the police
force was one of the subjects which came under the
consideration of the Shropshire Magistrates, at a
meeting held the other day at Shrewsbury. We find
the proceedings thus reported in the Shrewsbury
Chronicle : —

Sir B. Leighton called the attention of the court
to the state of the county police, and its inefficiency
for nearly all public purposes. A very small portion
of the prisoners tried at the last sessions were natives
of the county ; the greater part being roving thieves,
whom an active police would soon scare away or de-
tect. The amount of our county police force was
what would astonish many of those whom he ad-
dressed. There were upwards of 500 constables in
Shropshire; nevertheless he would not be contra-
dicted in describing this large body as totally unfit
either to discharge their duty as constables or pro-
tect the peace of the county. Yet with all their
inefficiency they were very expensive — upwards of
200Z. a year being paid to them for attending sessions
alone. They were nearly all appointed without any
reference to their capability ; and when they had
learnt part of their duties, they were turned out of
office, to make way for some other ignoramuses,
equally unfit. In one case a man was appointed to
the office to save him becoming chargeable as a
pauper ; in another the appointment was given to a
person against whom a warrant of imprisonment had
been issued. These were disgraceful, but not soli-
tary instances, and justify me in moving for a com-
mittee to investigate the subject; and I intend pro-
posing for their adoption, that every petty sessions
shall have a stipendiary constable attached to them,
who shall superintend all the others, and to whom
they shall report weekly. 1 now move the appoint-
ment of such committee.

Hon. R. H. CuvE. — It is absolutely necessary some
such measure should be adopted, the state of the
rural police being so bad, and unfit for its purpose ;
but Government has taken the subject into its con-
sideration, and as this is more a matter for general
than for local arrangement, they are better fitted to

grapple with it. Nevertheless local committees may
bring out such facts as may render the national in-
quiry much more easy and effectual, therefore I
second Sir Baldwin's motion.

Mr. W. W, Whitmore. — Government are very
anxious to grapple effectually with this question,
but they found it so beset with difficulties, that they
were compelled to proceed with great caution and
circumspection. But when they see their hands held
up by the local magistrates— CHear, hear, hear, from
allparts) — they will become strengthened in carrying
out their measures for overcoming this crying evil,
and will soon find means to accomplish their projects
if supported by the country. I feel, therefore, we
are only discharging our duty in supporting the motion
for a committee.

Mr. Slaney.— Any measure for preventing crime
is better than one for punishing it, and the money
spent in the former is of far greater benefit than that
employed in attempting to reform those whom the
laxity of the police have encouraged to become
habitual breakers of the law. I give the motion my
cordial support.

Mr. J. A. Lloyd.— In the event of any new ar-
rangement, I think the police force ought to be a
county one — (Hear, hear) — and liable to be concen-
trated on any spot where their services might be re-
quired. Were the force thus employed in any degree
equal to the present number of constables, they would
go far to render other public assistance unnecessary,
and would infallibly decrease the opportunity for
committing offences, and increase the chance, almost
to a certainty, of detecting offenders.

The Chairman having sanctioned this opinion, the
committee was appointed.

OLD DOBBIN.

[from the literary gazette.]

Here's a song for old Dobbin whose temper and

worth
Are too rare to be spurn 'd on the score of his birth ;
He's a creature of trust, and what more should we

heed 1
'Tis deeds and not blood make the man and the steed.

He was bred in the forest, and turn'd on the plain,
Where the thistle-burs clung to his fetlocks and

mane;
All ugly and rough, not a soul could espy
The spark of good-humour that dwelt in his eye.

The Summer had waned, and the Autumn months

roll'd
Into those of stern Winter, all dreary and cold.
But the north wind might whistle, the snow-flake

might dance.
The colt of the common was left to his chance.

Half starved and half frozen, the hail-storm would

pelt.
Till his shivering limbs told the pangs that he felt ;
But we pitied the brute, and, though laugh'd at by

all,
We fiU'd him a manger, and gave him a stall.

He was fond as a spaniel, and soon he became
The pride of the herd boy, the pet of the dame ;
You may judge of his fame, when his price was a

crown,
But we christen'd him Dobbin, and call'd him our

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE;

505

He grew out of colthood, and, lo ! what a change,
The knowing ones said it was mortally strange,
For the foal of the forest, the colt of the waste,
Attracted the notice of jockeys of taste.

The line of his symmetry was not exact.
But his paces were clever, his mould was compact :
But his shaggy thick coat now appear'd with a gloss.
Shining out like the gold that's been purged of its
dross.

We broke him for service, and tamely he wore
Girth and rein, seeming proud of the thraldom he

bore;
Every farm has a steed for all work and all hours,
And Dobbin, the sturdy bay pony, was ours.

He carried the master to barter his grain.
And ever return'd with liim safely again ;
There was merit in that, for, deny it who may.
When the mastei- could not, Dobbin coidd find his
way.

The dairy-maid ventured her eggs on his back,
"■Twas him, and him only, she'd trust with the pack ;
Tiie team horses jolted, the roadster play'd pranks,
So Dobbin alone had her faith and her thanks.

We fun-loving urchins would group by his side,
We might fearlessly mount him, and daringly ride ;
We might creep through his legs, we might plait his

long tail,
But his temper and patience were ne'er known to fail

We would brush his bright hide till 't was free from

a speck ;
We kiss'd his brown muzzle, and hugg'd his thick

neck ;
Oh ! we prized him like life, and a heart breaking sob
Ever burst when they threaten'd to sell our dear

Dob.

He stood to the collar, and tugg'd up the hill,
With the pigs to the market, the grist to the mill ;
With saddle or halter, in shaft or in trace.
He was stanch to his work, and content with his
place.

When the hot sun was crowning the toil of the year,
He was sent to the reapers with ale and good cheer;
And none in the corn-field more welcome was seen
Than Dob, and his well-laden paniers 1 ween.

Oh ! those days of pure bliss shall 1 ever forget.
When we deck'd out his head with the azure rosette ;
All frantic with joy, to be oft' to the fair.
With Dobbin, good Dobbin, to carry us there "J

He was dear to us all, ay, for many long years ;
But, mercy ! how's this? my eye's filling with tears.
Oh ! how cruelly sweet are the echoes that start.
When Memory plays an old tune on the heart.

There are drops on my cheek, there's a throb in my

breast.
But my song shall not cease, nor my pen take its

rest.
Till I tell that old Dobbin still lives to be seen,
With his oats in the stable, his tares on the green.

His best years have gone by, and the master who

gave
The stern yoke to his youth, has enfranchised the

slave.
So browse on, my old Dobbin, nor dream of the knife,
For the wealth of a king should not purchase thy life.

ITALIAN RYE GRASS.

(extract from the EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, MAY

2nd, 1833.)

We beg to direct the attention of our agricultural
friends to the following practical particulars of the
nature and culture of Italian rye grass, which has
been recently introduced into this country.

The " Bulletin des Sciences Agricoles" says : —
" This plant is said to be distinguished from the
common rye grass (Lolium Perenne^ by its larger
leaves, by its being of a deeper green, and by the
greater height to which it grows. — It is usually sown
in autumn, as is the general practice witli grass
seeds in the South of Europe. After the field is
harrowed, it is sown at the rate of from 16 to 181b
per acre, and the seed rolled in ; — in the following
autumn the turf is covered lilie an old meadow, and
the crop of the following year is more than double.
It may be also sown in Spring. — If it be sown with
clover or lucerne its growth is so rapid, that it will
quickly choke them — it is eaten greedily by cattle,
whether green or dry, and yields fifty per cent,
hay."

Mr. Lawson, to whom the Highland Society ad-
judged an honorary premium for his successful
culture of this grass, remarks : —

" About the time that I procured from Munich a
few seeds of the Italian rye grass, I also obtained a
small quantity of what was called a new kind of rye
grass from Hamburgh : these two kinds of rye grass
were sown last spring ; and at the same time, for
the purpose of comparison, was sown along with
them, a small quantity of Stickney'srye grass, which
is held to be one of the most valuable varieties of
perennial rye grass under cultivation. — The progress
of these plants was carefully observed ; theie was
no diiference in the period of germination or of
appearing above ground, but in a short period after-
wards the seeds obtained from M unich and from Ham-
burgh both exhibited a decidedsuperiority over that
of Stickney's rye grass, and this superiority was
afterwards maintained during the whole season.

" The general appearance of these two foreign
grasses was the same ; they being broader in the
leaf, and much more luxuriant in growth than Stick-
ney's rye grass ; and when examined after they
came into flower, they were both found to be the
same variety of rye grass. It is not known whether
this Italian rye grass is a native of Italy, or of Ger-
many, neither is it known in which of these countries
it was first cultivated. The whole character of this
plant, so far as it has been observed, accords precisely
with the account in the " Bulletin des Sciences
Agricoles ;" and although the small scale upon which
the experiment was liere made did not afford an
opportunity of ascertaining how it was relished by
pasturing animals, the account obtained from Ham-
burgh precisely confirms that above stated, for it is
represented as being softer, more juicy, of a richer
foliage, and more relished by cattle than the common
rye grass.

" Though the Italian rye grass will be valuable as
an early grass, it also retains its powers of growtii to
a late period in the season. A patcli of it which had
flowered and ripened its seed, was cut over in the
first week in November, and notwithstanding the
frosts that we have since had, occasionally pretty
severe for the season of the year, at which period
vegetation in plants is nearly dormant, these plants
have put forth new leaves, wliich at present (?4th of
December) have attained the length of above a foot,

506

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

showing a superiority to any other grass in pro-
ducing winter herbage.

" This grass too, is found to be more hardy
than the common rye grass ; for in the vicinity of
Hamburgh, the commoa rye grass will not stand the
winters when very severe ; whereas, the Italian rye
grass withstands the severity of the winter even
when sown in September, and consequently, the
plants are young and tender when the frosts pre-
vail.

" That it is a perennial grass, too, has been ascer-
tained by the cultivation of it in Hamburgh — a few-
plants in their second year liave been sent liere from
that place, which, though completely checked in their
growth by the effects of the sea voyage, were planted
about the middle of November, and have now put
forth a number of fresh leaves."

The following remarks on Italian rye grass, are
extracted from No. 28 of the " Quarterly Journal
of Agriculture," in a note by the Editor, and from
an article by Mr. Goriie,

" We had an opportunity of seeing the result of an
experiment of sowing Italian rye grass, in the north
of Ireland, in the neighbourhood of Lisburn; — the
seed was sown on the 4th of May, 1834, on rather
inferior clay land, though in good condition ; the first
crop, after it had attained the height of 4 feet 8 inches
and ripened its seed, was cut down on the 31st of
July ; a second crop, measuring 4 feet 6 inches in
height, was cut down in the end of September, the
seed appearing about ripe. The herbage was healthy
growthy, and green at the end of November. This
species of rye grass appears of fine quality both in
the leaf and straw ; although it shows strength of
stem and luxuriance of herbage, it makes beautiful
hay, of which cattle and horses are remarkably fond."

Mr. Gorrie observes, " This grass seems to sup-
ply what has long been a desideratum in arable land
occasionally under pasture — a grass that would be so
relished by bestial, as to induce that close and regular
cropping of itself and other grasses, as to prevent it
and them running to seed. TJie well known
scourging quality of rye grass for poor soils, when
allowed to ripen its seed, rendered a substitute for
the common varieties the more necesssary, and that
is now afforded by the Italian rye grass, which be-
sides yielding an additional weight of herbage,
happens to be such a favourite with cattle of every
description, that their browsing, in a great measure
prevents it and many of the grasses amongst which
it is sown, from running to seed."

In the Autumn of 1833, an experiment was made
with Italian rye grass, at Trotsworth, Eghara, which
induced a farther trial, and in March, 1834, one
acre was sown amongst some wheat, and hoed in and
rolled, and one acre sown with some barley ; the re-
sults, which were precisely alike, were as follows : —
after the corn was cut, the grass stocked out amazingly,
and grew with great rapidity, affording feed for cows
occasionally (of which they appeared very fond) till
Christmas, when it was quite green and flourishing.
Sheep turned into the field preferred it to clover,
and were with difficulty prevented from feeding it,
what was considered at that time, too close ; on
February 19th, 1835, several persons saw it and were
astonished ; it was 18 inches high, and almost too
large to turn in for feed, when there ivas not the
slightest appearance of vegetation in any other grass,
and in March it was 3 feet 6 inches high ; it conti-
nued to flourish till the frosts in May, which seemed
to check its growth for some time, but with the re-
turn of genial weather itagain started with its usual
rapidity of growth, and ou the 6th of June was five

feet six inches high, just coming into blossom and
ready to cut for hay j a very large crop in full lux-
uriance, confirming the account from Hamburgh of
being softer, more juicy, and of far richer foliage,
and certainly more relished by cattle than the com-
moa rye grass : it was cut for seed on the 30th of
June quite ripe enough.

The quantity of seed sufficient to sow an acre, will
necessarily vary according to the purpose for which
it is sown ; if mixed with other grasses for pasture,
from half-a-peck to a peck will be quite sufficient,
but if sown alone, from a bushel to a bushel and a
half will not be too much. The above trials were
made with one bushel of seed per acre, or about 181b.

To prove the difference of growth by comparison,
two drills of the Italian rye grass were sown by the
side of two drills of common rye grass, on March
3rd, 1835 ; and on the 30th of June, the height of
the Italian rye grass was 3 feet 6 inches, and the
common rye grass, barely 14 inches, the difference
in colour and succulence was still more lemarkable
all tlie spring, the Italian rye grass exhibiting a most
luxuriant and fine green colour, and broad blade,
giving you the idea of rich young wheat, while the
common rye grass was of a dull green, and much
more thready or wiry, in its appearance.

The trial of the Italian rye grass two winters at
Trotsworth, proves it far superior to every other
grass for winter herbage, and by far the earliest for
feed of any grass in the spring, but what still renders
it more valuable as a feeding grass particularly, is
the rapidity with which it again shoots forth after
having been either mown or fed off; this indeed, as
Rlr. Gorrie justly observes, is a desideratum long
sought for, particularly on light soils, as the common
rye grass never sends forth a second crop either for
feed or seed of any consequence, and there is no
doubt on poor land it may be safely sown in small
quantity with clover, '_to the great increase of the
crop and benefit to the quality of the hay. Tlie ex-
periment also fully confirms every other particular
contained in the advertisement, and in the note by
the Editor of the Agricultural Journal, and proves it
well deserving the attention of Agriculturalists,
possessing as it does, the united good qualities long
sought for in rye gr.iss.

July 1st, 1835.

Two years further experience proves in every way
above stated, the superior quality of the Italian rye
grass, and that by sowing a small quantity of cow
grass, Dutch clover, and trefoil with it, a succession
of most excellent feed may be kept up through the
whole season.

GEORGE KIMBERLEY.

Trotsworth, Egham, August 18th,

Important Discovery — Macintosh Out-
done.— A person has succeeded in making a
preparation whereby all kinds of cloths, cottons, silks,
&c., iTiay be rendered waterproof without in any way
altering their appearance. In articles of female apparrel
this discovery is hig-hly valuable, nor will it be of less
importance to the agriculturist, whether master or work-
man. By this means a thinner article may be used to
cover stacks, and for a variety of purposes ; whilst to
the labourer it will be of infinite importance to have a
covering to defend him from the wet, at a more trifling,'
expence.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

607

ON PRUNING FOREST TREES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TAUNTON COURIEK.

Sir, — The art of judicious thinning and pruning,
as practised by a few modern planters, is calculated
to accelerate in an extraordinary degree the power
of raising timber, the fountain of national wealth
and independence, and the sourceof individual pros-
perity and riches.

Observe a plantation which has not been cautiously
or judiciously thinned and pruned, the trees which
exist will be drawn up to poles or spires, with nar-
row and scanty tops, endeavouring to make their
way upwards through such openings as might per-
mit the access of light and air.

Were trees, as well as other plants, judiciously
adapted to tlieir peculiar soils -and situations, that
extensive and sterile waste which now impoverishes
the country might be much diminished. Lands are
barren, not so much from the nature of the soil, as
from not being properly managed. While we have
such extensive wastes capable of bearing trees with-
out number, why should we be indebted annually to
foreign nations ?

Plantations require pruning soon after they are
made. Trees, from two to four years old, are in
general the best plant. After they have been planted
one or two years, many of them will be stunted in
their growth, and not have a leading shoot ; such
trees should be cut down with a knife close to the
ground, particularly Oak, Ash, Spanish Chesnuts,
Elm, Alder, and Hazel. If the plantation be pro-
perly managed, in three, or at most four years, it
must be attended to again. Those trees which were
cut down must have all the shoots taken oif at the
ground but one, which is now left to be the tree :
and some more bad growing ones had better be cut
down. The others, which are not cut down, may
want a branch or two shortening, or a few taken
close off. The nursery-trees. Larch, Spruce, or
whatever kinds they ma}^ be, must not be suffered
to damage those intended to stand for timber, but
their branches must be shortened or taken off close,
without regard to over-pruning them, as they may
be doing mischief to the others ; this method may be
continued a year or two, as the plantation may hap-
pen to thrive. When the trees are grown so close
that they meet together, some of tlie nursery-trees may
betaken out, but only those which cannot be kept by
pruning from doing damage to the principal trees,
and it matters not how much they are cut away
rather than take them down. Every two years at
least, the plantation must be gone over in this man-
ner with the nursery-trees, and the trees to remain
will want attention as to pruning : one leading shoot
must only be left, and a few of the lower branches
may be taken off, but growers should be sure to
leave a good head, as over-pruning when young is a
bad mode of treatment.

Before all the nursery-trees are taken away, some
of the timber trees will want thinning ; they should
be cut close to the ground smoothly, and by a stroke
upwards, as they are expected to produce under-
wood. As the timber trees grow, they will want
going over every two or three years, both for thin-
ning and pruning ; the best of them sliould be re-
lieved by felling on one side now, and the next
thinning on tlie other, as ihe tops interfere with
their neighbours ; after which, some of the lower
branches should be taken off to form a stem. As the
trees grow to twenty or thirty feet high, they iiiust
• be thinned and pruned in the same manner, but by
no means tbia the heads, but leave them to] their

natural form of growth, except taking off lower
branches to form a stem.

In thinning, by all meant attend to the under-
wood, so that the plantation be not blown through by
the wind, f«r being thin below, is one of the worst
cases of bad management, and must be guarded
against by not leaving the principal trees too thick.
When trees are much waved about by the wind, they
shew great neglect in former thinnings ; and the
whipping of tops in windy weather, particularly in
the spring, is exceeding injurious, and is scarcely
ever to be remedied by future thinning. The best
way is, if they be Oak, Ash, or Chesnut, or any
trees that shoot well from the ground, to take them
close down.

In pruning plantations that are growing, say forty
feet high, be very careful not to take too many
branches off the outside trees, a business scarcely
ever attended to ; ibr by pruning them high, a plan-
tation looks thin and poor at a distance, and the cold
is let more into the interior.

There is a method of pruning still practised by
some persons, of leaving a foot or more of the branch
on the tree to die and rot off, which, if only an inch
in diameter, may take several years to accomplish,
during which time this stem increases, and when the
stump falls down, a hole is left as deep as the tree
has grown since the snagging, which hole must
have time to fill up after the rotten branch is gone ;
the healing of the wound is consequently delayed,
and the defect in the timber greater.

Instead of taking off a large branch by the stem, a
great part of it may be cut off at a distance from it,
leaving a small side branch to draw the sap, and
keep it alive, which is better than leaving a snag ;
but this method should seldom be practised, being
only the result of former bad managem^t.

In pruning young plantations, the first or second
time, branches may be frequently shortened or cut
in, and it is often better than taking the whole off
quite close. In cutting down the underwood in
plantations, not more than one half the width of the
plantation should be done at one time, the other
half standing two or three years longer ; and in
future cuttings down some of the stools, may be
trained as under-trees, to fill up where there is room
under the principal trees, and above the under-
wood, by which means the plantation will be thick
in the middle as well as at the bottom, and not be
blown through by the winds. Also, if the plantation
be narrow, and there is a strong hedge, it should be
left for shelter, till the under-wood has grown a year
or two, but we frequently see both cut at the same
time. The stem of a tree always increases according
to the size of the head, as every healthy branch con-
tributes to its growth. A tree but little pruned, and
standing singly, will have a large head and short
stem, and that stem will increase in size very fast,
but not be so valuable from its deficiency in length
of stem; the branches will be large, and have much
small crooked timber divided among them. A tree
standing in a plantation follows the same law of
nature, but by judicious thinning and pruning, will
form a stem of considerable length ; while in a good
growing state, care must be taken at all times to
have a good head if you mean to have stem, and
when you have length of stem, the head cannot be
too large ; thus the fewer trees you have on an acre
of land the better, if the tops cover all the ground,
for the timber will certainly be of larger dimensions,
and consequently the more valuable.

In plantations grown to timber size, a tree that
will square a foot is of considerable more value than
four that square six inches each, as every carpenter

S08

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

can tell. Surely no person can dispute that a grove
01- plantation of trees, furnished with proper branches
and rich foliage, is not a more pleasing and beautiful
object than if such trees presented an unsightly ap-
pearance of half dead and feeble stems ; nor is it to
be supposed that tree crowded together, and robbing
each other of support, and of the invigorating
powers of the sun and air, can arrive at a profitable
growth. It is more absurd to be tenacious of cutting
away, and pruning young trees when necessary, than
it is reprehensible not to plant them, when it may be
done with great advantage.

Trees do not, like animals, wear out their organs,
for they are provided with new ones every year ; no
necessary cause of death tlierefore is inherent in their
nature. The vessels and fibres forming the external
layer, which add every year to the circumference of
the stem, where the life of the plant principally re-
sides, are wholly new, and so unconnected with the
layers of the preceding years, that the latter may be
removed by hollowing out without killing the tree.
The concentric circles observable on the transverse
section of the stem of a tree, mark successive gene-
rations ; as every concentric circle on the stem is a
new generation, so is every bud on the branches a
new-born child, every twig a family, and the tree a
nation, and trees like nations may be said to live
for ever.

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

GEORGE HARRISON.

Taunton, Nov. 13th, 1837.

NEW PLOUGHS FOR DIGGING AND
SEPARATING POTATOES.

The following letter is from Colonel Le Cou-
teur, of the Royal Jersey Militia, and Aide-de-
camp to his late Majesty, William the Fourth,
and will be found well deserving of attention.

" Belle Vue, Jersey, Oct. 30, 1837.

" Dear Sir, — 1 lose no time to make you acquaint-
ed, for the information of the committee at its next
meeting, with what I consider to be a most important
and valuable invention, one which may become of
general utility to the agricultural world.

" It is the construction of a plough for diggino-
potatoes, or separating them from the soil, which
has recently been made by Mr. John le Boutillier,
an ingenious young smith of this island.

"He had invented a light one-horse plough for
me, which only weighs 58 lbs., about two years ago,
for planting potatoes, of a simple and efficient form,
which traces a narrow furrow, in and along which
women or children deposit the potato set at any
given depth ; when the next turn of the plougli
throws tlie earth 18 inches off, and neatly and com-
pletely covers the sets and furrow that has been
planted, making at the same lime a new furrow ;
this is an admirable improvement, as it saves the
labour of one horse, besides that of one turn of the
plough at each furrow ; (formerly it required two turns
of the plough to plant one furrow), thus enabling
the farmer to plant double the land he formerly did
in the same time at half the expense of horse
labour. I then told Mr. Le Boutillier that as he
had invented so excellent an instrument for pUmtino-
pota.toes, I hoped that he would soon show me one
as simple and efficient for taking them up : I little
thought that Le would so readily achieve this de-
sirable end.

" His new plough was at work on my farm all day
last Thursday, and turned out half an acre of po-
tatoes in five hours, drawn by three horses, working
at an easy pace without stopping, which, consider-
ing the novelty of the invention, the number of per-
sons who came to see it, and the interruption thus
occasioned, was good work.

" It has the breast of an ordinary Jersey plough ;
on the inner side of it is a large circular wheel,
which rolls on the bottom of the furrow with teeth,
which catch the ground as the wheel rotates ; this
gives motion to a small catch wheel with ccgs, that
drive a lesser one which turns a shaft, to which are
attached four short arms with paddle ; these paddles
as the plough advances, revolve with considerable
velocity, catch all the earth, potatoes, or weeds, that
ma}' be brought over the breast of the plough, and
throw them off five or six feet in a jjerpendicular di-
rection from the plough, leaving the ground quite
comminuted and level. This does away in a great
measure with the necessity of liaving men to fork
out the potatoes, and will enable nearly all the hands
to be employed in merely picking up and sorting
them.

" It is not only for potato digging that I consider
this invention important in some of the dry stiff
soils, that require to be finely divided and commi-
nuted ; where fallows are to be broken up, or for
intermixing ashes, soot, lime, or any powdered ma-
nure with the soil, it is the most effective instru-
ment that has been devised.

" As a first invention it is very complete, but it
will be greatly improved by the mechanics in Eng-
land the moment it is seen ; the merit of the inven-
tion lies with the individuiil I have named above.
He has received a small premium for it from the
agricultural society of this island ; but I should hope
that it may come within the scope of the duties of
our central committee to order a plough of each sort
as patterns, at the cost of 31. 10s. for one, and il.
10s. for the other ; and if approved when tried, to
award this ingenious young man, some premium
for two so novel and valuable inventions.

" I trust the committee will consider nie to have
acted witliin the sphere of my duty in making them
acquainted with what appears to me likely to become
essentially useful. — I remain, dear Sir, yours very
truly. J. LE COUTEUR,

There have beeii consumed in Paris, as we learn from
the Commerce, during the last month, 5,775 oxen, 1,839
cows, 5,856 calves, and 35,390 sheep, and the sale of
tallow have amounted to 451,487 kilogrammes. In the
month of October, 1836, the consumption was 6,160
oxen, l,629cows, 5,813 calves, 32,684 sheep, and 550,046
kilogrammes of tallow, From this it appe.irs that in
October, 1836, there were 385 more oxen killed in Paris
than in the last month, when there were 210 cows, 43
calves, and 2,706 sheep consumed in the capital more
than in October, 1836. The tallow brought to market
was greater in quantity last month than in the corres-
ponding month of 1836, by 98,559 kilogrammes. The
Commerce observes, that on comparing the above
monthly returns, and on referring to those of the prece-
ding months, it will be seen that in order to supply the
demand of Paris for meat, the butchers are obliged to have
recourse to cows and sheep to make up the deficiency of
oxen, and that this increased consumption of cows is an
evidence of the evil effects of the laws prohibiting the
introduction of foreign cattle into France, while 100,000
sheep are annually brought from abroad for the con-
sumption of Paris. It concludes with strongly recom-
mending the new Chamber to make a reduction of the
duties on the importation of cattle,

f HE I*ARMEU*S MAGAZINE.

609

SPADE HUSBANDRY.

(from the IRANSACriONS OF THE SOCIETY OF ART3.)

The Thanks of the Society were voted to George Bur-
rows, Esq., of Norwich, for his successful application
of Trenching to Land liable to scald, as detailed in
the following communication.

PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT AND PRO-
FITABLE EMPLOYMENr FOR AGRICUL-
rURAL LABOURERS.

Noncich, June 9th, 18S4.
Sir,— In evei-y district there are patches of land,
more or less extensive, where the spade may be pro-
fitably used. These patches are commonly called
" scalds," and in proof that scaldy places may be
cured where a thin surface-soil covers a hard or stony
sub-soil, I beg to submit the following results of
experiments tried last year on land from which a
crop of potatoes had been taken in 1832.

1. Half an acre trenched three spits deep, or thirty
inches ; the middle and bottom spits reversed,
but the top spit thrown again on the top.

2. One acre and a half, trenched two spits deep,
or twenty inches ; the sub-soil being thrown on
the top.

3. One acre ploughed.
These three contiguous acres are a part of what is

called Porring Land Heath, the whole of which has
been long cultivated, and was enclosed pursuant to
an Act of Parliament passed in the fortieth year of
the reign of George III. This heath land is, for the
most part, of very bad quality ; the surface-soil of
the three acres, the subject of this communication,
consisted of dark sandy soil full of white stones ; the
sub-soil was either hard gravel, hard sand, or black
iron pan. This land had been farmed after the four-
course system ; but the crops were always burned
up or root fallen.

During December 1832, and January and Fe-
bruary 1833, this land was cultivated as described,
and was sown with carrots on the I8th of March,
1833. The season was favourable for this vegetation,
and there was a full plant. These three acres were
hoed e.»rly in June ; but on the part which had been
ploughed, and on that part where the surface -soil
had been replaced, the weeds were so numerous,
that a second hoeing was necessary ; the carrots also
looked stunted, and died off in great numbers during
the second hoeing ; while on the part having the
sub-soil turned to the surface, the land was free from
weeds, and the carrots continued to thrive without
a check.

On the 20th of November I weighed part of the
produce ;

One rod of No. 1 produced 4J- bush., weight 2021bs.

2 — 5 — _ 248 —

3 — 3|- — _ 170 _

The carrots on No. 1 were forked, long, and much

injured by wire worms.
The carrots on No. 2 were long, handsome, and not

injured by wire worms.
The carrots on No. 3 were short, stunted, and much

bitten by wire worms.
Here is matter of fact to support argument in
favour of spade husbandry in the ordinary mode of
trenching. The absence of wire-worm, the absence
of weeds, are two important advantages ; but the
extra value and weight of the crop is the criterion
by which to ascertain the value of the experiment.
The best rod of carrots on the ploughed land (for I

weighed only ITOlbs. ; but an average rod where the
surface-soil was turned up weighed 248ibs. ; which
rate gives in favour of spade trenching an excess of
5 tons 11 cwt. 481bs. per acre !

Carrots are here sold at 20s. the long thousand,
of six score to the hundred ; the average weight of
such a thousand is about half a ton ; the value of the
excess must, therefore, be 11/. 2s. 9d. Now this
sum of 11/. 2s. 9d. is to set against the extra cost of
the manual labour required by the use of the spade.

The sub-soil of No. 2 was very hard and stony,
and I paid at the rate of Is. per rod ; but a great deal
of land may be new trenched, and twenty inches
deep, for much less.

The acre No. 3 was ploughed three times, the cost
of which and harrowing I estimate at 21. ; so that by
the use of the spade for this crop, and supposing as
full a plant to have been over this ploughed acre as on
the rod I picked out, there is a clear saving per acre
of5Z. 2s. 9d.

On this land for this crop no manure of any sort
was used, and this most valuable crop was grown
upon the poorest of land ; and such a crop may in
like manner be grown upon almost all the poor light
lands in the kingdom. The trenched land grew
2481bs. of carrots on one single rod, which gives 17
tons 14 cwt. 321bs. of the very best vegetable food
for the acre, and this an acre, too, of the very poorest
soil. The value of such a crop for stall-feeding must
be very great j but the value in the market at 21. per
ton is 3a/. l5s. ! The profit is as follows : —

1 acre trenched

6lbs. of seed . .

Sowing and ra-
king in

Hoeing

Rent, rates, &c.

Carrying pro-
duce to mkt. ,
at 4s. per ton. y

£. s.

d.

8 0

0

0 12

0

|o 8

0

1 0

0

2 0

0

^3 11

0

15 11

0

£. s.
rhe produce"^
of one acre I
of carrots, 17 |
tons, 14 cwt. )-35 15
321bs. at 2Z. |
per ton J

15 11 0

Clear profit . . 20 4 0

A crop of turnips cannot be grown for much less
than 61. per acre ; but on such land as I have de-
scribed, their quality must be bad, and their value
could not equal their expense.

I strongly recommend the trenching all thin-
skinned, scalding soils, and the sowing carrots
thereon instead of turnips. The carrot is not sub-
ject to the fly, and more to be depended upon than
the turnip ; and no manure being required for carrots,
the consumption of carrots must produce a quantity
of manure, or the sale of them will enable the farmer
to buy manure amply sufiicient to secure a succession
of good crops.

I have long been convinced of the efficacy of
trenching land, but till now did not make any com-
parative experiment. Depth of soil allows great
absorption, consequently great evaporation, and
vegetation is thereby better enabled to withstand the
wet and cold of winter, as well as the scorching rays
of the sun in summer. Barley is now sown over
the ploughed part, and over part of the trenched :
and the barley on the trenched part has not yet
shewn any scalding symptoms ; on the ploughed
land it has.

I strongly recommend, also, the turning up the
sub-soil ; and if advantage be taken of the power of
this new soil, it is the fault of the occupier if this

land be not rendered permanently fertile. At a time

like this, when employment for agricultural labourers

picked the best, and where the plant was full) I is so desirable, I make this statement with the hope

6lB

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

that publicity will ba given to it, and that some
labourers may leave the gravel-pit, and find profit-
able and independent employment.

I am, Sir, &c., &c.,

GEORGE C. BURROWS.
A. Aihin, Esq.,
Secretary, ^c, <l^"c.

Norwich, Feb. 15,1835.

Srn, — .In my letter forwarded to you last June, I
believe it was stated, that part only of the three acres
of ploughed land had been sown with barley, and
that the crop on the trenched part then sliewed no
scalding symptom. The unusual heat and long-con-
tinued drought of last summer did not afterwards
affect it : there was an appearance of verdure over
the trenched spot long after it had ceased to be else-
where observable ; but no fair comparison could be
made in respect to the quality or quantity of the
produce, the ploughed acre having been sowed with
chevalier barley.

Had I been aware that my communication would
have excited interest, the weight and measure of the
produce on the trencbed spot should have been cor-
rectly ascertained. The barley from the trenched
part was stacked with other barley, grown upon
adjoining turnip land, part of which had been
trenched about four years since: the cast was be-
tween five or six combs per acre of good quality;
and three quarters for such a season as the last must
be considered a fair crop : but the soil of this land is
poor, and the poorest part (about one half) had been
trenched, on which part a fair crop never before
grew ; yet such was the produce. The great supe-
riority of the common mode of trenching over the
other method described, is clearly shewn by the
planted part of the three acres, which included the
half acre dug three spades deep : where the sub-soil
was turned up, the trees have taken well, and are
thrifty, but where the surface-soil was thrown to the
surface, the trees, like the carrots, died; this half
acre is a mass of weeds, and must be again trenched
and replanted.

The contiguous field, trenched after the common
mode in 1828 and 1829, was last season sown with
white turnips : this is an even and good plant.
Since your favour of the 7th instant I have weighed
an average rod of them, which contained 50 good
solid and clean turnips, and 126 small ; without tops
or tails, the weight was 1531bs.— a rate of nearly 1 1
tons per acre. This piece of land now tenanted, the
surface of which is even now a mass of stones, has
had completed upon it a round of the four-course
system : the crops have been, — carrots without ma-
nure, 1829-30 ; barley, laid down with black nonsuch
and rye-grass, 1831 ; the grass fed oflP, 1832 ; wheat,
1833 ; turnips manured for, 1834 ; this spring, bar^
ley or oats will be sown upon it ; it will be laid down
with clover, and I shall impress on the occupier (he
advantages to be derived by the substitution of car-
rots for turnips in 1838.

So convinced am I, both from observation and ex-
periment, that the course I recommend is imme-
diately beneficial, and that permanent improvement
must result from it, that I shall continue annually to
trench so long as I continue to have land of this sort
untrenched. The stony surface will not annoy me
while valuable crops can be produced. During Ja-
nuary 1834, I caused a scalding hill of about two
acres, on what is called old land, to be trenched.
Here, again, the stony sub-soil was brought up : on
this hill the barley in 1833 was scarcely four inches
high ; a part was last year sown with chevalier bar-

ley, the straw was three feet long, sample fine ; the
other part was sown with carrots : one very stony
spot, about a yard square, was broken three feet
deep, when this very spot grew a carrot three feet
two inches long, the circumference at the top eleven
inches and a half, — it weighed four pounds and a
half. This carrot was exhibited last December by
the Norwich Horticultural Society. Now, this car-
rot had penetrated through the broken soil ; and it is
perfectly clear that such a carrot could not have been
there produced had the sub-soil not been broken.
Of vast importance to all proprietors of soil such as
is here described must be the application of some
mode of cropping better than that in common use ;
indeed, under the piesent circumstances of agricul-
ture, the continuing cultivation of vast tracts of land
depends upon the practice of some new system of
easy adoption. I am quite aware that the novelty,
the expense, and the spoiling the appearance of land,
will be objections urged ; and that many, eager to
profit, will risk wire-worms, weeds, &c.; but to
bring about permanent improvement is the object ;
and the liberal-minded will, I hope, fairly try the
experiment.

Societies can more eflliciently direct public atten-
tion than individuals. To the Society of Arts and
Manufactures I detail the results of my experience
and experiments ; and if profitable employment, and
if some permanent improvement to my native land
should also result, I shall be content.
I am. Sir, &c., &c.,

GEORGE C. BURROWS.

A. Aikin, Esq.
Secretary, <S)"c., 8jC,

ON STORING AND KEEPING MAN-
GEL WURZEL AND TURNIP CROPS
DURING WINTER AND SPRING.

BY MR. JOHN m'coRMICK, LAND STEWARD TO FEN-
i^TON HORT, ESQ.

(To the Editors of the Irish Farmer's and Gardener's
Magazine. )

Grntlemen, — As the time is just approaching
for the taking up of the mangel wurzel and turnip
crops, perhaps you would favor me with the inser-
tion of a few observations on the the storing and
keeping of them during the winter and spring.

My practice in this way is, to get some watling,
or any coarse timber or brushwood, and with this
form staddles about six or seven feet wide — the
length and number of those to be in proportion to
the quantity of turnips, &c. ; the brushwood to be
laid about six inches in height on the staddles, and
to choose a dry, sheltered situation, where no lodg-
ment of water can take place. The staddles thus
prepared — in thej taking out of the turnip crop, the
leaves are all cut off, but not too close to the
crown of the turnip, taking out all tha early and
soft sorts (if any) first — such as red and white
Norfolk, Globe, &c., and finishing with the yellow
Aberdeen, Dale's Hybrid, and Swedes — carting
each sort home to the haggard, or wherever the
staddles have been previously prepared for them,
and leaving one or two careful handy men to make
them up. The roots are piled upon each other in
the form of a cone, seven feet broad at bottom,
and four and a half feet high, ending of course in

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

5ilr

iTia

a point. The length, as already mentioned, will
be in proportion to the quantity of roots. Seve-
ral of those small ricks ,niay be made, if I may so
eall them, lying parallel with each other, only
taking care, if the space at all admit, to leave room
for a cart to pass between every two of them. I
totally disapprove of either pitting or housing tur-
nips, except housing for present use. I give those
small ricks a very, very slight covering, in the
way of thatch, as much covering is by no means
good, except in the case of very hard frost, and
then I generally throsv some loose litter of any
kind over the thatch, and remove it when the frost
is over. In the spring, when they begin to grow,
I begin atone end of the staddle and turn over,
by the hands, the turnips, rubbing off any growth
that may appear, and leaving them exactly in the
same form again. This may require to be done
twice or thrice during the spring, especially with
the Swedes that are kept over to April or May,
for finishing fat cattle at that season.

I have practised another, mode of keeping
Swedish Turnips, and have preserved them till
May in great perfection, with all their fine nutri-
tious leaves ; but have not time to go into that
matter at present. I Viowcver promise it shall be
the subject of a future communication from me,
in connection with some remarks upon stall-feed-
ing.

You will perceive, gentlemen, that tbe object of
the present communication is merely confined to
the storing of the crops. I shall, however, make
one remark as to the period of taking them out of
the ground, which, by-the-hye, is perhaps one of
the most important things to attend to — and I
give it as my decided opinion, that there is much
less danger when the turnip approaches at all to
maturity in taking them out a little too soon, (al-
though there is high authority opposed to me on
this point), than to leave them even for one week
in the ground beyond the critical time at which
they should be taken up — because the soft kinds
of turnips, if left in the ground after this period,
immediately begin to grow what practical men
call fuzzy, and when such happens, they loose
mucb of their nutritious properties, and will never
after keep so well — besides when they are fit to
take up, a few of the under leaves begin to turn
yellow and drop off, the first rain that comes rots
those leaves on the bulb, and they in the course
of decomposition communicate disease to the tur-
nip. I have seen great loss of turnips in this way.
With the Aberdeen, Dale's Hybrid, or Swedes
there is not quite so much danger to be appre-
hended, and with mangel wurzel hardly any dan-
ger. Mangel wurzel may be put into larger ricks
than those recommended for turnips. — lam, gentle-
men, your obedient servant.

JOHN M'CORMICK.
Leopardstewn, Oct. 19, 1837.

PARISH SURVEYS.

Sin, — I am requested by several of tbe occupiers
of land in tbe parish in which I reside, to submit the
following case for early insertion in your valuable
paper, and to beg your opinion on it, and that of your
numerous readers, whether it is possible for them to
avoid what they apprehend a very unjust imposition
likely to be laid on them.

By aletter from the Poor LawCommissioner's Office,
addressed to the guardians of unions, &c., and dated
19th September last, directing the formation of a

poor rate according to tLe parochial assessment act,
the commissioners recommend the board of guardians
to place themselves in communication with tbe tithe
commissioners, who will probably afford them valu-
able suggestions as to the best mode of obtaining the
services of a competent land surveyor, for making a
map and survey of the parish ; and the poor law
commissioners recommend to tbe guardians, in con-
tracting with such surveyor, they should require the
map to be made accordingto the instructions adopted
by the tithe commissioners.

Now, Rlr. Editor, I am requested to ask, in tbe
first instance, whether under the poor law amend-
ment act, or under the parochial assessment act, or
under any other act directing the formation of a poor
rate, there is any necessity for such a survey and
map as that directed by the tithe commissioners ?
One reason for asking this is, that there is a very
large proportion of land in this parish, and in many
other parts of the kingdom, the survey and map of
which, if made according to the instructions of tbe
tithe law commissioners, and particularly as de-
scribed by the tithe law commissioner, Dawson,
will cost more for such map and survey, than a year's
rent of the land ; but what is of still more material
consequence, if made under the direction of the poor
law commissioners, will, we apprehend, come out of
the pockets of the occupiers of land ; whereas, if
made under the tithe commutation act, it will come
out of the pockets of the land owners.

By s. 3. of the parochial assessment act, the
boards of guardians may by application to the poor
law commissioners, obtain an order for making a
map and survey of the lands in their respective
unions, and for ordering the expense to be paid out
of the pnm- rate. We admit that the framer of the
parochial assessment act, seeing the very heavy ex-
pense of such survey and map, has allowed the occu-
piers five years to pay it in ; but surely it could not
have been the intention of government, to put it in
the power of the boards of guardians to charge the
occupiers with the very great expense of a survey
and map of the land, which was evidently intended
by the tithe commutation act, to be charged to the
land owners.

Let me beg your opinion, and that of your readers,
whether it is in the power of the occupiers to pre-
vent this evident perversion of the intention of the
legislature. An early insertion and reply, will oblige
several of your readers as well as

Cardiganshire, Nm. 14. AN OVEESEER. ^

The poor law amendment act, 4 and 5. W. 4. 6.
76 s. 35, we apprehend does not apply, unless the
guardians shall previously have agreed for the rating
in common of the respective parishes for which they
act, which our guardians ;have not, and will not
agree to do.

THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND
THE FARMERS.

(fHOM the YOnK CHRONIOLli.)

[We are happy to find the proposal for the "re
appointment of a Board of Agriculture' whicli we
recommended some time since, supported by the
writer of the subjoined letter. — Ed. Mark Lane
Express.^

Sir, — While new discoveries are astonishing the
world by their results, and while science is daily
effecting improvements in our arts and manufactures,
no one acquainted with the wide field agiiculture
presents for improvement and discovery, can doubt.

5i2

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

that if proper stimuli be given' to agricultural im-
provement, it will advance and keep pace with its
sister artfs, and that under the Divine blessings on
the application of new plans of cultivation, the pro-
ductions of the earth will be sufficient to keep a con-
stant supply to our growing population.

One thing, however. Sir, is to be lamented, stops
the progress of improvement most seriously — a want
of that facility of communication which so character-
izes the manufacturing part of the community. Scat-
tered and insolated as the farmers are, we have but
little opportunities of being acquainted with any
good farm management vrhen it occurs, and if it be
known, there is no collecting nucleus to store it up,
or to disseminate it through the agricultural body.
Our agricultural societies are valuable, and just in
proportion as they collect and diffuse agricultural
intelligence ; but they are not sufficiently numerous,
or sufficiently united or persevering in their efforts
to attain the desired object, nor can they be, so long
as there is a want of some collecting or disseminating
medium for encouraging agricultural literature, and
bringing it to bear upon the practical difficulties,
obstructions, and wants of the farmer ; and diffusing
it through the country by some responsible and re-
spectable organ. I speak not to disparage any
society, much less out of opposition to the Central
Agricultural Society, or any other, because they
have not a sufficient adaptation to effect the object
alluded to, but I ask, while we have a Board of
Trade, why have we not a Board of Agriculture? Is
it because the agricultural body have no need of it,
owing to having arrived at perfection ? Is it because
they are worse members of society, or less deserving
encouragement? No — none of these— nothing can
be assigned for it but a neglect of the agricultural
interest on the part of those who should be its best
friends, and that hated and detestable policy which
would encourage our trade to the destruction of our
agriculture, or as certain politicians of the reform
school, would rejoice to see the day when not a
sheaf of corn was grown in the country 1

While our various agricultural societies are de-
caying for want of something to bring them to bear
upon society (and woe to the day when they have to
dissolve), why do they not memorialize the Queen,
fm- the re-appointment of the Board of Agriculture ?
There are several persons in the country, well
capable of carrying it into effect, in all its beneficial
bearings, only give them proper authority and re-
muneration. There is a lamentable want of energy
in the papers and periodicals connected with agri-
culture, in calling attention to and pressing this, but
some approve of it and appreciate its importance.

W. E. N.

ECONOMY OF LABOUR.

One great superiority of the manufacturers of
this country over the agriculturists, is attributable
to their attention to the economy of labour. In
my earliest remembrance, the farmers were too
ignorant to think of it, afterwards they were too
prosperous, and now they are too much bent on
seeking relief from other sources than their own
energies. What might be done in time by a com-
bination of mechanical and chemical science, it is
as impossible to calculate beforehand, as it would
have been fifty years since to have foretold what
would be the present state of spinning, weaving,
bleaching, and transport. Human energy and hu-
man invention completely baffle calculation, as is
proved, amongst many others, by this fact, that

silk and cotton are sent from India liere, and
manufactured and sent back, so as to undersell
the natives in their own markets, in spite of dis-
tance, and comparative difficulty of living from
both natural and political causes. I think, with
such examples of the triumph of skill, industry,
and enterprise, the actual state of our agriculture
utterly disgraceful. I was led into these remarks
by a passage in one of my letters from the conti-
nent, from which I have given the series of ex-
tracts in former numbers. The passage is as
follows : —

" I observed in Lorraine two ploughs in a field
of light land, drawn one by five horses, and the
other by four, both held by women, and driven by
men." This only proves that economy of labour
is less practised in some parts of France than it is
here ; and such I believe to be generally the case
on the continent compared with this country, not
only in agriculture, but in every thing else. I
have frequently seen in France four men shoeing
a horse, having first put him in the stocks, and
tying each foot in turn over a bar. The reason,
probably, why the women were holding the
ploughs I saw, might be that they were more skil-
ful than the men, as, during the war, females
were more regularly employed in such labour. I
will conclude vi'ith a remarkable instance of the
triumj)h of ingenuity over calculation. The Abbe
Raynal lays it down, without supposing a doubt,
that North America could never become of much
importance beyond a short distance from the coast,
on account of the impossibility of ascending the
great rivers. The application of steam to navi-
gation, has alone falsified that position, and rail-
ways and canals are adding theii powerful aid. I
cannot help thinking that those, who affirm, that
if a north-west passage were to be discovered, it
would never be made available to any useful pur-
pose, are a little presumptuous. The progress of
improvement already witnessed, should teach us
diffidence in hazarding such predictions. The
first experiment I ever saw of applying steam to
navigation, was on the Duke of Bridgewater's
canal, when eleven coal barges were dragged
along by an engine at the rate of two miles an
hour, and with terrible destruction to the banks.
This, I think, was before steam navigation was
brought to any thing like perfection in the United
States, and I little thought then of being carried
some fifteen miles an hour against the wind, as I
was the other day on the Thames.— Walker's
Original.

PAROCHIAL ASSESSMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Mr. Editor. — Will you or any of your correspon-
dents, do me the favour to answer the following
questions 1

In making the valuations under the " Parochial
Assessment Act," is the land on which the Union
Workhouse has been built, to be included in the
Assessment to the Poor rate, and are all, or any por-
tion of the premises to be valued ; such for instance
that which is occupied by the Governor and other
officers belonging to the establishment ? It dearly
would be a hardship upon that individual parish in
each Union, on which premises have been erected
for the use of the whole, if that quantity of land is
abstracted from the assessment.

W.N.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

613

COMMITTEE.-

^ YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

PRESIDENT.— Earl Spencer.

("Duke of Leeds
I Earl Fitzwilliam

VICE-PRESIDEJ^TS.J 5*"^ Carlisle
^ Earl Harewood
I Lord Eversham
(_SiR Tatton Sykes.

Sir W. B. Cooke, Bart.
R. Denison, Esq.

F. H. Fawkes, Esq.
T. DuNcoMBE, Esq.

G. Legard, Esq.
W. Madeville, Esq.
G. SwANN, Esq.
P. B. Thompson, Esq.
H. S. Thompson, Esq.
Rev. W. Harrison
K. Fleetwood Shawe, Esq.
Godfrey Wentworth, Esq.
W. B. Wrightson, Esq.

(_J. W. Childers, Esq.

SECRETARY.— C. Howard, Esq.

TREASURERS.— Messrs. Swann & Co.

An important meeting took place at York on the
10th October, by adjournment from the 29th of Au-
gust, when on the motion of R. Denison, Esq.,
M.P., Earl Spencer took the Chair, and said —

" Gentlemen, — the object of this Meeting- is to
establish an Agricultural Society, to embrace the
whole County of York, for the general improvement
of Agriculture, by every means in our power, and
more particularly for the exhibition of breeding
stock and agricultural implements. It is a remarkable
fact, that in f^ngland there is no society embracing
a large district of the country. In Scotland they
have one called the Highland Society, which has
proved of the greatest possible use, and I really can-
noi see why the County of York shottld not unite and
have a Society to confer the same bejiejits as are enjoyed
by eur northern neighbours. A difficulty has been
raised on account of the distance persons and cattle
might have to travel from distant places. This dif-
ficulty has been remedied by the Highland Society,
and so it might be with us in holding the meetings
in different places. In Scotland this plan had been
found to excite emulation in the breeders of stock,
persons being so anxious to have a good show in
their immediate neighbourhood, that they exerted
themselves more than they otherwise would."

It was then resolved, that a Society be formed,
called the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, to hold
meetings in different places of the three Ridings for
the exhibition of farming stock, implements, &c.,
and for the general promotion of agriculture.

That the first meeting be held at York on the last
Wednesday in August, 1838 ; that every subscriber
of one pound annually be a member of the society.

That the Society consist of a President, six Vice-
Presidents, Secretary, a Treasurer and Members.

Lord Huntingfield seconded this resolution.

The next resolution was brought forward by W.
B. Wrightson, that the President be appointed for
three years, and which office Earl Spencer accepted,
provided all political speeches were rejected.

Sir E. Vavasour and Richard Fleetwood Shawe,
Esq., M.P., said they had recently witnessed the
meeting of the Highland Society, which was most
satisfactory in every way.

Col. Fox moved that the Vice-Presidents for the

ensuing year be Lord Carlisle, Sir Tatton Sykes,
the Duke of Leeds, Lord Eversham, Lord Fitzw^I-
liam and Lord Harewood.

Seconded by — Tempest, Esq.

Resolved, on the motion of T. W. Childers, Esq.,
M.P., seconded by H. Preston, Esq., M.P., that the
senior steward go out annually.

P. B. Thompson, Esq., moved that Charles How-
ard, of Melbourne, be appointed Secretary, and
Messrs. Swann and Co., Treasurers to the Society.

George Legard, Esq., seconded this motion.

W. R. C. Stanfield, Esq., moved for a Committee
of 21 persons for settling the prizes to be given at
the annual meetings.

That the Committee consist of Robt. Denison,
Esq., Sir W. B. Cooke, Bart., F. H. Fawkes. Esq.,
T. Duncombe, Esq., George Legard, Esq., W. Ma-
deville, G. Swann, Esq., P. B. Thompson, Esq., H.
S. Thompson, Esq., Pvev. Mr. Harrison, R. Fleet-
wood Shawe, Esq., Godfrey Wentworth, Esq., W.
B. Wrightson, Esq., J. W. Childers, Esq.

H. S. Thompson seconded this motion.

Sir E. Vavasour moved that all the prizes be
open for competition to the United Kingdom.

This was seconded by F. Chomley, Esq.

Sir E. Vavasour said he was authorized by P. B.
Thompson, Esq., to put his name down for 1001.

Hereford Agricultural Society. — Extract
from the speeches.—" E. B. Clive, Esq.— On the
subject of cultivation he would offer one or two ob-
servations, because there was a misconception, he be-
lieved, prevailing as to the instrumentality employed in
ploughing the soil. He had thought that the principles
of of machinery ought to be brougiit to bear on the con-
struction of the plough in a more effectual manner than
had hitherto been adopted ; this suggestion he had
thrown out at a former meeting, to promote which his
friend on his right (Mr. Knight) immediately offered a
premium for a plough of the best construction ; but this
kind instance of encouragement had not yet the desired
effect. The ploughs employed by the competitors for
the present prizes of the Society were those known by
the name of G. O's., which he thought might be much
improved for more expeditious operation. The advan-
tages over the old method by this plough, might be
judged of from the fact that the ploughman vyho won
the first prize, went over half an acre of stiff soil in one
hour and thirty-one minutes ; and he should like to tell
them in how much less time the worst ploughman amongst
the candidates for the prize did the work with two
horses, than some farmers did with four. {Cheers and
laughter.) With these four they sometimes took ten
hours to do what was done in the instance in question in
one hour and thirty-two minutes. (Continued applause.)
He rejoiced to see the spirit evinced by the farmers in
furthering their own interests, but did not like to seethe
ostentation displayed by the team of four horses. Two
horses were sufficient to draw him in his carriage ; and
might not the improvements in machinery be made avail-
able by the human mind, to furnish them with a contri-
vance by which to dispens3 with two ot the four usually
employed to draw the plough? Such an innovation
would, in his opinion, greatly augment the interest of the
farmer, and benefit the landlord. (Cheers.)

A thrashing Machine, was last week erected for Mr.
D. Tremlett, of HoUocorabe Barton, in the parish of
Creditoii, by INIr. Beare, of Meeth near Hatherleigh,
whose power of speed excels any machine before wit-
nessed in that neiglibourhood. On Saturday last, on its
first trial it engaged particular attention, attended by
those who had stronsr doubts of its power to perform
what the maker said it was capable of doing. He said
it would do 240 bundles of barley straw per hour, of
21 lb. each— to be thrashed clean, and not injured for
the maltster or seed, if not he would forfeit 5/. The re-
sult was perfectly satisfactory to those who witnessed it.

2 E

514

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON POPULATION.

(from the quarterly journal of agriculture.)

Seeing- that we cannot demonstrate the tendency of
man to increase beyond the means of subsistence by
reasoning from any property of numbers, we must re-
sort 'o observation.

Mr. Malthus indeed endeavours to fortify his argu-
ments by an appeal to observation.

Infering the tendency in question from the actual
poverty and wretchedness of the great mass of the labour-
ing population in different countries.

From this poverty and wretchedness he concludes
that the numbers of these classes are constantly pressing
upon the means of subsistence.

But to make this argument good, it must be shewn,
that other causes do not produce the wretchedness and
poverty of the labouring classes.

But can we open the melancholy pages of history or
look at the state of the human race, in so many countries,
and be at a loss for discovering causes of poverty and
wretchedness.

What has reduced the once flourishing population of
Spain from 24 millions of souls to 14 ?

Shall we search for this result in the tendency of the
people to increase beyond the means of subsistence, or
in the effects of oppression, ignorance, superstition, and
the evil passions of men ?

And let us look around us to the countries which
boast most of their civic institutions, and say, whether
in the best of them, there are not causes to be found for
the wretchedness and poverty of the labouring classes.

In observing the state of different countries at the
same time, or the same country at different times.

Does not history shew, with scarce an exception, that
as nations have become more populous, the population
has become better supplied with the necessaries and
conveniences of life.

It would seem that the more men labour in common,
the greater the result of their combined efforts.

Ireland, so often refered to, now supplies with raw
produce, a great part of the rest of the king'dom.

