_. .„,J.'illM#-i«'--^ i//' 77^ / / d " ' "(5M.-2 SOURCE CHAPEL !■: r; AIM f I; !■: /;l: V ■^ -^^ /\ ^O 1^ /f A 2 36 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. bad conductor, will convey little benefit as a manure, as experience has shown ; caloric will separate the particles, but will not remain in the sundered fragments. Our own practice often pro- posed to I'educe into ashes the surface clods of clay- fallows, by mixing with lime cinders, and igniting with the use of water. The ashes would be of two kinds, and convey caloric to the soil in combina- tion. The benefit will be proportional with its powers of imbibing and retaining the heat. CCCCLVI.— Rennie, 1S34. James Rennie, A.M., professor of zoology. King's College, London, has written "The handbook of agriculture in principle and practice, for the use of schools and allotment tenants;" London, 1834, l6mo., price Is. 3d. stitched. The pages are 92, de- taiUng the science, art, and practice of agriculture in the cultivation of plants and management of ani- mals. The directions are very sensible and judi- cious, but contain nothing new or worth any remark. The plan of a labourer's cottage is given from those devised by Mr. Menteath, of Closeburn, in Dumfrieshire, with the sleeping-apartment on the ground floor, the ideas not being able to ascend to the height of ten feet in a second storey of a])art- ments. This moderate height stops all northern ideas on the subject of cottages. CCCCLVIL— HuTT, 1838. William Hutt, Esq., M.P., wrote "Key to agri- cultural prosperity — state and prospects of British agriculture;" price 2s.6d.,in247 octavo pages. This essay resulted from an inquiry into agricultural dis- tress, in 1836, by a committee of the House of Commons, and forms a compendium of their labours. After the general peace, many keys were found to open the lock of agricultural depression, which arose from the altered circumstances of the civilized world : not one succeeded, and the handle has yet to be made. Our own opinion always coin- cided with that of the late Earl Grey— that a prompt adjustment of rent was the oialy key to solve the difficulty, and experience has confirmed the just sentiment. It has been done of necessity, and might have come from a sure prescience. CCCCLVIIL— Morton, 1838. John Morton, Whitfield, near Berkeley, Glouces- tershire, has written " On the nature and property of soils, and on the rent and profits of agriculture;" London, 1S3S, Svo. And, along with Joshua Trimmer, " An attempt to estimate the effects of protecting duties on the profits of agriculture;" London, 1845, 8vo. These works have raised the name of the author to a high place in the agricul- tural world, which has been supported by every attachment of practice. Mr. Morton is known as the projector and conductor of Earl Ducie's ex- ample farm, where, from an almost tenantless waste, a farm of 240 acres has been converted into a pro- ductive ground of no common quality. The outlay of money was very considerable, and done to show that land will repay every judicious expenditure, and can be continued in that remunerative condition by an enlightened routine of cultivation. Draining and manuring have been the chief agents of opera- tion ; and when judiciously performed, a certain success must attend. The most reputed improve- ments have been executed on the land, and upon the farm buildings, roads, and water-courses. The success has been most splendid ; perhaps no parallel exists in Britain to the quantity of green crops which grow upon that farm, and which yield the profits and support the fertility. An increased rent of 15s. an acre amply pays the interest of the capital expended, besides an annuity for the gradual extinction of the outlay. Much more labour is employed, and in making the improvements activity was employed and remunerated. A most important lesson is taught by the exam- ple of Mr. Morton — to concentrate the means on any point that are superior to the resistance that is opposed, and by dint of power and pith, to compel success, and rob fortune of its favours. By this method, any lands will yield a similar product in proportion to quality and circumstances. The value of land may be doubled, and the national resources indefinitely increased. In the book " On soils," the author shows an extensive geology, and a most enlightened practical acquirement. On these subjects the work will con- tinue a standard production. In the work on pro- tective duties and profit, the principles are set forth which experience is daily confirming. The author beheld a steady horizon. CCCCLIX.— Main, 1839. James Main, A.L.S., Chelsea, has written "Poultry, breeding, rearing, and fattening;" the contents are — introductory remarks, pea-fowl, history and breeding, swan, turkey, goose, duck, fowl, capering of fowls, guinea-fowl, pheasant, sec- tion of a turkey-house, fowl-house, fattening-house, crops for poultry, &c., &c. ; London, 8vo., price 6s. " The young farmer's manual ; showing the principles and practice of agriculture, as applicable to turnip-land farms in the south of England, with observations and remarks on cattle, plants, and implements;" London, 1839, Svo. The author has written some works on botany and forest planting. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 37 The book on poultry is one of the best of the kind, and may justly claim a superiority over larj^er and more vaunted works. Plain truthful practice is the recommendation of it, which forms the chief merit of any work on practical matters. "The young farmer's manual" contains the routine busi- Bess of common farming in a most ehgible form, in small compass, and appropriate language of ex- pression. No book in the agricultural world con- veys a greater quantity of sound intelligence, which has been gathered from enlightened practice and attentive observation. The author makes brief statements, but ample for use, and sufficient for the purpose. Our mite of approbation has never been better bestowed. CCCCLX.— Hodges, 1840, Thomas Law Hodges, Esq., M.P., has written "The use and advantages of Pearson's draining plough ;" price Is. Plough draining of land may be very legitimately placed alongside the machine reaping of corn crops ; in some very few particular cases both applications will be somewhat serviceable, and render an assistance that will be scarcely remu- nerative of the cost. The subsoil of lands being rocky, stony, compact, and hardened, will defy the power of the draining plough, and confine its use to soft strata of every denomination. So will the reaping machines be confined to level grounds and upright standing crops, and banished from hilly lands and ridged surfaces. These objections are irremovable. CCCCLXI.— Spooner, 1840. W. C. Spooner, a veterinary surgeon, near Southampton, has written " A treatise on manures, their comparative and economical qualities, with the principles which should influence and regulate their application;" London, 1840, 8 vo. There is con- tained the prize essay, by the author, on the use of the superphosphate of lime produced with acid and bones for manure. The author is known as a dis- tinguished member of the veterinary profession, and in the above essay he has added to the reputation on that head. The remarks and sentiments are very just, correct, and practical. CCCCLXn.— Jackson, 1840. James Jackson, of Pennycuick, near Edinburgh, author of several prize essays in Scotland, has written " A treatise on agriculture and dairy hus- bandry;" Edin., 1840, 8vo. This work is in 116 large octavo pages, and treats arable management only, with a short treatise on dairying. The ani- mals of the farm are not entered. It is a very sensible production, plain, correct, and simply practical; so much so, that no analysis is given of any manuring substance, except of bone dust, and that is subjoined in a note. The writer seems to have thought that the value of the article can be conveyed without the appendage of the chemical constituents ; and he is right. His practical opinions and directions need no recommendation beyond the perusal. CCCCLXIIL— Sproule, 1842. John Sproule, Ireland, editor of Irish Farmer's Journal, has written "A treatise on agriculture; comprehending the nature, properties, and improve- ment of soils, the structure, functions, and cultiva- tion of plants, and the husbandry of the domestic animals of the farm ;" Dublin, 1842, Bvo. "An essay on the growth and management of flax in Ireland," which obtained the gold medal of the Royal Dublin Society; Dublin, 1844, 8vo. The first work is a most respectable performance, well arranged, correct in the description, and ample in the detail. Ireland has not produced any equal work, and Britain has not many that are far ad- vanced beyond its worth. It comprehends tho whole business of the farm, and is therefore supe- rior to many works that treat one part of the farm- ing business. The enlightened practice of agricul- ture has never been more described for common adoption. The essay on flax is a pamphlet of 40 octavo pages, and well deserved the prize which it gained. The author does not encumber any work with scien- tific quotations of analytical contents; he prefers the use of practical results and illustrations, and gives in the appendix the statements of chemistry on the subject of description. The body of the work is thus clear, and the appendix may be used or not. CCCCLXIV.— SauARRY, 1842. Charles Squarry has written "A popular treatise on agricultural chemistry, intended for the use of the practical farmer;" London, 1842, 8 vo,, price 5s. This author is thought to have simplified the relation of chemistry and agriculture with great skill and ability, and rendered the subject less ab- struse for the common comprehension. But a subject may be very fully comprehended, and still remain beyond application ; the connection may be too fine and minute for the tear and wear of utility. The author describes the usual scientific subjects — soil, and manures, and plants. Lime is very briefly mentioned, and nothing added to its former cha- racter. The same may be said of other matters. 38 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. LONDON CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB The London, or, as it is now written, " the Lon- don Central," Farmer's Club, closed its session on Monday, June 5, with another discussion on the con- dition of the labourer. The text-word on this oc- casion was made to refer more especially to any real advantage to be derived from the incentive to exertion, or the force of example. " Character " is certainly everything in this country ; but is it worth while making this in any way public pro- perty ? Does it become us to at all distinguish the man whose pride it is to have led a life of honest industry? Need we trouble ourselves to say how we appreciate his conduct, or how we would have others learn from him to go and do likewise ? Is it not, rather, simply a matter of business between him and his employer, who have managed to agree so long and so well ? To them let us still leave it, or, if called on by any chance to notice this good and faithful servant, let us pass him on with the cool, matter-of-fact compliment of Tom Thumb in the play — "You have done your duty, but you have done no more !" The gentleman who opened the discussion on Monday evening appears to consider these La- bourers' Friend Societies— that is, as here inter- preted, societies for the encouragement of good conduct and skilled industry in the farm servant — to be something very like mistaken notions. He admits the good intention, while at the same time he but too often condemns its being carried into practice. With every respect for the ability and evident attention he had given to his subject, we cannot help thinking that he essays to prove this by some rather special pleading. He takes, as our readers will gather from his opening address, the rules and regulations of some hundred or so of these Labourers' Friend Societies, and from these he carefully selects every ill-considered or impolitic condition he can possibly find. These are all duly arranged to read on, one after the other, until the astounded auditor comes to picture one of these Labourers' Friends as little short of a mass of absurdity, and wrong-headed benevolence. The notion, for instance, of giving a man a prize for going to church — simply, as Mr. Morton comments, " a premium upon hypo- crisy." This, it seems, is one of the items in the clergyman's prize of the North-East Hants Association. We name this society, as Mr. Morton instances it; but no doubt such a re- ward is pretty generally offered in the other hun- dred or so, with the particulars of which the speaker had furnished himself. Is it so ? Or, rather, is not this " premium upon hypocrisy" only an isolated case, to be found in East Hants, and hardly anywhere else ? Or take, again, the Wilt- shire Society, which distributes its twenty coats by lottery. How many other such societies do the same? One or two more (but certainly very few comparatively) manifest some occasional negligence or injudicious allotment of their funds. ¥/e are quite prepared, though, to treat all this as excep- tional rather than general. We have very little doubt that, despite its premium upon hypocrisy, Mr. Morton might, had he desired it, have disco- vered many a redeeming feature in the proceedings of the North East Hants Association. All the good intended in North Wilts, too, we should trust is not left entirely to chance for its results, despite the great-coats quoted against it. This would be a hard world to live in, was one flaw found sufficient to condemn ; for few of us, indeed, are to be found without one. On the question of prizes for long and good ser- vice, we are very much at issue with the introducer of the subject at the Farmers' Club. We do place some reliance on the benefit of example, and we believe that no one private person, however high his position or great his influence, could impress this example to anything like the same extent which would follow its recognition by a public body. To argue that any man only retains his place " upon compulsion," merely to carry off the two or three pounds at the end of his thirty or forty years, is of course to argue a palpable absurdity. To main- tain, however, on the other hand, that to evince an appreciation of this conduct by the offer of some testimonial, can convey no good moral with it, we hold to be almost an equally ridiculous assumption. Did the Duke of Rich- mond and his soldiers, when fighting their way through the Peninsula, think of nothing but the medals they might receive when they got home again ? And yet, has there been no good attendant on thus honouring them ? Does the clergyman who, by many years' attention to their wants, has earned the respect of his parishioners, think of nothing but the teapot they will present to his wife ? The good landlord of nothing beyond the piece of plate he will have offered him by his tenantry ? There are, no doubt, but too many testimonials now-a-days that are little merited by those who pocket them. We do not rank, how- ever, the premium for good service to the farm- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. servant to be amongst these. We cannot but con- sider it as an honour fairly earned, and one the recognition of which carries all the force of a good example with it. We could have wished that more practical men had taken part in this discussion. It will be observed that siich as did were all ready to dispute the wholesale condemnation which they gathered to be the intent of Mr. Morton's paper. This, though, was denied by that gentleman, and the practical benefit instanced of rewards offered for skilled industry. We can speak our- selves personally to the striking improvement in many districts, mainly attributable to the estabUsh- meut of these societies. By their influence the labourer has become not only a better workman, but a better man ; and what we take to be Mr. Morton's mistake is, that while he admits the one end, he does anything but due justice to the other. We may test his conclusions by the experience of one of his own correspondents : — "I have been in the almost sole management of the Rodiiig Labourers' Friend Society for twelve or thirteen years, and have never found any reason to abate the favourable opinion I have always entertained of its beneficial operation, both upon masters and labourers, for I do not think the effect is solely confined to the labouring class. I think one great good has been in drawing the employer and the employed more closely together, and thereby more intimately identifying their mutual interest?, from which has been fostered a greater kindliness of feeling towards each other, which has to a great exteut resisted the disassociating spirit of the age. My own feeling on the subject is borne out generally by the farmers of the district — that the labourers are more skilful, they have a more tender regard for character, and they value a good name, especially connected with this society. I can safely aver that scarcely a prizeman amongst us has ever been found to disgrace the recommendation of his master, based, as it strictly is with us, on good moral conduct." Our own opinion, we must say, is altogether in accordance with the reverend gentleman who thus writes, and with " the farmers of the district." ON THE PRESENT POLICY OF OUR LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETIES. The usual monthly meeting took place on Monday, June 5th, at the Club House, Blackfriars ; Mr. Pain, of Felmersham, in the chair. The subject — " On the present policy of our Labourers' Friend Societies" — was introduced by Jlr. Morton, who said : I confess it was not because of my belief in the great influence of Labourers' Friend So- cieties on the condition of the labouring population that I ventured to suggest their present policy as being worthy of the attention of this club. Scattered, as such societies art;, at such wide intervals over the country — with such an extensive field, therefore, to each, over which it has to administer what power it may possess — their influence cannot be very great. And I believe that there are few gentlemen resident ia country localities, who have taken an interest in the welfare of the labourers around them , but must feel that that has been comparatively little in- fluenced in this particular way. No doubt the hearty union of many in pursuit of any object renders that ob- ject easier and more likely of attainment ; but if the ob- ject be, as in the case of most of our Labourers' Friend Societies it professedly is, the moral improvement of the district, I believe it will be found that individual influ- ence and example, and not that of societies, is the only really useful and efficient agent. No one, I think, will dispute the opinion that a single energetic man, an em- ployer of labour, whether he be a farmer or a manufac- turer, with a personal character for rectitude and benevolence— kind enough to wish his neighbours well, and wise enough as well as able to work for that end, as well as wish it — will exert a far more powerful and suc- cessful influence for good upon the labourers around him, than any society, with its system of direct rewards, could hope to do, though it held its meetings in the market town close by, and was supported by all the gentlemen in the county. Although, however, the power of such societies may not be great, yet it is something ; and being directed to an object which we all feel to be of the very highest importance, it is greatly to be desired thit it be directed aright ; and as it is certain that the discus- sions and the resolutions of the Central Farmers' Club do exert a considerable guiding influence on many of the local Agricultural Societies, I hope that the present policy of these societies, in reference to the agricultural labourer, will this evening receive full and dispassionate consideration. In the first place, then, what is the pre- sent policy of our local Labourers' Friend Societies ? That is to be gathered from their prize lists and their rules ; and in order to answer this question I have gone through the rules and the reports of upwards of 50 of the local societies of England, and of many more in Scotland and in L-eland. I do not refer to farmers' clubs and discussional societies, of which there used to be many, and are still a few in this country, but to local agricul- tural societies, established, if we adopt the title of the South Cheshire Association, " for the encouragement of agricultural enterprise, and the promotion of industrious and moral habits among the labouring portion of the community." The- fourth general rule of the Cow- fold (Sussex) Association puts the objects and the policy of these societies still more plainly. It is as fol- lows— "That two classes of prizes be offered by the association : Class I., for the encouragement of enter- prise amongst the farmers ; Class IT., for good conduct and skill amongst labourers." On the any- class of means employed I am not about to say first thing ; the subject on the card confines me to the second — the means employed by agricultural societies for the benefit of the labourer. These means have, as the words quoted indicate, two objects in view — the promotion, namely, of good conduct and of skill. It so happens, that among upwards of 100 letters which I received two or three years ago from the secretaries of these societies, in answer to a request for information, only two referred to the influence which it was believed such societies 40 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. were exerting in this country. The one letter referred to their influence on the skill cf the labourer, and the other to their influence on his moral standing ; and as these letters state pretty faii'ly the opinion on the sub- ject which I should like to see embodied in this evening's resolution, I will read them. The first is from the secretary of the Isle of Thanet Sheep -shearing Society. He states — " The object of this society is to improve the labourers that perform such work, and to encourage them, by rewarding them with prizes ; and I certainly can state that they have very much improved since this and similar societies have been formed." Here, I take it, is a testimony to the success of these attempts, by exciting emulation, to increase the skill and the efficiency of the labourer. My second testimony is from the hon. secretary of the Northallerton Agricultural Society. He states that that society is supported directly by the best names amongst the well-known agriculturists and breeders of Yorkshire, and that it thus has advantages over many other local societies ; but as to the influence of its rewards for good conduct, for long servitude, or avoiding parish relief, he says — "Having an oppor- tunity of witnessing the practical working of the society, I am enabled to say that the premiums to agricultural labourers produce little or no good, either to the labour- ers as a body, or to their employers ; and, in my opinion, there would be far more wisdom in offering premiums to the best cultivated gardens or plots of land than in the present supposed method of rewarding the poorer classes. Probably the best proof of this view of the case is, that there is scarcely any competition for the premiums at present offered, and the labourers can only be induced to compete at the suggestion of their mas- ters. I may add, in corroboration of the last remark, a sentence which I find at the foot of the prize list of a Cheshire association : " Members of the association are particularly requested by the committee to endeavour to induce cottagers in their respective neighbourhoods to become candidates for the premiums offered for their competition." Vi'ell then, the second letter bears, I think, a testimony to the inefficiency of the system of money rewards as incitements to improved moral con- duct. These two letters, then, state plainly enough the usefulness of attempting, by money rewards, to escite to greater skill; and the uselessness of attempting, by money rewards, to induce a higher moral standing. They exactly state the opinions on the subject which I hold myself, and which I should be very glad to see em- bodied in a resolution of this club. These letters are, as I have said, of several years ago ; but it is plain that their value as evidence is altogether independent of their date. I may mention, by the way, that the greater number of the reports of these societies which I have examined within the last few days are of two or three years ago ; but those of the past, and even of the present season, which I have also seen, maintain their original character ; and 1 believe, therefore, that I am safe in reading the present policy of our Labourers' Friend Societies in these reports a few years ago, as well as of the present time, which I have in my possession, rirst, as to prizes for evidence of skill, [A prize list was here read, in which rewards to ploughmen, shepherds, hedgers, thatchers, hoers, barnsmen, hop-dryers, dairy- maids, chaff cutters, shoeing smiths, allotment tenants, and cottagers (for bread, domestic economy, neatness, &c.), were offered for skill in their respective operatioRS and proceedings.] The second division includes premiums for good con- duct. I see the Cowfold Society has a rule, " That no labourer is entitled to receive premiums who cannot produce a printed certificate of good conduct from their respective ministers at the annual meeting." I see, too, that what are called clergymen's prizes are or were offered by the North-East Hants Agricultural Association:— The Clergymen's Prize of 31. 3s. will be given to tlie agri- cultural labourer, or the now disabled cottager, who was an agricultural labourer, who, living within the circle of the North-East Hants Association, shall obtain from his parochial minister, and one churchwardeu, the highest character for honesty, industry, sobriety, attention to his children's educa- tion, and his own religious duties ; the certificate must parti- cularly state, if he and his family are regular in their attend- ance on divine worship, at his own parish church. The Clergymen'3 Prize of Two Guineas in like manner to some single woman, widow or spinster, above the age of 55 years, &c., ia like manner. I cannot but think, notwithstanding my full sympathy with those who offer such prizes, in the object which I presume them to have had in view, that this way of attaining it is altogether mistaken. I would submit to you that a money reward for honesty is an absurdity ; that a money reward for industry should be given in the form of wages ; that a money reward for attention to religious duties is apt to be a premium upon hypocrisy. Let us now, however, go through the ordinary list of premiums offered by these societies in encouragement of good conduct. [The second division of the prize list was here gone through : it included prizes to the labourer who has brought up " the largest number of children born in wedlock without parish relief"; to him who has " placed out the greatest number in respectable service" ; prizes for "long servitude in the same family"; for widows who have maintained families without parish relief ; for those who have required the least aid during " the visitation of sickness"; for the oldest men who can prove they have not been convicted of crime ; for those who "have supported impotent relations"; for those who have put by most money, or who have sub- scribed longest to a benefit society.] This, then, I think, pretty fairly represents the course pursued by our local agricultural societies, so far as their efforts for the benefit of our labourers are concerned. I am afraid that I must now for a few minutes still fur- ther try your patience, while I allude to the alterations which might, I believe, be usefully made in it. Firstj however, 1 should say that the rewards for good conduct are confined to England. I find them as far south as Cornwall, and as far north as Kirkby Stephen, and Pen- rith ; but they do not cross the border. The nearest approach to anything of the kind in Scotland is a prize given for neatly-managed cottages and gardens, which I see announced in the list of an East Lcthian society. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 41 I am informed, however, by Mr. Hope, of Fenton Barns, that no rewards of any kind are now ofTered to labourers in East Lothian. And I am informed by Mr. Hall Maxwell, the Secretary to the Highland Society, that while they encourage cottages, gardens, hedge-cutting, draining work, &c., they never had prizes for long service or numerous families, and their premiums, such as they are, consist of medals and money, not of coat and buttons. In Ireland, again, no such rewards are offered. In most districts there, indeed, there is not generally that distinction between labourers and occupiers of the land that there is with us, and the prizes are confined to £2 and £1 rewards for small plots of well-managed crops, whose cultivation it is desired to encourage. Well, then, having thus stated what the methods adopted by our English societies for the benefit of labourers are, we are in a position to criticise them. As to the first division of their efforts, no difference of opinion will exist. The excitement of emulation is the best way of increasing skill ; and the only thing of im- portance will be to direct the rivalry aright, so that it shall include all the processes and operations in which the agriculture of the district is interested. Mr. Bailey Denton, a member of this society, I believe, was the first to start draining matches, and I see they are now ad- vertised pretty generally as a feature in the local agri- cultural meetings. Digging matches, too, are not uncommon at Irish meetings. I see, too, an offer by a Cheshire society which I think deserves to be generally made — " For the invention or improvement of any im- plement in husbandry, ^1 ;" thus directing the attention of labourers to the means of facilitating their own work. On the second head, however — i. e., as to the rewards bearing upon good conduct— excepting possibly those relating to benefit societies and savings' banks, both my own feeling and judgment would be for sweeping the whole affair away, as being generally mis- chievous, and always mistaken. I am entirely ignorant as to what the feeling of this society may be upon the subject, and do not know, therefore, what detail of argu- ment or persuasion may be needed in defence of my position. I may, however, say that it is one which is held by many gentlemen well known in the country generally as agriculturists, and well known by labourers, as well as others in their own localities, as good neigh- lours. Perhaps sufficient credit is hardly given to those who are for upsetting this system of rewards, not only for the perfect sympathy which certainly they feel in the benevolent object for which this premium system is devised, but also for the experience which many of them undoubtedly possess in all the circumstances and pecu- liarities of English country life. I could quote a letter which I lately received from Mr. Hope, of Fenton Barns, in East Lothian, a well known Scottish agriculturist, con- demning the practice — which is altogether opposed to the general feeling there — of money rewards for long servi- tude, and so on; but it would be said that he does not \inderstand the circumstances of English village life, and being altogether ignorant of the kind of feeling out of which this practice has arisen, of course his opinion ought not to influence us. This cannot, Jiowever, be said of many an English opponent of the plan— some of whom, I hope, are present now — and I will be bold to say it cannot be truthfully said even of myself. I have had the good fortune to know something of many Eng- lish farmers, in various grades of intelligence and wealth, from the small occupier up to the leading tenant in a parish. I don't know where any happier picture of in- telligent and useful social life could be obtained than was for many years presented in a quiet country village, not far from where I lived, where the leading occupier — and therefore the leading man in the parish — was an enter- prising agriculturist, in extensive business, gaining prizes at the local and the county shows — a wise and kind-hearted master too, winning the affections as well as securing the services of his men, and a Christian gen- tleman, influencing for good his equals as well as his in- feriors. Those who were fortunate enough to be fre- quent visitors at the hospitable old court-house, which was the residence upon his farm, cannot be called igno- rant of the character of English country life, as it is when at its best. This gentleman was, I suppose,- the advocate of the money rewards for good conduct in labourers — at least, I have, on looking over some old society books within the last two or three days, seen his name as re- commending labourers for such premium ; but I am quite sure it was bis personal character alone that made that village what it was — his personal character, and that of his family, and not the influence of the society whose rewards the labourers received, thatmade them what they were and are. I am afraid you will think that in making this allusion I am running away from the subject, but I have referred to this instance simply in order to show that it is not in ignorance of the relationship of master and servant, as seen in many an English farm, that I hold the opinion I have expressed on the impolicy of these prize lists of many an English society. I will now state my objections in succession. (1.) The first pro- bably would be to money rewards or material advantages of any kind as excitements to moral improvement. Of course the morality of any conduct depends altogether upon its motive ; and if you say that it has been with the view of gaining this £Z, £2, or £1 reward that such a man has supported his impotent father, punctually attended his parish church, or abstained from crime, or even retained his place upon the farm, or struggled on without parish relief, then I say that, compared with an- other who has done none of these, he is not necessarily the better man of the two. If you say this money is not offered as a prize for competition, but as a reward in ac- knowledgment of services rendered, then I would reply, first, it is in effect a prize, for candidates appear, and a few only are successful ; and, secondly, unless it be a prize, i, e., unless it act as a stimulant to good conduct in others, it is utterly useless. For this is the professed object of the society, the promotion of industrious and moral habits among the labouring population. (2. J Let me say, too, that I think this supposed object is not suffi. ciently kept in view, to the entire exclusion of every- thing else, by some of the societies whose rules I have read. It is not altogether clear, from some of these prizes, that the interest of the occupiers, as much as of 42 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the labourers, has not been the leading motive in the offers made. It is a very good thing for the labourer, no doubt, to strengthen the independent feeling which shall lead him to avoid parish assistance ; but the offer of money to him with that end in view, and that too by an association of rate-payers, must, at the best, be a very doubtful method of attaining it. (3.) It may be a good thing (I do not think it necessarily is) to encourage labourers to remain for a length of time in one place ; but that is not to be done by a county association: it is to be done by the master himself when he has got a good servant, and by the servant him- self when he has got a good master. The thing is as merely private and mutual arrangement as can be conceived ; and it is, I think, placing it in a wrong position to bring it out before a public society. It is as much a thing for the benefit of the master as it is for the benefit of the servant ; and it is as much a thing to the credit of the master as it is to the credit of the servant. Let them be satisfied with their own mutual advantage and private friendship, which are in themselves their own true reward. If any other reward must be given, the master deserves it as much as the labourer ; and I was glad to see this acknowledged by the Devon Agricultural Society, in whose report of several years ago I read: — "To the Rev. W. H. Arundell, of Cheriton-Fitzpaine, with whom John Cockram has lived during a servitude of 43 years, a silver medal. To John Cockram, aged 82, who has lived with the Rev. W. H. Arundell, as above, and has always been strictly honest, industrious, and sober, 1/. 10s." If Mr. Arundell and John Cockram were mutually satisfied with their position, no reward v/as needed ; if not, then, any merit belonging to either must have been that of patience under dissatisfaction. That may have been a proper subject for reward or not. (4). But even if it was, I cannot believe that rewards of this kind, offered to old age, can have an influence on younger men at the age when character is forming, and wlien alone such influences are of any use whatever. (5.) They are not only of no use to others, but how paltry and meagre, inadequate, and altogether unfit an acknow- ledgment they are in the case of the individuals them- selves, every one must feel. How many instances might be gathered up of this. Here are some: — "To the oldest agritultural lal:ourers, above the age of 65 years, who can show by full and well-authenticated testimonials that they have been of good character, Rees Hopkin, Tythegstone, 87 years of age, 3/; David Davies, Ewenny, 81 years of age, 21. ; Evan Hopkin, IVlargam, 78 years of age, \l. To the aged labourer, who shall have brought up the greatest number of his own legitimate children to the age of seven years, with- out parochial relief, John Mathew, Laleston, 3/., having brought up 19 children, above seven years of age, with- out parochial relief; John Jones, Coity, 21., having brought up 10 children above seven years of age, without parochial relief. The society's rewards of 21. each for long and faithful servitude: to \Vm. Little, servant to H. N. Goddard, Esq., of Cliff House, 45 years; to Tho«. Picknell, servant to Mr. Daniel Tanner, j of Shipton Moyne, 45 years ; to Thos. Packer, servant to Mr. Wm. Henley, of Thornhill, 45 years; to Wm. Harding Hawkins, servant to Mr. Isaac Salter, of Kington Langley, 38 years :" and so on. Of course, the men were glad enough to get the two sovereigns a- piece ; but as to any addition to their self-respect in receiving the money, in acknowledgment of half a century of faithful service, or as to any influence on the younger men around them, which these rewards are supposed to have, I believe them to be utterly useless. No wonder, I should say, that the competition for these rewards is diminishing. I should think the higher of any district when it had altogether ceased. There is no lack of competition for prizes offered for skill in plough- ing, or in other agricultural operations ; but there is for those for servitude, and for not coming on the parish, and for benevolence. I see at last year's meeting of the Oxton (Derbyshire) Agricultural Society, 13 com- petitors entered at the ploughing match, 10 for hedging, but no competition existed for the prizes offered to women for long servitude ; and although the names of men receiving prizes under similar circumstances are given, no intimation is given of the number of com- petitors for these prizes. Their probable influence, however, may be gathered from' the following terms, in which one of them is announced : — " To the most meri- torious labourer— 1st prize, 15s., to William Steemson, 37 years servant to H. Sherbrooke, Esq., and his pre- decessor ; 2nd, 7s. 6d., to William Gregory, 3 years and 8 months servant to Mr. Tliurman." It is only fair to add here, however, that I this morning received a letter from the Rev. W. Shepherd, of Margaret Roding, Essex, giving an account of the doings of the Roding Labourers' Friend Society, and that they present a striking exception to the general experience of such societies, so far as I ha,ve seen their reports; indeed, the whole affair presents such an extraordinary picture of what, it would appear, may be done by means of this kind, when under careful and attentive management, that the notice which it deserves here would be much better for some one who is prepared to defend such means than from myself. He says :— " Margaret Roding, June 3, 1854. " I have been iu the almost sole management of the Roding Labourers' Friend Society for 12 or 13 years, and have never found any reason to abate the favourable opinion I have always entertained of its beneficial operation, both upon masters and labourers — for I do not think the effect is solely confined to the labouring class. I think one great good has been in drawing the employer and the employed more closely together, and thereby more intimately identifying their mutual interests, from which has been fostered a greater Itiudliness of feeling towards each other, wliich has to a great extent resisted the disassociating spirit of the age. My own fteling on the sub- ject is borne out generally by the farmers of the district — that the labourers are more skilful, they have a more tender regard for character, and they value a good name, especially con- nected with this society. I can safely aver that scarcely a prizeman amongst us has ever been found to disgrace the re- commendation of his master, based, as it strictly is with us, on good moral conduct. This is our first requirement. Wanting tlijs, all the other qunlifications are as nothing ; they are es- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 43 eluded from competition. We have had, of late years, an ave- rage of about 500 certificates yearly, and every certificate is closely scrutinized by an open committee, before admitted to further trial. The prizes are all given in money. In some so- cieties tickets are given, not payable for some days ; in others, clothes, or both. My own feeling is, money is the best, accompanied in the principal classes with a memorial of merit. If the man is deserving to be recommended, he ought to be trusted that he will make a good use of his money. If not trustworthy, the reward is a mockery. The system ip now so generally understood and acted upon, that the preliminary committee — the grand jury— are seldom called upon to reject a candidate. That a spirit of emulation is excited and kept up, is very apparent. That a man feels himself of more import- ance after receiving a mark of public approbation, is not to be doubted. Every prizeman becomes a public man ; and a sense of that adds to his feelings of responsibility, that he should not lose his elevated position. I would add, in reference to length of service (divided into three classes, as you will see in the ac- companying biin, we had last year in the Old Class 35 candi- dates, whose average length of service was 35 years ; in the Middle Class 22 candidates, averaged 21 years; and the Youths 16 candidates, 10^ years' service. Ths previous year presented a similar average, and this, too, after the society had been in operation 14 years. Our prizes are distributed in the field from a waggon, and the attendance, last year, in spite of a drenching rain, was several hundreds of people of all classes." I have thought it fair to read this letter, as of course I want to obtain a victory only for the truth in this matter. My own opinion in reference to such a case as this is, that it is the per- sonal influence of such a man as Mr. Shepherd, and not that of the association, that is here the really acting cause of the success ; or if that be not strictly the state of the affair, that at any rate it is personal and not society influence that produces the result. It is not a county society — it includea only two or three parishes ; the candidates are known to one another, and to the men who are assembled to reward them ; and I can imagioe a prize and testimony to character under such circum- stances to be valued by labouring men, when one of a merely oilicial character, such as would be awarded by a lot of stran- gers, would be valueless. Be that as it may, I suppose Mr. Shepherd's experience ought to have some influence on our de- cision, and I tlierefore give the account as he has forwarded it to me. It does not at all alter my opinion as to the much lower status of the labouring man, in a district where these rewards are sought, than in one where they would be despised. The question raised as to the men being trusted with money rather than clothing, I think confirms this view. It is somewhat as if they werealotof children — good indeed, but still whomitwas advisable to keep out of these little temptations. Certain it is, that no rewards of such a kind, or of any kind, are offered in East Lo- thian, for instance; where, if they were offered ~I allude to those for large families of legitimate children, and for benevolent attention to impotent relations, and for abstinence from parish relief — they would be looked upon as a positive insult ; and yet id East Lothian. Mr. Stepheuson bears this testimony to the character of the working men : — "Nowhere does there exist more of that community of feel- ing and that friendship of relation which ought to subsist between the employer and the employed than in this county. The servants not only occaBionally suggest improvements, but endeavour to carry out what is novel, whether in the adoption of new implements, or of what is new in practice. On some farais the same families^have sustained the relation of masters and servants for at least two generations, and it may be men- tioned, as a striking proof of the general trustworthiness of the men, that a considerable proportion of the grain is sold bj them in the stock markets, they giving delivery and receiving payment. We have heard of one instance only where this trust was misplaced, every sixpence of the money being always faithfully accounted for." Now of course English management must be adapted to English circumstances, but I think it deserves the grave consideration of the managers of our Labourers' Friend Societies whether they will adopt a system which does, I submit, tend to stereotype the present position of our men, which is that of obedient and almost child-like de- pendence where they are good, and of course, therefore, ignorant and reckless blackguardism where they are bad ; or whether, on the contrary, they ought not to aim rather at the encouragement of manly self-reliance, not only in the matter of personal support, but in intel- lectual standing and mental independence, without which all other sources of independence are but artificial props undeserving of our confidence. Such are the props, in my opinion, supposed to be erected by these prizes for long servitude, and not coming on ths rates. I will make a last remark on this point in answer to an ob- jection which may perhaps be raised. It may be said, " You are altogether mistaken in the character of these rewards ; no one thinks of them as prizes except your- self. They are testimonials of respect — expressions of goodwill and gratitude — certificates of character, or what else you please : they are not premiums or rewards for good behaviour. A master has had a servant for years in his own service and that of his father before him ; sincere esteem has long been entertained for his charac- ter, and gratitude for his services ; he looks about for some way to express the sense he entertains of his value as a servant, and of his character as a man ; and he finds no way so well adapted for the purpose as recommend- ing him to the county association which stands thus ready to his hand. Now, in answer to that, I take it that the gratification of the employers' gratitude, and the improvement of the labourer's character, are two entirely distinct objects. If I were asked to sub- scribe to any such county association, and v/ere convinced that the latter of these objects