It is ascertained, by records which cannot be ques-
tioned, that when the population was incomparably less,
the fare of the inhabitants was more wretched and
scanty, and that dreadful famines, not periodical scar-
cities, were of perpetual occurrence.

We do not suppose that any candid persons will ap-
peal to scarcities, the effects of less productive seasons,
as proof that this or any other country has out-grown its
means of subsistence.

The wretchedness of Ireland does not seem in any
degree to have arisen from its means to produce food,
having become inadequate to supply the population,
but from the want of means for the poor man to ex-
change his labour for food, which may be traced to very
different causes.

And with respect to China, so constantly appealed to
in support of this theory of population, our better know-
ledge of that country and the concurrent testimony of
all recent travellers, disprove the whole asmmptions.

It does not appear that the labourers of any country
are better supplied with the necessaries of life than
those of China.

And as to the excess of population, of which we have
heard such m^arvels, the whole is now ascertained to be
a mere fable.

China, it is admitted, is far less populous than Eng-
land; the tendency of man, then, to increase, beyond
the means of subsistence, is no more proved by tiie case
of China than of any other country.

The discrepancy between this theory and the facts is
universal and complete.

Mr. Malthus, however, not only argues that this ten-
dency is constantly in operation in all countries, and
that there is, therefore, a constant pressure in all coun-
tries of the population upon the means of subsistence,
but he ai gues that this is the very means which nature
employs to check the redundant numbers of mankind.

He maintains that poverty and wretchedness thus
produced cause an increased mortality, and that this in-

creased mortality reacting upon increased population
checks its progress. And this hypothesis constitutes
what has by him been termed the principle of popula-
tion. The whole hypothesis, however, is opposed to the
stubborn evidence of facts.

An increased mortality is not found to result from an
increase in the numbers of the inhabitants of any coun-
try. The registers of England, and every country in
Europe where registers exist, prove, that as the numbers
have increased the mortality has diminished ; B.nd the
general proposition laid down by Mr. Malthus is proved
not to be a law applicable to the human species.

Pestilence, famine and wars, with other horrors, are
enumerated by Mr. Malthus as amongst the means
which nature provides for lessening the redundant num-
bers of the human race : yet pestilence and famine are
known to have greatly lessened as countries have in-
creased in population, and war has become less de-
structive of life tlian when the number of those who
could become its victims was fewer. The wars of modern
Europe, long continued as they have been, are nothing
to the exterminating wars ot antiquity, and are scarcely
seen to affect the registers of mortality.

But whether by the operation of famine, pestilence
or wars, the certain result is, that the mortality of man
has not increased as his numbers have increased.

Taking Europe throughout, the part of the globe
which furnishes the surest foundation for reasoning of
this nature, the fact is, as population has advanced the
mortality has diminished.

But, if a tendency to increase beyond the means of
subsistence is proved to be a law of nature applicable
not to man, it would be strange if there were not some
provisio)i to prevent the increase of the human race be-
yond the limits of its food. And we conceive it possible
that reason is at least one of the means which nature has
provided, and so far we agree with the opinions of Mr. '
Malthus.

Man has tlie power to vary his habits with the cir-
cumstances in which he is placed, unlike the lower
animals, which unless under a state of compulsion do not
vary their habits.

In England, for a long period past, population has
ncreased rapidly ; in the rich and fei'tile country of
France it is nearly stationary, consequently in France
far more slowly than in Ireland.

In France, a certain degree of forethought and pro-
vidence is seen exerted among all classes before enter-
ing into the married state ; and the medium period of
marriage is thus retarded, and numbers remain in a
state of celibacy.

In Ireland, the great mass of the population marries
at the earliest possible period.

As countries become populous and civilized, innu-
merable objects occupy the mind ; the desire of distinc-
tion amongst some, and, amongst all, the pursuit of
gain in various forms.

From this cause alone, a portion of early life is gene-
rally devoted to labour of mind and body ; and thus,
through the whole society, the period of the marriage
union is retarded : whereas, amongst barbarous nations,
the period of marriage is almost always early.

Mr. Malthus, however, notwithstanding the reason-
ing power, infers the constant pressure upon the sup-
plies of food.

And, looking through the medium of his favoured
hypothesis, he sees a constant succession of evils.

Whereas, looking through the medium of facts, he
ought rather to infer, that, of all the evils a civilized
society has to dread, one of the least to be guarded
against is, an increase of inhabitants beyond the means
of supplying themselves with food.

If the increase of population shall in any country be
great, he supposes the necessary effect will be
wretchedness, producing a frightful mortality.

But if we look to the fairest portions of the habitable
earth, we shall find indeed that they have been laid
waste by these fatal checks ; but not because of the
pressure of the people on the means of subsistence.

For it was when the population was most active that
they were blessed with plenty.

tHE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

515

it is since the loss of tlieir people tliat their glory
has passed away.

Poverty and want h&\e followed DEcreasingnnmhers,

Mr. Malthus's is a philosophic dream.

And, in truth, that history shows us, that the ten-
dency of population, in societies any way advanced in
civilization, is frequently to remain stationary, or even
to retrograde rather than to advance ; and we refer to
Scotland, to France, &c,, as existing proofs.

Much of the force of the reasoning of Mr. Malthus
is derived from the appearance of close iudaction which
his work presents — a great part consisting, in details,
of sudden mortality, wars, pestilence, and famine.

He does not perceive that, to make this argument of
any avail, it must be shown that these have taken
place when society was advanced.

Whereas, as society has increased in numbers, the
law of mortality has become more uniform.

But, from the premises of Mr. Malthus, the more
prosperous a country is, and the more tvisely governed,
the more wUl its population press on the means of sub-
sistence, and the mass of the people become more
wretched.

No society well governed, we repeat, has been known
to outgrow, or tend to outgrow, its means of subsistence.

When in our own country — one of the most populous
in the world — we see how far the earth is yet from pro-
ducing all that labour, well directed, can bring forth.

When we look at the tracts lying waste, or half-
cultivated, we must see how little it is to be feared as
a possible evil, that our population will ever increase
beyond the means of supplying itself with food.

We have only to look what minute care can effect in
multiplying the produce of the earth, to feel in what a
prodigious ratio it may be multiplied.

A piece of heath land, the most worthless, converted
into a cottager's garden, yields a return of food exceed-
ing that of the richest land of cultivated fields. And
nothing prevents the increase of this culture but want of
hands to cultivate, and of mouths to consume.

Every vegetable that is consumed affords new mate-
rials for fertilizing' the earth and increasing its produc-
tions, and thus every increase of the number of con-
sumers is a means of calling new food into existence.

The introduction of a single plant from another he-
misphere has more than doubled the power of this and
every other country in Europe to support its inhabit-
ants.

An acre of potatoes will supply food to maintain in
healthful existence a family of six human beings for one
year. A square mile of Innd producing- potatoes, there-
fore, will support 3,840 persons for the same time.

But the produce of the potato is as nothing to that of
the banana and other plants of the tropical regions.

Nor does the produce of the potato in our fields show
the full power of the earth to produce food.

By the minute cares of the gardener, successive crops
of vegetables may be produced the same season.

Our present state of agriculture showsus that, through-
out the whole kingdom the productions of the earth may
be prodigiously multiplied ; but what our present know-
ledge of this art is, compared with what it may become,
we know not.

What other plants are yet to be applied to the sup-
port of animal life ;

What other means of fertilizing the earth are yet to
be discovered ;

What other applications of mechanical power may yet
take place in aid of human labour — we know not.

Nor in relation to our present subject be too curious
in inquiring ; it suffices that with our present means and
knowledge, limited as they are, we cap multiply our
means of subsistence in a degree to furnish food for in-
creasing numbers for more generations of men than the
cares of the living race need extend to.

And if such be the case with a long peopled country,
what must we think of the fear that the entire world
will be over peopled 1

The richest regions of the globe have yet been scarcely
trod by the foot of the hunter. A great part of Europe
s yet a desert ; and a long desolation has overepread
jaads which once were the seat of nations ; such are
1

Asia Minor, Syria, and Greece, and the Ions' desolated
shores of Northern Africa.

It is not nature that is barren of her gifts, but man
who has abused them.

And in lands where we might expect the verdure of
eternal spring, we find only moving mountains, and the
interminable tracts of a desert.

If these considerations are insufficient to relieve us
from the phantom of a devouring increase of population
we again refer to the paper to which we have appended
these observations, to show that the rate of increase Mr.
Malthus has assumed as ayphcable to the actual state of
mankind is impossible under any rate of increase and
mortahty which have ever been known to exist.

New Safety Coach.— On Thursday, a coach
on a new safety principle was put to the test. The
coach, drawn by four spirited horses, (vas driven from
Mr. Gray's establishment in Earl-street, Blackfriars, to
the obelisk at the end of Bridge-street, with about
twenty gentlemen as passengers inside and out. There
was, moreover, half a ton weight of luggage on the top ;
and that equilibrium might not appear to be too carefully
studied previous to trial, nothing was placed in the
boots. The vehicle started from the obelisk in grand
style, amidst the cheers of the spectators, and was
driven to Blackheath at the rate of fourteen miles an
hour. Mr. Gray, who ably held the reins, purposely,
as occasion offered, swept from one side of the road to
the other, ascended the embankment at the road-sides,
with the off-wheels, and at the top of speed again de-
scended and resumed the centre of the road, yet the
oscilliation was scarcely perceptible. But this was
nothing compared with the trials which took place at
Blackheath. Most of our readers are aware that the
health is studded with numerous hillocks, many of them
three feet in height ; over these the coach was driven
with perfect safety. In short, it withstood every trial so
conipletely that those present declared that to upset the
vehicle was impossible. The body of the coach instead
of resting, as is usually the case, upon springs below is
poised upon two upright supporters rising from the beds
and axles, and passing up between the body and the
boots. The tops of these supporters are surmounted by
double elliptic springs on which the body is so suspended
that on meeting inequalities on the road, the centre of
gravity of the vehicle is freely adjusted, and the liability
to overturn is completely conquered. At Blackheath
the ascents and descents made by the coach were abso-
lutely frightful to the spectators, and destruction seemed
to be inevitable, yet those on and in the vehicle were
sitting perfectly at their ease. If, after these successful
experiments and tests, her Majesty's liege subjects
suffer bodily harm by stage-coach accidents, the fault
must be with the proprietors of the old coaches in not
adopting the safety principle ; especially so as coaches
on the old plan may, at small expense, be readily altered
to the new. The safety patent is held by a scientific
gentleman named Stafford.

Wheat. — We have seen a specimen of a peculiar
kind of wheat — we are not acquainted with the name
of this species — grown by a gentlemen residing near
Lake Simcoe. It is about the size of common wheat ;
it has very little chaff, and is of a semi-transparent ap-
pearance. The seed was procured from the Cape of
Good Hope, was sown on the 28th May last, and was
cut and housed on the 31st August. The advantage of
so quick a growth is too evident to need detail, espe-
cially in a country like this, where the summers are
short, consequently affording merely time sufficient for
the growth and gathering in of the crops. Much time
could be gained every fall by having an early harvest,
which might be very beneficially employed ; and from
what is stated to be the result of this experiment, this
species of spring wheat will doubtless be much sought
after. We understand that Mr. Brent, of this city, will
have some of this seed for sale in a short time, and a
specimen of it may be seen by calling at his store.-*--
Toronto Herald, 1 6//i inst.

2 E 2

516

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

THE SMUT.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE NOTTINGHAM REVIEW.

Gentlemen, — I now proceed on with my black
story. The history of this crop of wheat taught me
much, and convinced me of the highly infectious
power of smutty virus. In my crop, growing this
seed, I was at first much surprised to find so many
infected ears ; but in my after experiments, I found
I never could grow this wheat on my soil three suc-
cessive vears, sowed dry, without producing smut —
sometinies but twice. However I was determined
to sow it, maugre all consequences. I had prepared
a field of fifteen acres on purpose, and I felt confident
I should have seed enough. 1 had prepared this
field by a dead fallow, a system very unusual in
Thorney fen. One reason, I was determined to
have my land clean ; and another, not to have it too
lusty, by withholding from it manure. In Thorney
Fen, if it comes a following season, the crops of
wheat are often too big, too flaggy, and too lengthy
— often down before they are in full ear, they then
get MILDEWED, and, sometimes, are almost worthless.
I thought by manuring this field, I should have my
crop considerably too lusty for wheat ; and this, I
dare say, would have been the consequence, as I
had a very full crop without. I used no other pre-
caution in my seed wheat but washing it in soap-
suds. The consequence was, as hunty a crop as
ever I saw grown in my life.

Had I sprinkled upon my seed wheat one pound
of arsenic upon every four bushels of seed, I dare
venture to say that I should not have had a smut in
it. This is one way cf applying arsenic , though it is
not the method I have adopted. Another way is, to
dissolve one pound of arsenic in three or four gallons
of water, then with a small watering-pan, or a whisp
of hay, sprinkle it over four bushels of wheat, and
keep turning the wheat until every kernel has im-
bibed a part. Neither have I adopted this plan,
though I believe either of them would have preserved
my crop.

My crop was sown tlie first week in October, was
soon up, looked very fine, and so continued. I have
beared wise people say, or rather, indeed, read what
they have written on this subject, the plant of wheat
■which produces smut, may be discerned on its first
appearance, and have very seriously recommended
to have them drawn out, and flung away. Those
gentlemen are much wiser than myself, for I have
never been able to distinguish the diflerence between
a diseased plant and a healthful one, until it is far
advanced in the spindle, and the ear just bursting
through, then, indeed, and not till then, can 1 per-
ceive any visible difference.

This is as faithful an account of my first growing
smut, as I can recollect, I have several reasons to
remember it, one is, I was soundly laughed at, and,
although it was a pecuniary loss, it ever after sup-
plied me with a sufiicient quantity of smut-balls for
my future experiments. I now began to inquire
among my scientific friends the best cure and pre-
ventive for smut. A medical gentleman, at Thorney,
who occupied a small farm for his amusement, re-
commended to me one pound of arsenic, dissolved
in three or four gallons of water, and sprinkled on
four bushels of wheat, with a small watering pan,
or a whisp of hay, as already noted. Another re-
commended one pound of arsenic to be strewed over
four bushels of wheat, then wetted with water, and
well mixed. These, they said, were certain and
efficacious remedies, and so I dare say they may, but
I question whether they would effectually cure
smutty seed, which I would by no means re«ommend.

though I was determined again to sow my own tblack
seed. This I was determined to do, to shake off the
laugh, and wipe out the disgrace I lay under, or lay
it on a little thicker. I found, by experience, about
thirty-two gallons of water in a moderate sized brew-
ing tub, would swim four bushels of wheat. My
SPECIFIC is, dissolve two pounds of arsenic in four
gallons of water, by first putting into the water a
large shovel full of wood ashes (perhaps soda or
potash would be better) or the arsenic will not dis-
solve. When the water boils, put in the arsenic,
stir it with a stick, and when the arsenic is dissolved,
put it to twenty-six or twenty-eight gallons more
water, and add four stone of salt, in this brine an
egg will swim like a cork. I then took my mash
tub, and having secured the bung hole with a little
whisp of hay, by placing a brick upon it, I put my
brine into it ; I then gently sifted in four bushels of
wheat, stirred and skimmed every bushel as it was
put in ; I found I had plenty of brine to swim the
whole, I preferred my granary to brine my seed-
wheat in for several reasons, but the principal
reason was, I could lock the door, and keep out
every one beside myself, and this I considersd im-
portant. I next took a bucket and mop, and washed
ray granary floor as clean as I could, and let my
wheat lie in pickle all night. In the evening, I
dissolved two pounds more of arsenic, to keep up
a supply of brine, as every coombe of wheat neces-
sarily wastes a part. Early in the morning I drew off
my brine, returned it back into its tub, took out my
wheat, immediately limed it, and sowed it the next
day. This was invariably my practice, and I never
grew smut after.

I may just remark, I do not prefer smutty seed,
neither is there any occasion for steeping it twelve
hours ; bright clean seed need only swim, and skim
it, and take it out as soon as you can.

In my next letter I will give you an account of my
experiments, and explain a few other particulars. I
little thought at the time this smutty crop of wheat
of mine was to confer upon me such great honour as
it afterwards proved to do.

I remain, Gentlemen, yours respectfully,

MATTHEW HOLDICH.

West Auckland Markets. — Little more than
twelve months ago a weekly market and fairs were
established at West Auckland in the County of Dur-
ham, which having prospered beyond the most sanguine
expectations of the originators, amongst whom Mr.
Robert Procter, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was by far
the most prominent and active, the inhabitants of the dis-
trict resolved to present that gentlemen with a sub-
stantial and durable token of their regard, and at the
same time as an indication of their warmest approbation,
for what may justly be termed his patriotic services in so
essentially promoting the best interests of the locality.
A handsome subscription having been promtly raised,
Mr. Procter was invited to a public dinner at West
Auckland, on Monday, the 16th Oct., for the purpose
of having presented to him a splendid and massive salver,
weighing nearly seventy ounces, and bearing the fol-
lowing inscription. — " This piece of plate was presented
to Mr. Robert Proctor, of Newcastle, Merchant, by his
friends and neiglibours at West Auckland, in gratitude
for the great exertion he made in promoting and ob-
taining a Market and Fairs to be held in that place. The
Market was opened 17th September, A.D. 1836." The
Rev. Mathew Chester, the Chairman of the Company,
which was one of the most numerous and respectable
ever remembered in that town, delivered, on presenting
the plate, an animated and most appropriate address, in
which he set forth in the happiest manner Mr, Procter's

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

claims to their ^teful remembrance. Mr. Procter re-
turned his most sincere thanks, not only for the magnifi-
cent present of the splendid piece of plate, but for the
truly courteous and obUging manner in which the Rev.
Chairman had been pleased to address him on this occa-
sion. " Indeed," added Mr. Procter, with emphasis,
" your kindness this day will ever live in my memory,
and I will never forg'et the gratitude I owe." The com-
pany rose and gave three times three cheers on the ter-
mination of Mr. P.'s address, and the evening was spent
with the greatest conviviality.

PLOUGHING MATCH AT BROMLEY,
KENT.

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, the Annual Ploughing Match
of the West Kent Agricultural Association took place,
on the land of Mr. Skinner, of New Farm, near
Bromley, when fifty-seven ploughs were started by
a signal given, to compete for the premiums in the
several classes. The land consisted of four open
fields, nearly adjoining, the whole was clover-ley, and
lying in five-bout lands. The soil was a strong loam,
and from the previous dry weather, it was doubted
whether the ploughs would be able to face the fur-
row ; it was, however, soon found that the skill and
strength of the hardy sons of the plough, were suf-
ficient to surmount every obstacle ; for, although the
furrow, instead of turning over in a continuous slice
of mellow earth, cleft off, in many parts, in blocks,
(to use a ploughman's term) " as big as a horse's
head," and as invulnerable to a harrow-tine as blocks
of granite. Yet in spite of this, and also of the un-
favourable state of the weather, the rain falling at a
peppering rate during the latter part of the per-
formance, the work was completed in a superior
manner. The judges of the ploughing, Messrs.
Creswell, Martin, and Major, members of the Epsom
Agricultural Association, having inspected the work,
Mr. Parker, the Treasurer of the Association, after a
suitable admonition to the competitors to be content
with the decision of the judges, who were experinced
and practical farmers, coming from a considerable
distance, having, therefore, no preference or pos-
sibility of partiality, proceeded to distribute the
various prizes in a spacious booth erected on the
ground, as follows : —

Class 1. — For two-horse ploughs without a driver.

£. s. d.
To William Walker, servant to Mrs. Johnston 3 3 0
To William Hook, servant to Mr. Graham.. 2 2 0
To Thomas Betts, servant to Mr. Skinner. ... 1 1 0

Clas? 2. — -For ■ploughs with three or foiir horses with

a driver.

To George Fogden, servant to Mr. Lawford 3 3 0

Tothedriver 0 5 0

To Thomas Green, servant to Mr. Skinner. . 2 12 6

To the driver 0 4 0

To William Bass, servant to Mr. Edgerton.. 2 2 0

To the driver 0 3 0

To Richard Jessop, servant to Mr. MarshsU 111 6

Tothedriver 0 2 0

To John Hook, servant to Mr. Graham 110

Tothedriver 0 16

Champion Class. — For two-horse ploughs,
A prize of 3/. 3s. and a new hat to David Duncan,
servant to Mrs. Johnson.

Champion Class. — For three or four-horse ploughs.
A prize of 31. 3s. and a new hat to Jacob Harris, servant
to Mr, Abraham Owen.

Class for Ttirnrise plougft, with three or four-horses.

To Robert Berry, servant to Mr. Selby £3 3 0

Tothedriver 0 5 0

To John Elliott, servant to Mr. Ray 2 2 0

Tothedriver 0 3 6

To John Willshire, servant to Mr. Noakes. .110
To the driver 0 2 0

The members and friends of the Association then
repaired to the White Hart Inn, Bromley, where aa
excellent dinner formed a pleasing contrast after the
" dirty work" of the field. Hugh Johnston, Esq.
took the chair. After the usual introductory toasts
had been disposed of, the Chairman gave,

" The health of John Wells, Esq.," observing in
a highly complimentary manner on the uniform and
zealous conduct of that gentleman, both as a friend to
the Association of which he had been many years the
President, and also of the agricultural cause generally.

Song, " The fine old Fnglish gentleman," bv Mr.
Richardson.

" Prosperity to the West Kent Agricultural Asso-
ciation," was then given.

Song, •' I siyig as I swing round my flail," by Mr.
Davis.

" The County Members" was then given and
drank with applause.

Mr. Parker, in submitting the report of the so-
ciety, read letters of apology for non-attendance,
from T. L. Hodges, Esq. and Sir Wm. Geary, the
latter of whom recommended that the Association
should extend its premiums for long servitude, by
forming another class for servants under 20 years of
age, and also that premiums should be offered for
farming stock and produce. In the course of the
report, Mr. Parker announced donations received

from Peters, Esq., Boyd, Esq., .

Lawford, Esq., from MissTrale, and a fifth donation
of five guineasfrom Lord Farnborough. (^Applause.)

Comic song, " The wonderful great cow cabbage"
by Mr. Wilde, with great applause.

The Chairman then gave the health of " the
Judges of the ploughing," which was appropriately
acknowledged by Mr. Martin.

" The health of the Visitors" was responded to by
Mr. Everest, who expressed sentiments of satisfaction
at the friendly intercourse which bad hitherto ex-
isted between the Surry and West Kent Associations,
to their mutual advantage, and which he felt most
anxious should be continued.

" The Committee of Management," was then
given, and acknowledged by Mr. E. Owen.

After which it was moved and carried that the
present Committee be requested to act for the year
ensuing, with the addition of Mr. Lythegoe, who
proposed the health of the Chairman. In doing
which, he suggested the consideration and discussion
of practical subjects, such as the remedy for the
turnip-fly, &c. He was strongly impressed with
the utility of agricultural associations, as a means of
connecting the landlord, tenant, and labourer. It
was essential that landlords should exert themselves
in supporting the other two classes, on which they
themselves were dependent, to enable them to keep
pace with the rapid improvements in manufacture by
steam, &c. He hoped to see in future, this Asso-
ciation hotter supported, not only by their donations,
but by their presence.

The Chairman, in acknowledging the last toast,
observed that it was worth considering how far we
might be able to copy our neighbours in Surry, in
giving prizes for stock and produce, and recom-
mended to the Committee, the consideration of the
subjects suggested by Sir William Geary and Mr.
Lythegoe. — After which tlje Chairman retired.

518

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE BEST MEANS OF DESTROY-
, r ING SLUGS.

Sir, — I beg to thank you for the compliment paid
me in your last number. I have had little inclina-
tion to offer an opinion on any subject of late ; I will
however proceed to state the result of my experi-
ment. I had leaves scattered at every half-rod, over
7 acres of clover land, laying ploughed for wheat.
Set the children to picking on Friday morning — the
wind and sun drove the slugs into their hiding places
by 8 o'clock, and only one-half peck were collected.
On Saturday it was mild and cloudy during the
forenoon; picked the field over by noon, and col-
lected two-and-a-half pecks of slugs. Monday was
still more mild and humid, and the seven acres were
looked over, and three-and-a-half pecks of slugs col-
lected. Tuesday and Wednesday were cold and
stormy, and no slugs appeared. Thursday the field
was drilled with wheat.

The picking cost me 8d. per acre, and consequently
collecting the slugs cost 8d. per peck, but had 1
been aware that the state of the atmosphere was so
necessary to be attended to, I might have had them
gathered off at 4d. per peck.

In looking over the field since, I find no apparent
diminution in the number of slugs, therefore shall
scatter more leaves, and continue picking if the
weather permit.

I employed six children, selected out of sixteen
belonging to two labourers living in a cottage just
by, and consider my money better employed than in
purchasing lime, soot &c. ; or feeding and fatting
the slugs with sliced lurnips, or a succession of
fresh leaves, and leaving them to multiply, to en-
danger other crops.

The children although very young, soon compre-
hended what 1 wished to ascertain. They shewed
me that the slugs collected as much on withered leaves,
and the stalks and veins of such as were nearly
eaten up, as on the more fresh leaves, and that they
had no choice between beet or turnip leaves, or Kohl
Rabi, and they also shewed me many brown grubs,
and some black caterpillars (larva of the saw fly) ,
which they found on the leaves; thus a question
arises as to whether these also might not be col-
lected by the same process. The presence of the
brown grub I was not surprised at, but how the
caterpillars came so scattered about the field is a
mystery, as there was nothing to entice the flies to
deposit their ova upon.

I know little about the habits of the slug, it may
be supposed that at this late season, the slug may
not come above ground and eat off the wheat, but I
presume that less injury occurs from the blade being
eaten in mild moist weather, than from the shoots
being eaten off near the kernel in cold weather. If
the weather is very cold, the slugs may, for what I
know, be driven down below even the roots of the
wheat plant, and may remain in a dormant state till
the spring, but then it will injure the crop by feeding
on " the connecting pipe", (as Col. Le Couteur
calls it), between the radical and coronal roots, and
thus cause blight and root falling, and therefore the
more they are destroyed, the better.

Some few years since I was informed that a farmer
in Essex had 50 acres of wheat nearly destroyed by
the slug, and it probably ruined him, as he was
obliged to leave the farm soon after.

I am quite aware Sir, that it is almost useless to
recommend a trial of anything in the shape of speci-
fics for agricultural pests ; I am not surprised that
farmers should neglect to protect themselves from
the depredations of the insect tribes ; but it is most

extraordinary that smut is so prevalent when a clean
crop may be obtained at a mere trifling expense, and
that some farmers are selling their damp and black
wheats at a very low price, and buying clean seed at
double the money, and have continued to do so for a
series of. — I remain sir, your humble servant.

CHARLES POPPY.
Witnesham Oct. 30.

P. S. Seeing that my observations on the slug,
are copied from the Mark Lane Express in the
Suffolk Chronicle, I add, for the information of those
who have not considered the subject, that the
weight of a grey slug is equal to the weight of 11
kernels of wheat ; in size it is equal to 25 kernels of
wheat. Thus if there are a bushel of slugs on an
acre of land, and two bushels of wheat are sown,
there is one slug to every 50 plants of wheat, and if
they increase as I conceive they do, there would be
as many slugs as plants. But their existence may be
brief, and they may be all destroyed by gunpowder
treason, this I leave the entomologists to decide.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

Sir, — A few days ago a meeting was held in York,
for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society
for the county, a circumstance which will doubtless
be of vast benefit to the rural affairs of the county.
There is one circumstance however, connected with
its formation, which I cannot but regret. Many of
the speakers at the meeting alluded to the Highland
and Agricultural Society of Scotland, holding it up as
a model for its abstaining from politics, its pro-
vincial exhibitions of stock, &c., and very justly de-
scribed it as having effected a great and valuable
change in the agriculture of the country to which it
belongs. There was, however, no allusion made to
one of the most striking features of the Highland
Society, and the very mainspring of all its usefulness,
the attention it has paid to agricultural literature.
Look at its transactions, containing perhaps a body
of more interesting, scientific, and practical infor-
mation on agricultural concerns, than those of any
other society in existence.

Now while the proposed Yorkshire Society very
properly leaves the discussion of all acts of the legis-
lature to another agricultural association existing in
the county, and in some other respects follows the
admirable model of the Highland Society, why is
nothing said of giving prizes for essays on agricultural
subjects 1 It is a lamentable fact, that agricultural
literature is at this moment at a low ebb. AVe have
lost our Culleys, our Sinclairs, our Youngs, our
Marshalls, and a host of others, as agricultural
writers, and the mere exhibitions of stock, implements ,
&c., valuable as they are in themselves, will have
but little effect in spreading the knowledge of the
scientific principles of agricultural improvement.

I beg to call the attention of the noble president,
(Earl Spencer) the w^orthy members of the Com-
mittee and their intelligent and valued secretary, to
the subject, and submit that the importance of (he
subject demands their attention, and if this plan be
carried out, the Society will doubtless be of incon-
ceivable advantage to all classes of agriculturists.

Yours truly,

Yorkshire, Oct. 23, 1837. W. E. N.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

519

A FRENCH EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

" Having read, says Mr. Le Couteur, in a French
agricultural publication, an account of an experimental
farm and school, at Coetbo, in Brittany, about 300
miles from my residence in Jersey, I visited it in the
hope that it would be useful to the society of which I
am secretary.

" It is situated in a beautiful and fertile country,
well wooded and watered, but cultivated by the Breton
farmers just as their fathers tilled it two hundred years
ago. The college farm appears like a garden in a
smiling wilderness, so far as culture goes. I rose at
four in the morning in order to witness the whole
course of labour in this interesting institution.

" There were from eighty to ninety students under
the superintendence and tuition of a director, a pro-
fessor of agriculture and agricultural chemistry, a vete-
rinary surgeon, and an agricultural implement maker.
" At half-past four they took a slight repast, and as
the clock struck five, all were employed. — some in
harnessing the horses and oxen,— others in carting out
and properly disposing the implements in the field, —
others set to hoeing, — others weeding, some ploughing,
some hay-making, in a word to the various labours of
the season.

" The school is divided into working parties of ten,
at the head of each is a steady young man of experi-
ence, called the ' decurion,' who directs the work of his
party. In all difficult operations, a regular farming
labourer is at hand to perform them ; but such is the
ardour and perseverance of the youths, that they rarely
allow any difficulty to arrest their progress. The duty
of one decury or ten, is to dress, feed, and litter the
cattle with as much regularity as a cavalry corps dress
their horses, also to keep the farm-yard in order.
Thus all in turn are made acquainted with everything
connected with a farm, whether in regard to horses,
oxen, cows, pigs, oi manures. These last are made and
husbanded with the greatest care ; the mixons being
formed of sweepings, leaves, and weeds that had not
seeded, in alternate layers with stable manure.

" The drainings of the stables and straw-yard, run
into a tank to be pumped out when required as liquid
manure, which is the best, most portable, but least
known in this country.

" The learned Professor M. Donker, who is an ad-
mirable practiced, farmer, as polite and communicative
as he is learned, complained that he had not sufficient
manure. I urged him to burn the underwood and de-
caying timber of the large adjacent forests, through
which wide roads were cut, which would enable him
to obtain an inexhaustible supply of ashes, the best
of all manures either for turnips or wheat ; the cartage
of ashes being easy, and the quantity required to dress
the land not great ; in which he entirely coincided.

' ' At nine all come in to their studies, when they write
remarks on the various operations of the morning.
From eleven to twelve is the breakfast hour. From
twelveto three is the time for recreation and study, which
embraces for the first class, questions of the following
nature : — This farm of 600 acres, one-eighth of which
is always to be in beet-root, is to be divided into the
most eligible rotation of crops ; shew the most profit-
able course, and describe the nature and chemical pro-
perties of the soil in each field, the proper manures to
be applied to them, the quantity of seed required for the
crop, its culture, by previous ploughings, by after
hoeing or weeding, the cost and labour, and the proba-
ble return ?

" The plan of farming given by some of the youths
would have done credit to an experienced farmer, and
domonstrated clearly that though theory alone in
farming is an absurdity, the combination of practice
with scientific acquirements will soon operate great
amelioration in the agricultural woild. From three
till seven they prosecute their labour in the fields, being
eight hours' work in the day. They then come in for
dinner. At eight the director receives the report, from
every decurion, of the day's work of his party of ten.
He then orders the work for the ensuing day, giving a
concise lecture on the subject when necessary to the |

proper culture of any unusual crop. A library of agri-
cultural works is open to the students till bed-time, a
quarter past nine." * * <' The crop that appeared
to me to be most carefully cultivated, was beet-root in
drills, which produced per acre, about 750 pounds of
fine sugar, selling attenpence per lb. as fast as it could
be manufactured."

LENHAM AGRICULTURAL ASSOCI-
ATION.

Extracts from sceeches at the above meeting : —
The President said, in alluding to the system
of cottage allotments, that he had granted allot-
ments to upwards of 40 tenants ; and at Michael-
mas day all had come forward punctually and
paidtheir rent, excepting two, for whose absence he
could not account, unless, as he feared, they were in
the Union House. One poor widow had requested him
to grant her permission to continue the allotment
which had been held by her husband. She had
been unable in the preceding year to pay her rent, and
also unable to stock her ground. He had lent her
seed on condition that she would repay it in crop time.
The poor widow had brought him the full year's rent,
and at the same time the three sacks of potatoes which
she had borrowed of him. ( Cheers). He had been in-
duced to allude to this subject because he had lately
read in the paper, of the comfort and happiness that
had been created in the Bearsted district, where all
were associated in the good work. He regretted that
in his neighbourhood he stood alone, for in the district
hehad mentioned, the tendency of the system was to im-
prove the skill, industry, and happiness of those who
held the allotments, who all vied with each other in
tilling their land in the best manner. The comforts of
their families increased, their children were guarded
against idleness and crime, and trained to assist their
parents in gaining their own livelihood, — (hear), to
understand the best and most certain means of im-
proving their condition in life ; and thus, to become
the agents of their own future prosperity.

Major Wayth, in proposing " The Trade and Agri-
culture of the county," alluded to the present de-
pressed state of the hop trade, and urged the propriety
and advantage of calling a public meeting of the hop
growers of the kingdom, either to petition government
to take off the duty, or for the growers to come to
some understanding with each other. The gallant
Major's observations were interrupted by cries of" the
mattock,'' but he contended that unless some general
understanding were come to by all the growers in all
the districts, those who resorted to the mattock would
have no security that it would not be more for the be-
nefit of their neighbours than themselves. If some-
thing were not done to relieve the growers, who could
not even get a bidding for their hops, many of them
must be ruined. In adverting to the cottage allotment
system, he observed that he had now three years' ex-
perience of it in Bearsted. When its friends had first
introduced it (Mr. Biningfield Wise having previously
had some small occupiers), they had been smiled at by
some, who told them that they would have their land
run out, that they would get no rent, and get laughed
at for their pains. (Hear hear.) He, ('Major Wayth)
was happy to say that all these anticipations had
proved unfounded. The thirty-five occupiers were all
grateful and thankful for their allotments — they
wished to continue them, and others were desirous of
obtaining allotments. It was gratifying to be able to
mention that out of the whole of the labourers in
Bearsted parish, during the last summer, there was
only one on the poor-rate, and be was eighty-five years
of age. {Cheers.) He ascribed that improvement
wholly and solely to the introduction of the cottage
allotment system. {Hear, hear). The occupiers had
also requested the protection of the society for the
prosecution of depredators ; and had actually become,
instead of depredators themselves, as they had been
improperly considered, the protectors of property.
f Cheers). The toast was drunk with great cheering.

520

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE GROWTH OF GREEN CROPS
AND SOILING.

FROM MR. BLACKEr's ESSAY.

[The subjoined remarks, although particularly
directed to the holders of small allotments, con-
tain so many valuable hints which the occupiers of
large farms would do well to attend to, that we
earnestly recommend them to the serious conside-
ration of our readers. — Ed. F. M.]

Erroneous opinions as to land employed in raising
food for cattle — Different opinions as to value
of turnips compared with potatoes — Reasons for
preferring former for the use of small farmers —
Land to be applied to what will produce the most
money — Great return from buying poor sprin^iers
— Objections to continual tillage answered — In-
creased employment and good wages, and accu-
mulation of property thereby — No one to be dis-
couraged from commencing, however poor.

Were I to allude to every subject which might
appear worthy of observation, the lengih of this
address would greatly exceed that to which I pro-
pose to confine myself, but I cannot help further
remarking, that farmers in this country are apt to
judge erroneously in regard to the value of such
crops as turnips and mangel wurzel, and other
food for cattle, upon this principle — that they are
not saleable in the market, and they give an
undue preference to potatoes, on account of the
money which they can almost in every season
command for them. T am far from wishing to
detract from the value of potatoes, and the
great advantage which arises from their being
adapted to the food both of man and beast ; but
this very circumstance generally occasions their
being sold, and thus the farm is robbed of the ma-
nui'e, and the future produce curtailed, for the
temporary object of raising, perhaps, a triilng
sura of money, though the farmer might, in the
end, have even made more by/a^^ewiw^ stock with
them (in which respect many prefer them to any
other crop) and have had in this way the manure
besides. But if a farmer has plenty of turnips
and mangel wurzel, he is not tempted to misapply
them ; and they are, therefore, turned to the
purpose for which were intended ; and if he has
more than is required for that purpose, he buys
cattle lean and sells them fat, or he purchases
them in good condition, at November, and when
beef is cheap, and holds them over for a market
in spring, when it is dear ; or he buys springers
in March or April, at a low price, when fodder is
scarce, and sells them at May, when they are near
their calving, when grass is plenty. In all cases
he is sure of a good profit in money, besides what
he makes by manure, which is always most
valuable ; and both these crops have the advan-
tage of being used raw ; whereas potatoes ought,
when given to cattle, to be half-boiled, which con-
sumes a great deal of fuel if used on any great
scale. It is a disputed point, whether turnips or
potatoes are the most beneficial crop,* and great

* There is a very general complaint against tur-
nips.— that they give a bad taste to the butter ; but
this is not necessarily the case.

The fact is, turnip-milk will not keep as long as
grass-milk, but gets rancid ; and this is increased
by the practice of keeping the churn near the tire in
ivinter, which is sometimes done. The milk, on the

difference of opinion exists among persons hold-
ing large clay-land farms, where carting off the
turnips poaches the ground, and also among those
who make a trade of fattening cattle upon a large
scale, who have in several instances preferred the
latter. But whatever idea the large farmer or the
cattle feeder may entertain, it appears to me
there can be but one opinion upon the superiority
of the turnip crop as regards the small farmer.*
In the first place, the saving of fuel, to which I
have already alluded, is a most material recom-
mendation. Likewise the late period of the year
at which they can be sowed, which admits of
their succeeding rape, winter vetches, rye-grass,
annual clover, or early cabbage. The Malta tur-
nip may be sown at any time in July, with the
prospect of a full crop. Thus it is clear thatthree
crops may be obtained in two years, turnips being

contrary, should be kept cool, and warmed when
churning by as much boiling tvater as it will bear.
When yellow turnips are used, the butter will be
nevertheless a good colour ; but if wanted with
more of a yellow shade, dairy-maids use grated
carrot in a cloth, wet with boiling water, and squeeze
it into the chuin. As the milk does not keep, it is
of great importance to churn often — at least twice,
and, if possible, three times a week — so that it can-
not be let to stand for cream, but churned whole.
Where so frequent churning is impossible, it is but
to add one-eighth part of boiling water to the milk
as it comes from the cow, and cover it over with a
double cloth, which prevents the heat escaping, and
imbibes the steam, which seems to carrv off with it
the peculiar flavour which the turnip would other-
wise communicate ; but under any management
much will always depend on the cleanliness and
attention of the dairy-maid.

* Richard Lloyd, Esq., states as follows, in a
Treatise on Agriculture, lately published by him : —
The early Dutch garden turnips is by no means an
unprofitable root ; my breadth of land in vetches last
year being very limited, I reserved them all for my
horses. In consequence I sowed half an acre of the
early Dutch in March ; I commenced taking them
up in July, and, first steaming them, served them
without any other food to eighteen newly weaned
pigs, and also to three breeding sows and a
boar : they lasted until the end of October, when
my other turnips were ready to supply their place.
On the 23rd of the following November I sold the
eighteen pigs as stores for 23/., which had consumed
very little more than the produce of half an acre,
and left behind them several cart-loads of very rich
manure. Their condition as stores was remarkably
good, and they were never out of confinement until
they went to the fair. The price on pigs at that
time was high, but had it been considerably lower
they would have paid well. I have mentioned this
circumstance as a substitute for vetches ; and it is
well worth any man's consideration and adoption.
I should recommend vetches in preference, there
being much less trouble attending them ; but to Lave
a certain quantity of both would be most advisable.
This year my pigs will have no other food than
vetches as long as they last. It may be observed
here, that if a farmer is very desirous of trying two
crops in one year, he could not adopt a better or
surer plan than by sowing the early Dutch turnip
in March, and early in July putting in spring
vetches after them ; the vetches would be consumed
in October, and wheat might succeed them, but the
land must be of good quality, and the turnips wel|
manured. for.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

521

one; besides this, it is to be considered that the
principal use of the turnip crop to the small farmer
is the support of his regular stock and the supply
of milk and manure. Now a stone of turnips will
yield as much milk and manure as a stone of pota-
toes, and the same land will yield five or six stones
ot the former at least for one of the latter. Again,
when they are applied to fattening, and compared
with potatoes sold in the market, which is the
usual mode of disposing of them by small farmers,
it must not be forgotten that the expense and loss
of time in driving a fat cow to a fair, is nothing
compared to the labour of attending the market
with a horse and cart, day after day, to sell a
quantity of potatoes, when both the farmer and his
horse might be most advantageously employed at
home in the business of the farm ; and that, in
the former case, he gets his money in a lump,
whereas the potato-seller receives payment in
small sums, which, perhaps, may be frittered away
before it accumulates to any amount.*

It should also not be overlooked that even if
only half the potatoes were planted which the
family might require, in order to make room
for such crops as would produce food for
one or more cows, the value of the milk which
would be thus obtained would buy more
than twice the quantity of potatoes which the
ground taken would have produced ; and where
there was little land, it might be very profitable
farming to plant only early potatoes where there
was a good market at hand, to sell the whole off in
the end of July, and sow the land with rape and
Malta turnips, for winter and spring feeding.
The value of an early crop of potatoes is very
often superior to a late one, and the owner would
have the money to lay in his supply in November,
and would have, besides, all the winter and spring
feeding, and the milk and manure which the after-

* The force of these arguments appear to me still
stronger now than when originally wiitten ; for the
experience of 1835 has shown, that the wheat pro-
duced has so far exceeded the demand that the
price fell so low as to make it a losing crop to the
farmer; although formerly it was that upon which
he most relied to make up his rent. This was so
generally the case, that the land was turned to the
growth of oats and barley to such an extent that,
with the aid of but an indifferent harvest, the quan-
tity of wheat has been so reduced as to restore the
price to a remunerating rale ; but I have no doubt
that, from the improvement of agriculture, more
grain of all kinds will be raised in average seasons
than there will be found consumption for at profita-
ble prices. If this be a true view of the case, it is
quite evident that you should turn your chief at-
tention to cattle crops. It appears clear, in ordinary
cases, we can do without any importation of foreign
grain ; but we have never yet been able to do with-
out an importation of foreign butter, which, on the
contrary, has been annually increasing. This shows
what is most wanted ; and what is most wanted will
always pay him best who has it to sell ; and accord-
ingly, you will find, on calculation, that an acre of
clover and rye-grass, if applied to house feeding,
will yield you upon an average a larger return in the
value of the milk and butter it will give than any
averag^e produce from grain; the gain upon which
latter I fear will yearly become less until the quan-
tity at market shall be reduced by turning a large
portion of the soil to flax, hemp, butter, fallow, &c.,
which might easily be done by the legislature giving
(those crops the same protection as grain now enjoys.

crop would yield. A judicious farmer should not
consider himself bound to raise the potatoes he
will consume himself on his own farm. His ob-
ject ought to be to manage his land in such a way
as to produce hira most money, which will always
supply him with what he may want. Acting upon
this principle, it appears to me, the man who cul-
tivates green crops largely, and is able to buy
extra stock when wanted to consume them, will
make more of his farm than in any other way.
For example, suppose an acre of rape put in after
winter here or spring vetches, the land to be well
manured, and the plants dibbled in by the second
week in August, it will be ready to cut to great
advantage when the clover fails about the middle
of October, and would enable the owner to pay
himself well by vealing calves, after which it will
be ready to cut again in April following, and will
feed ten to fifteen head of cattle for a month or
five months ;* and supposing that springers have
been laid in a low condition, to calve about the
first week in May, they will by that time be so
much improved, and being also just ready to
calve, they will sell at an advance of 25s. to 30s.
each. But to take everything at the lowest, say
eight cows sold at 25s. profit, amounts to \Ql.,
leaving the ground and manure ready for turnips,
an acre of which will fatten four head of ordinary
sized cattle, which should yield a profit of 2>l. to
Al. per head, but, calculated at 50s., will produce
lOL more; that is, 201. gained by the acre, with-
out calculating anything on the October cutting,
which is worth 5L an acre more, leaving the land
in good heart for sowing barley or clover ; or he
mi!;ht put in spring vetches, and after feeding them
off in the same way, prepare the ground for wheat.
Now, after making the largest allowance for seed
and labour, and some hay for the cattle when
fattening, the manure being supposed to pay for
the straw, it is evident there will be more clear
profit remaining than any single crop would pro-
duce ; and, of course, if a man has money to deal
in this way, it will be his interest to do so, and
with the money so gainpd buy the potatoes or
other produce he may require. I have selected as
an instance a crop of rape to begin with, as it
comes in earliest, and cattle genei-ally give a
larger profit laid in about the end of March or be-
ginning of April, than at any other season. Mr.
William Dougan, of Lisdrumcher, has followed
this plan this last season, and has realized a much
larger profit; but at all seasons, springers, bought
in poor, and well fed for a month or five weeks,
and sold when ready to calve, are sure to leave a
handsome profit, perhaps more than vealing calves
as recommended in October. But the benefit
of having a large supply of rape, Swedish turnips, t
or mangel wurzel for spring, is also of great ad-
vantage where there are large grazing farms, as
it enables the stock to be kept in the straw-yard
until the straw rises, which, by the shelter it

* The cutting in October jn-events the crop in
April being so heavy as it otherwise would be, or
it would do more than this, if let come into blossom
without previous cutting.

t It is a singular distinction between the Swedish
turnip and all others, that it seems to suffer very
little in 1 he quality of the root, by being allowed to
stay in the ground and shoot up to seed, which
gives a cutting like rape, and yet the root will after-
wards remain sound and sappy, and fit for cattle
feeding until the end of June, When this plan is
pursued the ground should be afterwards sown with
late spring spetcbes, to cut ip October or November.

522

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

affords, draws up a succession of young shoots,
and produces a growth of p;rass that cannot be
eaten down by the stock, which would have been
half starved on the same ground if they had been
more early turned out upon it. Some of you,
however, may perhaps say, as I have often heard
it urged, that your land would not bear this con-
stant turning and ploughing for so many crops in
succession. But there seems to be a great mis-
take in this opinion. If repeated ploughing was
to do the land so much injury, how does it happen
that it produces such crops after a fallow, when
it has been ploughed perhaps five times with
scarcely any intermission. The truth is, that it
is not thg constant ploughing, hut it is the con-
stant grain crops you put in when you An plough
that does the harm ;* and you need have no fear
whatever about hurting your land in that respectf
if you only pursue the proper rotation of crops,
taking care to introduce vetches and clover be-
tween the grain crops, which refreshes the land
more in one year than lying out to rest in a poor
state would do in three or four, as I have already
said.

But others will be ready to complain of the great
labour it will require to put in one crop after ano-
ther in this way ; and no doubt more labour will
be required in this mode of cultivation than if you
kept half your farm constantly lying at rest. But
is not the want of employment your constant com-
plaint ? and if the crop pays you, are you not
better off working for yourselves on your own
farms, than working for Lord Gosford or Colonel
Close, into whose employment it seems to be such
an object to gain admittance ? That the extra
crops you will in that case find yourself possessed
of, will amply repay you for the extra labour you
bestow on them, you need not doubt. Look to
case of James M'Donnell of BalUndaragh, who
was one of the daily labourers at Gosf ird, whose
farm was in in such a neglected state that I direc-
ted his Lordship's steward to discharge him, and
send him home to work for himself. It is now
two years since, and at that time he was in the
greatest poverty, without a four-footed animal in
his possession. He thought he was turned to
beggary when he was dismissed ; but go to his
place now, and you will find him with a couple of
cows, and one or two pigs, and everything in a
thriving state about him. It appears, therefore,

* It seems to me that the increased fertility of
fallowed land is mainly attributable to that very
turning which is sometimes complained of as an evil.
By this, every part of the soil is exposed to the ac-
tion of the atmosphere, the effects of which in pro-
moting fertility may be estimated by observing ihe
barrenness which follows from excluding its influ-
ence. Examine the groM7irf Mnder the 6ac/c of one of
the newly levelled ditches, or what is called the seat
of the ditch. Now, when the ditch was originally
made, this was the surface productive sod, and the
stuff thrown out of the gripe to form the back was
perfectly barren till. But now you will find the
case exactly reversed : what was then the fruitful
surface soil is now rendered by being excluded, by
the back of the ditch heaped over it, from the action
of the atmosphere, and the back, which was then bar-
ren, is now rendered fruitful hy being exposed to it.

t So little cause is there to apprehend any im-
poverishment of the land, that I find on several farms
this last year they have lost their clover by the luxu-
riance of their oat crop, and they will have to change
to barley,

his own farm paid him better for his labour than
he was paid for it at Gosford ; and every one who
has land to work upon will find in like manner,
that he can earn more at home by raising extra
crops thereon than all he can make by his working
elsewhere. This last objection, therefore, should
rather be considered an argument in favour of the
plan proposed, than be given as an argument
against it.

I have thought it necessary to go into these par-
ticulars, because there are always people to be
found ready to start objections to everything
which differs in any respect from what they have
been accustomed to ; but to any one who takes
the trouble seriously to consider the matter, the
gain that may be made in the way I have just
pointed out, will be very evident; and the only
real objection I can see to its being more com-
monly acted on is this, that it requires more
capital, to lay in the extra stock required, than I
fear you are at present possessed of; the ivant of
which will therefore oblige you to leave the profit
to be made by dealing in cattle, in the manner I
have been speaking of, to others, and to limit
your own operations to the purchase and mainte-
nance of the permanent stock suited to your
holdings ; which, as I have elsewhere said,
should never be less than one cow to every three
acres of arable land ; and when you have once
attained to such a degree of prosperity as to be
possessed of that stock, be assured there is nothing
wanting but industry and sobriety to insure your
future comfort and independence, and also such a
gradual accumulation of property* as will enable
you to provide for your children without applying
to the miserable resource of dividing your farm
(already perhaps too small) among tliem, thereby
making paupers of your entire family. And let
no one be discouraged from commencing to raise
green crops, if he has the means of doing so, by
the consideration that he has not a cow to get the
benefit of them. Supposing he is so poor as not
to be able to buy a cow, still there are few people
who have their health, and are inclined to be in-
dustrions, who cannot raise the price of one, two,
or three young pigs, in which these crops will in
a little time produce such an improvement, that,
in the common course oi things, before many
months he will be enabled to purchase the cow he
was in want of j and would, most likely, not have
been able to get in any other way. Vetches, clover,
and cabbage, are excellent feeding for growing
pigs, and would soon augment their value to the
amount required ; and if this plan of getting a cow
should fail, he will seldom be disappointed (whilst
the system of farming now in practice continues)
in getting the use of a cow for her keep, from
those who have not sufficient food for their stock ;
by which arrangement he will have milk for his
family, and manure for his farm.

Important to Millers. — Berkshire Sessions,
before the Bench of Magistrates. — Kinch v. The
Wilts and Berks Canal Company. — Tliis was an
inquest of a novel nature, under the Company's local
Act, which gives the Company power to take water

* I do not know any considerable estate in the
North of Ireland, in which the tenant will not be
able to pay his rent by milk and butter, provided he
house-feeds this amount of stock, thereby leaving his
pigs, his poultry, and all his grain entirely to him-
self, which shows the practicability of the accumula-
tion here spoken of in all ordinary cases.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

523

from certain mill streams, on making proper compen-
sation to the owners of the mills for the damage occa-
sioned by it. The complainant was the occupier of
Fryars Mill, Shrivenham, near Highworth. — The de-
fendants were the Wilts and Berks Canal Company
proprietors. The complainant proved that the company
had taken water from his mill streams at three distinct
points, for a period of 52 days, for which the company
only offered a sum of 6/. Several respectable millers
proved the value of the water, and the defendants at-
tempted to shew, (but failed in doing so) that this mill
was known to be short of water before the canal was
made. Lord Barrington, the chairman ably summed
up the case, and the jury returned a verdict for the
complainant for 13l. and costs.— Counsel for the com-
plainant, Messrs. Williams and Bros : for the defend-
ants, Messrs. Carrington and Tyrwhitt.

IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS FOR THE
PREPARATION OF MANURE.