was likely to be forwarded by the methods it employed, I would heartily lend what assistance I could ; but if I were told it was a machinery which had little more than the effect, whatever its pro- fessed object might be, of dividing amongst a number of members the task of expressing the gratitude of a few of that number, I should certainly have nothing to do with it. Surely if any one feels this gratitude he is bound to express it himself, without the assistance of a society. I hope that nothing that has been said will appear as if spoken either in ignorance, or in disregard of the real worth of character one often finds amongst agricultural labourers, especially, I would say, amongst those who have been long in the service of the same family. It is because its worthiness is high above, and altogether out of the field of £ s. d. considerations, that I would do away with these money rewards ; and it is because its influence is unaffected by society- certificates of abstinence from crime, or from parish relief (apparently the next worse thing)— of length of 44 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. servitude, freedom from intoxication, and so on — that I would leave our labouring men to the rewards of con- science, and to the respect of friends and neighbours, as the natural and only proper testimonial — one, how- ever, which a long and useful life will always secure for them. There will be plenty of scope for La- bourers' Friend Societies though all the money rewards for good behaviour were swept away. All rewards for skill should be retained, and for the rest they can- not do more for the interest of the labourer than by en- couraging enterprise amongst the farmers. If 12 tenant farmers — Mr. Mechi's neighbours — were locked up till they should arrive at a verdict upon the agricultural merits of Tiptree Hall Farm ,"^ it is possible that they might sustain some considerable length of imprisonment ; but place 12 of the labouring men of Tiptree Hall in that position, and I will engage their foreman shall have their verdict ready in five minutes. There can be no doubt that agricultural energy and enterprise is greatly for the benefit of the agricultural labourer. That I can say from some experience, for I will claim this credit for the Whitfield (so-called) Example Farm, that the character of the labourer in its neighbourhood has been greatly altered for the better, as the result directly and indirectly of its establishment. The blackguardism of that neigh- bourhood is very much reduced ; the public-houses are the places of information about that, and they will tell you. The gamekeepers will report less poaching ; the shoemaker, baker, and grocer make a little better living than they used ; cottages are improved, their inhabitants are improved as well ; evenings are spent in the allot- ment ground that used to be spent in the tap-room ; and friendly societies, and savings banks, and building socie- ties have inci'eased their hold upon the people ; and yet no Labourers' Friend Society, that I know of, has ever done anything for that neighbourhood— no money re- ward, that I have ever heard of, has been received by any person in the place ; nor has any one been encouraged to maintain his independence, by the offer of a prize to him who should bring up the largest family without assist- ance from the parish. The facts are these : — A greater quantity of labour has been employed, and wages have been paid as much as possible by the piece j and for the rest, thanks to the wise benevolence of the late Earl Ducie, a chapel and a school-room were erected, and day and Sunday schools established ; and influences there were put in exercise, compared with which, in their effect upon the rising young men of that neighbourhood, any system of money rewards offered, whetlier for servitude or independence, can be little better than a mockery. Apart from the strictly agricultural societies, I would regard the British and Foreign School Society and the National Society, and probably the Emigration Commission, as the best societies which had yet been seen. They have all had a hand in the alteration for the better which the neighbourhood of Whitfield Example Farm exhibits, indirectly, as I have said, as the result of its esablish- ment. I would say, in conclusion, that every Local Labourers' Friend Society should endeavour to encourage education within its limits ; that it should encourage the operations of benefit societies, of savings banks, and especially of that best of all savings banks for the em- ployment of scraps of time, the allotment system; that it should avoid everything having a pauperising or dependence- producing tendency, keeping in view the maxim which involves a most important truth in material things, as well as in others—" that to him that hat/i shall be given;" that on this ground it should devise means for encouraging the payment of wages by the piece ; that it should try to guide, and possibly to encourage the spirit of emigration in its district ; that it should direct its chief attention to the offer of rewards for evidence of skill, whether in agricultural, horticultural, or more domestic operations ; and lastly, that it should abstain from all attempts to influence by money rewards such matters as religious duty, benevolence, or personal morality, where higher motives alone ought to have an influence. I shall be exceedingly glad if any experienced member of this society shall see his way to the proposal of a resolution having especial reference to the last of these points. Mr. Acton said he wished some more practical member of the Club had risen before he attempted to explain the rules of Friendly Societies. Tiie gentleman who opened the question for discussion seemed to con- sider the policy good ; but it was a mere act of simple charity, having no moral influence, and that money should be given to them in the shape of wages rather than as premiums. Now, he entirely differed with him, because he thought we were greatly indebted to those societies for estabhshing prudent habits amongst the labourers, and by means of those premiums, however small, and which the opener seemed to cast a slur upon as being more applicable to those aged persons who had brought up the largest number of children, than to the young and skilful in industrial pursuits. Now, he considered that those premiums, owing to the small rate of wages which they earned in many counties, formed nest-eggs for savings' banks and benefit societies, towards a provision for sickness and old age ; and as the gentleman had mentioned those societies, he would refer to Mr. Tidd Pratt's book on Friendly Societies. Ever since the year 1828 the Government had had societies like those referred to by the opener of the question — it did not matter what was their precise name — under their care. The 9 and 10 Vic. ensured the payment of money on the death of members to their wives and families, and prevented frauds in the management of the funds ; and the law gave also a priority of payments of debts, in case officers of a society should become bankrupt or insolvent ; and enrolment was very necessary, and was about to be amended by a bill introduced by Lord Goderich. We now come to the question of wages, which has a great deal to do with this discussion. We find in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Essex, wages are 10s. a week, whilst in Dorsetshire wages are 8s. Labour, we know, is capital, and depends upon the supply and demand for it ; and the greatest misfortune that could befal the labourer is a scarcity of labour, and his consequently being without the means of obtaining subsistence. I believe, then, although these Labourers' Friend Societies might be better managed in some THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 45 respects , still they have a good tendency in supporting a moral influence, greater skill and industry amongst them, and the present policy is good in making them better members of the community. He rejoiced that in Dorsetshire, as well as in some other places, wages had now risen to such an extent, that men could live without resorting to crime or the workhouse. Mr. Nesbit said there were circumstances in Dorset- shire, as regarded the question of wages, which were almost confined to that county ; at all events, they were not to be found in more than one or two others. The labourers were paid to a great extent in kind. He knew a gentleman residing about six miles from Dorchester who compromised his wages for about lis. a week, and he said his men were not so well off as many others ; the perquisites received by labourers on many other farms being more than he paid himself. He entirely agreed with Mr. Morton on .the question of offering money rewards to labourers. No doubt in such games as cricket and football, in which the animal part of man was developed, credit could be given where it was really due : the same might be said with regard to intellectual excellence. In these cases nearly every man was a com- petent judge of what the parties could do, because the result was visible. In any intellectual pursuit, in any pursuit requiring bodily skill, in any kind of machinery, there was room for judging what degree of skill was displayed. But who could say who were the PecksnifTs or Joseph Surfaces of any particular locality? It was impossible to award with precision a prize for religious or moral excellence, because it was impossible to enter, as it were, into the interior of the man, who Avhile in appearance he was very moral and even religious, might in fact be the very reverse. All that could be done by pecuniary rewards was to assist men in exhibiting or con- cealing their peculiarities of character. Mr. Skelton said, before the discussion proceeded any further, he wished to ascertain whether in the subject of Labourers' Fiiend Societies they were to include local agricultural societies ; because they were of a similar character to friendly societies, and occupied a large share of the attention of agriculturists. The Chairman was very glad that this question had been put to him ; for he had felt from the commencement of the discussion that nine out of ten of the gentlemen present probably did not understand the question in the manner in which it appeared to have been understood by Mr. Morton. He (the Chairman) certainly thought that when they spoke of Labourers' Friend Societies, they spoke of societies which labourers had formed among themselves. He did not call a local agricultural society a Labourers' Friend Society. (Hear, hear). It gave rewards, indeed, to labourers, in the manner spoken of by Mr. Morton ; but still it could hardly receive such a designation. There was, however, great difficulty in distinguishing, in this case, between societies formed by labourers, themselves and societies formed for the encouragement of labourers. (Hear, hear). Mr. Morton observed that the question submitted was the policy of societies formed by others for the pur- pose of benefiting labourers, not the policy of societies formed by labourers themselves for their own benefit. In order to obtain the correct designation he went to the societies, and asked them what they called them- selves. He had in his hand the title, " Roding Labour- ers' Friend Society. Mr. Me CHI said there was a society with a similar designation at Witham. A Member observed that the diflference was only in name (Hear, hear). Mr. Mechi said he entirely concurred in the remarks made by Mr. Morton. He agreed with him that local agricultural societies, in off"ering rewards, should be careful in making distinctions ; and that the money contributed — though subscribed with the most benevo- lent intention — was frequently not applied at present to the only proper object, namely, the elevation of the moral and social condition of the agricultural labourer (Hear, hear). With regard to the distribution of re- wards for skill, no one could doubt that the more the labourer was stimulated by the hope of reward, the more likely he was to be skilful in his employment. When, however, he observed the moral, social, and educational condition of labourers generally, he could not help feeling that there was great need for improvement. The condition of the agricultural labourers of a large propor- tion of the district with which he was especially con- nected presented many sad features. They were offer- ing rewards for good conduct ; but, as education was wanting, the labourer had no means of obtaining a good social position. The grossest ignorance prevailed among agricultural labourers. This was one point to which the Labourers' Friend Societies should devote their atten- tion ; for it was quite clear that no man could be a better friend to the labourer than he who endeavoured to fit him for being a more intelligent servant in his own neighbourhood, while he would at the same time be qualifying him for other occupations in other districts to which the improved law of settlement would enable him to apply himself. To show the necessity for exertion in this direction, he would mention that in his own parish, which comprised five or six thousand acres, the total amount raised for education had been £\b per annum. While a threepenny road-rate yielded £80, £\b was all that was raised for educational purposes. The evil of the want of education was not confined in its effects to the labourer : it reacted on the farmer. The more ignorant the labourer was, the less available would he be for improved farming operations. They were put- ting up new improved machinery, and adopting steam on their farms ; and unless the labourer had his condi- tion improved by education, he would not, in times like these, be able to do justice either to himself or to them (Hear, hear). He felt strongly on this point. He felt that they too often began at the wrong end, and that if the object of Labourers' Friend Societies was to be affirmed, they must pursue it by right means. He agreed with Mr. Morton that the investment and diffusion of capital in agriculture had a tendency to improve the morals of the people. On this point he could speak practically ; for he knew that in his own district crime had of lute been reduced below the average in other districts. THE FARMER^S MAGAglNB. Mr. R. Baker fully concurred in the observation of Mr. Mechi, that m this part of the kingdom they hegan at the wrong end in the attempt to effect a reformation of their labourers. No doubt, the proper mode of proceeding would be to give them a good and sound education in the first instance ; and then, when they were introduced to works of manual skill, give prizes to those who best achieved the work they were called upon to do. Whatever encouragement could be given in that direction would be sure to return in tenfold advantage to both master and man. Without condemning the exertions of well-intentioned persons, like the excellent clergyman vvbo had effected so much good in the Roding district of Essex, knowing, as he did, that rev. gentle- man, and the great reformation he had been the means of producing in the district, he must, never- theless, be permitted to say that he had always doubted whether it became any human being to take upon himself to reward a man for his moral conduct — the performance of that which was simply a duty to his family, his neighbour, and his country (Hear). But he vfould look upon such rewards rather in the light of stimulants to others to pursue the path of duty ■ and whatever was done with that view, whatever was done with the praiseworthy motive of advancing the general interests of society, and especially that portion of so- ciety which was so little able to judge for itself, except by the outward application of rewards and punishments, although it might not be placed exactly in the right position, or pursue its end by the best possible means, he should be the last to censure or condemn (Hear), lie further agreed with Mr. Mechi that, if the sums annually spent by these societies in the award of prizes to persons who came under the general denomination of labourers were applied to the education of the children of those who competed for them, an incalculable amount of benefit would ultimately be the result. Let, therefore, the sums which were now given in reward for moral conduct, or particular displays of skill, be applied to the production of a better-educated, more intelligent, and efficient class of labourers. Let the funds which were expended in one direc- tion be diverted to the other ; and if they were not adequate for the purpose, then call upon the govern- ment and the legislature to lend their assistance towards the achievement of this most commendable aim. It was a notorious fact, and one that was disgraceful to the country, that the lower classes universally were not suffi- ciently educated, whilst the vast majority of agricultural labourers were scarcely educated at all. He did not deny that a few attended parish schools, and learnt to read ; but time enough was not allowed them to obtain the amount of information which was necessary to enable them to discharge the duties of their calling, low as it was, in comparison with that of the skilled labourer, the artizan, and mechanic. But it was often said by farmers, if you educate the labourer you unfit him for his station in life, increase his wants without furaishing him the means of supplying them, and render him discontented with his position. He (Mr. Baker) differed from this opiaion in Mo, He believed, on the coiitrary, that by educating him they would draw out his capabilities, and make him a better and more skilful workman, and a more reflective, intelligent, and moral man. His influ- ence for good would be felt around him, and thus a higher principle would be generated and diffused amongst the whole of the labouring portion of the com- munity. In his (Mr. Baker's) neighbourhood, the moral character of the labourer was such, that if one of them committed a theft on his employer, all the others connived at it, and endeavoured to screen the offender. Tills was a most distressing thing to reflect upon ; but he knew it to be a fact. In contrast with this state of things, the conduct of the agricultural labourers of Scotland stood out in bold relief. A few years ago he had a Scotchman to manage his farm, who assuied him that his labourers took every opportunity of robbing him, and that all connived at the practice 3 and he added that, in Scotland, among the labourers to whom he had been accustomed, if one man were detected rob- bing his master, or doing aught else that was illegal and improper, the others would at once insist upon his being removed (Hear, hear). He (Mr. Baker) also found that the men invariably combined against a bailiff who happened to be rather strict in superintending and con- ducting the affairs of the farm. Not having been pre- sent in the room when Mr. Morton's paper was read, he could not venture to express any opinion upon his statements ; but he entirely agreed in what Mr. Mechi had said, and that farmers must look to obtain a better educated class of labourers before they could expect their efforts at improvement in other respects to be attended with the desii'ed success (Hear, hear). Mr. B. Webster said, as regarded education, he wished to observe that, having had to employ some hundreds of labourers at different periods, he had found a large number of them almost useless because they had never attended a school of any kind. As to the price of labour in Dorsetshire, ho could confirm the statement made by Mr. Nesbit. The other day, being in company with a farmer in that county, he mentioned to him the current report that only 7s. a week was paid to labour- ers. The farmer called to him his shepherd, who was close at hand, and said to him that he had altered his plan, and was going to give him 15s. a week instead of paying him in the manner that he did then. The man said — " Please, sir, 1 hope you wont !" Throughout the county of Dorset, he believed, there prevailed a system of payment by perquisites. Mr. Shearer said a similar system existed in Wilts. As regarded Labourers' Societies, or Labourers' Friend Societies, in his own neighbourhood almost every parish had two or three societies of that description. The point to which he wished especially to direct attention was, that in the last twelve years there had been several failures for the want of enrolment (Hear, hear). It was highly expedient that all such societies should be en- rolled, and that the rules should be properly framed, by which means the misfortunes which had arisen in his own district might be avoided. The Rev. Mr. Twells said he concurred in the opinion of the opener of the discussion, that it was much tHE FARMEH^S MAGAZINE. 4t better to educate the child than to reward the old man who was sinking into the grave ; and he believed that an enlightened regard for their own interest would induce farmers to educate the children of labourers. The manu- facturers were perfectly aware of the benefit which re- sulted from attention to this matter, and were doing everything they could to improve the moral and religious character of the operative class by promoting the educa- tion of the childreu ; and, in his opinion, farmers would consult their own interest, as well as that of the labour- ing class, by encouraging the moral and religious educa- tion of the poor in their several neighbourhoods. It was a slow process, but an easy one, and it went to the root of the matter (Hear, hear). He also thought that the establishment of good friendly societies— by which he meant clubs enrolled according to Act of Parliament, in which the savings of the provident labourer rested on a good and secure basis, and were treasured up for his old age or sickness, or for bis widow and children after his decease — was a most excellent mode of benefiting and raising the condition of the labourer (Hear, hear). Residing as he did in an agricultural district, he had ob- served a marked superiority in Scotch labourers ; and this he attributed entirely to the circumstance of their having received a superior moral and religious education (Hear, hear). How was the defect to be supplied .' The blame was not to be thrown on the Government; for it was only the other day that a Government Bill for improv- ing the education of the poor in Scotland was rejected in the House of Commons. If the condition of the labour- ing class was to be improved, it must bo by means of liberal contributions in aid of their moral and religious education. That would have a much greater effect in raising their condition than anything else ; and his own experience tended to show that there were good school- masters and good schoolmistresses. The poor were disposed to make great sacrifices in order to send their children to school (Hear, hear). Mr. CfvEssingham said he was living in a district (Croydon) which was partly agricultural and partly manufacturing, and where great efforts were being made, in which the farmers co-operated, to improve the educa- tional condition of the poor. He thought that exertions were being generally put forth for that end ; and he should be sorry if trom what had passed that evening the inference was drawn that in the opinion of the club little or nothing was being done to educate the agricultural poor (Hear, hear). The idea that by educating the labouring classes you made them worse servants, had now almost died away (Hear, hear). It had been observed that they could not produce moral and religious conduct by giving rewards. He admitted that in the abstract that view was correct ; but it must be recollected that example had its effect (Hear, hear). By bringing a man out, as it were, in bold relief before his fellow -creatures, they might create a desire to imitate him ; for those who saw him would be sagacious enough to know why he was thus brought forward (Hear, hear). It was, in his opinion, useful to set a man up as worthy of receiving a testimonial of approbation. It was very desirable to collect statistics with regard to the persons who ob- tained these rewards. As far as their appearance went, he had often been struck with admiration. The Chairman said he must declare his conviction that too little importance had been attached that evening to the system pursued by what were called agricultural societies towards the labouring population of the king- dom (Hear, hear). It might be that in the case of the old men referred to, no great good was effected in a moral point of view ; but it must be recollected that the object of such societies was to reward the skilful (Hear, hear). They had in these societies rewards of different kinds. They had rewards for drainage, rewards for hedging, rewards for sheep-shearing, rewards for shep- herds who brought up the greatest number of lambs. He believed that all these rewards acted as a stimulus, and did a great deal of good ; and he should be sorry if Mr. Morton's remarks that evening created an impres- sion elsewhere that they had done no good at all (Hear). Mr Morton intimated that he had not meant to pro- duce such an impression. The ChairmxVN thought his remarks had that ten- dency (Hear, hear). He did not mean to say that it was intended, but some of the allusions assumed so ironical a form that he feared that such might be the result ; and, as one who was much attached to a society of that description, he could not refrain from giving ex- pression to his feelings on the subject (Hear, hear). He did not find fault \^ith Mr. Morton, who had peculiar views on some points, and had, no doubt, brought for- ward the subject with great talent; but he thought that, while they were considering the improvement which might be derived from one source, they ought not to overlook that which had been derived from another (Hear, hear). On behalf not only of the society with which he was immediately connected, but also of others in his neighbourhood, he begged to claim credit for the best intentions in this matter (Hear, hear) ; and to show that in the case of deserving individuals age had no mo- nopoly, he begged to say that, in his district, after an individual had received a reward he was not allowed to present himself again until after the lapse of a certain number of years. If at the end of that period he were still a deserving person, he might receive another reward. From Mr. Morton's remarks, it might be sup- posed that some of the rewards were a mere premium for getting children (laughter). He used the expression advisedly. Those, however, who had lived near an agri- cultural village must be aware that there was a class of persons who, at a certain period, seemed always to come to the parish for relief ; and it was well that societies should show them that it was their duty, if possible, to maintain themselves and their families by their own ex- ertions, and to keep independent of the parish. In this way, he had no doubt, rewards had a good tendency. At all events, the motive was good, whatever might have been the effect. He had made these remarks becuuse he had thought there was a danger that agricultural societies would be considered rather at a discount from a report of the proceedings of that evening (laughter). Mr. Morton said he highly approved and com- mended the motive by which the egricultural societies 48 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. were actuated in granting these premiums. But, whilst he fully sympathized with them in their object, he thought they employed mistaken means in order to its accomplishment. Mr. Skelton, as a practical man, living in a purely agricultural district, could bear testimony to the im- mense good that arose from the present system of con- ducting agricultural labourers' societies. The annual meeting of the society in liis neighbourhood was uni- versally regarded as the most interesting event in the year. Employers and employed assembled together in one room ; the prizes were awarded, the minister of the parish addressed the audience ; and the influence of the proceedings was, he believed, deeply felt by all classes of the population (Hear, Lear). That he took upon himself to assert, as the result of his own observation. Much good was undoubtedly produced — there was no use in denying that. He could not, therefore, see the wisdom or propriety of indulging in any censure of tlie societies upon the subject. If there were a better way of effecting the same object, let it be adopted. Mr= R. Baker then moved, and Mr. Body seconded, the following resolution : " That this meeting is of opinion that the object of all Labourers' Priend societies should be to obtain the utmost advaucemeut in the general couduct, skill, and ability of the labourers ; that the efforts of such societies should be directed to the establislitnent of a belter system of education than at present exists ; and that they should offer suitable rewards to those who attain to the greatest proficiency and skill in their respective avocations." The resolution was agreed to unanimously ; and a vote of thanks to Mr. Morton for his able paper, and another to Mr. Pain, as chairman, terminated the pro- ceedings. STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE The Government sometime since was announced to be well satisfied with the result of the partial attempt made to collect the statistics of agricul- ture. Of the several systems resorted to in carry- ing out this experiment, none can be associated with anything like a failure. The feeling of the country was, in fact, far too favourable to the pro- ject to suffer it to fall, however imperfect or ill- devised the machinery with which it was intro- duced. There has been but little, though, to com- plain of, even here; and the point would now appear to be only which is the best of the many methods, either tested or suggested ? It has al- ready been our office to call attention to some of the more able of the latter. It may be not out of place in turn to give a little consideration to such plans as have been tried, with the further improvements which those who have been first engaged in using them would propose to adopt. In the object so far obtained, Scotland unquestion- ably enjoys the greatest share of success. The experiment in that part of the kingdom may from the first be recorded as something very like a perfect one. This may be attributable to one of two causes, or rather, perhaps, to a happy union of the two, The machinery employed may have been better, or the people better inclined to work it. In England, as we know, after much threaten- ing and great talking, some few gentlemen were actually found with sufficient strength of mind to refuse to bring ruin on their heads by filling up the papers sent them. We thus arrive at a two or three per cent, deficiency, that was certainly made the most of at the time; and example always has some eftect, particularly when it has to act on a man's fears, and those fears of the most indefinite character. In Scotland, on the other hand, there was no such impediment to deal with. As Mr. Hall Maxwell tells us — and we are almost afraid he is speaking generally of both England and Scotland—" all the leading agricultu rists throughout the country were at one on this point" — as to the advantage, that is, of collecting these statistics. Happily, too, in the north at least, there were no rebels, but all cheerfully and confi- dently following these " leading" men. The Scotch farmer had no fear as to anything which might arise from supplying the information asked of him. The trial was, then, as we have said, a perfect one, and the establishment of a general system of sta- tistics in that part of the kingdom a natural conse- quence. This was officially announced by Mr. Hall Maxwell, at a meeting of the Ayrshire Agricul- tural Association. Few of our readers will re- quire to be reminded that the especial thanks of the community are due to this gentleman, for the energy and ability he has displayed in manag- ing the diflFerent districts — the three counties in Scotland, that is to say— placed under his superin- tendence. To him we have to look for the exposi- tion of the most perfect system yet tried, and it is to this exposition as given to the members of the Ayrshire Society, and St.Quivox Farmers' Club, that we would now call attention. Mr. Maxwell, as we have intimated, does not stay to expatiate on the advantages of these statistics to the farmers ; he takes it for granted they are " all at one" on this point. Others, too, it would seem are equally " at one," as to the benefits which would follow their THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE, 4& collection. Small indeed though the demonstra- tion they have made, it appears " That, duriug the last tea or twelve years, every govern- ment which had been at the head of affairs in this country, no matter what its political opiuions may have been, no matter what differences existed between individual members of these goverumeuts on other subjects, on this point they were all at one — they all recognized the immense advautage of having such a system instituted. He (Mr. Maxwell) had himself corresponded with Lord Clarendon and Mr. Mihier Gibson, ■when they were presiding at the Board of Trade ; and they were both alive lo the importance of the subject. So also was Mr. Labouchere, President of the Board of Trade under Lord John Kussell. Mr. Healey, president of that board in Lord Derby's administration, would have promoted it had he been longer in power; and Mr. Cardvvell, who held the same opinion as his predecessors, had last year given it an experi- mental trial in Roxburghshire, East Lothian, and Suther- land." Mr. Cardweil has no reason to reproach himself for any temerity in making a beginning. The part was but a short prologue to the whole. Mr. Max- well " could not refer to these trials without ex- pressing his gratitude to the farmers of these counties, to whose co-operation and assistance the success of these trials was chiefly to be attributed. Indeed, it was impossible that the object sought by Government could be gained at all, unless they had the co-operation, good-will, and assistance of the farmers." They have all these, so far at any rate, and the result is, " that the inquiry this year is to be carried over the whole of Scotland." It is rarely, we must say, that we have seen a plan in which any harsh collision with the sympathies of the farmer has been more carefully guarded against, or his very prejudices more nicely dealt with. " The whole machinery was formed on the principle of avoid- ing anything like an inquisition into private affairs. He would describe the process. When he had succeeded in making up a list of all the farmers in Scotland, or he would say, all the farmers and occupants of laud in the county of Ayr, every one of these would receive a printed schedule. They would be put to no expense in the matter ; all they had to attend to was to fill it up as speedily as possible, and return it to hira. The schedule would not inquire how many bolls of wheat, or how many tons of potatoes they had laised within the year, nor anything that could bear on taxation. He asked A B what was the total acreage of his land ; how many acres he had in wheat, how many in barley, oats, beans, peas, potatoes, and so on. Beyond that no question was put to any farmer, and even that was not published ; it came to him confidentially. They were also asked to state the number of their horses, cattle, and sheep, subdivided so as to let them know what was breeding and what was feeding stock; but without putting any question to any sheep farmer as to how much wool, or how many lambs, he had in the year. These were the only questions that would be asked of individual farmers, and the answers were to be sent to the Highland Society's Office, addressed to him, and he would treat them as quite confidential; no official but himself would be aware of their contents. In the trials of last year the schedules were col- lected by officers in each district ; but it was found to be a laborious process, and moreover the farmers were as wdhng to send the information direct to himself. Accordingly, this year they just sent a schedule to each farmer to fill up, asking how many acres wheat he has, how many acres potatoes, and so on, for the purpose of making an estimate of the produce. He took this county and parcelled it out into districts ; and, as an instance, he would take the parishes in Carrick district. He had a roll of all the farmers in these nine parishes, and from the whole returns, he ascertained that there were say 1,000 acres of wheat in that district. Now all that came out to the public was, not that A B had so much, but that in that district there were 1,000 acres of wheat." Here, in our opinion— one we have repeat- edly expressed in commenting on other systems suggested — all direct interrogatory to the farmer should stop. A knowledge of the breadth of land sown with any particular crop is the great point to be arrived at. Many are the methods for proceed- ing after this. Farmers are to strike their own averages — paid commissioners are to travel the country, and so on. Mr. Maxwell, without going quite directly to him, would still make the farmer his chief, if not his only agent. We must confess that, for general use, we cannot but consider this the least promising part of his machinery. It ia not all who will share the enthusiasm of the director. " They would have a committee in the Carrick district — taking it as an instance — that committee consisting of one oi more farmers from each parish. That committee would have a convener called the enumerator. It would be the duty of that committee, before and during harvest, to keep their eyes upon the crops in their respective parishes, and to hear what the opinions of their neighbours were on the subject. After thrashing began, the enumerator would call a meeting of the committee at a convenient time. As every gentleman came with his note, they would consider and decide how many bushels of wheat per acre weight ; and the enumerator would transmit the result to him. He would then write in his notes that a committee called together had found that the average produce of wheat per acre was, say 35 bushels. He had al- ready got in his book that there were so many acres grown in that district ; and he then sent information to Government that in district No. 1, being Carrick, 35,000 bushels of wheat had been grown. Now, he defied any man to say there was any disclosure of piivate affairs there ; or that the returns would be instrumental in taxation, even supposing Govern- ment was inclined to make such a use of them." It is but fair to add that this has already the approval of some of the " leading" agriculturists in Scotland, although scarcely in the specific terras in which Mr. Maxwell details his arrangements. At a recent meeting of the Kelso Farmers' Club, Mr. Dudgeon, of Spylaw, the president, read a very elaborate paper on the subject, in which he thuti refers to this branch of it : — " It was then wisely arranged, in our last year's experiment, that only the acreage extent of the distribution of his possession, as regards crops and grass, should be required from the farmer. The produce, you know, was left to be I afterwards estimated by parties acquainted intimately with the E 50 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. locality. In thia there is uotbing obnoxious, or that can be called inquisitorial. And while I think no other plan will ever recommeail itself to the farmer, I am satisfied a nearer ap- proxi'iiation to truth, as to the amount of produce, will in this way be obtnined than if the estimate was left to be made by the farmer himself. But the enumerator must be a person ■well acquainted with the locality, and with the nature of the soil and maDa^:ement pursued in the district in which he is called upon to act." "We may borrow a word or two from this same practical authority, Mr. Dudgeon, as to the advan- tages his own class may derive from furnishing these statistics. Speaking of the possibility of supplying our own people, and establishing a "profitable occupation," Mr. Dudgeon declares that "To effect this end aud maintain this superiority, I know of nothing that can better contribute than the speedy diffusion of correct information, as to the result of the ditferent modes of operation pursued iu various parts of the country, by the publication of agricultural statistics. It is in this respect, then, it has appeared to me, that agricidture cannot fail to derive real bsnefit from the information embraced in st.ilistical returns of our pgricultural produce. Much, we lincw, is effected by example and a wholesome rivalry ; and hence one great use of having set before us right infcrmation, not only as to our neighbours' progress, but the disparity in productiveness ^hich exists iu different districts of our own kingdom." Because, as he adds, like Mrs. Candour in the play, always most terrible when most truthful — "Agriculturists are a people who remain much at home, and are somewhat limited in their range of vision ; and it is notorious that they have never either acted in concert, nor have they possessed any mode of united communication for the general good." The Ayrshire Agricultuial Society and the St. Quivox Farmers' Club carried unanimously a reso- lution signifying " how fully alive they were to the benefits which agriculturists as a class v/ould ob- tain from the scheme proposed by Mr. Maxwell, and giving their best support to the measure." Mr. Dudgeon, quite as much an enthusiast in his way, " was listened to with marked attention " by the members of the Kelso Farmers' Club ; and " his views appeared to meet with the general ac- quiescence of the members present." Farther north, then, in any case, we are " all at one" as to the advantage of agricultural statistics. In the particulars of Miscellaneous Estimates, just dis- tributed by Parliament, is the following item : — For agri- cultural statistics, to be collected in the three kingdoms, the sum of £13,000 is required. There is to be a "complete system" in Scotland, carried out through the medium of the Highland Society; a "complete system" iu Ireland, under the management of the Board of Public Works ; and in England there are to be " further experiinsnts," imder the superintend- ence of the local officers of the poor law. Sir John Wahhftm has made a further report on the subject of agricultural statistics, from which it appears that he and Mr. Hall Maxwell (representing the Highland Society) have agreed upon the form of schedule that should be sent to occupiers, and generally upon the mode of proceeding. They agrea that the inquiry should be at first confined within the siLtiplest limits, aud not elaborated by questions calculated to excite the distrust, and so the opposition of the farmers. They propose that the distribution of crops and the amount of stock throughout Great Britain should be ascertained on the 1st of July ; that the estimates of the produce per acre, to be pre- pared by the enumerators of the Scotch districts and the statistical committees of the English unions, in respect of the harvest, should be lodged with the superintending authority, by whom the results of such harvest would have to he calcu- lated, between the 20th of October aud 20th of December ; and that the Board of Trade should publish the estimates before the Ist of January. Sir J, Walsham believes that iu England the Poor Law organization supplies the best agency for obtaining these statistics, and that a vote of 15,OO0L would suffice to remunerate the cfKcials for their trouble, and defray the expenses. The English vote to be proposed, however, stands in the miscellaneous estimates at only 4,000(1. for " further experiments." The following remarks on this important subject we take fro.Ti the money article of the Times of Friday last : — ■ " Arrangements continue in progress for the establishment of a system of agricultural statistics, and a supplementary report has just been presented by Sir Johu Wahham, stating the conclusions regarding the best methods for its introduction to which he has been led by his recent experimental inquiry in Norfolk, as v/eil as by that conducted in some counties of Scotland, by Mr. Hail xMaxwell, on the part of the Highland Society. Sir John still considers that the agency of parish officers and boards of guardians will be the most effective ; and ho eatimatea that by this means the whole work might be performed, as far as regards England and Wales, for an anirual sum of 15,000?. It is pointed out that boards of guardians necessarily comprise a considerable proportion of the leading agriculturists throughout the country, while union officers are well known aud generally acceptable to all classes within the district for which they act, aud, as a body, are most intelligent and trustworthy ; and that, if this organization w'ere made available, nothing more would be needed than for the Board of Trade to delegate the undertaking to the Poor Law Com- missioners. The other agencies that have been suggested are the employment of the collectors of assessed taxes, the con- stabulary, or tne registration officers ; but it is contended that the first two would be unpopular, and that the last have not the same intimate standing with the occupiers of land aa that possessed by the Poor Law functionaries, to whom, moreover, the machinery of their existing duties is already mainly con- fided. In each case, too, the expense would be greatly in- creased, and perhaps doubled. In relation to the points to which the system shculd be directed, it is agreed that the inquiry should be at first confined within the simplest limit?, aud not elaborated by questions calculated to excite the opposition of the farmers, aud also that the distribution of crops and the amount of stock should be ascertained on the same day throughout Great Britain, and that the 1st of July would be the most convenient period for this simuKaueous operation. It is fdso coiisidered thst the estimates of produce per acre should b3 lodged with the person by whom the results of the harvest would have to be calculated during ths two months ending the 20lli of December; end that the pub- lication of these estimates by the Board of Trade should take place, if possible, before Christmas, or, at all events, between THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 51 the 20th of December and the 1st of January. Finally, it is stated, with reference to the feeling with which agriculturists regard this scheme of colleztiug agricultural statistics through the agency of boards of guardians and their officers, that a general opinion in its favour seems to prevail among practical men. Under these circumstances, looking at the critical influence which the next harvest must have upon all the commercial and financial interests of the country, it is to be hoped that no obstacles will be permitted to prevent the entire system being put in force during the present year. AVERAGES OF WHEAT. Sir, — I send you a statement of the yearly general average of wheat from 1816 to 1828, and the highest and lowest average prices each year from 1829 to 1854, with the state of the harvests from 1816 to 1854. That I may not be charged with j^irating, I beg leave to in- form you I copied the statement of the v.'eather from the Liverpool Courier newspaper, the general yearly average from 1816 to 1828 from Messrs. Sturge and Co.'s yearly circular, and the highest and the lowest yearly averages from 1829 to 1854 from the Liverpool Mercury, who had inserted it from the Corn Inspector's account, i. e., a tabular statement, according to Act of Parliament. So faithful is the account of weather and harvests, that very many in the corn trade will at once bring to mind the facts and circumstances caused thereby. I do not wish to make a political question out of it ; but there is one remarkable feature in it, and very observable through- out— that after fine weather and good harvests corn was always cheap, both bafore and since the abolition of what is called protection duties ; and that since then prices of corn rose higher after bad harvests in less time, and remained longer so than formerly ; but perhaps this may have been caused by some unforeseen circumstances which the framers of the bill never contemplated. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, Thomas Tipping. Liverpool, May 30, 1854. The yearly average price of Wheat, from 1816 to 1828 inclu- sive, and from 1829 to the present time, 1854, with the harvest weather, and highest and lowest average price of Wheat in each year — General Years. State of the Weather. yearly average, s. d. 1816. — Cold and wet all through ; corn sprouted ; black loaves 76 2 1817. — July and August cold; September fine; corn soft 94 0 1818.— Intensely hot 83 0 1819. — Hot summer; August intense 72 3 1820.— Fine and productive 67 11 1821. — Rains during harvest ; sprouted coru 56 2 1822. — Splendid weather ; abui^dant harvest 44 7 1823. — Showery and cold summer ; rained every day in July . 53 5 1824. — Intensely hot; good harvest 64 0 1825. — Hot throutrhout ; good harvest 68 7 1826. — Hottest and driest on record; abundant harvest 58 9 1827.— Hot, but not as 1826 ; gi.od harvest 56 9 1828.— Immense rain, floods began in July; harvest bad , — State of the Weather. Lowest average Years. s. 1829.— Cold stormy summer 55 1830. — Cold and wet June 55 1831. — Warui, glcamy weather 59 1332.— Moderate 51 1833. — Very fine weather ; abundant harvest 49 1834. — Hot summer; rain end of July; abundant harvest 40 1835. — Hot dry summer ; abimdant harvest 36 1836. — Midsummer cold, dry ; harvest not amiss 36 1837. — Severe spring; hot summer; deficient harve.';t 51 1838. — Cold spring ; harvest not productive 52 1839. — Heavy rains ; productive harvest, but damaged 65 18-10. — Warm ; August hot ; seed deficient. . 59 ISll.— Warm May and Juae; cold July and August ; fine harvest in September 60 1813. — Fine spring; delicious summer; good grain, but not plentiful 47 1843. — Fine wet spring ; fine summer; good harvest 45 1844. — Dry summer ; no rain in April, May, June ; good harvest 46 18I5.^Cold long winter; ungcnia! summer; no sun in summer; harvest plenti- ful, but bad corn 45 1846. — Spring fine; June half wet, half dry a id hot; thunder; loss of potatoes 45 18 17.— Cold wet bitter spring ; fine summer ; cold and wet September ; bf aus and potatoes blighted .... 49 1848. — Winter and spring mild ; showery harvest 47 1849. — Bitter spring ; in summer rain at nights; day hot; good harvest.. .. 38 1850.— Cold to May ; harvest good 37 1851. — Winter mild; spring wet; harvest precarious 35 1852, — Mild winter; cold spring; fine suai- mer; average corn harvest; potatoes diseased 37 1853.— Immense wet winter; cold summer; wet July; autumn rainy; deficient harvest in France and England. ... 43 1854. — Severe winter; great winds ; beauti- ful spring 78 andhighest in the year. d. s. d. 76 0 .75 0 ,75 0 63 0 ,56 0 ,49 G ,44 0 ,61 0 ,60 0 ,78 0 ,81 0 .73 0 .76 0 ,66 0 ,61 0 .56 0 0....60 0 0. ... 64 0 0. . . 102 0 0....Z1 0 0. . ..49 0 0....44 0 0. ... 43 0 0 ... 46 0 0. ... 73 0 0....82 0 GORSE OE PURZE EOU CATTLE. Sir, — Gorse has been proved for a length of time to be a most valuable food for cattle and horses, as a substitute for hay. This plant flourishes upon sharp sands with a dry sub- soil, aud yields about two tons per acre. The soil should be cleansed aud pulverised, as the seed is best put in with the drill, giving about 201bs. per acre. Being aware the slug is the great enemy when the plant just comes out of the ground, and only in its first two leaves, aud at that time easily devoured, it is (for safety) best to apply I2 cwts. saltpetre per acre, which relieves all anxiety on that point. It has been proved by careful trials with a cow fed upon gorse or furzs in November, that the yield of quality aud quantity of cream and butter exceeded that of any other mode of feeding. The practice has already been so bene- ficial, that every friend of his country must wish a continuance of its success, in which we heartily join. Yours, &c., Richmond and Chandler. E 2 THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE. COVERED STEADINGS FOR FARMS.— LORD KINNAIRD'S EXPERIMENTS. We have occasionally alluded to the question of covered steadings for farms. Last Christmas we showed how a large area might be covered in, and the internal arrangements made portable and moveable, so as to be easily adapted to the changing fashions of farming practice, whether the loose box, the shed, or the stall-feeding system were adopted; and that almost any change might be made, if a four-squared piece of sloping ground were fenced in. Vrith all our knowledge, the liquid manure is the real difficulty of the farmer; he knows not yet what to do with it. To save it, and cart it away, is manifestly a costly mode of disposing of it; to make compost heaps near it is very costly, and terribly expensive of horse and human labour. Few can irrigate with it ; nor will those, who can, be at the expense of making the pipes and. hose necessary to spread the water-refuse. Box-feeding will preserve a little ; but the open yards, the ma- nure cleaned out of the pigsties, the stables, and the various out-offices of the farm, will be found exposed in most places for a very long period to the effects of the atmosphere. We must not, however, forget locality. In some l^laces hardly too much rain falls ; in others almost all the soluble parts of the manure are regularly washed out. Still water is far easier let out upon the manure if it run any risk of being too dry, than to stop an overilow of liquid if it exists in excess. But we believe few animals will not make as much liquid as will keep the manure quite sufficiently wet in almost all situations ; and as a covered steading will always prevent a vast amount of eva- poration quite inseparable from an open yard, we think it will not be found in practice to be so very objectionable on the head of want of moisture. We must bear in mind, however, that there is more than manure to think of : there is the health of the animals to consider ; and it will be found necessary to have the means of a very full ventila- tion, as well as the power of opening or closing different parts of the building at different periods of the year. Shelter and air will thus be combined; and if the animals, so often loose in our yards, with their fat and muscle washed off by the rain, and blown away by the winds, can be thoroughly shel- tered, and kept at the same time in a state of equable temperature with ample ventilation, a vast saving of animal food will be accomplished. The mode of patching one building to another should be at once and for ever abandoned, and the tendency of all improvements must be to cover in the whole, and then a little boarding or Scotch fencing fixed in lengths can be made in the inside, so as to give the complete command of space, of situation, and of change in arrangement to the farmer. How many new buildings are found inconvenient for future working, which at the time of their erection were really thought perfect ! The barn, for instance, has been placed so as to be near the stackyard ; and the straw has been to carry over the ^vhole foldyard, because it was far from the cattle-sheds; or a set of cowhouses have been erected in simple reference to a root-house, whileaboihng- house ought to have been there instead of at some other corner, involving the transit of the whole food for the animals over yards and yards of dis- tance, creating miles of travelling in the course of a season. But with covered steadings and tempo- rary internal arrangements, the whole may be modified and re-arranged in a day. We must give a word of caution on the .new state of things this will bring upon the farmer. He must not imagine he can confine animals in such a close atmosphere v/ithout providing some mode for the escape of the foul gases attendant on close rooms. He must have double ventilation. First, there must be doors at regular distances along the bottom of the buildings, for the pure air from without to drive off the heavy carbonic-acid gas breathed by the animals ; and there must be, as well, top ventilation, to let off the lighter but no less destructive gases ; and a little peat charcoal and frequent lime-washings may be much more neces- sary than they are even now. And how easy it is for a farmer, if he pleases, to have a camera inserted in the roof, and so bring down to a looking-glass or a table in his sitting room a view of all that is doing in his farmyard both by his serrants and his stock ! The command of the "master's eye" could be re- gulated in no other way so completely. Lord Kinnaird has made some very valuable experiments on the manure part of the subject, with grain and potatoes, which arc well worth con- sideration. He planted 20 acres with potatoes, partly with covered and partly with uncovered dung, or rather dung produced under the above two circumstances, and measured two lots of each. Of the dung which had been uncovered the pro- duce gave — Tons. cwt. lbs. 1 st rneasurement— 1 acre gave 7 G 8 2nd ' do. do. 7 18 99 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 53 showing that very nearly an accurate plot had been selected. The covered dung potatoes were also weighed in a similar manner, and something very extraordinary resulted. The Tona. cwt. ibs. 1st measurement — 1 acre gave. ... 11 17 56 2nd do. do. ' 11 12 2G Wheat followed this crop, and 3 cwt. per acre of guano were applied to the whole field. The un- covered dung plot produced — Grain. Straw. Bush. lbs. St.of 22lb. 1st acre 41 2nd acre 42 19 38 152 160 The covered dung portion was again successful, almost in the same ratio as before. 1st acre 55 5 2ad acre 53 47 220 210 The weight per bushel, however, was in favour of the vmcovered dung, the average of that being 61 5 lb., of the covered dung only 61. Half a pound per bushel is not, however, of such vast importance compared with 10 to 14 bushels per acre more corn and some one-third more straw per acre, and may be possibly accounted for on the principle that the smallest crops often yield the lieaviest weighing corn. We are sorry not to observe in Lord Kinnaird's covered sheds any apparatus for low ventilation, nor do we think the top ventilation by any means sufficient. We would also strongly urge the ne- cessity of trapping all the drains, so that the ani- mals may not be constantly subject to the confined escapes from perhaps the whole of the liquid resi- duum, putrefying and sweltering in some confined tank. Mr. Fisher Hobbs has given the estimates and details of two covered homestalls, the one proposed to cost £1052, and the other £1166. We are sorry that some much less expensive were not at first selected, because it is quite possible, we are certain, to erect useful covered buildings with temporary internal fittings for half these sums. PROGRESS OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. Sir, — The period wben tiie annual and national testing of implements by the Royal Agricultural So- ciety is publicly carried out being close at hand, leads naturally to a reference to the Society's reports on the exhibition of implements at the Gloucester meeting of the last year. The three main features of mechanical progress in the reports may be considered as embraced by the reaping-machine, the steam-engine, and the combined thrashing and dressing machines ; marked progress being also shown in other implements of farm economy. First, in regard to the reaping-machines, much would appear to be left to the future in perfecting them. This opinion is supported by the following extract, sub- scribed to by the steward of field implements, the con- sulting engineer, and the judges, " that, by a combina- tion of certain elements which exist in the various machines exhibited, there might be produced one sur- passing anything hitherto brought before the public. Such an implement might be made to unite the advan- tages of simplicity in construction, greater durability, lightness of draught, and reduction in price, with the thorough capability of being more easily managed by the agricultural labourer." This remark, the combined opinion of observant and practical men, leads to the inference that mechanical skill, since the last meeting of the Society, will be found to have been directed to this important machine, and that at the next meeting evi- dence will be afforded of decided progress in the per- fecting of that great desideratum, a truly effective reaping-machine. Secondly, as to steam-engines, Mr. Amos, the eminent consulting engineer of the Society, in his " General Report, " observes: "The fixed engines have not at- tained that degree of excellence which it is to be hoped will be developed ; and, where durability is taken into consideration, the t)eri?ca/ cylinder will be found prefer- able to the horizontal one." Here we have opened a subject for grave consideration, and emanating from a source that will undoubtedly rouse the enrrgies of engineers to stand beyond such remarks, particularly as the fixedengine will probably, sooner or later, among agri- culturists, come into very extensive use. Mr. Amos also observes, in connection with the portable engine, " Economy in the fuel required to work tbem was carried to a greater extent than is consistent with sim- plicity of arrangement ; indeed, the extra expansion- valves, double-action forcing-pumps, and a few other details of that character, which formed a part of t'le arrangement of some of the engines exhibited, are super- fluous, and render the implement too complicated for the farmer's purpose." He further adds: — "In both classes of engines for the farmer's use, no other expan- sion is admissible than that which may be obtained by a lap on the common slide." The judges of implements, appointed by the Council, in their report " beg strongly to recommend, for the consideration of the Council, that in future exhibitions the superiority of one engine over another should be considered, with regard to their simplicity of arrangement, each part being well propor- tioned, and easy of access and repair, combined with steady and economical working and weight, and of course, 54 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. price." These remarks, the very essence of a long series of observations, continued j'ear after year by the Royal Agricultural Society, involve most serious prac- tical experience, and such only as can be determined by thoroughly practical mechanical minds — in fact, by scientific and constructive engineers ; as that which often- times is apparently the most complete vifill be found in practical details somewhere or other defective : thus in carrying out extreme simplicity of arrangement, a sacri- fice may be made at the cost of permanent efficiency, or for economical v7or]cing, too great a sacrifice of water capacity of the boiler, for the purpose of obtaining a greater amount of fire surface — or for reducing to its minimum the weight of an engine, an inroad is made on the mass of material which is essential for safety and durability. Some of the earlier portable engines were of simpler construction than those now generally made, having horizontal and rocking cylinders fixed on the top of the boilers, the piston-rods connected direct with the crank, without guides or other intermediate apparatus, with self-acting disc-valves and flued boilers, and but little if at all exceeding the present weight of the most improved portable engines of the present day ; yet it does not follow that those properties constituted them as equal to the engines now sent out by many different manufacturers. At a recent meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, Mr. W. F. Hobbs, who has long taken a very active part in forwarding the improvements of agricultural implements, observed, " that as a steward to the implement deprrtment at Lincoln, he should be most happy if gentlemen who were connected with mechanical science would throw out bints for the occa- sion, which might prove useful to the judges in the dis- charge of their duties." Presuming on this observation, might it not be suggested that, previous to the trial of the engines, their experienced consulting engineer, either individually or in connection with other scientific gentlemen, should first review such as are intended for trial, and declare an opinion as to the arrangement of en- gine and boiler, and quality of workmanship, whether good, mediate, or indifferent, and afterwards the judges to decide on the merits of the trials? Going a step further, might it not be found advantageous to the agricultural world that the Society should de! ermine, by actual observation in the farm-yard, whether the results obtained there accorded with those produced in the trial-yard by the same maker's engines ? The object might be attained as follows, selecting the makers of such engines as had gone through the ordeal of the trial-yard, and whose engines might be deemed de- serving of further investigation : the said makers should furnish to the Society references to two or more paries who have made bona fide purchases of their engines, and who have had the same in ordinary work for a given time, say two or three months or more ; then let the Society communicate with those parties, and, selecting one of each maker's, at an appointed time let the Society send direct to the place their own engineer, or some other competent per- son, wlio shall ascertain that the engine is not got up for the special occasion ; and who shall also witness a day's work with the engine, seeing the coals weighed, ascer- taining the quantity of water evaporated, the amount of corn thrashed, and the quantity of straw that has passed through the machine, and also taking note of the condi- tion of the straw. By this method the public would arrive at a more correct knowledge of the comparative merits of different makers'engines than can be ascertained from the limited time devoted to actual operation in the trial yard. Thirdly, in respect to the combined thrashing, shaking, and dressing machines, since the Gloucester show much excitement and attention have been directed to this imple- ment, particulai'ly in consequence of an American rival towards the close of the year 1853 having entered the lists as a competitor for public favour. This American machine has led to much discussion, as to what is the necessary strength, and how much of the weight of these modern corapound thrashing machines maybe dispensed with, and yet the macliine be left effective in operation and durable in its parts. The jmlges, in their report of the Gloucester meeting, spoke well of the machines of several makers of this class of implements, but appended to their report this remark — " They again call the atten- tion of the Council to the necessity of obtaining a sup- ply of barley in the sheaf for these trials ; for machines that will not thrash barley without injuring it for malt- ing purposes ought no longer to be tolerated, much less rewarded and recommended by the Society's prizes." This judicious remark shows the set of the current ; and that the Royal Agricultural Society of England, regard- less whether implements be made by A, B, or C, is de- termined, to the best of its judgment, to direct the mechanical skill of the country to such points in farm- yard machinery that defects may be obviated, and a high class of perfected implements become one of the standing tests indicative of agricultural progress. A Practical Mechanic. THE CRYSTAL PALACE AGRICULTURAL MU- SEUPvI. — An apartment ia provided iu the north wiug for the Exhibition of Agriculture ; there will be a museum of geology, rocks, aoilsj subsoils, and their produce. The young farmer or aspiring student will find, beside every suit of speciaieas, in a coloured map of the country for that particular purpose, any district that produces limestone or mineral manure, chalk with or without flint, marl or greea sand, and coprolite. An hour's examination will instruct more perrectly than a scries of lectures. If the agriculture of any one district is required, he will find specimens with this end in view — the manure and the implements generally used ; every va- riety 01 the grasses and grain in seed, and of the beautiful specimens of wheat (of which there are many in this corn dis- trict) and their uses — flour, starch, manufactured straw, and paper. There will likewise be exhibited the high products of the grazing districts — cheese, wool, &c.; also stuffed specimens of all the different sheep iu this country ; so that the farmer, upon his visit to this scene of wonder aud delight, will find himself at home at all his cxcitiug pursuits, and feel well re- paid, even by this true representation of his daily toil. This Museum of Agriculture will surpass anything of the kind iu Europe, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 55 EXPORT OF BRITISH CATTLE. (from a subsckiber.) I have niucli pleasure ia sendiug you some particulars of a valuable cargo of sbort-lioriied cittle and seven Leicester sheep, which sailed from Liverpool on the 29th May, in the ship John Bull, for New York: Messrs. Kendall Brothers, owners ; Captain Richardson, master. They were an order for a lot given to Mr. Douglas, Aihelstaneford Farm, Drem, East Lothian, by H. L. Eades, Esq., for the Unitfld Society of Shakers, Warren county, Ohio, United States, and consisted of six bulls, from 7 to 22 months old, and teu cows and heifers, from 1 to 4 years of age — ranging in price from 50 to upwards of 200 guineas. They were in hcilthy breeding ccn- diticn, and very promising animals ; are got by the foUowitig first-clans sires: — Crusade (7,938), Mole-catcher (10,537), Benedict (7,828), Baron of Ravensworth (7,811), Iladibras (10,339), Trumpeter (10,978), and Fitzadolphus Fairfax (9,124); in short, a more choice lot could not have been selected, nor better aJapted for a transatlantic passage. Amongst them my attention was particularly drawn to Crusader, by Crusade, a 1 year and 10 months old bull, and Scottish Blue Bell, a 2 years old heifer, by Mcdc-catcher ; being, iu ey estimation, as near as possible, tro perfect specimens of this interesting breed. Scottish Blue Bell, I learned, is from Mr. Douglas's famous prize cow Blue Bell, by Captain Shaftoe, and half- sister fo Coeur de Lion, who was sold this spring, at 10 months old, for 200 guineas, to Mr. Mylne, of Kinaldie, Aberdeen- shire; she has been exhibited on four occasions, and has dis- tinguished herself by being as frequently successful, having v/on the first prize in her class as a yearling in 1853, at the following important Agricultural Societies' Meetings, viz. : — The Border Union, held at Coldstream; Glasgow District, at Glasgow ; Royal Irish, at Kilhrney ; and the Highland Society, at Edinburgh. Crusader has never been exhibited ; but is quite a show bull, and will uot be easily set aside at any exhibition of stock ; is an animal possessing beautiful symmstry, gren.t style, with good hair and fine quality of flesh. He is own brother to the famous heifer Purity, also bred by Mr, Douglas, in whose possession she was never beaten, and obtained the following prizes: — The Border Union (twice); Highland Society, at Perth ; Glasgow District, at Glasgow ; East Lothian, at Saltoun ; Great Northumberland, at Eelford ; and Royal Irish, at Killarney ; and also this spring her present owner Mr. Campion, exhibited her at the Royal Dublin Society's Meeting, where she was awarded the firtt prize in her class; also silver medal as the second best of all the prize breeding heifers in the yard. The whole of the arrangements for and the shipment of this lot of stock was entirely left to Mr. Douglss, who was very fortunate in his selection of the John Bull — a substantiiil English-built ship, and a very dry sailii.g vessel, while her deck arcomraodation is both ample and convenient. The fittingup of the stalls and t.-appings ou deck were executed by Mr. Hayes, of Dublin-street, who also fitted up the Bade}', which in both cases were substantial and comfortable; the only difference being a greater l^mgth of stall, obtained by the additional width of the John Bull. They are provisioi'.ed for 60 days, and every precaution was taken to ensure safety and comfort oa the voyage, I heartily wish them a safe, and speedy passage, and notwithstanding the great risk and heavy expense that must necessarily be incurjed by such exports, Btill believe and hope that the spirited and most respectable community who are in this case importing will not only be amply repaid, but that they will reap permanent advantages from the enterprise. I may mention here that one of the first prize bulls, bought by Dr. Watts and Mr. Waddle at the Royal Dublin Society's Meeting in April last, called the Czar, is from a heifer, bred by Mr. Douglas, named Maid of Atheos. Those shipments of our best cattle are more likely to increase than diraiuish, at least for some years to come; and it is not im- probable that the result will be that, iu the long run, breedera in the parent country will find it necessary, and to their advantage, to select their herd bulls in the New World. The bujiag of the best short-horned cattle for America, together with the increased value of and demand for the best sorts of feeding cattle at home, have of lata wonderfully in- creased the value of really superior a limals, and this descrip- tion are at present worth more money than they have ever been at any former poiiod, which must have the eS'ect of giving a direction and incentive to breeders of this most interesting and valuable species of cattle to breed from nothing but the very best on either side. MR. GEO. TURNER'S ANNUAL RAM SALE was held at Barton ou Juue 1st. The weather was delightful, and there was a large number of agriculturists present from various parts of Devonshire, Somerset, and Cornwall. Among th.em. we observed Mr. S. T. Kekewich, Mr. G. Fursdon, Mr. J. Belfield, Mr. W. R. Ciarke, the Rev. H. Palk, Messrs. T. Kingdon, T. Potter, Elliott, Wilcocks, Gibbings, E. Archer (Trelaske), Wippell, &e., ,&c. Mr. Turner's stock, as usual, was in prime condition ; his cattle excited much attention, and were enthusiastically praised by tlie agricultural visitors. Pre- vious to the sale, a luncheon was provided, after which the health of Mr. Turner was cordially drunk, and his merits as a breeder were warmly acknowledgad by all the company. Hi? breed of sheep was much commended ; and we heard many eminent agriculturists present declare that it improved every year. The Leicesters, it was said, were excellent "reut-pnying" sheep, and made the most mutton and wool, in proportion to the quantity of food consumed, of any other breed. The results of the sale showed how much they were appreciated by the farmers of different counties. Mr. Hussey was tiie auc- tioneer, and, as usual, discharged the duties most efficiently. The first ram was put up to be let. It was a splendid animal, and was knockeJ down to G. Fursdon, Esq., for 20 guineas. The next was let to Sir J. B. Y. Buller, for 25 guineas. An- other very superior animal, which Mr. Turner said he intended to exhibit at the Royal Agricultural Show, at Lincoln, was let for 25 guineas to Mr. Anstey, of Coorahemancey. Another was let to J. W. Buller, Esq, of Downes, for 18 guineas. No. 10, to b2 let, was knocked down for 20 guineas, to iMr. Burringtcn. Nos. 8 and 12 were let to Mr. O'Doghetty, of Cornwall, for ill lis. and £3 83. The animals to be sold were then put up, and realised good prices. The first was described by the facetious auctioneer as a splendid ram, having " a back like a billiard-table, as curly as a spaniel, and as hand- some as a 'picterl'" It was sold to Mr. Roberta for £10 IO3. The sales ranged from £5 5s. to £10 10s.; and the whole — about twenty lots — were quickly disposed of. A couple of fine boars were then sold, the first to Mr. Roberta f'jr 94- guineas, and the second to Mr. Hussey, for the same sum. E. Archer, Esq., of Trelasko, purchased the third — " The Black Prince" — for 72- guineas. Two prime yearling bulls were offered for sile, but there were no bidders for them. The auctioneer closed the sale by inviting the company to in- spect Mr. Turner's prime cattle, some of which he declared were not to be excelled in all England. — Western Times, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. SHEEP-SHEARING. There seems sometliiug exhilaratingtoaflock-master ill the very mention of the season of sheep-shearing ; it carries with it many pleasing associations, and has been from time immemorial connected with the most inter- esting of ancient rural festivities, whereat the master and men, household and neighbours annually joined, to celebrate the return of summer. We regret that this festival, the gayest in the year, and so conducive to promote and cement a kindly feeling between master and workmen, should have grown into disuse. We greatly admire the many ways that have arisen to give encouragement to the skill and industry of the labouring population, but we confess we should like to see a more general return to these enlivening and social festivals. These intimately concern every man's holding, and, where all is conducted upon ge- nerous and temperate principles, cannot fail to do good — to draw nearer the ties which should bind in amity tlie employer and employed. Thiie of sliearing . — This has altered very much of late years. It was the usual practice, before Mr. Coke commenced his Holkham sheep-shearings, to shear sheep between the 1st of June and the 1st of August ; since the establishment of the Royal Agri- cultural Society the time has gradually changed to the 1st of May, and very few flocks are now left unshorn after the first or at most second week in July. The time should much depend upon the sea- son and the state of the flocks : if the season is cold and the flock in poor condition, it is better to wait for sunny weather ; but if the v^eather is warm, the sooner out of the wool the faster they will thrive. Washing. — This is almost indispensable ; the differ- ence in value between vrashed and unwashed wool is so great that one need scarcely point out the fact : indeed, we should not have drawn attention to it, did not the practice of shcariug unwashed sheep still prevail in some hilly districts — this ought not be. The best ■wash-dikes are those containing a large proportion of tolerably clear stagnant water, capable of being let off and replenished at pleasure. The water in which considerable numbers of sheep have been washed is found to act like soap, and more speedily removes impurities in the wool than the clear run- ning stream. The usual mode of washing is this — The dike is of sufficient depth to swim the largest sheep ; a space about 7 feet square, called " the vat," is inclosed by a rope, or other suitable contrivance, from this vat to the landing-place, and called " the swim ;" the route is also confined by a similar con- trivance, so as to guide the sheep in jiis course. The sheep are collected in the adjoining large pen ; they are in succession brought into the smaller or platform pen, and from this platform they are indivi- dually and gently thrown into the vat by the united efforts of two men, thus — The men take hold of the sheep on either side ; a broad strap or a piece of curved wood prepared is passed under the body, and laid hold of by the other ; the animal is carefully lifted, and is somewhat gradually slidden into the water, head uppermost. Four of the sheep are allowed to be in the vat at onetime, " to steep or soak," during which they are thoroughly wetted and partially washed by the vat-man with a " poy," i. e., a thin pole with a transverse piece of about twelve inches long fixed on the end ; vdth this he can either thrust them under, or draw them up, or guide at pleasure as required. After being sufficiently soaked, which may take from three to five minutes, they are se- parately passed to the washer, who (standing in a tub considerably sunk in the water) proceeds to scrub them with his hands, squeezing the foul parts, and turning them from side to side and occasionally over, so as equally to scour every part ; they are then passed down the swim, and guided out with a poy by a lad from a pathway alongside. This opera- tion should be finished early in the day, to give the sheep time to dry before night. Shearing. — This should not take place before the wool is not only dry, but has had time to recover " yolk " or that greasiness which appears so accept- able to the wool-stapler. If the weather is warm, it will do in about eight or ten days, and may be readily known by its softness or oily nature. The shearing should always be under cover — a barn or suit- able hovel. A platform or clipping board, raised a few inches, covered with a cloth, and stuffed with straw or otherwise, is the best adaptation for the conve- nience of the shearer and the ease of the animals that I have seen, and is my usual platform floor. The mode of operation pursued is as follows : — The sheep is laid by the attendants along the platform or clip- ping boards, with his legs towards the shearer ; the shearer proceeds to the throat and shear the neck, bending it towards him, and bearing it as low as he can in its reclining position ; this done, he gently raises the sheep on his rump, and turning his back towards himself, he commences shearing the wool from the breast, and, proceeding down the belly, he lays all clear from the rotundity of the belly, and also bares a portion of each thigh ; the sheep is now resting on his rump, with his skoul- der leaning against the knee of the shearer, as his THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 57 left foot now stands on the raised platform ; he com- mences witli the other side of the neck, the shears in his right hand and the legs of the sheep towards him ; in this way he proceeds to sliear down the whole side, taking care not to cut further than the back- bone at each stroke or course, and to cut every stroke of the same width and as evenly as possible. Having bared as far down as the thigh, the sheep is again laid down, the thigh is bared, as also the tail and a part of the now under-thigh ; the sheep is again raised, the shears are taken into the left hand, and the shearing of the corresponding side is proceeded with iu the same way; the legs, purse, &c., are trimmed, and the sheep is "turned off" as finished. In many districts it is customary to shear sheep lengthwise, or partly lengthwise and partly crosswise. I much prefer the method I have described ; and when the shearing is done in a creditable manner, the appearance of the animal is good and business- like— looks far handsomer, I think, than the fanciful diagrams pourtrayed upon the backs and sides of many sheep one sees in the market. Snqis or shear-cuts. — These should be immediately dressed, to prevent bleeding, irritation, and the attack of flies ; any simple adhesive dressing will suffice, a mixture of lime and soot, in proportion of two-thirds lime to one of soot. It forms a good cover for the wound and prevents further danger. It is applied as a dusting to the wound as soon as made. Flies. — In some districts, flies are very trouble- some to the recently shorn flock. Early clipping in a late season will sometimes be an effectual preven- tive, but not always. The little black fly, which is by far the most annoying, does not always make its appearance at any precise period. My usual remedy has been the persevering appliance of soft sheep- dung to the bitten part, smearing over the greater part of the head of the sheep. They look dirty, but it is an effectual preventive. MarJcing. — This should be done at the time of shearing. A brand made of iron, dipped in a boiling preparation of pitch and tar, in proportion of three fourtlis of the former to one of the latter, and applied to the skin, is the best application with which I am accjuaiated. It sets almost instantly, and cannot be rubbed off. OBSERVATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE TENANTRY OF HIS GRACE THE DUKE OE DEVONSHIRE, WITHIN THE BUXTON AGENCY. ON TOP-DRESSING FOR GRASS LAND. That there is a great extent of grass land, both in meadow and in pasture, in the district of the High Peak, capable of being made much more productive, I think no one will venture to deny ; and it is with this conviction that the following ob- servations and suggestions are made. In doing so I am not desirous to urge any one to enter upon what may appear to them to be doubtful experimeats, or to induce an outlay which will not prove speedily remunerative ; but all will be ready to admit that it is to their interest to increase the quantity and to improve the quality of their hay crops, and to render their pastures capable of carrying a greater quantity of stock, if these results can be obtained by an expenditure in artificial manures, or by any other means which shall be reproductive, and shall commence to be so immediately after being applied or adopted. The advantage of top-dressing grass lands, whether in mea- dow or pasture, as well as corn crops, has now become generally appreciated by all good farmers, as is practically proved by the increasing consumption of guano, bones, nitrate of soda, and other artificial manures, the demand for which at the present time is unprecedented. This is in some measure to be attri- buted to the great breadth of land under tillage induced by the high price of corn, but in no small degree to the general effort making at improved cultivation throughout the kingdom. The part they have acted in the rapid advance of agriculture is universally admitted. By the use of them the produce of this country in gvain and in roots has been within the last few years enormously in- creased. Meadow, and second-rate pasture land, has not made the same advance in improvement, while of their capability there can be no doubt. Great attention is however now being given to this object. While such marked success has rewarded the efforts which have been directed to the improvement of arable land, surely the high price of cattle, sheep, and wool, present at this time powerful inducements to endeavour to extract the same profitable results from grass laud ; and there is no other district of such description of land in England so capable of improvement by the use of light manures, as the extensive upland pastures and meadows of the Peak of Derby- shire. Their height above the sea renders the time at which vegetation begins to move in spring generally rather late, and forms an additional reason for supplying to the roots of the grasses at that period the stimulus and new food which these manures afford, operating to bring the hay-crops iu the mea- dows to earlier maturity, increasing their bulk, and improving their quality, and giving to their pastures an exuberance and vigour which will show itself in the colour and thickening of the herbage, and iu the growth of stock. They offer the best means of bringing an upland grass farm out of condition up to a state of average productiveness, or of raising it to a higher level. MEADOWS. There are few farms, and especially grass farms, on which yard manure is produced annually in sufficient quantities to bring the meadow land to the greatest state of fertility of which it is capable ; consequently much remains in a condition ia which it cannot possibly yield a fair profit to its occupier, unless he has recourse to some kind of artificial manure as an auxiliary. On large farms, the carting and spreading of dung is attended with much labour, and a considerable saving may be effected by supplying the fields nearest to the homestead with farm- yard dnng, and those in more remote situations with gu:ino or 58 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, dissolved bones, which may be carted sad applied at very small cost in labour, at the same time not omitting to give to snch fields an occasional dressing of yard manure. Nothing should induce the farmer to lessen his appreciation of home-made dung, but to aid it by all means in his power by the use of bor.es and guano ; but never to lose sight of endeavouring to increase the bulk and improve the quality of this invaluable fertilizer. This leads me to remark how little this object receives that degree of attention which it deserves. Those who have not witnessed the results produced will be slow to believe the great advantage gained by protecting yard manure from the effects of weather ; and this may to a great degree be accomplished by simple contrivances which are very rarely adopted; too often is the liquid likewise allowed to run to waste, instead of restoring it to be absorbed by the bulk, of which it is the essence. Peruvian guano and dissolved bones are unquestionably the best of the artificial manures, being quick in their operation, and they are those upon which the adulterator expends his chief ingenuity. Care therefore is requisite in the purchase of them, to ensure their genuine quality. Not only does imme- diate loss result to the purchaser of an adulterated article, but he is deterred from the future use of it, and not imfrequently ascribes the failure of liis expectations to the v.-roag cause. The importation of guano, which in 1S42 amounted to 1,700 tons, reached in 1852 the large amount of 150,000 tons. Peruvian guano is preferable to bones as a top-dressing for meadow land, and two hundred weight per acre may be con- sidered a fair quantity to apply. It is of the utmost importance that a favourable opportunity should be selected for this pur- pose. May is the proper time of year, and in this high situa- tion from the middle to the end of the mouth will, in general seasons, be soon enough ; hut it is of such vital importance that this description of manure should be applied during rainy weather, that perhaps no favourable opportunity at any period during the month should be lost. The most favourable time is at the moment when, from the state of the atmosphere, vege- tation is just about to make a start ; but guano should never be applied except in damp weather, so that it may be imme- diately brought into contact with the roots, and not be left to lie on the surface of the ground, to be evaporated by heat and drought. Immediate benefit is not the only advantage to be derived from the application of artificial manures. The use of them result in affording gradually year by year fodder for a greater number of cattle, both by increasing the quantity and improv- ing the nutritive qualities of it, and thereby at the same time increasing the supply of home-manufactured manure. By means of them the hay crops will likewise be forced on, and be made ready for mowing probably ten days or a fortnight the earlier — an object of great importance in the Peak. PASTURES. Great improvement is to be effected in the grass lands of this district used as summer pastures, and especially in those of inferior quality. Although at au aHitude averaging from 1,000 to 1,400 feet above the sea, their substrata of limestone, general sufficiency and good quality of soil, and sweetness of herbage, render them extremely healthy runs for young stock and sheep, of which they admit of being made to carry a greater number than they do at present. It may be looked upoa as an invariable rule, that in propor- tion to the natural productiveness of a soil, the effects of top- dressing will be more or less advantageous. As the former approaches the highest point, the latter will recede to the lowest, For instance, if three or four quarters of bone-dust per acre were to be applied to the rich grazing pastures of Haddon Field, little or no benefit would result ; but apply the same quantity to any of the land around Neu'haven, and the improvement would be manifest. It is not too much to expect that some pastures, now only capable of maintaining young stock in store condition, may be made, by top-dressings judi- ciously selected and carefully applied, to turn out stock in a fit state for the butcher ; nor that hill-side pastures, to which it has been hitherto found impracticable to apply lime, will be found to admit of the profitable application of light manures. Bones v.ill in most caaes be found to be the best and most enduring top-dressing for pasture Isnd, For many years after their introduction, the erroneous idea was entertained that they should be used ia the dimensions of half-au-inch to au inch. Chemistry has however disclosed that bones of such a size de- compose very slowly, and that therefore, in order to obtain a more immediate return for the outlay, they should be applied in dust, by dissolving them with sulphuric acid. When used in this state they are more easily and uniformly distributed on the laud, and rendered much sooner available for the use of plants than half-inch bones ; and when so applied, the benefit which they are capable of affording is estimated to last for several years, 25 or 30 per cent, of such beuefit being realized in the first year. Three quarters, which will average about half a ton in weight, is a proper quantity to apply at oue dressing to an acre. If iu any case it should appear desirable to apply a greater quantity of bones, it would be more advantageous to do so after a lapse of two or three years, than to lay it on at one application. The period for applying bones to grass land varies in different localities. Some advocate the autumn, and others the spring of the year, as the proper season. If applied in the shape of dust in the month of May, and during showery weather, when vegetation is on the move and ready to seize eagerly on any food that is grateful to it, the time cannot be wrong. Some excellent authorities in practical farming (and among them is Mr. Pusey) are now advocating the use of nitrate of soda as a top-dressing for grass land, but its merits have not been fairly tested on variety of soils, and its profitable applica- tion must therefore be yet considered doubtful. The value of bones and guano is established. I have called your attention to this subject from two mo- tives— first, because I feel it my duty to do so in the manage- ment of the property entrusted to my charge by your noble landlord ; and, secondly, because I am desirous to see you join heartily in the endeavours which are being made on all sides to arrive at a better cultivation of the soil by means profitable to the occupiers. I have adopted this mode of communication as being the most convenient ; and upon the above or upon any other subject connected with the farms in your several occupa- tions I shall be at all times willing to advise and consult with you. I remain, yours faitlifullj', Buxton, April 20, 1834. Sydney Smithees. SHEEP FARMING IN AUSTRALIA.