As a carpenter is known by his chips, so is a
farmer by his dunghill. Dung is the farmer's magic
wand ; making manure is the foundation of all good
agriculture ; and he who has the honest ambition of
being a good farmer, will give every attention to the
making and collecting manure, as the first and most
essential step in any system. — The following plain
directions, if followed, will add considerably to what
is, in truth, the farmer's wealth — his dunghill. It
will be said, all who deserve the name of farmers
know, at least, how to make dung ; but the contrary
is the fact; scarcely any one knows anything on
the subject, eitlier in theory or in practice : — Make
up your straw daily, as it is threshed, into stacks ;
and when you have a quantity, make it up in large
ricks, and thatch it as carefully as you do hay.
Never waste any straw, or allow it to be spread
about the yard, or on the road ; it would be far better
to plough it into the ground dry. One load of dung-
made as now directed, is worth five made of straw,
wet and rotted with rain, of which the principal be-
neficial qualities are lost and washed away. Keep
your cattle as much as possible in the house, winter
and summer ; your horses always ; your cows
should be in stall the entire day, from the 1st of
May until the 1st of November, and at night the
other months of the year. Let all have plenty of
bedding. Where sand is to be had, lay always a
thick layer first on the floor, and, especially, fill the
channels ; then cover with a good bed of straw.
Turf mould dry, is still better than sand. If neither
can be had in quantity, there is no place where one
or other cannot be got to lay in the channels, and
soak up the urine. Clean out the house, at least
every second day ; put back into the stalls any that
is not wet ; the stables should be cleaned every day,
morning and evening. Once a-week throw water on
the floors, and sweep them out clean, and sprinkle
them with powdered lime. If this is done every
day in stables, it will destroy the very unpleasant
smell, and prevent that volatile salt, so injurious to
the sight of horses. It is a healthy, a cleanly, and a
profitable practice. Make your dunghill as fol-
lows : — First, make a platform of earth (in some
roomy vacant place) — turf mould is far better^one
foot, or more, high, and twelve feet wide — you can
add to length, as you want; throw the dung on
this platform, say a foot thick ; then cover with earth
or turf mould ; a layer of sand on this earth ; some
earth on that, and then a layer of dung. Again, con-
tinue making your dung in the same manner, every

day, all the year round. A foot of dung, covered at
once with six or eight inches of sand, or turf mould
better than both. Bring out the dung, as soon
as cleaned from the houses. If your hurry is so
great that you cannot do so, cover it there at once
with earth. Go on raising the heap as long as dung
can be thrown up with shovels ; but never let cart
or wheel go on your dunghill. When at its height,
cover the sides with sods and mould, or earth,
packed close ; then add to the length of your plat-
form, and go on. It would facilitate your spring
work, if your dung heaps were in different places in
3'our field. It is a wasteful system, and a dirty and
slovenly practice, to throw dung out of the cow-
house and stable door, and leave it there to be dried
up in summer, all the fertilizing gases to evaporate,
and contaaiinate the air you breathe ; or, in winter,
the enriching qualities to be wasted away, and des-
troyed by the rain, or deadened by a superabundance
of cold water. It is a dirty, barbarous, beastly prac-
tice, making dung in the farm-yard, near your house ;
the air becomes unwholesome ; the house cannot be
kept clean. Dung is brought in on the shoes and
clothes, and the health of the family injured ; the
sight and the smell are injured and offended. Your
yard should be always clean, and swept once a-week,
at least with a broom. By having a pit at the
lower end of your yard, and as far from the house
as you can, made water-tight, and throwing into it
all the slops, the water running from the weekly
washing of the cattle, houses, with soap suds, &c.,
and then throwing in earth, rods, and weeds which
have not formed their seeds, refuse straw, &c., —
they will be good dung in a fortnight, and what is
now wasted and now a nuisance, will add to the
quantity and quality of your dunghill. Keep your
sheep in a house or yard at night ; put sand or litter
under them .- their manure is well known to be most
stimulant. Pigs ought always to be kept in a yard ;
their dung is the best ; they should be well littered,
and their houses often cleaned. If you manao-e in
this manner, you may be sure of having more manure
than you will want. Provided your cattle are abun-
dantly fed, you may be certain of having enough of
manure for one acre from each horse or cow, and
from every six sheep and six pigs. The weeds will
he cut before they shed their seed, and will soon be
eradicated from your land ; and those matters which,
before were useless and injurious, will come out of
the pit, once a fortnight, of much value. — The earth
put in the bottom of the dung, and in the alternate
layers, if not trampled on, will imbibe the juices and
fertilizing gases, and will prevent the dung heating
too much, and consuming both quantity and quality.
Dung put out from the houses, and treated as
now directed, will diminish very little in quality;
but without the foundation of earth, and the alternate
layers, a horse-load of fresh dung will heat, and con-
sume itself to less than a wheel-barrowful, and its
best qualities be lost. Cattle should be always well
fed, if it were only for the increase of the dunghill;
the dung of well fed beasts is much more enrichino-
to the laud than that of half-fed ; the dung of
carnivorous animals is better than that of those fed
on vegetables — an additional proof that half stock is
whole profit whole stock half profit. By giving
every animal plenty of litter, or keeping his stall
clean, it will tend greatly to the improvement of his
condition, and increase the dunghill. You know,
that cleaning- is half feeding. A gentleman who fol-
lowed the old system of manure-making, or, rather,
manure-neglecting, had every year to buy manure,
and draw it at heavy expence ; he adopted the plan
you are advised to follow and though he has not

524

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

increased his stock, he has now plenty of manure
for all purposes, and some to spare for top-dressing
meadows, — every one who has adopted the system
has found great benefit. Lime is a valuable assist-
tant, but not alone. Lime spread, when in powder,
on a field well ploughed, will greatly improve the
quality of the soil, increase the corn crop, and im-
prove the quality of the grasses. Forty barrels per
English acre is a sufiicient quantity, or two
dressings at an interval of five years, of 30 barrels
per acre, are perhaps, better. Lime mixed with old
banks, cleaning of ponds, and spread on lea-land in-
tended to be broken up, will greatly improve the sub-
sequent crops. Lime destroys all sourness or acidity :
put a piece of lime into vinegar, and it will take
away all sour taste. In like manner, it will sweeten
the herbage.- -Lime marl, found in manv parts of
Ireland, is an equally valuable dressing. Sea sand
acts in the same manner. They are all valuable as
helps ; but they are injurious, if dung is not applied
to the green crop — they stimulate the action of the
land too much ; they destroy the vegetable, and
bring into immediate action. Hence its great benefit
in old lea land. Oar weed is known to be a most
beneficial manure ; the best way to use it is after
the potatoe crop has been well dunged, as soon as
the stalks are coming up, to spread it on the ground,
and cover with the plough, when first earthing.
Malt dust is equally valuable, but good only for one
crop. It might be beneficially applied in the same
manner recommended for oar weed : it forces great
crops of hay, and would most probably, if sown after
the turnip or mangel wurzel, increase the crop, if
first well dunged. Bone dust has been proved to be
a highly valuable manure for the turnip crop — all
agree, that it is better when, being mixed with eartli
it has fermented ; there is no reason why it should
not be equally effective for mangel wurzel and pota-
toes. Mr. Deeble'svery valuable pamphlet explains
its eflfects, and directs its applic\tion. Burnt clay
is a good manure for one crop, or for a forcing top-
dressing for clover on meadow. Its preparation is
cheap and simple. Have a good many sods dried —
make four or five heaps close to each other — light
with a few faggots and sticks — when well liglited,
cover with more dry sods — and, when the fire is
well established, then cover well with clay ; prevent
the fire breaking through the sides, by putting up
rods. Put clay on the top morning and even.
"When the fire comes to the top, the earth gets black ;
put on only a little at a time, but never let the fire
break out at sides or top. At small expense, you
will have a large heap. This practice is very good
on clay and heavy lands, or moor and mountain. —
Where marl is to be had, it is a very good practice
to burn it in this manner.

EXPENSE or MANURES.

Lime, 40 brls. per acre, first cost. Is. Od. per brl.

Sea-sand, 80 horse-loads 5s. Od. a load.

Bone-dust, 25 bushels per acre. . 2s. 8d. a-bushel.

Malt-dust, 25 bags per acre 3s. Od. a bag.

Rape-cake, half a ton per acre.

I would recommend, to appropriate one man ex-
clusively to manure ; and at leisure, after cleaning
house, and putting on the heap, to collect grass weeds,
&c., out of plantations, dykes, and such like. Let
him never be taken from it ; a donkey, or a very
small hoise would do for a very good-sized farm. If
he has constant employment, he will be worth ten
times his daily hire to his employer. — Correspondent
of The Cork Southern Reporter.

PRESTON AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

Extracts from speeches made at the late meeting
of this Society : —

Mr. Cunliffe said, he had stated his opinions at the
recent meeting at Lytham, on the great necessity of
much more attention being given to the breed of horses
It seemed to him quite a mistaken notion to suppose,
that what was commonly called the cart horse breed of
horses was the proper kind for agricultural purposes ;
his own experience indeed had convinced him to the
contrary, for he had found a blood colt quite as efficient
a plough tit as the coarsest bred one, and on the blood
colt becoming- a four or five years old, he need not say
iiow different he was in value to the coarsest bred horse.
The land on his own farm had been ploughed by horses
varying in value from 40L to 100/., and he had never
yet found them injured by half a day's work ; and on
ijringing such into the market he had been enabled to
obtain 60/. or 70/. for them, a price so much exceeding
the sum which farmers generally obtained for the kind
of horses at their disposal, that it ought to convmce
them at once to secure the best breed to be met with.
There was another reason which he might argue in sup-
port of his opinion on the subject under notice, audit
was, that when the railroads which would ultimately
intersect the whole country were finished, there would
then be only two kinds of horses required^the best
bred, and the heavy dray horses. The time had there-
fore now arrived when farmers should no longer delay
to give to the subject their most careful attention.

Mr. Holmes said, it had often occurred to him that
a much less quantity of wheat seed than that which was
usually sown, would with proper management be found
amply sufficient ; and he had also frequently felt a cu-
riosity to ascertain how small a quantity might be sown,
with a regard being had to obtain a fair average crop ;
and in order to gratify these feelings by an experiment,
he last year made trial of the plan which he would de-
scribe ♦o the meeting. On the 8th of December, his
land was ready for the seed, a rather late period in the
year, as the meeting would be aware, and he planted
his^wheat at the rate of one grain in a square foot, or
nine grains in a square yard. This certainly had the
appearance of being an extraordinary small number of
grains for the extent of ground occupied, but he assured
the meeting that it had proved quite sufficient to realize
his warmest expectations, for it sprang up in the most
regular manner, and yielded so plentifully as almost to
exceed behef. On one head were forty-five grains, and
the whole crop was in the proportion of forty-two
bushels to the statute acre. He was then curious enough
to make some further calculations, and that there were
4630 grains in half a pound of wheat, and that if seed
were planted in the same manner that had so well suc-
ceeded in his experiment, four pounds ten ounces would
be sufficient for a statute acre, and he thoughtthat there
would not be great complaints made if 42 bushels of
grain could be obtained from a statute acre of land.
Mr. Holmes made some further observations on the sub-
ject, which were listened to with great attention, and
gave to all present the highest satisfaction, and before
he sat down he just desired to state a fact whick might
not be generally known to farmers, it related to a per-
nicious weed, called by some persons dog-standard, by
others rag-wort, and green-sward. Now it was well
known that cattle avoided this plant, and it was there-
fore a little useful information to know that if a few
sheep be put in the pastures where it is found, it will
instantly disappear ; he believed that one sheep to the
acre would be found sufficient to keep the land free from
the appearance of the rag-wort weed.

Mr. Almond briefly stated his opinions upon the re-
lative merits of white and green crops, and said that he
had on his farm of 90 statute acres almost altogether
adopted the green crop system, which he found to be
most advantageous. Mr. A. then mentioned the highly
improved condition to which he had been enabled to
bring his land by the system he pursued

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

625

PLOUGHING AND TRENCHING.

A deep soil is requisite to liave prime crops of
clover, lucerne, mangel wurzel, and Swedish tur-
nip, and most beneficial for every other crop.
The ploughing, in this country, is much too light.
The dimensions of the sod recommended in
ploughing lea land for corn, viz., a five -inch fur-
row and eight-inch sod, are considered depth
enough for all descriptions of land. Hence, our
crops are inferior, both in quality and quantity.
Now, observe the following directions for plough-
ing stubble-land, Juiended for your dung-crop the
following Spring. As soon as possible, after the
corn is cut, in order to facilitate the ploughing
deeply, and, also, to have a quantity of earth to
put in layers between your dung, make beds of
forty feet wide ; in the centre of each bed, plough
a trench of four feet wide ; carry all these to the
head-land ; plough again down to the bad soil,
and carry that earth also away. Let this trench
be the centre of each bed ; then, have one plough
following another in the same furrow, or the same
plough going twice in the same furrow, so as to
plough the ground from a foot to a foot and a
half. If the first plough take all the good soil,
then have a plough without a mould-board, to
deepen the subsoil to the above depth. By plough-
ing the three or four first sods a turn or two ad-
ditional, the centre furrow trench will be filled to
a level with the remainder of the ploughing.
Plough ten feet at each side of every trench, al-
ways keeping one plough following another in the
same track, and then you will have beds ploughed
all through the field twenty feet wide, and an
equal number of spaces of equal size unplougbed.
You then begin on that which was not ploughed
all through, ploughing with the double furrow,
throwing the sod now to the beds that are plough-
ed at each side. By this mode, the beds are 40
feet wide, and no turn on the head-land more than
20 feet. It would be great ease to the horses, if a
few men were kept to shovel over a furrow, occa-
sionally, to clear from the mould-board, and to
take up stones which impede the plough, throwing
them on the surface, and then at leisure drawing
them off the field. There will be less labour to
the horses, a lighter draft than in the present
mode ; as the sod will fall off into the deepened
furrow, there will be less pressure on the mould-
board, and no load of earth carrying from end to
end of the field, which, in the present practice,
adds greatly to the labour of the cattle. A field,
once well done in this manner, will be much
easier worked in the subsequent cultivation. In
small lots, trenching can be done by the spade and
shovel, by clearing out one trench at the end of
the field, the whole length, then digging or loosen-
ing with a pick-axe, the bottom spit of bad soil,
but not shovelling ; then throw the top of an
equal trench of land all along on this loosened
bottom, and the second spit over that ; then work
up the bottom as before, and so on through the
field. This is more effectual than the ploughing,
but much more expensive. The advantages of
trenching, or very deep ploughing, are as follows :
Deep soil is requisite for all tap- rooted plants ;
these plants draw nourishment from the ground
in proportion to the length they can push their
shoots, both down and laterally — every root
throws out small fibres ; it is through the fibre
that nourishment is brought to the plant ; the
greater the number of fibres, the greater the
quantity of nourishment brought to the plant

from the earth, and the larger it grows. If the
ground is deep and loose, the tap-root must be
long, the fibres numerous, and able to push them-
selves in all directions, sucking in nourishment —
but, if the ground is shallow or hard, the tap-root
must be short, and the fibres few. If the ground
is hard about them, they cannot enter the soil
and extract nourishment — the plant will then be
small and of little use : the greater the quantity
of pulverized earth the fibres and roots have to
collect from the larger and the more nourishment
in the plant. Again, in shallow or hard ground,
the rain does not enter the soil : it either rests on
the surface, if the land is flat — thereby destroying
vegetation ; if it enters but a little, and remains
near the plants, they will be yellow, sickly, and
never come to any good ; or it runs over the hard
ground doing no good, often cutting it up, and
carrying away the surface : when the rain from
the heavens (sent us to enrich the soil, and pro-
mote the growth of plants) is abundant, the plants
become sickly, and often perish altogether. In
dry weather they perish, because the winds and
the heat attract all the water which is in or near
the surface, and the plant perishes from lack of
moisture ; while, in the land which has been
ploughed deep, with a double furrow, or trenched
with a spade, the rain enters into every part, re-
mains in it, and is extracted from it by the roots
of the plant, daily supplying them with a suffi-
ciency of moisture. When dews fall, the same
takes place : it lies on the surface of the hai-d
ground, it penetrates into the loose, porous, pul-
verized soil ; it is drawn up by the morning sun,
from the one ; it is inhaled by the plant from the
other. You perceive all light soils — the sides of
hills, and such like — parched up and brown, in
dry and hot weather, giving no food for cattle,
while, in the same weather, you see deep soils
green as a leek, or the crops on them vigorous and
flourishing; just because one has no depth of
earth, and the other has. Again, by trenching or
ploughing deep, with a double furrow, you put
down to rest a worn-out soil, impregnated with
weeds, and seeds of corn-kale, full of slugs, and
worms, and eggs of insects, which injure, and
often destroy crops ; and you briug up a new,
fresh, vigorous, unexhausted soil — what the gar-
deners would give their eyes for, what is called
virgin earth ; and you also, by deep ploughing,
mix soils of different qualities, which correct the
defects of each — the stones and rubbly soil cor-
recting the heaviness of the clay surface, or the
tenacious subsoil correcting the too great open-
ness of the upper surface, as the upper and under
soil are, generally, found to differ in texture. This
process is imitated frequently, by casting earth of
a different quality on fields, at a considerable ex-
pense ; and two fields, both good for little, one
heavy, the other light and gravelly, were made
superior land ; and, by this process alone, and by
putting on lime, the finest crops of wheat were
grown on them. This result would have been
obtained at far less expense, by deep ploughing or
trenching. A farmer who puts down the old soil,
and bring=! up the new, may be compared to a
farmer who gets rid of his old, lame, broken-
winded horses, and lays in a stock of young ones.
His team is then as fresh as a four-year-old. The
benefits of deep ploughing and trenching will con-
tinue for many years : divide the expense by the
number of years its benefits will extend to — say
ten years only — and the extra expense will be as
nothing; but there is, actually, a saving of labour
by it, in a drilled crop, in the difference of expense

626

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

of weeding, for there are few or no weeds — in the
saving of ploughing between the drills, in the
scuffling and hoeing. The surface, for an inch or
so, may cake from wet : it only will want to be
stirred ; the under soil will not get hard for a
length of time. How different from ground not so
treated, which, in dry weather, gets so hard, that
an iron plough, with a man leaning on it, will
barely enter the ground ! In ground properly
deepened, every growth of the root is in deeper
and better soil, refreshed by rest, where the weeds
have rotted, and are now food for plants, instead
of, as before, their destruction. Where does the
root go ? Is it not always down ? Did you ever
see a root grow up ? The second, or even the
third, spit of earth will suffice to cover the seed
from the weather and the birds ; the roots quickly
strike down, and get every step more and more
into better soil, instead of, as in land lightly
ploughed, after going down a little way, eight or
ten inches at most, being stopped by hard, impe-
netrable soil, and its growth retarded. Then, in
your clover crop, you will have great benefit • it
will be a much heavier, and much cleaner crop ;
none of that crows-foot, which neither cow nor
horse will eat ; all colts-foot and rood-weeds de-
stroyed, of which we see how our clover crops are
full ; and then the succeeding wheat crop will be
far better. The number and size of the clover
roots, which are particularly nutritive for wheat,
will give the crop great nourishment. The wheat
extends its roots much farther than is supposed
here ; they will have no obstruction, and the cut-
ting in the harvest will be like the cutting of a
loaf. Try one acre even, trenched, or deeply
ploughed, with a double furrow, and anottier
ploughed as at present ; compare the result, and
follow the practice which makes the greatest clear
return. But some may say, the neighbours will
laught at me ; and, because every one goes on the
present system, so will I. Let those laugh that
win— you will soon find the laugh to be on your
side. Their following an old practice, because
they know no better, when a better can be fol-
lowed, is no reason. It may be an argument for
a horse who is drawing his load through the deep
ruts, because other horses are going before him
in the same track, while the smooth road is along-
side ; but it is no argument for a man who is
given, by the Almighty, a mind to reason and
compare, and judgment to select. I will calLto
your recollection the last advice of the dying far-
mer to his sons : — They believed him to be very
rich, and they asked him where his money was ?
He replied, that he forgot; but, that he buried it
two feet under the surface of one of his fields ;
they dug all the land and turned it over to that
depth, but found no crock of gold. However, the
next and subsequent crops shewed them their
father's meaning, as their crops proved superior
to all others ; the increased produce of the soil
brought them to wealth, and the character for in-
dustry they acquired, made them sought for as
tenants by all the landlords around them. — Cor-
respondent of The Cork Southern Reporter.

The Ten Guinea Silver Cup, as mentioned in our last
paper, for the best pen of South Down ewes shown at
Alresford market, has been presented to Mr. Minchin,
of Sutton Farm, in consequence of Mr, Budd, of Hatch
Warren Farm, not having &o;itt^rfe sold his ewes. It
appears they were brought to market to show his supe-
rior breed of stock, and not intended to be sold. — Hamp-
shire Chronicle.

ON PUERPERAL FEVER:

BY A VETERINARY SURGEON.

(From the Veterinarian.)

After the many communications published in The
Veterinarian, and opinions expressed at the meetings
of the Veterinary Association on the disease known
by the unscientific though significant name of drop-
ping after calving, it would be almost time to drop
the subject, only that it appears no two that have, as
yet, given their opinions are fully agreed as to its
nature, cause, or proper means of treatment ; such
being the case, I am bold enough to give mine, —
that somewhat similar symptoms arise from different
causes constituting widely different diseases, and
therefore not to be treated upon any one plan which
has been recommended ; but I dare say yourself and
readers will not be so well pleased with any thing I
can write in illustration as with the following ac-
count of a case (as far as I recollect, different from
all that you have published), in which the disease
('with its characteristic symptoms and cause of
paralysis} was fully developed in a few hours, and
without the slightest affection of the uterus ; aflfording
a very satisfactory, if not an altogether new view
of the matter, and leaving no cause for wonder that
such cases are generally fatal : —

A rather old Alderney cow (a great milker, and
rather remarkable for keeping herself in good con-
dition also) that had not had a calf for the last three
years, continued to give some quantity of milk till
within the last few weeks, and appeared to be incon-
venienced by the size of her bag, making it necessary
to milk her some days before her present time for
calving ; on the arrival of which she was put in at
night and turned out again the first thing in the
morning. She shortly after brought forth a very fine
calf which she licked, and appeared as well as pos-
sible till towards evening, when she was observed
to reel in walking, and T was immediately sent for.

At 9 P.M., I found her standing in a shed, without
the least appearance of pain, dejected of countenance,
or fever, and her shape more contracted than is usual
for the time; she had dunged a good deal in the
night, and at the time of calving, but (as the man
said) not since, and the rectum was empty. She
appeared rather full ; but, on the whole, there was
nothing to indicate a serious affection, till I directed
that she should be driven into an adjoining cow-
house, which she reached with difficulty. On turn-
ing round when in, she fell on her offside, and her
head turned, as it were, involuntarily on the near.
As I have said before, there was no appearance of
fever, and the circulation was rather languid ; never-
theless (from what I had seen before and read on
the subject} I thought proper to bleed to the extent
of six quarts, and gave her a pound of Epsom salts,
sending her another half pound with two ounces of
ginger to be given immediately, and directing some
gallons of warm water to be given within the next
three hours. This was done; she turned on Ler
other side, and appeared lively till towards three in
the morning ; when the man in attendance thought
proper to give her some more water, in doing which,
her powers of deglutition being impaired, some of it
passed down the windpipe, and a fearful change im-
mediately took place. 1 was called up at five, and
found her almost dead ; but administered a dose of
gin and spirit of hartshorn, which appeared to revive
her for a time ; but she died about three hours after.
I may as well mention here, that on turning herself
her head again turned on the upper side, and her
neck twisted in a way that surprised the attendants.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

627

1 attended to see her opened, and arriving before the
skin was taken off, took out my pocket scalpel, and
was cutting away to examine what is called the milk
vein, when my attention was taken by tbo striking off
of the horns, and was just in time to witness the
escape of some quantity of dirty reddish coloured
fluid from the surface of the brain, which substance
appeared healthy ; not so the pia mater, which (to
use a vulgar expression) had the appearance of a
bloody rag, and which extended a considerable way
along the spine. The lungs were, as may be ex-
pected, somewhat distended, but healthy looking;
there was a slight redness of some parts of the small
intestines, hardly to be called inflammation ; the
uterus contracted as much as the time could allow,
and scarcely tinged red, which must always be the
case more or less.

I have only space at present to briefly mention
another case of the kind, in which the bowels and
uterus were considerably inflamed ; the pia mater
also ; and I thing it likely that some efl'usion had
taken place, but not observed as in the fermer case.

THE FIELD GARDEN SYSTEM.

FROM THE BATH ASD CHELTENHAM GAZETTE OF
OCTOBER 31.

There is not a gentleman in her Majesty's domi-
nions who has more zealously and successfully
exerted himself, to raise the poor man to that lauda-
ble feeling of self respect and independence, which
are the best guarantees for his good conduct as a
man, and his allegiance as a subject, than Captain
Scobell, of High Littleton. A Correspondent has
put us in possession of a few facts relating to this
system, and its usefulness, and as it is the dissemi-
nation of facts that is the most likely to carry the
plan into new quarters, we are most happy to avail
ourselves of his communication.

1. The Labourer's Field Garden Annual Rent
days, have lately taken place at High Littleton and
Midsomer Norton.

2. In these two parishes there are more than 200
families so occupying, and full 40 acres so appro-
priated. About 100 of these families are the tenants
of Captain Scobell, who commenced the system in
the neighbourhood seven or eight years ago.

3. It is now extensively followed in 30 or 40
neighbouring parishes.

4. The Rents at High Littleton and Midsomer
Norton, have this year, as usucxl, been punctually
paid.

5. The lands are all well manured, and the crops
are very productive.

6. The general labouring population is much im-
proved in moral and industrious habits, and in do-
mestic resources. In fact the plan is quietly but
permanently establishing, among the labouring fa-
milies, a better estimation of character, honest inde-
pendence, contentment, civility and comfort, and a
desirable and secure tie between landlord, farmers
and labourers.

7. Whilst in Somerset, crime is increasing, (since
the last gaol delivery 200 persons have been com-
mitted for trial at the Sessions, just closed at Wells
and Bath), not any of those 200 Field Garden's
Tenants, from the first day of their occupation to the
present moment, have been committed for any offence
whatever. This is extraordinary, but strictly true.

8. The Rents are the exact value to the occupying
armer previously paid at the wholesale price.

GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN DOMESTIC
ECONOMY.

We have to notice a discovery which will pioduce
a greater change in the arrangementsof domestic life
than any discovery, perhaps, that has been made for
a hundred years past. We allude to the substitution
of gas for coals in the warming of houses, in cooking
operations, &c., atmospheric air, and the burning of
the mixture tlirough wire gauze. The modes of
doing this may be varied according to the taste and
fancy of the consumer; but we shall describe one of
the simplest modes of application, as best suited for
general purposes. Supposing, then, the fire is wanted
near the ordinary position of the grate, a gas-pipe is
led to the spot, and the jet is fixed pointing up-
wards, so as to be about four inches from the floor
or hearth-stone. This jet is surrounded with a sheet-
iron pipe, or cylinder, of a diameter from 3^ to seven
inches, according to the quantity of fire wanted, and
of the height required, say from one to three feet, and
the top of the cylinder is covered with a piece of
fine wire gauze, kept in its place by a small iron
hoop, circumscribing the cylinder in the same way
as the hair cloth is secured on a common sieve. We
have spoken of the mixture of gas with five or six
times its quantity of atmospheric air ; and the ques-
tion may arise. How are we to mix substances which
are neither visible nor tangible 1 It fortunately hap-
pens that no care on this point is necessary. The
bottom of the cylinder which circumscribes the jet,
and in wliich the mixture of gas and air takes place,
has supporters fastened on it, to raise it an inch or
two from the floor ; or openings are cut out of the
cylinder itself, so as to admit the air to enter freely
at the bottom. These openings can be easily varied
by dampers to admit such a quantity of air as may
on trial be found most advantageous. The top of
the cylinder may pass through an iron plate, which
may be kept on a level with the wire gauze, and
which plate will serve to hold cooking utensils in
the kitchen, or mantel-piece ornaments in drawing-
rooms, dining-rooms and bed-rooms. If this top
plate, which may be of any size or shape required, be
exactly on a level with the wire gauze, then it will
be necessary to place it on a small stand, so as to
keep the bottom of a pan or kettle three or four inches
from the wire gauze. A perforated piece of cast
iron may be laid on the top of the wire gauze, for
the purpose of raising the flame a little above it and
thus rendering it more durable. No change of
grates is necessary to introduce this plan of heating
apartments. Any number of these fire-places can
be fitted up in a kitchen range, so that, if room per-
mit, a dozen or a score of pots may be boiling, each
on its own fire ; while, to make one boil fiercely, and
another to simmer slowly, no labour with poker or
tongs is required ; all that is necessary is a small
touch of the stop-cock, by which every fire in the
range may be made to burn with different degrees of
intensity. Of the many advantages of this discovery
we may mention a few. With respect, then, to the
price, it is found that one jet will be quite sufiicient
for the cooking and warming purposes of an ordinary
small family, occupying a room and kitchen, and
who are in the habit of keeping only one fire burn-
ing ; and it is estimated that the cost of this, taking
into account its being in summer, extinguished im.;
mediately after the cooking operations are finished,
when the state of the weather does not require arti-
ficial heat, will not exceed the half of the cost of
keeping up a coal fire. Larger and more opulent
families, with many fires, will, of course, save in the
same proportion. In the lighting of fires, no chips,

528

I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

no peats, no puffing and blowing with mouth or bel-
lows, are necessary ; and what in many cases is
highly important, no time is lost. A person, in
kindhng a fire, has only to turn the stop-cock, sup-
ply a lucifer or other match, and his fire, in a second,
is in readiness for boiling- a kettle, or frying a beef-
steak, either of which it will do in a very few
minutes. Here, then, are coals wholly dispensed
with — here is a total escape from the nuisance of cin-
ders, ashes, dust, and what is still more annoying —
smoke. Papers, and other fine goods, wearing ap-
parel, &c., are often discoloured, and, of course, de-
preciaied in value by smoke; but this evil will now
be wholly avoided. In warehouses and writing
offices the advantage will be apparent, and to inn-
keepers and tavern-keepers it will be hailed as one of
the highest boons that could be conferred on them.
For the heating of public buildings, schools, stoves,
&c., it is admirably adapted ; and the South Church
will to-morrow be heated with it for the first time.
The effect that this discovery may have upon the
erection of buildings, will, uo doubt, be great. Fire-
places will be unnecessary — vents will be unnecessary
— coal cellars will be unnecessary — soot and soot-mer-
chants, and climbing-boys, will all disappear — and
grates, fenders, fire-irons, and bellows, will disappear
with them. Many families will be able to keep one
or two fewer servants in their establishment. Back
smoke and front smoke will all vanish ; cities will in
a great measure be cleared of the volumes of smoke
in #^&idll "th'ey are perpetually enveloped ; and every-
thing will be what Englishmen love— clean, tidy,
warm, snug, and comfoitable. This discovery was
made by Mr. James Cookf Manager of the Gas-
Works here. — Paisleu Advertiser,

6Se1t ■^feRitt»iiTtJRAl Meeting at Dum-

FklES OF *ffE"RdYAt AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

OF Scotland i October 4.— We were, inundated
with visitors from all parts of the world; twelve
hundred dinner tickets were sold for the grand
pavillion, and at one shilling per head for entrance into
the show ground, and when the money was counted at
the Bank of Scotland, it amounted to 380Z. sterling,
which multiplied by 20, gives 7600 persons, besides the
judges, the owners of the stock, their attendants, and
others a'dmitted free, after the judges had retired.
The cattle and horses were ranged round the exhibi-
tion park, and the sheep in the middle, which were the
finest which had ever graced any of the Highland exhi-
bitions. In the new market house, Messrs Lawson
and son exhibited nearly every valuable root and tree
cultivated in Britain — grains and pulse in sheaf and
bag, above stairs ; and below, improved ploughs and
drill and cleaning machines of every description, and
the curious vacuum machine invented by our towus-
|nan Mr. Charters. But here we must refer to the
official return. Of wheat we found no less than 90
different species and varieties ; of barley, 20 ; of oats,
39 ; of grass, 250; chiefly species of herbage plants,
60; of plants for dyes, 18; oil plants, about 20; of
flax and Other fibrous plants more than 10, and nearly
one thousand potatoes, of different sorts. In the front
of the market butter and cheese were exhibited, which
show their progress as dairymen as well as farmers.
The third section of the market place was filled with
giant vegetables, such as Swedish and yellow turnips,
carrots red and white, mangel wurzel, huge cabbages,
&c,, roota baga, and potatoes from the original weed
imported from Venezuela. Judging hy their looks,
the dense crowd derived the utmost pleasure from the
inapection of this valuable collection of roots and
seeds ; and above all, perhaps, the unapproachable
specimens of wheat which take the names of " the
Whittington and Hickings' prolific ;'' which last seems
the same which received a premium from the Societe

des Amis des Arts, this year at Dijon, in France, under
the name of Ble Belgique. Thousands were higlily
gratified by seeing the steam-plough of G. I. Heathcote,
Esq. M. P. for Lincolnshire. And these roots for
feeding of cattle are the more important, as it is es-
timated for the supply of the metropolis, from May
1836 to May 1837, there were shipped from four
Scotch ports (Leith, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness)
to London and Hull, 9,606 cattle, 6,613 sheep, 7,569
lambs, 197 horses, and 2,162 pigs ; and in addition to
these, 11,621 barrel bulk (or about 1,500 tons) of killed
meat" This is exclusive of the trade of the south west
of Scotland ; and the wharfage at London on live stock
varies from 3s. to 5s. for a single ox from the sum of
111. to 23/. Query. — If it answer to farmers in North
Britain to pay carriage and wharfage, would it not
answer to farmers in South Britain to enquire into
the plan of feeding, by which the 40 fat cattle by steam
from Scotland, on the 30th May, lowered the price of
meat in the grazing district of Lewes ? And the
Scotch, so far from wishing to check enquiry, have
thrown open their large and numerous premiums to the
whole of united kingdom. — See the 36th No. of the
Quarterly Journal and Prize Essays of the Agricultural
Society of Scotland.

CLOVER SEED CALCULATIONS.

France.

Holland.

Ham

BRO'.

Per lOOKil-i Perl04Kil-

Por SO Ne-

Per lOOIbs.

lograinmes

lograrames.

therland lbs.

Hambro.

B

25i fr.

ex
25^ h.

ex
25i fr.

ex

25 J fr.

ex 12 florins.

ex 13^ m.b.
Agio 27 p. ct.

<t3

marcs

s. d.

s. d.

s. d.

s. d.

florins

s. d.

cur.

s. d.

80

32 4

32 0

31 1

30 9

20

34 0

1

1 3

85

34 4

34 0

33 1

32 8

21

35 8

2

2 5

90

36 4

3§ 0

34 11

34 7

22

37 5

3

3 8

95

38 4

38 0

37 0

36 6

23

39 ]

4

4 11

100

40 5

40 0

3S 10

38 5

24

40 10

5

6 1

105

42 5

42 0

40 9

40 4

25

42 6

6

7 4

110

44 5

14 0

42 9

42 3

26

44 2

7

8 7

115

4S 5

46 0

44 8

44 3

27

45 11

8

9 9

120

18 6

48 0

16 7

40 2

28

47 7

9

11 0

125

50 6

50 0

48 7

48 1

29

49 4

10

12 3

130

52 6

52 0

50 6

50 0

30

51 0

20

24 S

135

54 6

54 0

52 5

51 U

31

52 S

30

36 9

140

56 7

56 0

54 4

53 10

32

54 4

40

49 0

145

58 7

SS 0

56 4

55 9

33

56 1

50

61 2

150

60 7

60 0

58 3

57 8

34

57 9

60

73 5

155

62 7

62 0

60 2

59 7

35

59 6

1

1,224

160

64 7

64 0

62 0

61 6>

38

61 2

1

,401

,4

,388

.386

1

1,7

Say 51

killo. -= 1 cwt. '

51 N. lbs.

1051b3. Ham-

-= 1

cwt.

bro' ■=

1 cwt.

N.B. To the above prices, add freight, duty, insurance,
landing charges, &c., also the charges at the shipping
port if not offered free on board.

A Miraculous Apple Tree. — In the 385th
number of the Philosophical transactions of the Royal
Society, Mr. Dudley gives an account of an apple-tree
which annually bore a very considerable quantity of
fruit, though it had never a single blossom, nor any-
thing like ablossom upon it. In the course of his obser-
vations, he states that he daily examined the tree till he
annually saw the young apples begin to appear on it
which he did he says in plenty, at the time that the
other which had borne flowers produced theirs, and
that the apples ripened upon it like those upon the
other trees. He also adds, that though he had ob-
served this apple-tree only for three years, there were
several persons in the neighbourhood who assured him
that it had gone on in the same way for forty years,
bearing fruit regularly every year, but never producing
any flowers.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

529

THE GREAT AGRICULTURAL
NER AT MARKETHILL.

DIN-

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWRY TELEGRAPH.

Sir, — Presuming that ydu will be as well pleased to
receive an account of the proceedings at the Market-
hill Agricultural Dinner of the present year, as you
were on former occasions, I proceed to give you the
best statement I can of what took place at the meeting
there on the 6th inst. The company was, as usual,
made up of the successful competitors for Lord Gos-
ford's premiums given for the encouragement of house-
feeding the stock upon his estate, together with a num-
ber of the respectable tenants and gentlemen of Mar-
kethill, invited to be present on the occasion of an-
nouncing the premiums, besides several gentlemen in-
terested in the agricultural improvement of the country
and promoting the comfort and welfare of the small
farmer. In this number may be reckoned Mr. Rose,
from the neighbourhood of Monaghan, a most zealous
improver ; Mr. Millar, of Moneymore, agent to the
Drapers' Company estates in county Derry ; Mr.
O'Neill, aerent to Mr. Douglass, of Grace-hall ; and
several agriculturists from different estates upon which
the house-feeding system is in course of introduction,
and who interested the company much by the account
of the success which had attended their endeavours in
that respect ; Mr. Boothe, from Sir Thomas Staples,
Bart.'s, property; Mr. Anderson, from Richhill es-
tate ; Mr. Milne, from Colonel Close's estate ; Mr.
Perce, from Dungannon school lands ; Mr. Bruce,
agriculturist to Lord Gosford, &c. &c.

Before dinner the company had an opportunity of ex-
amining some specimens of the mangel wurzel potatoe,
which Mr. Bruce exhibited as being likely to answer,
from their great size for cattle-feeding upon heavy clay
lands, where turnips could not be cultivated to advan-
tage. He also produced one of Dale's Hybrid turnips,
from his field, of the extraordinary weight of 211bs.,
taking the bulb and leaves. Mr. Blacker also pro-
duced specimens of linen, cotton, and woollen manu-
factures, uot differingfrom any others of their respective
kinds apparently, but which, from having undergone
some preparation, were made waterproof. These sam-
ples had been forwarded by Rlr. Starr, of Eastbourne,
in Sussex, who stated the preparation to be of a cheap
and simple nature.

In the absence of the Earl of Gosford, now in Ca-
nada, and Lord Acheson, absent on account of illness,
Mr. Blacker acted as Chairman, and introduced the
announcement of the premiums, which consisted of
diiferent agricultural implements, iron gates, and other
articles useful to the farmer, by stating that these pre-
miums were decided by taking into consideration the
smallest quantity of pasture which had been used in
summer and the largest quantity of green crop re-
served for winter use ; these two points taken together
•with the stock proportioned to the extent of farm,
seemed to combine the best data for the decision, al-
though it excluded many most deserving competitors,
■who excelled the rest in some one particular taken
singly. He instanced Mr. Jenkins, of Drutngaw, who
excelled all the others as to his Summer feeding, but
■who had not made sufficient preparation in green feed
ing for winter and following spring. Mr. Blacker cau-
tioned every one who might have anything to state in
regard to the management or produce of their farms,
to keep within the bounds of what they could satisfac-
torily prove. These observations having been made,
he proceeded to read the premium list, by which it ap-
peared that

.Tames Rolleston, of Drumminis, was entitled to the
first premium, having liad four cows, one lieifer, and
one horse on t?A. \r. of land. The Chairman here re-
marked that tiiis was a larger stock than would he re-
quisite under ordinary circumstances, but that the pro-
duce of the dairy was sold in Armagli.

James Roli.estox being tiien called on, stated tliat,
•when the Graham estate, on which he was a tenant,
had been purchased by the Earl of Gosford, ho was in

very poor circumstances— that, upon adopting the plan
of house-feeding, Mr. Blacker had advanced him 25L,
to buy about four acres of land that had formerly be-
longed to the farm he held— that, by the extra produce
obtained from the land, under the present system of
management, he had paid off the 25/., and his other
debts and arrears of rent, and had reahzed by his milk
and butter this season, 17/. 6s. 8d., and expected to in-
crease that sum considerably before the year expired,
and concluded by saying he was very content, and
looked forward to improve in his circumstances an-
nually.

Robert Mitchell, of Urumbeecross, having ob-
tained the second premium, being called on, stated that,
in 1833, he had but one cow, and was only able to ma-
nure one acre and a rood of ground. He had now, in
1837, four cows and a horse, and had three acres and
one rood of potatoes, and three roods of turnips, whicii
might be seen on the farm, and that the produce of the
farm in grain had increased in a similar proportion.

George and John Beatiie, of Cornicrew, were then
called forward, having got the third and fourth premi-
ums ; and it appeared from their statements that their
father's farm, some years back, had been divided, and
that, by following the new system, they had each of
them more stock and crop on their respective halves
than their father had upon the whole, and had nearly
double the quantity of manured land.

Robert M'Cammon, of Drumminis, a,nd John Cul-
lens, of Ballendaragh, were then named for the fifth and
sixth premiums ; and the former being called on, stated
that his farm was less than three acres, but that he was
able to keep his cow in the house, and had sold of but-
ter during the season to the amount of 71. 4s., and ex-
pected to make more now, as she had calved within
these few days, and he had plenty of turnips for her,
and a good cock of hay. When he began the new sys-
tem, he owed 12/. Tis., which he had paid, with the
help of his children, and also 4/. for lime, and being now
clear of debt, he expected to do well in future. He
amused the company very much in concluding by boast-
ing of what a treasure he had in his wife, upon which the
CiiAinMAN gave, as a toast, with all the honours,
" Farmers' wives and Farmers' daughters," which was
drank with loud cheers. After the cheering had sub-
sided, the Chairman stated that he was afraid some
who might read the account of their proceedings might
think it ridiculous to admit such small holders as com-
petitors for premiums — but he, for his own part, viewed
the matter in a different light. There was an old thrifty
proverb, which said, " take care of the pence, and the
pounds would take care of themselves" — and he was in-
clined to adopt the idea in the management of an estate,
viz., to take care ef the small tenants who were the
pence, and the large farmers who represented the poMJu/s,
would be able to take care of themselves in like manner.
The last four premiums were obtained by persons who
had no grazing whatever, their small farms not admit-
ting of their keeping horses.

The Chairman then gave, as a toast, " Spade Hus-
bandry," upon which Mr. Greer, a farmer, holding a
valuable perpetuity on the Richhill estate, mentioned
that in a district not very far from him there was a strong
feeling arising in favour of digging the land deeply, in-
stead of fallowing, which saved a year's rent, and was
not more expensive than tlie necessary ploughings.

The Chairman said he had heard that a similar prac-
tice was beginning in Scotland ; that it was, in his opi-
nion always better for tlie small farmer, under any
course of crops, to dig his land up bef^ore winter ; and
that by not doing so their work was in general badly
done by a hired horse, and almost never finished in the
prnjjer season.

The premiums for best turnips were then read out by
the Chairman, when it appeared Mr. Bruce had ob-
tained the certificate for best crop ; but having, in
former years, received three premiums, and Mr. Bark-
ley Kinney, Ballyorgan, who obtained second certifi-
cate, being incapacitated from the same cause, ac-
cording to the regulations, the premium in the present
instance, went to Edward Wallace, of Drumgaw, Mr.
Bruce being called in as one of the judges, to make any

2 F

530

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

observation that had occurred to him in viewing the
turnip ci'ops, stated that a great improvement had
taken place this year in their cultivation, by the more
general use of the plough and the hoe. He particularly
alluded to the inferior appearance of a few drills in the
farms of Barkley Kinney and James Henry Alexander,
which had not got the same attention in keeping the
ground loose about the plants as the rest of the crop,
and which was a convincing proof of the great loss
suffered by the owner, from his neglect, which they
were now fully sensible of. He also explained th-;
great advantage of the pony plough, in the cultivation
of all drill crops, being convertible into a drill harrow
or scuffle, at pleasure, and could finish the cultivation
by making a water furrow by the share alone, when it
was no longer possible to stir the ground in any other
way without injuring the crop.

Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Byers, who both cul-
tivated turnips largely, although not competitors for
the premiums, having been applied to, each gave tes-
timony of the effect of better cultivation in increasing
the produce of the turnip crop, and stated the advan-
tage of frequently using the pony plough.

Mr. EnwARD Wallace, as getting the first pre-
mium, being called on, said— he had originally but one
cow, and was only able to manure about three roods of
potatoes. By house-feeding he now was able to keep
tw(> cows and a horse, and had manured, with the aid
of some lime and soil, two acres of potatoes, half-an-
acre of turnips, and one rood of rape ; and his crops of
grain were so improved, that he had as much off one
acre now, as he formerly had from two. He particu-
larly bore testimony to the benefit of using the plough
in the cultivation of his turnip crop.

James M'Connel of Cornicrew, having got se-
cond premium in turnips, came forward and stated,
that he had been able to increase both his stock and his
farm by house-feeding — that he had no grazing, and
the land lie had lately acquired, would veiy soon be
brought into the very highest order.

John Hogg of Drumgaw, having got the third pre-
mium, came forward and stated the improvement in
Lis turnip crop by the use of the plough and hoe, in
their cultivation— that he was now able to have three
acres manured for potatoes and turnips, which was
more than the fourth of his land.

Mr. Blacker, here rose and said — He was grati-
fied to hear from Mr. Biuce and so many others, the
improved cult vation of the turnip crop in the present
year. He did not wish to make any comparison be-
tween them and potatoes— the old saying of " both is
best" was here true. If a man intended to live bv t one
year he might then consider how he might get the most
out of the ground for that year, but if he looked forward
ti living longer it was plain he ought to provide the
means of having his stock of manure kept up, which it
had been proved could best be done by the turnip crop.
That although he was firmly of this opinion he had not
decidedly interfered in respect to anything except the
preventing of two grain crops in succession, in which
it was now universally admitted he was right. He
asserted the value of the turnip crop was not fully
understood, because by using them extravagantly in the
beginning of the year the supply became short in the
spring, and the cattle then fell into as bad a state as if
they had got none at a 1 through the entire winter, and
six weeks or two][months of the be5t:of the butter making
season wai gone before the cattle had recovered the
loss of their condition. He recommended a contrary
practice, and if they were to be stinted at any time in
their turnips it oughl to be in the beginning of the
winter and not at the end.

Mr. Rose here expressed his surprise at the quantity
of manured ground which the different competitors had
stated themselves to have had, as he had been accus-
tomed to believe that in order to produce manure to
cover one-fourth of the farm annually, which the four-
course rotation required, it was necessary to have
nearly the one- fourth in turnips besides, the one-fourth
in clover and vetches, and gave an example showing
that out of every four acres in the farm there should be

one acre In clover and vetches and not less than three
roods in turnips.

Mr. Blacker shewed there must be some mistake
in this, for one acre of clover and vetches would keep
three cows during about five months in summer, and
the three roods of turnips would supply moist food for
the remaining seven months ; and that three cows
thus house fed for the year round would, according to
Cobbf tt, manure three acres out of the four in place of
only 07ie, which was all that was required. He also
stated that, generally speaking, one rood of turnips
was ample allowance for each cow during seven months,
and this seemed easily proved by considering that the
crop on a rood, even allowing some to the Swedes, ought
to weigh eight to ten tons, and taking the least of the
two, this would afford above eighty pounds weight per
day for seven months, which is ample food for a milch
cow.

Mr. Greer and others united with Mr. Blacker in
thinking there must be some mistake in Mr. Rose's cal-
culation, which wouldif true, leave the small farmer no
potato ground, and therefore, render it impossible for
him to follow such a plan of cultivation ; whereas the
facts stated by the competitors proved the contrary,
and established this important truth, that according as
any man increased his iurnij) cto[ , he was in the
following season, able to increase his potato crop in
the same proportion.

James M'Connell and John Hogg, who got the se-
cond and third premiums for best turnips, confirmed by
their declarations the great increase of manure from
the turnip feeding, and the great addition made to the
produce of the crop by stirring the groand between the
drills with the plough, which could be done in a very
short time and with little trouble.

The premiums for best rape were next read out, for
which the successful candidates were :

John Gililand, Hamilton's Bawn, .... 1st prem.

Jacob Albeney, do., ....2d. do.

James Callisten, do., .... 3d do.

Edward AVallace eot the certificate for the last prize
in rape and Joseph Willis for the second. John Gili-
land being called on said, this was his first year of house
feeding, and he had at the present moment more
manure than he had last year in the month of April !

The premium list was then concluded by reading out
the names of those who got the prizes for levelling
ditchf s, being —

John Beck, of Drumblack, 1st prem.

JosephWillis, of Lattery, 2d do.

Moses Greer, of Corlust, 3d do.

John Beck being called on, bore similar testimony to
that which had previously been given ; and the advan-
tages of the house leading system being so abundantly
proved the Chairman did not think it necessary to call
upon the others in the list, and therefore contented him-
self by expressing his satisfaction at finding Moses Greer,
who had increased his land from four acres to nineteen
acres, was exerting' himself by levelling his ditches to
bring his new farm into a perfect state.

The premium list being disposed of, tlie health of
Lord Acheson was proposed by Mr. M'Analiy, and
drank with the greatest enthusiasm.

The Chairman then rose and said their meeting was
honoured by the presence of several gentlemen from a
considerable distance, and, to show their sense of the
compliment thus paid them, he proposed — " The health
of Mr. Rose and the other visitors who had honoured
them with their company."

In returning thanks, M r. Rose said he regretted that
he could not bocst of similar success to what
lie sav/ se many proofs of at this meeting — in
fact, that his endeavours had hitherto failed ; but that
he had been for many years most zealous in the cause
of agricultural improvement, and was still disposed to
persevere. He said he had lately visited Scotland with
a view to ascertain the results of tile-draining, which he
would take an opportunity of alluding to in the course
of the evening.

I venture to remark, in regard to the want of success
complained of by Mr, Rose, that Mr. Blacker, in the

THE FARMEI^'S MAGAZINE.

631

preface to the Landlords' edition of his pamphlet on
small farms, complains of similar want of success having
attended his previous exertions, and perhaps it has been
the want of the assistance of an intellig-ent and active
agriculturist which has been the cause of ]\Ir. Rose's
failure. This opinion seems to be confirmed by the suc-
cess experienced on the Richhill and Lissan estates,
upon which agriculturists have been located. The ha-
bits of life, and other avocations of landed proprietors
and agents, generally unfit them for the close attention
this matter requires ; nor are the instructions of gentle-
men confided in by their tenants to the same extent as
what comes from practical men, who can show, by their
handling of the plough, the spade, and the hoe, that
they are accustomed to their use, and have had expe-
rience of wliat they recommend.

The Chairman now rose to propose, as a toast, the
health of Mr. Millar, agent to the Draper's Company,
one of the London Societies possessing* a large property
in the county of Derry, and success to their joint endea-
vours in improving the estate. In doing so, INIr. Black-
er stated he had recently dined with the Draper's Com-
pany in London, where he had been called upon to de-
tail what was going forward on the Gosford estate ; the
result of which was that one of the most influential
members of the Company had determined to move, at
next quarterly meeting, for the appointment of two agri-
culturists to assist Mr. Millar in his exertions to benefit
their tenantry, to promote whose interests, Mr. B. stated,
appeared to be the decided object of all present on that
occasion.

Mr. Millar shortly returned thanks, and expressed
his anxious desire to forward every wish of his employ-
ers, for the improvement of their property.

The health of JMr. Blacker was next given by Mr.
M'Anally, and was received with the usual demonstra-
tions of satisfaction by the company.

After returning thanks for the compliments paid him,
Mr. Blacker proceeded to remark on the flax crop and
other matters of an agricultural nature. He said : — It
is with great regret I perceive the disposition to sow flax
which appears to exist on the Gosford estate, and in-
deed throughout all the neighbourhood. I beg- of you
to consider that the same cheapness of land and labour
which enables the continental farmer to grow icheat so
much cheaper than you can, in like manner, enables him
to grow flax also cheaper, and he can send it to the
Enghsh market on lower terms of carriage than you
can from this country. Under such a state of things, it
appears to me absolute folly to suppose you can ever
expect to have a remunerating price. It appears by a
late histo.^y of agriculture, given in The Mark Lane Ex-
press, that hemp and flax were formerly grown in Eng-
land to a great extent, and that whole districts retain
names to the present day, indicative of their fitness for
those crops — but neither of them are any longer culti-
Tated. I was in hopes that the building of so many flax-
spinning mills on this side of the channel, might have
pi'oduced more favoural)le prices, by bringing the mar-
ket nearer to us; but the experience of the last two
years shows that any such expectation is vain and de-
lusive, and that without such a protecting duty as is
given to grain, the crop must be abandoned. I feel,
therefore, very anxious you should turn your attention
more to the increase of your stock and the making of
butter. In this article the demand exceeds what is at
present ma<'e; and, notwithstanding, a duty of 20s. per
cwt. on importation, the quantity of foreign butter im-
ported last year I have seen stated at 278,000 hundreds
weight. The making [of butter is peculiarly adapted to
the circumstances of the 'small farmer, whose family it
affords beneficial employment to ; and I cannot prevent
myself from alluding to the immense advantage that
would arise to that part of tlie community by having
such eflBcient protection in this article as would throw
the supply chiefly into tlieir hands. 278,000 cwts. is
about the produce of 278,000 cows. The manure of this
number, house-fed, would suffice to keep above a mil-
lion of acres in cultivation under the four-course rota-
tion, and if allotments of waste land were made in tlie
manner advocated in the Prize Essay on the Manage-

ment of Landed Property in Ireland, it might afford com-
fort and emloyment to 250 or 260,000 poor families of five
or six soulseach. These aresubjects, however, more for
the consideration of the legislator than for ours. It is our
business to do the best we can under existing circum-
stances, and as you can scarcely take up a newspaper or
magazine without seeing the exertions that are every
where making" to introduce the growth of green crops, I
would earnestly call on you not to allow yourselves to
be outdone. I congratulate you on the greater atten-
tion paid to the turnip crop this year, and hope I may
see it still further improved next year. Whoever reads
the report of the Iveek Farming Society, Lord Duncan-
non, a Cabinet Minister, being in the chair, will be sur-
prised to hear of what has been there accomplished.
There, as indeed in every other place, the rotation of
crops whenever it is introduced improves the circum-
stances of the tenants, and becomes an unfailing source
of content and comfort. T shall not trespass longer on
your attention at present, and in return for the compli-
ment you have so kindly paid me, I beg to give as a
toast, " The Tenant Farmers on the Gosford Estates."

This was ably responded to by Mr. Alexander
Small, who bore strong testimony to the content and
tranquilhty prevailing upon his lordship's property ; and
afterwards, at Mr. Blacker's request, favoured the com-
pany with a song, composed for the occasion, according
to annual custom.

Mr. Small's health being drank, he, in returning
thanks, took occasion to say that, from early prejudice,
he had long been unconvinced of the benefits said to
arise from the house-feeding system, but that he must
now confess himself to have been wrong, and that he
was determined to adopt the practice in future.

Mr. Blacker here rose and said: — Gentlemen, at
our last meeting I endeavoured to defend the system
we here advocate, from the charges of tending to in-
crease the population, and of subdividing the farms,
which I did, by shewing that the population was already
in existence with which we have anything to do, and
that by trying to give them comforts at home, a check
was given to early marriages, by which those comforts
would be sacrificed ; and this reasoning was supported
by all the reports of the Poor Law Commissioners. I
also showed that our premium men had almost all in-
creased their farms in place of diminishing them, and
I further laid it down as a principle that capital would
always find room for its employment, and that the
surest way to enlarge the farms of any estate was to
enlarge the capital of the tenantry, who would thus
buy larger farms at home, or purchase elsewhere. It
may be said, however, and with considerable truth,
that it is very slow and up-hill work realizing capital
by farming, however good in the present day. But,
Gentlemen, I beg your particular attention to this,
that SKILL is capital as well in farming as in most
other pursuits ; and I am happy to be able to point out
to you, in the present company, two instances in which
the possession of skill in farming has proved most be-
neficial to the parties. I allude to Mr, Thomas Ingram
and Mr, J. Beck, who are now about to leave us to
take possession of farms elsewhere, which have been
given them with all the housing and improvements, /ree
of all charge, on account of the improved agriculture
which their farms have here exhibited. The same
cause has led to the settlement of Mr. Patterson, from
Colonel Close's estate, as Steward to the Hon. James
Hewitt, in the County of Donegall, which, I have no
doubt, will lead to his advantageous settlement there if
he conducts himself as he is doing at present. Mr.
Ingram's new farm is nearly sixty acres English or
forty-five Cunningham — not very far from Derry, but
also in the County of Donegall, upon the estate of Mr.
Stewart, of Ards. Mr. Beck goes to the County of
Tyrone to the estate of the Rev. Francis Gervais,
where he gets double the quantity of land he holds at
present, and pays nothing ; and I could have provided
for several most deserving people, in different ways, if
they had been willing to leave home. Many may be
inclined to say that it is not benefical to Lord Gosford's
estate to allow the best tenants thus to be bribed away
from it ; but his lordship's views are not of that narrow

2 F 2

532

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

kind that would lead him to stop the rise of a deserving
tenant for any selfish object of his own; and no one
will rejoice more sincerely in the good fortune of In-
gram and Beck than he will. I trust they will do credit
to this estate by their future conduct and exertions ;
and that their good fortune will act as a stimulus to
those they leave behind, by showing them that their
names appearing in the premium list, may be the means
of advancing them in a way that has heretofore never
entered into their contemplation. I shall not detain
you, Gentlemen, with any further observations, and in
the full hope that the friends we are parting with will
do us credit, I give you " the healths of Mr. Thomas
Ingram and Mr, John Beck, and success to them in
their new farms."

Mr. Ingram in returning thanks, said, his farm was
a most desirable one, with slated houses and offices
that had cost 400Z,; and also with plenty of sea manure
and good meadow-land. His landlord had acted with
him upon the principle of "live and let live;" and
though he believed could have got a rent of 30s. per
Cunningham acre, he had charged him no more than
20s. He expressed his gratitude to Mr. Blacker, and
stated his determination never to disgrace Mr. B.'s
kind recommendation.

John Beck then expressed a similar determination
and described his farm as a most comfortable settle-
ment and twice as large as the place he at present had.

The company seemed to consider both these persons
as having been very fortunate ; and that their new
farms were worth a very considerable purchase money.

The Chairman then gave as a toast — " Mr. Booth's
health and success to his exertions as Agriculturist on
Sir Thomas Staples's estate."

lu returning thanks, Mr. Booth stated that it was
only two years since he had been sent to Lissan by Mr.
Blacker, that the practice with the majority of the
farmers at that time was to sow two or three crops of
oats according as the land would bear it after their
potato crop, and then leave it without even sowing
common grass seed. He said he had now the satis-
faction to say that almost every tenant on the Lissan,
and many of those on the Slewartstown estate, had
begun to sow clover, vetches, and turnips. They were
daily becoming more sensible of the value of those
crops by the increased number of cattle they were able
to feed and the additional manure made ; and that they
■would be still more sensible of the advantage to be de-
rived when they got the crop off their clover ley,which
•would be far better than any second crop of grain they
had been accustomed to obtain. He handed in a number
of statements from the tenants themselves, confirming
■what he had advanced, and stating their satisfaction
with the system of house-feeding.

The next toast was " Our Friends and Rivals in im-
provement on the Richhill and Drumbanagher estates."