— The extent to which sheep farming has been carried is surprising. In 1853, about 200,000 bales of wool were scut to this country, which, valued at £20 each, gives a total of £4,000,000. It is scarcely necessary to point out the benefits this pastoral property crn- fers on us. Australia furnishes double the quantity of wool imported from other parts of the globe; and should there be a diminution in the supply, the operation of one of the most important branches of manufacture will be checked, and the comforts of the public considerably abridged, — The Land Promise, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 69 APPLICATION OF STEAM-POWER TO FARMING OPERATIONS. It may fairly be saiJ that the discussion is ended as to whether a farmer, occupying say 200 to 250 acres of land, should or should not avail himself of steam power. That is now a settled and deter- rained fact, and thousands of agriculturists are doubtless waiting to ascertain whether the steam- engine will ever be capable of doing all his opera- tions, instead of being restricted to those which from being performed at home are within the or- dinary reach of such power. The manufacturer confines all his operations within a space less even than is usually occupied by the ordinary farm-buildings of a moderately- sized homestead; but in this he has the power of hundreds of horses and thousands of hands, per- formed by the regular, willing, and steady engine. The farmer, however, is restricted : he can only apply the power of steam to a small portion of his work. True, he can thrash and winnow, can chop straw and bruise corn, cut turnips and grind his flour — nay, he can even convey these, the straw to his cattle or the corn to his granarj^, without any very material increase of expense ; therefore, as regards the minor operations of his farmstead he can make steam essentially subser- vient to his wants. But here he stops. And yet these are but few of the many operations of farming, valuable in themselves, and economical of that most costly of all things to him — his horse power; he cannot use steam for his great operations, as ploughing, sow- ing, harrowing, rolling, mowing, carting, stacking, &c. In the meantime, however, he is getting his work done pretty v/ell by some locomotive or fix- ture, whether future invention is or is not further to help him. We well remember the wonder with which the portable farm steam-engine was viewed at the Liverpool Meeting of the Royal Agricultural So- ciety. It was then a very imperfect implement, and a very different one, to what is now turned out. From that yeav (1S41), there have been vast strides made, and the close competition and severe tests adopted by the Royal, the Yorkshire, the Lincoln- shire, and other agricultural societies, as well as the vast trade done in locomotive agricultural steam- engines, show how the agricultural mind is opening to their advantages, and how mechani- cal talent is being exerted to meet these wants. Taking the twelve steam-engines of the portable kind, v/hich were put to the test by the Royal Agri- cultural Society at Gloucester-, last year, would it be believed that there could one be found which would get up its steam in 33 minutes, and for this consumed only 31 lbs. of coal? An investigation might perhaps determine that the economy of fuel had no connexion with this short period of time in getting up the steam, and that the proportionate quantity of water in the boiler might be even less than that in the other boilers where the average of time in getting up the steam did not exceed 45 minutes; still the result is deserving of record. The most surprising fact, however, was the small amount of coal per horse-power per hour expended, to produce which effect some of the engines, where the economy wasgreatest,had somewhat complicated valve gear; but a caution has now beeir properly given to pay attention in future rather to simplicity of arrangement, proportion, and accessibility, than to any twopenny saving in coal ; and this is the real light in which to look at them, after a certain mini- mum is obtained. Selecting five of those which consumed the smallest quantity, v/e have — lbs. No. 1 . consumed 4'32 „ 2. „ 4-82 „ 3. „ 5-5 „ 4. „ 6-09 „ 5. „ ........ 6"51 Now, assuming them all, for argument sake, to be six-horse power engines, and that they worked 10 hours per day, the quantity of coals would be (omitting fractions) — lbs. No. 1. consumed 259 „ 2. „ 289 „ 3. „ 3:^0 „ 4. „ 365 „ 5. » 390 Taking engine coals to be worth about 13s. 4d. per ton, it is just 8d. per cwt. or id. per stone. Between the highest and the second engine in con- sumption of coal per day, assuming both to be six- horse power engines, there is a difference of 30 lbs. — a very small fraction short of 2d. per day differ- ence ; while between the highest and the lovk^est on the hst, there is a difference of little more than a hundred -weight, and not exceeding 9d. per day extra. At Gloucester, Mr. Amos, the consulting engi- neer of the Society, placed the improvement in steam-engines in a very powerful light. The prize engine in 1849 consumed ll'50lbs. of coal per horse-power. 60 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, In 1850 7'56 lbs. 1851 6.79 „ 1853 4-66 „ 1853 4'32 „ Fixed engines have, too, arrived at a great de- gree of perfection in the direction in which tests have hitherto been carried. The winner at Gloucester consumed the smallest fraction over 6 lbs. per hour per horse-power, nor was the second far behind it, while the highest was but a fraction over 8 lbs. ; and thus, whilst on one side the President of the Royal Agricultural Society, Mr. Pusey, has written and reasoned in the most forcible manner on the advantages of the portable over the fixed engine, and whose views are supported by practical men in various parts of the country, there is a feeling amongst others that the portable steam-engine is faulty, and — except for job-work, for which they are now paying too highly to those who let them out — will ultimately be displaced by the fixture — that the purchaser has a vast amount to pay for a costly travelling apparatus, which might be saved — and that a fixed steam-engine can be put up for a price, small compared v/ith that of a lo- comotive. The Royal Agricultural Societj'-, which used to give double the prize for a locomotive they did for a fixture, have this year made them both alike, and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has offered £50 for a fixture at the Ripon Meeting ; but it must be left to time and practical operations for determining the comparative merits of the two kinds of engine?. While on the subject of steam-engines, v\'e cannot help alluding to the vast amount of ammonia which is annually allowed to waste in our coke ovens. We saw several in the county of Durham, not long ago, where tons of ammonia are lost annually. Will not Mr. Pease or some other skilful and scientific man set to work to collect this valuable agricultural compound, and so save tons of guano, instead of allowing it to waste, and possibly in its excess to injure the vegetation around it, which its more mi- nute doses would so much benefit ? We hope so, and here leave it for the present. SHORT- HORNED CATTLE The Short-horn, Durham, or, more properly speak- ing, " the Improved Short-horn," is now unquestionably established as the most profitable breed of cattle we possess. The reasons for this are obvious enough ; no animal arrives so early at maturity, few supply meat of as superior a quality, while fewer still have so many re- commendations either in appearance or disposition, for the homestead of the agriculturist, or the domain of the amateur. It has, however, occasionally been urged that, in one particular, the Short-horn is deficient. By many the breed is yet considered to be but indifferent milkers. Perhaps the best answer to this objection would be a walk through the establishments of our London dairy- men. Nearly every cow tied -up here will be found of the common Short-horn, or Yorkshire sort ; though many, indeed, show much breeding, and are doubtless crossed with some of our best bulls. When the aim is to have them good milkers, they can generally be in- sured ; on the other hand, the exhibitor at a prize-show sacrifices one quality for the other. As the beast in- creases in flesh, the supply of milk will decrease. It is still quite compatible, with only due observation on the part of the breeder, to successfully develop these two different qualities in the same animal. A cow that in her day may have been a first-rate milker, will, on being put up to feed, make as good a carcass, and produce quite as fine meat, as many animals that have never been used for the dairy at all. But it does so happen that no kind of cattle are so frequently prepared for public dis- play, and hence the origin of a censure, that arises from the treatment rather than the natural capability of the beast. The selection baa only to be carefully made in favour of milk or meat, and for the production of either will the Short-horn be found eminently qualified. It is now fast approaching a century since this im- provement was first attempted. The change for the better has been remarkable indeed. The originid Tees- water, found on both sides of the Tees, together with the still coarser kind of beast known in the East Riding of Yorkshire as the " Holderness," was, especially the latter, a large ungainly animal, generally deficient in his fore-quarters, with strong shoulders, slow and unprofit- able to feed, as well as being but a middling beast for the butcher. The meat was coarse to the palate, and uninviting to the eye. There was thus plenty of room, if not much encouragement, for producing something better ; and the task was set about with as much spirit as discrimination by the brothers Charles and Robert Colling. To their celebrated bull, Hubback, it is the desire of most breeders, either directly or indirectly, to trace back. He is in the Herd Book what Highflyer is in the Stud Book — the foundation of our best sorts. His origin and own pedigree is of course somewhat difficult to trace. It may be still interesting to tran- scribe, on the authority of Mr. George Coates, an ardent and renowned breeder, to whom is due the credit of having first collected the pedigrees of our Short-horns, the following particulars of Hubback, duly signed and dated, as will be observed, by the person from whom the information was derived. We can couple with this the full pedigree of the animal, as recorded by Mr. Coates, who was a contemporary of the Messrs. CoUings. " I remember the cow which my father bred, that was the dam of Hubback ; there was no idea that she THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 61 had any mixed or Kyloe blood in her. Much has been lately said that she vras descended from a Kyloe ; but I have no reason to believe, nor do I believe, that she had any mixture of Kyloe blood in her. (Signed) John Hunter. " Hurworth, near Darlington, July 6th, 1822." Pedigree of IIubback, As given in the new edition of Contests Herd Book {Bulls), p. 52. " HtJBBACK (319), yellow, red, and white, calved in 1777, bred by Mr. John Hunter, of Hurworth ; got by jMr. Geo. Snowdon's bull (612), his dam (bred by Mr. Hunter) by a bull of Mr. Bankes's, of Hurworth, g. d. bought of Mr. Stephenson, of Ketton." Snowdon's bull (612), we may remark, was directly descended from the celebrated Studley bull (626), perhaps the first re- corded Short-horn we have. Bought, however, out of a by-lane, for eight pounds, the fame of Hubback rests chiefly on the eye of that judge who had the confidence to select and test him. His success was as remarkable as it was profitable to his owners, whose subsequent career, with his descendants — Foljambe, Bolingbroke, Favourite, and Comet, and their progeny again — permanently established the breed, or variety of breed, now so widely known and celebrated as the Improved Short-horn. What these gentlemen so ably commenced, others were equally willing to follow out. Amongst these we may especially mention Mr. Maynard, Mr. Mason, Mr. Charge, Mr. Booth, Mr. Thos. Bates, the Rev. H. Berry, Major Bower, Mr. C. Champion, Mr. Grey, Mr. Hutchinson, Sir H. C. Ib- betson, Mr. T. Lax, Mr. W. F. Paley, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Smith (Dishley), Hon. J. B. Simpson, Sir H. V. Tempest, Col. Trotter, Mr. Wiley (Brandsby), Mr. Jonas Whitaker, and the then Lord Althorp, better known now in agricultural history as Earl Spencer. To these gentlemen the admirers of Short-horns owe much indeed. At a period of great depresssion many of them continued to persevere, and while their spirit kept up 034 546 ,125 660 euo 43! 390 709 803 181 91 279 129 191 m 214 810 17,674 I'otil ol year's Amount of Expendi- Parish Valuation for Poor Rate, 1850. ture for Kelief of the Poor, ended Lady Day, 1850. £ 24,ii42 838 1,273 1,121 1,234 1,507 4,9a3 3,4-25 4,118 3,720 4,178 4,026 2,415 6 3 0 2,038 2,409 4,803 2,313 838 507 1,160 1,153 1,492 8.'*7 1,922 834 £ 1,667 ;h5 111 58 54 28 288 183 76 154 115 173 17i 320 88 55 200 261 Proportion in the pound of Expendi- ture to Rateable Value. ? s. d. 0 1 \\ 0 0 10 0 1 82 0 1 Oi 0 lOi 0 0 4i 0 1 IJ 0 1 Of 0 l^ 4i 0 0 9J 0 0 6| 0 0 lOj 0 1 6 0 1 0 0 0 If'A 0 0 h\ 0 0 10 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6i 0 0 0 6J 0 0 2 0 0 54 0 0 7 £33,551 I ^£4,224 1 ;eO 1 0 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 65 fraud, and bribery ; bribery, fraud, and contrivance were the only interests that were fattened by this Law of Settlement, With regard to that large class of rate-payers, the farmers, such a system is most injurious. The farmer may not hire the best labourer he can get, unless he consents to keep, at his own expense, the drunken idler and his sis children, whom that labourer may dis- place. It is true that, from habit and want of reflec- tion (and such a stigma I am glad to say is fast passing away), the greater part of the farmers have become thoroughly imbued with the principle that the parish to which a man belongs, and not his ability to work, is the first point to be considered. Even the sense of interest has been corrupted ! (l.) But now that the protection of the corn laws is removed, the farmer should experience the utmost freedom, toge- ther with the manufacturer, in the choice of la- bourers. Here is a law, then, that collectively impoverishes and retards us — that individually crushes and annoys thousands of us. It is costly to all, beneficial to none. "Are not the interests of the poor, then," say some, " in any way remembered and conserved ?" And where, I reply, has there ever been a show, in the settlement laws, of positive advantage to them ? I may say, with Mr. Coode, in his report to the Poor- Law Board, that "the utmost the law has ever affected to do, is to liberate them from some hardships which the law itself, and its abuses, had alone exposed them to ;" for with this remark my own observation leads me most fully to concur. That a settlement confers a claim to relief, exists only as an exploded fallacy ; destitution alone consti- tutes the title to relief. There is some talk, again, about a settlement's proving a protection against removal. What is this, however, but a defence against the hardship of the (1) Farmers are often so sensible of the great benefit derived from having near at band places of residence for their labourers, that tbey occasionally build cottages themselves. Such, how- ever, is the perversity of this law, that, under it, landowners are known frequently to introduce covenants into leases, re- stricting the farmer, under penalty, from doing any act to give a man a parish settlement. Keport to the Poor-Law Board, 1850, p. 50 : "Mr. May, a farmer in the neighbourhood, showed me the cottages he had built at his own cost ; that is to say, he had found the labour, and his landlord had, most reluctantly, found the materials ; for the latter was greatly averse to anything that might lead to the making of a settlement, while the former felt so strongly interested in having cottages for his workmen, that he had erected two habitations at an expense of £75. His landlord; who had been disinclined to the building of these cottages, is not a very large owner in Caversham, but holds a considerable quantity of property in Maple Durham, and is the same gen- tleman who had been plaintiff in an action against a tenant, to recover a penalty for breach of covenant, by the making of two settlements." law itself ? " It is merely," as Mr. Coode says, " an abstinence from mischief, as far as relates to the peo- ple who remain where their settlement is ; but to all others the settlement is the sole ground of their sub- jection to the liability to removal. In fact," he goes on to remark, " settlement was created as the condi- tion for removability, not as a protection against it." And the more the labourer is provided with the same liberty everywhere, the greater the benefit — a benefit in no way attributable to the law, but to the fact of a more entire abstinence from its severe provisions. Further, it is said that this law benefits the la- bourer, inasmuch as it secures employment to him. The benefit of a monopoly of the employment, and relief in their parish, is thus given to the settled poor. How far is this true ? Where is the mono- poly when abundant employment attracts flocks of strangers to share the advantage, who are purposely encouraged by employers, to keep wages to their low- est possible point, without gaining a settlement them- selves? The monopoly they enjoy is tliis. When work is scarce, and wages are reduced to the lowest point at which body and soul can be kept together, those who are settled in the parish find employment in it — a privilege they enjoy over strangers 1 An exclusive monopoly to a wretched market ! When wages are reduced to 6, 7, 8, or 9 shillings a week, as in any of our ten purely agricultural counties, where the settlement law has unmitigated sway, while in the other counties they range from ].l to 15 shillings — the man who has a settlement also boasts the privilege which this certificate gives him of em- ployment ! How truly thankful he must feel ! In the course of his official evidence upon the ope- ration of the Law of Settlement in the counties of Dorset, Hampshire, and Somerset, Mr. Revans says: " Excepting during short and very busy periods in agriculture, as at harvest, a working man will be refused employment save in his own parish ; for at all other times the rate-payers postpone the execu- tion of work till those periods when employment is likely to be scarce, and when the labourers who have settlements would constantly fall upon the rates. It is nearly useless, therefore, for a working man, with the existing laws of settlement, to attempt to obtain work beyond the bounds of his parish. He will be answered with, ' We have enough to do to find em- ployment for our own people.' Should one, however, by the force of accident obtain employment away from his settlement, the first occasion on which there shall be the slightest deficiency of employment for the labourers who belong to the parish will cause him to be removed to his settlement." And so perse- cuted is the poor man, that a hundred to one he pays dearly for his rash endeavour, and presents a daily warning to every labourer of the surrounding 66 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. districts, of the folly of striving to improve his cou- dition, by leaving the parish to which the law awarded him. Truly a valuable monopoly. At a time when the payment of labour is so miserable that the alter- native of the poor-house is blessed to the poor man, in comparison with hard work and starvation abroad, and when rate-paying employers commonly take into consideration the respective alternatives of keeping their labourers by a dole of rate or a dole of wages, then is it that his settlement secures to the labourer this boon of employment ! What mockery ! What a bitter insult to those whom it affects to favour ! — a cruel oppression to those at whose cost it exists ! So deeply had the framers of this law the interests of the poor at heart, that they deprived them of the power to range the country in search for the best market for labour, and by way of compensation pro- vided that a favoured one here and there may be be protected in the exclusive possession of the worst ! No, X. Furthermore, the defendants of this law urge that " it keeps down population, and keeps up the stan- dard of subsistence." This is a curious defence for a sane person to set up, on behalf of a law that most evidently tends to the reverse. It is manifestly false, could it be proved, even, that the repression of population is a benefit. But the manner in which parishes favour the married above the single, because when they do fall upon the rates they fall heavier, tends directly to drive young men to embrace that estate, that they too may share its advantages. Young men are incited to early marriages ; for, if there is a scanty demand for employment, a preference is given to the married over the single man. He knows that he must be kept by the rates if he is out of employ, and that it is more expensive to maintain him and his family in the Union, than to pay him the current rate of wages. Perhaps the advocates of this law will tell us that in the fact that war, plague, pesti- lence, famine, vice, and misery keep down population to the supposed limit of the means of subsistence, dwells the mitigation of the disasters. " To create by law the impossibility to live, or the misery which prevents procreation," may then be supposed to be the proper and beneficent care of statesmen ! If this be so, we requii-e a new moral code. I can see in these facts only this solution— the law in question has encouraged marriage, and perforce births, wliile at the same time it has restricted the means of life by generating misery and vice ! Another argument in favour ef this enactment is, that "it diminishes gluts of labourers, and the suffering from casual failure of employment." _ All evidence goes directly against such an asser- tion as this. One of the main reasons for wishing the abandonment of the provision of this law is, because it regulates so wretchedly the stream of labour, and, by interfering with that natural process by which labour always finds its level, works against the best interests of the country, to their great detriment ; for a labourer to be working under a non-elastic security is very much the same as a steam-engine driven without the merciful appliance of a safety-valve. Give him freedom, and he will go where his judgment or his friend tells him he has the best prospect of living. A yet more astounding piece of assurance awaits us. The defendants of the law of settlement say that " it preserves the morality and industry of the unsettled poor" (!) The guardian of the morals of the poor ! The amount of suffering and demoralization, the injury of health, and the shortening of life, to wliich the agricultural labourer and his family are exposed from preventible causes, is even greater than that which has excited so much sympathy on behalf of the town population. The owners of property must not, I allow, be too harshly condemned for the misery thus created. The law of settlement has long tended to stimulate into action the baser and more sordid feelings of human nature. In seeking to rid himself of a permanent future charge he is tempted to be cruel and inconsiderate. He regards little whose interests he damages, in his anxiety to escape from such an affliction, like a man who runs helter-skelter when a bull pursues. Many boards of guardians have taken notice of the manner in which the law in question interferes with the proper supply of cottage-accommodation, and have considered this ground amply sutRcient on which alone to seek its abolition. The Ongar guardians came recently to the unanimous resolution, " that the abolition of the law of settlement and removal would be very beneficial to the deserving labourers, by encou- raging the owners of property to build cottages on their estates for the accommodation of their la- bourers ; and that the present law of settlement and removal operates to the injury of the labourers, by limiting the market of their laboui', and discouraging the building of cottages, so that the poor are crowded into miserable dwellings, at the sacrifice of health, comfort, and morality." This is a fair sample of the sentiments of the boards generally. This view is confirmed by Mr. Pashley. " It is undoubted and indisputable," says that gentleman, " that wherever the deficiency of cottage-accommo- dation exists, as it does so generally, it entails a fearful catalogue of calamities on the unhappy la- bourer and liis family. They usually become a sub- ject of traffic to small building speculators, who extort a high rental for a wretched hut, and who profit by the misery and degradation of those among THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 67 wliom all sense of decency is destroyed, -while health is injured, and life itself is greatly shortened by their being crowded together, often, without any regard to distinction of age or of sex." Mr. Austin, one of the special assistant poor-law commissioners, who reported on the employment of women and children in agriculture, gives his testi- mony to the want of cottage-accommodation, which he states to be " a want universal." " Cottages," he also remarks, "have only two bed-rooms (with very rare exceptions, and a great many have only one). This, I was told, was not an extraordinary case ; but that, more or less, every bed-room in the village was crowded with inmates of both sexes, of various ages, ami thai such a state of things teas caused by the loatit of cottages." Mr. Austin was informed by the agent of Lord Lansdowne, that " in Studley (Wilts) it is not at all uncommon for a whole family to sleep in the same room. The number of bastards in that place is very great ; the number of unmarried women is greater than in the neigh- bouring places. I do not think this state of things is attributable to the women working in the fields, but more to the want of proper accommodation in the cottages." I could fill sheets of paper with the recitals made by clergymen, of the miseries caused by this lack of cottage room. I could furnish evidence upon evi- dence from medical men to prove that disease is engendered and propagated thereby ; and I need not search long for the declaimings of landowners (1) and occupiers (2), for they are about me on every hand. It is not necessary, however, that I should intro- duce them, or indulge in revolting details. The fact must be patent to all. The consequences of a want of proper cottage-accommodation are fearful-— they are fatal. Erom this source flows much of the crime that disgraces our country ; for it is mainly attributable to the mixture of sexes and of ages in the dwellings of the poor — a practice that debases and demoralizes the human mind, and which, unless counteracted, must effectually neutralize every effort made towards the elevation or improvement of the people. And these are as nearly as possible the words of Mr. Justice Coleridge, when addressing a Labourers' Priend Association. Yet we are asked to believe that this law, which spreads a moral death about it, preserves the morality and industry of the poor! By way of making this egregious blunder— not to call it a palpable falsehood — a little palatable, the (1) The Duke of Bedford, Letter dated 9th March, 1849, published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. x„ pp. 185-187; Mr. Acland, on the Farming of Somer- setahire, Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. si., 666-764. (2) Poor Law Reports of the Law of Settlement. 1850. writers who defend this law urge that " it is not very mischievotis now" And how much better does this make the case, if true? Little or nothing. But it is not true. So completely has the people, by the rigorous enforcement of this law of settlement, become conformed to it — so much has the character of the habits and feelings of the lower orders been moulded upon it for centuries — that it becomes ex- tremely difBcult for us to conceive what we should be without it. The past and present state is re- garded by the labouring classes as the natural one. The bulk of theui never knew any other. The terrors of the whip and the cart are not known personally to the labourer ; but the spiiit of subjection which these cruelties engendered in the breasts of his fore- fathers, is inherited by him. Prom generation to generation has been nursed a traditional dread of the removing constable. A freeman may more easily comprehend the bondage to which he is re- duced, than a born slave this freedom to which he is remitted ; more especially when this freedom is but relative and partial. Many instances occurred in South Africa, when the liberation of the slaves took place, in which those to whom freedom was given were quite indifferent to it ; and in Jamaica, numbers were averse to accept the boon. M. G. Lewis — Byron's friend — to whom had fallen, by the death of a relative, a plantation in the West Indies, went thither with a most rooted abhorrence of slavery. He proposed freeing his people; but when he became acquainted with their feelings on the matter, he saw that his offer would not be received with pleasure, and that its results would be confusion, sorrow, and distress. Yet no one will say that it is natural to prefer bondage to freedom. No : it is unnatural. The first slave wore no smile : he was, most probably, a captive; and his spirit became broken, and as generation followed generation, this broken spirit passed from father to son, like an heir- loom ; the knowledge of liberty and the love of it was lost, and, from long association with serfdom, it became a received opinion that there was never any other condition for black people, nor ever could be, than that of serfdom. Had we never known any thing about removals and settlements, it would be difficult, metlunks, to trammel the limbs of the English people with such fetters now-a-day. If we, as Mr. Coode says, count only the number of removals, and suppose these to be the whole effect of the law, forgetting the comparatively greater effect of the terror they inspire in the timid and ignorant multitude, we may perhaps arrive at the conclusion that " a settlement law does very little mischief now." One might as well estimate the number of lives saved, directly by the number of lives forfeited for murder ; or might say that the F 2 G8 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. measure of popular submission to a law, is the number of those who are punished for breaking it. Few removals should show to a rational mind the perfect control in which the people are held by the law of removal. Look, then, at the total of the pleas that can be urged in favour of the settlement law — pleas that have been m-ged and re-urged in some 400 different books and pamphlets ! Small indeed is the mouse this labouring mountain produces. This law of removal fails universally. It fails in the preservation of parish interests : it fails in the preservation of the special interests of ratepayers : most miserably it fails to protect the interests of the poor — nothing but unmitigated failure. Nay, I wrong it: in one thing it does succeed, and that marvellously well. It attends well to the interests of the legal profession. In this it has not failed. In all other attempts to protect and nourish, it has. P. R. S. DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. The very signal success at present enjoyed by such district societies as the West of England, the Yorkshire, the Norfolk, the Suffolk, and one or two more, should not be without its effect. By a happy infusion of fresh spirit and improved ma- nagement, these few associations have really be- come worthy of that position they assumed to take. Extending, in most cases, the limit of their opera- tions, they have gradually emerged from that too local repute, that spoke only to a languishing exist- ence, and a scarcely more than negative advantage. The distinction to be achieved at such a meeting was hardly worth the attention of those who were qualified to compete for it, and thus the society struggled on from year to year, each anniversary promising little better to those who attended it than that it might be the last. There are many such institutions that may profit by the examples we have instanced. A closely- confined area, we are inclined to think, is with the majority of these the great mistake. A judicious amalgamation of the forces of some two or three such societies might work wonders in districts Avhere, as it is, little interest or effect is attached to the proceedings. We have the precedent we have already quoted to guide us here. By union, these societies have given importance to their gatherings, found funds equal to the objects they wished to encourage, and excited an emulation that must tell equally well on both exhibitor and spectator. A premium, luider these altered circumstances, is worth taking and speaking of; and so we have something more than neighbour This sending in his bull against neighbour That, in answer to the urgent appeal of an unhappy secretary, seriously troubled as to his day resulting in any show at all. Taking one case from the many, we may point to an agricultural society of this limited scope and means, the members of which, we assume, already think pretty much with ourselves. In the North- ampton Herald of last Saturday, we notice the re- port of a meeting held on the Thursday previous, at Banbury. The aim of this would appear to have been the resuscitation of the " Banbury Agricultu- ral Association"; a society which, according to the chairman of the day, " was in a very languid state, and that, if something was not done, he was afraid would quite fall in." This " something" certainly strikes us as about the best thing that could be done. Instead of attempting to go on any further as they have gone on, the members propose to ex- tend their sphere of action, by amalgamation with some other similar body in the neighbourhood. They naturally and judiciously turned at once to the chief society of the county — that now holding its meetings at, and known as " the Oxford Agri- cultural Association." Some communication, it appears, has already been entered into with the latter, although the result, so far, has scarcely been as encouraging as could have been desired. It is, indeed, from seeing the obstacles likely to be pre- sented, that we are induced to call particular atten- tion to the conference in question. We will assume in the first place that union to the Banbury Society is everything. In the next, how- ever, let us bear in mind that they cannot receive assistance without also giving it. Like mercy, it is a kind of aid that is " twice blessed." The moment the Oxford Society consents to receive Banbury into its arms, from that instant must it add to its own usefulness and importance. We know of few counties — and we happen to enjoy some knowledge of this — more likely to sup- port one good central society than the county of Oxford. There is the opportunity for now proving this. With the Bath thoroughly re-established on one side of them, and Reading promising to ad- vance on another, let not the agriculturists here be contented with limited effects and results. Let Oxford, Banbury, Watlington, and other district societies, with a " pull altogether" establish one good annual meeting, that it shall be our duty and pleasure to attend, and to record amongst the important gatherings of the year. They may rest THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 69 assured that any union like this must be for the benefit of them all. We are not inclined to consider the question of funds as the great difficulty in the way of any in- corporation of the Banbury and Oxford Societies. With a little exertion these might soon be supplied. The following extract from the report would seem to show that the members of the latter were scarcely inclined to meet their Banbury friends with that readiness we should have anticipated :— Mr. Cothei', who had been deputed to attend a meeting at Oxford, said : — That in the case of many small societies where there had been an amalgamation, they had become exceedingly useful, not only in respect of stock, but in the diffusion of agricultural knowledge generally. He instanced the Bath and West of England Society. Every good implement was to be inspected there, which they had not the opportunity of doing here. Again, enormous good had been accomplished by amalgamat- ing in Yorkshire ; every one knew for 50 miles round where to go for the best bull, horse, or sheep. He wished to ask Mr. Middleton, however, whether, in case of an amalgamation, the Oxford Society would object to come to Banbury with their show every other year ; if not, it would be fatal to the project. Mr. Middleton thought it would be decided to the con- trary ; the older members of the society residing the other side of the county, round Dorchester. The Chairman should object if that were the case. There was an end to amalgamation unless the meeting was held at Banbury every other year. This of course would be fatal. One of the chief features contributing to the success of these so- cieties is the hint the management have taken from the Royal Society of England. They are nearly all peripatetic— proceeding in turn from one part of a county or district to another, and gather- ing fresh strength and making new friends where- ever they turn their steps. It must be so with any county society in Oxfordshire. Depend upon it, no general good can come from paying continued court only to a few " older members who may hap- pen to reside on the other side of the county." We would not say merely from Oxford to Ban- bur)', and from Banbury to Oxford. There are other localitie^s well able to entertain such a body, and almost equally deserving to profit by, and aid in such a meeting. All this is very susceptible of a general applica- tion. Too local societies we fear do too little good ; whereas, when extended in their action, they in- crease proportionately in their utility. Their effect, however, as we take it, must range far beyond even a county, or any other defined influence. We look upon such gatherings as excellent " feeders" to the national meetings of the kingdom; encou- raging exhibitors to try their footing a little deeper still, and thus giving fresh blood to a Society that could not long exist without it. NORFOLK AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of this society was held at Norwich on Friday, June 23. A variety of other en- gagements compelled us to abandon at the last our intention of being present. We have the more to regret this, as we learn the show was a very good one, and, in most respects, quite worthy of the county which it professed to represent. In the exhibition of stock the horses were thought to be generally good, the mares and foals particularly so — Messrs, Barthropp, Crisp, Barlow, Badham, and others sending specimens of the breeds for which they are become famous. Amongst the sheep the Southdowns had the call — Lords Walsingham, Sondes, and Leicester trying their strength against Mr. Overman, Mr. Sexton, and other gentlemen of hardly less rank as breeders. The Leicester sheep were, class for class, we are assured, by no means so good ; while with the cattle the leaning in Norfolk is still in favour of the Devon, despite the efforts of some most persevering followers of the Shorthorn in a neighbouring county. The pens of so renowned an exhibiter as Mr. Fairlie would alone go a great way towards making a good poultry show; while the implement depart- ment of the yard included the stands of Messrs. Ransome and Sims, of Ipswich ; Burrell, of Thetford ; Garrett, of Leiston ; Holmes, of Nor- wich ; Barnard and Bishop, of Norwich ; Sparke, of Norwich ; Coleman, of Chelmsford ; Campling, of Norwich; and Turner, of Ipswich. Beyond this, we must let the prize list speak for itself — merely premising that the show was altogether a fuller one than that of last year. LIST OF PRIZES. CATTLE. Judges of Cattle. — Mr. Ciiriatopher Cattle, of Inker- don, Northamptonshire. Mr. George Franks, of Thong, Kent. Mr. Edward Frost, of West Wratting, Cambridge- shire. For the best shorthorn bull, £6, Mr. Thomas Crisp, Chilles- ford. For the second best, £3, 11. K. Tompaon, Esq., Witchingham. For the best Devon bull, £6, A. Hamond, Esq., Westacre. For the second best ditto, £3, Mr. J. Blomfield, jun., Warham. For the beat polled bull, £6, 11. Birkbeck, Esq., Stoke Holy Cross, 70 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. For the best bull in the yard, of any breed, open to all competitors, the Norwich cup, A Hamond, Esq., Westacre. For the best shorthorn cow, in calf or in milk, £5, J. H. Gurney, Esq. For the second best ditto, £3, Mr. S. Gooch. For the best Devon cow, in calf or in milk. A.. Hamond, Esq.'s premium of £5, the Earl of Leicester. For the second best ditto, £3, Mr. J. Blorafield, jun. For the best polled cow, in calf or iu milk, £5, Mr. T. M. Hudson. For the second best ditto, £3, H. Birkbeck, Esq. For the best shorthorn in calf heifer, bred by the exhibitor, not imder two years old nor above three years old, W. Bagge, Esq.'s, £5, Lord Walsingham. For the second best ditto, £2, Mr. S. Gooch. For the best Devon in calf heifer, £4, the Earl of Leicester. For the second best ditto, £2, the Earl of Leicester. For the best polled in calf heifer, £4, Mr. G. D. Badham. For the best fat steer, of any breed, under four years old, £5, the Eev. J. Holmes. For the second best ditto, £3, the Earl of Leicester. For the best fat cow or heifer, £4, the Earl of Leicester. For the second best ditto, £2, Mr. H. K. Tompson. SHEEP, Judges op Sheep. — Mr. Thos. Hawkins, of Smallbridge, near Sudbury, Suifolk. Mr. Henry P. Hart, of Beddingham, Susses. Mr. Thomas P. Stone, of Barrow-on-Soar, Leicester- shire. For the best shearling Southdown ram, £5, and for the second best ditto, £3, Mr. H. Overman. For the best Sonthdown ram of any age, H. Styleman Le Strange, Esq.'s, premium of £5 ; and for the second best ditto, £2, Lord Walsingham. For the best pen of three shearling Southdown ewes, £5, Lord Walsingham ; for the second best ditto, £2, Mr. H. Overman. For the best pen of ten Southdown ewe lambs, £4 ; and for the second best ditto, £2, Lord Sondes. For the best pen of three Southdown shearling ewes, bred by the exhibiter, the Earl of Leicester's premium of £5, Mr. G. Sexton. For the best pen of three shearling Southdown wethers. Lord Walsingham's premium of £5 5s., Mr. H. Overman. For the best pen of twenty Southdown wether Iambs, Sir W. B. Ffolkes's premium of £5, Mr. W. M. Farrer; for the second best ditto, £2, Lord Sondes. For the best pea of twenty Southdown shearling ewes, £5, the Earl of Leicester ; for the second best ditto, £2, Mr. W. Farrer. For the best shearling Leicester or long-woolled ram, £5, Mr. P. J. Sharman ; for the second best ditto, £3, Mr. Josiah Hill, Briston. For the best Leicester or long-woolled ram of any age, £5 ; and for the second best ditto, £2, Mr. Josiah Hil!. For the best pen of three shearling Leicester or long-woolled ewes, £4, Mr. Josiah Hilh For the be^t pen of ten wether lambs of any breed, £4, Mr. Utting, Stanninghall ; for the second best ditto, £2, Mr. H. Wrightup, of Bintry. HORSES. Judges of Horses and Pigs. — Mr. H. Kersey Cooper, of Euston, Suffolk. Mr. Joseph Maun, of "Rockland, Nor- folk. Mr. Samuel French, of Great Holland, Essex. For the best cart stallion, not under four years old, having covered at least thirty mares in Norfolk during the present season, £10, Mr. E. Cottingham; for the second best ditto, £5, Mr. J. H. Holley. For the best two years old carfc stallion, £4, Mr. Thomas Crisp. For the best stallion, for saddle or harness, £7, A. Hamond, Esq, For the best cart mare, G. P. Beutinck, Esq's., premium of £5, Mr. N. G. Barthropp ; for the second best ditto, £3, Mr. F. Barlow. For the best three years old cart filly, £4, Mr. N. G. Bar< thropp ; for the second best ditto, £2, Mr. J. Smith. For the best two years old ditto, £4, Mr. N. G. Barthropp. For the best cart foal, £4, Mr. G. D. Badham ; for the se- cond best ditto, £2, Rev. J. H. Steward. SWINE. For the best boar, £3 j and for the second best ditto, £2, Mr. Thos. Crisp, Cbillesford. For the best breeding sow, £3, H. Birkbeck, Esq., Stoke Holy Cross ; for the second beat ditto, £2, Mr. Thos. Crisp, Chillesford. For the best pen of eight store pigs, not exceediug four mouths old, being of the same litter, £3, Mr. R. Gillett, Tunstall. implements. Judges of Implements. — Mr. E. Blytb, of Buruham, Norfolk. Mr. H. B. Caldwell, of Hillborough, Norfolk. Mr. John Ferguson, of Wretham, Norfolk. To the exhibiter of the best newly-invented implement, for the purpose of agriculture, the utility and price whereof shall be approved by the judges, £5, patent revolving horse-hoe, Garrett and Son ; to the exhibiter of the second best ditto, £3, patent universal horse-hoe, Mr. R. H. NichoUs ; to the exhibiter of the third best ditto, £2, registered manure dis- tributor. Holmes and Sons. sheep-shearing. The following obtained prizes for clippers for sheep- sliearing: — lat, Mr. Thos. Sharpe; 2ud, Jonathan Battaby; Srd, Thomas Shaul; 4th, Robert Gathcrgood. The Stev/ards of the Yard were Mr. Charles Ethe- ridge, of Starston, Norfolk. Mr. Isaac Everitt, of Limpeuhce, Norfolk. Mr. George Read, of Plumstead, Norfolk. THE DINNER, Which took place at the Assembly Rooms, was attended by about 150 gentlemen, including the Earl of Albemarle, who presided. Lord Walsingham, Lord Berners, Lord Hastings, Lord Suffield, H. N. Burroughea, Esq., M.P., B. Gurdos, Esq., Wyrley Birch, Esq., Hon. B. De Grey, Hon. and Rev, F. De Grey, Hon. and Rev, E. Keppel, W. Burroughes, Esq., Hon. Harbord Harbord, J. Everitt, Esq., F. Irby, Esq., Col. Fitzroy, H. Stracey, Esq., J. B. Caldwell, Esq., J. S. Muskett, Esq., H. E. Blyth. Esq., J. Hudson, Esq., J. Warner, Esq., Rev. P. Gurdon, Rev. J. W. King, Mr. F. Astley, Mr. J, Reeve, Mr. Cattle, Mr. Frost, Mr. Nuncks, Mr. England, Mr. J. Kendle, Mr. C. Hart, Mr. G. Eaton, Mr. J. Porter, Mr. C, Mayes, Mr. Layton, Mr. Bagge, Mr. Thorold, Mr. W. P. Salter, Mr. J. J. Palmer, Mr. L. Rodweil, Mr. H. Overman, Mr. G. Read, Mr. Mann, Mr. T. M. Hudson, Mr. K. Cooper, Mr, Barthropp, Mr. H, Overman, jun., Mr. H. J. Hitchcock, Mr. R.Leeds, Mr. H. Kendall, Mr. J. Savory, Mr. J. Collins, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Stone, Mr. Hart, Mr. Wrench, Mr. Catling, Mr. W. M. Farrer, Mr. Abbott, Mr. Fergusson, Mr. Beck, Mr. Atkinson, Mr. H. Chamberlin, '_Mr. Seamau," Mr. S. Sharpe, Mr. B. H. Baker, Mr. H. Baker, Mr. Oswald, &c. We regret thatjwe have not room this month for the different addresses of the evening, though we hope to refer to them here- after. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 71 TRADE WITH RUSSIA AND OTHER COUN- TRIES, POR TALLOW, HEMP, ELAX, AND LINSEED. A return has just been published of the imports, during the last 10 years, of the various articles, exclusive of grain, which make up the chief portion of the trade of Russia, namely, tallow, hemp, flax, linseed, hides, and wool. From this it appears that, as regards hemp, flax, linseed, and wool, the quantities taken last year from Russia exceeded those of any former year ; but that Russian tallow, ou the contrary, shows a diminution, owing partly to the competition of Australia and the River Plate, as well as to the increasing supply of palm oil from Western Africa. The followiug is a comparison of the quantities in 1844 and 1853 : — Tallow. 1844. Cwt. Russia 865,381 Australia 37.415 United States . . . . 52,799 River Plate .. .. 100,617 India 3,755 Brazil 4,409 Turkey 3,000 Other parts .. .. 12,291 1853. Cwt. 845,901 125,186 24,542 162,413 5,050 687 11,945 1,079,667 .. 1,175,754 The increase iu the supply of tallow from all parts, during 10 years, looking at the general extension of commerce, has thus been remarkably small. The year of the greatest im- portation was 1843, when it reached 1,498,359 cwt., owing to the to!al from Russia having been 1,149,157. The subsequent falling off has been chiefly from the ports in the Black Sea, which 10 years back sent 152,312 cwt., and last year only 21,408. In the quantity from Australia the increase during the 10 years has been very great, although the last two years show a decline from the highest point, which was reached in 1851, when the total was 174,472 cwt. As regards articles analogous to tallow, the imports of palm oil, which is derived almost exclusively from the west coast of Afric;t, have increased from 414,648 cwt. in 1844 to 636,628 in 1353. Of train oil, which is principally supplied from North America, the totals between the two periods show little variation, 15,838 tuns having been imported in 1844, and only 15,757 tuns in 1833. Of spermaceti, also, the figures have been nearly stationary, namely, 5,006 tuns in 1844, and 5,180 in 1853 ; the chief quantity being now ob- tained from the United States, owing to a diminution in the Aua'.ralian and South Sea supply. Of hemp the following are the comparative totals : — 1844. 1853. Cwt. Cwt. Russia 655,954 .. 806,396 India 211,392 .. 320,672 Austria 15,431 .. 30,286 Prance 2,707 .. 25,368 Philippine Islands .. 14,122 .. 19,550 Other parts .. .. 13,627 .. 16,498 913,233 .. 