This called up Mr. Anderson, agriculturist at Rich-
hill, who read the following report, stating the steady
progress of improvement on that property :

As Agriculturist to the Richhill Estate, I hope I
may be permitted to make a few observations, with the
view of possibly inducing some other persons to make
similar useful and practical improvements. For seve-
ral years past, I have had the satisfaction of being pre-
sent on occasions like the present, and I then mention-
ed various improvements which had taken place on that
estate, which I shall not now recapitulate, further than
to say (for illustration) that, in the Spring of 1832,
cloverseed was delivered gratis to such tenants as would
sow it, holding 12 acres and under, and only about 20
acres were sown that year. This system wa? continued
the two following years ; and the great utility of the
clover crop then became so evident, that afterwards a
large quantity of seed was delivered each Spring to
such tenants as would receive it, at first cost, and the
payment not to be made until the following November :
Tinder this arrangement the sowing of clover-seed ra-
pidly increased, so that in the Spring of 1836, upwards
of five hundred acres were sown ; and last Spring, six
hundred acres or more were laid down under clover.
Vetches also have been extensively cultivated,and have'

proved to be most useful for feeding between the first
and second crops of clover. The sowing of turnip-
seed also continues on the increase — a statement of
which I gave on a former occasion — therefore I shall
only say that there are about 300 tenants who have
turnips this season, and there is about one-fifth part
more land this year under that crop than last year ;
and to enumerate the many advantages to be derived
therefrom in milk, butter, fattening cattle, and making
manure, would be useless to those present who know
them so well. The house feeding of cattle has also
been adopted for several years past with great advan-
tage, and found to be most beneficial, enabling those
who follow the system to have more land than formerly
under cultivation, and in good condition from the extra
quantity of manure produced. The houses of a great
number of the small farmers have been much improved
of late years, and rendered much more comfortable, as
the proprietors of the estate afl'ord every encourage-
ment to deserving tenants whose means are limited,
by supplyiag them gratis with slater, timber, doors,
windows, &c., and also iron gates, and pecuniary as-
sistance for other improvements, and as a specimen of
very neat cottages with pavements in front, I need
only refer you to the hamlet of Ballyleany, and I am
happy to say that the best possible feeling appears to
exist between the proprietors and the tenants, which
certainly pssists in inducing many useful improvements
being carried on for considerable sums are expended
annually in drainage, levelhng old crooked fences,
making new ones where necessary, and trenching and
bringing into tillage lands which had never before been
cultivated, and this in many instances at the entire ex-
pence of the proprietors, and in other cases at their
joint expence and that of the tenants concerned. One
farm in Mulladry containing about 45 acres, is well
worth inspection, several acres of which were, until
lately, occupied by numerous useless old fences and
gripes : this farm came into the possession of Mr.
Clendinning last year, by purchase, and he immediately
commenced shoreing and levelling (of course at his
own expence) nearly all the old fences, thereby gain-
ing, as I have already said, some acres, and in the
short space of time he has possessed the farm he has
put the entire under a regular state of improvement,
and from being one of the worst looking farms on the
estate, it is now amongst the most improved. I men-
tion this merely to show how rapidly improvements
can be carried on by a tenant of capital.

Another source of great improvement is the draining
of lands, and several portions of ground in the Rich-
hill Estate, which were formerly swamps, and the
abode of snipes, are now in cultivation, and really good
land ; and if any person should wish to see such I will
accompany him. I shall not now trespass further on
your time than to mention two instances of extensive
drainage in that estate, and the beneficial results de-
I'ived therefrom. The first is a very extensive district
of very fine meadow land in the townlands of Derry-
hale and Mulladry, which had been much damaged by
occasional floods for a number of years, caused by a
rivulet which passed through having been nearly closed
up from length of time, and from superficial views ap-
pearing not to have a sufficient fall ; however a few
years since levels were taken, and it was then ascer-
tained that by cleansing, widening, and deepening the
stream, for a very considerable extent, a fall of three
feet could be had, and the work was then carried into
effect ; two-thirds of the expence by thj proprietor,
and about one-third by the tenant, thereby, since that
period, saving from damage each year quantities of
hay, and which crop, previous to the drainage, was
coarse and generally of bad quality, but is now fine and
of good quality, and in many instances, in my opinion,
the after-grass is now nearly as valuable as the entire
crop was previously. The other case is this — Mr. Ba-
con, who is certainly very zealous in promoting im-
provements whenever opportunity offers, joined this
Summer with several owners of adjoining landed pro-
perties ia the expence of widening and deepening an
extensive river course, 644 perches long, which had
been nearly closed through six townlands, adjoining

THE TARMER'S MAGAZINE.

633

to his part of the Richhill estate and which has been
opened from 16 to 25 feet wide and about 8 feet deep,
which will be most serviceable to those lands ; and by
this means a fall was obtained for extensive drainage
through his division of the estate, and a cut was there-
fore commenced and completed through the same to
the extent of 364 perches from 11 to 13 feet wide, and
from 6 to 8 feet deep, at his expence, and those of the
tenants who hold the fidjoining lands, and from that
cut several minor drains have been made, thereby free-
ing a very considerable quantity of low lands com-
pletely from surface v.ater, and destructive floods,
which hitherto swept away and destroyed quantities of
hay, flax, and grain. I shall now conclude by saying,
that from the system of drainage carried on for the
last six years on the estate, that scarcely any svi'amp
ground now remains, and it is Mell known that with-
out drainage no crop can be brought to perfection. I
shall only now trouble you with one observation on
early and deep ploughing for green crops, which in my
opinion is of much greater advantage than grazing on
the stubble, particularly where land is not subject to
be flooded, as a bold furrow makes and sweetens the
soil during Winter, and in Spring [by cross-ploughing
it can be much easier cleared of weeds, and at less ex-
pence brought to a finer texture for receiving seed ;
whereas if grazed, the ground is poached by the cattle,
lays sour all Winter, and with double trouble and ex-
pence cannot be manured so well.

Mr. MiLXE, Agriculturist on Colonel Close's estates,
and one of the Judges for the premiums, handed in the
following statement :

Sir. Chairman, — Having hud the honour of being
appointed by you a# one of the judges for the premiums
on the Gosford estate, for several years past, lam happy
to bear testimony to the improvement in the caltivalion
of the turnip crop this season, and the general appear-
ance of tlie housing and farms throughout the properly.
In regard to the Drumbanagher estate, I liavc been
doing my utmost to promote the levelling of crooked
fences, drainage of the land, and repairing- of houses,
and introducing green crops ; and I have now prepared
a list to lay before you, when at leisure, of competitors
for such premiums as Colonel Close may give, which I
trust you will consider creditable to the property and the
tenantry. — The advantage to be obtained by house-
feedmg the stock has been so amply proved, both in
theory and practice, that I deem it quite unnecessary to
say any thing novir in confirmation of it.

Mr. Blacker then rose and introduced as a subject
of discussion whether the benefit arising from perfect
drainage was yet perfectly understood. He called their
attention to the practicability of making drains by sink-
ing for clay in their potato trenches in place of digging
it out of the ditches, and said the stones turned up would
generally serve to replace the clay tlius taken out, which
would be at hand upon the ridg-e without carriage;
and that where this could not be practised, great advan-
tage might be obtained by shifting the potato trench
wlien the land was planted in potatoes, so that in the
course of three settings the whole surface would have
been trenched over.

JMr. Rennox, Steward to llev. Dr. Blacker, said tliis
practice had been adopted on tiie Glebe farm with
great advantage, and the land was become so dry and
warm tliat much less manure v.-oukl do than formerly.

]\Ir. Rose here begged to state that in his late visit to
Scotland he found the pi'aclicc was to run drains at
fi-om 15 to 20 feet asunder, according to tiie nature of
the soil, parallel to eacli other, and fill them either with
stones or substitute tiles; and that, by tliis plan.botli
under-watcr and surface-water were got rid of, and tlic
land might be laid down perfectly flat. He said the
most extraordinary advantage was derived from this
practice, in conjunction with the subsoil plough, and
the most barren land immediately became fruitful
under its operation. He declared he had seen the finest
crops of oats and the nio>t wretched moorland, witli
only a stone ditch between them : and that the old plan
of putting an occasional drain where a spouty surface
api-'cared was totally exploded, He was so convinced

of the superiority of the new plan, that he was making
preparations to try it himself.

A discussion upon the benefit of early and deep
ploughing for green crops, and whether the advantage
of it was not greater than any gain from grazing on the
stubble, then took place. Mr. Blacker stated that
poaching clay ground by the feet of the c.ittle made the
clay, which was already by its nature too retentive, still
more so, and was a material injury to the ground ;
besides, that the cows were injured in their milk by the
cold and wet.

Mr. Rennox explained that his practice was to
plough up all stubble land as deep as possible, and to
trench-plough the furrows, so that the soil should be
left quite dry to the frost and snow during the winter.
He said the increase of crop by this treatment would far
more than pay for any value the stubble might be of,
which, by being ploughed down with the weeds, was
rotted, and acted as manure.

JMr, Booth and several others confirmed this state-
ment.

^ Mr. Blacker mentioned the plan in the Castleward
Estate of giving double ploughing and harrowing to
the land intended for winter vetches, which enabled the
crop to stand the winter better, and gave much larger
crops. He also mentioned that the practise was coming
into use of manuring for the winter vetches, by which
means they were ripe so early as to clear the ground in
good time for turnips, for which the land was left in a
fine clean state ; and by adopting the plan of transplant-
ing their rape out of a seed-bed into their stubble land,
they had it more forvvard than if the vetch land had
been used for it, which was a material saving.

The next subject introduced was, whether Italian
rye-grass should be preferred for sowing with clover.
It was decided in the affirmative; a great number of
facts being' mentioned, all proving the extraordinary
g-rowlh of this particular kind of grass. Trom the ac-
counts given, it seemed to thrive beat in a moory kind
of soil, and bid fair to supply food at this season and the
end of April for soiling, which were the periods when
most farmers were at the greatest loss for green feeding.

It being then a late hour, the Chairman drank to their
next merry meeting; and the whole company imme-
diately separated in the most orderly manner, not even
the slightest circumstance having occurred during the
entire evening to interrupt for a moment the pleasure of
the meeting.

Flintshire Agricultural Society, — Nov.
1. — An interesting conversation ensued between
the Chairman, Lord Mostyn, the Hon. E. M.Ll. Mos-
tyn, and Mr. McGregor, on the cultivation and advan-
tages of gorse for feeding cattle. Mr. McGregor said,
about five years ago he first sowed gorse, and since that
time he had been in the constant habit of cutting it
yearly, and giving it to milking cows mixed with other
food, for cows in high condition would not eat gorse
alone. In such a year as the last he had no the least
hesitation in saying that it was most beneficial to the
farmers generally. Any sort of green food in winter
caused an addition to the cream and butter ; he had
given it in quantities of about a bushel a day, mixed
with mangel wurzel, and certainly the butter and cream
were as good as they could be. He would not say that
gorse, as an article of food, would improve the quality
or quantity of cream and butter more than any other
food, nor perhaps hardly so much as mangel wurzel ;
but when it was considered that mangel wxirzel could
not be got without a great deal of manure, and gorse
could be got without any, for it would grow on the
poorest land, it was a question whether it was not ad-
vantageous for every farmer to grow a quantity of
gorse. He had also tried it Miith, and found it an ex-
cellent fodder for horses. For cows it was necessary
to crush it, which rendered a rather expensive machine
necessary, but for horses it was only necessary that it
should be cut. Some other observations were made,
and Mr. McGregor, at the solicitation of Lord Mostyn,
promised to favor the society at a future day with his
observations in writing.

>34

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

TOWN MALLING AGRICULTURAL
ASSOCIATION.

[We have much satisfaction in transferring to
our columns the following valuable suggestion,
made by Mr. Whiting of the Maidstone Gazette,
at the late meeting of the above-mentioned associa-
tion.—Ed. F. M.]

Mr. Whiting said that it might be in the recollection
of some gentlemen present, who were in the habit of
reading the Maidstone Gazette, that, shortly after their
last meeting-, he had ;thrown out some hints for extend-
ing' the influence and utility of such associations as the
one he had the honour to address. Among- other thing-s
he had sug-g-ested that some more durable testimonial of
their esteem, than a sum of ready money, should be
8'iven to the worthy and industrious labourers, it was
their object to encourage. It might happen, even with
the best and most frugal man, that much, if not all, of
the money which that society awarded to him, for his
superior skill, would have to befpaid in satisfaction of
dehts. Even if it were not so, it was almost certain to
be expended in a few months on food or clotiiing, and
at that period they would certainly have the satisfaction
of knowmg that they had contributed largely to the
comfort of a deserving man, and the man might always
remember their kindness with pride and gratitude ; but
there was an end of the premium, and the man had
nothing for the triumph he had gained, excepting the
record of his name in the books of the association, to
which, of course, few persons could have access. It had
appeared to him highly desirable that the man might
receive something in addition to the premium, which
should serve as a memento of the proud triumph he had
achieved in the eyes of his countrymen of all classes,
and to which he might constantly refer, as a badge of
industry, skill, and good conduct. (Hear, hear.) A
medal would effect this object, but it might be lost or
stolen. Such could scarcely be the case with a certifi-
cate of his having gained the prize, signed by the Pre-
sident of the society, printed on parchment, framed and
glazed, so as to form a handsome piece of furniture for a
poor man's cottage. (Cheers.) This certificate, which
should be given to every man who gained a first-rate
prize, might be at little cost to the society, and would
be of little value except to the man who had gained it,
— but to him it would prove invaluable. It would form
the proudest ornament of his humble home— it would
constantly stimulate and encourage him to exertion and
emulation— and raise him equally in the estimation of
himself, and of all around him. Every person present,
who had been in a labourer's cottage, might pehaps ref
collect seeing some old chair or table, or other piece o-
furniture, which the inmates prized above all the others
—not for its value in the eyes of the world, but because
it was endeared to them by family associations. It had
belonged to their grandfather, or uncle, or some other
relative, whose memory they cherished with affection,
and this old piece of furniture had been preserved as a
family relic through prosperity and adversity. How
much more fondly would they cling to such a piece of
furniture as he (Mr. W.) proposed should be given to
them ? which would descend from the labourer to his
children and his grand-children— as a heir-loom of
honour— a title deed to hereditary industry and honest
worth, and which would speak to them long after the
man who had gained it had been laid in the grave. He
(Mr. W.) believed thatevery man whom they rewarded
■would set even more value upon this certificate than
upon the money he received ; but, fortunately, it could
be given at so small an additional expence, that it would,
probably, not be thought advisable to reduce the amount
ot the premiums. (Cheers.) He had been encouraged
to introduce this subject to their notice by the same sug-
gestion having been taken up by the Rev. C. Borck-
hardt, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Lenham Agri-
cultural Association, with whom he had had the honour
of dining; on that day week. That gentleman had urged
Its adoption by the Lenham Society, and from the fa-
vourable reception the suggestion appeared to meet

with, he (Mr. W.) was induced to believe that it would
be adopted. It had there been proposed, that if its ex-
pense were an object, the subscriptions of the members
might be increased, He (Mr. W.) had since got a cer-
tificate printed and framed, in order to ascertain the cost
at which they could be obtained, and had brought it
with him for their inspection. This single specimen had
cost only seven shillings, but he believed that if the
frames were manufactured by the dozen, they would
cost sitill less. He then thanked the company for the
respectful attention with which they had listened to him,
and would leave the matter in their hands. The sug-
gestion, for any thing he knew to the contrary, was an
original one. When he had first published it, it had
been extracted and recommended by the provincial
press in other agricultural counties, where he hoped and
believed there was some chance of its being adopted by
similar associations. He was, however anxious that as
it was in this county that the idea had originated, this
county should have the honour of setting an example to
others, as it had done on many previous occasions. It
would be to him a source of peculiar gratification, if
Kent, which stood first amongst the counties of England
for cultivation of the soil, should also stand first in cul-
tivating the self-respect, industry and happiness of her
hardy and valuable labourers. (Cheers.)

CULTIVATION OF BEANS AND
TARES.

Sin, — It is a very common and an excellent prac-
tice on the heavy lands in Dorsetshire, and some
other counties, when tares (vetches) are sown for
seed, to sow beans amongst them; they keep the
tares up from the ground, by which means the stem
is prevented from rotting, and they kid or pod much
more abundantly ; and, at the same time, a good top
crop of beans is obtained ; and after being- thrashed
they are easily separated. I very strongly recom-
mend this plan, having in many instances seen the
benefit from experiments tried in the same field ; —
one part has been sown without any beans, and the
other with the following proportion, and the result
has been, that from three to five bushels more of
tares have been obtained, and at the same time two
or three sacks of beans. The quantity of seed is
about two and a half bushels of tares, and one bushel
of beans per acre. If winter tares are sown, winter
beans should be sown, and if spring tares are sown,
spring beans should also be sown.

In the above county, and in Gloucestershire,
winter beans are very generally grown on the heavy
land. There are two very great advantages in grow-
ing this variety ; 1st, they are not so liable to blight ;
!2d, they come to harvest from four to six weeks
earlier than the spring beans, Avhich gives the farm-
er an opportunity of making a good bastard fallow,
and which prevents much mischief being done to
the land by carting it when in that state. The best
plan put in this variety of beans is to plough them
in about four inches deep in each other furrow,
which will then leave a space between the rows of
eighteen inches, and let the furrows remain whole
as they are left by the plough until the spring ; and
as early as the weather will permit, hoe down the
furr ows with a hand-hoe ; after this the horse-hoe
may be used as often as the cultivator may think
necessary. This variety of bean, like the trifolium
incarnatum, has by many farmers been once tried
and failed ; but, in almost every case of failure,
I have ascertained they have been either dibbled,
drilled, or sown broadcast; by either of these me-
thods in putting them in, they are deposited too
near the surface, and if a severe winter, they are
drawn out of the land by the frosts, and destroyed.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

535

They are then condemned, and an idea is formed
that they will not stand the winter.

I recollect the first week in July, 1836, calling on
a farmer in the neighbourhood of Bishop's Stortford,
Hertfordshire, who was rather an experimental man.
In the course of conversation, I asked him if he had
ever grown any of the winter beans. His answer
was, he had sown some the autumn previous, hut the
frosts had killed them and he hnd ploughed them up,
and that he had made up his mind never to try them
again, as he was sure they would not answer in this
country, the climate being too cold for them. In less
than a quarter of an hour after I left him, and not
two miles from his house, I noticed a piece of beans
about a quarter of a mile from the road leading from
Bishop's Stortford to Sawbridgeworth, which looked
very forward. I took the trouble of walking to the
field, and I there saw as fine a crop of this variety of
beans as could well be grown — at least six quarters per
acre, the same year and in the same neighbourhood ;
the average produce per acre of spring beans would
not amount to three quarters. On inquiry I ascer-
tained these beans had been ploughed in on an oat
stubble, about four inches deep. Had the farmer
above alluded to adopted the same plan, instead of
dibbling them in as he did, I have no doubt he would
have been equally successful, My advice is, that
every farmer who is a grower of beans should try
the above variety on the plan here recommended,
and I am convinced he would give a decided prefer-
ence to them, and they will always fetch as good a
price in the market as at the spring time.

An Agricultural Touuisi.

Grantham, Oct. 17, 1837.

N.B. — The best time to put in the winter beans is
the latter end of October, or the beginning of No-
vember.

LIVERPOOL, NoviiMBER 7.

Smce our annual circular letter dated 29th Novem-
ber, 1836, we have continued our best endeavours by
an uninterrupted series of letters every Tuesday, to
communicate to our friends, with candour and sincerity,
the transactions in this and the neighbouring' corn mar-
kets ; making' occasionally such remarks therein on the
prospects of the corn trade generally as we deemed
likely to be useful ; in those of the last five or six months
we have (in consequence of the extraordinary season we
have had,) regularly and more particularly than usual
recorded the state of the weather, and consequent pro-
gress of harvest, tlie result of which, in this district,
might have been pretty correctly stated three or four
weeks ago, but our crops bear so small a proportion to
our immense surrounding population, which makes this
town always an importing port for grain to a very large
extent, that we considered this of less importance to the
corn trade; and although by a careful observation of
the weather, if candidly and faithfully reported, a very
good judgment of the crops generally may be formed,
even if deprived of personal observation, we have post-
poned this letter longer than we intended, that we might
obtain more extended information on this subject from
the influential corn counties, and thus render this letter
more useful to the corn trade, and more wortliy of being
trusted to for future reference.

During the chief part of the past season, since the
harvest of 1836, the weather has been unusually irre-
gular and severe ; — in November and December it was
very wet and unfavourable every where for wheat sow-
ing, and so continued throughout the whole winter, with
a very heavy fall of snow in the latter part of ]3ecem-
ber, and also in February, particularly in the south of
.England, and likewise in other counties to the north-
ward of us, thougli we experienced Utile of it in this
district ;— in March and April it continued very unsea-
sonably cold, and although the spring seed sowing was

pretty well accomplished, the season was altogether
particularly backward every where, up to the middle of
June, with every prospect of very bad crops, and of a
very late harvest ; but from that period, for five or six
weeks, it became very warm and seasonable, so as totally
to change the appearance of the country throughout
England, Scotland and Ireland, and to force the crops
into what was generally apprehended a premature ripe-
ness ; and although during the months of August and
September the operations of harvest were frequently
impeded by alternate weeks of very dry and very wet
weather, being generally followed by drying winds,
there was less injury done to the crops (at least in this
district,") by being laid,or by sprouting, than might have
been expected ; and the first three weeks of the last
month have been as favourable as possible for securing
the crops in the most backward situations ; thus after
all, tile commencement of harvest this season has also
been about ten days later, and its completion has been
much earlier than the last one. In the counties of Eng-
land to the southward of us, ■partially in this district,
frnAin forward situations throughout the whole of the
United Kingdom, it began about the third week of
August, and was completed very generally by the end
of September, and even in the most backward situations,
by the middle of October ; — five or six weeks earlier
than last year, and upon the whole it has been very fa-
vourably accomplished, and without mucli extra ex-
pence to the farmers.

We have had little opportunity of persoxai observa-
tion this year ; but by a careful perusal of public letters,
particularly in the RIark Lane Express, and by private
communications from intelligent friends in the influential
corn districts of the United Kingdom, on whose infor-
mation we have long been accustomed to rely, it ap-
pears that in a great many of the corn counties of Eng-
land to the south of this, particularly around London
and on the South East Coast, much more annoyance
has been experienced by heavy rains than with us, or
any where else ; and although on some farms there tke
produce never was better in all respects, their crops ge-
nerally of wheat and barley, and in some counties, of
oats, are reported to be very various in quality— coarse
and smutted, and in many instances badly sprouted,
particularly the barley, and thus inferior in quality;
and materially deficient in quantity ;— but as these re-
marks are made comparatively with the preceding year,
(in which the crops especially of wheat, in those counties
have proved to have much exceeded the estimation at
the close of that harvest) although decidedly deficient
per acre from 1836, tliey are stated by many respectable
corn merchants as likely to be found not much below a
fair moderate average in quantity ; but the effects of the
precocious manner in which grain ripened this year
have not yet besn fully developed, and it is very proba-
ble that the crops there may prove to be as much otJer
rated this season as they were under rated in the last. —
In this district we have had a very good harvest, and
good average crops of all kinds of grain in all respects ;
— to the northward, throughout the whole of Scotland,
Ireland, and the Isle of ]\Ian, they have also on the
whole had a favourable harvest, and much better crops
of all kinds of grain than in 1836, in quantity and qua-
lity, but no where are they described as exceeding, and
in many counties they are decidedly estimated as barely
amounting to a fair moderate average in quantity.

Hay was well saved in due season, of very good
quality, and a large average in quantity everywhere ;
turnips and mangel wurzel have been very productive,
and the pastures have been very good throughout the
whole season.

From most of the Kingdoms of the European Conti-
nent— particularly from the northern corn Provinces —
although their harvest has been impeded by rainy wea-
ther, accounts are upon the whole favourable of their
crops of wheat, but less so of spring- grain, and no
where are they stated to exceed a moderate average in
quantity or quality. From Canada reports are more
favourable of their harvest than last year — particularly
in the Upper Provinces ; but any extra production
there will probably be again, as last season, attracted
chiefly to the United States, where, although certainly

536

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

much better than last year, their crops of wheat are re- j to the hxnded proprietors ; nor should they he held out
ported as only very moderate averages ; a very large in ParHament as any proof of the inejficacy of the Corn
exportation of wheat has occurred from foreign ports, Laws, which certainly are sufficiently ]}rohibitory !
and from Great Britain, particularly from this port, to , By the annexed statements of imports, made up by
all parts of North America this year, and there is us annually to the 1st October, with every personal care,
not much reason to expect importations of any conse- from official documents, you will observe the very great
qucnce from thence into this kingdom next year. \ deficiency on wheat and flour from Ireland and Coast-

i'rom the Ist October, 1836, to 1st October, 1837, the ways — there is also a small decrease in oats and oat-
imports of wheat from foreign ports have been about | meal ; but there is a considerable increase on wheat,
130,000 qrs., and the export nearly 112,000 qrs., chiefly j oats, and flour from foreign ports ; and the wheat, by
to the United States and British Colonies in North being in part duty paid, has considerably added to our
America; of flour the import has been about 80,000 otherwise verv small s(ocAs of this article— estimated now

barrels, and the export about 96,000 barrels, chiefly to
the West Indies and South America from this port.
The stocks of foreign grain and flour in bond in the

at about 70,000 qrs., which are considered very mode-
rate, much less than at this period last year, and than
usual; and the deficiency of the stocks of old grain is

United Kingdom, from official documents, on the 10th' reported from every market of the United Kingdom ; —
October last, were : — 601,476 qrs. wheat; 40,508 qrs. i of oats, beans, peas, and barley they are almost ex-
barley; 255,240 qrs. oats; 13,351 qrs. rye ; 28,087 hausted, and of malt they are very small.
qrs. beans; 21,623 qrs. peas; 87,000 bis. flour. Ofj We have, during the past year, had more demand
which, 119,695 qrs. wheat ; 5,507 qrs. barley ; 9, 4201 from Manchester and the great manufacturing districts
qrs. oats ; 3,710 qrs. rye; 1,552 qrs. beans; 1,292 qrs. i around it for wheat and flour, though much less than
peas ; 64,040 bis. flour (exclusive of a very small quan- expected ; the supplies from the Yorkshire side having
tity of Canadian wheat, which we consider as free) were I continued successfully to compete with us by a better

in bond in Liverpool at that date — chiefly of old impor
tations, and the flour chiefly American and sour ; since
which the quantity of every article has been a little fur-
ther reduced last month by actual exports, by purchases
for exportation, or by paying duty/ thereon.

Duty has been paid /lei-e since 'the 1st .January last
on about 54,000 qrs. foreign wheat, chiefly of the best
qualities from the lower ports in the Baltic, and chiefly
at the excessive duty of 28s. 8d. per qr. ; the holders
preferring- to submit to severe loss by paying this almost
prohibitory duty, and thus to And a sale on some terms,
rather than incur the precarious chance of export de-
mand, or the hazard of permitting their freih imports
of wheat to increase the stock of almost unsaleable
foreign wheat so long here in bond ; high duties have
also been paid here on about 30,000 qrs. of oats, 21,000
qrs. of beans, and 15,000 qrs. of peas, from foreign
ports for the same reason ;— and thus (by the London
Gazette) excessive duties have been paid in the United
Kingdom, this year, on 185,496 qrs. foreign wheat ;
384,402 qrs. of oats ; 109,887 qrs. of barley ; 99,448 qrs.
of beans ; 109,881 qrs. of peas ; and 19,504 qrs. rye ;
by which very severe losses have been incurred ; but
payment of such exorbitant duties thus unexpectedly
and compulsorily made, ought not to excite any alarm

quality and lower rates ; — but from the more favour-
able crops of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man
this season, we may hope to have our fair share in sup-
plying the interior markets with every kind of grain.

Owing to a sudden and temporary rise in prices at
about tins period last year, we are now considerably
lower than at that time for every article in the trade, —
in some degree owing to pecuniary pressure ; the in-
creased cost of duty paid foreign grain forcing the
holders to sell; — l)ut although no alarming advance in
prices of wheat may be anticipated this season, the pre-
sent rates are expected to prove very moderate averages ;
and although hay and potatoes are now at about half
their value last year, lower prices are not anticipated
for spring grain, though no doubt fluctuations will oc-
cur as usual ; and the value of malt, unless any reduc-
tion in the duty occurs, is likely to be fully supported.

The supplies of new grain from Ireland and Coast-
ways, and from our own farmers, have hitherto been of
very various quality, but generally better than last
year, and to a very moderate extent ; we may now ex-
pect the imports to increase considerably, though the
attraction from Ireland to London and to the markets
in the south will be mora than usual this season.

JAMES SCOTT and SON.

GENERAL IMPORTATION OF GRAIN AND FLOUR INTO LIVERPOOL FOR
TWENTY-NINE YEARS.

From

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ItQtSi

doi

Wheat,

Oats. 1

Barley,

Beans,

Qrs. Qrs, |

Qrs,

Qrs.

1808, to 1st Oct

,1809,,

114,000

460,000

30,000

7,000

1809, to

do.

1810.. 1

160,000

338,000

26,000

14,000

1810, to

do.

1811..!

137,000

150,000

9,000

8,000

1811, to

do.

1812..

115,000

205,000

51,000

4,000

1812, to

do.

1813..

166,000

484,000

72,000

6,000

1813, to

do.

1814.,

211,000

336,000

34,000

17,000

1814, to

do.

1815,.

261,000

359,000

37,000

22,000

1815, to

do.

1816..

112,000

354,000

46,000

16,000

1816, to

do.

1817..

218,000

342,000

78,000

15,000

1817, to

do.

1818..

240,000

417,500

63,700

19,700

1818, to

do.

1819..

238,966

396,720

65,502

38,326

1819, to

do.

1820..

344,545

318,505

66,635

18,759

1820, to

do.

1821..

348,371

366,834

69,902

26,875

1821, t®

do.

1822..

320,863

251,081

43,412

22,214

1822, to

do.

1823..

332,609

293,802

27,224

23,814

1823, to

do.

1824..

189,947

382,846

36,412

27,694

1824, to

do.

1825..

387,082

628,992

49,411

25,795

1825, to

do.

1826..

325,619

388,277

62,736

22,049

1826, to

do.

1827..

404,531

499,169

98,807

51,295

1827, to

do.

1828..

352,298

605,968

56,849

34,563

1828, to

do.

1829. .

435,961

472,147

52,151

25,202

1829, to

do.

1830..

1 466,046

486,739

71,341

32,903

1830, to

do.

1831 .

1 727,443

447,319

69,837

28,918

1831, to

do.

1832..

I 484,859

471,857

54,300

27,389

1832, to

do.

1833 .

528,759

379,411

60,600

20,275

1833, to

do.

1834. .

460,814

317,062

60,166

41,026

1834, to

do.

1835. ,

350,584

266,049

71,288

27,260

1835, to

do.

1836, .

413,584

359,294

73,840

53,543

1636, to

dos

1837. .

334,264

358,483

92,646

47,722

Malt,

Flour,

Qrs.

Bags.

Brls.

11,000

13,000

170,000

54,000

12,000

109,000

25,000

21,000

28,000

20,000

27,000

13,000

30,000

52,000

34,000

60,000

50,000

59,000

80,000

38,000

37,100

35,000

4,500

520,000

43,000

3,000

371,000

36,633

35,017

49,606

38.202

37,679

127,429

44,273

80,194

89,975

46,890

71,665

15,031

49,047

115,848

5,568

50,545

55,292

91,776

62,218

97,949

37,101

64,904

91,828

17,736

55,814

93,038

60,914

75,105

163,584

25.881

59,979

100,326

156,112

50,340

96,605

239,458

91,800

82,487

699,910

78,689

173,566

81,662

79,132

293,665

46,639

84,197

270,357

46,437

86,441

304,486

14,916

112.688

368,097

68,867

86.933

249,^60

80.179

Oatmeal,
Sacks,
240 lbs.

58,000
59,000
48,000
135,920
117.000
112,000
136,000
176,800
210,000
144.100
176,820
218,693

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538

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

CHALLENGE TO ALL THE BREEDERS
AND FEEDERS IN ENGLAND.

TO THE ERITOE OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir : — It has for many'years past been my opinion,
grounded on the experience I have had, and the ob-
servations I have made as a breeder of cattle during
the last forty years, that the premium offered by the
" Smithfield Cattle Club" (and since adopted by the
many Agricultural Societies in the kingdom) to the
best cattle and sheep that can be produced without
any restriction as to the cost or quantity of the food
they may have eaten, has a tendency to create great
individual loss to the feeders, thereby producing
great national evil, instead of national benefit, which
the Society possesses and ought to have in view.
And as it is also my particular wish to have this mode
of feeding put an end to, I am induced to trouble
you with a few remarks on the subject. At the time
this mischief-creating premium was first proposed to
be given, purposely to suit the views of the breeders
of short-horned cattle and south-down sheep, I was
in the committee-room in Sadler's yard, and with
what little ability I possessed strenuously opposed
its adoption, solely on the grounds that it was hold-
ing out a bounty to cause cattle to be fattened at an
expence injurious to all, and not prudent to be at-
tempted by any but very rich persons. And what
was still more objectionable would be no proof what-
ever which sort of animals were the best to propagate
for general purposes, that is to say, the kind likely
to yield the itiost money to the breeders and feeders
of them, for the food, which in a regular way, each
may have to keep them oh. The premium of 20/.,
which is ofl^'ered by the Smithfield Club to the first
class of oxen, allows any ox under five years old, no
matter how fattened, to compete for. Now, Sir, as
I firmly believe it is quite impossible to make an
ox or steer of any sort as good as his nature will admit,
even at one year old, without first giving him food,
the cost of which will much exceed his value at 9d.
per lb. when fattened ; what I ask, must be the loss
to the feeder, provided animals be kept, which to my
own knowledge they often are, till they are nearly
five years old"! Not ever having been rich enough
to make the experiment myself, I leave it to those
who have made it to correct me if I am in error.
This, Sir, being my sincere opinion, I am induced to
make the following ofi'er to all the breeders and feed-
ers of cattle in England, which offer, provided it is
accepted, which I hope it may, will, I think, tend
more to satisfy the minds of the breeders of cattle,
and particularly the graziers, than any experiment
that I have known to be publicly made. On tlie
17th day of the past month I sold four three-years-
old meaty Hereford steers to J. T. Senior, Esq., of
Broughton House, in the county of Bucks, these four
steers were all I reared, in the year they were calved,
1834, they have lived from that time up to the pre-
sent on less, and inuch cheaper food, than is usually
given to cattle of the same description, a fact well
known in this part of the country. Two of these
steers, if they live, Mr. Senior intends to exhibit in
the show yard in London, in 1838, for the premiums
offered to the first and second class of oxen. On
these two oxen 1 am willing to stake 30/. against any
two oxen, of the same age, of any sort in England, in
the following conditions, viz., that whoever may
accept my offer shall cause to be sent within a month,
or five weeks from this time, the pair of oxen that he
may intend to show against them into the hands of
Jlr. Senior, where they shall be kept with, and fed
on, the same kind of food and bo treated in the same

manner in every respect as Mr. Senior usually treats
his show cattle; and the quantity and quality of food
they may have respectfully consumed ascertained
(from the time they are put into the stalls next au-
tumn, till the time of their being shown in London)
and given to the judges, as a guidance to their deci-
sion. As I consider it possible. Sir, that this propo-
sal may be objected to on accountof Mr. Senior being
a friend of mine, which I am proud to say he is,
should sucli objection arise, I will endeavour to ob-
viate it, by further proposing that any person williag"
to accept the challenge shall be at liberty to send his
pair of oxen into the hands of Mr. Rowland, of Cres-
low, in the county of Bucks, or into those of any
othei respectable grazier in that neighbourhood,
provided Mr. Senior may be allowed, at all times he
may think proper, free access, to see that they are
treated in every respect in the same way as his own
oxen are, he (Mr. Senior^ to grant the same privi-
lege to the other party. I have stated correctly how
the steers that I sold to Mr. Senior had been kept
while in my possession, but I will offer no objection
whatever as to how those may liave been kept that
they may have to compete with ; the conditions I re-
quire relate entirely to their subsequent treatment
the only conditions that I am aware of at all calculated
to enable both the breeder and the grazier to arrive
at the grand desideratum, viz., the kind of animal best
adapted to pay the respective parties. I trust, Sir,
you will consider this letter of sufiicient public im-
portance to give it a place in your valuable paper,
and as I am anxious that these, my opinions, should be
generally known, I hope it will be copied into every
provincial paper in the kingdom. I had last week the
pleasure oi meeting my friend l\Ir. Hilliard at the
late Mr. Jellicoe's sale of cattle, when I made known
to him the challenge I intended to give, and requested
him to inform his neighbour, Earl Spencer, and
every other breeder of short-horned cattle with
whom he may be acquainted ; this he promised me he
would do. Accept my apology for having tres-
passed on your time at so great a length, and believe
me, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

JOHN PRICE.
Poole House, JJpion oji Sivine, Nov. 16.

Turnpike Roads. — We understand that the in-
habitants of several parishes and townships, in different
parts of the kingdom, have lately been prosecuted by
the Post-office for not repairing- turnpike-roads. A mis-
taken impression appears to exist that since the Highway
Act of the 5th and 6tli Wm. IV., c. 50, by which
statute-duty was abolished, parishes and townships, pre-
viously liable to the performance of statute-duty, are no
long-er bound to repair their highways. A more mis-
taken notion, or one more likely to lead to mischievous
consequences, could not prevail. Independently of
the summary proceedings authorised by the statute, the
common law liability on parishes and townships to re-
pair highways still exists. ^Ve hope, therefore, that the
decisive proceedings which the Postmaster-General has
been compelled to take for the public goodwill have a
salutary effect on other parishes and townships, as her
Majesty's mails must not be endangered or impeded by
neglects to repair turnpike-roads. One of the mails is
said to have actually broken down from the disgraceful
state of one of the roads in question- — wc allude to the
turnpike-road whicli runs through the parishes of Mid-
dle Rasen, West Rasen, and Kingerby, in Lincoln-
shire ; the inhabitants of whicli have had indictments
preferred and found against them, and will be com-
pelled to expend a very considerable sum in putting the
road into a state of repair, fit for the public to travel
over it.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

539

ON THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF
RAPE.

All the cabbage kind, being natives of a colder
climate than ours, do not require the heat of
summer to bring them to perfection. By culti-
vating these crops, we can have two crops in one
year in much of our land. Norfolk, and these
kinds of turnips, cabbages, borecoles, savoys,
and rape, can be grown in land which has, the
same year, produced vetches, corn, and early po-
tatoes ; or a meadow, if intended to be broke up
the following spring, could be ploughed imme-
diately on the hay being saved, and rapeseed
sown, by having rape plants, or any of the above
kinds, ready for transplanting when the corn is
cut. If the farmer is alert, has his dung ready,
and his xjlough and carts, as soon as the corn is
cut, he will have a secowd crop as valuable as the
first, instead of the field lying idle until Spring.
Mr. Stewart, of Wellfield, near Clonatilty, in the
year 1811, cut his vetches in June, and from that
until the end of July, he ploughed and harrowed
the field, planted rape plants in drills at 2 feet 9
inches, and the same from plant to plant. To each
plant he gave a shovel full of dung ; the second
week in September he earthed them with the
plough : in the second week of October the drills
were not discernable, and the plants in every way
touched each other. A gentleman ploughed a
meadow (when the hay was saved) in July, into 12
feet beds, gave them a light packing, then covered
the seed from the furrows, and rolled. The field
was four acres ; the rape supplied 20 cows from
the 20th of February to the middle of April. The
rape was mowed and brought into the stall ; the
produce of these 4 acres saved 30^. worth of hay,
to say nothing of the much greater quantity of
dung.

Directions. — Sow the seed in succession, once
a fortnight, beginning on the 1st June, and ending
1st July. When they have six or eight leaves,
transplant out of the seed-bed into rows, six or
eight inches from plant to plant, in good ground ;
7,000 plants are required for an acre ; one of those
plants is better than ten long-shank plants drawn
up in the seed-bed, and they are much less likely
to start. When the crop is off your field, plough
it all with a double furrow, one plough fol-
lowing another in the same furrow, to deepen
the soil to the greatest possible depth. Without
this, there cannot be a prime crop — but of this
hereafter ; then draw out dung, dropping or fall-
ing the loads in rows, every row to suffice for six-
teen drills (at two feet nine) , at each side of the
row ; fifty large loads (not less) are required fiv
an acre. Give but little dung, and you will have
but a little crop. The dung will be in the land,
and will greatly benefit the ensuing crop. When
the dung is out, open drills, not deep ; then put
out the dung, with shovels, at two feet six inches
asunder, in the drills — boys, &c., slipping plants
under the dung, one in each place ; then lightly
cover the dung with shovels. When the plants
get strong, earth with a plough — the first time,
lightly ; the second, as much to be thrown in as
you can, without covering the heart. When you
want fodder, cut first every second plant ; when
these are out, cut every second drill ; and, by the
time the remaining drills are used, the plants you
first cut will be fit to cut again. Each plant will
weigh from 5 to 20 pounds, according to season,
management, and manure. What a fine state of
tilth your field will be in for the next drill crop ! —
and the weeds will be, in a great measure, eradi-

cated. If you will not plough as directed, give a
sufficiency of manure, and plant your crop in pro-
per season, your crop will not be worth the la-
bour. Your bad example will prevent others from
planting rape when advised, and you will do your-
self no good and your neighbours harm. Do it
well, or not at all. Another good plan, and prac-
tised in many parts of Ireland, is, to plough in
July, and even in August, stubble meadow land,
which has just borne a crop of hay, lea land in-
tended for lea oats, moor or mountain (first drain-
ing it perfectly, and graffing, and burning moun-
tain^ into 12 beds ; top dress, with sea sand, or a
rich compost of lime and earth, giving a good pro-
portion to the furrows (the lime compost should
be made some time previous, and turned twice or
three times) ; then hack the beds, sow the seed,
and cover from the furrows ; then roll. In Decem-
ber, January, and February, mow, and give to
your cattle, or feed with sheep, during these
months ; then, close up the field, and let the rape
go to seed ; the seed often pays 18/. per acre, be-
sides feeding a lot of sheep for three winter
months. Care must be taken to watch the crop
when near ripening ; first, to drive away small
birds ; and, as it ripens irregularly, and sheds the
seed, it must be cut when near ripe, and threshed
where it is cut, and not carted to a barn. The
seed is bought for export. Mr. Wilkes, who cul-
tivated it extensively at Ballincollig, made 9L an
acre of the seed, from gravelly land — the most un-
fit for it. He exported the seed himself. Oil is
extracted from it, the refuse is made into rape-
cake, and is used to finish fat cattle very generally
in England, and also as manure for wheat and tur-
nips—half a ton to the acre. The effects are very
great ; it is broken very small, and sowed by the
hand, or with a small scoop. We want informa-
tion as to the mode and quantity to be given to
fattening cattle ; and, as we soon shall be able to
vie with the men of Kent, in the London market,
we must adopt their practices, and finish our
beasts in the best manner, which cannot be done
without rape-cake. Follow these directions, work-
ing farmers of Ireland. You will be enabled to
feed and fatten sheep and cattle in winter, better
than in summer ; you will be enabled to multiply
your cattle greatly ; to increase your dunghill to
an extent you have no idea of; to have two crops
in one year from much of your land ; to benefit
your fellow-creatures and your countrymen, by
being able to give them employment for every age,
profitable to yourself and to them, instead of being
obliged to leave much, and the best, of your land
for meadow. You may almost cancel meadow out
of your system, and only your clover and rye-grass
crop will be used for hay ; and if old meadows are
worth old gold, new meadows will be worth new
gold ; little hay will be grown— that only for
huntei-s, saddle and carriage horses in towns ; and
the farmer, finding those other crops much more
profitable, will have but little hay for sale. There
will be much demand in the towns, and a scanty
supply, and what you have to sell will then be
worth sending to market. — Correspondent of Cork
Southern Reporter.

Advantage of IiMMicnATioN. — Sir Harry Verney,
Bart., M. P., chairman of the Buckingham Union,
slates that great discredit has been thrown on ira-
migration by the illness which the immigrants have
suffered ; but he is, notwithstanding, of opinion that the
effects have been beneficial. " Labourers," he says,

540

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

who knew of nothing beyond their own villag'e, and who
felt tliat sort of downheartedness which attends the feel-
ing- of inability to rise in the world, have now learned
that improved sources of employment may be obtained
by resorting- to distant parts of the country. I went my-
self lately to Wolverhampton and Manchester and found
my own poor labourers gaining three times what they
obtained at home. One labourer, who with his family
had obtained 13s, a-week at Steeple Claydon, I found at
Manchester obtaining- 30s. working only four days. My
own carter's boy, who received 5s. a week, I found ob-
tained 10s. weekly at Wolverhampton. Both these in-
dividuals expect to increase their earnings ; both eame
home to see tlieir friends at Claydon ; and I need not
say that their visit stimulated others to obtain similar si-
tuations. 1 ought to add, that there is certainly a hard-
sliip in calling on parishes to aid in their going, 'ilie
farmers are no gainers in a pecuniary point of view by
the loss of those who desire to go, who arc generally
their best men. The gainers are the men themselves,
and the manufacturers who want them."

THOUGHTS ON DRAINING, AS THE
SUREST METHOD OF IMPARTING
TO THE SOIL THE BENEFITS OF
FERTILITY.

(from the QUARTiillLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE.)

At the conclusion of our last thoughts on drain-
ing (vol. vii. p. 533,) is expressed a sentiment
which cannot be too eni|)hatically impressed on
the minds both of landlords and tenants, that
draining is the first step towards the improve-
ment of the soil, which, if neglected, and the soil'
permitted to remain, not only in its natural, but in
a half cultivated state, all other means of fertilizing
it will only prove comparatively abortive in their
application. Were draining thoroughly effected,
all the present undrained but improvable soil of
the country would be rendered capable of receiving
all the benefits derivable from numerous indirect
modes of fertilizing it. These various modes of
fertilizing soil, were enumerated to be ploughing,
dung, lime, and bone-dust, and these subjects
were recommended as interesting topics of enquiry
for another paper. It is our purpose now to pro-
secute that enquiry.

1st, Ploughing. — In ploughing undrained land,
particulaily land resting on a wet subsoil, the at-
tention of the ])loughman is constantly exercised,
otherwise the plough may be thrown out at one
place, and dip deeper at another, without any
apparent cause for the diversity of its action,
'i'here is, however, a paramount cause for it. The
texture of soil, however, homogeneous it may ap-
pear at the surface, greally varies where the soil
rests on a ivet subsoil, it being consolidated atone
place, and loose at another ; and of course in being
hard and soft at diff"erent places. The hard por-
tions become dry by the expulsion of water by
the compression of the soil, and the porous
portions remain constant receptacles of super-
flous water. Small stones become firmly im-
bedded in the hard portions of the soil, and are
loose and ajit to be pushed before the plough in
the soft portions. The plough, through these al-
ternate changes of hard and soft, wet and dry,
portions of the soil, requires the utmost attention
in its guidance ; the hand and the eye of the
ploughman being constantly in requisition, during
the operation, to prevent the plough being thrown
gut or bni-ying itself. But even with attention,

such ploughing is unequally executed, and there-
fore unsatisfactory ; whilst the disagreeable na-
ture of the work tends to fatigue the body, and
irritate the mind of the ploughman, and the un-
steady draught occasioned by the unequal state of
the soil, jades the horses more severely than the
extent of the work performed. Great discomfort,
both to men and horses, attends ploughing soil in
such a state, in winter, and it is only less irksome
than the danger which both run of injuring their
health. Ague and consumption affect the men,
whilst cholic and inflammation of the bowels not
unfreqnently cut short the existence of the horse.
That this is no exaggerated result can be attested
by all farmers of wet land. But the evils of wet
land are not confined to the annoyance of men and
hoi-ses, they obviously affect the state of the culti-
vated soil, the nature of work, and the condition
of crops. '\Vith regard to wetness affecting the
state of cultivated soil, whatever labour and ma-
nure may be bestowed upon it, it always seems
poor, hungry, weeping, and is apt to become foul
with the strong ramifications of semi-aquatic
plants, threading themselves in all directions
through it. Being inelastic, its surface is easily
permanently imprinted with the hoofs of animals,
and consequently, easily poached. Of the nature
of the work on soil, in that condition, the furrow-
slice in breaking up lea, is not easily laid
over with the ear of the mould-board, its un-
der edge adhering tenaciously to the subsoil,
the vegetable matter of the soil becoming in
fact a kind of incipient peat. When the fur-
row-slice cannot be easily laid over, the slices
never clap close together. The harrows rather
make scratches over the furrow-slices than cut
them in pieces and blend them together, and
the roller compresses such land so as to dejjrive
the sown crops of the power of spreading their
roots in it. As to the effects of wet land on crops,
they consist of stinted growth of straw, or should
a flush of vegetation be at anytime encouraged by
the state of the weather, the grain in both cases is
lean, thick-skinned, and light. The grass too is
short, wiry, and inclined to acidity, instead of
being mucilaginous and saccharine in quality and
taste, or rather the finer grasses disappear and
coarse semi-aquatic kinds occupy their places.

Thoroughly drained land, on the other hand,
can be easily worked with all the common im])lc-
raents. Being all alike dry, its texture becomes
uniform ; and being so, the plough passes through
it with an uniform freedom ; and where ordinary
sized stones obstruct its course, the plough can
easily dislodge them. The plough by its own gra-
vity tends to raise a deep furrow, and the furrow
on its part, though heavy, crumbles down and
yields to the pressure of the mould-board, forming
a friable, mellow, rich looking mould, not unlike
the granular texture of raw sugar. The harrows,
instead of being held back and starting forward,
swim smoothly along, raking the soil into a smooth
uniform surface, entirely obliterating the prints
of footmarks. The roller compresses the surface
of the soil, and leaves what is below it in a soft
state for tlie expansion of the roots of plants. All
implements arc much easier drawn, and held or
driven on drained land ; and hence all the opera-
tions on it can be executed less laboriously, and,
of course, more economically and satisfactorily
than on undrained. Much has of late been said
of deep-ploughing in connection with drained land.
Deep-ploughing we conceive to be a safe practice
under every circumstance. It acts as draining to

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Ml

wet land, which of course must be very temporary
in its eifects. Its efficacy can only be fully deve-
loped on land that has been drained. There it
forms one indispensable supplement to draining.
It opens an easy access for light and air to the
roots of plants, and facilitates their combined
beneficial influences on the ingredients in the soil
which g'o to support vegetation, 'i'hese are all
natural consequences of deep-ploughing in the or-
dinary state of land, but these consequences will
only be permanently observed and felt on thorough-
ly drained land. It matters not in what manner
the soil is dGC[)ly stirred, the benefits of it will be
derived in any case. The common plough with
four horses, or a plough ma'le little stronger for
the purpose, will stir the soil that is thoroughly
drained, deep enough for the rumination of the
roots of all i)lants raised in agriculture. Such a
plough is equally efficient as any subsoil plough.
A soil thus stirred one foot in depth will attbrd
sufficient scope for the roots of most cultivated
plants, and even fusiform roots will penetrate
beyond that depth in a subsoil that has been
thoroughly drained. It matters little, we conceive,
whether a drained subsoil is brought up by the
plough or no. We are sure it can do no harm
when brought up, for it can be made the medium
of conveying nourishment to plants as well as the
upper soil. Both may be blended together for the
common object, and, in a short time, neither can
be distinguished from the other. By this property
of drained land, we anticipate a general and in-
creased improvement in soil, such an expansion,
in short, of its capabilities as to yield more abun-
dant crops with the ordinary quantum of labour
and manure.

2. Dung. — The baneful effects of undrained
land on farm-yard and other matter commonly
called manure, are most obvious. The perceptible
dampness in undrained soils, dissolves the soluble
jjortion of farm-yard manure, which, by its gra-
vity, descends beyond the reach of the rootlets of
young plants ; whilst the strawy portion remains
undecoraposed for a length of time. This state-
ment may account for the invariable languid ve-
getation of plants while young in undrained land.
After the straw has been decomposed, and vegeta-
tion been forced by the advancement of the sea-
son, the plants derive nourishment not only from
the decomposed straw, but probably also from the
soluble matter which had previously descended
through the dara[) soil. Vegetation is thus pro-
moted in summer, but it is generally too late for
that season to foster the plants to full maturity.
The lateness and immaturity of crops on wet land
may thus be explained. The fact is, wet land can-
not be put in heart with manure to a sufficient
degree to force vegetation without the assistance
of the season. These effects on manure will be
similar, whether the manure has been applied
broadcast or in drills; but as the drill system de
posits manure in larger masses on the same extent
of ground, the effects will always be found to be
comparatively less prejudicial to drilled than to
broadcast crops. As an instance in point, potatoes
cannot be successfully raised on wet land, when
the manure is spread broadcast on the ground in
autumn or early in sjuing. Before sueh practice
can succeed, the land must be in heart. But even
in drills, on wet land, the manure will be decom-
posed in different degrees and at different times.
The driest portion of the soil will first and most
effectually decompose the manure, the hardest next
in degree and time, and the wettest will retain it

in a state of maceration, as long as the water is
unevaporated by drought. Besides manure re-
maining inert in wet land, it also remains inert in
such land rendered dry by drought. In that pre-
dicament the manure becomes desiccated, unde-
composed, and easily separated from the soil,
which becomes like a sterile powder; and re-
mains so until the return of rain. Were the rain
to fall in moderate quantities, the decomposition
of the manure would be rapidly hastened in the
warm soil, but if in inordinate quantities, its de-
composition would be retarded as effectually as by
the drought, although in this case it would be dis-
sipated before decomposition. Nothing can so
convincingly prove the benefits of draining in im-
mediately securing the fertility of manure to the
soil, than in contemplating the baneful effects of
too much drought or moisture on manure. And
to render the proof the stronger, we have only to
contrast these effects with the effect of drairicd
land on manure. The moment that manure is de-
posited in a proper state, that is in a state of hu-
midity in drained land, its juices ai"e absorbed by
the dry soil, and retained there as in a wet sponge
half squeezed. The strawy portion being thus de-
prived of moisture by absorption, and still sur-
rounded with comparatively dry soil, which retains
heat within itself, and readily absorbs more from
the air, it is readily decomposed, and soon becomes
intimately blended with the soil. Food in a semi-
moist state is thus placed near and ready
prepared for the tender spongioles of plants to exist
upon ; and supposing the weather no better but
only equal to that we have supposed in the case of
the manure deposited in undrained land, the pro-
gress of vegetation will completely outstrip that in
the latter.

3. Lime. — Many farmers considerlime a manure,
and talk of it as such, but it cannot be a manure,
that is, food for i)]ants, in the caustic state in
which it is desired to be applied to land, however
it may be changed in its nature by admixture with
the soil or exposure to the air. Caustic lime
would soon destroy vegetable life. Instead of it-
self being a manure, it rather converts other sub-
stances into manure which would otherwise have
remained in an inert state. It acts on vegetable
matter on all soils, and, by decomposition, renders
that matter fit food for plants. This is its chemical
mode of action. It also acts mechanically, by se-
parating the particles of adhesive soils by desic-
cation ; but it is not probable that it acts chemi-
cally on the earthy portions of any soil. Con-
founding these properties of the action of lime,
when applied to soil, with one another, might lead
us to form erroneous conclusions regarding them.
When, for instance, we observe lime to act with
effect on vegetable matter lying inert in soils, we
might conclude that it would be applied with best
effect to wet land, in which vegetable matter is
most abundantly found to be inert. When lime is
found to pulverize and to dry clay soil become hard
and cloddy with moisture, we might conclude that
wet clays would derive most benefit from lime.
Both these conclusions would be decidedly erro-
neous. Because, although lime readily decomi)Oses
vegetable matter in soil, it only decomposes it ad-
vantageously in dry soil, or soil rendered dry by
draining, tho moisture in wet land rendering the
lime effete before it has time to act chemically on
the vegetable matter in the soil; and lime only
acts beneficially on drained soil, that contains ex-
cess of vegetable matter. Many dry soils, and
particularly wet soils when drained, contain excess

542

THE FARMER'S MAgAZINE

of vegetable matter, which matter, although en-
couraging a flush of vegetation, is deficient of
silicia to harden the straw and fill the grain.
Caustic lime converts a portion of this soft vege-
table matter into silicia, whilst it converts another
portion of it into a pabulum, by which vegetation
is powerfully supported. In like manner, the
application of lime to wet clays would be to con-
vert them into mortar, which would harden the
soil in drought that was intended to be pulverized.
Even in the case of top-dressing grass with lime,
which is excellent practice when performed aright,
pasture in a constantly swampy state can derive
no benefit from it. Before the application of lime
therefore, in any circumstances, land should be
thoroughly drained.

4. Bone-dust. — The extraordinary power of
crushed bones, when mixed with the soil, to pro-
mote vegetation, has not yet been satisfactorily
explained. The finer the bone-dust, and the more
intimately it is mixed with the soil, the more active
is the vegetation. That the bone is chemically de-
composed in its union with the soil is obvious.
Lift up a handful of earth in which bone-dust has
been mixed for some days, and it will be found to
be saturated with a rich oily substance, which
makes the earth adhere together into a ball when
squeezed in the hand ; and this effect will be ob-
served although the bones should have been boiled
previously to being crushed into dust. It is hardly
conceivable, a priori, that so small a quantity of
any substance, as of the bone-dust when used,
should be able to produce so sensible a change on
the soil immediately in contact with it. We cannot
positively assert which of the ingredients of the
bone-dust it is that constitutes the food of plants,
for although the circumstance of boiled crushed
bones being as good manure as those in a raw
state, would support the belief that it is not the
oily matter in bone which constitutes the manure,
yet the fact that boiled crushed bones render thesoil
apparently as rich with oil as raw, forbids us from
asserting that the phosphate of lime alone consti-
tutes the food of plants in bones. But whatever
the chemical action of bone-dust on soil may be,
we can assert with confidence, that bonedust will
impart no richness to any kind of soil, unless the
soil is either naturally dry, or has been drained;
and when soil does require draining, the more
thoroughly it is drained, the greater eflfect will
bone-dust have upon it as a manure.

We thus see, that unless land be thoroughly
drained, all the adventitious substances which are
employed to render it fertile, cannot impart their
fullest benefits to it. Since this is the case, it is
lamentable to think what vast quantities of ma-
nure, which take much time to collect, and much
money to purchase, is yearly wasted on undrained
land ! How much more produce might not these
quantities of manure annually raise, were they ap-
plied to land rendered fit to receive them by
thorough draining !

Monstrous Cabbage. — At the general meet-
mg- of the HorticuUural Society at Falkirk, held there
upon Friday se'nnig'ht, Mr. .Tohn Johnstone, boot
maker, the well-known amateur, and successful cultiva-
tor, produced rather a rare production, viz. a specimen
of early cabbag-e ol the unprecedented weight of 341bs.!
which now forms an object of interest in Messrs. Drum-
rnond's museum at Stirling. Likewise a head of late
cabbage, the heart being four feet in circumference ;
and his prize cow-cabbage was upwards of 18 feet
round.--5co«s)«fit?(.

STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN IRE-
,LAND.

(Compiled from Appendix F to the reports of the Com-
missioners of Irish Poor Inquiry.)

AMOUNT OF LABOUR EMPLOYED UPON THE LAND.

The proportion of labourers employed on grazing
farms is of course very small, but it is still smaller
in Ireland than in Great Britain ; on account of the
bad state in which the fences, roads, and everything
else, are kept in Ireland, while in England and Scot-
land the neatness, good order, and efficiency in which
all these matters are maintained furnish occupation
to a considerable number of persons. It was also
mentioned in our last article that the weeds were al-
lowed completely to cover the pastures, which neg-
lect deprives many women and children of occasional
employment. Another cause of a much smaller rate
of employment in Ireland is that the grazing farms
are all thrown open to the cattle or sheep, the whole
farm forming but one or two large enclosures, in-
stead of being divided into a number of separate
fields, as is done in England and Scotland, and there-
by requiring the maintenance of many fences, gates,
roads, &c., which are dispensed with in the Irish
mode of grazing, although it is well known that this
increased expense is much more than compensated
by the saving of food and the greater thriving of the
stock in the English mode of grazing. It appears
that the men employed on grazing farms in Ireland
scarcely average one to every hundred acres ; and
when this proportion is compared with that of the
hands employed on land under tillage, the dreadful
consequences, especially in the present state of the
country, of the extensive conversion from tillage to
grass which has taken place of late years, in conse-
quence of the low price of corn and of the rise in the
value of wool and meatj will be easily imagined. It
is, in fact, this conversion into pasture of many large
tracts of arable land, formerly occupied in small hold-
dings by numerous families, which has been the
chief cause of the extensive " clearances" (eject-
ment of small tenants, and pulling down their cabins
and buildings) that have occurred in almost every
part of Ireland within thelast20 years. The propor-
tional number of labourers employed on arable land
is altogether as much greater than in England and
Scotland. It seems to be full double in Ireland, the
proportion there being said to be full ten men for
every 100 English acres of tillage, instead of four
or five as in Great Britain. The chief causes to
which this great difference is ascribed are, the large
extent of potatoes grown, which crop requires much
manual labour, especially in Ireland, where much is
done to it by the spade, which in Great Britain is
performed by the plough : the greater use of the
spade for other parts of cultivation also, in Ireland ;
the imperfect make of the implements, and the total
absence of many used in Great Britain ; the infe-
riority of the Irish labourer in point of skill, steadi-
ness, and endurance of continued exertion, not sup-
posed to arise from any natural deficiency, but from
the want of practice, of early training and example,
of constant employment and of consequent habits of
continual industry, and of proper and sufficient food
to bear the wear and fatigue of continued bard work.
Several experienced agriculturists, whose opinions
are recorded in appendix F, state, that in conse-
quence of this deficiency in the generality of Irish
labourers, most agricultural work is done as cheaply
in England and Scotland asin Ireland, notwithstand-
ing that wages are three or four times as high in the
two former countries as in the latter. For instance,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

543

one of the Englisli Assistant Commissioners states,
that in the barony of Carbery, county of Sligo, he
found the usual number of men required to reap an
Irish acre of corn in a day to be eight, besides two
more to bind it ; whereas in England three men
would reap bind, and put it into stooks in that time ;
which difference being as nearly as possible the same
whicli there would be in the wages paid in the two
countries, the cost of the work would be similar. A
similar instance was mentioned by a witness in tlie
barony of Maryborough, Queen's County. A friend
of his has a farm in Queen's (bounty, and another in
Hampshire, which are both cultivated on the same
System, and he finds that his payments for tlie same
work are about equal on each farm, although daily
wages are full three times as high in Hampshire as
in the Queen's County. Another of the English
Assistant Commissioners makes the same observa-
tion, having found that much of the work, such as
fencing, ditching, draining, tScc, was performed as
cheaply in England as in Ireland. This accounts
for the density of the population even in the most
remote agricultural districts. For instance, in the
before-mentioned barony of Carbery, county ofSligo,
one of the chief parishes, that of Drumcliffe, con-
tains 10,800 Irish, or about 18,000 English acres,
with a population of nearly 14,000 persons, of whom
about 2,500 are males above 20 years of age, em-
ployed in agriculture ; which makes about one of
the latter to every seven English acres, besides the
labour of the males under 20 years of age, and that
of the women and children, and although a large por-
tion of the parish consists of mountain land. It is
only by spade husbandry that such a relative amount
of population can find even the employment they do,
or could possibly exist. The case of Drumcliffe is
by no means an unusual one, especially in the south
and west of Ireland, and it shows that nothing but
vigorous measures carried into effect with spirit and
energy — no vacillating half-measures or botching
patchwork, can possibly regenerate Ireland, which is
only to be done by simultaneously adopting every
means to bring the whole of her great natural re-
sources into fruitful operation, in order to furnish
employment to her dense population, and to rouse
them from their present state of moral and physical
apathy and semi-barbarism.

\ HOnSES EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURE.

The number of horses kept in proportion to the
extent of land under tillage is (except on the smaller
holdings, where the proportion of them is greater in
consequence of their low condition, and of the want
of good implements, and of knowledge and skill in
the occupier) not much larger than in the south and
west of England, but nearly double of the relative
number used in the east and north of England and
Scotland. Those of the resident proprietors and
gentlemen, and generally those of the large farmers,
are in tolerable working condition, but among the
other farmers and small occupiers they are almost
invariably low in flesh and totally unfit for hard work.
This false economy greatly aggravates a defect very
general among the horses used for agricultural pur-
poses— that of being far too light-bred and deficient in
bone and muscle for their work. They arc usually
turned out with the cows night and day from spring
to autumn, having then no other food than the grass
they pick up, and taken into a stable or under a shed
in the yard during the winter, when hay and straw
are given them with a few boiled potatoes or stale
oats. The horses of the gentlemen and of some of the
large farmers are however better treated, clover and
vetches or tares being given them in summer, and a

regular allowance of steamed potatoes and oats du-
ring winter. They are said to thrive remarkably
well on steamed potatoes.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

The light Scotch ploughs, or others made on that
principle, have been introduced into almost every
part of Ireland, and in most districts are become ge-
neral among- the larger farmers. They are, however,
often used with four or six horses instead of two,
but which in many cases may arise from the low
condition and slender make of the horses. In several
counties of the south and west, nevertheless, no
plougli is found, but the old imperfect wooden one
of the country, while in a number of those and other
districts even that implement is hardly ever met
with, and the spade is the only instrument used for
cultivating the ground. This is also said to be
chiefly the case in some other parts of Ireland, on
account of the very low price of labour. Scotcli one-
horse carts or English tumbrils are becoming general
among the more considerable farmers. The smaller
occupiers of land use the old Irish cars, except that
the soiled log wheels, which were usual formerly,
are now almost everywhere replaced by small spoked
wheels, with iron axles. Not only the " loys" (the
old Irish spade), but every sort of spade, shovels
and other tools have very long handles. This pre-
vents the workman from having to stoop to his work,
but it greatly diminishes his power over the tool,
and thereby prevents him from working as quickly
or eflficiently as with the short-handled English spade
or shovel. Thrashing-mills or machines, light seed-
harrows, rollers, and winnowing machines, are only
found among the more extensive farmers, and on the
farms of resident proprietors and gentlemen. The
small landholders thrash their corn with the flail,
and often on a smooth place in the field or yard, or
before their door, as a substitute for a barn floor.
In some place it is even still performed in the very
ancient manner of beating the ears against a board,
to thrash or beat out the grain. Their only harrow
is a single and very heavy clumsy one, only proper
for rough ground, and totally unfit for covering seed.
They either do not use, or have to borrow, rollers
from their more wealthy neighbours ; and, instead of
cleaning their corn with a winnowing machine, they
do it out of doors by the primitive and less oflScient
means of the wind. In most of the western counties
they also dispense with gates to the fields, closino-
the apertures with loose stones heaped one on the
other, or with a pile of bog timber (wood found
buried in the bogs), an empty car, or any other
bulky implement or substance not immediately
wanted — a painful proof of the little value of human
labour in Ireland.

The manures generally used in Ireland appear to
be common yard manure, lime, limestone, gravel,
sand, sea-weed, and shell-sand, a description of sea-
sand found on certain banks, and abounding with
broken shells and other fertilizing decayed particles.
The yard manure, lime, and sea-weed, are often
mixed with ditch and road scrapings, and other
earth, or with "bog-stuff"" (peat-earth), and any re-
fuse which tlie small occupier's or labourer's family
can pick up and collect. As in every other depart-
ment of rural economy, great ignorance, carelessness,
and waste, seem to prevail in the management and
application of these manures. The yard-manure is
suffered to lose most of its fertilizing power by long
exposure to the sun, wind, and rain; it is not placed
upon earth or some other substance which would im-

544

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

bibe its valuable drainings ; nor is it applied to the
land in the state most proper to fertilize it; and
when it is mixed with earth or other materials to
form a compost, this is frequently not done until the
yard-manure has lost half its strength by fermenta-
tion and evaporation. Burning the surface soil or
turf of old pasture and waste lands is also a frequent
practice ; but, however good husbandry paring and
burning is knovrn to be, when judiciously performed
and on proper occasions, it has been so mucli abused
in Ireland that most landlords strictly prohibit their
tenants from doing it.

GRASS LAND.

Ireland contains a considerable extent of fine old
grazing land, much of which, situated chiefly in the
counties of Mealh and Limerick, is of the iirst qua-
lity, and applied entirely to the fattening of cattle;
but the greater part of the old pasture is of the se-
cond or third rate quality, and used for breeding and
rearing cattle and sheep, or dairying. Tiiere is also
a great extent of rough pasturage on tlie hills and
mountains. The other grass land, which forms a
large proportion of the whole, consists of the land
that is laid down to grass, or, as the peasantry call
it, allowed to " run to waste" for some years, to re-
store its fertility after it has been exhausted by severe
cropping and bad treatment. The chief defects in
the management of grass land are described to be,
the want of draining, which, in so damp a climate
especially, causes the pastures to be overrun with
rushes and aquatic weeds, as well as to be sour and
unwholesome for the stock, feeding much of tlie poor
pastures, particularly the limestone and rocky dis-
tricts and the mountainous country, with cows or
store cattle instead of sheep, where the former are
stunted and starved, while the latter would thrive
remarkably there, and would therefore bo much more
profitable — leaving tlie land in a foul and exhausted
state to struggle with weeds and clothe itself as it
may with spontaneous herbage, instead of sowing it,
when clean and in a proper state, with grass seeds
suited to the soil. Some of the farmers sow what
they call hayseeds, but tl; is is only the sweepings
of the stables and " haggards" (stack-yards), and
contains more seeds of weeds and of other rubbish
than of good grasses ; it is only a few gentlemen and
extensive farmers who sow clean seeds of the suitable
kinds in the land intended to remain some years in
pasture, suffering the grass land to be overrun with
thistles, ragweed, and every other description of weed
and pernicious plant, although so many persons are
unemployed that men are everywhere to be had at
8d., and women and boys at 4d., per day.

All the proceedings relating to hay appear to be
equally injudicious. It is allowed to remain uncut
until long after it is sufficiently matured and it has
lost its most succulent and nourishing qualities. And
then, instead of making, and stacking it as quickly
as possible after it is cut, to prevent the loss both
of weight and quality by long exposure to the sun,
rain, or dew, and wind, it is left two or three months
in the field before it is finally stacked, the making
which is performed in England by two or three days
of constant turning and shaking out, being replaced
in Ireland by a series of fermentations occasioned
by putting the grass into cocks immediately after it
is cut, and by leaving it there to heat for a week or
more, the size of the cocks being doubled or trebled
at each of these periods of moving, during the whole
of which time it is of course exposed to all the vicis-
situdes of the weather.

THE DAIRY, COWS, &C.

The description given of the Irish dairies shows the
same mismanagement and want of care and attention

as all the other departments of rural economy. With
the exception of the farms of gentlemen and of some
of the large farmers, where the system pursued ap-
proaches nearly to thac of England, the milk and
hutter, instead of being kept in a regular dairy, con-
veniently fitted up for and exclusively devoted to
that purpose, and the cleanliness of which is pro-
verbial, as is the case in England, Holland, and
almost every other countrj', are put into any place
or corner that happens to be vacant. On one farm
the Assistant Commissioner found the dairy esta-
blished for the summer in a dirty stable or shed that
served for the horses in winter. On a second the
milk and butter had been removed into one end of
the farmer's bedroom, his wife, himself, and three
of the younger children sleeping in two beds at the
other end, while the outhouse which he called his
dairy, was used for thrashing out the corn in. At
other farms, " the dairy," which similarly consisted
of a dirty shed or outhouse, served for that purpose
from spring to autumn, and in winter was converted
into a coal or turf shed, potato-house, stable, cow-
house, or any thing else required. But what is still
worse, and is usually done by the smaller farmers,
is at all times to keep their milk, butter, and dairy
utensils in their kitchen (which is also their con-
stant, and generally their only, living or sitting-
room), or in one of the adjoining sleeping-rooms,
M'here, amidst the fumes of turf smoke, and the
smell of rancid bacon, sour butter-milk, and whisky,
it is not astonishing, as one of the Assistant Com-
missioners observes, " that the butter has frequently
a smoky greasy taste ; but it is surprising that it i&
often so good, considering the odours of which the
domestic atmosphere of the smaller farmhouses is
generall)' composed, and the want of cleanliness
which prevails in every part of the pi'ocess of butter-
making." To the foregoing practices, and this want
of cleanliness in the dairy utensils, is added the de-
fect of not sufficiently washing out the butter-milk ;
and the natural consequence is, that but a small pro-
portion of the Irisli butter ranks in the English or
foreign markets among that of the first quality, and
that it cannot compete with the Dutch. The salting,
putting down into cask, and other processes, are also
not as carefully and skilfully performed as in other
dairy countries, and the uniformity of taste and
colour of the butter throughout the cask are conse-
quently inferior. The certain eflfects of good and
bad management are strikingly illustrated by the
very different results obtained by some of the gentle-
men and extensive landowners, and by the smaller
farmers. Not only does the butter of the former
take the first rank in the market, while that of the
latter is only of the second, and often of the third
quality, but there is vdso the same diflerence in the
quantity produced, the one obtaining about IJ cwt.
of butter per cow in the course of the year, and the
other little or no more than 1 cwt. This great dif-
ference arises solely from the great cleanliness and
attention, the use of a more proper dairy, and the
better selection and feeding of tlieircowsby the large
farmers.

Few of the dairies are on a large scale, scarcely
any exceed 20 cows, and even in the dairy districts
the number most usual is from 8 to 12. 1'he native
long-horned breed is preferred by the generality of
the farmers for the dairy, as being equally good for
thnt purpose, and more hardy than the English
breeds. But, however necessary this may be for a
few of the exposed mountainous districts, the fine
herbage and mild climate of Ireland are found ex-
tremely suitable for any of the improved English or
Scotch breeds, and most of the gentlemen and ex-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

645

tensive farmers have now short-horned, Ayrshire,
Devon, or other British cows or crosses of them
with the native hreed. The dairy, as well as every
other branch of the farmer's business, feels the
injurious effects of the absence of turnips, mangel-
wurzel, and other root and green crops. For want
of these it becomes necessary to let the cows go dry
during the whole of the winter ; and probably also,
from the scarcity of other food, they are kept out on
the grass land all the winter, which not only exposes
them to the constant wet and cold of that inclement
season, and robs the farm of the great means of
making manure in the yards, but also greatly injures
the land by the "poaching" ('the heevy tread and
sinking in) of the cows in wet weather, particularly
in so damp a climate, and where the want of drain-
ing is so general. Such is the scarcity of winter
food, that unthrashed oats are still given to the cows
in many districts where hay is not plentiful, and
that until within a few years it was a common prac-
tice in the county of Kerry and others parts of Ire-
land to fasten a rope round the body of each cow for
the purpose of raising them from the ground when
they were in ao weak a state from short allowance as
not to be able to rise without help, and it was one of
the duties of the farmer or his men to go round the
fields every morning- "lifting the cows 1" This
and all the other already-mentioned mismanagement
on this subject are doubly to be lamented, inas-
much as the climate and soil of Ireland are so ad-
mirably adapted to grass and every kind of green
and root crop as to give her a great superiority over
other countries in dairying and grazing ; and yet she
cannot compete with Holland and Belgium in the
English market, notwithstanding the high duties to
which the produce of those countries is subject. The
practice of letting dairies is not unfrequent in some
parts of Ireland. The usual price is from 51. to 61.
per cow, for which the lessor furnishes land, cows,
&c., the lessee having only to farm the land and carry
on tlie dairying business at his own expense.

ON PLANTING THE OAK.

(to the editor of the taunton courier.)

Sir, — I take the liberty of sending you a few re-
marks on the utility of planting Oak : should you
think them calculated to produce, or by challenging
inquiry, to call forth improved practices upon this
subject, you will perhaps permit the same to have
the advantage of being inserted in Tlie Taunton
Courier. — The Oak stands at the head of British tim-
ber trees, as well on account of its utility as of the
grandeur and majesty of its figure : it arrives at a
bulk equal, if not superior, to that of any other tree
of the forest ; and bv the vast arms which it throws
out on every side, it forms a mass which fills the eye
of the spectator, and impresses him with gigantic
ideas. Its rugged bark and jagged deep green leaves
add to its character of rustic and masculine strength.
The Oak most delights in a jrich strong soil, in
which it strikes its roots to a vast depth. It loves
hilly rather than boggy ground, and thrives best in
large plantations. It forms the largest head, and
spreads in the most picturesque figure when growing
singly, as in parks and ornamental grounds, but it
rises with a tall and straight trunk only in woods
and close plantations — I am very sorry to say, that
in my regular rounds about the country, very little
of this most useful tree can I find being planted.
The different nurserymen whom I frequently meet

with, are all in one and the same story that their nurse-
ries are abounding with oak, and little or no orders can
they procure for this most noble King of the Forest.
On soliciting orders from noblemen and gentlemen,
their universal answer is, " we will plant Larch,
Scotch, Spruce, &c.,but not any Oak, or very few, as
we shall reap the benefit of the former in our own life-
time ; but as for the latter, we shall not he in the
least benefited by it." Had our forefathers been in
the same mind, where would have been all our fine
timber which has been so useful to us in a thousand
different ways'? There are many would-be wise
men who have asserted that planting the Oak, where-
by the roots are from necessity obliged to be cur-
tailed, prevents it from ever growing to fine timber.
This is a most erroneous idea, as I pm confident from
what I have seen, that it will grow equal to any
other tree that is planted, comparatively, and in a
soil and situation not decidedly unfavourable. It is
algorecommendedby the above wise-acres, that acorns
be sown in the place where they are to remain, in-
stead of putting in a good plant. I have seen the ex-
periment tried on a fair scale, where the soil and
situation were equally alike, allowing the seed or
acorns to be sown three years previously to the plants
being put in. When the planting took place, the
plants had attained four years' growth, one year
being allowed for the check they received in being
removed when one year old, from the seed bed into
nursery rows ; and likewise at their second removal,
when finally planted out into the place they are in-
tended to occupy. It is now twenty-five years since
the sowing and planting took place : I have lately gone
through the plantations, and have taken the girths of
a great quantity of trees of each, and find that those
which were planted far exceed the others that were
sown, both in girth and appearance : the former
averaging two feet six inches in girth, four feet from
the ground, whereas the latter do not exceed two
feet. The whole appearance of these trees that were
planted, certainly indicates that in twenty-five years
more they will be worth double the value of those
that were sown, which of course is no trifling con-
sideration, particularly where there are fifty or sixty
acres of such plantations. The best screens for the
Oak, are Spruce, Scotch, Larch and Beech, which
should be put in as follows : — For one statute acre,
or 4,840 yards, say — Larch 1,000, at six feet six
inches apart; Spruce 300 at twelve feet apart;
Scotch 300, at twelve feet apart ; Beech 400, at ten
feet apart; Oak 600, at eight feet six inches apart ;
and Blaclc American Spruce 100, at twenty feet
apart; making altogether 2,700 plants. The Black
Spruce should be kept at the outside of the planta-
tion, as they are very ornamental, and throw out long
bushy arras, which are the means of breaking the
cold cutting winds that are so injurious to young-
plantations. I will ere long give you my opinion as
to the management of plantations, generally re-
quired, so as to produce fine straight timber trees.
Forming a judgment from experience, it does not
seem very reasonable to expect a candid view of
these opinions, or a cordial co-operation from those
gentlemen who are bigotted to their own notions,
and who look with determined opposition at any in-
novations upon them, relying on their presumed skill,
and on the general unwillingness to interfere in their
province ; but surely we may hope this will not in-
clude the wliole number, and that some of the more
liberal, whose practice does not accord withthathere
recommended, will make a fair trial on a single acre
or two, and approve or condemn, as the effect may
justify. — I am. Sir, your obedient servant,

TaunUn,Oct.23. GEORGE HARRISON.

2 G

546

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

TO THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED
KINGDOM.

FROM THE banker's CIRCULAR.

Tlie agricultural interest of Great Britain com-
mands very little of the attention and consideration
of the periodical literature of the age, except from a
few publications devoted expressly to that object.
Even those works which address themselves ex-
clusively to the farming interest are not conducted
witli a farmer's spirit, and with that love and know-
ledge of rural pursuits which we should like to see.
The Scotch, we believe, are more favoured in this
respect than the English ; every intelligent farmer
in Scotland not only keeps a banking account — whicli
he draws upon at seasous when he wants a temporary
addition to his own capital, and which he uses to
economize and fructify his capital when he has more
of it in the shape of money than his occupation im-
mediately requires— but he also takes in a periodical
suited to his avocations. Knowledge of the uses of
money and scientific information thus combine to
give energy to liis labours. This is not tlie case in
England, at least as a common and prevalent habit ;
still less is it so in Wales. The farmers are a tranquil
and even-tenoured race, who trouble themselves but
little with popular meetings or public proceedings of
any kind, and they intrude themselves and their
concerns less upon learned disputants of the press
than any other section of this social community ;
and consequently they have less advantages and
support of that powerful organ than all. Yet, when
we reflect that the agricultural classes of the British,
whether gauged by property or by population, com-
prise more than five-sixths of the entire productive
interest of the United Kingdom, it seems to involve
a severe reflection upon us for bestowing so little
attention upon a subject so important.

If any particular danger were to assail this great
interest, it would be the duty of all, however humble
their positions, to assist in its protection. But ever
since the present corn-law was passed by the Duke
of Wellington — a measure in which, we understand,
he still contemplates with the highest satisfaction,
as an evidence of Jiis statesman-like qualities — the
Government has wisely abstained from much inter-
ference, and has not subjected this permanent basis
of the nation's prosperity and greatness, to the ex-
perimentalizing process which has been perhaps too
prevalent in other matters. It is not therefore
because we discover impending danger that we think
it right, on the present occasion, to make a few
observations upon the state of the agricultural
interest, but because we derive much satisfaction
from contemplating its present condition and pros-
pect; and because such notice as we may give pos-
sibly conduce in some small degree to the ad\antage
of farmers by pointing out a proper and legitimate
object for the employment of money at this season of
glut and abundance in the supply. It has appeared
to us that there [irevails amongst bankers too appre-
hensive and shrinking a feeling in their pecuniary
dealings with farmers and graziers, and that conse-
quently these important producers of national wealth
have not that fair share in the distribution of money
which they have a right to. If any reflections of
ours can have the slightest effect in contributing to
the prosperity of the agricultural interest, we deem
it the best object to which our labour can be directed.
Farmers have their cycles of adversity and
prosperity as well as miners, manufacturers, ship
owners, bankers, and merchants. They may
not be of such frequent recurrence, and the suf-

fering and exaltation of each respective period
may not be so intense, and are certainly not so
obtrusive upon general observation ; but they
are nevertheless very plainly indicated in the
diligent inquirer, and they are eminently instructive.
We are rather too familiar with commercial convul-
sions ; it is said by some of the most powerful
money-dealers in London that they occur, and must
for ever occur, once in every seven years. We see no
reason why they should occur even once in twenty
years, and we firmly believe that in proportion as
the government and the bank become possessed of
the most valuable commercial knowledge, as they
become alive to its importance, and are determined by
that consciousness to apply timely measures for the
prevention of mischief, commercial panics, and con-
vulsions of subersive character, will in a great de-
gree cease. Be this, however as it may, the nearest
parallel to the effects of a mercantile crisis of a
trying nature which has ever visited the farmers of
England are, tliat which they endured during the
American war of independence, and that which was
produced by the enforcement of the act of 1819
known as Peel's bill. Both these periods of suf-
fering and depression were of much longer duration
than any visitation of a similar character which ever
afflicted the mercantile classes ; and they are the only
two examples which bear any analogy in their des-
tructive results upon the farming interest, to tliose
which occurred in commercial affairs in the years
1787, 1793, 1797, 1802, 1810—11,1816,1821—2,
1825, 1830-31, 1836—37.

If ever there was a memorable panic-time for .
farmers, it was at each of the two periods we have
named. During the American war several kinds of
produce were almost unsealeable. Corn, taking all
sorts, fetched about sixty or sixty-five pounds where
it now makes a hundred ; dairy-produce was about
half its present price ; the long-wool of Lincoln-
shire, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, Devonshire,
viz. tlie wool of all the varieties of the old Lincoln,
Leicester, Cotswold, Devon, and Teeswater breeds,
now almost all crossed and intermixed, and pretty
nearly transformed into the New-Leicester — then
sold at about four-pence to five-pence the pound ;
so that for this article in the farmer's annual piofit
Ije did not realize thirty where he now gets a hun-
dred. Butchers' meat was about one-half its present
value ; and horses were about fifty per cent, lower
than they are now — taking all sorts for slow draught,
the saddle, and harness into account. In short we
could not mention a single product of the land which
approaches nearer in value to present prices than we
have now described, unless it be timber and bark,
and we believe these do not. IMany farmers had
five, six, and seven years' growth both of wool and
corn ; and a general gloom and stagnation prevailed
in all pans of the country among the agricultural
classes.

This remarkable pressure on immeasurably the
most important of all the productive classes was,
we think, more attributable to the efforts made by
the government about that period to suppress the
small notes of provincial bankers and other local
money-issuers, and to an improved gold coinage,
which virtually raised the standard of value, than to
the American war and its immediate consequences.
It had, however, the eflpect of smothering for a season
the bursting spirit of enterprise and improvement,
which, but for the stagnation and inanition univer-
sally produced by low prices and unsaleable stocks,
would undoubtedly much earlier have developed its
consequences among the cultivators of the soil. All,
however, was cheerless gloom and despondency in

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

547

that important class until manufactures and commerce
began to flourish and extend themselves, and credit
and confidence to revive and expand. Between
1785 and 1793, country banks, and of course pro-
missory notes, were increased in a greater ratio than
at any former period. We believe we might say —
looking at the almost entire absence of circulation
when markets were at the lowest level of prices, and
when universal gloom prevailed — having reference,
we say, to that state of things as the starting point,
we might safely assert that the increase in mercan-
tile credit and bankers' paper was relatively greater
in the seven j'ears preceding the panic of 1793, than
it has been at any other period of our commercial
history — at least during the last fifty years.

This stimulated activity in all departments of
industry. The germ of that great improvement
and signal change in our husbandry, which has
since been known by the appellation of Norfolk
husbandry, or the four crop system, had begun to
spring some time before the period of which we
speak. That great benefactor of the farmer,
who was, we believe, celebrated by the soubriquet
of " Turnip-Townsend," had been at great pains
to promote the cultivation of the most valuable
esculent that has yet been planted in our fields —
as far as the raising of cattle, the improvement
of land, and the increasing of the quantity and
value of its produce is concerned. It was, how-
ever, mainly the extension of bankers' notes, and
the accommodation afforded by bankers to the
cultivators of the soil, which gave the great im-
pulse to agricultural improvement, and made
the farmers active, enterprising, inquisitive, and
intelligent. In 1793, the price of wool had ad-
vanced to more than three times the value which
it had borne at its lowest level, and the prices of
most, if not all other products had been raised in
a lesser, but a corresponding degree. Land which
had been regarded as sterile rabbit-warrens was
broken up ; enclosure bills were passed in annually
increasing number ; the best breeds of cattle were
sought after with avidity ; and all the gratifying
evidences of extension of industry, improvement
in professional knowledge, and prosperity in the
substantial affairs of property among the most
dormant and least excitable class in the com-
munity became manifest.

The additional energy imparted to farming
pursuits as vvell as to others by the operation of
this cause was too powerful and too rapid in its
development to proceed long without a check.
So great an expansion of banks and circulation
could not take place without endangering the
position of the Bank of England. This check
was suddenly imposed in the year 1798, in which
year a greater number of banks stopped payment
in proportion to the number opened than in any
other year from the commencement of the reign
of George III. to the present day. The price
of wool fell from 28s. the tod to 18s. — or from
12d. to less than 8d. the pound. The check,
however, was feeble and for short duration, com-
pared with the strength of the current it was ex-
pected to stem. It had not any material effect in
staying the source of agricultural improvement.
The great revolutionary war broke out in that
year, and the Cash Restriction Act was passed in
the year 1797, or four years subsequent. This
brief notice of the memorable period of agricul-
tural adversity and of the consequences which
succeeded it seems necessary to a just and clear
apprehension of the state of the farming interest
as it exists at the present moment. It is the more

requisite to place the leading circumstances of
that disastrous period and the sudden prosperity
which followed it in our recollection, because, it
appears to us, to them we may trace the remote
causes of the long period of prosperity to the
farmers which ended with the year 1818, as well
as, in some degree, the disasters which succeeded
its termination.

If the prosperity which was suddenly obstructed
in the year 1793 had been progressive and unin-
terrupted in its course, the effects of it, in giving
out evidences of wealth and growing luxury among
the farmers, would have become manifest before
the close of the last century, instead of being so
in the first ten years of the present ; and land-
lords would have raised their rents and increased
their own personal expenditure at an earlier date.
We believe that rents were not generally raised
much beyond the rentals of 1793, imtil after the
two years when the prices of corn advanced so
enormously in 1801-2. And supposing many
leases to have been granted for twenty-one years
from 1802, the results of the contract between
landlord and tenant would be wholly in favour of
the occupier during the principal part of that
period. To this circumstance may be in great
measure ascribed the obstinacy of landowners in
keeping their rents high for so many years after
reduction had become manifestly necessary and
inevitable. They had suffered injustice in the di-
vision of profits with their tenants for more than
twenty years previous to 1819, and they vainly
endeavoured to reimburse themselves during the
succeeding ten or twelve years. Holding tenaci-
ously their rents nominally at the high range,
many of them flattered themselves that range
would describe the permanent state of their in-
come, and they considered the giving ten or
twenty per cent, to their tenants on the rent-day
a mere temporary expedient to carry them over a
casual difficulty. After circumstances had im-
partially called for it rents were not_ generally
lowered nearly to the fair level till within the last
five or six years ; and we believe the disposition to
do justice to the tenants in this respect was greatly
accelerated in this operation by the legacy of Lord
Grey previous to his retiring from public life. He
declared emphatically in the House of Lords
that landowners had no alternative, that they
must reduce their rents in accordance with the
altered circumstances of the country ; and al-
though this was bitterly complained of by many
members of his own illustrious " order," we are
convinced that it produced great effect, and con-
ferred a substantial and lasting benefit upon far-
mers.

We allude to these matters because it appears
to us that the general reduction of rents which
has at last taken place is the essential basis of the
future prosperity of the farming interest. Land is
now much more generally than heretofore let upon
a corn-rent, which perhaps on the long run is the
most equitable principle of all; but the method
of levying the tribute is not so material as the dis-
position and power to do justice. And it may
safely be asserted that the inclination to regain
good tenants, and the active desire to see them
prosper are now become almost universal among
the landed proprietors of Great Britain. This ia
the solid foundation for remunerative industry to
proceed upon, and therefore we are anxious to see
the occupiers of the soil again in possession of all
those auxiliary adventitious aids and supports
which they could command for more than twenty

2 G 2

548

THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE.

years previous to the second signal season of their
adversity. Amongst these the most important is
the occasional assistance of banks. We are not
aware that the customary loans afforded by the
Scotch banks to the farmers have been more cur-
tailed than the prudent administration of their
affairs required. The principle remains in opera-
lion ready to disseminate its benefits, whereas in
some parts of England it is almost extinct. We
always attribute great merit to the Scotch bankers
for the fostering care which they exercise over the
landed interest ; and we use the term merit be-
cause there is a stability in their conduct whicli
restrains them from drawing money from the
usual channels where it is employed safely and
beneficially, for the purpose of investing it in
some new floating securities that might for a time
yield a higher profit. The relative amount of
money sent up by the great deposit banks of
Scotland to the brokers of London for temporary
employment is much less than from the same
class of provincial banks in England. This shows
that their directors and managers first look at
their own vicinities, that their first and special
concern is the interests of their own localities and
the welfare and prosperity of their own particular
section of the kingdom. By the patronage of the
people of Scotland the bankers are become lich
and powerful, and they would do wrong to be led
astray by higher ephemeral profits which specu-
lative commerce may engender at a distance,
while the permanent interests of their own
country require their aid.

We are aware that in the important affairs of bank
changes cannot be suddenly introduced, and bear in
mind also that the long-established habils of the
Scotch people render the p'-actice of lending money
to farmers, one of greater facility and safety, than it
is in England. The Scotch banks are much less
liable to runs and sudden demand for j^old or Bank of
England notes ; the system of taking joint bonds for
cash credits is universally prevalent. It would not
be easy for the English bankers to avail themselves
of similar advantages. The joint notes or bonds of
farmers would not be convertible instruments in the
money-market, and the liability to sudden demands
for coin or legal-tender-notes points to tlie expedi-
ency of having something of current value and cir-
culation in exchange for loans. But estimating the
different circumstances in which the Scotch and
English bankers are placed at their true value, we do
not see why tliere should not be an approximation
to the same practice in the agricultural districts of
England which prevailed prior to the year I8I9.
We think it was stated in parliament, or given in
evidence before a committee — but whether it obtained
that kind of publicity or not, the fact may be lelied on
— thatone eminent and opulentBank of Norfolk had at
one time lent upvvards of a million sterling to the farm-
ers of that county. It may be questioned whether the
loans of the snme bank to the same class amount, at
the present time, to one-third or one-fourth of the
sum. And yet the resources of the bank are greater
than ever, the wants of the farmers are as urgent,
and the security they would give for loans would be
as good as they were at the former period. The
main questions are, would such loans now advanced
be of permanent benefit to the borrowers '! and are
the circumstances of the present time of that nature
which would render the locking up of money incon-
vertible security, a prudent proceeding 1

The reduced rents, the comparatively high and
steady prices of farm-produce, the improved and
economised method of cultivation, the more frugal per-

sonal expenditure of the cultivators, the reduction in
the poor-rates and government taxes, are the ele-
mental grounds of confidence for bankers. We know
of nothing likely soon to damage or disturb these,
for we consider the proposed dangerous measure of
repealing the present corn-law for the purpose of in-
troducing a more relax one, to be in less favour with
the public at large than it ever has been. If these
grounds are valid, then all the rest is a matter of
personal enquiry and consideration. No banker
would lend money to a farmer who is Jianging pre-
cariously in his position after a protracted ineffectual
struggle with adverse circumstances, unless good
collateral security were tendered for the loan ; but
skilful and vigorous farmers, fii.nly fixed in their
positions and free from old sources of debt, ought to
be assisted when they require temporary aid. It
appears to us that there are as strong grounds for
confidence in the favourable issue of such transac-
tions as country bankers ought to require. The
change that has taken place within the last (ew years
from the general reduction of rents, and more re-
cently the improved prices of produce, have made a
great difference in the prospects of farmers. They
are become more frugal and circumspect in the east
and more northern parts of the kingdom, where ex-
travagance in their habits most prevailed. These
lay a foundation for confidence, which, when backed
by personal responsibility, renders loans to the
present race of f<". mers secure and eligible — as far as
trust-worthiness pnd the fructifying use of money
are concerned.

Under existing circumstances we attach but little
importance to the second question. The experience
of 1825 has left so deep an impression on the minds
of all the old country bankers, that in agricultural dis-
tricts, it would bo difficult to find a single instance of
excessive liberality and relaxation. Their conduct
is, and is likely to continue to be, governed by a
sufficiently rigid principle of restrictive prudence.
During the late long-continued period of distrust and
convulsion, we heard not of one case of difficulty, or
of insufficiency in the supply of money among the
old country bankers — except the two at Carlisle.
The stoppage at a critical moment of Sir James
Esdaile and Co., liaving so many correspondents in
that class, made not the slightest impression on the
confidence which the people have in those banks.
Small notes — always the foierunners and exciters of
local panics — are extinguished ; and the public
feeling is not likely to be suddenly disturbed by any
minor cause. With respect to popular distrust
therefore, and drains and runs arising out of it, there
is no ground for apprehension.

For these reasons we conclude there is no reason-
able cause for excluding the cultivators of the soil
from those pecuniary advantages which the country
bankers formerly rendered them. We do not abso»
lutely know that the spirit of exclusion has, generally
speaking, been carried further in practice than the
character of the times and the circumstances of
farmers reijuired ; but we have a strong impression
that there is a growing disposition to employ money
through the bill-brokers of London at three jier cent,
rather than lend it out for beneficial use in the
vicinity of a bank at five per cent., and we deprecate
the operation and consequences of such a tendency.
Men possessing the confidence of the public, who
receive large deposits from the thrifty and opulent in
a locality, ought to distribute the advantages of the
money to their prudent and struggling neighbours,
and if they do not do this with circumspect liberality
the Government may be induced to step in
with some improvement on the Savings' Bank prin-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

649

ciple, and monopolize the floating capital of the
country.

We ofter these reflections with deference and suh-
mission to our subscribers. We cannot of course
enter into details, nor pretend to possess any know-
ledge of particular cases in support of our case. For
their own profit, advantage, and permanent benefit,
it appears to us more eligible for bankers to trust
their industrious neighbours, than the land-jobbers
of America, or the enterprising and speculative
merchants who act as agents to abstract English
capital for their behoof. We shall be glad to find
that we are wrong in concluding there is any ne-
cessity for these remarks, and freely admit that all
districts are not alike in furnishing grounds for them.
We believe there has been less change in the practice
of bankers in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset-
shire, Devonshire, and the western counties gene-
rally, than there has been in the eastern and midland
counties of the kingdom.

GEESE KILLING IN LINCOLNSHIRE.

FROJI A HOME TOUR BY SIE GEORGE HEAD.

" I was (continues Sir George) similarly indebted
to the kindness of fortune on another occasion, the
particulars whereof I will here introduce, not only
in exemplification of the foregoing remark, whereby
I was within an ace of passing through Lincolnshire
without visiting a slaughter-house of the native geese,
but since the subject I am upon is one of comestibles
and provisions for the table. Two years ago, while
remaining a day in the town of Boston, my attention
being then chiefly directed to the gigantic operations
that propel the stagnant waters of the fens in arti-
ficial rivers of the sea ; 1 had intended to bend my
way to whatever spot I might see to the greatest
advantage the means and the effect, whereby the
science of drainage has there been conducted to so
vast an extent. And having previously visited the
noble old church, whose eight spires, airily sup-
ported on lantern arches, springing from an octagonal
turret, are only equalled by the architectural sym-
metry within the building, where the whole aisle and
transepts, in unbroken space, and under one roof,
are supported on lofty pointed arches of exquisite
form, I had nothing, in fact, else to do, when, by
mere chance, as I have already hinted, my attention
was called to the red field of blood, whereon hun-
dreds of poor geese yield up their lives daily, and
perish, generation after generation, for the benefit
of mankind. As I was strolling onwards in the di-
rection of the fens, I had hardly proceeded clear of
the suburbs of the town, when the busy hum of im-
prisoned thousands was borne upon the breeze, as of
those multitudinous throngs which, during the depth
and intensity of winter, are seen gallantly piercing
the snow-storm in pointed column, and murmuring
in gentle cackle as they plod along. For a moment
1 attentively listened, but a moment, to ears ac-
customed to rural sounds, was quite suflicient to
reconcile localities, and account for the phenomenon.
A few minutes more conducted me to the very spot
from whence the sound proceeded, where, on a
small plot of ground, a quarter of an acre in extent,
a drove of five thousand geese were closel"y jjenned
like iheep, cackling their sorrows to the winds, and
awaiting their melancholy doom. From a thousand
to sixteen hundred a week liere die regularly by- the
hands of the executioner; and, as 1 learnt, upon
jTjaking inquiry, that, according to arrangement car-

ried into efliect by the proprietor of the establish-
ment, three days in every week, of which the mor-
row was one, were set apart to slaughter, I made up
my mind to go the next morning accordingly, and
witness the ceremony. Many a householder exists
at the present day in the united kingdom, who,
whether his income be large or small, and no matter
what his religious and political persuasions, in con-
formity with irrefragable custom, and under the
auspices of our benevolent King William, at least
once in each year, at the head of an obedient family,
like a mail-coachman mounted on the coach-box on a
gala day, sits in the pomp of conjugal and paternal
authority, knife and fork in Ivand, behind a fat,
fragrant goose on Michaelmas-day. But little does
he reflect, while, with glistening eyes and watering-
chops, his nostrils regaled with exquisite odour, his
chest inflated by the consciousness of powerful
digestion, his fore-arm resting horizontally flat upon
the table, and his implements pointing upwards at
right angles toivards the ceiling, he ponders and
meditates on the first incision, while the eyes of his
helpmate, roving anxiously around lest the pinafores
of their hungry offspring slip perchance beneath
their chins, with gesture more authoritative than
elegant he beckons backwards with his thumb across
his shoulder, and the perspiring handmaid presents
to him the steel ; while, in anxious silence, the wife
and children sit patiently watching his motions, and
listening to the whistle of the bright blade, and the
brisk rat-tat tat-tat-tat of the aforesaid implement ;
and finally, though the bird squeaks and hisses on the
table, as if it were alive, and the gravy springs, at
the first cut from its bosom like a stream of blood ;
little does he reflect, I say again, as relates to the
juicy martyr on his board, upon that dismal tragedy
that I will now proceed to relate. At ten o'clock the
next morning, when I arrived on the premises, two
hundred and sixty geese had been already barbarously
assassinated out of six hundred, the number on that
day doomed to die. 'i'he dead birds were all plucked,
trussed, and laid in order, neatly ranged on shelves,
wherewith this, the first and outer apartment, was
surrounded. The said apartment communicated by
an outer door through the back yard of the pre-
mises by a series of wicket gates, to the plot of
ground already referred to, and also by partitions
with two other chambers, in one of which the geese
were killed, and in the other stripped of their
feathers. In the first of the two latter chambers,
three boys were employed. The first boy, by virtue
of his office, drove the geese a dozen at a time from
the grand depot into a pen parted off in one corner of
the apartment, and these, batch by batch, were usually
disposed of as quickly as he could goto the depot
and return. The second boy, though in point of fact
he acted the part of a hangman, did nothing more
than, taking each goose one by one out of the afore-
said pen, prepare it for execution. To this end, by
a dexterous twist, he entangled together t;ie pinions
of the bird behind its back, and inserted its legs in
one of eight nooses that hung suspended five feet
from the ground against the wall, over a long trough
which rested on the floor to catch the blood. The
third boy's business was simple and sanguinary —
merely that of cutting throats. Of this young mata-
dor, though scarcely twelve years old, the trenchant
blade had not only passed across the weasands of all
those geese that had already given up the ghost, but
ere the sun had passed his meridian, the death-cackle
of the whole devoted six hundred had sounded in his
ears. His whole care and attention was necessarily
occupied with the dying ; though frequently un-
awares, and ip despite of his best efforts, he receiv^tf

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

a flapping from a gory neck, or a tingling stream of
blood spirted in his eye ; whereat his countenance
would gleam with a ludicrous expression of alacrity and
surprise. He would then compose the limbs of his
victims in death with double diligence, yet only
precisely so long as they shewed by fluttering, in
their last moments, a disinclination to behave de-
cently. Afterwards, he allowed every goose to go
out of the world in the best manner it could. So
soon as the goose appeared thoroughly dead, its legs
were disengaged from the noose to make room for
another, when the defunct bird was tossed out of
the chamber of death, through a small square
window or aperture that communicated with the
plucking-room. Here, behind a large table or
dresser, sat seven men and one woman, upon low
seats, enveloped in a cloud of dust and down, and
up to their hips in feathers ; wherewith altogether
they were covered with such profusion, that among
the eight individuals, it was difficult at first sight to
point out which was the woman. These people
were paid for their labour, as I was told, at the rate
of a shilling a score, whereat such is their dexterity
and strength of thumb, that some are able at the
aforesaid price.provided they have geese to pluck,
to earn ten or twelve shillings a day. As near as I
could judge, a goose was plucked naked as a needle
in about six minutes ; a plump fat bird, at all events
every forty or fifty seconds, from either one or other
of the operators, was pitched heavily on the dresser.
Thus, the artists without favour or delay, vigorously
pursued their work, while the noise of quills relent-
lessly ripped from their sockets, sounded like the
crackling of a faggot in a baker's oven, or twigs
snapped in twain by a lusty donkey, as he bursts
through a thicket. Each goose so soon as plucked,
was pitched by the plucker, as I have before ob-
served, upon the dresser. Hence it was removed by
the man presiding over the first outer apartment
already mentioned, and then immediately scienti-
fically trussed and deposited on the shelves. After
witnessing the various operations now described, I
paid a short visit to the premises in the rear of these
apartments, where a small steam-engine is continu-
ally kept at work in the double operation of grinding
meal for the geese's food, and stirring- and pounding
the same iuto a compost together with potatoes.
Three men, moreover, in the yard adjoining, sap
green as high as their waistbands, were hard at work
loading carts with shovels from a large heap con-
taining at least a dozen waggon loads of pure goose
manure. The reader now will, I trust, have formed
an idea of a Lincolnshire poulterer's establishment,
although, than the one cited, there are others, I be-
lieve, considerably more extensive. From hence
the geese are despatched regularly to the London
market, packed in baskets containing twenty-five
birds each, of which baskets twenty-five also make
a waggon load, in weight, supposing each goose on
an average to weigh eleven pounds, upwards of
three tons. The waggons are forty-eight hours on
the road, and the cargoes on their arrival, consigned
to salesmen, are disposed of to the poulterers."

Mr. Robert Wilson, of the Compass Inn, Spald-
wick, has in his possession a cow, whose milk, or
rather cream, has during the summer months produced
good butter without any churning, or going through
any other process than simply putting the cream to-
gether.— Cambridge Chronicle.

LANGAR.

Langar, who forms the subject of our second em-
bellishment, is in truth a beautiful specimen of the
English race-horse, being possessed of immense
muscular powers and fine symmetry ; though now
twenty years old, he shows, " all the gentleman,''
and is in a good state of health as possible, being-
full of gaiety. On looking at a horse like Langar,
we feel proud to have it in our power to state, that
England made the race-horse, if other countries fur-
nished the blood, for in the course of 1836, liis stock
won upwards of sixty races, including the Doncaster
St. Leger, and many of the most important stakes in
Britain. The running of Elis fwho was got by
Langar) will not be speedily forgotten, for, if we
except B-ay Middleton, he was unquestionably the
the best horse of his year ; possessing extraordinary
power and speed, he proved himself a racer of the
first order and a great winner, although subjected to
much more severe work than would characterize ju-
dicious treatment towards a three years old.

Before giving the pedigree and performances of
Langar, it may not be uninteresting to our readers
for us to point out what are the essential racing
points imparted to the horse of our own breed by
foreign stallions and mares, and without which they
never would have arrived at anything approaching
the excellence which they have attained.

Authors have taken a good deal of pains to define
the meaning- of the term " blood,'' as applied to the
horse called thorough bred. Osmer, an old but ac-
credited writer on the horse, pronounced it to be a
certain elegance of parts, derived from air, climate
and food, which being suitable to the true natural
conformation of the animal, enables him to perform
extraordinary feats of activity and motion, coupled
with that of the highest bodily exertion, and hence
the expression, " he shows a vast deal of blood,"
means nothing more than that he is a truly formed
race horse. Where, he asks, is the blood of the
ostrich, whose speed is so great that it can " laugh
at the horse and his rider?" " If the good qualities
of the race-horse," says he, " depend upon blood, we
we could not, as we often do, see one horse very
good, and his own brother, with equal advantages of
good keep and training, very bad." It was the
opinion of this writer, that it has been to the folly of
expecting that which is termed high blood in the
Eastern horses unaccompanied with the essential
form, will produce a racer, so many failures in the
attempt to breed race-horses have occurred, that the
virtue of what racing men call " blood" has been too
much insisted upon, not being sufficiently influenced
by the fact that it can never be considered as inde-
pendent of form and matter. We conceive there is
a good deal of truth in each of the foregoing obser-
vations. Blood cannot be considered independently
of form and matter, inasmuch as the excellence of all
horses must depend upon the mechanism of their
frames, which, if duly proportioned and accompanied
with superior internal as well as external organiza-
tion, gives them stride, pace, and endurance. The
quickness of repeating the stride, also, and the
power of continuance, will depend upon organs of
muscle, capacity of chest, and strength of tlie con-
strained lungs. The results, then, of this argument
is, that when we speak of some of the celebrated
stallions of former days having transmitted the good
properties of their blood, or high Eastern descent,
to the race-horses of the present time, we can only
imply, that they have imparted that true formation of
parts, that firmness of bone and sinew, and that ge-
neral superior organization, competent to give
facility of action, together with great powers of res-

••nt'''

m^

^c^

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E?*

1

4 [

i^i-tt-' f

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

651

piration, which will enable horses to last under the
severest trials of their powers. In fact, their excel-
lence is in a great degree mechanical. Were it not
so ; indeed did they not excel each other according
to the degrees of difference in their form and shape,
and all the constituent parts, full brothers and sisters
would prove of equal goodness on the race-course,
health and condition being on a par. But this is
very far from being the case : — and again, if it de-
pended on blood, the same horse would run alike on
very description of ground, which we know rarely
happens, but of this we may be assured, that it is a
superiority of muscular substance, united withjustly
proportioned shape, and not altogether innate blood,
which enables a horse to hear to he pressed on any
description of ground, still more so upon such as is
severe, as several of our race courses are.

Yet, if there must be this elegance of form, these
nice proportions in tlie limbs, or moving levers of the
race-horse, how is it that so many of those called
" cross made," plain and apparently disproportioned
horses, possess the power or parts conducive to speed
and action ? If blood can be defined, the peculiar
elegance in the texture of tht; external parts, how
happens it that several very ugly horses and mares
have at all times distinguished themselves upon the
Turf? Are there certain occult causes not discover-
able to the eye, that produce this excellence to which
the rules and laws of aclion appear to be opposed 1
On these points it may be observed, first, that the
force and effect of muscular motion is nearly beyond
our ken ; and, secondly, such horses are really not
misshapen, inasmuch as there are hidden virtues in
the mechanism of their internal frames which the
eye cannot detect; and where deficient in one point,
they are recompensed by additional powers in
others. They possess the essential points, although
not so elegantly displayed ; and this we believe is
the case with other animals than the horse, although,
generally speaking, true symmetry in all is attended
willi corresponding excellence in their useful proper-
ties and adaptation to the purposes of man.

Those persons who insist upon an innate quality
in what is termed " blood," are led to believe that
there is a something in the nature of a thorough-bred
horse, which enables him to struggle in a race far
beyond his natural capabilities, and which is dis-
tinguished by the term " game." We, however, do
not subscribe to this altogether. We learn from ex-
perience that horses often allow themselves to be
beaten by others which are inferior to them from
sheer ill-temper ; but their efforts to win a race we
coisider to be limited by their physical powers, the
effect of proper arrangements of their parts, and that
the operation of the mind or spirit has nothing at all
to do with it. The hero at the Olympic Games had,
and the champion of the British boxing-ring may
have had feelings which, from the superiority of
their nature, and the fact of their character, interest,
and future happiness, being all involved in the event,
might have induced tliem to struggle even lo the
very verge of life; but the same sense of honour,
and the same spirit of emulation, cannot he ascribed
to the race- horse. If his own acting powers be un-
equal to those of others ojiposed to him in the race,
he yields to that superiority, although it must be ad-
mitted, that what are called sluggish horses ('such as
Mango, the winner of this year's Leger is said to
be) will not try to exert themselves to the utmost,
unless urged to by the application of steel and
whalebone ; and others, when spurred and whipped,
slacken instead of increasing their speed. I'lie final
result then of this discussion is, that wlien we speak
of such horses as King Herod, Highflyer, or Eclipse,

having transmitted their blood to the past and present
generation of running horses, we only admit that
they have transmitted that true formation of parts
necessary to enable them to run races at a prodigious
rate of speed, and to endure the severity of training
for them, and conclude by appending the pedigree
and performances of one of the most popular cover-
ing stallions (who has proved himself a sure stock
getter^ of the present day.

PEDIGREE.

Langar was got by Selim, and foaled in 1817;
his dam by Walton (who was bred by Sir Charles
Bunhury, Bart.), gr. dam Young Giantess (Sorcerer's
dam) by Diomed, out of Giantess, by Matchem —
MollyLong-legs by Babraham, Cole's Foxhunter,
Partner, Sister to Roxana by the Bald Galloway,
&c. &c.

PEEFORMANCES.

At the Curragh Meeting, in October, 1819, Lan"
gar won a Sweepstakes of 50 guineas each, T. Y. C,
beating St. Lawrence, Thesis, and three others,
which were not placed. At the same meeting he
won a Sweepstakes of 60 guineas each, 40 ft., 4
subscribers, beating Mr. Prendergast's colt by Sir
Harry Dimsdale ; two others paid forfeit. He came
out again at the same meeting and won a Post
Sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, h. ft., 5 subs.,
beating fllr. Prendergast's colt as before ; three
others paid forfeit.

In 18'20 Langar started for the St. Leger stakes at
Doncaster, and was not placed, but on Wednesday
in the same meeting he won the Gascoigne stakes of
100 sovs. each, 30 ft., 10 subs., beating Tramper
and Cannonade ; Arbutus, The Duke, and Mr.
Wortley's ch. c. by IInphazard,also started, but were
not placed.