1,218,770 Although the importations of hemp from Russia last year vero larger than on any former occasion, the aggregate from aU parts was not equal to that in 1851, when, owing to 590,623 cwt. Laving been received from India, the total was 1,293,411 cwt. Of flax the following are the comparative totals : — 1844. Cwt. Russia 1,112,024 Prussia Holland Belgium Egypt Hanse Towns. Other parts,. . 249,404 106,658 44,967 30,266 17,463 22,712 1853. Cwt. 1,294,827 229,407 123,691 99,558 85,105 29,789 27,100 1,583,494 1,889,477 The above importations of flax for 1853, amounting to 1,889,477 cwt. (erroneously computed in the return to amount to 1,902,477), are in excess of any former year, both as regards the quantities from Russia and the general aggregate. Annexed are the totals of linseed : — 1844. 1853. Urs. Qrs. Russia 448,393 .. 765,019 Prussia 90,383 .. 57,848 India 29,745 .. 151,113 Turkey and Egjpt 22,386 . . 17,523 Other parts 26,040 . . 43,827 616,947 1,035,335 These also, both as regards Russia and the general aggre- gate, are beyond those of former years. Of hides and wool the quantities obtained from Russia are not of much importance, as compared with the general supply, the number of hides imported thence in 1853 having been only 11,115, out of a total from all countries of 750,309; while of wool it was 9,G75,1991b. out of 119,396,4491b. Ten years back the importation of Russian hides was 23,605, and of wool 4,765,9571b. Among the most satisfactory features of the above returns is the evidence they afford that in those articles in which India competes v.'ith Russia the comparison of progress is much in favour of India — a course of affairs destined to be greatly stimulated by the present war. MEXICAN GUANO. — NEW DISCOVERIES. — It appears that the goveriament of Mexico have recently granted for ten years to Senor Jose 0. Ferns and others, representing a body to be called the Mexican Guano Company, an exclusive privilege for the exportation of guano from all the coasts and islands belonging to that country, with the e.xception of three islands in the Pacific known under the name of the Marias. Cir- culars have accordingly been issued, notifying the conditions on which it may be obtained, the professed object of the proprietors being to leave the trade as open as possible consistently with their own claims for remuneration. The quality of the guano existing on the Atlantic side of the coast has been more thoroughly examined than that ou the other, owing to several cargoes having already been taken thence to the United States, as well as a few to Liverpool, and is stated to be entirely distinct from the Peru- vian descriptions, its richness consisting in 60 per cent, of phosphate of lime. That which exists on the islands and promontories of the Pacific coast and in tlieGnlf of California is described as of a more varied character, some parts which are rainless being expected to supply high qualities, while in others tlie description.? are inferior. Thus far, however, there seem to be no accurate classification of the respective sorts, nor any reliable estimates as to the quantities obtainable. The discovery of these deposits as regards the Atlantic portion is only of recent date. The islands containing the principal amount are called the Triangles, near the coast of Yucatan ; and no knowledge of the circumstance seemed to have been possessed by the Mexican Government until very lately, when, after two American vessels had filled there, one of them, wiih more than 200 tons on board, was stranded in a storm on a neighbouring point, and the matter was brought to light. — Times. 73 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. WAR PRICES. In spring the Poor Law question, Agricultural Sta-^ tisties, and the influence which war was likely to have upon agricolture and the nation generally, were topics which excited an amount of interest almost such as to eclipse the important operations of seedtime alto- gether. Of these the declaration of war against Russia, with tiie many perplexing difficulties involved in the satisfactory and permanent settlement of the Eastern question, certainly occupied the most prominent place in the public mind. Groaning under the enormous load of taxes occasioned by the last war, parties naturally looked upon the present with some suspicion, and on that account manifested a willingness to entertain hopes of peace which otherwise would not have been cherished. If Turkey, for instance, had conceded to her christian population civil and religious liberty, Unssia proposed to withdraw her forces from tlie Principalities ; and therefore many, despite the arch duplicity and cunning practised by the Czar, hoped that some modification of this proposition would have become the basis of an amicable arrangement through the intervention of the German powers; others, with too much reason, concluded that such a settle- ment would only place the eastern question " out of the frying pan into tlie fire,'' and that the commercial resources of the country would be affectod accordingly. From the animosity, for Instance, that exists between the Greek and Latin churches, the persecuting spirit which both of them entertain, not only towards Mos- lems but also Protestants, the fact that Protestanism is safer under Islamism than under the hierarchical domi- nation of either of those churches, owing to the spirit of inquiry and toleration which has lately arisen among Turks as to the authenticity and use of the Bible, the foundation on which the christian religion is established, jQ comparison with that of the Koran and Sunna, the source of Islamism itself, the harmony of Protes- tantism and the Bible, and the opposite of the popery of the Eastern and Western churches, whose hierarchical governments, as well as life and conduct, have long since been condemned by Mahommedans as contrary to scripture, with the equally interesting fact that the final settlement of the East is dependent upon the triumph of Protestantism, and the establishment of civil and religious liberty on Protestant i)rinciples, or in accordance with the sacred institutes of the Bible— from these things, we say, they conclude that concession to the proposition of Russia would only be throwing Turkey open to the fanaticism of the Greek church, including Russian propagandism, and therefore leaving the question as far from settled as ever, if not further. In short, they look upon the reformation of Turkey as a work of time, requiring the active intervention of the Western powers during this period, in order to bring it to a successful termination ; and as such a work involves in some measure the civil and religious liberty of Russia also, it is not likely that it will meet with the approba- tion of the Emperor Nicliolas; consequently the question arises — How long and in what manner will the commerce of the Baltic and Black Sea be affected by this state of things ? What influence are they likely to have upon the agriculture and corn trade of Britain ? Are we to conclude the present century as we began it, with high prices ? In answering these questions, we have first to observe that progress has been made in the science of war as well as in other sciences since 1815, so that the results of hostilities at present will be different from tbose of the i^ast. In other words, we have no reason to sup- pose that because we are at war with Russia we are there''ore to have the high prices of the former war, while it is manifest that expenses will be greater at the same time — a shot which then cost 5s. now costing 20s. And besides progress in naval and military affairs, politics, &c., war confined to the Russian shores of the Baltic and Black Sea, or to Russia and Turkey ; or if we even take a more unfavourable view of things still, by supposing the Emperors of Austria and Prussia to join the Czar in opposing the progress of civil and religious freedom in Turkey and Russia, for fear of its extension into their own dominions, even then war, confined to northern Europe and Asia Minor, would have a very different effect upon the corn trade and agriculture of this country from what the last war had ; for in it the whole world was embroiled in one sanguinary struggle. When France and England let loose " the dogs of war" against each other, havoc and destruction devoured both sea and land, so to speak ; but on the present occa- sion, granting that Germany sent into the field along with Russia the boasted force of "400,000" men (which by-the-by is just what the ex-patriots of Poland and Hungary desire), still the naval affairs of the whole world would be comparatively at peace ; for however protracted things may be on land, it is manifest that the fleets of tlie Western powers will soon silence all opposition to the shipping interests of both seas. Russia may prohibit the export of corn ; but what will that avail her when her exporting sea-board falls into the hands of England and France, the two great importing states? and when Georgia, Besserabia, Poland, and Finland become independent states, and the Danubian provinces free from blockade ? In answering this question the martial rules and maxims of the last century cannot be trusted as guides to the present, however favourable such may appear to the interest o( individual parties, for nations are now almost unanimous as to the impolicy of allowing war to interfere with the ordinary affairs of commerce. Tlie public manifestoes of England, France, and the United States to put au end to privateering, and THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 73 otherwise improve international law3, prove this. Now if these three states join hands together as to the maritime policy of nations, it ouglit to convince tlie most sceptical alarmist that not only the shipping interest of the Baltic and Blaclv Sea is safe in their hands, but also that of the whole world. If, therefore, the shipping interest remain undisturbed or undi- minished in tonnage, the effuct of war upon the corn trade is limited to the power of Russia to prohibit exports, and the policy which France and England, the two importing states, may thiulc iit to extend towards such a proliibition. Tliat the fleets of the Western Powers will cripple the commerce of Russia by a close blockade need not be questioned ; but that they will comply with the prohibitory measures of the Czar, so as to starve Paris and London on the one hand, and allow the enemy to retain an abundant supply of cheap bread corn on the other, is a proposition not so easily reconciled to tlie general policy and interest of cither of the two governments. Revenge is no doubt sweet, but self-interest sweeter still, and the more prudent course for them to pursue is to render nuga- tory the attempt on the part of Russia to prohibit the export of corn, for this would enable thousands to sell out and seek for safety in more promising climes than she now affords, while it would place those left behind in a position of the most dangerous kind. It is a well known fact, for instance, that tlie strength of the Russian army is drafted from her peasantry, that farther conscriptions are contemplated in magnitude such as the agricultural resources of the country will admit of, and consequently the more old corn the Emperor succeeds in retaining on liand, just so much the greater an army can he bring to bear upon Turkey and the defence of the principalities he has so un- ceremoniously wrenched from her, and which he can- not now much longer retain, if he has not by this time been driven like a wolf from his prey ; that the laws of conscription and export of corn can only be enforced by military authority, so that wlien that authority is called into active service, such laws are liable to be set at naught by a disappointed populace on the first reverses which Russia may experience in the campaign she herself recommenced by crossing the Danube this year as she did the Pruth thela^t; and consequently the moment such reverses are experienced, as doubtless they soon will be, both in the Baltic and Black Seas, the greatest enemies which Nicholas will have to encounter will be those of the late Emperor Paul — his oion sub- jects ! What, in short, he most dreads is the importa- tion of those civil and religious principles which govern England. Aware of their dangerous character, and alarmed at the progress they are now making in Turkey, he is afraid lest they cross his own frontier next, as such a result would Inevitably put an end to arbitrary rule at home, at variance with public interest, such as prohibiting the export of corn, and aggressive government towards other states, as the long-cherished dismemberment of the Turkish Empire, where for the last ten years the Czar has been, in the language of the poet, " Nursing his wrath to keep it warm;" and^hese are the very sort of materials we would therefore suggest sending him, not on the principle of sowing sedition in an enemy's country, but of sowing the seeds of permanent peace and prosperity; materials which would bind the northern autocrat more tightly than parchment treaties have hitherto done or ever can do ; indeed the only materials by which the fanaticism of the Greek Church of Russia can be successfully checked, and the Eastern question finally and satis- factorily settled. Supposing these to be the facts of the case about to be revealed by the war, facts which are daily becoming more apparent as the stormy elements of war-gathering cloud thehorizon of all the Russias, facts which, in point of fact, are already beginning to be realized, for in the very capital of the empire itself the most arbitrary and tyrannical measures are necessary, to confine the slumbering elements of rebellion within the breasts of an ignorant and already disappointed populace, who are becoming sensible of their position, and the abso- lute necessity of a change of government before re- dress of grievances can possibly be expected, and while the Greek church of Turkey and Greece is showing unrnistakeable signs of Russian propagandism; such, therefore, being the facts of the case, we say we have the greatest difficulty in arriving at the conclu- sion that war with Russia will advance the price of corn so as to benefit the landed interest and the corn trade of this country, even granting that the government of Turkey shall virtually devolve upon France and England for the next twenty years. Indeed the very idea of its doing so is repugnant alike to common sense and humanity ; so that landlords, tenants, and corn mer- chants, with others interested, may make up their minds to share the calamities of war in common with the rest of her Majesty's loyal subjects, and the higher the price of corn the greater will be the expenses entailed upon the country. The impolitic increase of the malt tax, so justly condemned in the leading columns of this paper — the increase of the property tax, and expenditure of the landed interest generally* without a corresponding increase in rents, produce, and profits, fully confirm this, and even more than this, for it is manifest that this class will be saddled with more than a fair share of the exjienses of the war. We must, therefore, look to other causes for the fluctuations which have taken place in the price of corn, and continuation of high prices expected, than to the actual commencement of hostilities with Russia; for it is supply and demand which can only legiti- mately affect price. Now the fluctuation which has taken place in the price of corn during the last twelve months is such, that supply and demand cannot legitimately account for it ; so that it must be attributed to speculation or something else. No doubt more statistical information is necessary than we now possesses, to enable us successfully to regulate supply and demand to the greatest public advantage ; but we question very much, if after we have obtained such from every county in the kingdom, as was this year done from Edinburgh, Roxburgh, and Sutherland 74 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, shires, that fluctuations in price will become the exception; for certain it is that farmers at least cannot plead ignorance of the deficiency of last year's crop, so as to impute the fluctuations which have taken place to a want of information, for by last midsummer the deficiency of crop 1853 was nearly as well known as at present. But we are not left without more tangible evidence in support of our proposition than de- ductions of the above kind, for when the export of corn was prohibited from the Russian shores of the Black Sea, prices there immediately fell, and by sequence ought to have risen here. Did they do so ? Quite the contrary ! Tiie first effect of war, therefore, has been to lower the price of corn in both Russia and England. How then is such to be accounted for, seeing it is diametrically opposite to the credence of so many ? At Odessa the question is easily answered ; for the demand was reduced, and consequently the price fell, according to the ordinary course of com- merce. But in England it was otherwise ; for here, although the natural supply was diminished, yet from speculation being unable to hoard up any longer, she was compelled to make forced sales both in France and England, and therefore filled the market with a temporary supply, upon the whole greater than the previous demand, and hence reduced the price. Speculation, therefore, was the cause of the depression in the English markets at that time, and not war as formerly stated ; and the depression would in all probability have been greater but for the pro- hibition of exports from the seat of war ; while high prices generally have been occasioned by the deficient harvest of last year, and not war. Indeed, since the declaration of war against Russia, prices have been lower than they were previously, proving, in the plainest manner, the soundness of the conclusions we have advanced, and also accounting for the short supply of breadstufFs from America. The high prices of spring might easily be accounted for were it now necessary, as well as some other anomalies ; and since that time, the country has reason to congratulate itself on the pretty uniform level at which things have remained, the Finland Gulf and Black Sea being both under blockade. We have even some difficulty in concluding that the prohibition of the Czar and blockade will very much diminish supplies from the Black Sea ; for if Odessa and the other exporting places fall into the hands of the Western Powers, as they doubtless will, they will become Anglo-French provinces during the period of war, or free Slates not subject to the laws of Russia; consequently there is nothing to prevent their corn being shipped to this country and France, if required. If Paris and London want corn, we say it can hardly be supposed that a veto will not be put upon the pro- hibition of the Emperor Nicholas, and the welfare of captured or liberated provinces duly protected. In- deed, it is manifest that Russia will soon not have a port in the Black Sea to blockade. So far as the present crop is concerned^ therefore. we have been unable to arrive at the conclusion that war will ha\e that infiuence upon the price of corn v/hich many appear willing to attribute to it. The high prices and fluctuation of this year are occa- sioned by a short crop, and consequent specula- tion, and not by the war on the Danube. But increasing the malt- tax, and taxing the incomes of landlords, tenants, &c., to pay the expenses of war, will, we fear, be productive of very different results. The agricultural resources of the theatre of war T.-ill no doubt be affected so that there may be a dsfieient STipply from the Black Sea next year, and this may render speculation at present somewhat less hazardous to those whose credit will permit of long storage ; but the destinies of the ensuing crop, upon which the price of next year depends, we leave in higher hands than those of speculation, ob- serving that, so far as gone, the season is propitious to France and England, now called upon to perform an important mission in the East in favour of civil and religious liberty. Harvest, it is true, will not be quite so early as at one time expected ; but, although this is now fact, the yield may yet be as great as otherwise would have been. — W. B. CONSUMPTION IN FOWLS CURABLE.~A corre- spondeut of the Poultry Chronicle, a new publication devoted to the poultry interest, announces cousumption curable among fowls. Cod Liver Oil, whose virtues seem to be unlimited, is in this instance the saviour aud fatteaer of skimiy Cochin cockerels. We are told that " the best way to exhibit this medicine is in Scotch oatmeal, for, singularly enougli, it mixes with it much better than in barley iiour. The dose is a full teaspoonful three or four times daily. After about two days, the circulation seems iraproving', for gradually the livid cha- racter of the comb and wattles, as also their general ap- pearance, gives way ; aud from this time (the medicine still continued) the bird improves alike in flssli and spirits. I re- peat, I am not friendly to much doctoring of poultry ; but fiuding not a single instance has come to my knowledge of recovery by the many other means adopted, and where the oil was freely administered not a death occurred, I have ventured to forward my experience for the beueflt of your readers." CAUTION TO SERVANTS.— ABSCONDING FROM HUSBANDRY SERVICE.— A braliam ]\Ierritt was charged with having misconducted himself, by running away from the service of Mr. Pike, farmer, Bucklebury. It was proved that the defeudaat was hired at Aylesbury last Michaelmas, at 53. per week, and 3?. at the end of the period of his sjrvice; that he entered on his service on October 10th, and continued there until the 14th of May, when, without asking permission or any notice being given, he absented himself. The defence urged was, that the wages had not been raised according to the increase in the price of bread; but it was shown that there was no agreement of that kind made between him and his employer, neither had he made any complaint in that respect. Tlio Bench sentenced him to be imprisoned for one month, and ordered 203. to be abated fromhia weekly wages, and 53. from bis yearly allowance. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 76 ARE SxMALL OR LARGE SHEEP THE MOST PROFITABLE > Sir, — Ever since the days of tlie far-famed Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, Leicestershire, there have been two opinions, whether large or small sheep are the most profitable. The breeders of small sheep say, that an auimul may be good and not great, and great and not good, and that size has nothing to do with profit. It is not what au animal makes, so much as what it costs making ; and that a larger number of small sheep can be kept upon a given number of acres than larger sheep, the lesser sheep not consuming so much food per head as the larger. The breeders of large sheep say that they can produce more wool and mutton per acre by breeding large sheep than small ; and that Mr. Bakewell lived when fat flesh or tallow made as much per lb. as leau flesh. Since that time, through the gas, one pound of lean flesh has made as much aa two pounds of fat wheu pared off as tallow, and that there is more lean flesh in proportiou upon large sheep, such as Lincolns end Cots- wolds, than upon the true-bred Leicesters, that are no^v, and have been, famous for fat flesh, small bone, and a great pro- pensity to fatten at early maturity. Many people have an idea that the sheep are all small that are bred in Leicester- shire, which is erroneous. Last year I travelled through seve- ral counties, to find wool, mutton, and size combined. I found at Drayton-ou-the-Welland, in Leicestershire, four miles from Eockiogham Castle, 140 rams belonging to Mr. Bryan AVard, an eminent grazier, who feeds yearly upon grass from 500 to 600 oxen, and shears 2000 sheep. Mr. Ward's rams have plenty of wool, size, and lean flesh, clifted all through their backs, with small, fine thin heads, which denote a well- bred auimal, and a propensity to fatten at an early age, Mr. Ward's sheep are styled, by many, Old Leicesters, because they have more wool and size than the pure-bred New Leicesters, and have a great semblance to the best long-woolled Lincolns. There are now many flocks in the county of Leicester that have been crossed with Lincolns and Cotswolds, to increase size and wool ; and there are many flocks left of what they style pure-bred New Leicesters. By the ram sales at Peter- borough fair, last year, the Lincolnshire sheep seem to be gain- ing ground, as they made more money than any other kind of long-woolled white-faced sheep. S. A. 86, Fauxhall-street, Vauxlwll, Surrey, June 14, 1854. THE POLICY OF LABOUREP.S' FRIEND SOCIE- TIES.— A discussion on this subject took place at the London Central Farmers' ^Club last week, which cannot fail to be in- teresting in this county, covered, as it is, with a net-work of these societies. The subject was introduced by JMr. Morton, who took a review of the prizes usually given, dividing them into two classes —those off'cred for skill in the various depart- ments of husbandry, aud those awarded to honesty and good conduct. The great benefit of the first he admits ; in fact it would have been rather a bold course to deny it, with the evi- dence we have before us of the great improvement that has taken place in the districts in ploughing and land-draining, for instance, since these societies have fostered the skill and called forth the emulation of the labourers. The seccud class of rewards Mr. Morton aa decidedly cor.dcnins. His opinion may be gathered from the assertion that " a money reward for ho- nesty is an absurdity ; that a money reward for industry should be given in the form of wages ; that a money reward for attention to religious duties is apt to be a premium upon hypocrisy " — a wholesale denunciation that may, perhaps, be right in principle, since honesty and a consciousness of duty well discharged to God and man ought to carry with them their own reward. But do they do this among the village poor? If not, ought we to adhere to the cold severity of a principle, aud disdain the use of those expedients calculated to arouse in the cottager a sense of his own dignity, and to restore his feelings oa this subject to a healthy state. We believe if Mr. Morton had been present at so many of the annual meetings of these societies as we have, and had marked the efl'ect on the assembled poor — if he had entered the cottages of Essex, and had noted the feeling of pride with which the younger members of the family pointed his attention to their father's memorial of merit, he would not isave been so ready to corn- elude that these marks of distinction, for they are not given as rewards, fall upon stony ground and produce no fruit,— Essex Herald, RURAL POLICE BILL.— Lord Palmerston's Rural Po- lice Bill has been printed. The magistrates iu the next quar- ter sessions are to elect from their body the " police board" of the county for the year, the number not to exceed 1 for every 10,000 of the population of the county, exclusive of the boroughs, and in no case to exceed 20 in the whole. For the purposes of this act, counties with a population of less than 60,000 are to be united to adjoining counties, and boroughs with less than 20,000 are to be consolidated with their county, but to be represented in the police board by the mayor, and (if the population exceed 10,000) a member of the council. The police board, who are to appoint a clerk at such salary ss they think fit, are to have the direction and managemeut of the police of the county, and, where a coustabulary has not been already established for the whole of the count}', they are to proceed forthwith to establish or complete a sufficient police for the whole county. This force, which is to include the ex- isting police in any consolidated borough, will have authority in such boroughs, and in boroughs not consolidated will have the powers the police now have in adjoining counties under the Police Act of 2ud and 3rd Victoria. The requisite police rate is to be raised according to the provisions of the (Police) Amendment Act of the 3rd and 4th of Victoria. In boroughs not consolidated with a county, the watch committee are to appoint a head constable, and he is to appoint the number of constables fixed by the committee ; he to have the general dis- position and government of the force. The Secretary of State is to have power to make regulations as to the pay, &c., of constables; and Her Majesty in Council, on his report that their number is iusuflicient, may order an additional number to be appointed. The appointment of head or chief constable is to be subject to the approval of the Home Secretary. HOW TO CLEAN ANIMALS AND PLANTS OP VERMIN.— The "Agriculture" publishes a letter from M, Raspall, giving an account of a plan for destroying vermin on animals, and also trees and plants. The process he recom- mends is to make a solution of aloes (one gramme of that gum to a litre of water), and by means of a long brush to wash over the trunks and branches of trees with this solu- tion, which will speedily, he says, destroy all the vermin on them, and effectually prevent others from approaching. In order to clean sheep and animals with loug hair, they must either be bathed with this solution, or be well washed with it. The writer mentions several trials which he had made of the solution with the most complete success, and very strongly recommends it to general use, — Paris Correspondent of Morn- ing Advertiser. 76 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR JUNE. At this particular period of the year, an accurate and unbiassed report on the subject of the growing crops must prove highly interesting. The in- quiries we have instituted on this head are calcu- lated to inspire great confidence, as regards the probable yield of wheat J but they prove beyond a doubt, that we have passed the highest period of value, unless, indeed, a very decided and unfavour- able change should take place in the general appear- ance of the crop between this and the close of harvest work. From what may be termed the lead- ing wheat-growing counties — viz., Essex, Kent, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, &c. — our advices, with very few exceptions, are to the effect that the wheats have rapidly, but not prematurely, come into ear (in some districts the bloom has begun to make its appearance), that the plants have tillered well, are strong, and otherwise healthy. Statements have got abroad that blight has been very prevalent and destructive ; but we have been unable to trace them to any authoritative source. In some other parts of England, although resowings have not been of an extensive character, the crop is de- scribed as rather thin on the ground ; nevertheless, our informants intimate that there is every reason- able prospect of an average yield. The generally- acknowledged poor districts show signs of only a moderate return, although in some particular localities, which of late years have shown a great Improvement in the mode of cultivation, the wheat is looking remarkably well. So far, therefore, as the season has already progressed — and it mustbe admit- ted that the weather has been anything but fine ever since the beginning of April up to the first week of this month — we see every reason to be satisfied ; but, as a matter of course, much will depend upon the state of the weather during the next three weeks ; in other words, we have now arrived at the most critical period as regards the safety of the whole crop. This, however, we may safely venture to assert, viz., that in the event of our having only a moderate amount of moisture, seasonably warm weather, and very few gales, together with an ab- sence of blight, we shall reap one of the most abundant crops on record. And here we are par- ticularly alluding to the acreable yield ; and were we to make due allowance for the immense breadth of land under cultivation, and that too with the best wheats, compared with several previous years. especially with 1853, we might calculate upon a sup- ply which would render us almost wholly inde- pendent of Russian produce. So far, therefore, there is everything in favour of the consumer, as regards the probable supply. We have now a few observations to offer in reference to spring corn. The high prices of barley, oats, beans, and peas, as well as of rye, have been instrumental in breaking up large tracts of inferior grass lands, which are now bearing ihe germ of heavy crops. Both on light and heavy soils, the two former articles are exhibit- ing a splendid appearance ; in point of fact, they have never looked better than at this moment ; but we regret to observe that the three latter show the possibility of a short crop, as they have not recovered from the effects of the severe frosts, which evidently inflicted severe damage on them just prior to the blooming period. We now come to the consideration of another important portion of our report : we allude to the potato crop. In the four or five preceding seasons we have had occasion to call attention to the great ravages committed by blight and disease about this period ; and we have frequently seen the stems completely rotten and destroyed by the first week in June. This year, however, no serious cases have presented themselves to our notice; and nearly the whole of our correspondents have informed us that "the crop is progressing remarkably well;" and yet the potatoes which have made their appearance in the various markets have been of a poor watery quality — owing, no doubt, to the want of dry, forcing, weather. At present we have nothing to urge against the condition of the tubers in the ground, as they ex- hibit no signs of rot ; neither does the haulm tend to lessen our confidence as regards the total growth, which bids fair to be unusually large. The want of statistical information on the subject of the yield of grain and other produce in this country is being severely felt, not only by the importers of grain, but likewise by the growers themselves. In addi- tion to this want, we are almost wholly in the dark as to the supplies of foreign food in warehouse at our outports. Had such information been pub- lished annujilly, much loss and disappointment would frequently be avoided. Of course, it would be impossible to ascertain the extent of foreign im- portations until after they have taken place ; but we do raise our protest against the foolish and ex- aggerated statements which have frequently found THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 77 their way into print on the subject of the growth of food. Last year we were told that nearly the whole of the potato crop had been destroyed by disease. The losses, no doubt, were great ; yet we grew a sufficient quantity for consumption ; in proof of which, we may observe that old potatoes are now offering for sale in rather considerable quantities. Had the growers generally been aware that the produce was as great as it proved to be, no doubt present supplies would have been long since dis- posed of at higher rates than can now be obtained for them. The grass crop is by no means a heavy one. As yet only a small portion of it has been cut, and the swathe is turning out light. The severe frosts in the early part of last month have tended to lessen the produce in the whole of those counties where they were experienced in the great- est intensity. Our advices from France, Spain, and Germany, state that the wheat crop is forward, and looks ex- tremely well ; but that the produce of rye will be comparatively small. The potato crop in Holland is turning out large. The imports from that coun- try have been on a very liberal scale ; but new Eng- lish qualities have been selling at high rates, owing to their scarcity. The stocks of home-grown corn, especially of wheat, now on hand, are perhaps smaller than for many years past. This feature in the trade, how- ever, owing to the immense supplies of foreign wheat and other articles which continue to be imported, notwithstanding the war with Russia, has failed to keep prices on the advance. The fall in them during the month has been fully 2s. per qr. ; but the depressed state of the markets has, in a great measure, been caused by the favourable reports on the subject of the growing crops. The wool trade has continued in a most depressed state. A further rather serious decline has taken place in the value of English qualities ; whilst so little has been doing in foreign and colonial parcels, that the quotations have ruled almost nominal. The fat-stock markets have been but moderately supplied, and prices have ruled unusually high, arising from the great comparative falling off in the importations, and the increased consumption. In Ireland and Scotland, fat beasts and sheep, as well as store animals, have realzied very high rates. The corn trade, however, has ruled very inactive, and the quotations have not been supported, if we except oats, which have produced rather more money, owing to the blockade of the Russian ports. REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. Notwithstanding that there has not been quite so much activity in the demand for fat stock as in the preceding month, a very extensive business has been again transacted. The supplies of beasts in Smithfield have fallen off; but of sheep, lambs, and calves the arrivals have increased to some ex- tent. From the continent, too — though they have fallen short of some corresponding periods — the imports have improved in number, but not in quality. In the provinces store animals have realized unusually high figures ; yet, as a matter of course, the business doing in them has not been extensive. Altogether, the trade has been in a far more healthy state than for many years past : as regards its future course, we may venture to ob- serve that it will continue active, though, as a matter of course, much will depend upon the ex- tent of the supphes we are likely to receive from the north and the continent. Our Lincolnshire correspondents state that the number of beasts now in the marshes, as well as in the homesteads, is a full average one ; but we have every reason to be- lieve that the supply on the continent destined for our markets is very moderate. Butchers, gene- rally, loudly complain of the present high prices, and of the light weights of both beasts and sheep. They have, perhaps, lost more money by the rise in the quotations than they gained during the two years of depression : consequently they are most desirous of lower prices, in order to enable them to dispose of their inferior joints at something like a fair profit, which they are unable to do at present prices. We have received scarcely any unfavour- able advices respecting the health of the stock in any of our large breeding districts. This is a most satisfactory feature in the trade, and one which is calculated to keep prices in check, although we see no chance of any decline in them. The following are the imports of foreign stock into London during the month : — Head. Beasts 2,657 Sheep 9,873 Lambs 575 Calves 2,113 Pigs 995 IMPORTS AT CORRESPONDING PERIODS. June, June, June, June, 1850. Beasts .. .... 1,515 Sheep 7,398 Lambs 302 Calves 1,600 Pigs 125 1851. 1852. 1853. 1,413 2,035 2,293 7,937 9,784 10,529 593 965 1,233 1,331 2,145 2,621 651 227 191 in THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. The total supplies exhibited in Smithfield have consisted of — Head. Beasts 18,921 Cows 530 Sheep and lambs ..131,660 Calves 2,999 Pigs , 2,670 SUPi^LIES AT CORRESPONDING PERIODS. Jime, June, June, June, 1850. 1851, 1852. 1853. Beasts 16,608 17,805 18,209 20,137 Sheep & lambs 182,620 169,420 134,160 130,500 Calves ., 2,453 2,275 2,781 3,328 Pigs 2,475 2,611 2,820 2,565 The arrivals from Norfolk, SufFolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire have amounted to 9,000 Scots and short-horns ; from other parts of England, 2,700 of various breed j and from Scotland 1,400 Scots. About 100 beasts, 200 sheep, 100 calves, and 150 pigs have arrived direct by sea from Ireland, in good condition. The high prices realized in Smithfield, and the increasing supplies of stock in Ireland, will no doubt be productive of an im- proved trade. Newgate and Leadenhall markets have been very moderately supplied with meat, which has sold steadily, as follows: — Beef from 3s, to 4s. 4d. ; mutton, 3s. 2d, to 4s. 8d.; lamb, 4s. 8d. to 5s. 8d,; veal, 3s. 4d. to 4s. lOd.; and pork, 3s. 4d, to 4s. Bd. per Slbs. by the carcase. WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Since our last report the dull and generally cold influeacea of the atmosphere have been unpropitious to the rapid pro- gross of vegetation, which we are accustomed to hope for at this seaaon of the year. The cold dry winds which prevailed for the most part during the months of April and May, a time when the verdure of the meadows is wont to burst forth with luxuriance, checked rither than promoted the prospect of an abundant produce. The sheltered meadows on the margin of the Severn, and the numerous brooks which wind their course through this county, have escaped the effects of the drought ; yet the crops of grass in those favoured positions do not approach an average. The showers of rain which fell in the early part of May did not come in time for the upland meadows, on which the crops are very scanty, and will be late ere they are fit for the scythe ; the quality, however, will be good, providing a propitious time ensues for harvesting; and thus we may hope that quahty will be some compensation for quantity. Hay-making commenced in forward situations about the 19th, and some of the fields are cleared — the hay from which cannot fail to be excellent. This busy process will be in full operation during the current week. The crops of clover are tolerably fair — in some places luxuriant. The fruit, on which the Gloucestershire farmer is greatly dependent, is a total failure; the blossom was prodigious, but the cold frosty nights which we experienced about the 25th of April, suc- ceeded by much blight, destroyed all hopes of a crop. The wheat promises to be abundant in most places; the rains wliich have fallen at intervals during the last six or seven weeks have been highly favourable to that important crop, which bears the cool weather better than any other kind of grain, and, with the blessing of a good harvest, we may an- ticipate the most cheering prospect. Barley varies greatly its condition, depcudiug entirely upon the period when it was sown : that which was consigned to the earth very early had to lie in the ground for want of rain and that which was sowu late appears very weak ; the intermediate is most promising ; but an average crop cannot be anticipated. This, in conjunc- tion with the failure of the fruit, an,d the additional duty on malt, v.ill render those necessary, wholesome, and invigorating beverages produced therefrom difficult of access by the la- bouring classes. The oats and peas generally look well; but the beans, which are in full blossom, shedding their delightful perfume, are short, and except on land in high cultivation are weak. The flattering hope that the potato had overcome the disease, which has made such fearful ravages during the past six or seven years, appears likely to be disappointed. Till within the last week no evidence of the evil had shown itself ; but on close inspection those unmistak&ble symptons are too plainly visible. It has not, however, as yet assumed that sudden and universal character which in former years accompanied the attack, and we may therefore yet entertain reasonable hopes that at least a modification of the malady will spare a greater portion of the crops. A larger breadth of land than usual is under cultivation with this esculent. Bygone disappointments seem not to have checked the ear- nest endeavoura of those who till the soil, from the wealthy landowner to the poorest cottager, to procure a supply of this useful vegetable. Tlie grain markets have experienced the same slight fluctuations which have been noticed in other parts of the kingdom ; but the rick-yards denote unequivocal evidence that there is not much store in the farmers' hands, and nearly three months must pass before we can calculate upon a supply—the result of the ensuing harvest. A decline in prices cannot under such circumstances be expected. Mutton and beef are scarce, without alteration in value. Store stock is not easily sold, few persons having any superfluity of keep ; nor is there a probabihty of much improvement until the after- math is ready for consumption. The turnips on the hills, which were sown early, came up vigorously, and were as vi- gorously attacked by the fly ; thus the prospect of a crop is not very flattering. The value of labour continues unaltered, and good workmen dem.and from 10s. to 12s. a week. The operations of the dairy are in full work, but complaints are made that the cows do not yield their accustomed quantities of milk : the chilly state of the atmosphere is doubtless the cause. HERTFORDSHIRE. As the season approaches which will enable us to form some opinion of the growing crops, a more than usual anxiety is felt, from the generally admitted fact that a very small portion of last year's produce remains in the hands of the farmers. With the exception that the cold spring has retarded the growth of the wheat, and caused the period of coming into ear to be a week later than usual, circumstances generally have been fa- vourable to the production of a good crop. It is generally considered to exhibit a strong and healthy appearance as it regards colour, and the shortness of the straw will tend to keep it erect, thereby improving the quality and increasing the yield ; but, the result depending more on the future influences of weather than on the present condition, we can only hope that it may please Providence so to mature the fruits of the earth that the farmers may be able to afford to sell them at a price at which all may be bountifully fed. The barleys that were put in well in the month of March promise well, and those in the latter end of April ; but such as were put in after the sheep in the beginning of April came up very badly, and still exhibit two stages of growth on the same land, yet the welcome rains in the beginning of May will probably prevent that uneven ripening that is so injurious to malting barley. Oats are also very short in the straw. The winter variety is fully in ear, and one or two such days as to-day will have a similar effect on the wheat, not more than half of which can be said to be in ear. The season has been favourable to mangel- wurzel ; also to the sowing of swedes. There have been com- plaints of seed in some cases, but it is probable the slowness of vegetation consequent on the low temperature may require the exercise of more patience than common, and that two or three warm days, especially with a little moisture, may remove the disappointment experienced by some who have sown their seed nearly a fortnight without having a full plant. Crops of grass are particularly light, and clovers are thin ou the ground ; this, without any good old hay on hand, will ensure a full price for all description of food for stock. The effect of this prospect is already being felt in the price of store stock, which is not so brisk a sale as it was a few weeks back.— -June 22. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. rs NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND. After a long continuance of dry withering weatber, tlie first drenching rain fell over this district ou the evening of May 27 ; a part of the following day was also wet, and in some localities the rivulets and brooks were flooded. The wind almost directly veered to N.E , and continued to blow quite a gale, cold and ungenial for several successive days. Land became hardened, and some fear was entertained for the newly-sown turnips ; the fine tilth of the soil became entirely crusted ; light rolling, with other means, was put in practice, to assist the tender plant to sustain existence. The excessive dry state of the land previously, prompted the farmer to avail himself of every facility to push forward field labour, and sel- dom do we recollect a season when turnip-sowing has been finished to such an extent over the broad acres of this county. Although the atmosphere continued cold and ungenial up to the 17th, when it rained nearly the entire day, with a driving cold N.E. wind ; siuce that evening the wind has shifted to S.S.W., and the temperature assumes something like summer. There are complaints of the turnip-ily ; and at this early stage it would appear premature to venture any opinion, but «e must admit there is a full and fair chance for a crop. Pota- toes, which were all but stunted by the dry cold weather, are much refreshed by the rain; and, where not thinned by the rooks, are generally a full healthy plant. Old meadows will improve ; the rain was, however, too late for the clover and annual young grasses, which will certainly fall a very deficient crop. Our earliest autuma-sown wheats are just showing the ear; and for the last three days the weather has been very fine and forcing, yet we can add nothing more favourable to the prospect than in our last report. From extensive and very close observation we have noticed large fields that seem to have lost plant, and on the fall of the shoot-blade will not be so bulky as appearances led us to anticipate. On almost all cold weak soils, and wherever sown after beans, turnips, or ley, with the land in a poachy state, the plant is invariably weak and thin. The tilieriug season is now past, and all depends on the weather for the next six weeks for maturing the plant. Barley and oats are each improving since the late rains : there are still many fields of the latter that never can approach half a crop. It is quite the season for docks, thistles, and all deep-rooted filth to tiller and luxuriate ; while the seed for crop lies near the surface, and cannot vegetate for lack of moisture. We hope our allusions may prove only exceptions and not the rule ; but, up to the day we write, taking a ride of 20 miles across the country, or a run on the rail five times that distance, it is indisputable that very large breadths of land may be seen (under crop) with very large patches en- tirely bare, except weeds. Beans have made little progress for some weeks past, although up to May 12 we had a full, vigorous, strong plant. The continuance of dry, cold weather seems to have cut off further growth. They have for weeks past been full of blossom, with a stem barely a foot high. Where an admixture of peas has been put in, they will now improve and fill up the blanks in the drill, which has a naked appearance. Pastures continue very short ot feed; iinleas where the grazing stock could be removed after a shower of rain, the grasses have never afforded the animals a full bite. Sheep have generally been turned from the shears in poor condition. Lambs, on the contrary, are good, and mostly in fine, healthy, store condition. Beef and mutton for a few weeks past have sold unusually high in our fat markets, but seem now to give way a little. We 'have full employment for all spare labourers ; indeed, in many localities a sufficiency of field-workers cannot be had. Pastures require to be cleaned of thistles, and many corn-fields will not be easJy freed from such filth. — June 23. AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c. ALPHINGTON FAIR.— The proceedings were, compara- tively speaking, of a diiU character. The show of stock was moderate throughout, and business was slack. The attendance of buyers was small ; notwithstanding which, more money was in some instances paid for prime beef here than at Exeter market on the previous Friday. As much as lis. 6d. per score was realized for very prime animals, but the average market price ranged from 10s; to lis. per score ; cows and calves, £12 to £17 each ; working oxen, £25 to £35 each ; barieners, 6s. to 7s. per score. Sheep : Wethers, shorn 6d. to 6.jd., unshorn 6^d. to 7d. per lb. ; ewes, 5d. to 5|d. ; lambs, 6id. to 7d. The attendance of buyers was fair, and the show of horses numerous. There was, however, a great lack of good animals, and scarcely anything first-class was to be seen. The " screw" description of horse was predominant, and the average price of everything was the utmost that could be got for it. APPLEBY MARKET.— The show of sheep was by far the largest ever seen on the ground, particularly the white- faced. Stagshaw-bank was a bad fair for sheep, but Appleby has been a great deal worse. Dealers in white-faced stock were losing from 4s. to 8s. per head. Black-faced sheep sold readily at former prices. Unfortunately for this district, the greet body of the white-faced exposed belonged to our own dealers. Little or no business was done the first day, but, from the want of buyers, most of the dealers had to give way on Wed- nesday. A good many lots, however, remained unsold at the close of Wednesday, and are now on their way to summer Stagshaw. The cattle vrerc a large show, but very poor in condition. They sold readily at high rates. The beasts bought at Dumbarton, after paying all travelling expenses, yielded a fair profit to the dealers. BOROUGHBRIDGE FAIR.— There was a very large sup- ply of lean stock ; those in good condition made late rates, but Irish and inferior qualities were in slow sale, at a reduc- tion of from 203 to 30s. per head. Fat stock were in mode- rate request at late rates. In the horse fair there was a large attendance of dealers. First-class horses were in great de- mand, but for second-rate and inferior animals the sale was less brisk than heretofore, and lower rates were taken. BRECHIN FAIR.— The supply of sheep exceeded the de- maud, and prices receded from is. to Is. Gd.per head. Three- year-old hill wethers brought from 20s. to 243., accordiug to quality ; two-year-olds of the same class sold at ISs. to 21s. ; black-faced ewes and lambs ranged from 18s. to 223. ; best fat wethers in the fleece sold at 7d. per lb. A large number re- mained unsold. The cattle market was largely supplied with beeves, a large number of which were in excellent order. Dealing went on briskly at the commencement of the fsir, but a lull took place about midday, and small beasts weie difficult to sell for an hour or two ; but bargains were resumed with more spirit in the afternoon for cattle in good order. Prices rather gave way, on the whole. Prime fat brought from 93. to 9s. Gd. per Dutch stone to sink the offals, and were much worse to sell than some of the large holders expected. Three- year-old stots and queys, bred in the district, brought from £14 to £20 ; two-year-old ditto, from £8 to £15 ; aud year- olds, from £5 to £9 per head. Drove cattle were a stiff sale, and brought from £9 to £15, according to weight and quality. Farrow cows and small cows in lean condition were a stiff sale at reduced rates. Good cows near calving were in request at rates similar to the best fat. The north country dealers complained that small beasts were a losing market, and a large number of this description were left uusold. The result of the market has been in favour of the best kiuds of animals, but the very best fat did not command the rates expected, and the fall was much greater in small drove beasts. BREAGE FAIR was thinly supplied with cattle, but such beasts as were offered for sale met with purchasers at high rates. CARLISLE FAT CATTLE MARKET.— The display of sheep, lambs, and calves exceeded any other market we have had for mauy months ; in fact, not one-third were disposed of. Those sold were at a great reduction on former prices. Top lots, 6d. per lb. ; lambs, no demand at 7d. per lb. ; calves, 7d. per lb., but few sold. Beasts in no request ; prices on the de- cline ; good fat, 28a. per stone. No speculation in sheep or Iambs. GIFFORD FAIR.— The stock was principally composed of black-faced three- year- old wethers, which were principally sold to farmers and fleshers, and a few lots of half-bred and Cheviot wethers and ewe hoggs. The general stock was about an ave- rage, but in consequence of the high prices asked in the morn- ing the market was stiff, and few or no sales were effected until 80 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the forenoon. Clipped sheep were a shade lower than last year, but good three-year-old black-faced wethers brought about 2s. a head above last year, although some lots of this kind did not exceed last year's prices. The cows were com- posed of milkers of all ages, and one and two-year-old store cattle. The really good milkers were in demand ; and two- year-olds in calf, or lately calved, brought from £10 lOs. to £11 lOs. First-class aged cows ran from £12 to £15 ; second- class, £8 to £12 ; third-class, at various prices up to £7. V/hat was good in the above description of stock was in de- mand, and sold readily at the above quotations, but a few of the inferior animals remained unsold. In the horse market the show of draught horses was splendid, in point of numbers and quality. The sale was dull, but a few exchanges were made amongst the draught horses, at prices under recent markets. KIDDERMINSTEK FAIR.— There was an excellent dis- play of sheep and lambs, far more than generally. The show of cows was very short ; prices were much lower. Buyers would not give the former rates, and sellers did not like to give way. Beef was sold at 6d. to G\i., and the best Sjd.; sheep, e^d. to G^d. ; lambs, 7d. to 7^d. The show of horses was far better than for some years, but trade was very flat, even at reduced prices. KINROSS FAIR.— The attendance and show of cattle were above an average, and there was a fair demand for stock of every kind, prices being upward. The best was fully 9s. 6d. per Dutch stone, sinking offal. For grass beasts high prices were obtained. The show of horses was fair ; good work horses, from £35 to £40; medium qualities, from £25 to £33; inferior at all prices. NORTHAMPTON FAIR.—There was a very short supply of fat sheep, with a dull trade. Best wether mutton made from 43. 6ci. to 43. 8il. per Slbs. ; good fat ewes, from 4s. 2d. to 4s. 4d. The supply of fat beef was also short, but quite equal to the demand, buyers being rather scarce, and high prices being asked ; what was sold made from about 4s. 4d. to 4s. lOd. per 81b3. The supply of store beasts was also scanty, with a thin attendance of buyers and a limited business. In new milch cows there was a good show, but an exceedingly bad trade, at about £2 per head less money than at our last fair. In barren cows also prices were considerably lower. The horse fair was well supplied with horses of almost every description ; trade dull, and piices lower. PENZANCE FAIR.— The cattle fair was thinly supplied, and cattle fetched high prices. Horses and foreign cattle were sold by auction, and realized good prices. ROSLEY HILL FAIR.—There was a large show of horses, and though those of a good class were not difficult to dispose of, still their owners could not realize for them more than their actual value, consequently the falling off in price, as compared with prices for some time past realized, was very considerable. There has been no difficulty of late to dispose of a £25 horse for £40, but yesterday the sellers were compelled either to take the value of their animals or carry them home again. Inferior horses were difficult to sell, even at a great reduction in price. Messrs. Hall and Frear were the only extensive horse dealers on the ground. The show of cattle was nume- rous, especially young ones, but sales were not easy to effect, even though a great reduction was offered to be submitted to. Altogether the fair was a dull one, the attainment of the late high rates being entirely out of the question. The weather being favourable, the attendance of people from a distance of many miles round the fair ground was unusually large. ROSS FAIR was abundantly supplied with every descrip- tion of fat and lean stock, but sales were dull. Fat sheep averaged from 6|d. to 7d., and prime beasts from 7d. to 74d. There was also an unusual quantity of good cart horses, many of which realized high prices, but few nag horses found fresh owners. ROWELL FAIR.— It is said that the fair this year was the least fair that had been known for many preceding ones. There was a decent sprinkling of cattle, but trade was dull. Stirks realized exorbitant prices. SHEPTON-MALLET FAIR waa very thinly supplied with stock, which fetched good prices. Sheep had rather a down- ward tendency. The horse fair was small, and those offered were of an inferior description, and there was but little busi- ness done. STAMFORD FAIR.—There was a large show of beasts for the time of year, the cause being the scarcity of keep ; on this account, too, the sale was very slack for store beasts, scarcely any animals being sold ; the few disposed of changed owners at a reduction of fully £1 per head. A few fat beasts were offered, and this description of stock maintained recent high rates, beef making Sa. 3d. to 8s. 6d. per stone. A few sheep were offered, but the trade was flat, and of the limited number shown scarcely any found purchasers. There waa a moderate show of horses, the majority being of the middling and lower class. About half-a-dozen good animals were offered, and sold at high prices ; one small cart mare was sold for £33. TAUNTON FAIR was tolerably well attended. There was an average supply of stock, except sheep and lambs, of which there were more than an average number penned. Dealers were not so numerous as usual, or at least they were not gene- rally disposed to do business at the prices asked. In the horse fair good animals were by no means numerous, and sales of horses that were effected of the class named were at very high rates, but in the sale of the inferior animals prices varied as usual. TEWKESBURY FAIR was but a small one, very few beasts being offered. Beef fetched 7d. ; mutton, in the wool 7^6.., shorn 7d. There were not a dozen horses in the fair. TIVERTON FAIR.— On the whole, stock sold very well. In the cattle fair the bullocks have seldom been surpassed, and in many cases high prices were realized. Cows and calves sold at from £11 to £13 10s. each ; fat bullocks, lis. to lis. 6d. per score. Ewes, SGs. to 42s. per head. Of Lambs there were not so many as on some previous occasions. Saddle horses fetched high prices ; two or three were offered at from 35 to 40 guineas. Ponies would not sell at any price, and cart horses lay on hand. USK FAIR.— The fat cattle, of which only a small supply was offered, averaged 74d. per lb. There was a good number of store cattle, but they met with a dull sale. Fat sheep averaged 7d., lambs 7^d. per lb. Very few pigs were offered; those sold fetched good prices. There were more horses than usual, some of a useful description, but prices very much down. IRISH FAIRS. — Ardnaree was very badly supplied with stock, in consequence of the wetness of the day; but any transactions effected were advantageous to the seller. Ckoghan has not proved so favourable to the seller as had been expected ; few persons disposed to purchase attended, and the consequence was a considerable reduction in price. Yearling bullocks were in demand, and brought from £3 to £4 ; sheep not in request ; milch cows on the decline. Rath- KEALE. — There was a good supply of stock, and a numerous attendance of buyers. Beef rated at from 56s. to 60s. per cwt. for prime ; two-year-old heifers sold at £6 to £9 each ; yearlings from £4 lOs. to £6 lOs. ; two-year-old sheep, 6d. per lb. sink; hoggets, 5d. to 5jd. per lb. sink; for lambs there was little demand, and the average price for any sold was from 10s. to 14s. each; pigs were in good request at from 563. to to 68s. per cwt. Leitrim. — So great was the demand that almost every beast offered for sale was disposed of. Milch cows, and young stock of every description, were in good re- quest.— Boyle Gazette. Naas (County Kildare) was well supplied with springers and stores, which sold freely at remu- nerative prices. The following may be considered the average prices : — There were a few fat beasts of a rather mediocre description, which realized paying prices. Springers were in great demand, and brought from £14 to £18 ; all in the fair sold at the above prices. Strippers fetched from £8 to £12. Two-year-old heifers and bullocks sold from £9 to £11. Mr. Dodd purchased, for Sir Edward M'Donaell, a prime lot of eighteen, at a high figure. Yearlings from £4 lOs. to £7. The business done in the horse and sheep fair is not worthy of a quotation. Fat pigs were scarce and in bad demand, and brought fromm 44s. to 50s. per cwt. Stores were in great request, and sold at prices from 30s. to 403. each. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. [81 METEOROLOGICAL DIARY. Barometer. The RMOMETER. Wind and State. Atmosphere. Weat'r. 1854. 8 a.m. 10p.m. Min. Max. lOp.m, Direction. Force. 8 a.m. 2 p.m. 10p.m. May 23 29.55 29.67 47 62 48 S. or by West airy cloudy fine clear showery 24 29.66 29.79 44 65 51 S. or by West brisk fine sun cloudy dry 25 29.81 29.80 42 60 49 S. Westerly brisk fine sun clear dry dry 26 29.70 29.72 47 61 49 W. by South lively cloudy sun fine 27 29.70 29.73 45 58 47 W. by South hvely cloudy fine fine hail 28 29.73 29.73 45 60 49 S. by E. & W. lively fine cloudy cloudy showery 29 29.67 29.66 41 55 49 S. West lively fine cloudy cloudy showery 30 29.69 29.87 44 62 50 S. West var. lively fine cloudy clear showers 31 29.99 29.98 45 69 54 S.W., East gentle fine sun fine dry June 1 29.94 29.83 50 69 58 N. East strong fine sun cloudy rain 2 29.73 29.73 52 58 50 N.N.E. brisk cloudy cloudy cloudy wet 3 29.74 29.90 48 62 52 North biisk cloudy cloudy cloudy dry 4 30.02 30.12 47 66 52 N.E. fresh fine sun fine dry dry 6 30.14 30.11 50 62 50 N.E. gentle cloudy cloudy cloudy 6 30.05 30.05 48 56 50 North brisk cloudy cloudy cloudy dry 7 30.10 30.10 48 56 51 North brisk cloudy cloudy cloudy dry 8 30.10 30.02 48 62 54 S.E., var. calm cloudy fine fine dry 9 30.00 29.98 49 65 56 Everyway gentle fine fine fine dry 10 29.92 29.93 51 68 53 N.W. lively fine sun fine dry 11 29.92 29.75 47 64 56 S, West strong fine fine fine dry 12 29.69 29.65 56 69 52 S. West brisk cloudy sun clear showery 13 29.65 29.70 50 64 52 S. West brisk cloudy sun fine showers 14 26.75 29.73 52 68 56 S. West gentle cloudy sun cloudy dry 15 29.72 29.77 52 63 58 East gentle cloudy cloudy cloudy wet 16 29.79 29.69 54 63 57 Variable gentle cloudy cloudy cloudy showery 17 29.58 29.68 '' 53 68 52 S. West lively cloudy sun clear dry 18 29.77 29.87 48 70 55 S. West gentle fine sun fine dry 19 29.94 29.95 49 67 53 S. West brisk fine sun fine dry 20 29.91 29.93 45 68 55 Westerly lively fine sun fine dry 21 30.02 30.05 49 66 57 W., S.by W. gentle fine sun cloudy showers Estimated Averages of June. Barometer. Highest I Lowest. 30.46 29.60 Thermometer. High. I Low. I Mean. 90 37 58.7 Real Average Temperature of the Period. Highest. 61.484 Lowest. 46.645 Mean. 54.064 Weather and Phenomena. May 23. Showers, chiefly in the previous night. 24. Sprinkle; fine gleams; a fine sola halo 25. Fine, a steady current ; lulling. 26. Fine clouds; change at hand. 27. Showers and hail. 28, 29, 30. Showery— thunder on 30th. 31, Fine; Eastern change. Lunation.— New Moon, 26th day, 8h. 47 m. evening. June 1. A beautiful but forcibly windy day, end- ing in wet mght. 2. Small rain many hours. 3. Variable. 4. Cold steady current. 5. Variable; gleams. 6 and 7. Overcast; current of cold wind. 8. more genial, with gleams. 9. Variable, 10. A few drops. 11. Double current, lower clouds passing rapidly. 12. A few drops of rain, 13. Showers and thunder at 1 o'clock p.m. 14, Genial much cirrus, and a half solar halo. 15. Drizzle all day. 16. Several showers ; a most gloomy season. 17. Fine and genial; cool evening. 18. Finest; red N.W. glow at sunset. 19. Cloudy masses; gleams; a few drops. 20. Fine genial day. 21, Fine forenoon, damp and drizzling evening. Lunations. — First quarter, 4th day, 0 h, 40m morning. Full, 10th day, 11 h. 30 m. night. Last quarter, I7th day, 2 h. 14 m. afternoon. Remarks connected w^ith Agriculture. — Here we find a cool but equable temperature, three or more degrees below the average of June. There has been a plentiful supply of rain, but rather a paucity of sun. Aphis bhght abounds upon gar- den produce, and on fruit-bearing shrubs : I hear of none upon field crops. On the 1st of June, I observed wheat clearly showing the seed joint, and on the 10th many ears had emerged. Barley on every fine plot (and many there are) was in ear on the 18th. Oats more in arrear. At this turn of day, when the sun passes into Cancer about 7 o'clock p.m., if fine warm weather comes on, there will be a rapid progress. Much hay is being made, and some is nearly fit for the rick. Croydon, June 2Ut. J. Towers, a §2 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE. Though the weather has been favourable during the last vv^eek or two, the temperature has been below what is usual in Junej indeed, the first fortnight was so cold that vegetation made com- paratively little progress, in proof of which we may instance the late period at which hay-maliing was commenced. In the neighbourhood of London very little grass was cut before the 1 9th, and a large quantity is scarcely yet fit for the scythe. The want of rain in April, and the absence of sun- shine in May and a part of June, prevented the growth of grass at the proper period, and the crop will, v/e apprehend, be generally light in quantity, even if the whole should be well got in. The shortness of hay may be expected to tell hereafter on the value of spring corn, and other feeding stuffs ; and we much fear that we are not to be favoured with so abundant a year as was at one period calculated on; even wheat, for which the season has been more auspicious than for any other kind of corn, is not nearly so well spoken of as it was a month ago. The thinness of the plant on the ground is very generally complained of, and we are sorry to say that rumours of blight, and other defects, are by no means rare. The principal cause for uneasiness in our opinion is, however, the backwardness of the season, a late harvest being in our variable climate always precarious. In travelling through the country about the middle of the month, scarcely a wheat-ear was to be seen; and as it is generally allowed that at least two months are required from the time the ear is formed before the corn can be expected to arrive at maturity, reaping is not likely to be com- menced before the second or third week in August, if we except a few early pieces of Talavera. The estimates of the probable result of the harvest are not nearly so sanguine as they were some time ago, but to this we do not attach much importance, as opinion on this subject usually runs to extremes. The probability is, that should we be favoured with a hot July, we might have a good average crop of wheat, notwithstanding the admitted thinness of the plant, and some other defects, as the breadth of land under wheat is certainly greater than in ordinary seasons. The spring-sown crops have certainly suffered owing to the want of rain during the spring and early part of the summer, and can hardly, under the most propitious circumstances, yield a large return. The foregoing remarks are all that can at present be said on the subject of the growing crops, and are only applicable at the time being ; a month may make a decided change either for the better or worse — indeed, opinion at this period, when wheat is not yet in bloom, and other articles are propor- tionately backward, can be of little real value, and we therefore deem it useless to go very minutely into the matter. The course of prices has been chiefly influenced, since we last addressed our readers, by the state of the weather ; and this is likely to be the case from the present time up to harvest ; still it may be interesting to enter into other subjects which may have some influence, such as the stocks on hand, and the probable extent of the imports. In regard to stocks nothing has occurred to induce us to alter our previously- conceived idea in respect to the smallness of the quantity of grain of home growth remaining in the country. The test which we have at different periods employed, to prove that the deficiency of the last wheat crop was fully as great as estimated at harvest-time, viz., the sales at the towns return- ing the averages, continues to show similar results as before. The returns for the last four weeks, with those of the corresponding period of last year, stand as follows — 1854. 1853. Week ending May 27 65,791 .... 83,327 „ June 3 66,083 76,640 „ » 10 51,182 87,633 „ 17 .... 47,780 .... 98,824 At the same time the reports from all parts of the kingdom agree in stating that the rick- yards have been nearly cleared out; and when we take into consideration the strong inducement which the high prices prevailing throughout the year must have held out to farmers to realize — more especially as it has been very generally thought that these would probably not be main- tained after the new crop should have been secured — it can hardly be questioned that, as far as home- grown wheat is concerned, stocks are all but ex- hausted. In reference to foreign the case is, how- ever, different : large as have been the requirements of Great Britain, the supplies from abroad have more than kept pace with our wants, and at several of the principal ports fair stocks are still held ; but it must be recollected that old wheat will be re- quired after harvest, and that we have still eight or ten weeks' consumption to provide for, before the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, new can be brought into use, even in moderate quantities. It strikes us, therefore, that in case any material decrease should take place in the imports, the quantity at present in warehouse here, at Liver- pool, Bristol, and a few other ports, would scarcely suffice to guard against scarcity; and it conse- quently becomes a question of importance to ascer- tain, as far as possible, whether there is any pros- pect of such decrease in the foreign supplies. We made a somewhat similar examination to that we are now about to enter upon, last month ; but cir- cumstances have since occurred which make a material alteration in the position of affairs. At that time shipments of wheat and flour were still being made from France and Belgium to England. These have now ceased, and about the middle of the month purchases to some extent were made in the EngUsh markets on French account. We are not disposed to attach any great importance to what may be actually taken for France from hence ; but the mei'e fact of supplies from thence being entirely stopped, must have a material influence, more especially as a portion of what might other- wise have reached us from other countries is likely to be directed to French ports, where prices are more remunerative than in the English markets. In the neighbouring kingdom of Belgium the stores have already been cleared out by French purchasers, and the latest advices from Hamburgh state that buyers had also made their appearance there, who had outbid the limits of the few English orders received. Whether this state of things will continue, or whether the French demand will prove only transitory, we are not in a position to deter- mine; but that no further shipments will in the first instance be made from thence appears tolerably certain. Meanwhile nothing has occurred to lead to the belief that the northern ports of Europe will be able to afford us further aid of importance until after the new crop shall have become available. In the Bal- tic stocks are, we are told, reduced into a narrower compass than on any previous occasion for years past. From the south, more particularly from Spain and Portugal, we have lately received some supplies; but, as France is now paying higher prices than England, these can scarcely be ex- pected to continue. We have, therefore, only America to look to ; and, though we are induced to receive the reports from thence of the almost total exhaustion of stocks with some degree of caution, still the official shipping lists cannot admit of doubt, and by these it is plainly proved that the exports had greatly fallen off. Our position appears to us to be this : The pro- spect for the harvest not particularly promising ; though, on the other hand, sufficiently so to war- rant the expectation of a good average yield of wheat. Stocks of home-grown corn of all kinds un- usually low ; those of foreign good, but not more than may, and probably will, be needed, with little prospect of a large addition being made to the same by foreign importations this side of harvest. With favourable weather, prices might never- theless give way, more or less, for wheat, flour, and Indian corn. Barley, beaiis, and peas, being little required at this period of the year, will proba- bly not vary in value until the fate of the forth- coming crops shall have been ascertained ; but oats will, we think, bring higher prices during the next month or two than have yet been realized. Here we will close our remarks in regard to the probable future, and proceed to give our usual monthly statement of the changes which have taken place at Mark Lane. The arrivals of English wheat into the port of London have been even smaller than they were last month, the receipts coastwise having scarcely ave- raged 1,500 qrs. per week. The supplies received per railway have fallen off in the same proportion, and the millers have had to depend mainly on the arrivals from abroad for what they have needed from day to day. Notwithstanding the insignifi- cance of the supply, buyers have shown no signs of being in want ; and the tendency of prices has, on the whole, been downwards. The little busi- ness v/hich was done in English wheat on the 5th inst. was at barely the rates of that day se'nnight ; and on the succeeding Monday a decline of Is. per qr. was in partial instances submitted to. The fol- lowing week some slight influence Vv'as produced by the animated accounts from France, and the reduc- tion was recovered. The weather, which had up to that period been dull and cold for the season, improved about the 21st inst,, and tte advices from France having become more subdued, the trade opened very heavily on Monday last. Fac- tors for a time refused to lower their pretensions, but the millers succeeded ultimately in purchas- ing at an abatement of Is. ro 2s. per qr. The arrivals of wheat from abroad have not much exceeded one-half of the quantity received in the month of May, but we have not had so active a country demand, and the granaried stocks have scarcely been diminished so much as might have been expected. A considerable proportion of the supply has been from quarters from which we are not generally in the habit of receiving imports. This tends, in our opinion, to prove that those countries which in ordinary years furnish us with supplies have nearly exhausted their resources, and that the expectation of high prices has led parties not usually in the habit of sending to THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. England to embark in the adventure. The total import has fallen short of 50,000 qrs.; whilst the exports to France have amounted to 15,000 or 20,000 qrs. During the first fortnight in'the month, the trade in foreign wheat was very languid ; and though prices were not generally quoted lower, they gra- dually gave way about Is. per qr. On the 19th inst. an inquiry for France — of which there had been symptoms for some days previous — became more decided, and several purchases ^vere made at rates which could not previously have been obtained ; even this failed, however, to induce our millers to act, and as soon as the export demand subsided, which was the case before the close of the week, the slight advance realized during the temporary excitement was again lost. Since then the anxiety to effect sales has increased, and on Monday last, the 26th inst., holders were dis- posed to accept lower terms than they would have taken at any previous period since we last addressed our readers, a decline of Is. to 2s. per qr, being generally submitted to, without leading to important transactions. The arrivals of wheat off the coast from ports east of Gibraltar have been comparatively small since the close of last month, and most of the cargoes which have come to hand have been dis- posed of one way or the other. Some have been taken for the Continent, others for Ireland, and the remainder has been consigned, on owners' account, to London, Liverpool, &c. The opera- tions in floating cargoes have been altogether on a moderate scale, and the prices obtained have not been equal to those current in May. The finer descriptions have commanded relatively better prices than the common sorts, and the last sale of Marianopoli we have heard of was at 74s. per qr. There are at present not more than about a dozen cargoes off the coast undisposed of, and the arrivals from the east will in all probability be very trifling. A few vessels have lately been chartered to fetch wheat from Syria, but these cannot return for at least two months. The sale for town-manufactured flour has been exceedingly difficult throughout the month, and the millers have found the competition with American very annoying. The nominal top price has not varied ; but that lower terms have in many cases been accepted cannot be doubted. London household flour has been generally offered, within the last eight or ten days, at Is. to 2s. per sack below the rates current in the commencement of the month, and country marks have receded during the same period fully 2s. per sack. The arrivals of flour from America have not been large ; but having had a fair quantity from Spain, the supply has about kept pace with the demand. In consequence of a few purchases on French account about the middle of the month, an advance of 1 s. per brl. was es- tablished on superior qualities of American ; but this improvement has since been lost, and quota- tions are nearly the same at present as they were at the close of May, viz., 39s. to 40s. for good, and 41s. to 42s. per brl. for fine brands. Stocks in granary at this port have been materially reduced, and superior sorts are becoming scarce. At Liverpool the quantity of American flour in ware- house is still considerable ; but as the receipts from the other side of the Atlantic will in all probability be small, the quantity is likely to be speedily diminished. The receipts of English barley have been per- fectly insignificant : this grain is, however, little needed during the summer months, when the brewers and distillers are out of the market. Unim- portant therefore as have been the supplies, they have proved amply sufficient to provide for the demand ; and though no quotable alteration has taken place in prices, the turn has been decidedly against the seller. The supply of foreign barley has been quite moderate. In the early part of the month about a dozen small cargoes arrived from Denmark, &c. ; but during the last fortnight the receipts have been trivial. There has,'however, been a total want of activity in the demand, and im- porters have been compelled to land the greater part of what has come to hand, for want of buyers ; indeed, so little has been done, that it has become difficult to give quotations with any degree of ac- curacy ; but that purchases might have been made on easier terms than would have been accepted last month cannot be questioned. Malt has met with very little attention, and its value has undergone no change requiring particular notice. Arrivals of oats from our own coast and Scot- land have almost ceased ; and though the wind has been mostly from the westward, barely 20,000 qrs. have arrived during the entire month from Ireland. The foreign supplies, which were previously toler- ably good, have within the last fortnight fallen off materially, and we have reason to believe that the quantity now on passage from Denmark, Sweden, and Holland is comparatively trifling. No blockade of the White Sea having as yet been enforced, it is possible that a moderate supply may reach us from Archangel under neutral flags, but the quantity will certainly be much less than usual. Many of the vessels which have gone out will, if allowed to return, bring flax and other commodities ; but it is not by any means certain that the blockade may not have been established in the intervening time. The oat trade opened somewhat languidly in the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 85 beginning of the month, owing mainly to the announcement made by Sir James Graham in the House, that it was not the intention of Government to institute an immediate blockade of the White Sea. The possibility of supplies reaching ns from thence induced the dealers to operate more cau- tiously than they might otherwise have done ; and good arrivals having about this time come to hand from the Dutch, Danish, and Swedish ports, prices gave way at least Is. per qr. From this point there has been a gradual improvement. The chances of Archangel supply being received are not consi- dered to be very great; and as it is almost certain that the stocks in Holland have been exhausted, the conviction is gaining ground that there will be a scarcity of old oats before the new can be fit for use. Good Danish and Swedish feed, such as were sold at about 28s. to 29s. per qr. at the period when the depression was greatest, are now worth 30s. per qr., and there are but few free-on-board offers from any quarter. The dealers' stocks have been ma- terially reduced within the la^t two or three weeks, and the quantity on board ship undisposed of is insignificant. Beans have met with very little attention; and, though the home supplies, as well as the arrivals from abroad, have been small, considerable difficulty has been experienced in making sales at about previous prices. The growing crop is variously spoken of; within the last few days the complaints of blight have increased. The inquiry for peas has been of a strictly retail character ; and, in the absence of business of importance, quotations have remained nominally imaltered. The arrivals of Indian corn off the coast have not been particularly large; but good supplies from America are calculated on, which, together with the drooping state of the wheat trade, have rendered importers rather anxious to sell, and the tendency of prices has been decidedly downwards. By the most recently received advices from the continent we learn that the weather, which had been cold and ungenial in the early part of the month, had become highly auspicious for the growing crops. The favourable change appears to have taken place previous to wheat coming into ear, and therefore just in time to be of immense service. The reports as to the appearance of the crops of all kinds of grain are very satisfactory from the countries bordered by the Baltic; and, if nothing should occur to mar the bright prospect, a large yield and fine quality may be calculated on in that quarter. The advices from France and Belgium are not so favourable. Very heavy rain appears to have fallen in those countries up to the commencement of last week; and vegetation being more forward there than in the northern parts of Europe, the wet came very inopportunely, a considerable portion of the wheat crop being then in bloom. "What may be the re- sult cannot be known for some time ; but some of the farmers, both in France and Belgium, enter- tained rather gloomy forebodings. In Italy harvest was about to be commenced, and a good return was expected, notwithstanding the extreme drought which had been experienced in the early part of the summer. The accounts from America do not enter very minutely into the prospects for the ensuing harvest ; but in the absence of complaints, we may conclude with tolerable safety that the prospects were con- sidered pretty good. The reduced state of the stocks of old corn in almost all the principal grain-growing countries in the world render the foreign markets less sensitive to the fluctuations in prices here than usual ; the flat reports from Great Britain in the beginning of the month failed therefore to produce much effect abroad. In the Baltic former terms were steadily main- tained ; whilst in France, prices continued to rise, in the face of falling markets here. From Danzig, we learn that equal to 75s. to 80s. per qr. free on board had been paid for good to fine high-mixed wheat, and that the commoner descrip- tions had realized corresponding rates. The entire quantity in warehouse at that port on the 1st inst. consisted of 30,000 qrs., of which only a com- paratively small proportion was of suitable quality for shipment. During the month, more than half the available stock had been sent off, partly to Hol- land and France, and partly to Great Britain, leav- ing very little on hand. The supplies down the Vistula had been exceed- ingly small, higher prices having been paid at Warsaw than had been obtainable at Danzig. From Stettin, Rostock, Stralsund, &c., we re- ceive the most favourable reports, in regard to the appearance of the growing crops ; but owing to the reduced state of the stocks, less influence had been produced by this state of affairs on the markets than usual ; in fact, prices had rather risen than otherwise, in consequence of the receipt of a few orders for the purchase of wheat from France at high limits. It would therefore not be easy to buy wheat at any of the Lower Baltic ports under 70s. per qr. free on board at present ; and from Rostock we learn that contracts had been entered into for de- livery after harvest, at the high rate of 72s. per qr. free on board. The near ports have been more under the influ- ence of the advices from hence ; and at Hamburg, on Tuesday last, wheat was offered on lower terms than had been paid on that day week; it would, however, scarcely pay to import from thence, as THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, equal to 748. per qv. continued to be paid for Meck- lenburg wheat for home consumption. There appears to be very little barley, and no oatB, at any of the places above referred to ; but in Den- mark some quantity of both these kinds of grain re- mains : Danish barley weighing 53 to 54lbs. per bush, might be bought at 30s. 6d. per qr,, free on board 5. but oats cannot be purchased either in Sweden or Denmark below 28s. per qr., cost and freight, for 39 to 40lbs. In the early part of the month, a rapid rise took place in prices of wheat in almost all the French markets, and though the upward movement has within the last ten days received a check, quotations are higher in that country than in England. Stocks of flour at Paris, which a couple of months ago amounted to upwards of 40,000, have dwindled down to 1 5,000 metrical quintals, and at Havre and the other ports where the great bulk of the American flour was held, the quantity has been re- duced fully one half. At the markets in the interior dependent on the growers for supplies, the rise has been greater than at those places where foreign stocks were held ; indeed, the farmers through- out France appear to have parted with all they have been able to scrape together, and the new crop will have to be commenced upon as soon as harvested. The advices from the other side of the Atlantic confirm what had been previously stated, in regard to the smallness of the supplies from the interior to the ports on the sea-board, and though the demand for wheat and flour for export had been slow at New York, Philadelphia, Boston, &c., the enquiry for local use had been sufficiently active to prevent prices giving way materially, and it would certainly not pay to import from thence. From New York, we learn that duty had been paid on part of the flour which arrived from time to time from Canada in bond, for local use, instead of being (as would have been the case under ordinary circumstances), reserved for exportation. IMPERIAL AVERAGES. For the last Six Weeks. Week Ending: May 13, 1854.. May 20, 1854.. May 27, 1854.. June 3, 1854.. June 10,1354.. June 17,1854.. Aggregate average of last six weeks Comparative avge. same time lastyear Duties,, . Wheat. Barley. Oats. Rye. Beans s. d. s. d. 3. d. s. d. s. d. 78 9 37 1 29 5 52 1 48 9 78 2 37 2 29 4 48 6 49 3 78 9 37 1 29 11 53 11 49 4 79 11 36 9 29 10 48 7 48 6 78 9 37 1 30 8 49 3 49 1 78 3 37 3 29 5 48 11 49 10 78 9 37 1 29 9 50 3 49 3 i44 1 30 2 18 10 33 0 37 0 i 1 0 1 0 1 0 i 0 1 0 Peas. s. d. 46 9 47 2 44 7 46 10 47 4 6 46 6 33 6 1 0 CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. Shilling:) per Qusrter 76 to 73 fine 80 86 — — fine 86 88 41 36 extra 31 Potato 35 31 fine 29 fine 82 85 80 43 39 74 73 77 76 34 37 33 31 50 52 54 62 46 68 60 56 Wheat, Essei and Kent, white. . Ditto ditto — — Ditto ditto red ....... . 74 79 Ditto ditto. — — Norfolk, Lincohi.&Yorksh., red.. 70 76 Barley, malting, new. . 40 41 .... Chevalier. DistiUing . . 37 39 Grinding. Malt, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, new 71 72 Ditto ditto old 69 70 Kingston, Ware, and town made,uew7 5 76 Ditto ditto old 73 75 Oats, English feed . . 28 31 Potato. Scotch feed, new 32 33, old 34 35 . Irish feed, white .............. SO Ditto, black 23 Rye none — — Beans, Mazagan , 42 44 „ Ticks 44 46 „ Harrow. 46 48 „ Pigeon 46 52 „ Peas, white boilers 57 58. . Maple 47 49 Grey Flour, town made, per sack of 280 lbs. — — „ Households, Town 613. 62s. Country — „ Norfolk and Suffolk, ex-ship ....-— — „ FOREIGN GRAIN. ShiUinjifa per Quarter Wheat, Dan tzic, mixed. . 80 to 81 highmixed 84 86extra89 Konigsberg 78 80 „ — 81 „ 84 Rostock, new i 80 81 fine 82 „ 85 Ame.icaa, white 81 86 red 78 81 Pomera.,Meckbg,,andUckermk.,red 76 79 extra.. 81 Silesian „ 76 79whiteS0 81 Danish and Holstcin ........ „ 76 SI „ none Rhine and Belgium „ — — old — — Odessa, St. Petersburg and Riga. . 69 72 fine 72 75 Barley, grinding 35 38 Distilling,. 39 41 Oats, Dutch, brew, and Rolands 30s., 333. .. Feed .. 27 29 Danish & Swedish feed 29s. to 3l3. Stralsund 30 82 Russian 31 32 French., none Beans, Friesland and HolsteLn 42 48 Konigsberg.. 47 50 ,. Egyptian.. 45 47 Peas, feeding 50 54 fine boilers 55 58 Indian Corn, white 45 48 yellow 45 48 Flour, French, per sack (none) — — ■ none — — American, sour per barrel 37 39 sweet 40 44 COMPARATIVE PRICES AND QUANTITIES OF CORN. Averages from last Friday's Wheat., Barley, , Oata . . Rye.... Beans , . Peas , . Gazette, Qrs. 47,780 3,508 9,347 87 2,424 218 nda VSi Av. 1 s. d. 73 3 37 3 29 5 48 11 49 10 46 6 Averages from the correspond- ing Gazelle in 1853 Av. Qrs. s. d. Wheat,,.. 98,824 .. 45 0 Barley.... 4,104 .. 29 1 Oats .... 15,180 .. 18 11 Rye 309 .. 30 11 Beans.,.. 3,884 .. 38 11 Peas .... 272 .. S4 6 DIAGRAM SHOWING THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE AVERAGE PRICE OF WHEAT during the six WEEKS ending Junb 17, 1854. LONDON AVERAGES. £ s. d. Wheat Barley Oata , . 1,128 qrs. 4 1 5 162 1 15 0 3,617 1 9 10 j Peas ., £ s. d. Rye .... — qrs. 0 0 0 Beans.... 154 2 6 7 52 2 10 3 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 8t PRICES OF SEEDS. BRITISH SEEDS. Linseed (per qr.). . sowing — s. to 763. ; crashing 60s. to 643. Linseed Cakes (per ton) , £10 Os. to £10 lOs. Rapeseed (per qr.) 70s. to 803. Ditto Cake (per ton) £6 15s. to £7 Sa. Cloverseed (per cwt.) (nominal) .... OOs. to OOs Mustard (per bush.) whitenew lOs.to 14s., brown old lOs.to 13s. Coriander (per cwt.) new lOs. to ISs., old 10s. to 15s. Canary- (per qr.) 50s. to 54s. Carraway (per cwt.) ■... new 423. to 44s., old 44s. to 48s. Turnip, white (per bush.) — s. to — s Swede 24s. to 38s. Trefoil (per cwt.) OOs. to OOs. Cow Grass (per cwt.) OOs. to OOs. FOREIGN SEEDS, &c. Unseed (per qr.) Baltic, 64s. to 68s. ; Odessa, 66s. to 70s. linseed Cake (per ton) £9 10s. to £10 lOs. Rape Cake (per ton) £6 15s. to £7 5s. Hempseed, small, (per qr.).. — s., Ditto Dutch, 44s. Tares (per qr.) new, small 58s., large 64s. Rye Grass (jpet qr.) , 28s. to SSs. HOP MARKET. BOROUGH, Monday, June 26. Throughout the past week the accounts from the plantations have continued to come unfavourable. The market has been active, and considerable business has been done. Prices have been firmly maintained, and fine qualities have realized an advance on last week's rates. Hart & Wilson. The import of hops into London, last week, amounted to 4 bales from Rotterdam, 140 from Hambro', 18 from Ostend, and 16 from Antwerp. WORCESTER, (Saturday last.)— The blight is making sad havoc amongst the hops in our plantation, and before another week is past, unless we have a great change for the better, a large portion will have sunk under its effects. The market has advanced lOs. to 12s. to day, and prices may now be quoted from £8 to £9 9s. ; choice £10. MAIDSTONE, June 22.— The weather has, during the last few days, been somewhat more favourable; but even should it continue, which is doubtful, very much remains to be done before the hops can at all recover the ill effects of the high winds and cold nights, and the ravages of the vermin. The bine grows vigorously at places, and in most plantations (including the far-famed College ground) there is an evident improvement. Still there is a wonderful quantity of fly and lice, together with some honey-dew. The duty is variously estimated ; but the general opinion seems to be that it will not pay more than £100,000, some tliink not so much. Farnham, June 22. — We have not much alteration to report. The flys seem as thick as ever, and in a great many places the hops are very dark ; in most places they are topping the poles. We have had one or two very fine days. — Sussex Express. PRICES OF BUTTER, CHEESE, HAMS, &c. J}uftcr,per civt, Friesland .. Kiel Doriet 100 Carlom — Water/ord .... — Cork, new 84 Limerick — — Slif/o — — Frc»?t, per doz. lis. Od, ISs.Od. 88i!o 90 9i 98 104 94 Cheese, per crot. Cheshire, nem.,,. Chedder Double Gloucester Single do. , . Hams, York, new.,,. Westmoreland . . . Irish Bacon, WiUshire,green Waterford 66 to 80 68 80 ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET. June 26th. We note our trade as firm, at former prices. Dorset, fine weelcly 96s. to 98*. per cwt. Do., middling . e 84s. to SSs. „ Fresh, per dozen lbs 9s. to lis. BELTAST, (Friday Iast.)--Butter : Shipping price, 863. to 90s. per cwt.; firkins and crocks, 8-^-d.to 9|d. per lb. Bacon, 54s. to 60s.; Hams, prime 683. to 74s., second quality, 60s. to 64s. per cwt.; mess Pork, 87s. 6d. to 90s. per brl. ; beef, 105s. to 112s. 6d.; Irish Lard, in bladders, 66s. to 70a.; kegs or firkins, 623, to 64s. per cwt. Sutter. Bacon. Dried Hams, Mess Fork. June per crot. per crut. per cwt. per brl. 23. s. d. s. d. S. d. B. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 1850.. 67 0 70 0 37 0 40 0 56 0 70 0 60 0 62 0 1851.. 70 0 74 0 45 0 47 0 63 0 66 0 64 0 66 0 1852. . 74 0 78 0 44 0 48 0 56 0 60 0 77 6 82 0 1853.. 80 0 86 0 58 0 60 0 74 0 78 0 85 0 87 6 1854.. 86 0 90 0 54 0 6D 0 68 0 74 0 87 0 90 0 COVENT GARDEN MARKET. Saturday, June 24. All kinds of Vegetables are now abundant. New Grapes are cheaper. Cherries realize from 6d. to 2s. 6d. per lb. French Cherries have been poor in quality, and consequently the sale for them has been slow, even at low prices. Strawberries ai'e much more plentiful. Cucumbers vary from 3d. to Is. each. Very good Potatoes are coming in from Kent and Cornwall, at prices varying from I3s. to 203. per cwt. Asparagus continues to come in at OS. to 53. per hundrtd. Carrots and Turnips are cheaper. Among salad vegetables are Radishes at from Id. to 2d. per bunch; and Lettuces at Sd. to Is. per score. There are also excellent Carrots, Globe Artichokes, and Peas from France; likewise Tomatoes at from 9s. to J 3s. a dozen. Cut flowers consist of Azaleas, Cyclamens, Heaths, Lily of the Valley, Pinks, and Roses. FRUIT. Pineapples ,j)erlb., is. to 10s. Grapes, hothouse, p. Ib.Ss. to 7s. ,, Portugal,p.lb.,ls.6d.to3s. Peaches, x>er doz., 8s. to 20s. Nectarines, do., 8s. to 20«. Melons, each, Ss. to 6s. Strawberries, per lb.. Is. to 3s Gooseberries, green, per half sieve, 'is. to 3s. I Lemons , per doz.. Is. to 2s. | Apples, per bus7i.,7s. to 12s. „ des.,per doz., 6d. to Is. Oranges, pier 100, 5s. to 14s. ,, bitter, p. lM,-2Qs. Almonds, per peek, 6s. ., sweet, per lb., is. to2s.Sd. Wain., dried, p. 100, Is. 6d. Nuts, Bar., 2}er bush.,2is.to24:S. „ Brazil, xi. bash., 16s. to20s. „ SxJanisJi, per bush., 22s. VEGETABLES. Peas, per bushel, Ss. 6d. to 6s. Caulijtowers, 2)er doz., is.to 4s. Cabbages, per doz., 9d. to ls.6d Greens, per doz., 2s. to is. French Beans, p. IGO, 9d to2s6d Asparagus, 2Jer bundle, 2s to 5s Hhubayb, per bund.,3d.to6d Potatoes, per ton, 180s. to 240s. „ per cjvt.,7s.tolOs. „ per bush., is. to 5s. „ frame, per lb., 9d. to Is. Carrots, French, per bunch, 6d. to Is. Turnips new, do., 6d. to 9d. Cucutnbers,each,3d. to Is. Spinach, p. sieve. Is. to Is. 6d. Beet, each, id. to 6d. Onions, per bush, 8s. to 10s. Lechs, per bunch, 2d. to id. Shallots, per lb.,6d. to 8d. Garlic, per lb., Bd. to Is. Endive, jier doz, 2s. to is. Radishes, per doz., Is. to 2s. Lettuce, Cab., p. score,'Jdtols6d. ,, Cos, jicr score, 9d. to Is. Small Salads, J}, pun., 2d to 3d. Horseradish, p. bundle, 2s.tois. Mushrooms, J]. pott., Qd to ls3d Sorrel, X). hf. sieve, 6d. to Is. Artichokes, each, id. to (d. Fennel, per bunch, 2d. to 3d. Savory, per bunch, 2 Yw. Deals, per stand, hundred.. ) White Yellow Battens Riga Logs, for 18 feet cube Stettin Staves, per mille of pipe j... Swedish Timber, per load Gothen. Yw. Deals, per hun. 12ft.3in.9in, White ditto Yw. Battens, per hd. 12ft. 2jm. 7in. ChristianiaYw. Deals 2}er hd.l2ft.Sin.9in White ditto Quebec and St. John's Spruce Deals, \ per hundred, 12 ft. Sin. 9in. . . ) Istqualityyjv .Pine Deals, per st.hd Second do. do. ., Third do. do. Red Pi7ie Deals per hdA2ft.Zin.9in Red Pine Timber, per load Yellow ditto Birch ditto Elm ditto Oak ditto Standard Staves, per mille Standard. , . , Puncheon Staves, per mille MAHOGANY, &C. Mahogany, St. Domingo , Ciiba Honduras .*•..., Cedar i^....Hava7i7ia Rosewood ..Rio Bahia ., £ s. d. £ s. d. 3 3 0 to 4 10 0 15 0 0 .. 20 0 0 1 2 0 .. 1 10 0 130 0 0 ..190 0 0 10 0 0 .. 12 10 0 19 0 0 .. 23 0 0 15 0 0 .. 17 0 0 19 0 0 .. 21 0 0 3 10 0 .. 5 0 0 70 0 0 ..180 0 0 3 5 0 .. 3 10 0 . 26 0 0 .. 30 0 0 23 0 0 .. 27 0 0 14 0 0 .. 17 0 0 . 27 0 0 .. 35 0 0 26 0 0 .. 33 0 0 22 0 0 .. 25 0 0 . 18 0 0 .. 21 0 0 15 0 0 .. 16 10 0 H 10 0 .. 15 0 0 . 23 0 0 .. 26 0 0 4 10 0 .. 6 0 0 3 15 0 .. 5 10 0 4 10 0 .. 6 10 0 7 0 0 .. 8 0 0 7 0 0 .. 9 0 0 67 10 0 .. 80 0 0 17 0 0 .. 24 0 0 . Sd to 1' *''' ■""» ^'">' , 7 fe "^ 8 1 6 .6* 0 8§ il2 £2 per ton. 8 10 20 HIDE AND SKIN MARKETS. Saturday, June 24. s. d. g. d. Market Hides, &6 to 6i Iba 0 3 toO Z\perlb Do. 64 12lbs 0 8J 0 3| „ Do. 72 %OlbS 0 3i 0 0 „ Do. 80 88i&s 0 3J 0 3^ „ Do. 88 96lbs 0 3i 0 4 „ HorseHides 6 6 0 0 each. Calf Skins, light 2 0 3 0 „ Do. full 5 6 0 0 „ Lambs 2 0 2 10 „ Shearlings 1 6 1 6 „ WOOL MARKETS. ENGLISH WOOL MARKET. Monday, June 26. — A few parcels of English wool have been disposed of for shipment to Belgium; but so few trans- actions have taken place for home use, that the quotations are almost nominal, The stock in London is accumulating, and to effect large sales, further depressed rates must be sub- mitted to. Southdown Hoggets Half-bred Hoggets Elves, cJothing Kent Fleeces , . Combing Skins Flannel Wool. . Blanket Wool Leicester Fleeces s. a. s. d. 1 0 — 1 0 11 — 0 0 11 — 0 1 0 — 0^- 0 101 — 0 0 10 — 1 0 7 — 0 0 10 — 0 YORK WOOL MARKETS, June 22.— At this the sixth market for this year's clip we had about 430 sheets of wool, being about 100 less than last week. The market was, per- haps, one of the dullest ever witnessed, yet nearly all the wool was sold, at from 9d. to 12d. per stone below last week's rates ; no doubt caused by dear provisions, the state of the Eastern war, the imposition of war taxes, the high rate of discounts, and the many and heavy failures in Bradford, tialifax, and the neighbourhood, which is the seat of the manufacture of our Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and English wools generally. Cotted fleeces, locks, and moor wools have slow demand, and, except in very clean condition, are very difficult to sell, because East India wools, which always come over in the very cleanest condition, take their place iu our blanket manufactories. — Yorkshire Gazette. LIVERPOOL WOOL MARKET, June 24. Scotch Wool. — There is decidedly more doing in Laid Highland Wool ; several parcels held over since last clip have been forced on the market, and the prices are lower in conse- quence. White Highland has also, under similar circum- stances, found buyers. In Crossed and Cheviots there has been likewise some business done. s. d. s. d. Laid Highland Wool, per 2ilbs 9 OiolO 0 White Highland do...... c. 12 0 13 0 Laid Crossed do.,mi7vashed .... 12 0 12 6 Do. do. .mashed 13 0 14 0 Laid Cheviot do..7in'vashed .... 13 0 15 0 Do. do. .washed ,...». 14 9 17 6 White Cheviot do do...... 22 0 24 0 Foreign Wool.— There was a large attendance of buyers at the public sales this week, where 10,000 bales were offered ; but, with the exception of about 6,000 East India, which went off at former rates, all the other sorts were withdrawn. There is, however, a better feeling gaining ground that the lowest point has been seen, and that, although no immediate advance is anticipated, there will be a fair business at present rates. MANURES. London, Monday, June 26. PRICES CURRENT OF GUANO. Peruvian&uano per t07i£\l 0 0doing, there are two or three classes whose rise and fall must be always regulated more or less by his own. We are coming day by day more generally to acknowledge this. At the meeting now about to be held at Lincoln, we shall find in that county itself one of the strongest examples of that asso- ciated interest, which has resulted in so much common good. Landlord and tenant have here long since learnt how much they may do by cementing such an union, as how greatly the prosperity of the one class depends upon that of the other. Let us leave this desirable end, at least for the present, to point its own moral, and go in turn to the public show-yard for another illustration of how thoroughly the tenant farmer should have some others again to feel with him. As we trace the different avenues of ma- chinery offered for his use — as we inspect, one after another, the many classes of improved and valuable stock it must be his endeavour to obtain, let us stay to consider who should have an interest, as who is it that has a direct influence, here ? At whose mercy does the agriculturist place the com- paratively high-priced implement he has determined upon using ? Into whose hands does he deliver the perfectly formed animal that is to do so much, not merely perhaps for his own breed, but for that of a district ? Who beyond landlord or tenant THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 97 is it that has so strong a claim in the ad- vance of agriculture, and who should himself so certainly advance pari passu with it ? Need we stay to answer, " the labouring man" ? he whose health will be duly given at that festival which celebrates the object and the attainments of an agricultural society, and which very becomingly includes him in the ranks of those that it would honour. It has, too, already done far more for him than this offer, of what some may still wish to consider but an empty compliment may appear to imply. This associated interest we have already referred to brought him at once within the influ- ence of that progress it has been the proud distinc- tion of the Royal Agricultural Society to direct. From this he has learnt, or is still learning, how much it will be to his own advantage to do his best. From this he begins to see that the well-doing of his employer is equally his own ; and with this to guide him, he is becoming gradually freed from all the heavy impedimenta of ignorance and prejudice. The man who once considered it his first duty to himself and his family to smash a thrashing machine, or forbid the working of a hay- maker, has come now to acknowledge how much the use of these very implements may facihtate bis own labour, and tend to his own advantage. So far so good ; but we must not stop even here. One of our great objects now is to force simplicity of detail and action upon the mind of the inventor and his machinist. Our judges are taught to consider this one of the first recom- mendations towards determining their award. Let them stay to reflect into whose hands that which they are approving must pass for use, and then let them ask themselves whether it be really reduced to the capacity of the class for which it is intended. The argument here is essentially practical and politic ; but after all, it is only one-sided. The manufacturer is ordered to lower the character of his goods to the standard of intelligence by which they will be brought into service. May we not, on the other hand, do a little more in another direc- tion ? Far be it from us to question the attraction and advantage to be found in judicious simplicity of construction. It has long been one of our own arguments. At the same time is it not our duty to make the workman equal to the material he has to deal with ? The one grand difficulty is already sur- mounted. The unfavourable bias we had so long to contend against is gone ; and the man, we believe, is willing to learn, if we are only ready to teach. Improvement and advancement now only await our own signal — " Forward !" We are anxious to assume there is an increasing desire to thus lead onwards the labouring man. " A little reflection," as was well said by Lord Strad- broke the other day at Saxmundham — "a little reflection would show it was impossible, in a coun- try which was increasing in wealth, and where the upper and middle classes were every day increasing in knowledge and intelligence, to say you will resist education for the lower classes of the people. But if it were impossible to say this, he was anxious to add that if it were possible it would be unwise. He should like to ask them all this question : supposing that, by the activity and zeal of talented men who are constantly at work in improving the machinery of the country, more machinery is introduced, how could that machinery be used to advantage unless the labourers were men of inteUigence and of sound education? He should wish also to ask — and there were present many gentlemen who could answer — which amongst their labourers were those whom they most valued ? which amongst them were those in whom they most trusted ? which among them were those in whom they placed the greater confidence, and to whom they could leave their farms with more satisfaction than they could to others ? Was it not the fact that the labourers on whom they most relied, and in whom they had the great- est confidence, were those who were men of the greatest intelligence and of the most education ? He certainly had anticipated no other than an answer in the affirmative. The education which he alluded to was that which fitted a man for the per- formance of all his duties — which taught the boy those obligations which he would have to perform when he grew up to manhood. Such was the com- prehensive system which he advocated ; entertain- ing, as he did, the opinion upon all occasions, that the best men were those who had had a reasonable and sound education; satisfied, too, as he was, that such men were the most trustworthy and the most inteUigent." There are few who read this but will echo the cheers with which it was received. There are few, we trust, but who will make it part of their business, as one of their chief boasts, to have their labourers men of intelligence and education " that fits them for their duties." The cheers with which, again, we expect to hear such sentiments as these received on Wednesday must stand for the answer they should properly convey. Let it be our ambition to stand to them, and prove that " the health of the labourer" is no such mockery as some of our censors would have it interpreted. 98 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. AGRICULTURAL BIOGRAPHY. hiriKGr AUTHORS, OR SUPPOSED TO B2 LIVING. (Conchidedfrom page 407-^ CCCCLXV.— TORRTNGTON, 1842. Viscount Torrington has written " On farm build- ings, witli a few observations on the state of agri- culture in the county of Kent ;" price 5s. The observations on practical farming that are made in this treatise are judicious and correct, but on the subject of farm buildings his Lordship is behind the age, as he applies the power of horses to impel the thrashing machineiy, and long after steam has been used much more advantageously for the pur- pose. Animal labour is a large advance beyond human drudgery ; and a much larger progression is made when an active agent is raised from inani- mate bodies, and made to perform the functions of animated life. The feeding-house, devised in the plan of farm buildings, contains too many animals, and consequently a very heated air v/iU be respired. Nothing worth imitation has been exhibited by the design or description of the wants of farmeries. CCCCLXVL— Green, 1842. Robert Green, farmer, has written " On under- draining wet and cold lands;" price 3s. 6d. This book has been very little noticed, though written on a most important subject, as the title compre- hends all the lands that require to be drained. If the author has adopted the shallow system, or the deeper percolations, the process is much the same, only varied in the frequency and depth of drains, in order to answer the contemplated object. CCCCLXVIL— Donaldson, 1842. John Donaldson has written "A treatise on ma- nures and grasses;'"' London, 8vo., 1842, "The cultivated plants of the farm ; containing the description, culture, and use of the grains, legumes, tubers, and esculents;" London, 12mo., 1847. " The enemies to agriculture, botanical and zoolo- gical, description and extirpation;" London, 12mo., 1348. " Land steward and farm bailiff ; detaihng from actual practice the duties and qualifications of both offices ;" London, 8vo., 1848. " Improved farm buildings ; containing 72 designs of farmeries, dwelling houses, and cottages ;" London, 1851, 4to. " Clay lands and loamy soils ; containing the geological character, the chemical nature, natural properties, and cultivated use of the different for- mations;" London, 1852, 12mo, "Soils and ma^ nures ; containing the soils, cultivation, and ferti- lizing;" London, 1852, 12mo. The book of farm buildings contains 72 original designs on copper, of farmeries, square, circular* and polj'gonal, dwelling-houses and cottages, and is the most comprehensive work of the kind. The treatise on clay lands and loamy soils gives the most extensive description of clays that has yet been made, both in a scientific and practical view. The various qualities are largely investigated. Also " The country gentleman ; containing the arrange* ments of the park, the policy, and the farm ;" 12mo. " On landed property ;" large 8vo. CCCCLXVIIL— Grey, 1842, Robert Hyde Grey has written " Scotch farming in the Lothians ; a letter addressed to the editor of the Manchester Guardian ;" London, Svo., 1842. " Scotch farming in England ; a second letter to the Manchester Guardian;" London, Bvo., 1842. These letters reiterate the tales that have been often told — that superior cultivation prevails under favourable circumstances, under good soils, long leases, and capital in the hands of the farmers. The climate is also very favourable to green crops. Much of the Scotch farming may be used in England, in the north and western parts, where the intiuences resemble. CCCCLXIX.— Lance, 1842. Edward Jarman Lance, has written " On the food of plants, in which is considered — the sources from which plants derive the elements of their compo- sition ; the mode in which farm-yard dung strengthens the growth of agricultural crops ; the mode in which other m.anures, whether singly or combined, act upon vegetation." To which is added, one essay on the drill-husbandry of turnips; London, 1842, 12mo. "The golden farmer; being an attempt to unite the facts pointed outby nature in the sciences of geology, chemistry, and botany, with practical operations of husbandmen, to enable them to grow more corn, and increase the employment of the labourer;" London, 8vo., 1831. " The hop farmer," " The cottage farmer," and many parts of Baxter's agricultural library, Mr. Lance originated " The humus and carbon manures," and is a writer of the highest class. "The hop farmer" is allowed to be the best work on the subject. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 99 CCCCLXX.— Johnston, 1842. James F. W. Johnston, Professor of agriculture in the provincial college of Durham, has written " Elements of agricultural chemistry and geology ;" Edin., 8vo., 1842. "Catechism of agricultural chemistry and geology; Edin., l6mo., 1844. "Lec- tures on agricultural chemistry and geology, with an appendix;" Edin. and London, Svo., 1844. "Contributions to scientific agriculture;" London, 8vo., 1849. "Experimental agriculture; being the results of past and suggestions for future expe- riments in scientific and practical agriculture;" Edin., 1849, Svo. "Notes on North America, agricultural, economical, and social ;" 2 vols, Edin. and London, Svo,, 1351. The author was engaged by the Agricultural Society of Scotland to give stated lectures on agri- cultural chemistry for several successive years. The success was as large as may be expected from the subject, and the connection of the two sciences has been illustrated probably as far as modern know- ledge will allow. That it has fallen short of any valuable practical application does not argue that none will be reached, when a more intim.ate field has been opened, and a closer inquiry afforded. CCCCLXXL— Ransome, 1843, James Allen Ransome, of the firm of Ransome and Co., iron-foundry, Ipswich, has written " The implements of agriculture;" London, Svo., 1843. This work is worthy of the long-estabhshed celebrity enjoyed by the above firm as makers of agricultural implements; it has no equal in the agricultural world, and outstrips all works of the kind in the arrangement of the implements, delinea- tion, descriptions, and practical character. The author's remarks are very valuable. It may be re- marked as curious that carts and waggons are not mentioned as agricultural implements; the book does not comprehend them. CCCCLXXII.— Hunter, 1843. James Hunter, plough-maker, Edinburgh, has written "The improved Scotch swing-plough, with practical illustrations on plough-making and plough- ing, and many other observations in connection with agriculture ;" Edin., 8vo,, 1843. The swing-plough is very well explained in all its parts, and correctly delineated in the skeletons. The beam appears to be very short, and the bend very near to the heel of the [)lough, at the back end of the sole plate. A lever power is no doubt gained by a long handle and a short beam ; but it may be over done, and the just proportion destroyed, CCCCLXXm.-HuTCHlNBON, 1844. Henry Hutchinson, land-agent, valuer, and pro- fessor of draining, Walcot, near Stamford, has written " A treatise on the practical drainage of land;" London, 1844, 8vo. The work contains 207 pages, with diagrams of drained lands on the shallow and deep systems, as practised by the author. The contents show a very sound profes- sional knowledge, with a correct judgment on the practical subject. No superior work has appeared on the draining of lands on the improved system of frequent cavities, in order to render eflfectual the performance of drying the ground. CCCCLXXIV.— RiGG, 1844. Robert Rigg, F.R.S., has written " Experimental researches, chemical and agricultural, showing car- bon to be a compound body made by plants, and decomposed by putrefaction ;" London, 1844, Svo. The author fills 204 pages with very learned disser- tations, but arrives at no practical result, even if carbon be composed and destroyed as is repre- sented. CCCCLXXV.-Hannam, 1844. John Hannam has published " The economy of waste manures; a treatise on the nature and use of neglected fertihzers ;" London, 1844, 12mo, The treatise is valuable, and the author is known as the writer of several prize essays, CCCCLXXVL— Burke, 1844, J. F.Burke has written " Farming for ladies; or, a guide tothepoultry yard, the dairy, and the piggery;" 12mo., London, 1844. "The muck manual," " British husbandry ;" 2 vols., which were published in monthly numbers by the Society for the Diffu- sion of Useful Knowledge. It is a very useful work, showing and recommending the most approved practices upon incontestible grounds of preference. The two small works above-mentioned are very concise channels of agreeable intelligence. The author is noted in the profession of agriculture. CCCCLXXVII.— MiLBURN, 1845. M. M. Milburn, land-agent, near Thirsk, York- shire, has written "Prize essay on guaao;', Svo., London and York, 1845. "The cow, with the dairy and breeding cattle;" 12mo., London, 1851. " Sheep, breeds and management ;" 12mo, London, 1852. These works are to be noted for sound sense, and very judicious statements. The practi- cal information is of the highest order, and free of any affectation beyond the necessary scientific reference. Practice is never cast behind in order to follow a new path that is not yet open, and but barely accessible. CCCCLXXVIIL— Williams, 1845. E. Leader Wilhams, C.E., acting engineer to ths 100 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Severn Companj', has written " On land-draining and irrigation; and on the application of drainage water as a motive power to machinery for agricul- tural purposes;" price Is. 6d. This small work is very true on the subject. CCCCLXXIX.— WiLLOUGHBY D'Eresby, 1845. Lord Willoughby D'Eresby has written " On l^loughing by steam;" price 2s. 6d. Perseverance continues the attempts to reach the point of plough- ing by steam ; but like plough-draining and machine-reaping of grain, ploughing in the dif- ferent forms may require a more manageable agent than condensed steam let loose from control, CCCCLXXX.— Trimmer, 1845. Joshua Trimmer, F.G.S., has written " Practical geology and mineralogy ;" London, Svo. " Prac- tical chemistry for farmers and land-owners ;" London, ]2mo. " On the improvement of land as an investment for capital;" London, 184/, Svo., price Is. And, along with Mr. Morton, "An attempt to estimate the effects of protecting duties on the profits of agriculture;" price 2s., and sup- plement Is. The author is known as an able prac- tical geologist, and a person of very sound views on other subjects. Though no doubt can exist of the improvement of land as an investment of capi- tal, yet there must be a combination of favourable circumstances which have passed away from exist- ence, under which were effected the large improve- ments quoted by the author. [CCCCLXXXL— Martin, 1845. W. C. L. Martin has written " Our domestic fowls," "The history of the horse," and "Treatise on the ox." These treatises are very valuable; probably the natural history learning of the author predominates over the practical utility. CCCCLXXXn.— Roberts, 1845. Owen Owen Roberts has written " Observations on thorough drainage, as the basis of agricultural prosperity;" London, 1845, 12mo. The author reasons well, and argues stoutly in favour of close draining and subsoil ploughing. The two pam- phlets by the author, on the corn laws and agricul- tural economy, are not practical notices. CCCCLXXXIIL-Mechi, 1845. J. Mechi has compiled a thin quarto volume of letters on agricultural subjects, chiefly relating to drainage of clay lands. The author is an amateur cultivator of the soil, and has attracted much ob- servation. His ideas show too much adhesion to one locality ; and though they are not sheer idle fancies, the general application may b.^ doubted. Such persons are useful in any art, CCCCLXXXIV.— Dickson, 1846. James Hill Dickson has written " A series of letters on the improved mode of the cultivation and management of flax;" London, 1846, Svo. The intelligence is very sound, and correctly estimated. CCCCLXXXV.— Roberts, 1846. G. Roberts has written " A catechism of agri- culture, by question and answer, on the most approved modes of cultivating the earth." The work is one of Pinnock's catechisms, and bound in a volume of these collections. It should have had an earlier date, but the work did not catch our notice sooner. The extent of it is too small to con- tain the circle of agriculture, even in a contracted form. CCCCLXXXVL— Falkner, 1846. F. Falkner, Esq., has written " The muck manual, for the use of fai'mers ; a practical treatise on the chemical properties, management, and apphcation of manures;" London, 1846, pp. 318, sewed, 5s. This is a very neat and comprehensive work, and a most creditable performance. CCCCLXXXVIL- Bacon, 1846. R. N. Bacon has written " Prize essay on the agriculture of Norfolk ;" 8vo., price 10s. 6d. This work is much esteemed, and contains the senti- ments of a sound practical judge, and of an en- lightened writer. CCCCLXXXVIIL— PASsy, 1846. H. Passy has written " Essay on large and small farms;" 12mo. This essay has never got into any notice. CCCCLXXXIX.— Eyton, 1846. T. C. Eyton, Esq., has written " The handbook of Hereford cattle;" in two vols., Svo. The work contains the list, pedigrees, and portraits of the most celebrated bulls of that breed, and the prices at which many of them were sold. It is a very enter- taining book to those connected with Hereford cattle. CCCCXC.— ToPHAM, 1846. John Topham, MA., rector of St. Andrew, Droitwich, has written " Chemistry made easy, for the use of agriculturists;" London, stitched, ]6mo. The knowledge of chemistry is undoubted; the application of it in the field of agricultural practice yet remains to be found. CCCCXCL— Antisell, 1846. Thomas Antisell has written " A manual of agri- cultural chemistry;" 12mo., sewed, price 2s. " Irish geology ;" IBmo., price 6d., sewed; in a series of chapters containing an outline of the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 101 science of geology, and a description of the various rocks distributed on the surface of the island, with some remarks on the climate. These little works are worth notice. CCCCXCII.-JoNEs, 1847. David F. Jones has written "Turnip husbandry; a series of papers on the culture and application of that important root, with a preface by Professor Johnston of Durham. The author describes most correctly the most approved cultivation and use of the turnip plant. CCCCXCIII.— Dickson, 1847. Walter B. Dickson has written " Poultry, their breeding, rearing, diseases, and general manage- ment." This is an excellent treatise on poultry, and deserves much notice. CCCCXCIV.— HUXTABLE, 1847. Rev. A. Huxtable, A.M., rector of Sutton Wal- dron, Dorset, is author of " A lecture on the science and application of manures ;" 8vo., price Is. "The present prices;" price Is. This writer has made his name known by scientific views on various points of agriculture. They may not prove to be fancies and chimeras when a sufficient time for trial has elapsed, and public opinion has overcome the asthma which prevents to climb a steep ascent. CCCCXCV.— O'Connor, 1847.' Feargus O'Connor has written " On the manage- ment of small farms;" 12mo. Except in the London catalogue of books, no notice has been seen of this work. CCCCXCVI.— Warnes, 1847. Warnes has written " On the cultivation of flax, and the fattening of cattle with native produce, box-feeding, and on summer grazing;" price 7s. 6d. The very plausible scheme of this author may not be adapted to British husbandry, however valu- able the flax plant may be. The cultivation of it is a cottier performance, and adapted to an unrefined stage of agricultural advancement, and will not be able to find a place in the rotation of crops which are cultivated with less trouble, and more suitable for alternation. The feeding of one animal in a box cannot enjoy any long advantage over a yard and shed for two animals, which has been long very successfully adopted. Minute trifles confer little value. CCCCXCVII.— Davies, 1848. ■ Hewett Davis, farmer, near Croydon, has written " Farming essays ;" price 2s. 6d. Contents are — On selecting a farm ; leases and tenants' rights ; artificial manures ; thick and thin sowing ; Spring Park farmmg (his own) ; agriculture, ancient and modern; deep drainage on arable lands; general directions for drainage ; kohl rabi and French sheep ; &c., &c. These essays are very particular for sound practice and enlightened judgment. CCCCXCVIII.— Shilling, 1848. Thomas Skilling, now professor of agriculture in the Queen's College, Galway, has written " The science and practice of agriculture;" 12mo., cloth, with cuts, price 3s. 6d. Also " The farmer's ready- reckoner." Very useful tracts in a small compass. CCCCXCIX.— Wilson, 1848. Rev. J. M. Wilson has written or edited " Rural cyclopsedia ;" 2 vols., imperial 8vo. A large work of four octavo volumes of extra size, alphabetically arranged, and includes gardening, natural sciences, and many country affairs. The j^lates of animals, grasses, and implements are many, and the execution is very superior. The work claims much notice, though seldom named. D.— Forsyth, 1848. Alex. Forsyth has written " Treatise on culture, and the economy of the potato;" 8vo. The author is a gardener, and treats the preservation of the potato, propagation, and cultivation, and adds a postscript on the field culture. The subjects aie most judiciously handled. DI. — Newman, 1848. Newman has written "Practical hints on land draining;" 8vo. This notice has not extended beyond the advertisement. DII.— Parkes, 1848. E. A. Parkes has written " On the art of land drainage;" 8vo. The most philosophical essay on drainage that has appeared, and probably too refined for the gross operation of manufacturing the ground. DHL— FiLGATE, 1848. Fitzherbert Filgate, Esq., has written " A prac- tical treatise on thorough draining, accompanied by remarks on the various materials employed, their probable expenses, the comparative utihty of the old and new methods, and its applicability to Ire- land;" 18mo., sewed, price Is. The author writes very soundly and practically. DIV. — SlMONDS, 1848. James Simonds is a professor in the Veterinary College, Camden Town, London. He has written on the small pox in sheep, the history of its intro- duction into England, progress, symptoms, and treatment of the disease, and how to avoid its fatal 102 THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE. consequences. Mr. Simonds is known as an enlightened practitioner of the veterinary science. DV.—MURPHY, 1849. Edmund Murphy, landscape gardener, has Written " A treatise on agricultural grasses, with figures of the principal plants;" 12mo,, sewed, price Is. This treatise claims a merit. DVL— Stephens, 1850. Henry John Stephens, Edinburgh, has written ** The book of the farm ;" containing the practice of agriculture placed as the details occur during the months of the year. "A manual of practical draining ;" containing the most approved practice on various soils. There are no better works than these two books on draining and practical agricul- ture. DVII.—Raynbird, 1849. William and Hugh Raynbird have written " Agri- culture of Suffolk;" Bvo., London, 1849. This work gained the prize ofFered by the R. E. Agricul- tural Society, and very deservedly. The contents evince a thorough practical knowledge, disencum- bered of scientific inutility. The writers have edited an enlarged edition of Rham's *' Dictionary of the farm." DVIIL— Ritchie, 1849. Robert Ritchie, farm engineer, Edinburgh, has written "Treatise on barn machinery;" royal 8vo. A large volume on farming machines and thrashing machinery of all kinds and degrees. The uses of sleam power are well discussed. DIX. — Rawstorne, 1849. Lruv. Rawstorne, Esq., has v.Titten " New hus- bandry;" or a complete code of modern agriculture, drawn partly from the works of the most eminent agriculturists, and partly from practice and obser- vation. The miscellaneous nature of this work recommends its sincerity, and the contents are valuable, though the truths have been long known. About 400 pages form the volume. The author has written on the potato disease, and the waste land of Ireland. DX.— Dean, 1850. G. A. Dean has written " Construction of farm buildings and labourers' cottages, Land steward — tenant right," &c.; royal 8vo. This work is on an extensive and improved scale, and its merit is very considerable. DXL— Morton, 1850. John C. Morton has edited and partly written "A cyclopaedia of agriculture;" containing the ■whole circle of farming under the alphabetical heads. It is not too much to say that to the scientific ama- teur and the practical man this work forms the largest resource yet ofFered to the agricultural world for the purpose of amusement and mformation. No expense nor labour has been spared to render every part of the work appear in a superior manner, and the object has been attained. The book is in a quarto form, and very richly illustrated. DXII.— Deman, 1851. E. F. Deman, late technical instructor to the Royal Flax Society in Ireland, has written " Flax, its cultivation and management; with instructions in the various Belgian methods of growing and preparing it for the market;" price 2s. 6d. This essay is not inferior to the many treatises on flax. DXIII.— DCNALD, 1851. James Donald, civil engineer, Derby, has written "Land drainage, embankment, and irrigation — their practical application, and the proper season fiT such undertakings;" London, ]2mo., 1851. This work constitutes a most valuable addition to the former treatises on draining : the author shows a true practice, and a large comprehension. DXIV.— Macarthur, 1852, John Macarthur, surveyor, valuator, and drains ing engineer, Dublin, has written " An agricultural catechism," and " An essay on the roots of plants ; or, an investigation of the growth of agricultural plants, as displayed by their roots in different soils, and under various modes of culture, including the results of a series of experin^ents made in the Vice- regal Gardens, Dublin. This essay is a very valua- ble appendage to the physiology of plants, and exhibits the peculiarities that are performed under ground, on which the upper development depends in a very large degree. The study must aflPord much interest and pleasure, and the author seems to have pushed the engagement to an extended limit. The agricultural catechism does the author very much credit. DXV.— Haywood, 1852. Jam.es Haywood has v/ritten " Letter to far- mers ;" which treat on every department of agri- culture, and forma useful handbook to every farmer. The food of plants, air audits composition, climate, rain, and dew, are regularly treated; followed by soils, varieties of earths, chemical qualities, and practical use ; compounds of plants and animal food, manures, crops, and several combined matters. The letters are written in a very plain perspicuous style, and show the acquisition of much practical knowledge with enlightened sentiments. Public opinion has given a very favourable reception to the name of the author, in connection with subjects that are treated. DXVL— Smith, 1852. Joseph A. Smith, lecturer on agricultural che- mistry, has written " Productive farming ; or a THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 103 familiar digest of the recent discoveries of Liebig, Davy, and other celebrated writers on agricultural chemistry, showing how the results of Enghsh tillage might be greatly augmented;" Edin., 1852. This work is more practical than most books of the kind ; but nothing new is published. DXVIL— Kemp, 1852. T. Lindley Kemp, M.D., has written " Agricul- tural physiolog}', animal and vegetable, designed for the use of practical agriculturists ;" Londonand Edin., 1852, This is an excellent work, clearly arranged, and very systematically detailed. It is the ablest thing of the kind, though the use of it in practice may be distant. DXVIII.-Nesbit, 1852. J. C. Nesbit, F.G.S., F.C.S, analytical chemist, and principal of the Chemical and Agricultural Academj', Kennington, London, has written " An essay on the composition and fertilizing qualities of Peruvian guano, and pointing out the best mode of its application to the soil;" price Is., London, 1852. This essay excels all the former treatises on the very valuable article of guano, both in the scientific comprehension of its properties, and the applicable value of the virtues it contains. Nothing is left to vague conjecture or to speculative trust ; all is placed on the same grounds of estabhshed lav/s, both in chemistry and practice. The sale has been rapid and extensive, but not beyond the merits of the essay. DXIX.— SiLLETT, 1852. John Sillett has written " Fork and spade hus- bandry ;" how a man may get a good living off two acres of land. " A treatise on feeding, and fatten- ing pigs," and " How to build a good house for £65." These treatises are deserving of much com- mendation. DXX.— Solly, 1852. Edward Solly, jun., F.R.S., F.L.S., has written *' Rural chemistry ; an elementary introduction to the study of the science in its relation to agricul- ture;" London, r2mo., 1843. This author writes well, reasons acutely, and concludes safely. No writer has displayed a more correct knowledge of the parts of chemistry that are connected with the cultivation of the earth, and these branches are ex- plained, and placed in a very concise and intelligi- ble form. DXXI.— Cooke, 1852. George Wingrove Cooke, barrister at law, has written " A treatise on the law and practice of agri- cultural tenancies, with forms and precedents ;" London, 1850, Bvo. The book occupies 554 pages, and contains a large collection of legal decisions, forms, precedents, and provincial customs. There is much wading in order to arrive at a useful truth. The time is now come to disentangle negotiations such as a farming tenancy from all feudal enter- tainments, and place them on sound economical principles, and the intelligences of common senee, reason, and simple justice. DXXIL— Caird, 1852. James Caird has written " English agriculture in 1850 and 1851;" one volume, 8vo. Mr. Caird, Baldoon, Wigtonshire, attracted notice by advo- cating, against protective duties on foreign corn, the superior culture of the soil, along with hberal cove- nants and improving leases. He had met with favourable circumstances in the soil of his own farm, in the climate, and the circumstances of time and obligation under which he was placed, and he inferred that similar results would be every- where produced by the use of the same means. It is not doubted that the results would be similar in proportion to circumstances, but not by any means so great in all cases as in one detached application. The reasoning is clear, but the strict analogy does not hold. The writer was employed as commissioner by the Times newspaper, to journey over England, and make reports of the farming in each county, and of any locality or farm that enjoyed a special celebrity. The reports appeared in the daily paper, and were afterwards collected into the volume now meii- tioned. It contains many sensible remarks, and very shrewd observations, showing a most en- lightened mind and sound understanding. DXXIII.— Normandy, 1853, A, Normandy has written " Farmers' manual of agricultural chemistry;" price 4s. 6d, The author has also written " Commercial hand-book of chemical analysis," DXXIV.— MuRPPiY, 1853. Edmund Murphy, A.B., professor of agriculture/ Queen's College, Cork, has written " The agricul- tural calculator and farmer's class book;" a small volume of much merit, and well adapted for the intended purpose. The work is devised for young persons, and questions are placed after each chap- ter, with which to refresh the memory and store the recollection. The best farmer may gain by the perusal. DXXV.— Starforth, 1852. John Starforth, architect, Edinburgh, has written " Architecture of the farm ; being a series of de- signs of farm-houses, farm-steadings, factors' houses, and labourers' cottages;" 62 engravings, price £2 2s. DXXVL— MoRTOxX, 1853, John Lockhart Morton, land agent, Edinburgh, has written " Rich farming, and co-operation be- 104 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, tween landlord and tenant." Two editions have appeared of this essay of 37 octavo pages, stitched, advocating good farming, liberal covenants, and moderate rents. DXXVII.— CORRIGAN, 1853. Andrew Corrigan, curator of the Royal Dublin Society's Agricultural Museum, has written " The- ory and practice of modern agriculture ; to which is added the breeding and management of sheep, cattle, pigs, and poultry, with some remarks on dairy husbandry." This small work is truly a midlmn in parvo, showing a very correct knowledge of the articles described. DXXVIII.— Andrews, G. H. Andrews, Esq., author of a treatise on agricultural engineering, has written " The practi- cal farmer ; a guide to modern husbandry, embrac- ing the art and science of agriculture, and compre- hensive instructions on breeding, rearing, grazing, and fattening stock;" copiously illustrated with views and plans of animals and implements ; demy, 6s., and in calf 10s. 6d. This work is very credita- bly reported. DXXIX.— Ferguson, 1854. Ferguson and Vance have written an octavo volume " On tenure of land in Ii-eland," This work contains a very full and detailed statement of the various modes of holding land in Ireland, the cultivation of the soil, its products, and value. A secure holding of land in cultivation is but little useful where no capital rests with the farmer ; both are wanting in Ireland, and fill up the measure of the misery of the country. Every exposition of the state of Ireland only shows a picture of human misery in the superlative degree, mainly produced by the social mismanagement of the landed pro- perty, which in every age and clime has exhibited the same picture of human misrule. DXXX.