In 1821, at the Curragh April Meeting, he won
his Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas, .3 miles, beating-
Thesis and Thistle ; Don Juan, Mr. Prendergast's
colt, by Sir Harry, and b c. Sprite, also started, but
were not placed. He started for the Kildare stakes
at the same meeting, but was beaten by Ivanhoe ;
betting 5 to 2 on Langar, who is said to have been
amiss at the time of starting.

At the Curragh June Meeting he won with ease
his Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas, for four year
olds, 2 mile heats, beating b. c. by Sir Harry Dims-
dale, Don Juan, Thesis, Sister Oakstick, Sprite,
Thistle, br. c. by Sir Oliver Cromwell, and b. c.
Friday.

At the Curragh AugustMeeting, he was beaten by
Rob Roy for a Sweepstakes of 200 each, and the Gold
Cup, with 50 added, 4 miles, but defeated Ivanhoe,
to whom he struck his colours in the April meeting
previous.

At the Curragh October Meeting, which ended his
racing career he won a Sweepstakes of 10 gunieas
each, with 25 added, beating Roller and three others,
who where not placed. At the same meeting he
won the Gold Whip, presented by his Majesty to
the Turf Club, with 100 guineas added, for all ages,
four miles, beating Roller, b. c. by Sir Harry Dims-
dale, and Rob Roy, by whom he had been defeated
at the Curragh August Meeting.

Use of Butter in England. — Butter, as every
one knows, is a fat substance, obtained from milk, or
rather from cream by the process of churning. But-
ter is very extensively used in this and most other
northern countries ; that of Jingland and Holland is
reckoned the best. In London, the butter of Ejiping

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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

and Cambridge is ia the highest repute ; the cows
which produce the former, feed during summer in the
shrubby pastures of Epping Forest; and the leaves
of the trees, and numerous wild plants which there
abound, are supposed to improve the flavour of the
butter. It is brought to market in rolls from one to
two feet long, weighing a pound each. The Cam-
bridgeshire butter is produced from cows that feed
one part of the year on chalky uplands, and the other
on rich meadows or fens ; it is made up into long
rolls like Epping butter, and generally salted or cured
before being brought to market ; the London dealers
Laving washed it and wrought the salt out of it, sell
it for Epping butter. The butter of Suffolk and
Yorkshire is often sold for that of Cambridgeshire,
to which it is little inferior. Somersetshire butter is
thought to equal that of Epping ; it is brought to
market in dishes containing half a pound each, out
of which it is taken, washed, and put into different
forms by the dealers of Bath and Bristol. Glouces-
tershire and Oxfordshire butter is very good ; it is
made up in half-pound packs or prints, packed up in
square baskets, and sent to the London market by
waggon. The butter of the mountains of Wales and
Scotland, and the moors, commons, and heaths of
England, is of excellent quality when it is properly
managed ; and though not equal iu quantity, is su-
perior to that produced by the richest meadows.
Considerable quantitiesof butter are made in Ireland,
and it forms a prominent article in the exports of that
country : it is inferior to that of England. Some of
the best Irish butter brought to London, after being
washed and re-packed, is sold as Dorsetshire and
Cambridge butter. The salt butter of Holland is
superior to that of every other country ; large quan-
tities of it are annually exported. It forms about
three-fourths of all the foreign butter we import.
The production and consumption of butter in Great
Britain is very great. The consumption in London
may be averaged at about one half-pound per week
for eacb individual, being at the rate of261bs.ayear ;
and supposing the population to amount to 1,450,000,
the total annual consumption would be 37 ,700, OOOlbs.
or 16,830 tons ; but to this may be added 4,000 tons
for the butter required for the victualling of ships
and other purposes, making the total consumption,
in round numbers, 31,000 tons, or 47,040,000lbs.,
which at lOd. per lb. would be worth 1,900,000L
The average produce per cow of the butter dairies is
estimated by Mr. Marshall atl681bs. a-year ; so that
supposing we are nearly right in the above estimates,
about 280,000 cows will be required to produce an
adequate supply of butter for the London market.
But the consumption of butter in London has some-
times been estimated at 50,000 tons, which would
require for its supply 666,000 cows.

Tithe Commutation and Poor- Rate. —
Inquiries have been made of the Poor Law Commis-
sioners as to the future liability of tithe commutation
rent-charge to the poor-rate, under the late act to re-
gulate parochial assessments ; and, assuming its lia--
bility, whether the assessment will be upon the full
amount of the rent-charge, or upon such a sum only as
the rent-charge would be worth after deducting paro-
chial rates. The commissioners having given their
opinion, that the net annual value of the tithe commu-
tation rent-charge, uader the 6th and 7th of William
IV,, cap. 96, is the net valueof such rent-charge, after
the deductions made for the parochial rates ; parochial
rates being identical, as far as they are incurred, with
the rates described by the acts as " tenants' rates,"
and any other interpretation being liable to the objec-
tion that the rate-payer would be rated for an outgoing
oy burden, instead pf a profit.

POOR LAW.

The third Annual Report of the Commissioners
under the Poor Law Amendment Act, was pub-
lished in the course of last month.* We proceed
to lay before our readers some of the information
contained in this important document.

The report is headed by a table, exhibiting the
number of parishes, &c., in each county of Eng-
land and Wales, with the population, according to
the census of 1831, together with other particu-
lars connected with the operation of the Poor Law
Amendment Act. It appears from this table that
the unions of parishes embrace a population of
11,347,215, out of 13,897,187, the whole popula-
tion of England and Wales in 1831. The outstand-
ing parishes in England are 1301, containing a
population of 2,525,874. Of the agricultural coun-
ties, Cumberland seems to be the only one con-
taining a large proportion of parishes not united.
It has 88 out of 203 parishes not yet united, and
a population of 85,641, out of 169,681. Lancaster
has a population of 382,617 out of 1,336,854, not
yet united. Derby, 105,459 out of 237,170. Mid-
dlesex, 708,948 out of 1,358,330. Warwick, 145.358
out of 336,610; and the West Riding of York,
331,485 out of 976,353.

Thus, it will be seen (we quote from the report)
that, with the exception of certain extensive and
populous parishes administering relief to the poor
under local acts — a few others united for rating
and settlement — a more numerous class included
in the imperfectand ill-regulated unions established
under Gilbert's Act — and a certain number of
parishes and townships so intermixed with these
unions as to be incapable of being united with any
other, though they ought not to be united with
them : very nearly the whole of that portion of
Great Britain to which the Poor Law Amendment
Act applies, is now actually included in newly-
formed unions. The Commissioners proceed to
detail the steps taken to bring the parishes in the
city of London under the operation of the New
Poor Law. London, within the walls, compre-
hends no less than ninety-six parishes ; none of
which have workhouses. A committee of the
Common Council had, it appears, recommended
that a union should be formed of 108 parishes
within the city and liberties, but the Commission-
ers thought the most convenient course to pursue
was, to abstain from combining in the contem-
plated union any parishes where the management
of the poor was regulated by private or local acts ;
and, consequently, the city of London union now
actually consists of the sixty-nine parishes within
the walls. The number of parishes in the metro-
polis and its neighbourhood formed into unions,
since August 1836 (including the city of London
union), is 139 ; and the amount of population
therein contained is 455,606. The next point to
which the report refers is, the progress made by
the Commissioners in the application of the pro-
visions of the New Poor Law in the populous
manufacturing districts in the centre and north of
England. By an order, dated the 31st March,
1836, Stoke-upon-Trent was placed under a board
of guardians ; and very soon after its establish-
ment, the proceedings of the board were greatly
embarrassed by a strike, on the part of the opera-
tives, for an increase of wages. The working of
the new system under this embarrassment is thus
described : —In answer to the inquiries of the guar-

* The report has been reprinted by Mr. Charles
Knight and Co,, in a convenient form for reference,

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

553

dians as to the course by which they should meet
the claims for relief which, it was apprehended,
would arise from the general strike of the work-
men engaged in the potteries, we stated, on the
23rd of November, 1836, that, in deciding as to
the manner in which relief should be afforded, and
upon what terms, the guardians should be governed
by the following considerations: — For all able-
bodied applicants, relief in the workhouse is most
in accordance with the spirit and provisions of
the Poor Law Amendment Act ; and the comiiiis-
sioners consider, therefore, that no able-bodied
applicant should receive out-relief as long as there
remains room in the workhouse : next to relief in
the workhouse, out-relicf in kind is best ; and,
therefore, where the workhouse is full, at least
three-fourths of the relief to the able-bodied should
be given in kind. The strike took place in Sep-
tember last. The workmen of fourteen manufac-
tories in the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent struck,
and the payment of about 10,000/., in weekly
wages, was suspended in these manufactories alone.
The commissioners were informed that about
30,000 persons were deprived of their usual mode of
subsistence during ten weeks, and of these at least
7,000 during twenty weeks. About 5000 of the
operatives were maintained from their own com-
mon funds ; the remainder were not known to
possess any other resource than the poor-rates.
Great numbers of the workmen were thrown out
of employment against their consent. They were
ready to work, but could not ; because, from the
peculiar nature of the manufacture, every branch
of it must go on simultaneously. During the
whole period of the suspension of work, the great
body of the workmen conducted themselves peace-
ably. The following evidence describes the ad-
ministration of relief on this occasion : —

I cannot remember so extensive a turn-out among
the operatives as now; indeed, I i.ever heard of a
general turn-out before : this is the first that has
ever occurred. There has been a stagnation in the
trade of the place once or twice ; once, in 1826.
There was a great depression of trade during this
period ; it commenced in April and lasted till August,
but the works were not so completely suspended
then as now : the applications for relief were in'
finitely more numerous. We had then 500 heads of
families daily receiving provisions from the work-
house, besides which there was a great addition to
the money out-relief account ; whereas now only
103 heads of families have received relief in conse-
quence of the turn-outs; 700 cases have received
orders for pi-ovisions from the workhouse, but no
more than 103 of these orders have been used.

When the 500 cases were relieved the paupers
took the provisions home daily, no work was exacted
in return; the amount of relief now is quite as libe-
ral to each case as it was then ; I think even more
so. Tliere is mucli less waste now, and it is more
beneficial to the several members of the family, inas-
much as now each person is sufficiently fed ; formerly
the provisions were often sold by the men for drink,
whilst the wives and children suffered from starva-
tion.

The work which they have performed must have
been performed by other labourers for the parisli,
had they not been set to do it : and the wages paid
such labourers would have exceeded tlie cost of the
maintenance of these paupers. The men have been
employed in the garden and fields belonging to the
workhouse, and the women in the household work.-r—
(Extract from the deposition of Mr. William John-
■^on, taskmaster to the Stoke-upon-Trent workhouse,}

We began to admit paupers in the workhouse to re-
ceive this relief on the 7th of October; the first week
only 8 per day came in , the second only 10,the third only
8, the fourth only 11, the fifth only 11, the sixth only
11, the seventh 70, the eighth 130, the ninth 159, the
tenth 188, the eleventh 234, the twelth 242, the thir-
teenth 221. Last Saturday, the 14th of January,
239 persons, women and young children of the fami-
lies of operative potters, have received weekly relief,
four weeks in bread, not money, from the workhouse,
owing to sickness reported by the medical officer ;
103 cases of paupers only are included in these
numbers — that is to say, 460 paupers are members
of only 103 families. The whole of this relief has
been given in consequence of the stoppage of the
manufactories. Tlie ordinary inmates of the work-
house are fewer this winter than heretofore, 204 being
the greatest number admitted this year as in-paupers.
On the 7th of December, 1833, no turn-outs and
trade good, there were 328 inmates in the workhouse ;
November, 1836, during the turn-outs, and trade
depressed, 139 inmates in the workliouse. — (Extract
from the deposition of Mr. D. F. Colclougb, gover-
nor of the Stoke-upon-Trent workhouse. )

With regard to Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire,
and Leicestershire, the greater part of those manu-
facturing counties was^rranged in unions before
the close of the last parochial year — 2oth March,
1837 ; and in those districts also the proceedings
of the administrators of the new law were almost
immediately embarrassed by the American com-
mercial crisis. The commissioners state their con-
fidence in the applicability of the New Poor Law to
all such places, but they regret that all the neces-
sary organization was not sufficiently complete in
the before mentioned counties, when the distress,
occasioned by the suspension of the American
trade, made its appearance.

In the Leicester, Hinckly, and Blaby unions,
the guardians found themselves pressed by the
number of individuals thrown out of employment
on the sudden suspension of the stocking trade ;
and although, owing to the insufficiency of work-
house accommodation, no order had yet been issued
prohibiting out-door relief to the able-bodied within
the union, it was yet found that the rule prohibiting
relief to able bodied individuals between the ages
of sixteen and sixty, residing out of the union, was
productive of great difficulty, considerable numbers
of the operatives not residing in the parishes, nor
even within the unions to which they belong. The
commissioners, therefore, thought it their duty to
consider of the best mode of relieving the pres-
sure of this difficulty, and they forthwith issued an
order suspending the rule which produced the in-
convenience in this instance ; and at the same time
directing that a relieving officer should be appointed
to attend to the poor of the Hinckley union re-
sident in Leicester.

It is, however, to the proceedings in Nottingham
that the commissioners chiefly draw attention, as
they appear to throw considerable light on the
working of the act in a manufacturing district,
under circumstances as trying and difficult as can
at any time be expected to occur.

This union, which consists of the three parishes
constituting the town of Nottingham, and contain-
ing an aggregate population amounting to 50,000,
was formed in July, 1836, and was distinguished
at the outset by its peculiarity, that the rule prohi-
biting out-door relief to able-bodied male paupers
was issued at once on the formation of the union.
The union was very inadequately provided with.
workhouse accommodation. It was possessed of an

554

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

old workhouse, capable of containing about 520
persons, but not admitting of that arrangement
and classification which is found practically to be
so essential to good order in such establishments.
As the applications for relief increased, it was sa-
tisfactory to find that the guardians took steps to
increase the workhouse accommodation by occupy-
ing certain premises belonging to the parish as
nurseries for children and as houses for old men,
and finally by using a workhouse belonging to the
parish of St. Nicholas as a hospital for the sick.
They were by these means enabled to provide
room for nearly 700 persons within their houses.
It soon became evident that a necessity would
speedily arise for relieving more persons than
could be provided for within the walls of the work-
houses, and after full consideration the commis-
sioners felt it to be their duty to authorise Mr.
Gulson, the assistant commissioner, to assure the
guardians that the rule which prohibited them from
giving relief to able-bodied male persons excepting
in the workhouse, should be suspended whenever
they should find the pressure such as that, in their
opinion, there existed a necessity for so doing.
Preparation was thus madefor placing theguardians
in a situation to meet the whole difficulty (what-
ever might be its extent), of aflfording the necessary
relief to such destitute persons as might be unable
to maintain themselves when thrown out of work.
At this stage of the proceedings it was determined
by the principal inliabitants of the town to resort
to a subscription for the purpose of relieving the
unemployed operatives, this being considered a
better mode of aff'ording them support than by
having recourse to the poor-rate. The kind feel-
ing and praiseworthy benevolence of the principal
persons in the town and its neighbourhood suc-
ceeded in raising about 4,000/. for this purpose,
and a committee of the inhabitants was formed to
superintend the application of the money. But the
commissioners entertained no doubt that in Not-
tingham, if the subscribed funds should be ex-
hausted before the distress ceases, the board of
guardians would be able to meet the pressure out
of the funds placed by law at their disposal.

Nothing appears to have been more clearly
proved in the experience of such cases as this of
Nottingham, than that no payment should be made,
either from subscribed funds, or from the poor-
rates, in the shape of allowances to make up wages :
— an error of this kind was committed during a
period of commercial distress which occurred a
little before the close of the late war, when a num-
ber of parishes commenced manufacturing hosiery
in order to employ the framework-knitters, al-
though stockings were already sold at such low
prices as to be ruinous to those who made them.
As this example is both curious and pregnant with
instruction, we think it right to give it in detail.
It was thought right by the parish authorities to
employ the paupers at their own trades : the parish
purchased cotton, and manufactured goods which
they afterwards sold at a loss of .50 per cent, or
more. These goods being brought into the market
necessarily reduced the price of labour for that
description of article, and the consequence was
that it immediately effected a large reduction
in the men's wages. In the framework-knitting
trade it is customary for the master workmen to
take from the hosier or other manufacturer a num-
ber of frames, for which they pay a weekly rent.
In times of depression of trade it is the interest of
the hosier to keep the frames going, and he will
give a partial employment to the v.'orkers of these

frames. If the workman can obtain the aid of
parish allowance, his employer will obtain his
frame-rent, and thus be enabled to keep his work-
men together at the expense of the parish. The
efforts which were thus made to relieve the dis-
tress had the evident tendency to increase the
cause of it, namely, production beyond the demand,
and in this manner both to prolong its duration
and aggravate its intensity.

In the adjoining union of iMansficld, distress oc-
curred similar to that which prevailed in Notting-
ham, and the commissioners state that the result
of the course pursued has been on the whole satis-
factory, although, the imperfect organization of
the union, when the distress commenced, rendered
the duties of the guardians peculiarly arduous and
irksome. In further illustration of the principles
which the commissioners consider should govern
the administration of relief on such occasions, are-
port by ]\Ir. Earle, upon the Nuneaton and Foleshill
unions, in Warwickshire, is referred to. From
this report we make the following extracts : —

" Ribbon-weaving- is the principal occupation, as
is well known, of the population of Coventry, and
some large parishes in its immediate neighbourhood.
The trade, especially that part of it which falls to the
share of single-hand weavers, has been in a very de-
pressed state since last autumn. I'he wages of that
class are very low, and iu most instances full and
constant employment is requisite for the decent sup-
port of a family.

" In the neighbourhood of Coventry are the two
unions of Foleshill and Nuneaton ; tha Foleshill has .
a population of ll,9f)5; Nuneaton, of 12,868. In
each the labouring population consists almost exclu-
sively of ribbon weavers and agricultural labourers ;
and I think there is reason to assume, that the pro-
portion which the former bears to the whole is much
the same in each. The Nuneaton union was declared
earlier, and came into operation at least seven
mouths before that of Foleshill ; but, owing in part
to obstacles over which the guardians had no con-
trol, and partly to a want of exertion and judgmeut
in them, they have never had any efficient means of
meeting the applications made to them by able-bodied
men, pleading want of work or insufficiency of earn-
ings. During last summer such cases were rare,
and I believe were never relieved ; but in October
or November trade declined ; numerous applications
were made, and met very much in the manner which
the parish was accustomed to adopt in former periods
of distress. Availing themselves of the first rule
relating to out-relief, the guardians gave an allow-
ance of bread and soup for a fortnight or three
weeks, the quantity varying according to the num-
ber of the applicant's family ; but in very few cases
would the allowance suffice for the support of a
family having no other resources,

" Tills state of things had commenced and con-
tinued for a few weeks before I was apprised of it.
I attended immediately, and though perhaps it was
beyond immediate cure, the guardians appeared to
bave neither the inclination nor the means of check-
ing the imposition which was mingled with the
real destitution.
" The out-relief in the Nuneaton union £ s. d.

for the quarter ending 25th March,

1837, was 1223 19 0

" For the quarter ending 29th Sept.,

1836 789 15 0

" Increase £434' 4 0

" That is, the weekly expenditure on the out-door
paupers rose from 60/. 14s. to 94^.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

555

"The greatest number of in-door paupers during

the first-named quarter was 132

" During the last-named quarter .^ . . . . 81

" Increase 51

'* The greatest number of applications heard on a
board-day was 80.

" The number of able-bodied males relieved
during the quarter ending Lady-day, on account of
insufficiency of earnings or want of work, was
204!!

" Having madetliis unsatisfactory statement of the
management in the Nuneaton union, I will contrast
it, so far as I am able, with results in the Foleshill
union, where the guardians had it in their power,
and did in fact test tlie applications made to them.

" TJie latter union only came into operation on
the 2.5th December ; that is, the relieving officer
only commenced his duties on that day; and there-
fore I cannot compare the expenditure of the two
quarters as I have done in the case of Nuneaton.
But the following is the comparison between the two
unions for the quarter ending Lady-day : —

£ s. d.

" Out relief, Nuneaton 1223 19 0

Foleshill 429 0 0

" Difference in favour of Foleshill.. . £794 19 0
" Inmates, greatest number, Nuneaton 132

" Ditto, Foleshill 90

With regard to Spitalfields, the commissioners
state that " that district has laboured under simi-
lar difficulties, and established similar results, to
those hereinbefore detailed with respect to Not-
tingham. In that district the order prohibiting
out-door relief to able-bodied males was, on the
representation of the guardians of Bethnal Green,
forthwith suspended ; out- door relief has been
there administered in such cases as they deemed
necessary. It Spitalfields, also, the distress was
mitigated by the aid of a subscription, the distri-
bution of which was on this, as on other occasions,
not productive of unmixed good. A careful exa-
mination was made into the state of the labouring
classes of the Spitalfields district in the commence-
ment of the distress, the result of which has been
already submitted to your lordship in Dr. Kay's re-
port, which being already before Parliament, we
shall not further notice than for the purpose of
saying that it affords a satisfactory proof that the
provisions of the Poor Law Amendment Act have
been found as applicable and as useful in this manu-
facturing district, in a season of great distress, as
to any other district to which its provisions have
been applied."

The commissioners next take notice of the
duty imposed upon them by the act for the regis-
tration of births, deaths, and marriages, of defin-
ing temporary registration districts, in those parts
of the country where unions under the new poor
law do not yet exist ; and they state that these
temporary districts have been usually so formed
and grouped, as to class together in main districts,
whose boundaries should be identical with the
boundaries of unions hereafter to be declared for
the administration of relief.

At the commencement of the last Session of
Parliament an act was passed to postpone the
operation of the Registration Act to the 1st of
July, and the commissioners have thereby been
enabled materially to extend the organization of
unions, and to avoid the necessity of forming tem-
porary registration districts.
Notwithstanding these exertions, the whole

number of parishes and places for which it has
been found necessary to provide temporary regis-
tration districts is 1152; and the whole number
of districts formed is 270 ; and to these districts
a corresponding number of officers have been ap-
pointed.

In the county of Lancaster and the West Riding
of York, thirty-one unions were declared imions
previously to the 1st of March last, so as to enable
the respective boards of guardians to prepare the
machinery, and to appoint the officers necessary
to conduct the process of registration. In twenty-
nine of these thirty-one unions, the machinery for
registering births, deaths, and marriages, in a po-
pulation exceeding 1,200,000, has been thus pro-
vided for. In the Oldham union, and in the Hud-
dersfield union, the object of the commissioners has
not been carried into effect, in consequence of the
popular excitement and feeling prevailing against
the provisions of the Poor Law Amendment Act.
The consequence is, that in those two unions (Old-
ham union containing, according to the last cen-
sus, 61,038 persons,) the arrangement intended to
have been made for the operation of the Regis-
tration Act was temporarily defeated.

" In point of territorial extent, the unions now
formed in Lancashire and the West Riding, will be
found more contracted than those which have been
formed in the other parts of England ; but in point
of population, they will be found to exceed the
average, with the exception of those which have
been formed in or near the metropolis."

The commissioners advert to the introduction
of the new poor law system into the counties of
Northumberland, Durham, Westmoreland, and
Cumberland, and the Principality of Wales, and
express a decided opinion, founded on the reports
of the assistant commissioners, of the applicability
of the law to the counties in the north of England.
With respect to the Principality of Wales (the
report proceeds), " it has been so publicly and
generally asserted, that the evils arising from the
poor laws were entirely unknown within its limits,
and that any change in the mode of administering
these laws was altogether unnecessary, that we
have been induced to examine into the proofs on
which the assertion rested ; and we find that some
of the particular forms of abuse which prevailed
in parts of England, such, for instance, as the
roundsman and laboiirrate systems, have not been
introduced into the Welsh counties. Nevertheless,
if we were called upon to produce from parochial
account-books proofs of a lax administration of
the law, and instances of unjustifiable application
of money raised for the relief of the poor, it is in
^Vales that we could most easily and most abun-
dantly collect them. It is not, however, to irre-
gularities such as are here alluded to, that the
evils of the poor law administration have been
confined in the Welsh counties ; able-bodied pau-
perism prevails in many forms and to a great ex-
tent,"

Abuses in the form of payments of rent have
taken a character not known in England, and it
appears that in the parishes of Llanrha-yel-y-strad,
Tufiniy, Llansantfraed, and Llandwr Abrath, the
accounts show that rent has been paid for farmers
renting from 10/. to 12/. a year. That in Trayan
Glaze (a hamlet of Llywill, county Brecon) 11/.
a year was paid for a fulling-mill occupied by a
l)aupcr, besides occasional charges for repairs and
taxes.

The above observations apply more particularly
to the unions, wholly or partly in the south of

556

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

Wales, but the commissioners assert, in the coun-
ties in the north, and on the west of it, they find
nothing which can serve to confirm the notion
that the Poor Law Amendment Act was inappli-
cable to Wales. It will be found that in North
Wales the payment of rents out of the rates is
nearly universal. In many parishes it is extended
to nearly all the married labourers. In Llanidloes,
out of 2000^. a year spent on the poor, nearly 800/.,
and in Bodidern out of 360^., 113/. are thus ex-
hausted. In Anglesea and part of Caernarvon-
shire, overseers frequently give written guarantees,
making the parish responsible for the rent of cot-
tages let to the poor. In the county of Anglesea
the returns obtained from the different parishes
present 2022 cases of payment of rents to the ex-
tent of 3351/. jjer annum. But this is a return
only of the rents which had been specifically gua-
ranteed by the parish officers, and does not include
all the casual relief given for the same purpose,
but which is not separately distinguished in the
accounts.

Paupers have thus become a very desirable class
of tenants ; much preferable, as we find has been
admitted by some cottage proprietors, to the inde-
pendent labourers, whose rent at the same time
this mode of relief enhances.

A curious but extremely painful instance of the
abuses prevailing in the relief system in Wales, is
given in the following passage : —

" At Dogelly, and not unfrequently in other
places, the aged poor are annually put up to a sort
of Dutch auction, and are let among the attendants
at the vestry to whoever will take them at the lowest
amount. The pauper who is this year hired out to a
resident in one part of a parish, may the next find
himself removed to another, and at each successive
letting is liable to be transferred to a new master.
In the parish books several instances have been
found of paupers being let to their own children,
and instances occurred in which they appear to have
been placed to other paupers, that the profit which
was made of the allowance that was given with
them might serve as a species of subsidiary relief.''

With reference to this part of the kingdom, the
commissioners conclude their report in the fol-
lowing terms : —

" VVe entertain the most confident belief and ex-
pectation that the organization of boards of guardians
will tend to raise the character of Welsh farmers and
yeomen, by accustoming them to the transaction of
bufsiness, and by habituating them to act openly and
in Public, under circumstances in which conduct is
scrutinised and character formed. And with regard
to the establishment of workhouses, we repeat that
without them the system of the payment of rent can-
not be efl^ectually checked ; still less can any proper
accommodation be provided for tlie numerous bas-
tard children and their mothers which press upon tlie
rates in the Principality of Wales. It should not be
forgotten that in one county in South Wales one in
every fifty-nine persons (according to the census of
1831) is a bastard maintained by the parish to which
it belongs, and that while in England the proportion
of illegitimate children thus supported is 1 in 215 of
the population, in Wales it is 1 in 139."

The commissioners then proceed to give an ac-
count of the continued operation of the new sys-
tem in those districts, which had been formed in-
to unions previous to the publication of their last
report. They observe, that under the pressure of
the distress, occasioned by the severity of the wea-
t-hev in tl^e autumn of Jast year and the supceeding

winter, attempts were made in some unions to re-
vert to the old system of giving out relief, and re-
vive the allowance system.

The first county in which a disposition to recur
to inmer practices was manifest was the county
of Hants ; and the first instance reported to the
commissioners of any endeavours of the abettors
of the old system to re-establish its abuse of main-
taining labourers from the rates, instead of from
wages, was in the union of Andover. At the
board-day on the 24th of September last, fifteen
able-bodied labourers appeared as applicants for
an allowance as paupers.

The application of these paupers was met by an
offer to take them into the workhouse ; and the
effect is thus described :

Forseeing the danger of setting a precedent in
that county for out-door I'elief in such cases, Mr.
Hawley, the assistant commissioner recommended
the guardians to offer relief in the workhou&e to
the whole of the paupers and their families. This
advice was immediately acted upon. Not one of
the labourers accepted the offer, thirteen procured
employment in their own parish from the farmers,
and the remaining two obtained work on the roads,
(also in the parish) at the full wages of the dis-
trict. During the period which elapsed between
the adoption of this advice and a visit which JVIr.
Hawley paid to them on the 3rd of December, he
found that orders for the house had been issued to
upwards of four hundred labourers and their fami-
lies, only sHven of whom had accepted them.

It is needless to go through in detail all the
unions in which applications for relief were met in
a similar way. Suffice it to say, that in every in-
stance the result was nearly the same as has been
shown to have taken place in the union of Ando-
ver. The efifect of adhering to the rule of refusing
ont-relief so long as accommodation in the work-
house could be afforded, is, however, so strikingly
shown in the Highworth and Swindon unions, in
Wiltshire, that it deserves particular mention.

"Towards the end of November, the guardians of
the Highworth and Swindon unions, who Lad
scarcely commenced acting upon the order for with-
holding out-door relief from able-bodied males, re-
ceived, in one day, applications for relief, in aid of
wages, from 19 able-bodied labourers, who, with
their wives and families numbered about ninety-five
persons. The guardians had the firmness and judg-
ment not to relax in their determination. All were
offered the house. Rather, however, than incur the
heavy expense of their maintenance there, the far-
mers of the parish to which they belonged (for nearly
all belonged to one place, where an eflbrt was
making to reduce the already low rate of wages^ in
a few hours agreed to increase their wages, and
only four or five families ultimately came into the
house."

As epprehensions seem to have been entertained
by some boards of guardians, that the workhouse
accommodation would not be ample enough for
the number of labourers who, they expected, would
be driven by the severity of the season to seek
shelter and sustenance in them, the commissioners
thought pioper to issue instructions, declaring that
to those able-bodied paupers for whom no accom-
modation can be provided in the workhouse, for
whom no work can be found by themselves or
their employers, and who are wholly destitute of
the means of subsistence, out-door relief, chiefly
in kind, should be afforded ; but still, as far as
possible, in return for work.
Nevej-theless, the commissioners stjit^ tjiat thgy

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

657

have not known a single instance of any work-
house with proper accommodation in any rural
union, having been filled by an influxl of able-
bodied paupers.

The commissioners notice that at the date of
their former report, it was alleged that much of
the reduction in the poor-rates resulted from the
reduced prices of provisions and the commercial
prosperity of the country. From the testimony
which has already been given, it will be apparent,
however, that the new system of administration
has passed through the ordeal of an extremely se-
vere winter, and of a general rise in the cost of
provisions ; and lattei-ly, moreover, through a se-
vei'e commercial embarrassment, and a tabular
statement of the expenditure in the unions which
have been established more than twelve months,
from which complete returns have been received,
is given.

It appears from this table, which is applicable
to twenty-four English Counties ; viz., Bedford,
Berks, Bucks, Cambridge, Devon, Dorset, Essex,
Gloucester, Herts, Hunts, Kent, Leicester, Lin-
coln, Middlesex, Norfolk, ^Northampton, Oxford,
Somerset, Southami)ton, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex,
Wilts, and Worcester, that in 4,082 parishes, con-
taining a population of 2,722,349, the amount ex-
pended for the relief and maintenance of the poor
during the year ended 25th of March, 1837, was
1,137,346/. The annual expenditure before the
operation of the New Poor Law in those parishes,
calculated on an average of three years, was
2,189,810/. Thus a decrease of expenditure on the
year is exhibited, under the new system, amount-
ing to 1,002,464/,, or 46 per cent. We shall now
conclude our extracts from the report by quoting
the following passages.

" The questions which naturally arise on the
inspection of the return, are, whether these reduc-
tions have not been obtained at a preponderating
expense of suffering, and whether they have pro-
moted the moral welfare of the labouring classes ?
These questions have been partly answered in the
statements given in this and our preceding reports ;
and we now submit the following statement, as
respects the sick, the aged, and the infirm, as cor-
rectly exhibiting the general result of the informa-
tion we have received. The influenza, which fol-
lowed the inclemency of the winter, has severely
tried the medical arrangements of the new unions.
We have, however, seen no authenticated com-
plaints, and we have received no other than satis-
factory reports as to the sufficiency of those ar-
rangements to meet all proper demands. The
medical officers of the union are now tinder the
superintendence of the leading persons of the dis-
trict, who, as elected, or ea; officio guardians, com-
pose the local boards. To these the medical
officer is responsible in his character as practi-
tioner. He is dismissible also on any well au-
thenticated complaint to this board. He is re-
quired to report to the guardians his visits to his
patients in the workhouse. He is, as a further
security, required >.o register the particulars of
each case, the character of the disease, and of its
treatment. These records serve as a guide to the
guardians in the administration of relief, and we
are assured that they will become available as a
valuable body of medical statistics. All the an-
swers to our anxious inquiries as to the adequacy
of the medical arrangements to meet the demands
caused by the late severe epidemic have been fa-
vourable.

" The testimony from the separate unions and in-

dividuals is to the like purpose. The warmth and
cleanliness and wholesomeness of the workhouse, as
well as the regularity of the diet could scarcely
fail to be manifested in the general health of the aged
and infirm inmates of the workhouses. We have
been assured that the number of deaths within the
workhouse has been less in proportion than the
number of deaths of persons of the like age and
class living out of the workhouse. We take this
opportunity to state, that in endeavouring to give
effect to the intentions of the Legislature, we have
on all occasions had especial regard to the cases of
the aged and infirm. We have, as respects the
whole class, considered that they are the last who
should be subjected to any serious inconveniences
by the change. Our orders for the discontinuance
of out-door relief relate mainly to the able-bodied;
persons above sixty years of age being specially ex-
empted from the operation of the rule.

" In the arrangements of the unions we have con-
tinued to pay attention to the religious instruction
and consolation of the inmates of the workhouse.
In most of the early formed unions chaplains have
been appointed, whose duty it is to perform their
spiritual ministration within the walls of the house
— and, where such is the case, we have generally
not continued the privilege formerly allowed to pau-
pers of quitting the house on Sundays, under the
pretext of going to places of religious worship."

SONG OF THE MONTH, FOR NO-
VEMBER.

(From Bentley's Miscellany.)

Of all the months that compose the year.
From January chill, to December drear,

Commend us to November ;
For, sure as its period comes around.
Good fellows are over the wine-cup found —

'Twas so since we remember.

Let April boast of its sunny showers,
Let May exult in its gay young flowers.

And June in its heat and its light ;
This, this is the month to surpass them all.
While wine-cups circle in wood-lit hall.

And wit flashes on through the night.

What flowers can vie with the charms we view
Around us then 2 Love's rosiest hue

To woman's cheek is given.
No shower is like the tear of the grape,
In its rainbow Joy has its happiest shape,

And each tint is direct from heaven.

If mists veil the earth, and if storms arise,
And darkness broods gloomily over the skies.

And the gusty wind sullenly moans ;
Let them e'en do the worst : — we care not a pin,
Though it's dreary without, we are merry within

As we listen to music's gay tones.

Then of all the months that compose the year
From January chill, to December drear.

Commend us to November ;
For, sure as its period comes around.
Good fellows are over the wine-cup found —

And 'twas so since we remember.

558

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

ON THE AVERAGES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MARK LANE EXPRESS.

Sir, — I have been gratified by the remarks in
your Journals of the 6th and 13th inst. upon the
subject of the averages. However correct the
principle may be of governing the duty on foreign
corn by the variation in price of our own growth,
the system of obtaining a knowledge of that price
is decidedly faulty, and acts very unfairly towards
the agricultural interest which it professes to serve :
and as the repeal of the present corn lawmay pro-
bably be mooted in the present session of parlia-
ment, I take the liberty of troubling you with a
few remarks which may furnish the defenders of
that law with an argument against any alteration
of it inimical to the British farmer, who, I am pre-
pared to prove, does not receive that price for his
corn which by the averages he is supposed to do,
and which they were professedly made to secure :
and as they act equally unfairly upon each kind of
grain, it will be sufficient for my purpose to take
wheat only as an example.

I think I am correct in stating, that when the
present corn law was framed, the authors of it
contemplated securing to the growers of Wheat
in this country about 60s. per qr. with an average
crop ; and this probably would have been the re-
sult, had they with the same scale of duties devised
a better plan of taking the averages ; but unfor-
tunately for the farmers, ever since the passing of
the act they have had the credit of obtaining a
price considerably above what they have actually
received, and consequently, not only have they, as
a body, been cheated two or three shillings per
quarter upon every admission of foreign wheat,
but also individually suffered wherever their rents
or tithes (as is frequently the case) are regulated
by the averages ; and this, Sir, must be the case
so long as the returns are made upon the present
system. I do not now allude to there being many
extensive corn markets from which no returns are
made (as if a fair average of places be selected, a
fair avei-age price may per/iaps be obtained) but to
the returns being made by the buyer and not by
theffroiver as I maintain they ought to be; and
until an alteration in the law to that effect is made,
it is folly to talk of the present average price being
the price obtained by the grower.

Setting aside all collusion on the part of inter-
ested persons, which you. Sir, more than hint at;
and all negligence on the part of the Inspectors,
which you also allude to ; yet if every quarter of
wheat purchased in those markets where an In-
spector is appointed, were fairly returned, the
effect would be as I have stated above. One ex-
ample will prove this.

Supposing I sell 50 qrs. of Wheat to a country
merchant at 60s. per qr., he takes it to the nearest
shipping port at an expence say of one shilling,
and sells it to a merchant thereat a profit of another
shilling per qr., who accordingly makes his return
of 50 qrs. at 62s. He then ships it to London at an
expence of freight, commission for selling, «&c.,
&c., of 4s. per qr., add to this another shilling for
profit, and the London factor returns this same
parcel of wheat at 67s. Here then instead of the
original sale by the grower of 50 qrs. at 60s. is a
return to government of 150 qrs. at an average of
63s. by which means three times the quantity is
brought to tell against the grower in the averages,
at 3s. per qr. more than he actually received, and
this upon a fair mercantile transaction with limited
profits. But suppose, as was the case at this time

last year, that the grower sold his 50 qrs. at 50s.,
that the buyer sold ifc the following week at the
shipping port at 55s, and that by the time it reached
the consuming market it was worth 65s. ; here the
return would be three times the quantity grown,
at nearly 7s. per qr. above the original price ; and
in a speculating time like that I am alluding to, it
probably might further change hands two or three
times at a trifling profit before it was consumed,
making the return five or six times the quantity
grown, and lOs. or 12s. per qr. above the original
price.

This, Sir, you well know is no fabled case, and
I am, therefore, warranted in saying that the
British farmer never receives that price for his
corn which the averages profess, and upon the
faith of which he has occasionally to compete with
the foreign growth.

Unfortunately the present time furnishes me
with a strong case in point of the injustice of the
system. If the corn laws are intended to keep
foreign corn out of this country at any time it
must be when we have a plentiful crop at home.
This it is proved that we had last season, because
the period between the two harvests was a month
longer than usual, and yet the old stock was not all
consumed ; and now immediately after another har-
vest, 200,000 qrs. of foi eign wheat are admitted, cer-
tainly at a high duty, but still they come on the mar-
ket in competition with the old wheat which had been
held over by the farmer with a fair expectation of
his being paid for so doing, which hope was frus-
trated through the system I have described.

In the evidence which you quote as having been
given by an Inspector before the House of Com-
mons, he recommends the sellers making the re-
turns. But if all sellers are to make returns, the
lawmay as well remain as it is. The growers only
should do it and I see no reason to prevent them ;
it would be very little more trouble to the In-
spectors, indeed I should think less, as he has now
each separate purchase to cast the amount of and
average ; and would have a smaller amount of
entries when each parcel came through his hands
but once. It would be necessary, perhaps, to give
him the power of occasionally demanding a return
from the buyers attending his market, when he
suspected the growers were remiss in doing it, but
it is so much more to the interest of the latter than
of the former, to give correct returns, that I have
no doubt of their doing it. It would be advisable
to appoint Inspectors in all the country markets of
any extent, as the returns from London, Liverpool,
and all the great consuming markets, would fall off
materiall}'-. Indee<l here is a great evil of the pre-
sent system, viz., appointing Inspectors in the con-
suming in preference to the producing markets.

I am sorry to have trespassed so much on your
valuable space, but the importance of the subject
must be my excuse ; and with thanking you for
your services to agriculture, I am, Sir,

Your constant reader and subscriber,

Nov. 18. RUSTICUS.

THE ECONOMY OF MANURE.

(written for THE CHESTER GAZETTE.)

Not anything connected with agriculture is so
material to production as the economy of manure ;
and in proportion to the quantity and quality of this
necessary article, or the returns obtained from the

tHE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

659

land in all situations. The loss of the stimulating
properties in dung hy the present careless process,
is estimated at from one-half to two-tliirds of what
manure should possess when put on the land.

This art is almost coeval with man — is practised
in eveiy situation — and in all countries where the
inhabitants are numerous, it is not only most im-
portant, but indispensably necessary for tlieir sub-
sistence ; and yet, even in Britain, it is the only
process, notwithstanding that other branches of
husbandry are prosecuted, perhaps with more skill
than elsewhere in any instance.

There is notany profession that affords more oppor-
tunity to experiment on a limited scale, v^'ithout risk
or loss, than farming ; and yet, there is none where
so much opposition is experienced to whatever de-
viates from ancient custom. But a few years ago,
old meadow was considered most valuable, and was
preserved and handed down from one generation to
another as an heir-loom, but this is now believed in
most situations to bo injudicious; and it is as usual
to break up and occasionally to bring such lands
under a regular routine of crops. Draining must
necessarily have been practised at a very early period,
but the immense utility of this was not generall)'
known, nor was it extensively adopted with effect
until within the last twenty years. We need not
therefore be surprised at the difficulties in the way
of introducing a better system in the preparation of
manure, as the waste occasioned by the escape of the
stimulatiug gases that areia dung are not immediately
perceptible, and even rain mixing with the more
soluble parts of the dung and washing away a very
great proportion, is not so much noticed as defective
crops from neglect in the mechanical operation in
tillage.

Every reflecting and intelligent individual must
admit the waste occasioned by the mixture and escape
of dung witli rain water ; but were the farmer told
that there is more virtue in what is lost in this
manner than in all the straw that can be used, he
would not credit the fact. The evil in this case is
not sufficiently apparent to induce occasional attempts
to collect these washings from the dung heap, and to
apply them separately to the lands ; but the only
means to avert and strike at the root of the evil, is to
exclude air and excess of moisture.

The collection and preservation of manure is un-
questionably the chief excellence of Belgian farming
and the subject on vi^hicli we may derive most in-
struction from attending to these practices. When
they have the means of procuring distillery refuse,
or any other liquid manure, they form small tanks
for receiving it. These are built of brick four or six
together, about seven feet deep, and each division
from six to ten feet long, and six or seven feet wide ;
when empty they are neatly washed inside. All
sorts of liquid manures are conveyed from the large
towns by the rivers and canals to a considerable
distance, and bring a large price. They are
bestowed chiefly on the young brairds, or as it is
expressed, " the whole spring they are constantly
watering their braird with liquid manure, driving
carts with barrels across their iields in every direc-
tion, and showering upon their young crops," that is
if they Jiave a sufficient quantitv of it, they go over
all their own crops repeatedly with it during spring.
T'he effect of this must be very beneficial, but the
farmer must and ought to depend principally on the
produce of his own farm-yard for his manure, and it
is here that tlie Belgian system is so admirable.
The dung-pit should be excavated to the depth of
six or eight feet, and be twelve or fourteen feet wide,

and into it may be cast every sort of stuff', sweepings
of roads, parings of ditches or banks and dry earth.
These being completely saturated with urine and
mixed with droppings from the cattle, form ad-
mirable manure. Not being exposed like an English
straw-yard to wind or rain, little or nothing is
evaporated or lost. There can be no question about
theproprietyof the sheltering manure necessarily pro-
duced in a farm-yard, from the eifects of the weather,
whether it be sun, or wind, or rain.

Oct. 24. ST. ASAPHENSIS.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

Doe d. Corporation of Exeter v. Mitchell.

Ejectment. — Sufficiency of a Notice to Quit.

This was an action of ejectment, tried before Mr. Jus-
lice Patteson at the last Summer assizes for the county
of Exeter. The lessoi's of the plaintiff' proved their title ,
and the whole question turned upon the sufficiency of a
notice to quit given by them to the defendant. The
plaintiffs were nonsuited, with leave to move to enter a
verdict if the court should be of opinion that the non-
suit was improper.

Rogers now applied for a rule. In 1821, the property
in question was demised by the lessors of the plaintiff"
for twenty-one years to one John Mitchell, with power
to either party to determine the case at the end of foui--
teen years, by a six months' notice to quit in writing.
The original lessee was dead, and John Mitchell the
present defendant was his executor. Twelve months
before the expiration of the fourteen years, namely, on
the 29th of September, 1834, the receiver-general of the
corporation served a notice to quit upon Thomas Mitch-
ell, who lived at the ferry-house, part of the demised
premises. The notice was directed to Thomas Mitchell,
and when it was served upon him, he described himself
as servant to his brother John. A short time before the
expiration of the fourteen years, the lessors of the plain-
tiff" discovered that they had served the wrong person.
In a conversation with the receiver-general on the sub-
ject of the service, John Rlitchell the executor said —
" Those notices were not directed to me, I did not regard
them." It was evident, therefore, from his own admis-
sion, that he had received them ; and it is fair to pre-
sume, that they came to his hands six months before the
expiration of the fourteen years. Doe d. Neville v. Dun-
bar, 1 M. & IM. 10, decides that service of a notice to
quit on a servant at the tenant's dwelling-house, is suf-
ficient, although the tenant be not informed of it till
within half a year of its expiration. Here the notice was
served on the demised premises. In Doe d. Spiller, 6
Esp. N. P.C. 70, it was determined that if a notice to
quit is directed to the tenant by a wrong name, and he
keeps it, it is a waiver of the misdirection, and the lessor
may recover on it, if there was no other tenant of the
name. IPatteson, J. — The words in the lease are, that
" the notice is to be given to the tenant :" here the ser-
vice was upon a wrong person by his right name. The
lessors of the plaintiff" intended to serve it upon Thomas,
thinking that he was the tenant; whereas they ought to
have known that the real tenant was Joiin JMitchell, the
executor of his father, the original lessee. J We may
presume that Thomas was the servant of his brother.
'J'hen, since the notice was given on the demised pre-
mises, and John Mitchell admitted he had received it,
the service is sufficient.

Lord Denman, C.J. — I am of opinion that the non-
suit was right. No satisfactory proof was given that the
notice came to the hands of the lessee.

The other judges concurred.— Hu^e Refused.

560

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

WINNERS OF ROYAL PLATES AND
CUPS IN 1837.

The following- is a list of the winners of these prizes

this season : —

NEWMARKET, April 25 ; for mares, R. C— Won
by the Duke of Richmond's Pussy, by Pollio, 6 yrs.,
9st. 101b. (Rog-ers), beating' Lord Eg-remont's Helg'a,

4 yrs., 8st. 4lb., Mr. Fortii's Louisa, 6 yrs., 9st. 101b.,
and Mr. S. Smith's Eagle, a., lOst.

NEWMARKET, April 27 ; R.C.— Mr. J. Day's Veni-
son, by Partisan, 4 yrs., 9st. 81b. (S. Day), beating
Lord Tavistock's Jack-in-the-Green, 4 yrs., 9st, 81b.

CHESTP^R, May 2; rather more than three miles.—
Mr. Barrow's Catherina, by Whisker, ag-ed, lOst. 51b.
(Hopwood), beating- Mr. Ilouldsworlh's Turban, 5
yrs., lOst., and Mr, Nanney's Ratcatcher, aged, lOst.
51b.

MANCHESTER, May 18 ; three miles and a distance.
— Mr. Arrowsmith's Miss Bowe, by Catton, 3 yrs.,
7st. 21b. (Lye), beating- Sir J. Boswell's General
Chasse, 6 yrs., lOst. 51b., and Mr. Powlett's Went-
worth, 4yrs.,9st. 21b.

ASCOT HEATH, June 6 ; from the New Mile post,
once round, and in. — Mr. .T. Day's Venison, 4 yrs.,
9st. 21b. (S. Day), beating Mr. Sowerby's Rioter, 6
yrs, lOst. 51b.

ASCOT HEATH, June 9 (hunters); t >vo miles and a
distance.— Mr. Robertson's Olympic, by Reveller, 6
yrs., list. 121b. (Macdonald), beating Mr. Way's
Denham, 5 yrs., list. 71b.

HAMPTON, June 15 ; heats, twice round and a dis
tance. — Mr. Sowerby's Rioter, by Reveller, 6 yrs.,
9st. 111b. (S. ilann), beating- Mr. V. King's Hectic,

5 yrs., 9st. 111b. ; I\Ir. Robertson's Lucifer, 5 yrs.,9st.
111b.; Mr. Knight's Ote, 3 yrs., 7st. 51b.; Mr. Bal-
chin's Spec, 3 yrs., 7st. 51b. (dis.) ; and Mr. Jackson's
Pegasus, 3 yrs., 7st. 5lb. (dis.), in two heats.

IPSWICH, July 18 ; heats, two miles.— Lord Orford's
Rienzi, bv Tramp, 3 yrs., 7st. 51b. (Rog-ers), beating
Mr. Cobijold's Crichton, 3 yrs., 7st. 51b. ; Mr. W.
Edwards's f. by The Colonel, out of Bassilea, 3 yrs.,
7st. 51b. ; Mr. Pettit's Menas, 4 yrs., 9st. lib.; and
Mr. Smith's Eagle, aged, lOst. 21b., in two heats.

WINCHESTER, July 18 ; heats, two miles.— Colonel
Peel's Slane, by Royal Oak, 4 yrs. 9st. 111b. (Pavis),
beating Mr. J. Day's Airy, 6 yrs., lOst. 21b. ; and Mr.
Collins's ch. h. by Tramp, out of Queen of Hearts, 5
yrs., 9st. 111b., in two heats,

NEWCASTLE, June 20; three miles. -Mr. Wilkin's
Modesty, by Malek, 3 yrs., 7st. 21b. (T. Lye), beating
Lord Kelburne's ch. c. by Albany, dam by St. Pa-
trick, out of Blue Stocking, 3 yrs., 7st. 21b., and Mr.
King's Vernal, 3 yrs., 7st. 21b.

LIVERPOOL, July 20 ; heats, two miles.— Mr. Pow-
lett's Wentworth, by Confederate, 4 yrs., 9st. lib.
(Holmes), beating Mr. Arrowsmish's Wrestler, 3 yrs.,
7st. 51b., in three heats.

GUILDFORD, July 20 ; heats, two miles.— Lord Ta-
vistock's Royal George, by Royal Oak, 4 yrs., 9st.
lib., walked over.

CHELMSFORD, July 25; heats, two miles.— Mr.
Batson's Voluptuary, by Reveller, 3 yrs., 7st. 51b.
(Nat), beating Mr. Coleman's Calmuck, 4 yrs., 93t.
lib., and Mr. Walker's Gipsy, 5 yrs., 9bt. 111b., in two

LANCASTER, July 29 ; heats, two miles.— Lord Stan-
ley's ParoUes, by Augustus or Shakspeare, 3 yrs., 7st.
51b. (Kirkby), beating Mr. Wilkin's Modesty, 3 yrs.,
7st. 51b. ; Mr. Arrowsmith's Wrestler, 3 yrs., 7st.51b.,
and Mr. Miers's Saccharina, aged, lOst. 2lb., in three
heats.

GOODWOOD, Aug. 4; three miles and three quar-
ters.— Lord Chesterfield's Edgar, by Shakspeare, 3
yrs., 7st. 41b. (Nat), beating Mr. J. Day's Chapeau
E'Espagne, 3 yrs., 7st. 41b., and Duke of Richmond's
Sepoy, 4 yrs., 9st. 21b.

BRIGHTON, Aug. 10 (a Cup value 100 sovs.); two
miles.— Lord Chesterfield's Hornsea, by Velocipede,
5 yrs., 8st. 121b., walked over.

PLYMOUTH, DEVONPORT, and CORNWALL,

Aug. 16 (a Gold Vase, value 100 gs.); heats, three
miles. — Mr. King's Jack-in-the-Green, 4 yrs., lOst.
71b. (Mann), beating Mr. J. Day's The Drummer, 4
yrs., lOst. 71b.

LEWES, Aug. 17; heats, the New Course— Lord
Chesterfield's Carew, by Tramp or Comus, 4 yrs.,
9st. 61b. (Nat), beating Count de Courcy's Soap, 3
yrs., 8st. 2Ib.

SALISBURY, Aug. 17 ; heats, two miles.— Mr. Ro-
bertson's Olympic, 6 yis., lOst. 31b. (Macdonald),
beating Mr. J. Day's Chapeau E'Espagne, 3 yrs, Bst.
21b., and Mr. S. Herbert's Luck's All, 5 yrs., lOst., in
two heats.

YORK, Aug. 25; two miles.— Captain Taylor's Lin-
coln, by Negociator, 3 yrs., 7st. 91b. (Taylor), beat-
ing Mr. Heseltine's The Bard, 4 yrs., 8st. 121b. ; Mr.
Powlett's Wentworth, 4 yrs., Bst. 121b. ; Colonel Crad-
dock's br. c. by Voltaire, out of Galena, 3 yrs., 7st.
91b. ; and Mr. Allen's f. Win Jenkins, 3 yrs.,
7st. 91b.

NORTHAMPTON, Aug. 30 ; three miles.— Mr. Bird's
Redshank, by Sandbeck, 4 yrs., 9st. (G.Edwards),
beating- Mr. Fairlie's Zohrab, 6 yrs., lOst., Sir G.
Heathcote's Magnolia, 3 yrs., 7st. 111b., and Lord
Orford's Rienzi, 3 vrs., 7st. 111b.

CANTERBURY, Aug. 30; heats, two miles.- Mr.
Robertson's Olympic, by Reveller, aged, lOst. 31b.,
(Macdonald), beating Mr. Hodges's Cranbrook, 3
yrs., 8st. 21b., and Mr. Rogers's Cicero, 4 yrs., 9st.
61b., in two heats.

EGHAM, Aug. 31 ; two miles and a distance.— Lord
Chesterfield's Hornsea, by Velocipede, 5 yrs., 9st.
111b. (Nat.), beating Mr. W. Stanley's Willesdon, 4
yrs., 9st. lib ; and Duke of Richmond's Sepoy, 4 yrs.,
9st.llb.

WEYMOUTH, Aug. 31; heats, two miles. — Mr.
Finch's Mayflower, by Jerry, 6 yrs., lOst. 31b. (Co-
nelly), beating Hon. S. Herbert's Luck's-all, 5 yrs.,
lOst. ; Mr. King's Jack-in-the-Green, 4 yrs., 9st. 61b. ;
and filr. T. Hopkins's Linsey Woolsey, 5 yrs., lOst.,
in two heats.

WARWICK, Sept. 7 ; heats, two miles.— Mr. Mos-
tyn's Birdlime, by Comus, 6yi-s., 10st.31b. (Darling),
beating Mr. Bird's Redshank, 4 yrs., 9st. 61b. ; Lord
Chesterfield's Hornsea, 5 yrs., lOst., and Mr. Sadler's
Brother to Delight, 4 yrs.,9st. 61b., in three heats.

LICHFIELD, Sept. 13; heats, two miles.— Mr. Mos-
tyn's Birdlime, by Comus, 6 yrs., lOst. 31b., (Dar-
ling), beating Mr. Garrard's Cornborough, 3 yrs.,
Bst. 21b., in two he.ats.

LEICESTER, Sept. 13 ; three miles.— Mr. Bird's Red-
shank, by Sandbeck, 4 yrs., 9st. lib. (G. Edwards),
beating Duke of Rutland's Florestan, 5 yrs, 9st. 9Ib.,
and Loi-d Suffield's Turban, 5iyrs., 9st. 91b.

DONCASTER, Sept. 18 ; four miles.— Mr. Powlett's
Wentworth, by Confederate, 4 yrs., 9st. (Holmes),
beating Mr. Osbaldeston's Mic-mac, 3 yrs., 7st. 91b. ;
Lord Chesterfield's Capulet, 3 yrs., 7st.91b. ; and Mr.
M'Cance's King of Reme, 3 yrs., 7st. 91b.

SHREWSBURY, Sept. 21 ; three miles.— Mr. Mos-
tyn's Birdlime, by Comus, 6 yrs., lOst. (Darling),
beating Mr. Jones's Lucifer, 5 yrs., 9st. 91b., and Lord
Derbv's Parolles, 3 yrs., 7st. 111b.

BEDFORD, Sept. 27 ; three miles.- Mr. Sowerby's
St. Luke, by Bedlamite, 4 yrs., 9st. lib. (Mann),
beating Mr. Boast's br. h. by Scipia— Cantaloupe, 5
yrs.. 9st. 91b.

LINCOLN, Sept. 28 (for mares) ; heats, two miles.—
Mr. Powlett's Miss Letty, by Priam, 3 yrs., 8st. 21b.
(Holmes), beating Mr. Bell's Miss Eliza, 3 yrs., Bst.
21b., in two heats.

NEWMARKET FIRST, Oct. 5 ; R.C.— Mr. Sower-
by's St. Luke, by Bedlamite, 4 yrs., 10st.71b., walked
over.

RICHMOND, Oct. 4 (for mares) ; once round and a
distance.— ]Mr. Orde's Bee's-wing, by Dr. Syntax, 4
yrs., Bst. 71b., walked over.

CALEDONIAN HUNT (Edinburgh) Oct. 11 ; heats,
two miles.— Mr. Wilkins's Modesty, by Malek, 3 yrs.,
7st. 51b. (Lye), beating Mr. Stirling's Lady Lowman,
5 yrs., 9st. 111b., and Mr. Ramsey's Lady Stepney, 3
yrs., 7st. 51b.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

561

CALEDONIAN HUNT, Oct. 13 ; four miles— Mr.
Wilkins's Modesty, by Malsk, 3 yrs., 7st. 91b., (Cart-
wright,) beating Mr.Ramsey's Iuheritor,6yrs,, lOst.,
and Lord Eglinton's (Eolus, 4 yrs., 9st.

NOTTINGHAM, Oct. 13; heats, two miles.— Mr.
Bird's Redshank, by Sandback, 4 yrs., 9st. 41b. (C.
Edwards), beating Mr. Hadland's Guildford, aged,
lOst. ("bolted in the first heat.)

CARLISLE, Oct. 20 ; four miles.— Mr. S. Fox's The
Doctor, by Dr. Syntax, 3 yrs., 7st. 91b. (Cartwright,)
beating Mr. Fairlie's Zohrab, lOst.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SO-
CIETY.

The subjoined is a corrected list of the members
of the society, published since that which appears
in page 513 of this magazine ; —

TO THE NOBILITY, GENTRY, AND AGRICULTURISTS OF THE
COUNTY OF YORK.

PRESIDENT.

Earl Spencer.

VICE PRESIDENTS.
For the East Riding. For the North Riding,

" ~ " Duke of Leeds.

Lord Faversham.

Earl of Carlisle.
Sir Tatton Sykes.

For the West Riding.
Earl of Harewood,
Earl Fitzwilliam.

COMMITTEE.

J. W. Childers, Esq.

M.P.
Sir W. B. Cooke, Bart.
Robert Dennison, Esq.
Thomas S. Duncombe,

Esq.

F. H. Fawkes, Esq.
Rev. Thomas Harrison,
George Legahd, Esq.
W. Maxwell, Esq.

R. Fleetwood Siiawe,
Esq.

G. Swann, Esq.

H. S. Thompson, Esq.
P. Beilbv Thompson,

Esq.
Hon. Sir E. Vavasour,

Bart.
Godfrey' Wentworth,

Esq.
W. B. Wriohtsok, Esq.

M.P.
W. R. C. Stansfield,

Esq., M. P.
Messrs Swann and Co.,

Treasurers.

My Lords and Gentlemen, — This Society was
formed on the 10th October last, upon the model of
the Highland Society of Scotland. It was then de-
termined that all further arrangements should be
postponed to the I9th December, in order that it
might be ascertained how far the country was dis-
posed to promote an object of such great importance.
I was instructed to address, in the interim, a copy
of the resolutions passed on that day, to all the no-
bility, and to every influential gentleman in, or con-
nected with the county. I now beg to apologise
for many inadvertent omissions of this extensive
duty.

The utility of the society must depend upon the
general support which is given to it, and it is abso-
lutely necessary to ascertain the extent of that sup-
port, before the meeting of the committee on the
19th December, that they may be then enabled to
lay before the public a list of premiums commensu-
rate with the means which are afforded them, for the
promotion and encouragement of agriculture in all
its branches. I have, therefore, most earnestly but
respectfully to request the favour of those noble-
men and gentlemen, who purpose to make do-
nations, or to become members of the society, im-
mediately to direct the amount to be paid to Messrs.

Swann and Co., Bankers, York ; or otherwiae to
signify their intentions to the Secretary.
I have the honour to be,
My Lords and Gentlemen,

Your most obedient faithful servant,
CHARLES HOWARD, Secretary.
Melbourne, York, 17th Nov., 1837.

Gentlemen become Members of this Society by an an»
nual Subscription of One Pound ; payment in advance^
to date from the 1st of January next.

The following Donations have been already made : —

P. B. Thompson, Esq £100

George L. Fox, Esq., M.P. .- 50

Hon. Sir E. Vavasour, Bart 20

Earl Spencer 20

Sir J. Johnstone, Bart 25

J. W. Childers, Esq., M.P 20

Thos. S. Duncombe, Esq 20

R. Fleetwood Shawe, Esq 20

Robert Denison, Esq 25

Lord Stourton 20

Charles Tempest, Esq 20

Sir W. B. Cooke, Bart. 20

Sir F. L. Wood, Bart 20

James Walker, Esq 20

W. Constable Maxwell, Esq 25

G, Wentworth, Esq 20

Lord Huntingfield 20

Thos. Allen, Esq., MaZ^OM 5

Rev. Thomas Harrison 10

G. Legard, Esq 5

W. R. C. Stansfield, Esq., M. P 10

R. J. Thompson, Esq 50

Sir W. Foulis, Bart 20

N. E. Yarbor jugh, Esq 20

George Swann, Esq. 10

THE AMERICAN THUMB WHEAT.

Mr. Editor, — You have inserted an article from
the Reading Mercury, in the Farmer's Magazine of
last month, signed " Agricola," relative to what he
calls the " American Thumb Wheat" or " Turkish
Wheat" which he says, produced at the rate of 12
quarters 4 bushels of grain, and nearly five tons of
straw per acre." These quantities are so extraor-
dinary, that I am induced to ask of him the further
information respecting this wheat, which he kindly
offers " to any person who feels interested in the
matter." With the excepiion of oats upon newly
broken-up land, I have never heari of any grain
producing twelve quarters and a half per acre, and
even upon our very best soils in Norfolk, it rarely
happens that we obtain much more than one-third of
that quantity per acre.

But I am the more desirous to obtain further in-
formation from " Agricola," because some two or
three years since, I had a few grains- of wheat given
to me, (I believe in Germany or Switzerland) which
seemed to correspond with that which he has de-
scribed. I cherished them in my garden two or
three seasons, and last year had enough to sow a
small patch in a field of other wheat. It grew as
" Agricola" describes, in double ears " bearded,
something like Cone Wheat or Rivets ;" was very
long in the straw, being twelve or fifteen inches
above thtit which grew beside it (golden drop) —
came ten days later to harvest, and exhibited this pe-
culiarity, that the straw is not hollow like reed, as
in other wheat, but contains a pith like the rush.
The sample is a handsome white wheat, but the diffi-
culty of preserving small quantities of any grain
from the depredation of birds precludes the possibi-
lity of forming a correct estimate of its productive-
ness. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, W. N.

2 H

m

tHE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.

GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT
FOR NOVEMBER.

The weather during nearly the whole of this month
has been, for the time of year, much milder than has
been expeiienced in any November within the re-
collection of the oldest man living, owing to which,
those out-door farm operations usually carried on at
this period of the year, which chiefly consist in
ploughing the land destined to be sown with wheat,
felling coppices, &c., have proceeded with fewer
interruptions than usual. There have been a few
violent gales of wind, and at the commencement of
the month, we were visited by several humid and
very dense fogs. From these casualties, however,
we are seldom, if ever, exempt in November, whilst
we are happy to state that tbey bave not been either
of very long duration or frequent occurrence. The
few sharp frosts which we have had bave been
more beneficial than otherwise to the land.

Notwithstanding we have lately received from
some of our correspondents in various parts of Eno--
land, complaints, that on thrashing out the produce
of the present year's harvest, they have been some-
what disappointed as to the yield of wheat, we have
the gratification of being enabled to assert, on good
authority, that the quantity of corn and pulse which
has been grown this year, taken as a whole, has
been quite as, if not more, abundant than that of the
preceding year.

If we direct our attention to Scotland, we shall
find that farmers appear to be well satisfied with the
produce of the late crops, and that the yield has been
very good ; whilst the harvest proceeded throughout
with fewer atmospheric interruptions than are usually
experienced at that period of the year. Field labours
too, in Scotland, and the thrashing out the crops of
grain appear to solely engross the attention of the
agriculturists.
_ Although it has been asserted that a trifling defi-
ciency was apparent in the growth of corn, par-
ticularly oats, in Ireland, the receipts of them in the
port of London for some time past, have been large,
which circumstance, we are fully of opinion, com-
pletely shows the fallacy of the arguments attempted
to be put forth by interested parties. Considerable
progress has already been made in field labours,
which have hitherto proceeded under very favourable
auspices.

Most of the pastures and sheep downs are, for
the time of year, well clothed with verdure, whilst
the stock depastured in them is exceedingly healthy,
and has subsisted without the aid of much dry
fodder. We have not heard of a single case of sheep-
rot having occurred in any part of the kingdom.

The hop duty having been declared somewhat
lower than some persons anticipated, the demand for
hops has been considerably renovated at enhanced
rates. In most other kinds of farm produce, the de-
mand has been, on the whole, dull, and but little va-
riation has taken place in tlie currencies.

Farmers, now that the Parliamentary session has
been commenced, appear to be directing their serious
attention to those measures, which some of them
suppose will be brought forward, to, in some mea-
sure, alleviate the distress under which this most
useful class of the community has so long struggled.
We must, however, confess, that these hopes, will
doubtless be productive of disappointment, as we
plainly tell those engaged in ao;ricultural pursuits,

that if they expect any leal and substantial good,
from legislative enactments, they will be grievously
disappointed. We most heartily hope that no re-
liance will be placed in what Government may do,
but let our farmers look steadily to their own in-
terests, and not suffer themselves to be cajoled by
incompetent judges, whilst we doubt not, with the
necessary aid of good and liberal landlords, that we
shall yet see farming once more restored to its
merited flourishing condition ; then, and not till
then, shall we consider ourselves on sure grounds,
in a national point of view, for sure we are, that a
nation cannot be considered in a healthy state, when
its agriculture is neglected.

The following is a statement of the supplies of fat
stock which have been exhibited, in Smithfield
Cattle Market during the month, and the prices at
which they have been disposed of: —

There have been exhibited 17,222 beasts, 126,222
sheep, 1,496 calves, and 2,741 pigs ; which, com-
pared with those shown last month, show a consi-
derable increase.

About 3,500 of the beasts, which have formed
the above supplies, came from Lincolnshire ;
2,520 short-horns and Herefords from Leicester-
shire ; 2,000 short-horns and runts from North-
amptonshire; 250 Scots, from Norfolk; 120 Scots
and Herefords, from Suffolk ; 150 Scots, Herefords,
and Devons, from Essex ; 185 Herefords and runts,
from Cambridgeshire; 60 runts and Staffords,
from Staffordshire ; 96 Scots, Irish beasts, and
Herefords, from Warwickshire ; 10 ) Herefords
and runts, from Oxfordshire ; 300 Herefords from
Herefordshire; 100 runts, Devons, and Scots,
from Buckinghamshire ; 70 runts, Uevons, and
Herefords, from Worcestershire ; 65 Pembroke
runts, from various parts of Wales ; 125 Aber-
deen and Fifeshire Scots, by steam- vessels, from
Scotland, 120 oxen, runts, and Devons, from
Sussex ; 98 cows, Scots, and Devons, from Surrey ;
150 Scots, runts, and Herefords, from Kent.
The remainder of the bullock supply has been
chiefly derived from the cow-keepers, cattle-lodgers,
&c., near to and within a few miles of London.
PRICES.
Per 81bs, to sink the offals.

Oct. 23. Nov. 27.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Inferior Beef 2 4 to 2 6 . . 2 4 to 2 6

Middling, do. ..28 38. .28 3 10

Prime, do 40 44. .40 46

Inferior Mutton , . 32 34.. 30 32
Middling do. ..36 40. .34 36
Prime ditto, ..4 2 46. .3 10 40

Veal ,. 4 0 5 0.. 4 0 5 0

Pork 3 6 5 4.. 3 6 5 4

Here follows our yearly comparison of the trans-
actions in Smithfield Cattle market.

At per 81bs, sinking the offals.

Nov. 28, 1836. Nov. 27, 1837,
s. (1. s. d. s. d. s. d

Coarse and inferior beasts 2 2 to 2 4. ..2 4 to 2 6

Second quality do ....2 10 3 6... 2 8 3 2

Prime large oxen 3 10 4 2... 3 6 3 10

Prime Scots. &c 4 6 4 10.. .4 2 4 6

Coarse and inferior sheep 2 4 2 6. ..3 0 3 2

Second quality do 2 8 3 0...3 4 3 6

Prime coiirse-woolled do 3 8 4 0...3 10 4 0

Prime South Down de 4 2 4 6... 4 2 4 0

Large coarse calves ... . 4 0 4 6... 4 0 4 6

Prime small do 4 8 5 2. ..4 8 .5 0

Large hogs 3 2 3 8... 3 6 4 6

Neat small porkers.,.,. „.,,,.,,. ■JS i 4 8 .,4 10 5 4

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE:

563

Supplies.
Nov. 28, 1836. Nov. 27, 1837.

Beasts 3,225 3,330

Sheep 20,420 23.926

Calves 212 170

Pigs 415 496

The general quality of the stock which has been
exhibited during- the whole of the mouth has been
tolerably prime, but not so prime as we have
sometimes witnessed, at a similar period of the year.
A great falling off, both in the numbers and quality,
of those beasts which have arrived, bv sea, from
Scotland, has taken place ; we do not expect any
large arrivals whilst the prices which are realized
in Smithfield for stock are so low as they are at pre-
sent, particularly when we are aware that large sums
of money have been lost in several instances by such
speculations.

From Ireland a very large quantity of live pigs has
been received, it amounting to nearly 500. As they
have been of very inferior quality, the prices obtained
for them have been very low.

About four-fifths of the supplies of sheep have
been composed of about equal numbers of South
Downs, old and new Leicesters, Kents, Kentish
Lalf-breds, and Lincolns : the remainder, of polled
Gloucesters, horned Dorsets and Somersets, horned
and polled English-fed, Scotch and Welsh sheep,
&c. ; with 900 from Scodand ; 700 foom Boston, and
350 from Hull by steamers.

The following is an account of the quantities of
slaughtered meat which have been consigned for sale,
to Newgate and Leadenhall markets from the under-
mentioned quarters, in the course of the month : —
Beasts. Shekp. Calvks. Pigs.

Numberof Numberof Number of Numberof
Carcasses. Carcasses, Carcasses, Carcasses.
Scotland ... 100 4250 — 998

Yorkshire.. 60 2000 — 840

Essex 100 600 400 700

Surrey 150 2400 900 1100

Sussex 25 800 700 500

Berkshire . . 30 400 500 600

Wiltshire... 40 392 3000 600

Gloucester . 20 400 500 600

Hampshire 10 150 220 325

Devonshire. 10 200 300 200

Total.. 545 11592 6520 6363

A very small quantity of live stock has been sent
to the above markets, for the purpose of being-
slaughtered and sold there, without appearing in
Smithfield ; indeed, no more is expected this year,
as the season for the shipment of slaughtered meat is
now at its height. It will be perceived the arrivals
of dead meat have been exceedingly large, whilst the
quality of them have been tolerably good, and a very
small quantity has arrived unfit for human consump-
tion.

SUFFOLK.

The commencement of the month of October was
so very dry, that but little progress could be made
in wheat-sowing during the first three weeks of the
month ; however the fineness of the time was of
great importance to the farmer, by enabling him to
manure a great breadth of his land for the Wheat
crop, also the maiden layers, and for Beans and
Peas. The greater par of the Mangel-wurzel was
also carted off the land during the dry weather, and
we never saw the crop secured with less labour both
for man and horse than this year. However, the
25tli and 26th October we had very fine rains, and
as a large breadth of land intended for Wheat was
ploughed ready, by the end of the month, a very great
])roportion of the Wheat was put in, and although
during this month the sowing has been somewhat

retarded by frosts and rains, yet on the whole the
seed is put in better than usual. In your Review
of the Corn trade you complain of the contrary
opinions given by your various agricultural re-
porters, with respect to the probable produce of the
crops of last harvest. We have made considerable
enquiries, and also from our own observation, know-
ledge, and experience, we aie convinced the Wheat
crop in this county will not equal the produce of the
last several years, and we think short of an average
crop. Barley is certainly four or five coombs per
acre short of last year, and with very few exceptions
a decidedly deficient crop ; quality exceedingly va-
rious, but very little bright, all more or less disco-
loured or stained, but as the temperature during the
time it was exposed to the wet, was very low, there
is scarcely a sprouted kernel to be found ; it will,
therefore, although not bright, make useful Malt.
Oats are so little grown in this county that we offer
no opinion on their produce. Peas exceed an ave-
rage crop, and are good in quality. Beans are also
a fair produce. Having- gone through the principal
kinds of corn grown in Suffolk, we feel satisfied you
may confidently rely on our assertions, as we have
no interested motive in making such a statement.
The prices of all kinds of corn at the present time are
far from remunerating, particularly when we take
into consideration the short crop of Barley, that we
fear it will be the means of throwing out of employ
many labourers ; for if the farmers' means are crip-
pled, he must of necessity retrench, and as his outlay
for labour is almost the only payment he has imme-
diate control over, that, however wrong, is what he
must resort to. The more we see and hear of the
Tithe Commutation Act, the more we are convinced
that it will be no benefit to the farmer ; we care not
what reasoning is used to convince us to the con-
trary, for so long as more money is taken from our
pockets, we must continue of the same opinion. —

Nov. 25th.

CUMBERLAND.
With the exception of a few days in the last week
in October, and the beginning of the present month,
the wet weather usual this season has almost wholly
been exchanged for the finest autumn since 1826.
This has enabled the latest districts to secure the
corn in the best possible condition, but it has com-
pletely deceived the holders of wheat, who reasoning
from a late spring, there would be a late harvest, and
that a late harvest is nearly always a bad one for
wheat, now find to their astonishment that a late
harvest is not incompatible with a fine one, and that
the old wheat cannot be compared in sample with the
new. The summer fallow wheat has grown most
luxuriantly and as long ago shaded the fields with
green, while all the potatoe land and a very great
breadth of turnip land has been -also sown under the
most favourable auspices ; the large demand for
seed wheat has undoubtedly in part raised the price,
and the trifling stock of old, with the deficiency in
quantity of last year, will in all probability still fur-
ther tend to enhance its value. There is a greater
breadth of land sown with wheat than for many years.
The price of oats has declin«d considerably and barley
is about one-fourth less than at the same time last
year ; this by many is attributed to the wet autumn
of 1836 which prevented the sowing of wheat upon
a great deal of land that was in the following spring-
sown with barley. With the exception of some
trifling failures not worth naming, tlie potatoe crop
has been remarkably abundant. Turnips were never
known to be better, they got well away at the first
which with them is very important, and never at any
time did their being a great crop appear doubtful,

2 B 2

564

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

tbe weather indeed has been so unusually balanced as
to suit both wet and dry land, in short it was a tur-
nip season throughout ; Swedes are better than for
along- time past ; the average price for Scotch wethers,
great numbers of which are fed upon turnips in this
County, may be fairly stated at 3|d. per week. The
demand for lean stock has been good and the prices
high, indeed so much so as to make their paying for
wintering very hazardous ; they have been doing
well in consequence of the fine weather and the
abundance of keep. More than the average number
of cattle have been put up to feed. The eifects of
the Carlisle and Newcastle Railway begin to be
felt here, and a good deal of stock has gone to New-
castle by it which used to go to Manchester and
Liverpool, where they were shown when driven up-
wards of 100 miles and of course at a great disadvan-
tage, now they can be put upon the Railway after a
short drive or no drive at all according to the situa-
tion of the farm and be sold in Newcastle, almost
looking as well as when they left home. The best
short-horns are most sought after, and the great
success of the agricultural societies has given a
stimulous to the breeding of good stock that will
shortly place the Cumberland cattle in a very dif-
ferent situation from that which they have hitherto
held in the public estimation. The autumn began
with sheep at a good price, the September Falkiik
Fair was a brisk market, the demand has continued to
increase and they have advanced two or three
shillings a head, but as keep is plentiful and cheap
there is still a fair chance of their paying. The wool
trade is bad and few farmers disposed to sell at the
present low rates, which makes the business doing
very trifling. Pork has been high, about 6s. per
stone. Small pigs eight or ten weeks old from 14s.
tol8s.— A'oi;.22.

NORFOLK.

The business of wheat sowing has been prolonged
very much beyond the period we had anticipated in
the early part of the season ; the want of moisture
laid an embargo on the plough in the first instance,
and latterly, continued showers, and wet days, have
not only retarded the work, but the land is so satu-
rated with moisture, that it is with difficulty the
work is now performed at all ; fortunately however,
it is nearly brought to a conclusion. This circum-
stance has also created a delay in the taking up of
potatoes, and in securing tbe mangle-v\ uvzel ; both
these are esteemed to be good crops, more especially
the latter, but it is somewhat questionable whether
they have not been stored in bad condition ; frosty
nights and wet days having been too prevalent to
admit of their being put in the heaps as dry and free
from soil, as may be deemed essential to their pre-
servation for spring use. The turnip crop also is
remarkably fine, and even now improving ; just be-
fore Michaelmas the yellow hue and falling of the
leaf indicated the injurious tendency of the want of
moisture, but since the alteration in the atmosphere
they have assumed a very different appearance, es-
pecially the later sown, which are yet increasing in
size, and o' a superior quality. Tbe clover and
nonsuch layers exhibit an unfailing breadth of plant,
nor is there any deficiency in the stock of hay, either
with regard to quantity or quality, except perhaps
that here and there a stack may be found which has
been injured by over heating. Altogether, keeping
has been throughout the autumn, and continues to
be plentiful, a circumstance which has induced the
graziers to extend their purchases of lean cattle, even
though the prices have been looking upwards, con-
sequently the stock in hand is much larger than is

usual at this season of the year ; thus although prime
beef has been very scarce for sonre months past, and
commands a tolerably high figure, yet it may be
presumed that soon after Christn.as, a reaction will
take place sufficiently extensive to abridge in no
small degree the profits of the grazier. The delivery
of corn hitherto, has not been very extensive ; but
the wheat sowing being about concluded, and the
period near at hand for settling accounts, the flail
and the thrashing engine will each be put in full em-
ployment. There seems to be a disposition in the
prices of grain to retrograde, a circumstance not
unusual at this season of the year, nor is it improba-
ble that a considerable sacrifice must be submitted
to, by those persons who may be necessitated to bring
there corn early to market, which was badly har-
vested.— Nov. 22.

YORKSHIRE.
Open and favourable weather has prevailed
throughout the first three weeks, after the date of
our last report, though scarcely so warm as that of
last month. About the 15th, the atmosphere became
more cloudy, and occasional frosts, and days of cold
rain occurred, but hitherto we have had no snow in
the coldest situations. Upon the whole a more beau-
tiful autumn, or more gentle season at this period of
the year has seldom occurred. The seed time is en-
tirely over much as it was protracted upon the leys,
by the dry months of September and October, whicli
prevented the plough from making any impression ;
the breadth sown, is, we believe above an average,
for owing to the uncongenial character of the wea-
ther during the two last autumnal seed times, an
excess of barley, oats, and beans have been sown,
which as well as overstocking the markets, has ren-
dered the soil unfit for a renewal of spring corn, and
a larger breadth of wheat is the consequence. We
observed in our Isst, that the fallows were first sown,
and the corn upon them is looking green and remark-
ably promising, but upon the ploughed up leys, it is
late, and in the majority of cases still in the ground ;
the days being short, and the nights cold at this pe-
riod of the year, and the sun having little power in
inducing germination. Should keen frosts now set
in, it will be found ve:y late indeed. The turnips
are being generally broken, but owing to the pros-
pects of trade, the spirit of speculation in fattening
sheep has considerably decreased, and turnips and
sheep have both decreased in price. The former sold
at first as high as 5/. to 5/. 5s. per acre, but prices
have pince receded, and many have been bought for
31. to 4/. per acre ; the latter being considered a good
price. They strip but small, though the land is well
covered, and very few com^^lete failures have oc-
curred, but it must be taken into account that the
geaeral impression of plenty always acts in securing
their consumption, while that of scarcity induces the
agriculturists to be as careful of them as possible,
and thus cures itself. There has been a great rage
for a new kind of Swede turnip this season, and in-
deed that variety has been cultivated in great breadth
generally this season, and although it requires great
care in cultivation, its value for spring feed more
than compensates for all the trouble attending its
cultivation. Swedes are remarkably good. The
rape is generally eaten off, and has furnished consi-
derable feed, but the prematurity of the turnip
leaves, which caused so many of them to change their
green for an unhealthy yellow, induces the sheep to
refuse them, and there is much waste of the foliage,
and upon the whole they certainly consume fast.
All other kinds of fodder continues almost untouched,
owing to the fine weather, and the strawrstacks are

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

565

accumulating, and the hay-stacks uncut. Store cat-
tle are generally eating up the refuse of the pastures,
and though the grass is not growing, the frosts ore not
suiBciently severe to take it off. The potatoes are
all secured, and were never pitted in a more favour-
ahle condition for preservation, and perhaps never
more abundant produce — better tasted, or fewer
failures. The very general practice of permitting
the labourers to plant potatoes for a certain price
per ridge, is most valuable, both as regards the in-
dustrious and independent habits it induces, as well
as the value they are found of to a family. When
allotments do not prevail, this plan is worthy the
attention of the parishioner and philanthropist. The
plashing of hedges, where low hedges prevail, is
going on, and the advantage of keeping the fences
low on the arable land, is generally acknowledged,
as it admits the free circulation of air, and the rays
of the Bun have free access to the grain crops ; both
of which are invaluable, both to vegetation and ma-
turation. The markets of every kind are receding
most rapidly. The wheat trade is dull, and lower-
ing, 7b. per bushel being a top price. The barley
trade set in dull, and even the finest and best sam-
ples are difficult to sell ; 32s. per qr. is the best
price, which is little more than Is. per stone ! We
do not know how the price of malt may range, but
we hope some plan will be adopted, to throw open
the trades of the maltster and brewer — certainly the
most overgrown monopolists of the age. Oats are
from 20s. to 27s. per qr. ; beef, 5s. 9d. to 6s. 3d. per
stone ; mutton, 5d. to 5^d. per lb.; Fork, 6s. 9d. to
7s. 3d. per stone. An appeal has been made to the
gentlemen of this county, interested in agriculture,
in behalf of the New Agricultural Society, by its
Secretary C. Howard, Esq., of Melbourne, and the
meeting for adjusting the premiums, &c. will take
place on the 19th of next month, at a meeting of the
committee. We are glad to perceive that it is to be
exactly on the model of the Highland and Agricul-
tural Society of Scotland, and we trust it will be
supported by all the friends of agricultural improve-
ment in the country. — Nov. 23.

NORTH DEVON.
We have had so little of a favourable nature to com-
municate, that our correspondence has not been so fre-
quent as might have been expected. By the various re-
ports, it appears that the farmers in this district suffered
more during the last harvest by the rains which con-
tinued so many weeks, when tiie g'reater portion of the
corn was cut and lying in the fields, or ready for the
sickle, than in any other part of the kingdom. The
result has been in the highest degree injurious as well
expensive ; in former wet seasons we have seen corn
brought to market of various qualities, from good
to bad, but in no instance to tiiis period, have we seen
or heard of a single lot pitched in our neighbouring
markets, that is fit to be taken into a store, or would
sell in any part, where gram of better quality was
offered ; we are borne out in these remarks, by
farmers of 50 years' experience, who say, they never
remember seeing spring corn brought to market in such
general bad condition. I'his complaint does not apply
so much to the wheat, as a considerable portion of it
was housed before the raiu set in, and is now mostly in
a fair marketable state, though the wheat on the Moor-
lands, which was cut late, is sprouted, also small in the
berry, and light, and the whole crop is complained of,
as being about a 5th or 6lh deficient in yielding to the
produce of several preceding years. A few samples of
bright barley, 52 to 53Ibs. per bushel, are now offering
to the maltsters at high rates, which probably, frOni
tlie scarcity of this sort, the farmers will obtain, yet the
prices will preclude the chance of exporting much dur-
ing the season. These remarks also apply to oats, for
although those secured before the rain, will be found

good, yet there is no doubt of the price being too high
for the article to meet a sale in other markets ; much of
this crop is stained in a considerable degree, and is also
rotten and light, as a large portion of the best oats were
lost by the frequent turnings they required, during the
unfavourable state of the weather. It is necessary_ to
remark, that although samples of good quality of spring
corn are not yet brought to market, we do not wish it
to be understood that there are none in this district, yet
owing to an improper custom and prejudice, which go-
verns the actions of most of the farmers of this part, they
invariably send their worst corn for sale first, though con-
vinced how much it operates against them, in the parts
where the surplus grain is usually taken, as an impres-
sion is raised, which frequently Jasts during the season,
that prevents the sale of their produce, and when malt-
sters are no longer inclined to buy, the best barley is
brought to market and mostly sold for grinding pur-
poses. If these farmers were to attend to their own
interest, and sell the best samples of grain first, they
would in general find that the inferior lots could be dis-
posed of on better terms in the summer, w hen stocks
are getting low, than it is possible can be obtained for
chem soon after the harvest. The turnip and potato
crops are much better than they have been for several
years, the former are unusually large in size and of fine
flavour, the latter of good size and fine quality, and are
now selling at Is. 6d. to 2s. per bag of ]401bs. ; the
growers have been busy digging them, but the late
heavy rains have much impeded this work, and about
one-half of the crop now remain in the fields. The early
sown wheat on good lands, is appearing in many places,
and with a good plant looks healthy. A considerable
quantity of vetches are also to be seen of very promising
appearance. Cattle is in excellent condition, grass
being plenty, but fodder for winter use will not be so
abundant as was anticipated, as a great portion of the
straw is rotten, and unfit for food of any cattle. The
harvest was not finished on Exmoor until the 26th ult.,
on most other coarse lands, about a fortnight prior to
that date ; from the 16th to the 18th inst. a very sharp
frost was experienced, but it is now again changed to
boisterous wind and rain, which has put a stop (except
on the driest land) to jdiging of potatoes, and conse-
quently prevents the sowing of many fields which are
intended for wheats.— Nov. 23rd.

AN ESTIMATE OF THE PRODUCE OF
THE LATE HARVEST, AS TO THE
QUANTITY AND QUALITY, IN
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

LONDON, NOVEMBER 27.

During the greater part of the interval which has
elapsed since the publication of our last annual report,
the corn trade has had to contend with a variety of ad-
verse influences, having for the most part their origin in
the defensive measures, perhaps (if we may judge by
the sharpness of the remedy, its efficacy being now
happily unquestionable) too tardily adopted by the Bank
of England, to turn the current which gold had taken
towards the United States of North America, and which
had gone on to an extent that threatened to be of most
hazardous consequences to the monetary system of this
country.

The effects of these measures had begun to be felt in
almost every department of trade and industry, at a pe-
riod somewhat antecedent to that to which we have re-
ferred, and were not overlooked when we then ventured
to predict the future iirospects of the corn trade.

In the general declension of credit and confidence
that ensued, the operations of those engaged in the
corn trade, were necessarily hampured from the same
difficulties in which traders of all classes were involved.
Speculation ceased, and the market became entirely de-
pendent on consumptive demand, while consumption
itself was diminished from the distress arising from the
numbers that were tlirown out of employment, on the
reduction of establishments, the closing of manufac*

566

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

tories, and the cessation of many important works, as
railways and the like, during the -tagnation which per-
vaded every department of commerce, manufacture, and
general enterprize.

Now that the crisis is past, and commercial affairs
have begun to resume their ordinary course, it is gratify-
ing to be able to state, that in the midst of so many diffi-
culties, the credit of the London corn market was most
triumphantly sustained. While some of the mercantile
houses of the veiy highest rank in the commercial
world, have with difficulty weathered the storm, and
others, whose credit previous to the panic was inferior
to none in Europe, have sunk in the struggle, only two
or three minor failures occurred in the London corn
market, and these only partially connected with Mark
Lane.

The liberal manner in which we have been supplied
with information relative to the late harvest, and for
which we have to express our grateful thanks to our
correspondents and friends, having occasioned such an
accumulation of materials, that much time has been re-
quired to arrange and compare the various accounts
forwarded to us. This circumstance, together with the
little time, which the more direct claims upon our atten-
tion, in the ordinary course of our business, leave us for
labour of this kind, we trust will be allowed as our apo-
logy for the lateness of our report this year.

Wheat.— During the summer and autumn of 1836,
wheat had recovered considerably from its relative de-
pression in comparison with other kinds of grain, and
had begun to bear a more remunerating price. The
consequence was, that a greater breadth of land was
intended for that crop, than in either of the two years
immediately preceding. The total or partial failures in
the turnip-crop, afforded, in many cases, opportunities
of carrying this intention into effect, and land which
otherwise would have been left for barley was sown with
wheat. While eventually no great accession to the
wheat crop was derived from this source, very extensive
tracts of land were prevented from being sown with
wheat by the continued and heavy rains which prevailed
during the autumnal months. As these consisted for
the most part of strong wet clay lands, which had the
weather in the autumn allowed of their being sown,
were well adapted for bearing wheat, but by no means
so for oats or barley, with which they were of necessity
ultimately sown, the loss accruing to the general wheat
crop from the above change in their destination must be
considerable. Nor was this falling off in the extent of
autumn sown Wheat, compensated for by an increased
sowing in the spring, for although some farmers, in dis •
tricts where sowing wheat in the spring is seldom prac-
tised, may in the autumn from the high price wheat then
bore, have contemplated making the experiment, yet as
the inducement to do so was removed by the fall in the
price of wheat whi-h took place in the interval, they did
not carry their design into execution, and even in dis-
tricts where spring sown wheat is common, less was
sown than usual, owing to that season having turned out
equally unfavourable as the autumn had been.

The appearance of the wheat crop on the ground in
the beginning of the spring, was such as might have
been expected from the severity of the winter. The
young wheat in almost every instance, was weak and
backward, and in cases where it could not be pro-
nounced as decidedly unhealthy, the plant was so thin as
to render its productiveness very questionable. This
was very much the case even on good light soils, while
on many of the inferior light and sandy soils the plant
was completely destroyed by the severe frosts during
winter. The progress made by the wheat during the
months of March and April was scarcely perceptible,
the weather having been so extremely unfavourable to
vegetation. Though the month of May participated in
great meaanre in theungenial character of its predeces-
sors, the appearance ol the wheat crop towards the end
of the month had so materially altered for the better, as
to dispel much of the apprehension that existed concern-
ing the extent of permanent injury it had already sus-
tained ; while the propitious change in the weather
which took place sooji after, in the earlier part of June,
and which happily continued without interruption for

somewhat more than six weeks, tended to relieve much
of the anxiety relative to its future safety being risked
from a harvest of unprecedented lateness. The rapidity
with which vegetation proceeded after the change of
the weather recorded above, is perhaps without a parallel
in this chmate. Wheat came rapidly into ear, the bloom-
ing season passed most auspiciously, and harvest was
looked forward to, at a period far earlier than could have
been anticipated a month before.

The thinness of the plant, on all but the best culti-
vated strong lands, which showed itself when the corn
was in the blade, was equally conspicuous in the ear.
The ears were far apart and complaints also prevailed
of tiieir coming out irregularly, one part considerably
higher and earlier than the other, the lower ears being
much inferior in size.

With the exception of the appearance of symptoms of
premature ripening in some instances, every thing pro-
ceeded favourably for the wheat crop till the 28th and
29th of July, when high winds accompanied with rain
by laying the heavier, twisting and breaking the lighter,
and shedding the corn in the more advanced crops, did
considerable damage in the counties bordering on the
South Eastern Coast, and the inland counties adjoining
them, which were then on the verge of harvest. The
laid portion however, sustained less injury than it would
otherwise have done, as it was reaped early and the wea-
ther that followed turned out to be fine.

The harvest became general round London and to the
South, about the 14th of August. New wheat had
been shown in some of the southern country markets as
early as the 10th, though it did not make its appearance
in Mark Lane till the 21st of August, exactly one
week later than last year.

The weather continued settled for about ten days
after the general commencement of harvest in the part
of the kingdom above mentioned, and during the inter-
val, more than one-half of the wheat crop in the coun-
ties to the south and west of London was secured in good
condition, and from one-third to one-fourth in the
eastern counties south of the Humber. After that time
and throughout the month of September, the weather
became exceedingly variable. Heavy rains of several
days continuance were followed in regular rotation by
tracts of very fine weather of equal duration.

The necessary results of these vicissitudes was that
the residue of the crop that remained exposed to them
was more or less injured, and consequently varies much
in quality and condition. From the very indifferent
state in which the greater part of this portion of the
crop was nurried into the stack-yard, and the extensive
damage it must have previously received from the se-
\ ere wet weather, although there may not be much of
it actually unsound, very little will be found to have
escaped, without having suffered materially in colour
weight, and quality. Owing to the brisk winds during
the day, in the intervals of fine weather, and the general
coldness of the nights, though instances of partial sprout-
ing were not uncommon over a more extensive tract of
country, yet the injury from this source is upon the whole
inconsiderable, except in a few of the later districts in
the south.

The western parts of the kingdom as far northward as,
the Mersey, participated in a lighter degree, and at a
more advanced period in the season in the atmospheri-
cal vicissitudes which, during the months of August and
September operated so injuriously on a large proportion
of the crop in the corresponding districts on the Eastern
coast. A greater part was consequently secured in
good order, aud the deterioration in quality of the re-
mainder did not proceed to the same extent there, as
was the case on this side of the Island.

The wheat harvest, generally commenced in the
earlier districts of Yorkshire, about the beginning of the
last week of August, in some favoured spots, perhaps, a
week earlier, while in the later districts of the same
county, and in the other English counties north of
Yorkshire, very little was ready for the sickle, for two,
and in some instances, for three weeks after. This
diversity in the time of coming to maturity, renders it
difficult to give a general character to the produce of
this year's crop in tlie northern counties. It may, how-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

567

ever, with safety be described as considerably better in
quality than that of last year's growth in the same dis-
tricts, but that was very inferior indeed. In those
counties, more than in any other part of the kingdom,
owing to the adverse autumn and spring-, a great breadth
of land decidedly Wheat growing could not be sown
with that grain, and was left for oats or barley. Hence,
much of the Wheat in those parts was grown upon land
not the best suited for that crop — a circumstance the
more to be regretted, as, though of late years, many of
the lighter soils have produced superior crops of Wheat ;
all the best and most prolific crops reaped this season,
will be found to have been produced on the ancient and
natural wheat soils of the country: — while on the light
soils, the crops of wheat have been almost universally
thin and otherwise unproductive, from loss of plant
during the winter and spnng, smut, mildew, or
other of the various diseases to which weak plants are
subject.

As the prospect of last year's crop kept constantly
declining from seed time to the close of harvest, the bias"
thereby given to the mind in estimating its productive-
ness was towards an over-statement ; on the contrary,
the tendency to run into the opposite extreme is what
ought to be guarded against, m estimating that of the
present year. For, from the commencement of the
favourable weather in the middle of June, before which
time, even a moderate crop was all but despaired of, to
the time of harvest the improvement of every successive
week gave token of an ultimate result, far more favour-
able than could have been previously anticipated. It
is owing to this tendency to be elated or depressed be-
yond measure, as the current of events, for the time,
sets favourably or unfavourably, having its full scope in
the framing of those loose and popular reports, that
every year obtain currency during harvest, and imme-
diately before and after it, tat they are so often belied
by subsequent experience. The event has shown, that
those current about harvest time last year understated
the productiveness of the crop, and the presumption is,
that a considerable deduction should be made from the
reports of abundance so prevalent this year during the
same season.

The quality of the new grain that has hitherto ap-
peared, both here and m the provincial markets is very
variable, and its condition still more so. Many samples
will require kiln-drying before they can be ground into
flour, thereby adding materially to the diminution of
the quantity, as well as to the deterioration of the qua-
lity of the manufactured article, that must result from
the injury sustained from the wet; besides, it can scarcely
be expected that the mealing powers of the great bulk
of the crop could have been developed to the full ex-
tent they would have arrived at, had the process of
ripening been less rapid and forced.

Although last year was an instance of a superior
yield from short straw, the same has not been found to
be the case this year, with the short and stunted crops
on many of the light lands ; and, although a relatively
greater yield per acre will be derived from the generality
of v\ell cultivated clay lands, a careful review of all
that has come to our knowledge, respecting this parti-
cular, brings us to the conclusion, that this year's wheat
crop in England will, in point of quantity, be less pro-
ductive than any of the years from 1832 to 1836 inclu-
sive, and barely equal to a moderate average of ordinary
years.

The breadth of wheat sown in Ireland was deficient
in greater proportion than in England. The potatoe
crop (after which most of the wheat grown in Ireland
is sown) was every where very late in being raised,
which, combined with the wetness of the season, ren-
dered it impossible to sow any considerable qumtity at
the usual time. The wheat hist year had yielded badly,
while, except in the extreme North, the oat crop had
answered better ; so, that notwithstanding the advance
in the price of the former article, the farmer had less
inducen:ent to contend with the obstacles presented by
the weather to the sowing of wheat.

In Ireland the unfavourable appearance of the young
wheat in the spring begiin earlier to give way to signs

.of improvement^ and the progress made by the crops | and flinty

afterwards, was even more striking, and more general
than in this country.

Although heavy showers fell at intervals during the
whole month of August, the earlier harvest in Ireland
was less interrupted by wet than in this country. Sep-
tember, however, commenced with continued heavy
rains, which threatened much d'^image to the crops, and
considerable injury was without doubt sustained from
hasty stacking, before the corn was in fit condition for
being stored.

The quality of this year's Irish wheat is decidedly su-
perior to that of last year, and more equal than it has
been known to be for years ; the bulk in the stack-yards
a fair averjige, but the yield per acre is not so great in
proportion as the bulk would se«m to indicate. U'his
deficiency in the yield is most complained of on the
Eastern side of the Island, and, if the complaints are
not exaggerated, the deficiency is there very consider-
able. In the county of Louth, several districts are re-
presented as not having produced half a crop.

The breadth of wheat sown in Scotland, was in gene-
ral, decidedly under an average ; in some counties not
much over half an average. From the very wet au •
tumn, it was next to impossible to sow wheat, conse-
quently a great part of it was spring sown. Much of
the autumn and winter sown wheat, came up very un-
equally, was thin on the ground, and was besides in-
jured greatly by the wheat fly. On the richer soils a
good deal was lodged by the excessive rains in July and
August.

The counties on the borders of the Forth, which, with
one or two of the counties immediately adjoining them,
comprise the principal wheat growmg districts of Scot-
land, were very much favoured by the weather during
the harvesting of that grain ; which was, almost without
exception, carried off" the field in excellent order. The
quality, however, from the causes above related is va-
rious, and the quantity by no means abundant. In the
Lothians with a soil and climate mferior to none in Scot-
land, and under a garden-like cultivation, the average
produce p3r acre is estimated as not exceeding four
quarters.

On the sheltered shores of the Moray Firth, compre-
hending the lower part of the counties of Moray, Nairn,
Inverness, and Easter Ross, which are the only wheat
growing districts in the more Northerly parts of Scot-
land, the wheat crop, although generally rather thin,
owing to the protracted cold weather in the spring, was
for the most part secured in the stack-yard 'in good con-
dition, the weather during harvest having been very fa-
vourable. In quantity the crop is rather below an aver-
age ; but some of the qualities are remarkably fine.

Barley.'— Owing to the succession of frosts in the
winter and spring having so eflPectually mellowed and
pulverized the soil, the barley lands were in excellent
tilth to receive the seed. The uncongenial state of the
weather, however, retarded its progress, and much of
the early sown remained a long time in the ground.
When at last it burst from its confinement, both late
and early sown appearing much about the same time,
it came up generally in good plant, and of a healthy
Colour, the later sown especially, for in many instances,
the early sown came up thin. The cold weather in i\Iay
was not without its effect on the barley crop, and during
that month very great damage was done by the wire-
worm on cold and inferior soils. After the so often re-
forred to change of the weather in June, the barley on
the better descriptions of soils, especially on highly cul-
tivated rich and deep loams soon gave promise of an
abundant crop. Upon light as well as upon too adhe-
sive soils it suffered during the hot and dry weather,
that succeeded to an extent, that must have de-
ducted largely from the general productiveness of the
crop.

As the barley was later in coming to maturity than
the wheat, it came in for a greater share of the wet wea-
ther. In the southern counties not above one-third was
secured i'l good order. The high winds which occurred
in those counties at the end of July, by loosingthe roots
of a considerable portion, had caused it to ripen prema---
turely, and the grain in consequence was req'lercd light

568

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

in the great barley Rowing counties of jVorfolk and
Suffolk, with a trifling exception, on some earlier soils,
the whole of the barley crop was in the fields at the
commencement of the rains. Many of the heavier crops
were laid, and almost all suffered more or less from wet
at one period or another of the process of harvesting'.

Nearly the whole of the crop displays in one form or
another the injurious effects of the wet weather, disco-
louration in every shade, some quite black, almost all
more or less stained and ting-ed, much mow-burnt, and
some sprouted. The damag'e from this latter source,
thoug'h moderated by the coolnessof the weatVier during
harvest, is greater m the barley than in the wheat, and
in some sections of the barley growing districts, is far
from being inconsideiable.

Another very unfavourable circumstance presented
itself during the harvest in the abundance and height of
the clover and artificial grasses, which in some eases,
actually overtopped the barley. A longer exposure in
the fields was consequently required before such could
be carried with safety to the stack-yard, and when it was
stacked in damp condition, and afterwards became
heated, the grain must have been rendered all but
totally useless.

Much of the barley passed too rapidly through the
intermediate stages between shooting and ripening. To
these cases, the grain is coarse skinned, small and not
so plump as usual, and independently of the rain, would
not have been of a good colour. Indeed, very little of
this year's barley can be properly described as bright.

The barley crop in England, although not abundant,
but in fine malting qualities much the revei'se, may pro-
bably be sufficient for the demand. The falling off in
the demand for malting purposes last year was very
^eat, and in nothing were some of those who favoured
the public with their opinions as to the future prospects
of the trade vvith regard to prices, more deceived than
in the high currencies they anticipated lor barley during
the season that was to ensue. A CDmbination of causes
tended to produce this so generally unforeseen decline
in the demand for, and by consequence in the value of
this article. Maltsters and brewers were in better stock
than was g'enerally imagined. The depression in trade
and commerce diminished the consumption of beer
among the working classes. The prevalence of influ-
enza and the coldness of the weather checked the use
of that beverage among all ranks, the healthy using
spirits in prefei ence, and the sick being debarred from
the use of both. The better administration of the Poor
Laws, by preventing mush of the parish money from
finding its way to the beer-shops also tended
to the same effect. This latter cause, it is to be hoped,
will continue to operate, and it is more than coun-
terbalanced to the farmer by the increased consump-
tion of wheat, where, as is generally the case, a
great part of the out-door relief is given in bread
and flour; but most of the others were accidental,
and have some altogether, and others in great part
passed away.

In Ireland the barley crop is considered rather
above an average. In the North and East, much
of it is described as tliin, and likely to prove de-
ficient in the yield. In the West, barley is little
cultivated.

The barley crop in Scotland is a full average in
quantity from the greater breadth sown, as well as
from its general productiveness. It suffered more
from lodging than the other crops; but upon the
whole, experienced favourable weather during har-
Test : making the necessary allowance for the vari-
ableness that must occur every season according to
soil and culture, the sample, where well got in and
uninjured from the cause above-stated, will be in
general fair, and of a quality superior to the general
run of years.

The crops of bare in the Northern Counties, are
in many instances, poor and greatly stained. The
breadth sown with this variety of grain was greater
than usual, from the apprehensions that existed in

the spring that the harvest would be late, as this
crop ripens earlier than oats, the staple growth of
those counties.

There will be a considerable local demand in
Scotland for the finest malting qualities, as the
distillers of malt, spirits, and the brewers, are
known to be very low in stock. The stoppage of
the great distilleries on the Forth, engaged in the
manufacture of spirits from grain for the London
rectifiers, must prevent a large quantity of the se-
condaiy qualities of barlej- from finding a local vent,
part of which, will, probably, be tliro.vn upon the
English market.

Oats. — In England oats are decidedly the worst
crop. From their having remained a long time in
the ground, in all cases, where care had not been
Jtaken to select the best seed, a considerable part of
it never vegetated. The devastations of the wire-
worm, in some districts and on some descriptions
of soils, were also very extensive. This crop also
suffered more than any of the others from the frosts
in the spring, and equally with the barley from the
hot, forcing, and dry weather that ensued. They
also, in many districts, participated with this latter
crop, in the injury sustained from the rainy weather
before and during harvest. In the eastern counties
especially, the crop of oats was generally very mean,
in many districts really wretched, and in few, could
it be described as approaching a fair crop. In Lin-
colnshire, the most oat growing county within the
limits we have taken, the oat crop was very light on
the Wolds, and in no part of the county did it .
amount to a full crop. A great proportion was
also discoloured by the rains during harvest. To
the south and west of London, the general character
of the oat crop is but a shade better than in the
section of the kingdom above-noticed. The same
thinness on the ground, whether arising from de-
fective seed, wire-worm, or injury sustained by frost
while in the blade, was of frequent occurrence, and
where the crop would otherwise have been good, it
was much damaged bv the rain. In some of the
midland counties, the oat crop ma}' be described as
varying little from the above, while in others, more
particularly towards the west, it is more favourably
represented, and though not bulky, is expected to
yield well. The quantity secured in good order was
also greater than more to the south, where not one-
half of the crop, and in some cases, a still less propor-
tion escaped serious damage from the wetness of the
weather during harvest. In the northern counties
of England, where there was a large breadth sown,
the bulk, in general is good, though the yield may
not in all cases correspond. Though lighter in
weight than in some former years, the quality of the
samples is for the most part, though not uniformly,
fine, many containing numbers of green corns. The
colour of very few, is not even in the least degree
impaired by rain.

In Ireland the appearance of all the crops, on the
ground, before the harvest commenced, was most
luxuriant, and in that respect the oat crop was not
behind any of the others. All the accounts of that
period were full of anticipations, of an extraordinary
abundance, and though these have not, in this, any
more than in the other grain crops, been realized to
their full extent, still after making every allowance
for previous exaggeration, and for the deficiency in
the yield, since acknowledged, there is no reason to
doubt, that, the oat crop in Ireland is this season
fully an average in quantity, and beyond comparison,
superior in quality to the growth of ordinary years.
We are the more confirmed in this conclusion, from
the consideration, that although the weather during

THE FARMEJl'S MAGAZINE.

569

the whole of the harvest time in Ireland was occa-
sionally unsettled by showers, and rains of no very
long continuance, and which to a certain extent im-
peded the progress of the harvest, it was upon the
whole more favourable in that respect, than has
frequently been the case in that country. The ad-
vantage over a moister harvest season, derived from
the less extent to which kiln-drying will require to
be carried, must in itself be considerable.

The quality of the oat crop in South of Ireland is
less favourably spoken of than in other parts of the
Island,

The oat crop in the soutli and west of Scotland,
with some exceptions, where either from the vege-
tative powers of the seed having been impaired while
in the ground by the excessive frosts in the spring,
or from the plant having been destroyed by the wire-
worm or grub at a more advanced stage of its growth,
it was thin on the ground, has been upon the whole
abundant. The quality on early soils is in general
fine, and very little impaired by wet. On the later
soils, oats ripened very unequally, and present an
uneven sample of variable quality. Complaints
have also been made that the produce of even the
best lands, on being converted into meal, has not
turned out so well as was expected, nor equal to that
of most of late years, excepting, perhaps, the last.

In the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine,
where oats are more cultivated than in any other part
of Scotland, and which export more of that grain
than all the rest put together, the farmers, warned by
the lateness and inclemency of the spring, were
careful in selecting for seed the earliest and hardiest
varities of oats, to the exclusion of the later as well
as the more delicate varieties. Early Angus, and
more generally sandy oats, a variety of which,
though not particularly early, is one of the liardiest
known, and which in addition to its being an ex-
cellent mealer, is produced on straw, which scarcely
any storm can break down, were those chiefly sown.
Though an introduction of late years tlie excellent
qualities of the sandy oat have led to its extensive
cultivation in those districts, and we are of opinion,
that it might be introduced with great advantage
into many of the oat growing districts of this country.

The breadth sown with oats in these counties was
less than usual; here, which ripens earlier, having
been preferred, in many cases, where the soil was
suitable, owing to the lateness of the spring. Tlie oat
crop, except on poor soils, and in very exposed
situations was thick on the ground and luxuriant,
which is to be attributed in great mensure, to the
care taken in selecting the seed, to which we have
referred, which was also thickly sown, as an addi-
tional precaution, and perhaps in some degree to the
circumstance of the seed time having been extremely
late, and consequently sooner followed up by the
growing weather, which took place in all parts of
Britain about the same time, and in Scotland, jjorhaps,
few days earlier than in England, so that less damage
was incurred from the seed lying long in the ground.

The weather during harvest, which took place
in the latter part of September and in October, was
particularly favourable, and passed over without
rain. The crop, though not heavy, is of good
quality, and the colour, excepting greens, will be
excellent.

On the shores of the IMoray Firth, oats are a fair
crop in quantity and quality, although rather defi-
cient in straw. They were also harvested in good
condition.

The Highland districts, which but for the generous
intervention of a liberal public, might have suffered
so muQh from the failure of their crops last year,

having been supplied from the same source with
seed of the earliest and best kinds, there is reason to
believe, that, notwithstanding the lateness of the sea-
son, may have prevented some part of their crop
from coming to maturity, they will be able this year
to support themselves.

Bf.ans, Peas, and Vetches. — The appearance of
the bean crop in the early part of the spring, no
where gave presage of that abundance which is
finally attained, almost without exception, in all
parts of England. On the contrary, in many places,
it was the least promising and most backward of all
the crops. Its subsequent progress was however as
favourable as its former appearance had seemed dis-
couraging. Neither beans nor peas were this year
infested to any extent by their usual enemies, the
louse, and green fly. They wei-e remarkably free
from filth of all kinds, and t!ey every where
blossomed well.

The bean crop was not so heavy nor was it secured
in all cases, in the same gooc' condition in the
southern as in the more northeri counties. In the
former, though they were unifovmly well podded,
the straw was short. The produce, however, is not
below an average. In Lincolnshire, the bean crop,
though late, has been the best known for many
years, and harvested under the most favourable cii-
cumstances. In Yorkshire, beans were in extensive
breadth, and planted on some of the best soils in the
county. Tiie crop lias been most abundant and well
saved. In the English counties north of Yorkshire,
beans and peas are only partially cultivated. They
are there also fully an average crop. Winter beans
where cultivated shew this year the same superiority
over the spring-sown that they did last year.

Grey and maple peas have every where been
abundant crops and of un variably good quality.
White peas were also abundant, and mostly secured
in good condition, but are unequal in quality — a
large proportion being worm-eaten.

In those districts of Scotland where beans and
peas are grown to any considerable extent, both crops
ran very much to straw, and the return in general
will not be large. The quality for the most part is
fine.

Tares are a most abundant produce, a larger
breadth than usual was left for seed in those parts
of England where they are cultivated for that
purpose.

Hay, Seeds, Turnips, and Potatoes. — The hay
crop in England , though various according to locality,
was, upon the whole, abundant ; in many districts
very much so. In general the extra productiveness
of the meadows made up for any deficiency in that of
the artificial grasses. In some of the midland coun-
ties, and towards the west, the produce of both
meadow and clover hay is described as only tolerable,
and not amounting to an average. From the scarcity
of other food in tlie spring, in the more pastural and
cattle breeding districts, the artificial grasses were
for the most part eaten too long to produce a heavy
crop of hay. Perhaps in no part of tho kingdom
did the hay harvest pass wholly over without more
or less rain, yet in most places by far the greatest
proportion of tl)e hay crop was secured in good con-
dition, and is of good quality. In those counties of
England wliere clover is left for seed, botli red and
whitp, especially the latter, are this year plentiful
and of good qualitv, a large breadth having been
saved for seed, tlie most of which was secured in
prettv good condition, and was likely to yield well.

The hay crop in Scotland was also very variable,
having been in some places heavy and in others light.

570

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

and in most places some portion of the crop was in-
jured in a greater or less degree by the rain : the
quantity and quality in the south, are not, however,
below, but rather above an average. In the northern
and more cattle breeding districts, the change of the
■weather came too late to benefit this crop to any
great extent, and though it turned out better than
■was expected, it was in most cases light. Owing to
the scarcity of fodder in the spring, a considerable
less breadth than usual was reserved for hay ; many
farmers, indeed, from this cause were obliged to
pasture all the grass land on their farms, and will be
compelled to purchase all the hay they may require.
The hay crop in Ireland was abundant on the whole,
the heavy crops on the meadows having compensated
for the lightness of the artificial grasses.

The turnip crop experienced a very favourable
season for sowing, and although the fly in some
cases carried off a few of the earlier sown, which
required to be sown over again, there have been few
or no complete failures from that or any other cause.
The black caterpillar made his appearance this season,
but not in so general a manner, nor so numerousl)',
as last year. In some parts of the country a large
brown grub committed considerable ravages on this
crop, but these seem to have been confined in their
depredations to clay soils, otherwise not the best
adapted for turnip culture. On regular turnip soils,
in spite of fly, caterpillar, and grub, perhaps there
never was a better turnip year than the present, both
common turnips and Swedes having been most pro-
lific crops. Mangel wurzel has also turned out
equally abundant in those districts where it is
cultivated.

The potato crop this year has been abundant to
an extent certainly greater than any of late years,
and, perhaps, equally so with that of any year pre-
vious to the occurrence of the disease, whatever
may have been its nature or cause, and speculations
on the subject have been various, which has been
called " dry rot," and which almost threatened the
entire extinction of the valuable and important escu-
lent subject to it. The instances of failure from the
disease referred to, have this year been of rare oc-
currence. The season for raising the potatoes was
very propitious, and we have heard of none injured
by the frost. It is true that in many instances the
potatoes attached to each root, when raised, have not
been found to correspond in size nor in weight with
the luxuriant appearance of the plant above ground ;
yet, as almost every seed planted took eff'ect, and
the whole crop was secured, as far as its nature ad-
mits of being so, without damage, we consider our-
selves borne out in our statement, that the potato
crop of this vear is superior to any of late years,
and perhaps inferior to that of no former year.

The detailed manner in which we have stated the
result of our observations and inquiries, under the
respective heads of the different crops, leaves us
little room for additional remark.

The effects of the progressive improvement which
has for some time taken place in commerce and ma-
nufactures will no doubt manifest themselves in an
increasing demand for all articles of consumption,
in which the corn trade must participate ; and, al-
though the remembrance of the late panic may for a
time repress all spirit of speculation, the removal of
so many of the depressing causes that weighed so
heavily on trade in general, cannot fail in time to
give the market a buoyancy to which it has for some
time been a stranger.

ANTON & MITCHELL,

Ccrnfactors.

FAIRS.

BAWTRY FAIR.— This fair was very well at-
tended. The supply of horses was very scanty, and
principally of the worst description. Fat beasts were in
great requisition, and buyers were greatly disappointed,
as very few of that sort were shown. Milch cows were
readily sold, especially in-calvers. The supplies of
other horned stock were almost unprecedented, but
not a very brisk sale. Sheep were not so much wanting^
as money, and prices rather high. Pig's plentiful, but
very dear — fat ones fetched from 63. to 6s. 9d. per stone,
with a ready sale.

CHEWTONFAIR considerably exceeded those of
former years. The sheep (of which about 3000 were
penned) sold well at hig-h prices : the number of cajtlo
was large, and they also sold well. Cart and heavy
draught horses were plentiful ; but few first-rale nags or
hunters were to be met with, and those being- the most
eagerly sought after, of course obtained good prices. —
Bath Herald.

CHARLEVILLE. — This fair was not so crowded as
in g^eneral, in consequence of Knockany Fair being- held
on the same day ; however, bacon pigs brought from
33s. to 35s. freely, and mess pigs, from 30s. 10 32s. ;
Berwick, of a prime description, bringing 36s. per cwt. ;
in-calf cows, of good quality went at from 8/. to 10/.;
dry heifers^ fromSL 10s. to 51. 10s. ; but beef was rather
dull in demand ; sheep of 201b. to 221b, per qr., were
at 30s. and 3-2s. 6d. each. It is stated, that 2,000 fat
pigs, and 500 store pigs, were sold. The number in
market v. as considerably over what was supposed would
be the average two months ago, and it is thought a good
stock will be kept up, owing to the large supply of po-
tatoes in the country.

MULLINGAR. — The November fair was remark-
ably well attended by purchasers. Horses were in very
good demand, both for the army and for saddle and
carriag'e use. Hunters sold at high prices, and were in
great request. Mr. Briscoe got 150/. for Sir Gerald,
and for three year old colts Mr. Reynell, of Killynon,
received sixty guineas. Upwards of one hundred horses
were bought for the army. Stores were in good request,
at higher prices than Ballinasloe. Sheep also bore
higher prices than those obtained at Ballinasloe — say 4s
per head. Fat cattle were a shade higher than at Bal-
linasloe, but did not bear a proportionate rise to either
of the former. There was a considerable fall in pigs,
(judging by other fairs,) but they brought very high
prices — from 4d. to 4^d. per lb. On Tuesday there was
a good deal of business done, principally in horses. A
good many that remained after Monday changed owners
to the satisfaction of both buyers and sellers. Many
hacks returned home unsold, but few very good ones
left without bidders. — Wcstmeath Guardian.

PRESTON CATTLE FAIR.— The show of cattle
was very poor. Calvers and drapes were both below
mediocrity. The very few that were good sold well.
Young cattle, also, were not such as to command much
attention, and sold at rather low prices. The horse
fair, on the following day, however, aflforded better
specimens than are generally exhibited at this season ;
and the few good horses that were shown, readily met
with purchasers, and at remunerating prices. The
lower grade of animals, of which there were plenty,
were not much looked after, and might have been
bought almost at any price. — Preston Chronicle.

WOODCOT FAIR was well attended, and there
was a full supply of cattle of all descriptions ; four-
tooth sheep and tegs were in request, and realized good
prices. Horses were few, but b.ing mostly of an
inferior kind, were little in demand. Cow cattle were
numerous, and some business was transacted, but the
fair, taken altogether, was a very dull one.

BOSCASTLE FAIR was well supplied with cat-
tle, but the sale was very dull, scarcely one-half being
sold.

AT BOSTON HORSE MART, there was about an
average show, both as regards numbers and quality.
The horses generally were of an inferior description,
but for the few useful ones which were shown there was
a tolerably good demand at fair prices.

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

571

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE

DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

Though (luring the past month the state of the
weather has not influenced the trade, yet it has
been an object of interest to the farmer, who lias
been enabled to avail himself of its seasonable
character, and make great progress in sowing, and
has caused a considerable extension in the breadth
of land cultivated compared with the previous sea-
son ; and in favoured districts, where the seed
has been committed early to the ground, its green
and healthy blade is already seen above the earth,
indicating a strong and even plant. The princi-
pal point of speculative attraction has, however,
been the endeavour to ascertain the result of the
harvest, and few seasons have of late years oc-
curred when greater difficulty was experienced in
drawing any just conclusion from the various
agricultural reports. Report has succeeded report,
the one at so much variance with the other, that
it has been found impossible, from such jarring
elements, to attempt at present to elicit the truth.
Some circumstances may, however, be offered in
extenuation of the disparity in the opinion of par-
ties who have at different periods of the season
given reports. Judging by the eye and the bulk
of straw, favourable inferences were at first drawn ;
then followed the thrashing and the manufactur-
ing of the article, from which process alone any
true criterion can be formed ; and this year in-
doors labour and grinding the new produce have
been much retarded, as, on the one hand, the fine-
ness of the season after harvest induced farmers to
direct their whole attention to field operations,
while on the other, the want of condition of the
growth has prevented its becoming generally
available to the miller. The reports now current
are decidedly of a less satisfactory tendency than
during the securing of the crops, both as to quan-
tity and quality. The prematurity of the ripening
of the wheat on the lighter soils has deprived the
kernel of part of its nutritious qualities, and the
grain proves in instances deficient in its yield of
meal, while the exposure of the ears to the rain
has added to the thickness of the skin, and hence
another cause of diminishing the return to the
miller. Besides it is being discovered, that owing
to the protracted period of sowing last year, from
the inclemency of the weather, the breadth of land
planted with wheat has been much curtailed ;
facts which combined induce the belief that the
produce of England will be barely a common ave-
rage. Such is the character of the current ac-
counts, and which we should be induced to sub-
scribe to in reference to our eastern counties,
whence the metropolis looks mainly for its sup-
ply ; but we confess ourselves still sceptical as to
the inferiority of the produce of the western,
southern, and northern divisionsjof the kingdom.

Sufficient barley will be also found, but of all
gi'ades of qualitj', with too small a proportion of
fine. Oats becoming annually of less import as to
their produce in England, in relation to the ag-
gregate supply to influence much the average
rates, we do not refer to them, confining our re-
marks to the more staple commodity of wheat.

The limited extent of the supplies and want of
selection of sample have caused the country mar-
kets to rule languid and heavy for wheat, unless
fine and dry, and even these descriptions have re-
ceded Is. to 2s., and all other sorts a slow sale at a
reduction of 2s. to 3s. With barley the markets
are well supplied, and the tendency of the quota-
tions the same as those of wheat. Malt, though
much reduced in stock, does not appear to be
meeting any free demand, the immense produce
and cheapness of cyder partially interfering with
the consumption of beer, besides that, in the
rural districts, the demand for this latter beverage
has materially diminished since the beneficial ef-
fects of the New Poor Law Act has come into full
operation, the consumption of beer having thus
fallen off in proportion as that of spirits has dimi-
nished in the more densely populated towns and
cities. The markets, however, as Christmas ap-
proaches, will no doubt be more amply supplied
with wheat; for though it is gratifying to reflect
that the remunerating range of agricultural pro-
duce has rendered the farmer the passing year
more independent, and partially relieved him from
the ruinous necessity of forcing sales, and depres-
sing thus the trade against himself, yet still time
is required to recover the extent of his previous
losses, and therefore many will still find it ne-
cessary to realize to meet their annual cash pay-
ments.

In Scotland the breadth cultivated this year with
wheat has been materially lessened from the same
causes as tliose alluded to in England ; and, not-
withstanding the previous favourable reports from
the Lothians, the yield of corn is being found infe-
rior, the grain being lighter and thinner than antici-
pated, and some experienced parlies expect that
instead of a surplus, Scotland will require supplies
from our coast. Barley is represented barely an
average, and the only full crops are those of oats,
pulse, and potatoes ; oats, however, varying much
in weight. The markets throughout the kingdom
are being much more liberally supplied with all
kinds of grain, as the farmers are pressing their
fresh thrashed samples on the markets in order
to meet their half-yearly demands for rent and
wages now falling due ; and where the farmer has
not fortunately effected sales of his live stock, he
must have recourse to his vegetable produce. Fine
' wheats are generally obtaining as much money, as

672

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE,

well as fine barley from the ale brewers, and also
oats, but secondary and inferior qualities are meet-
ing heavy sale at worse prices, averaging during
the month about 2s. per qr. for the two first articles,
and Is. to Is. 6d. on oats ; the secondary barleys are
extremely difficult of disposal, owing to the continued
stagnation in the manufacture of raw grain spirits,
a question whicli is beginning to attract much of tiie
public attention, and petitions to the Legislature
are in the course of signature on the subject. Sow-
ing has advanced under the most favourable
circumstances, and an increased breadth of land
dedicated to the growth of wheat.

In perusing some of the American agricultural re-
ports, we cannot help being sfruck with the simi-
larity of the characteristics compared with those
from Ireland, not varying at intervals in a few shades
of diiFerence, but opposed to each other in the widest
extremes of good and bad ; such a disparity in the
lapse of a few weeks, it is difficult to reconcile ;
whether the descriptions proceed from too vivid an
imagination — too sanguine a temperament — or pre-
dilection for romance, we are at a loss to divine,
knowing only, that it is a constant source of regret
to the English trade, that so little certainty annually
prevails in the accounts from Ireland, as to the pro-
duce and stocks of grain 3 a country which is be-
coming the granary of England — a country, whose
surface is computed at 19,400,000 acres, of which
only 12,100,000 are cultivated, leaving a proportion
of more than one-third unprofitable ; which under
truly liberal and enlightened j»olicv and enterprise,
free from the dictation of factious and party princi-
ples, might be rendered subservient to the ameliora-
tion and aggrandisement, not only of the Island, so
richly endowed by the hand of nature, but add mate-
rially to the resources and power of England. We
trust, however, the present generation will not pass
away without beholding the sister Island in reality,
and not figuratively becoming the " Gem of the
sea," with all the brightness and brilliancy of water,
co-existent with its poetical type the emerald — the
lustre of the jeivel not dimmed nor kept concealed,
from neglect or ignorance in the mode of its being
wrought and polished.

Reverting, however, from this digression, we are
surprised to hear reports current that the wheat
crop in Ireland, instead of turning out abundant, will
prove barely equivalent to the consumption, leaving
therefore no surplus for export ; that in some coun-
ties it is fotir barrels per acre below an average, and
in few beyond an average, with less land sown than
previously calculated. The produce of oats and po-
tatoes, still, however, continues favourably reported.
We give these rumours as we hear them, rumours, how-
ever, which have strengthened into positive asser-
tions ; but where the variance is so great it requires
a little longer time to lead to implicit confidence in
the gloomier predictions. The highly seasonable
character of the weather has enabled farmers to pro-
ceed much more rapidly than usual with getting
their seed into the ground, and it is estimated more

land will be cultivated with wheat the current sea-
son, than during any former year. The markets are
being sparingly supplied ; wheat of good quality
maintains its price, and the rumours becoming more
prevalent of the falling off in the yield of the new
produce. Oats are being generally withheld by far-
mers, who, having been unwilling to thrash out even
at the low races at which they deemed the prices
opened, are now still more unwilling to do so, since
the article has further declined, while that the good
prices they have been receiving for their pork, bacon,
and butter, afford them the capability of retaining
their produce for the present.

The supplies of wheat throughout November to
Mark Lane have been of a limited character, not ex-
ceeding 19,174 qrs. The continued shortness of the
receipts of new dry quality in the earlier part of the
month, while there were several parcels of old
granaried and foreign qualities created a distinc-
tion in the relative value of the two articles, more
especially as the old qualities had advanced more
than in proportion to those of this year's growth ;
millers therefore acceded to an enhancemenf of Is.
to 2s. per qr. on the new sweet qualities, old
sampks merely realizing the top range of their
previous quotations. Towards the middle of the
month the market flagged, and receded Is. to 2s.,
secondary, ill conditioned samples becoming al-
most unsaleable and free foreign meeting less at-
tention : towards the close an improved feeling
pervaded the trade ; and though millers evinced
little anxiety to do business, yet for selected par-
cels, especially of red wheat, realized Is. more
money. The disparaging accounts becoming cur-
rent of the yield of the new wheats, with short
supplies, are the actuating causes for the impi"oved
character of the trade.

The bonded market has latterly experienced
some excitement from the accounts received from
America, intimating a limited supply of wheat at
the leading ports, and enhancement in the value
of prime parcels, foreign reds having realized 1
dollar 80 to 96 cents per bushel, and native quali-
ties as much as 2 dollars, besides that an enquiry
has also existed for French account; these circum-
stances have induced holders to demand full rates,
and sales of Baltic red wheats, to which the en-
quiry has chiefly been confined, have been made
at from 25s. to 28s., fine 30s., but this latter price,
towards the close of the month, was refused for
prime qualities, Danzig being worth 35s. to 37s.

By the official accounts published of the amount
of Foreign corn and flour in bond in the United
Kingdom, it appears that on the 5th November there
were 596,793 qrs. of Foreign wheat, and 8,957 qrs.
from British Possession, making a total of 605,750
qrs. and 173,272 cwts. of flour, of which 27,945
cwts. were of Colonial produce. On the 10th of
October the total amount of wheat was 612,196 qrs.,
and of flour 175,711 cwts. During October the
imports of wheat were 30,488 qrs., and of flour
24,246 cwts., and the quantity paying duty 25,030

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

673^

qrs. ami 1,810 cwts., leaving- 10,093 qrs. and 23,257
cwts. of flour to be accounted for by export. The
quantity of oats paying duty has been 8,496 qrs.,
and about 4,800 qra. exported, chiefly to the West
Indies. Of beans 27,308 qrs. have paid duty.

The principal diminution in the quantity of bond-
ed grain to London during the past month has been
in oats and beans, and the chief increase in bonded
flour.

Wheat. Barley. Oats,

qrs. qrs. qrs.

280063

10341

12172

278786 10603

77962

230897 6634

71947

Rye. Beans Peas,
qrs. qrs. qrs.

Flour,
cwts.

879

7582
3740

4025 53728

4015
802

37595
19292

Stock of Grain
in Bond in
London, Nov.
5, 1837

Do. 10th Oct. ..

Do. 5th Nov.,
1836

Stock of Grain

in Bond iu

London, Nov.

5, 1837

Do. 10th Oct 1382

Do. 5th Nov., 7 _

1S36 i

The barley trade in the early portion of the
month being kept in limited supply, especially of
malting descriptions, factors were enabled to ob-
tain for selected parcels 31s. to 39s., and 40s., the
Kentish parcels commanding a preference this
season from the ale brewer, being superior in
colour and kindliness ; as the month advanced
the arrivals augmented, and maltsters seemed de-
termined to depress the market, and refrained
from purchasing, which enabled distillers to ob-
tain the better qualities at low prices, and at one
time they paid Is. more than had been offered by
brewers or maltsters, who miscalculated to a cer-
tain extent, the presumed power they possessed,
by combination of depressing the market ; prices,
however, did recede, and must be now noted 2s.
to 33. lower ; Chevalier fine being worth 36s. to
37s. ; Norfolk and Suffolk 33s. to 35s. The re-
ceipts of Barley during the month have been 36,577

qrs.

Malt has experienced a slow dragging trade at
a reduction of 2s. to 3s. per qr. By the subjoined
list it will be observed that the consumption of
malt has materially diminished the past year, com-
pared with 1836 ; the principal actuating cause
being, we doubt not, effected by the new Poor
Law Bill.

Barclay and Co. . . .
Hanbury and Co. . . .
Whitbread and Co. .

Reid and Co

Combe and Co

Hoare and Co

Calvert and Co

Meux and Co

Elhot and Co

Taylor and Co

Charrington and Co.

Thorneand Son

Gardner and Co. . . .
Ramabottom and Co.

1835

1836

1837

qrs.

qrs.

qrs.

106098

107874

100005

78087

89089

82798

65209

53693

47012

49430

49830

43945

36922

42169

40366

31525

32273

32359

33263

30858

32335

24376

30640

30576

28728

28381

24158

23885

24970

23556

19213

19435

18844

10913

12657

16404

14699

15266

15256

16312

14553

15226

We have been liberally supplied with oats from
Ireland, the arrivals having comprised 66,107 qrs.,
besides 4,016 qrs. from England, and 5,577 qrg.
from Scotland. The trade in the article has been
far from animated ; but holders have succeeded in
maintaining steadily the same range of prices for all
tlie better qualities, but the secondary, stale, and in-
ferior sorts have been more dependent on the offers
made, than on any fixed price demanded. The free
on board prices in Ireland have been perfectly
nominal, speculators showing little disposition to
accede to the current demands for forward delivery.

Beans have been in moderate request, and har«J
dry qualities have obtained rather more money.

White peas have not suffered any further depre-
ciation, but where sound, hard, and free from worm,
have brought rather more money ; grey and maple
peas have brought Is. to 2s. higher rates.

The flour trade has suffered some little fluctuation,
occasioned by the millers wishing, we presume, to
preserve the usual inconsistency which seems gene-
rally attached to the dealings in flour. At the tima
when the prices of wheat were advancing in London
and were still moving upwards in the country, they
determined on the first Friday in November to reduce
the top nominal price of town made flour to 52s. or
50s. cash ; but on Monday prices again advanced
nearly to their old point of 53s. cash. Ship flour has
suffered little alteration, and bonded parcels have
been saleable at 22s. to 23s. for super Hamburg and
Danzig for export to the West Indies.

The advices from Jamaica, intimate that the late
rains had been beneficial to vegetation, tending to
render more abundant the produce of the Island ;
the prospects being very satisfactory. The demand
for flour from the country had subsided ; the last
sales of superfine flour, which was scarce, were made
at 90s. lOd. ; and second qualities, 70s.

From Quebec we are informed that all the sections
of the country reported favourably of the harvest,
and though prices of the surplus produce were likely
to rule low, yet in the later formed sections tlie very
cheapness of provisions will prove highly beneficial,
by rendering lower the price of labour, thus exten-
ding its employment, and consequently the facilities
of agricultural improvement ; and when it is re-
flected how much art has still to do in Canada in
order to assist nature, even on the best farms in the
townships, it will be doubtless exemplified how far
one good harvest may be made the parent of many
others.

The advices from Canada state the grain and flour
trade languid, and little offering, especially of the
latter article. Foreign Wheats were held at 7s. to
7s. 6(1. per 601bs., and 6s. 3d. to 63. 8d. per minot
for native qualities. Fine flour at Montreal was
noted at 43s. 9d., but not more than 42s. 6d, per
brl. pnid.

At Halifax little alteration had been sustained ia
the quotations. Hamburg flour in bond was worth
40s. currency, fine Quebec 47s. 6d.

At all the leading French markets prices contiaue

574

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

to advanca of wLeat, although latterly the markets
were being more liberally supplied. Doubts, how-
ever, seem still entertained by practical men as to
the result of the harvest; the shortness of the sup-
plies hitherto prevailing, has been occasioned, some
maintain, by the continuance of fine seasonable wea-
ther directly after the securing of the crop, which
encouraged farmers to direct their undivided atten-
tion to sowing, and that threshing was quite neglected
but now that they have their hands free, in-door
labour will proceed, and the markets be kept in better
supply ; while others attribute the want of receipts
to the deficiency of the crops. However, the falling
off in the arrivals has given a considerable stimulus
to the currencies which are now weekly advancing,
and orders are being transmitted to the Elbe and
Baltic for purchases, particularly the latter for spring
shipment. Oats appear in the same state, but we
apprehend that the crop in Brittany will be found
sufficiently plentiful Vi-ith the addition of the sup-
plies from the usual quarter to meet the demand.
Rye is decidedly deficient. At Marseilles the trade
was dull as well as Nantes, but at Bordeaux the top
prices were maintained, and instead of there being
as last year 40,000 hectolitres in granary at tiiis time,
there are hardly 4,000, excepting some old damaged
wheat which cannot be used without mixing. The
Parisian millers have hitherto maintained that the
currencies of wheat have been only supported from
a dearth of supply occasioned by the fine weather
for getting the seed into the ground, inducing far-
mers to neglect the threshing out in order to prose-
cute with the utmost diligence their out-door opera-
tions. Now, however, they seem to be tacitly
acknowledging that the reasons previously assigned
by other parties for the diminution of the supplies,
arises from the inferiority in the yield of the new
crop, and are buying therefore more freely at ad-
vanced rates, even for future delivery.

The Italian markets are steady, and as the chief
supplies at the different ports are from Odessa, where
it will be observed by our letter of the 2nd of Nov.
the plague has broken out, prices of these qualities
are likely to be enhanced. The demand from Lom-
bardy and the Roman States has already given a
stimulus to the trade at Trieste and other ports.
Linseed had also improved owing to the demand for
England. At Trieste Italian, Odessa, and Egyptian
Linseed was noted at 34s. 3d. to 41s. 2d. per qr.

At St. Petersburg at the commencement of the
present month little interest was excited in the grain
trade beyond the local demand for rye to meet the
consumption. But in linseed about 17,000 Tschet-
werts had been sold at from 33s. 6d. to 343. lOd. per
qr. At Riga the quantity of new seed received
amounted to about 78,000 Tschetwerts, 70,000 of
which were of crushing quality; prices were tending
downwards, and buyers of the best parcels could
only be found at 14 Ro. B. At Konigsberg little
doing in wheat, and prices nominal ; but the con-
sumptive demand for barley and rye was large, owing
to the deficiency of the crop in the interior, aad it

was expected that extensiv^e siipplies should be re-
quired from the sea ports, and higher prices there-
fore ensue. At Danzig the currencies of wheat re-
mained nominal and little doing. Peas were to be
purcliased at depressed quotations, say 16s. 6d. At
Stettin nothing was transpiring in the wheat trade,
and the currencies quite nominal. Little barley
offering, and rapeseed lower. From Mecklenburg
the accounts still report the crops below an average ;
wheat is bri ght h\ colour, but deficient in weight,
and on the average will not exceed 60lbs.; the stock
of old wheat at Rostock on the I3th inst., is not
estimated to exceed 1,000 lasts, and the prices 24s. to
25s. New qualities 23s. to 24s. Peas are an abun-
dant produce.

In Sweden a Royal ordnance, dated the present
month, authorized the admission of barley and oats
until the loth of May next at half the duties pre-
viously imposed ; and potatoes to be imported free
until next July.

From Copenhagen the agricultural reports state
the new barley as being kindly in quality but various
in colour, and weighed from 491bs. to 521bs. ; wheat
was bright in colour, and housed dry, and in good
condition, and weighing 601bs. to 611bs. Rapeseed
a good crop but generally secured too soon, the seed
not having arrived at full maturity, and the sample,
therefore, is unequal and foxy. At Hamburg, owing
to the limited supplies of wheat from the upper dis-
tricts of the Elbe, and a demand being experienced
from France and America, which latter, however,
was partially checked from the want of suitable
vessels, prices were advancing, and sales had been
effected at from 30s. to 32s.; in other articles no
variation.

From Holland it is reported, that in the interior
of Germany, and in Switzerland, the crops have
turned out defective, purchases being made on the
Rhine to ship upwards ; at Rotterdam, speculative
purchases were also being effected as well as for
shipment to America at 33s. to 34s. ; free wheats were
also improving, and worth 39s. to 40s. ; and in De-
cember, the duties on the admission of foreign wheats
were expected to recede ; new Poland oats were
noted at 143. to I5s. ; new Hempseed, 28s. 6d. ; and
new linseed, 40s. ; new rapeseed, 241.

The letters from the United States are to the 8th
of November, and contain still more encouraging
accounts to induce European speculators to ship to the
principal American ports ; and no doubt immediate
shipments may yield a fair return of profit; but we
are extremely doubtful of the policy of entertaining
the intention of shipping from the Baltic in the
spring to America, as we feel confident that supplies
will find their way down the canals and rivers on
the opening of the navigation to the principal sea
ports and towns in sufficient quantity to meet the
demand without having recourse to any extent to
foreign succour. At New York the quantity
of wheat offering was so small that no fresh
quotations were given ; prime red Rostock wheat
having brought 1 dollar 96 ^ents. Rye came spar-

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

575

ingly to hand and was dearer ; northern obtained
1 185 cents. Western canal flour was worth 9 dollars,
but Baltimore wheat was advancing- in value and the
supplies limited, and " the apprehensions that the
crop has been short fully confirmed" it should be
added (in only one division of the State of Maryland)
is this the case. Prime red wheat was selling at 1
dollar 75 to 85 cents., but rye was not worth more
than 85 cents. ; Howard-street flour 8 dollars 59 to
75 cents. At Philadelphia wheat was in demand at
improving prices, foreign was obtaining 1 dollar 75
to 80 cents., native prime 1 dollar 87 cents, to 2
dollars, and on delivery 1 dollar 45 cents. Flour
was noted as higli as 9 dollars to 9 dollars 37§ cents.
At New Orleans on the 30th October, flour had met
a steady demand, the stocks of which were diminish-
ing, and prices had been enhanced to 8 dollars 50
cents, to 9 dollars per barrel.

CURRENCY P£R IMPERIAIi MEASURE.

BRITISH. Nov. 1. Dec. 1.

s. s. s. s.

Wheat, red, Essex, Kent, Suffolk 45 to 57 45 to 57

White 50 62 50 62

Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. .. 40 55 40 55

White, do. do 46 58 46 58

Irish Red — — — —

DittoWhite — — — —

Barley, Malting, new 30 34 30 33

Chevalier, new 36 39 35 37

Distilling 25 30 2G 30

Grinding 24 28 25 28

Irish 24 27 24 27

Malt, Brown 38 44 38 44

Ditto, Chevalier, new and old 58 64 58 62

Ditto, Norfolk and Suffolk Pale, do. .. 54 60 54 58

Ditto Ware 55 59 55 59

Peas, Hog and Grey 30 33 33 35

Maple 32 34 34 36

White Boilers 36 38 37 39

Beans, small 38 40 38 40

Harrow 34 38 34 38

Ticks 32 37 32 37

Mazagan 32 36 34 40

Oats, English feed 22 24 22 24

Short small 24 27 24 27

Poland 24 27 24 27

Scotch, Common 20 23 20 23

Berwick, &c 22 25 22 25

Potatoe, &c. 24 27 24 27

Irish, Feed 17 20 17 20

Ditto Potatoe 22 24 22 24

nittoBlack 17 21 17 21

PRICES OF FLOUR,

Per Sack of 280 lbs. Nov. 1. Dec.].

S. S. S. 8.

Town-made 52 to 55 52 to 55

Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and Essex .... 40 42 40 42

Sussex and Hampshire 39 41 39 41

Superfine 42 — 42 —

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Stncktoii. 38 40 38 40

Northumberland. Berwick, and Scotch. 39 40 39 40

Irish 39 40 39 40

Extra 39 42 42 —

An Account of the quantity of Foreign Grain and Flour
imported into the United Kingdom during the month
ending the 5th Nov. 1837 ; the Quantity on which
the Duty has been paid for Home Consumption, and
the quantity remaining in Warehouse.

STOCK OF GRAIN, FLOUR AND CLOVER-
SEED IN BONDED WAREHOUSES IN
LONDON ON THE 5tii NOV.

Flour. Clovers 1.
cwts. cwts

Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans. Pea<
qrs. qrs. qrs. qrs. qrs

880,063 10,341 12,172 879 4,025 53,728 27,393
Rye, 1384 qrs

Foreign Grain and
Flour.

Wheat from Bri'.ish

Possessions

Ditto Foreign

Barley

Oats

Rye

Beans. .

Peas

Indian Corn

Flour from British

Possessions

Ditto Foreign

QuantUy
imported.

Quantity en-
tered for
consumption

Quantity in
Warehouse,

qrs. bush.

48 1

30440 3

52 2

9101 2

534 7

2718 3

1119 7

qrs. bush.

1810 7

25030 0

80 0

8496 1

27308 4
3292 3

qrs. bush.

8957 1

596792 7

39465 4

250999 2

13386 2

3461 5

21087 4

2284 0

cwts.qrs.lbs.

8131 0 15
16115 2 21

cwts.qrs.lbs.

3412 1 7
16 2 14

cwts.qrs.lbs,

27945 0 3
145327 1 11

IMPERIAL AVERAGES.

Weekending
13th .,
20tli .
27th . .

3rd Nov.
10th ..
17th . .
A ggregateA verr.ge
of tlie six weeks
which regulates
the duty
Duties payable in
London till Wed-
nesday next incln-
sive, and at the
Outports till the
arrival of the Mail
of that day from
London
Do. on griiin from
British possessions
out of Europe

Foreii

Wheat.

53 6
51 8
51 0

51 7

52 11

54 4

52 6

Barley

29 9

30 i

29 !1
3) 8
59 5

30 11

16 10

Oats

RyelHenn!

31 1

28 2

30 6

38 10
36 10

35 8

36 7
36 7
36 8

36 10

24 3

Teas

36 5

34 II
36 2

35 0
35 4
35 8

35 7

IC 9

u.v,.^ , I

;n Flour 203. lOd. per 1961b3., British Possessions Ditt
3s.perl961b8.

PRICES OF SEEDS,

Nov. 27.

The Cloverseed trade still remains dull ; the crops
of English is still reported one-third below an average
produce, and inferior in quality; a small cotchel of
new was sold this morning, one of the first this
season, the quality was ordinary, and brought
only 44s., prices ranging from 40s. to 65s. In white
no variation. Trefoil unaltered. Linseed dull, and in
Rapeseed nothing transpiring. Caraway firm. Cori-
ander neglected. Canary heavy, at 42s. ; fine old, 46s.
to 48s. Brown Mustard-seed, owing to the deficiency
of the yield, is still improving, and obtains readily 13s.
to 16s. ; extra fine is quoted at 17s. ; white, steady,
and rather more saleable, at 7s. to 9s. Old Tares
meeting more inquiry for sheep-feed, and noted at 32s.
to 34s. Linseed Cakes rather dearer.

POTATO MARKET.

SouTHWARK, Waterside, Nov. 27. — The supply
of Potatoes Coastways during the past week has been
as follows, viz. — from Yorkshire 166 tons ; Jersey,
678; Devons, 320; Kent, Essex, and Suffolk, 326;
making together a total of 1490 tons. There has been
no arrivals from Scotland, and the supply of choice
qualities is rather limited this week. The trade is
bri sk for prime g^mples, and owing to the continuance

Bfe

THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE.

of fine open mild weather, prices has not advanced,
but the dealers purchased pretty freely at the annexed
quotations.

Per ton.

Yorksliire reds..

— sto/Oi

Devon 60i

65s

Do. Kidneys

American natives

— s 703
— s 60s

60s

Kent, Essex, and

York ShawB

. — » 50s

Suffolk Whites,. SOs

6«s

Jersey wliitea. ...

. _s 503

Wiabeach Whites . — s

— s

Ditto blues

. —8 553

Ditto Blues —$

— s

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

BORO', Nov. 27.

The Hop market has experienced great firmness since

the duty was declared ; prices have gradually risen.

The advance on all descriptions of Hops has been from

5s. to 73. per cwt. ; the demand is extensive.

PRESENT PRICES,

^ S. £ S. £ 8.

East Kent Pockets, from 4 4 to 4 15 choice,. 6 6

Bajfs 4 0 4 10 5 5

Mid Kent Pockets 3 10 4 10 .... 5 12

Bags 3 lO 4 10 5 5

Weald of Kent Pockets 3 10 4 4 .... 4 10

Sussex do 3 6 3 15 .... 4 4

Yearlingdo 3 0 3 10 .... 3 15

Old...? 2 2 2 10 .... 3 3

OldolJs. 0 18 1 10 .... 2 2

WOOIi MARKBTS.

BRITISH.

Nov. 1. Dec. 1.

Per lb, s. d. s. d, s. d. s. d.

Down'Teps 1 3tol 4 1 3 to 1 4

Half-bred do 14 15 14 15

Ewes and Wethers 1112 1112

Leicester Hogs 11 12 1112

Do. Wethers Oil 10 0 11 1 0

Blanket Wool 0 7 0 11 0 7 0 11

Flannel 0 10 13 0 10 1 3

Skin Combing 1 112 1112

YORK, Nov, 23. — Our market, to-day, has pre-
sented a rather unusual appearance, at least for this
season of the year. We have had a good attendance
of the principal staple spinning and manufacturing
firms, and but a small supply of wool. It would ap-
pear, from the late depression in the monied market,
that few of the manufacturers have this year adopted
their usual custom of purchasing at clip-day, a supply
of six or eight months in advance ; but, as a prudent
precaution, have rather adopted the hand and-mouth
system ; hence we inay infer there is but a small sup-
ply of wools in the hands of the raannfacturers, to
meet the consumption till next clip-day . We would
not, however, wish our readers to be in the least degree
alarmed, for if the supply be not in the hands of the
manufactures, certainly it is in tho»e of the growers ;
therefore there is no cause of despair on this head. We
are decidedly of opinien wools can neither materially
advance or fall under the influence of the present monied
interest ; but the firmness displayed in the cotton
market, and the late London and Liverpool Colonial
wool sales, has given a firmness to the Yorkshire and
Lincolnshire wools, which a few weeks past was not
anticipated. Blanket wools have been more inquired
after, and better prices obtained. In Moor wools but
little doing. Several parcels remain over unsold, and
what sales were effected may be quoted at an advance
of \&., and in Fome instances id. per lb.

"WAKEFIELD, Nov. 24.— We have to report a con-
vlinued active demand for all combing wools again this

week, at improving prices, and the advance in them may
be quoted at full Id. per lb. within the last three weeks.
The stock offering here is light, and as high prices have
been paid in the country this week there is a fair pro-
spect of a further advance. Short wools are more ready
of sak. and upon some kinds 5s. per pack more can be
made.

EXETER.— In this market 9§d. was offered for a
superior lot of yolk wool, but these terms were not suf-
ficient to induce the owner to part with it, and the price
of this articla must be quoted nominally at from 9d. to
Qgd. per lb. In washed wools also the quotation must
be similarly understood — Knott, from ll^d. to 12d. ;
Dorset horn, 12d. to 12-id, per lb. In sorts the market
is dull, but no further change has taken place, and
broad head must be quoted at 8d.; Kent head, 9§d.;
red, sreen, and pinions, 9§d. to lOd.; fell combing, 9^d.
to lO^d. ; fine head, lOdT to lid.; Cornish stripe. 12d.
tol2|d.; North Devon stripe, 12d. to I2id.; and tops,
15d. per lb.

LIVERPOOL.

Week ending Nov. 27.

Scotch. — There has again been a fairinquiry for laid
Higland wool this week, and rather more inclination on
the part of the trade to get into stock at our quotations.
The same remark will apply both to cross and Cheviot
wool, and the transactions entered into have been at our
highest quotations.

per stone of 241bs. s. d. t. d.

Laid Highland Wool, from ... 8 3 to 9 0

Wliite do. do 10 9 11 6

Laid Crossed do 11 3 12 0

Washed do. do 13 0 16 0

fiaid Cheviot, do 13 0 15 0

Washeddo. do 15 0 20 0

White do. do 22 0 28 0

SCOTCH.

Per Stone of 24 lbs. Nov. 1. Dec. 1.

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Laid Highland Wool, from. 89 to 93 83 to 90

White Do. Do 11 6 12 0 10 9 11 6

Laid Crossed Do 11 6 12 6 11 3 12 0

Washed Do. Do 13 0 15 0 13 0 15 0

Laid Cheviots 13 0 15 0 13 0 15 0

Washed Do 16 6 19 0 15 0 20 0

White Do 22 0 26 0 22 0 26 0

FOREIGN.

Nov. 27,

We have still to report a very duU sale for all kinds
of foreign wools, and last week's quotations are with
difficulty supported. Since our last the imports have
been composed of 520 bales of German ; 80 do. of
Spanish ; 250 do. of South American ; 40 do. Italian ;
and 120 do. of Cape of Good Hope wools.

Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s. Od. to 5s. 2d. ; first
Austrian, Bohemian, and other German wools, 3s. Od.to
4s. Od. ; second do., 2s. Od. to 3s.; inferior do. in locks
and pieces, is. 6d. to28.; German lamb's do., 2s. to
3s.; Hungarian sheep's do., 2s. to 3s. ; Leouesa
sheep's do., 2s. to 3s. ; Segovia do., Is. lOd. to 3s. ;
Soria do., 2s. to 3s. ; Caceres do., 2s. to 3s. 2d.;
Spanish lamb's do., Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; German and
Spanish cross do., 2s. Od. to 3s. Od. ; Portugal sheep's
do., 2s. to 3s. ; Australian, fine crossed do., 2s. to
3s. 4d. ; do. nattve sheep's do.. Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d.;
Van Dieman's Land, native sheep's do., lOd. to 2s.;
and Cape of Good Hope do., Is. 4d. to 2s. lOd. per lb.

END OF VOLUME VII.

Printed by Joseph Bogei son, 24, Norfolk Street, Strand, L«ndon.

INDEX TO THE SEVENTH VOLUME.

Aberdeen Journal, to the Editor of,
27

Account of the Royal stud, 401

"Active," cart-staliion — Plate, i97

Act to amend certain laws of excise
relating- to the duties on malt in
the United Kingdom, 132

Act to amend an act for the com-
mutation of tithes in England
and Wales, 135

Act to impose certain duties of
excise on sugar made from beet-
root in the United Kingdom,
137

Act to facilitate the conveyance of
lands and buildings, 360

Aged agricultural labourers, 48

Agricultural notice, June, 16

Agricultural societies — Wilts, 50 ;
Netherby, 363 ; Lancaster, 474

Agricultural reports, 65, 141, 221,
404, 484, 362

Agricultural intelligence, 69, 149,
227, 409, 488

Agricultural to factory labour, su-
periority of, 85

Agricultural exports of the United
States, 1836, 122

Agricultural improvements, 126

Agricultural fencing, 163

Agricultural meeting, and sale of
sheep at Rambouillet, 390

Agricultural prizes of the Duke of
Bedford, 403

Agriculture, committee on, 1836, 8

Agriculture, state of, 120

Agriculture, profitable employ-
ment for labourers, 123

Agriculture, British, 195

Agriculture, committee on, session
1837, 207

Agriculture in England, a brief
outline of the history and pro-
gress of, 337

Agriculture, on the state ot 398

Agriculture in England, brief out-
line of, 417

Agriculture of Flintshire, on the,
432

Agriculture, state of in Cumber-
land, 101

Allotment system, 107

Allowances to prosecutors and
witnesses, 186

American thumb wheat, 434, 361

Annual return under tlie new poor
law amendment act, 473

Application of chemistry to agri-
culture, 375

Arable land, management of, 23

Ashbocking Farmers' Club, 428

Asparagus, surface culture of, 123

Assessment to the poor rate, 428

Austrian cookery, and irins, 2lo

Averages, on the, 558

Ayrshire agricultural association,

43
Ayrshire agricultural association

V. the crows, 50
Ayr Observer, to the editor of the,

359

Banking system, the, 51
Barometrical rules for predicting

changes of weather, 388
Beans and tares, cultivation of, 534
Beaver, trapping the, 37.
Beech, aged, 215
Beer-houses, 421
Bees, 21

Beet -root sugar in France, 18, 86
Beet-root sugar in Russia, 107
Bedford sheep-shearing, 15
Benefit building societies, 126
Birds, intellect in, 216
Board of agriculture and the farm-
ers, the, 5ll
Bogs, origin of, 37
Bone manure, mode and effect of

employing, 426
Botany, thoughts on, 190
Bots, obstruction of the pyloric

orifice of the stomach of a horse

by, 188
Bourn agricultural society, first

anniversary meeting of the, 341
Bread without yeast, 471
Brown grub, the, 425
Burton - in - Kendal agricultural

show — Extract from a speech of

Mr. Hornby, 431
Butcher, best in England, 446
Butcher's meat, consumption of,

83
Butter, use of in England, 551

Cabbage, monstrous, 542

Cabbages, summer, 188

Canadas, 174

Case of a cow destroyed by three
pints of vinegar, 12

Case of lameness, 376

Catalogue of Mr. C. CoUing's
sale of improved short-horned
cattle, Oct. 11, 1810, 49

Caterpillars, effectual method for
destroying, 212

Catclii-.ig a horse in Nova Scotia,
43

Cattle and horses, on the feeding
of, 38

Cattle trade, the, 432

Cattle, importation of into Liver-
pool, 115

Cauliflowers, mode of preserving
through tlie winter, 357

Cei'emony of letting the waters of
the Nile in Lower Egyptj 134.

Challenge to all the breeders and
feeders in England, 538

Chalk hills, 82

Chalk as a manure, use and abuse
of, 106

Channel Islands, 465

Chelmsford wool fair, 56

Chilton breeding stock, 84

Clover hav, on an improved me-
thod of making, 31

Cloverseed calculation, 528

Colonel, 429

Commercial crisis, the late, 205

Commutation of poor rate, 552

Con-acre system, the, 79

Consumption of malt and beer,
378

Cork tree, the, 2l

Corn trade, review of, 71, 151,
231, 411,493,571

Corn — table of comparative
weights, 401

Corn table — comparative weights
• — Dutch scale and imperial
bushel, 464

Cottnge all )tments, 91

Court of King's Bench, June 12—
The King v. the Poor Law Com-
missioners, 124

Court of Review, 219

Court of Queen's Bench — Doe dem.
Mitchell V. Weller, 399

Court of Queen's Bench — Doe d.
Corporation of Exeter v. Mit-
chell, 559

Cranberries, 352

Criminal law, 183

Cucumber, extraordinary rapidity
in the growth of, 19

Cultivation of rape, on the, 178

Cultivation of malting barley, 439

Cumberland (from Kennedy and
Grainger's Customs of Counties,
1828), 185.

Description of JNlr. Beart's patent
machine for making drain tiles,
340

Distinction between ale and porter,
374

Domestic economy, great improve-
ment in, 527

Draining, 187

Draining — New patent invention
for manufacturing draining and
other tiles, 217

Draining, thoughts on, 87, 540

Dry rot in potatoes, 20

Economy of labour, 512

Editor of the Perthshire Courier,

to the, 117
Editor of the Cambrian, to the> 439
Eggs, 26
Emigration, 396

INDEX.

Emigration to Australia, 108
English and Scotch farmers —

len.ses, 177
Entomological society, 480
Estimate of the produce of the late
harvest, as to the quantity and
quality, in Great Britain and
Ireland, 565
Exactions of strength and speed,

580
Experimental farm the best mode
of affording agricultural instruc-
tion, 198
Exports of British woollens, 25
Extraordinary flower recently dis-
covered, 408

Fairs, 570

Fallow, 173

Farmers' Society, Kilmarnock, 172

Farmers of the United Kingdom,
to the, 546

Fat cattle market, I jverpool, 412

Feeding sheep with turnips, hints
on, 1

Feeding cattle on different descrip-
tions of food, experiments in, 167

Festival rural, Suffolk, 420

Field garden system, 527

First ivaggon, the, 187

Flintshire agricultural society, 533

Flower, new, 417

Forests of Ireland, the, 46

Forest — Riesen — Klausen —
llechen, the, 170

Forests, and meadow and pasture
land in Europe, 480

French statistics, 365

French agricultural farm, 519

Furrow presser, the, 31

Furze, new use for, 421

Gama grass, 121

Game bill, Scotland, the, 28

Geese killing in Lincolnshire, 549

General importation of grain and
flour into Liverpool for twenty-
nine years, 536

German wool, 131

German wool fairs, 62

Gill, Mr., again, 21

Good old times, the, 471

Government experimental distil-
lery, 466

Grain, on smuggling — the Chan-
nel Islands, 356, 395

Grand ploughing match at Mon-
treuil, 483

Gravesend and Rochester associa-
tion, 431

Great agricultural society — tile
draining — the harvest — cocking
and cooking barley, 433

Great agricultural meeting at
Dumfries, 445, 529

Great agricultural dinner at Mar-
kethill, 529

Green crops, 15

Green-house, economical, 198

Growing grapes in the open air
in Herefordshire, 147

Growth of green crops and soiling,
520

Grub which now infests the turnip
fields, 440

Hampton Court stud, sale of the,

482
Harvest, 194
Harvest sheaf, 395
Harvesting grain in wet weather,

354
Heathcote's steam plough, 93, 479
Hereford bull, Sir Geoi'ge — Plate,

158
Hereford agricultural society, 513
Highland estates, extraordinary

rise in, 42
Highland Society, local committee

of the, 122
Hock lameness, 175
Hog, the, 16

Hop trade, review of the, 75
Hop drying, improvement in, 95
Hop picking, 108
Hop intelligence, 155, 235, 415,

490, 576
Hop growers of the counties of

Worcester and Hereford, to the,

229
Hop growing, 435
Hops, official account of, exported

1836-7, 230
Hops, cultivation of Nottingham-
shire, 363
Hops, average growth of, per acre

in England, 379
Horned cattle, disease in, 113
Horns of ruminants, 158
Horse lament, the, 181
Horses, 380

Horses, exportation of, from Eng-
land to France, 501
Human manure, on the value of,

429
Husbandry, a word or two upon,

33
Husbandry — Alpine pastures —

cattle, 162

Immigration, advantage of, 539
Important to farmers, 13, 82, 125,

172
Important to agriculturists, 91
Important to guardians and work-
house masters, 408
Important to clergymen and tithe

owners, 431
Important information, 481
Important discovery, 506
Important to millers, 522
Imports of grain and flour into

Liverpool, particular comparison

of the, 1836-7, 537
Imprisonment for debt, 180
Improvement in Smithfield market,

365
Increase in the roots and stumps

of the silver fir, long after it has

been felled, 118
Industrial schools for the peasantry,

182
Influence of banking on the public

morals, 397
Iodine as a remedjr for glanders,

184
Ireland, state of agriculture in,

542
Irrigation in Scotland, 382
Isle of Axcholme, agriculture in,

82

Italian rye grass, 505

Keilor sale of Leicester sheep, 444

Lambs, 463

Land, public sales of, 374

Langar, 551

Lardner's cabinet cyclopaedia — Do-
mestic economy, 346

Leicestershire, state of trade in, 44

Leicester ram — Plate, 77

Leicester, earl of, 214

Lenham agricultural association —
— extracts from speeches at the,
519

Liability of innkeepers, 172

Lime as a manure, use of, 113

Linseed and rape cakes foreign,
quantities which have paid duty
in the ports of London, Liver-
pool, Bristol, Hull, &c,, 432

Liquid manures, advantages of
using, 208

Liquid manure, on the use and
value of, 422

Liverpool assizes — Hill v. Gur-
den, 400

Liverpool agricultural meeting,
467

Long Sutton agricultural associa-
tion, 481

Lord Chesterfield's racing and
breeding stud, 118

Malt, official account of, 1836-7,

229
Manchester Agricultural Society,

extracts from a report of the

proceedings, 425
Manure, new — carbon or animal-

ized black, 121
Manure for wheat, on, 200
Manure for grape and asparagus,

212
Manure, new, 13, 446, 467
Manure, important directions for

the preparation of, 523
Manure, economy of, 558
Manure, mineral, 209
Mark Lane Express, to the editor

of the, 441
Meadow hay, on an improved

method of making, 32
Melons grown over water, 179
Middlesex agricultural associa-
tion, 424
Mill's merry sale, the, 166
Miraculous apple tree, 528
Mischievous raven, 126
Miss Letty, winner of the Oaks for

1837, 402
Monthly report of the woollen

trade, 63
Musk ox, the, 92

Negligence universally displayed

in preserving manure made upon

the land, on the, 501
Nettle, why it stings, 408
New poor law, the, 5
New poor law, demonstrations in

favour of, 25 r'.-^/j

New poor law, saving under, 120
Northamptonshire ,•-; farming and

grazing society, 349

North Derbyshire agricultural

society — extract from a speech

of Mr. Wright, 424
Oak, on the planting-, 545
Old and new system of farming

compared, 186
Old Dobbin, 504
Oxford assizes — Carr v, Southan

and son, 220

Pawng and burning, practice of ex-
plained on new scientific princi-
ples, 77

Parish surveys, 511

Parochial assessment, 512

Phosphorus, winner of the Derby
1837, 389

Piece of plate, presentation of to
the chairman of the Westbury
union, 26

Planting trees, 19

Plate, Mr. Davis, 109

Ploughing, 13

Ploughing match, Cottesmore, 352

Ploughing match at Bromlej^ 517"

Ploughing and trenching, 525

Plough, the mining, 355

Ploughshare of Old England, 115

Ploughs, new, for digging and se-
parating potatoes, 508

Poor, state of in Ireland, 6

Poor law, 552

Poor law amendment act, 80

Poor law, new, 99

Poor law commission, 162

Poor law regulations, alteration in
the, 359

Poor law commission office, 376

Poor law auditors, powers of, 380

Population, on, 514

Potato market— 75, 155, 496, 575

Potato failures, on, 114

Potato husbandry, 181

Potato, on the, 466

Poultiy and eggs, 30

Poverty and pauperism, 502

Propagating apple trees, 82

Preparation of live stock and meat
in reference to their exportation
by steam vessels, 366

Preston Pilot, to tlie editor of the,
413

Preston agricultural society — ex-
tracts from speeclies at, 524

Price of flour and bread compared,
430

Produce of France, 190

Profits of larch for plantations, 398

Pruning trees, 109

Pruning forest trees, on, 509

Puerperal fever, on, 526

Quantity of seed wlieat to be used

per acre, 396
Quantity of food necessary, 397
Question for naturalists, 428
Quick work, 388

Rabbit shooting — Plale, 3
Rabies in tlie dog, 103
Race horses in France, 377
Rackheath i)loMgii, the, 173
Rams, important sale of, 188
Raj)e, on iho u«0aad cultivation of,
539

INDEX,

Eat, live, embedded in stone, 42

Readiest and most effectual mode
of improving the condition of
the agricultural labourer, 497

Removal of a worm from the eye
of an Arab horse, 373

Report from the select committee

* on the new poor law amendment
act, 110

Report on fattening cattle with dif-
ferent varieties of food, 390

Restifieness, on, 96

Result of cutting down forests,
339

Riddlesworth stud, the, 444

Rise and fall in the price of wool
in Prussia, on the, 502

Rot in slieep, rules for the preven-
tion of, 185

Royal court, Jersey, the Crown v.
Anley, 400

Rural police, utility of the, 32

Rural police, 504

Russian agriculture and grain,
454

Safety coach, new, 515
Saffron Waldron tup show, 1 66
Saving flaxseed, on, 176
Scouring in cattle and sheep, on,

42
Seasons, cheap and dear in the

north of Ireland, 19
Seed, on the choice of, 189
Seed wheat, on the choice of, 392
Seeds, prices of, — To, 151, 235,

415, 495, 575
Select committee on agriculture.

Commons, session 1837, 207
Seton, the, 17

Shamrock of Ireland, the, 47
Shearing of lambs, on, 48
Sheep, diseases in, 119
Sheep with three eyes, a, 440
Sheriff's court, London — Bagley i'.

Desanges, 125
Shoeing horses, on, 14
Short-horned cattle, sale of, 445
Size of farms, on, 201
Slugs, best means of destroying,

518
Smithfield show, 83
Smut in wheat, 338
Smut, the, 445, 464, 516
Song for the month of November,

557
Spade husbandry, 509
Spirit duty, English, 125
Standard, to the editor of the, 179
Steam plough, description of the,

478
Storing and keeping mangel wur-

zel and turnip croj) during the

winter and spring, 510
Strawberry, magnificent, 206
Straw-plat, 356
Subsoil plough, 503
Summer assizes — Norfolk circuit

— Buck V. Hawes, 220
Sussex (from Kennedy and

Grainger's Customs of Counties,

1828), 35

Tcmplemoyle ftgrioultujrai seraina*

111

Timber trees, the moon's influence
on, 358

Tithe commutation, to the editor
of the jMark Lane Express, 34

Tithe survey, 47

Tithe commutation — circular is-
sued by commissioners, 357

Tithes, commutation of — parish of
Tottenham, 393

Town IMalling agricultural asso-
ciation— extract, 534

Transport of cattle by railway, 359

Tropical flower seeds, 92

Turnip, the, 215

Turnpike roads, 518

Tuscan agriculture, 435

Typhus among cattle, on epidemic
or contagious, 261

Ulster Times, to the editor of the,

399
Utility of rats, 373

Value of rail-road land, 412
Veterinary medical examination,

28
Veterinary lithotomy, 43
"Victory"— P/fUe, 417
Vis vitfe of plants, the, 47

Wall nails, to preserve from rust-
ing, 435

Washing of trees, 124

Water melons, 179

Watering vegetables, 403

Wee flower, the, 188

Weevils, 95

Weights and measures, 190

Welch farmers and English mer-
chants, 43

Wells, depth of near London, 413

West Highland hull— Plate, 337

West Auckland markets, 516

Wheat, flint in, 98

Wheat, 515

Whittle ploughing match, 470

Wilts banking company, report of
the directors, 204

Wiltshire (from Kennedy and
Grainger's customs of counties),
116

Winners of Royal plates and cups
in 1837, 560

Wire worm, the, 123

Wonder, another, 37

Woodbridge sheep-shearing asso-
ciation, 7

Wool, 187

Wool and woollen manufactures,
24

Wool markets— 76, 155, ^36, 4l5,
496, 576

Wool fairs — Thetford, 126; Lewes,
128 ; Perth, 130 ; Devizes,
Hitciiin, Ilchester, Ilsley, Here-
ford, Northampton, Chippenham,
Dorcliester, 131

Working men, condition of in Eu-
rope, 86

Wressle Castle, 381

York assizes — Noble and another

V. Archbell, 125
Yorkshire agricultural societyj

513,618, 361

LONDON :
PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROGERSON,

24, NORrOLK-STREET, STRAND.

w>KoeCvJv.AiCS