— Sussex, 1854. F. S. M. Sussex, Esq., F.S.A,, has written " Manures considered in relation to the croj), the soil, and the atmosphere;" Dorking, 1848. A stitched volume of 60 octavo pages, discusses the general tendency of manures very scientifically, but makes no practical advance. The substances are not singly mentioned, nor treated separately. The date of this work should have been placed earlier in our recorded notice of writers, but the title did not occur to our research till it was too late for insertion. In order that no name be omitted, the notice is now made. ON THE EXHIBITION OF STOCK AT THE LINCOLN MEETING. Sir,— Ob looking over the stock, we saw one great evil still prevailing, and that is their being over-fed ; nothing but the decision of the judges can ever remedy Ihe evil. We always iiave uuderstood it to be a b>cediii[/ shoiv, but where la the common senae of calling it one ? Nine-tenths or more, of the cattle shown, could neither get stock nor breed in their present condition, but will want well physicking and reducing to make them breeders ; and then where is the constitution ? It must have suffered, and thus the object of the society is nullified. The money expended ought to go towards improving the breeds of domestic animals, and not to hold out a premium to that man who consumes the greatest amount of artificial food. We want grass-fed animals, kept in the condition fit for breed- ing purposes ; and if carried beyond that point, to be dis- carded. We consider it not enough to be told honestly that they have had grass, and grass only ; that may be, but they have been (we are conscious of the fact) put on the best land> and one of them where more ought to have been, for the ex- press purpose of fattening to excess ; and then we are mo- destly told, they are so constitutionally adapted to lay on fat, they could not show them otherwise. In answer to which, we would observe, we generally see plenty of poor animals where these pets come from. We do not want the object of the society to be frustrated, and the judgment of that body of agriculturists ridiculed by men of common sense; but we want to see a show of breeding animals, and not fat ones. In the pig department partial blindness had happened to many ; and were we the judges, we would tell the owners SmithfielJ was the place for them : the remedy rests entirely with the judges ; let it be known, and the announcement acted upon, that over-fed animals would be disqualified, and very few would be foolhardy enough to make a second experiment. And then see the evil of allowing these over-fed animals to gain a prize ! We live in a day in which we place no great credit to anything unless it is profitable ; and the object of the society we always understood to be, to bring within their arena as many practical farmers as possible : but then prac- tical men want to see measures carried out on right principles, and having for their end that which is profitable, or they will soon be wanting at the rent audits. We admire the efforts of the society and truly everything is carried out on a princely scale, and an honoar to royalty ; but let us get rid of this la- mentable obesity, f/ivinr/ no countenance to it ; and what would be the result ? AVhy hundreds of practical farmers who now stand aloof would come forward, and be exhibitors and sub- scribers ; and the society would receive an impetus it has yet been a stranger to. We want especially to see cattle, sheep, and pigs taken from the common stock of the farm as a sample of its stock, so that the exhibitor can say. We have plenty more such at home ; and then all the extravagance, and expense at- tending these shows would be done away with, and the num- bers exhibited would be tenfold. When this society started we expected to see something more practical, and the evil which had adhered to old ones got rid off. We hear the high sounding title of "practice" over and over again ; and still let any practical farmer go to any of its shows, and he sees almost everything in an artificial state, and practice left at home ; little or nothing there he would carry out on a large scale to enable him to meet his landlord, and give him the means of carrying out improvements on his farm. Starting to mend former societies, it has established a great difficulty, bringing with it the influence of royalty and aristocracy; the result is what might have been foreseen — loss to landlords, and ruin to tenants who attempt to tread in their steps ; and thus real practical farming has had an incubus placed upon it, and fears its influence. If ever the sound constitutional qualities of an animal is to be transmitted, it must be by keeping that animal in moderate condition, and able to contend (if we may be al- lowed the phrase) with common life, and not housed and petted until it becomes fit {or nothing but a shoio: for ourselves, we would never destroy the superior qualities of an animal for the sake of any prize or honour connected therewith. Why do we hear so much inquiry made about a want of alloy in our bleeds of domestic animals? It is simply because the evil of overfeeding is continually undermining the constitution. The principle is the same, whether applied to man or animals ; and until the evil is removed, we look on the society's efforts as being very much like a fancy bazaar, and of little use to agriculture. Yours, &c., Nottingham, July 19. A Fakmer, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 105 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. Weekly Council, June 28. — Colonel Challoner, Trustee, in the Chair. Early Tares. — The Rev. A. Huxtable transmitted a specimen of early Tares grown upon his Hill Farm in Dorsetshire, at an elevation of 600 feet above the level of the sea. The seeds furnished to him by Mr. W. H. Davis, of Marnhall, near Blandford, were sown at the end of the first week in October, and the plants were at least one month in advance of other " early" Vetches sown several days before them. The maturity of these Tares in growth and podding was in Mr. Huxtable's experience unrivalled ; for, notwithstanding the severe frosts of the past April, they were in full bloom in the first week of May ; and he thought it unnecessary to point out the importance of a crop which would be available for sheep feeding in the early spring. — Prof. Way remarked, that great quantities of rain fell upon the high lands in Mr. Huxtable's district, and the at- mosphere there was mild but damp. Mr. Baskerville Glegg stated that in Cheshire the farmers had generally their crop of Tares by the middle of May. April Wheat. — Mr. Iltid Thomas, of Hill House, Swansea, favoured the Council with bis experience of the cultivation of April Wheat in South Wales. He pre- ferred it to all other varieties. He had sowed it this year on the 3rd of May, and in 28 days it had grown to the height of 6 or 7 inches. The land was a miserable bottomless gravel in the coal -basin, very much exposed to every wind, at an elevation of some 500 feet above the level of the sea, where the vegetation was severely tried by the action of the copper and patent fuel smoke of that locality. The grain was strongly retained by the straw, and the Wheat therefore stood wind well. It was sown last year on the 25th April, and on account of the unfavourable nature of the season, he had a very light crop of it, otherwise it would have yielded from 32 to 35 bushels per acre. He sold the produce at 9s. per bushel, and for seed at 10s. He had found clover to succeed very well with it. He did not think it more exhausting than Barley ; it was sown at the same time as Barley, with a similar yield of crop, and fetched double the price in the market. The bread made from it was brown, but very sweet and agreeable. This April Wheat was a bearded one, and he highly recommended it for soils not good enough for higher bred varieties. — Sir Matthew Ridley referred to the objection offered by the millers in the north of England against the April Wheat, on ac- count of its coarseness and thick skin. It was sown in April and yielded well, but it did not obtain a good price in the market. — Colonel Challoner stated his successful cultivation of the Talavera Wheat, which he sowed very early in the year, and found it escape the ordinary ravages to which the Wheat crop was liable. — Mr. Dent, M.P,, alluded to the excellent crops of April Wheat grown by Mr. Thomp- son, of Moat Hall, in Yorkshire. His was a bearded Wheat, and wag gown at the latter end of April. Manures. — Mr. Andrews, of Cornwall, transmitted a statement and sample connected with his preparation of a manure which he considered highly fertilizing, and at the same time very cheap.™ Mr. Martin, of Elgin, communicated suggestions for the collection of manure from marine animals, to be obtained at fishing villages, by dredging, and by the employment of women and children in collecting the refuse of fishing-boats. Rick-machtne. — Mr. Lawes submitted the model of a machine he had found very useful in raising hay and corn to the tops of stacks, and for feeding the thrashing-machines with sheaves. It was similar in its form and mounting to the common fire-escape, but having attached at intervals to an endless -revolving web the rake-work which carried up aloft the hay or corn required to be stacked. — Colonel Challoner ex- plained to the Council the very complete arrangements for effecting similar objects he had recently been in- vited to inspect at Prince Albert's Farm at Osborne ; and which had been made for his Royal Highness by Messrs. Easton and Amos, the Consulting Engineers to the Society. Steam Cultivation. — Mr. Murphy, of Cork, com- municated to the Council a statement of peculiarities in the construction of his single and double-action spade-cylinder machine for cutting, turning up, and pulverizing the soil 10 inches deep by the draught of a single horse. Glass Milk-Pans. — Prof. H. Von Bliicher, of Wasdow, near Rostock (on application to him through the intervention of M. Kreept, the Mecklenburg Con- sul-General, in London, and at the suggestion of Mr. George Raymond Barker), favoured the Council with the following information connected with the original black-glass milk-pans of the Pine forests of North Germany, recommended to the Society by its late distinguished foreign member. Captain Stanley Carr, whose recent loss the members have deeply to regret : — There are only few manufactories of glass in Mecklenburg. In regard to the black-glass railit-pans, the best are fabricated by Mr. Cleve, at Karow, by Plan, in Mecklenburg ; and the surest and cheapest way to procure them would be to apply to the merchant, Joh Christ. Voigt at Rostock, who deals in that article, has at present about 3,000 in store, and will send them direct from Rostock to London. The price for 100 pieces (extra embellage) is 27 Prussian dollars ; the weight of each is 6— .71b3. (Hamburgh), and the diameter about 17 inches (English). Colonel Challoner referred to the great improvement he had effected in his dairy by raising it, as Captain Stanley Carr had recommended, for the purpose of I 106 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. promoting ventilation. This alteration of from 4 to 6 feet greater height had proved of incalculable value ; it had cost him £25 to effect it ; but he would not for four times that sum restore his dairy to its former pro- portions. Improvement in Horse Breeding. — Mr. Spooner, of Southampton, recommended the Council to take measures, vpith the Crovernment, as well as with the local societies of the country, for improving the breed of horses for cavalry and artillery purposes, with the view of obtaining animals possessing a combination of activity and strength in the highest degree. He thought this object would be obtained by encouraging the breeding of good saddle-horses from the best brood mares capable of carrying 16 stones, by the best stallions, well but not thorough-bred, capable of carrying a similar weight. He thought that such mares abounded throughout the country, although they were at present employed for draught and other la- borious purposes : he considered that the class of male horses to be used was the one now too frequently cas- trated, namely, a three-part bred hunter, capable of carrying a heavy weight up to the fleetest hounds ; such an animal readily commands some ^200 or £3Q0, when his excellences are known, and which may in fact be regarded as the most noble and valuable of the horse tribe. Mr. Spooner had little doubt that the system would, in a few years, result in the regeneration of the English breed of saddle-horses. — Sir Matthew Ridley referred to the Government establishments in foreign countries of Haras, for the express purpose of effecting improvements in the breed of horses (Mr. Evelyn Deni- son, M.P., on the French Haras, Journal I., 266). In the north of England, good size, and absence of white colour, were points to which much attention was paid. Reference was made to the extensive agency at work in this country for the purchase of the best English horses for exportation to the continent, and to the constant advocacy, by that distinguished veteran. Sir Harry Smith, for improvements in our breed of horses for military purposes, by a restoration of the best qualities of the old English hunter. Deodara Pine. — Sir Matthew Ridley referred to the secure manner in which Deodara Pine seeds had reached him from India, and had retained all their freshness and vitality, by being enclosed in thin oiled canvas ; and to the success with which trees of that Pine, 10 years old had been transplanted from Northumberland to War- wickshire, where they were at that time growino- most luxuriantly. Hamster.— Dr. Calvert stated that rat-like animals of a large size, supposed to bear some afiSnity to the hamster, were effecting much damage in Yorkshire, and also in Hertfordshire. Mr. Chadwick, C.B., presented the last report of the Board of Health on sanitary measures connected with agricultural operations ; and Mr. Rogerson, of St. Alban's Villa, Highgate-Rise, copies of Essays on the agricultural value of the Weardale Lime. Adjourned to July 5. A MoNTHLy Council was held at the Society's House in Hanover Square, on Wednesday, the 5th of July. The following Members of Council and Governors of the Society were present : — Colonel Challoner, Trustee, in the Chair; Lord Camoys, Sir John V. Shelley, Bart., M.P. ; Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart. ; Sir Charles Lemon, Bart., M.P. ; Sir Montague Cholmeley, Bart. ; Sir Robert Price, Bart., M.P. ; Mr. Raymond Barker ; Mr. Barnett ; Mr. Hodgson Barrow, M.P. ; Mr. Brandreth ; Mr. Cavendish; Mr. Foley, M.P. ; Mr. Brandreth Gibbs ; Mr. Hamond ; Mr. Hoskynsj Mr. Kinder; Mr. Miles, M.P. ; Mr. Mil- wood; Mr. Sillifant ; Mr. Simpson ; Mr. Wingate, and Mr. George Wood. The following new Members were elected : — Allen, John R., Lyngford House, Taunton, Somersetshire Andrews, G., Kimpton, Sherborne, Dorset Ashwiu, Manley C, Stradford-ou-A\'OD, Warwickshire Bailey, Henry, Wolgoston, Berkeley, Gloucesterahire Begbie, Alexander, Lytham, Lancashire Bilkey, Robert, Tremenheere, Penzance Bland, William James, Boston, Lincolnshire Deeks, George, Pembridge Villas, Bayswater Dixon, Thomas P., Caistor, Lincolnshire Doirington, Chas., Bride's Hall Farm, Wheathampstead, Herts Dun, Professor Finlay, Heriot-row, Edinburgh Foster, William, Stourtou Court, Stourbridge, Worcestershire Fuller, Thomas, Skendleby, Lincolnshire Gooch, John Valentine, C. E,, Stratford, Essex Goose, Agas, Theatre-street, Norwich Hitchcock, Henry James, Horsham, Susses Hollyday, J., Chapelcleeve, Taunton, Somerset Hook, Adam Clarke, 13, Great George-street, Westmiaater Lee, Daniel James, 4, Bedford-row, London Lyall, Thomas, Gayton-le-Wold, Lincolnshire Mayfield, James, Dogdike, Boston, Lincolnshire Mullins, John Bickell, Wyke Manor House, Bruton Neale, Charles James, Mansfield, Notts Pond, J. W., Great Totham Hall, Witham, Essex Powell, Thomas Harconrt, Driakstone Park, Wool pit, Suffolk Stanier, Francis, Silverdale, Newcastle, Staffordshire Stirling, William, Terrygate, Dirleton, N.B. Finances. — Mr. Raymond Barker, Chairman of the Finance Committee, submitted to the Council the report on the accounts of the Society, from which it appeared that the current cash balance in the hands of the bankers was £1,305. Lincoln Meeting. — Mr. Miles, M.P., reported from the General Lincoln Committee the completion of the works for the meeting, the application made as usual to the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the grant of a certain number of detective police from the Metropolitan Force, the notification from the French Government of a special deputation to the Lincoln Meeting, the arrangements concluded with the principal railways for the conveyance of stock and implements, and the details in progress connected with the Pavilion Dinner.— On the motion of Mr. Raymond Barker, seconded by Mr. Barnett, Messrs. Smith, Ellison, and Co., of the Old Lincoln Bank, were unanimously re- quested to act as the local bankers of the Society during the period of its ensuing country meeting. — The Council THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 107 completed the number of Judges required at Lincoln in the several departments of the show. Journal. — Mr. Pusey transmitted from the Journal Committee a copy of the new Journal just printed off, and in the course of distribution, postage free, among the members of the Society throughout the country. Paris Exhibition, 1855.— Captain Owen, R.E., addressed to the Council, from the Department of Sciencs and Art, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, the followiag communication, dated the 28th of June last ; — I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to request you to take an early opportunity of laying before the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society the accompanying papers, relative to the approaching Paris Exhibition of 1855. My Lords are very desirous that the important department of agricultural machinery and imple- ments should be fully represente 1 upon this occasion, and they would be much assisted if the Council of the Royal Agricul- tural Society would yield them their support. Mr. Brimdreth Gibbs has been so good as to undertake the general super- intendence of this department, under the di:rection of my Lords ; but, as it is to be apprehended that the space which it may be possible to allot to agricultural implements may be limited, it would be desirable that some independent tribunal should be appointed, which could decide how the space may be best disposed of, so as to secure as complete a representa- tion as the space will admit of. My Lords would be greatly assisted if the Council would name from four to six persons to act as a committee, iu conjunction with Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, for this purpose. On the motion of Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart,, seconded by Mr. Barnett, the following committee was appointed to act with Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, in pur- suance of the request of the Board of Trade : — Mr. Miles, M.P., Colonel Chalioner, Mr. Hamond, Mr. Fisher Hobbs, Mr. Charles Wren Hoskyns, and Mr. Brandreth, L!Ncoi,NSHiRE Farming. — Mr. Thurstan G. Dale, secretary to the local committee at Lincoln, transmitted to the Society a copy of " A Farming Tour, or Hand- book of the Farming of Lincolnshire," prepared by " A Lindsey Yeoman," for the occasion of the Society's ensuing country meeting. Adjourned to special meetings on Tuesday and Friday next at Lincoln, and to the monthly meeting in London, on the 2nd August. MEETING AT LINCOLN. Constance : " To Lincolnshire ! What, prithee, takes thee off to Lincolnshire ?" The Love Chase. The Royal Agricultural Society should feel at home in Lincolnshire. The visit is that of a tutor to a pet pupil, or, more appropriately, of a large landed proprietor to his model farm. It is here he finds the example for the rest of his tenantry to imitate. It is here he triumphantly comes to the proof of all he has been preaching. It is here he shows what practice with science has accomplished, and how judicious outlay has arrived at profitable returns. The Agricultural Society has had to march into many parts of the kingdom, with its object but little appreciated, as its eftbrts but com- paratively little known. The welcome has gene- rally been hearty enough ; but seldom has it been so thoroughly satisfactory, either "to him who gives or him who takes," as in the good city of Lincoln. It is not too much to say that the most extra- ordinary expectations were entertained as to the success of this meeting; and it is not too much to add that they have been amply realized. It is an anniversary that must ever stand out amongst the most conspicuous of those recorded in the proceed- ings of the Society. In almost every way has the result been gratifying. Whether we take the increas- ing importance attached to these annual displays, as demonstrated by the attendance, the general ex- cellence of the show, or the characteristic features imparted to it by the locality in which it was held— the conclusion to be arrived at is still the same. It bears, too, the most trying of all scrutinies with an equally handsome issue. It is long since any meeting has added so much to the funds of the Society; and this question of funds, it must be re- membered, is one which for some time past has engaged the serious attention of those on the direction who devote themselves more particularly to the business of finance. The poor company at Lewes, and the gloomy atmosphere of Gloucester, have been well compensated for, by the still suc- ceeding crowds, and settled sunshine of Lincoln. A little consideration will show, that even pre- vious to this last week's gathering, the national Society had some thanks due to Lincolnshire. Many a hint that became gradually embodied in its prize-list — many a point that the farmers of the whole kingdom were incited to achieve — might be easily traced back to the practice of this now famous county. The very President for this year, and one of the most prominent members of the Council, though coming himself from a far distant quarter, has long since declared himself as the champion of Lincolnshire farming. The tenant who wished to know how lie was to do best, was told to imitate what was done here. The landlord whose laudable ambition it was to see his property made the most of, was ordered to learn his duty and take his share in the good work from his brethren in Lincolnshire. Indeed, it might even yet be written that we came more to learn than to teach — prepared rather to see what the district could show us, than what we could show it. The event fully justifies us in saying thus much. There were few indeed present last week but who I 2 103 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. will admit they have "learnt something to their ad- vantage" from the sayings and doings of Lincoln- shire. The Council of the Society, to begin with, may add a notion or two yet, towards the perfection of their system, from what was here done for them. The aid proffered came in the shape of no merely empty compliment. It was, on the contrary, essen- tially practical and serviceable — tending, in fact, in no small degree, to the uniform and com- plete success of the show. The Royal Agricultural Society of England owes an especial vote of thanks to Mr. Tweed, the Mayor of Lincoln. He contri- buted not only liberally, but he fortunately obtained permission to direct the disposal of what he had offered. And with this he filled up one of the weakest places that has too long marked the suc- cession of the Society's meetings. He not only did this, but he added a feature to a Lincoln show, without which it would scarcely have been a Lin- coln show at all. This, however, was not the only new point ob- servable. Another, coming more directly from the Society itself, was brought on for trial at the very commencement of that long week over which the business is now distributed. The result here was in no way so satisfactory. It afforded, indeed, cause for some very strong complaint, and to which formal expression was given at the general meeting on Friday. It has been for some time urged that the most important feature in an exhibition of im- plements would be the opportunity to see them at work. This was said to be especially desirable with expensive articles, such as reaping and thrashing machines, of which, in fact, scarcely any satisfac- tory opinion could otherwise be obtained. A large portion of the " enquiring" pubhc, it was argued, were anxious to judge for themselves, and they were ready to pay handsomely for permission to do so. In accordance with the object of this prayer, the council decided that on the payment of ten shillings for each daj', any visitor so wishing might witness the implements under trial before the judges. It is but fair to add, that but very few availed themselves of this opportunity, and that fewer still were satisfied when they did so. They rarely saw what they came to see, but were kept for hours with little or nothing doing, and often enough tired out before their turn came on. There was no chance either of filling up the interim. Bluch to their astonishment, the common run of the imple- ment department was refused them, and great was the m.urmuring thereon. Mr. Bullock Webster brought this matter, as we have said, directly before the Society ; his complaint being answered by Mr. Hammond, the senior steward of the yard. This gentleman urged, with much fairness, that it would be highly impolitic to have the judges inter- fered with, or inconvenienced, while engaged on their really arduous, and not very grateful duties. He further stated, however, that the Society was by no means satisfied with the working of the present arrangement, and that it was in contem- plation to lov/er the price of admission on these occasions. We are more inclined to think that the chief cause of complaint is not exactly here : it is not so much the amount of ad- mission charged, as the assurance that the visitor shall see something for what he does pay. There should be some oflScial programme published, announcing at what hours certain implements would be put to work, and which the public would be allowed to witness. With such a proviso, there could be no further grumbling as to waste of either time or money. A man would know what he paid to see, and when he might see it. It is not every one who will make himself the mouthpiece of the dissatisfied. Their wrongs, however, cannot too soon come on to a hearing ; and we believe the management of the Society is, as it ought to be, really grateful for the gentlemanly manner in which the case of the disaffected was brought before them. There can be no question that the mistake was a grave one. With a correspondent who has especially de- voted his labours to this branch of the show-yard, we shall not here enter much further, either on the character, or trial, of the different kinds of machinery. We may yet say that the imple- ments generally were still considered on the improvement. There were very few of at all an inferior description, while the trials were never so thoroughly, or, generally speaking, so satisfac- torily taken. The only remarkable exception, perhaps, was in that of the deep ploughs, which involved so severe and long a struggle between the Ransomes' and Howards'. Eight horses to draw one, three men to hold on, and nobody knows how many to drive — the test was pronounced by the public, and admitted by the steward, to be " per- fectly absurd." It was urged, though, that no better ground for the trial could be procured ; whereas it was rumoured, on the contrary, that this piece had been specially selected to see what the implements were made of. As Mr. Hammond justly said, it proved there was " no gingerbread work in them ;" though we trust for the future eight horses and eight or ten men will not be deemed exactly essential for a fair trial of that still standard implement — the plough. Far more conclu- sive was the award for the reaping machines ; a race in which Crosskill's Bell was pronounced at last to be fairly beaten. The winner, Mr. Dray's machine, has from time to time been more and more improved ^upon, until at length it may THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 109 take a high position amongst " the farmers' friends." We may leave to another correspondent, whose communication we are enabled to give this day, the cattle department of the exhibition. It has rarely been so strong — in some particular classes never perhaps equalled. Take the class of Shorthorn cows, or the whole of the Cotswold sheep, and we remember nothing like them in general excellence. The horses, again, though in some classes excep- tional, furnished a stronger show than the Royal Agricultural Society has been able for some time to boast of. The liberahty, moreover, of Mr. Tweed, proved it is yet possible, by the offer of suitable pre- miums, to ensure the entry of well-bred horses. There were eight or ten thorough-bred horses in competition for this prize, nearly all of some re- nown either on the turf or in the stud. The winner of the prize, Loutherborough, a son of Camel and a good race-horse, has been for some time abroad. One of his competitors. Maroon, not even com- mended here, is already a prize horse in Yorkshire, and a favourite stallion there. Amongst the draught-horses, the Suffolks were of course out- numbered, though they made a very good fight of it, even in so formidable a quarter as Lincolnshire — Mr. Barthropp again leading the way with a very perfect filly. "We regret to have to echo a charge against this department of the Show of the Royal Agricul- tural Sociey, that has already been too often and too justly brought against it. The practice of over-feeding is reaching once again all its pristine notoriety. The judges did their duty as judges, and, like Tom Thumb in the play, " they did no more." They awarded prizes to Shorthorns just fit to kill. They honourably distinguished pigs that could scarcely stand or breathe ; and they selected sheep as best adapted for the purposes of the breeder, when they too clearly meant the butcher. We honestly confess that we have little hope at present of any amendment here. If it comes at all, it will be from the example of others. The Birmingham Society has, in its ma- nagement, already afforded a good hint to others of a more extended action. It may help us yet further, and in the Summer Show which it contemplates next year, demonstrate what we beheve will be aimed at — that a breeding show may be brought within the hmit of that object only it professes to attain. It is painful, where there is so much to commend, to have to notice flaws of this kind. We are con- vinced, however, that the best friends of a man, or a society, are those who will not hesitate to tell him his faults ; and the Royal Agricultural Society has only to fear too strong an assump- tion of that royal prerogative that " it can do no wrong." An important feature, it has been said, in any business of a public nature to which an Englishman devotes his energies, is the dinner with which he commences or concludes his operations. It is by no means the least so in the proceedings of the Agricultural Society. Unfortunately, Mr. Pusey was again prevented from presiding, as he was last year from occupying his place as vice-president at Gloucester. In his absence. Lord Chichester kindly took vipon himself the duties of the Chair, supported by Lords Yarborough, Carlisle, For- tescue, and other distinguished men, of all nations. The most noticeable amongst these were the gen- tlemen representing the French deputation. It is said they have gone very minutely into the system of management adopted on these occasions ; and that, having done so, they have especially re- quested the aid of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs towards estabhshing some meeting of a simi- lar kind in their own country. There could scarcely be a better proof of how profitable a deduction they have made from what they have seen. We can hardly trust ourselves to say how much of the systematic success of these shows depends upon Mr. Brandreth Gibbs. En- tirely independent of all personal influences, im- bued with most business-like habits, and possessed of a rare knowledge of those he has to deal with, it would be difficult indeed to supply his place. Mr. Hudson's value as the secretary to so important a body is more known, perhaps, " in the chamber than the field;" while with two such allies the Council must feel how much rests on their own heads. They have only to determine discreetly, and there is no fear of their instructions being efficiently carried out. It would be unfair to with- hold a word here in thanks to the stewards of the different departments. They discharged a very difficult and laborious task with much ability, tem- per, and discretion. The dinner, admirably arranged and fully attended as usual, was still scarcely so successful as we have known it. The different speakers were hardly fitted to the subjects their names were coupled with. Lord Carlisle, for instance, might have been made much more use of than where he was placed. In addition to this, there was hardly a speaker but committed the fatal mis- take of having too much to say ; so that when Mr. Wren Hoskyns rose for the concluding oration, and equally prone, we must add, to sin in this re- spect, there were few who had patience to bear with him. It was only Colonel Sibthorp's challenge from Lincoln to " all the Russias" that fully restored the good humour of a long-tried audience. 110 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. This is the only evening in the week in any way occupied. It does strike U5 that one at least of the others— say Thursday— might be turned to some account. A very praiseworthy effort was made here to draw out the Lincolnshire men on the sub- ject of draining, and the Town Hall was thrown open for the occasion. From being, however, but partially announced, the attendance did not exceed a hundred or so. The subject was still pursued with much interest and ability, Mr. Bailey Denton and Mr. Bullock Webster being once again " in hostile array." The absence of Mr. Pusey from the recent meet- ing at Lincoln is to be regretted for many reasons. Rarely, indeed, has any president for the year been elected, to whom the compliment was so especially suitable as to the gentleman whose name occupied that distinguished position on the present occasion. He it is who has long been the connecting link between the improved farming of Lincolnshire and the operations of the Royal Agricultural Society. Forcibly struck with the progress he here saw achieved, as fully satisfied as to how it had com- pensated those who effected it, his object became to induce others to go and do likewise. In leading them on to this, he showed not merely what was accomplished, but the means by which these wonders came to pass. The secret of all this success was, after all, but a simple matter of business — the increased income of the owner, the improved condition of the occupier, and the natu- rally good understanding that existed between them, all traced back to the plain fact of there being a good understanding to begin with. What turned the heaths and fens of Lincolnshire from barren wastes into blooming corn fields? How came the wild-fowl to give way to the sheep-fold, or the short- horn to multiply where the rabbit only had been ? By what art did the magician attain all this ? It is but an old story, whose moral once again has come to a profitable application. He imbued these people with confidence in themselves and each other, and then left it with them to do their best. The presence of Mr. Pusey could scarcely fail to have given more tone to the festival of Wednesday last. It would ill have become such m.en as Lord Yarborough and others to have vaunted their own triumphs, though any such well-merited compli- ment would have come in capital place at the hands of a visitor. With every respect, however, for the gentlemen who did offer their tribute, it certainly struck us that the subject was a little too much for them. There was hardly one but had some- thing to say in reference to what Lincolnshire now is, and v/hat it has been. There was scarcely one, though, who got beyond this. The only reason, indeed, that we remember to have heard assigned for this remarkable transfor- mation was, the variety of soil of which the different districts were composed. This it was that had made lands never farmed at all the best farmed in the kingdom. This was the grand reason why " Lincolnshire stood forward so pre-eminently.'' Surely we all know of something more than this. If not, Mr. Pusey has preached to very httle pur- pose. It is the farmer, as Mr. Clarke writes in his prize essay on the county, who " has made the soil," and not the soil the farmer. It is the chalking, the claying, the boning, the manuring, that has become the foundation upon which the Lincolnshire man has built his house ; the application of capital to the soil, that has so increased its production — the security for that capital, that alone has war- ranted its application. The stranger who has completed his visit to Lin- coln by a tour through the neighbouring districts will scarcely fail to be struck by the position here maintained by the farmer. Living on the best terms with his landlord, with the union between them as strong as it is possible to have it, the occu- pier has yet all the enjoyments of independence. Holding, as he will most probably tell you, without a lease, and yet keeping to the same ground his father did before him, his guest can hardly help asking by what happy agency all this excellence is maintained. What good spirit is it, breathing its influence over the country, which thus gives to landlord and tenant such continued prosperity ? What is it that has so increased the employment of the labourer and the comfort of the people ? As we have said before, it is simply the plan of doing business in a business-hke way. The good feehng between the Lincolnshire landlord and his tenant is not merely a kind consideration on the one part, or blind confidence on the other. There is the clear action of the law of right between them. This it is which regulates all their dealings, and prompts each to do his best. Skill, energy, and capital all unite where they feel they are sure of their reward. Mr. Pusey has instanced Lincolnshire as the best farmed county in the kingdom. Will any who has just been over it be prepared to dis- agree with him ? He has gone further than this, and given the great secret of its success in the in- fluence of the TENANT-RIGHT principle. Will any one here, either, say him nay ? Will an)"- one, who perhaps for years has been taught to shudder at the very name, ignore its virtues now that he has seen what it has accomplished ? We can only repeat the expression of our regret at Mr. Pusey being denied the opportunity of ^vitnessing the full triumph of those opinions, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Ill and that advice with which he has so long iden- tified himself. The best exhibition the Society has had for many years, held in the best-cultivated quarter it perhaps ever visited, came only in cor- roboration of what their president has so long told them. Agriculture must depend for its advance on the judicious outlay of capital ; while the use of this capital can never be commanded without due se- curity for its investment. LIST OF PRIZES FOR CATTLE. Shorthorns. Judges — Messrs. Thomas Parkinson, Thomas Frotter, and John Wright. Bulls, calved previously to the 1st of July, 1852, and not exceediug four years old. — First prize £40, William Sauday, of Holme Pierrepont, near Nottingham, and Henry Smith, of the Grove, Cropwell Butler, near Bingham ; second prize £20, Richard BooUi, of Warlaby, Northallerton, Yorkshire. Bulls, calved since the 1st of July, 1852, and more than one year old. — First prize £25, William Odling, of Buslingthorpe, Market Rasen; second prize £15, Charles To wneley, of Towne- ley-park, Burnley, Lanc.ishire. Bull Calf, above six months and under 12 months old — The prize £10, Charles Towneley, of Towne!ey-park, Burnley, Lancashire. Cow in Milk or in Calf. — First prize £20, Charles Towneley, of Towneley-park, Burnley, Lancashire; second prize £10, John Booth, of Killerby, Catterick, Yorkshire. Heifers iu Milk or in Calf, not exceeding three years old. — First prize £1 5, James Douglas, of Athelstaneford-farm, Drem. East Lothian ; second prize £10, Charles Towneley, of Towne- ley-park, Burnley, Lancashire. Yearliug Heifers. — First prize £10, Charles Towneley, of Towneley-park, Burnley, Lancashire ; second prize £5, George Saiusbury, of the Priory, Corsham, Chippenham. Herefords. Judges — Messrs. Edward L. Franklin, John Charles Lang- lands, and John Williams. Bulls, calved previously to the Lit of July, 1852, and not exceeding four years old. — First prize £40, Edward Price, of Court-house, Leominster; second prize £20, John Carwardine, of Stockton Bury, Leominster. Bulls, calved aince the Ist of July, 1852, and more than one year old. — First prize £25, James Rea, of Monaughty, Knigh- ton, Radnor; second prize £15, W. Styles Powell, Castle-street, Hereford. Bull Calf, above six and under 12 months old. — The prize of £10, Edward Price, Court-house, Leominster. Cows in Milk or iu Calf,— First prize £20, Philip Turner, of the Leen, Perabridge, Leominster ; a second prize £10, Lord Berwick, of Croukhill, Shrewsbury. Heifers in Mdk or iu Calf, not exceeding three years old. — First prize £15, William Perry, of Cholstrey, Leominster ; second prize £10, the Earl of Radnor, of Coleshill-house, Highworlh, Wilts. Yearling Heifers. — First prize £10, John Walker, of West- field-house, Holmer, Hereford ; second prize 51., Philip Turner, of the Leeu, Pembridge, Leominster. Devons. Judgei— Messrs. Edward L. Franklin, John Charles Lang- lands, and John Williams, Bulls, calyed previously to the Ist of July, 1852, and not exceeding four years old. — First prize 40/,, Samuel Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater ; second prize 20Z., George^ Turner, of Barton, Exeter. Bulls, calved since the 1st of July, 1852, and more than one year old. — First prize 25Z., Robert Wright, of Moor Farm. Taunton ; second prize 151., James Quartly, of MoUand House, Southmoltou. Bull calf, above six and under 12 mouths old, — The prize 101. , George Turner, of Barton, Exeter. Cows in Milk or in Calf. — First prize 20Z., Samuel Farthing of Stowey Court, Bridgewater ; second prize 10/., Earl of Lei- cester, Holkham, Wells, Norfolk. Heifers in Milk or in Calf, not exceeding three years old. — First prize 15/., George Turner, of Barton, Exeter; second^ prize 10/., James Quartly, of MoUand House, Southmoltou. Yearling Heifers. — First prize 10/., George Turner, of Bar- ton Exeter ; second prize 51., Thomas Webber, of Halberton Court, Tiverton, Otpier Breeds, not including the Shorthorn, Hereford, or Dsvon Breeds. Judges— Messrs. Edward L. Franklia, John Charles Lang- lands, and John Williams. Bulls, calved since the Ist of July, 1852, and more than one year old. — The prize 10/., Samuel Burbery, of Wroxhall, Warwick. Cows in Milk or in Calf. — First prize 1 0/., Captain Inge, of Thorpe Constantiue, Tam worth, Staffordshire ; second prize 51., Samnel Burbery, of Wroxhall, Warwick. Yearling Heifers. — The prize 5/., Captaia Inge, of Thorpe Constautine, Staffordshire. Horses. Judges— Messrs. J. H. Bland, William Linton, and W, C. Spooner. Stallions for Agricultural Purposes, foaled previously to the 1st of January, 1852. — First prize 30/., James Stockdale, of Hutton Cranswick, Driffield ; second prize 20/., Edward and Matthew Reed, Beemish Burn, Chester-le-Street. Stallions for Agricultural Purposes, foaled iu the year 1852. — First prize 20/ , Frederick Thomas Bryan, of Knossingtou, Oakham ; second prize of 10/., William Wilson, of Ashbock- ing, Ipswich. Agricultural Stallion, foalei in the year 1853. — The prize, 15/., Robert Howard, of Rise Farm, Nocton, Lincoln. Roadster Stallions. — The prize 15/, Joseph Innocent, of Rossiugton, Bawtry. Mares and Foals for Agricultural Purposes. — First prize 20/., Dr. Timm, of Scrooby House, Bawtry ; second prize 10/., Isaac Page, of West Bergholt, Colchester. Two Years Old Fillies for Agricultural Purposes.— First prize 15/., N. G. Barthropp, of Cretingham Rookery, Wood- bridge ; second prize 10/., Charles Bayles, of Riseholme, Lin- coln. SHEEP. Leicesters. Judges — Messrs. Robert Aylmer, W. Harrison, and Wm, Smith. Sheading Rams.— First prize 30l., T. E. Pawlett, of Bees- ton, Sandy, Beds ; second prize 15l., T. E. Pawlett, of Bees- ton, Sandy, Beds. Rams of any other a;;e. — First prize 30l , John Borton, of Barton-house, Barton-le-Street, Malton; second prize 15l., William Abraham, of Barnet'oy-le-Wold, Brigg, Lincolnshire. Pens of five Shearling Ewes of the same flock. — First prize 20l., George Walmsley, Rudstone, Bridlington, Yorkshire 113 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, second prize IOl., William Abraham, of Bametby-le-Wold, Brigg, Lincolushire, Southdown, or other Shortwoolled Sheep. Judges — Messrs, George Brown, John Claydeu, and Edward Pope. Shearling Rams. — First prize 30l , Henry Lugar, of Hen- grave, Bury St. Edmund's ; second prize 15l., the Duke of Richmond. Rams of any other age. — First prize 30l., William Sains- bury, of West Lavington, Devizes; second prize 15l., William Rigden, of Hove, Brighton. Pens of five Shearling Ewes of the same flock. — First prize of 20l., Lord Walsingham, Merton-hall, Thetford ; second prize IOl., the Duke of Richmond. LONGWOOLLED ShEEP. (Not qualified to compete as Leicesters.) Judges — Messrs. Hugh Aylraer, Henry Bateman, and William Hesseltine. Shearling Rams. — First prize 30l., George Fletcher, of Shipton, Andoversford, Cheltenham ; second prize 15l., George Hewer, of Leygore, Northleach, Gloucester. Rams of any other age. — First prize 30l., William Lane, of Broadfield Farm, Northleach; second prize 15l., William Lane, of Broadfield Farm, Northleach. Pen of five Shearling Ewes of the same flock. — First prize 20l., William Game, of Aldsworth, Northleach ; second prize IOl., William Lane, of Broadfield Farm, Northleach. Improved Lincoln Sheep. Judges — Messrs. Hugh Aylmer, Henry Bateman, and William Hesseltine. Shearling Rams.— First prize 15 l., John Clarke, of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire; second prize IOl., Thomas Greetham, of Stainfield, Wragby, Lincolnshire. Rams of any other age. — The prize 15l,, John Clarke, oj Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. Pens of five Shearling Ewes of the same flock. — The prize ] Ol., John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire. Pigs. Judges — Messrs. H. Eddison, John Grey, and Benjamin Swaffield. Boars of a large breed. — First prize 15l., Henry Blandford, of Sandbridge, Chippenham ; second prize 5l., Matthew Har- vey, of Balderton, Newark, and Joseph Branston, of Newark (assignees of Samuel Fryer). Boars of a small breed. — First prize 15l., William Northey, of Lake Lifton, near Launcestou ; second prize 51.., Solomon Ashton, of Peter- street, Manchester. Breeding Sow of a large breed. — The prize IOl., Edward Robinson, of Green Bank Lymm, Warrington. Breeding sow of a small breed. — The prize IOl., George Mangles, of Givendale, Ripon. Pen of three Breeding Sow Pigs of a large breed, of the same litter, above four and under eight months old. — Thepri IOl. William James Saddler, of Bentbam Purton, Swindon. Pen of three Breeding Sow Pigs of a small breed, of the same litter, above four and under eight months old. — The prize IOl., the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill-house, Highworth. SPECI.4.L PRIZES OFFERED BY J.T.TWEED, ESQ, MAYOR OF LINCOLN. I. Hunters. Hunting Stallions. — The prize 40l,, John E, Denison, of Ossington, Newark, Notts. Hunting gelding or filly.-— First prize 20l., Richard Stock- dale, of Skerne, Driflield ; second prize 1 Ol., William Marris, of Great Limber, Ulceby, Jjincolnshire. n. Improved Lincoln Sheep. Shearling Ram.— The prize IOl, John Clarke, of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. Ram of any age. — First prize IOl., John Clarke, of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire ; second prize 5l., John Clarke, of Long Sutton, Liucolnshire. Pen of five Shearling Ewes. — The prize 5l., John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, Spilaby. POULTRY. Judges— Messrs. G. J. Andrews, John Bailey, and Thomas Wright. Dorking Fowls — Cock and Two Hens — Chickens of 1854. First prize £5 to H. D. Davis, of Spring Grove House, Hounslow. Second prize £3 to H. D. Davis, of Spring Grove House, Hounslow. Third prize £3 to Joseph Smith, of Henley in Arden, Warwick. Fourth prize £1 to James Lewry, of Haudcross, Crawley, Suase.x. Dorking Fowls more than one year old — Cock and two Hens. First prize 5/, to H. D. Davies, Spring Grove House, Hounslow, Second prize 3Z. to Mrs. Towneley Parker, of Astley Hall, Chorley, Lancashire. Third prize 21. to Mrs. Towneley Parker, of Astley Hall, Chorley, Lancashire. Fourth prize 1/. to G. A. Gelderd, of Aikrigg End, Kendal, Westmoreland. Dorking Cocks of aoy age. First prize 21, to G. A. Gelderd, of Aikrigg End, Kendal, Westmoreland. Second prize II. to Mrs. Towneley Parker, Astley Hall, Chorley, Lancashire. Spanish Fowls — Cock and two hens. First prize £5 to H. D. Davies, of Spring Grove House, Hounslow. Second prize 3/, to George Botham, of Wexham Court, Slough, Bucks, Third prize 21. to H. D. Davies, of Spring Grove House, Hounslow. Fourth prize II. to G. A. Gelderd, of Aikrigg End, Kendal, Westmoreland. Spanish Cocks of any age. The prize 21. to James Dixon, of Westbrook Place, Bradford, Yorkshire. Cochin China Fowls — Cock and two Hens — Chickens of 1854. First prize 51. to G. A. Gelderd, of Aikrigg End, Kendal, Westmoreland. Second prize 3/. to G. A. Gelderd, of Aikrigg End, Kendal, Westmoreland. Third prize 21. to John Taylor, jun., of Spring Grove, Hounslow, Fourth prize II. to William Sanday, of Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham. Cochin China Cocks of any age. The prize 21. to Caborn Pockliugton, of Boston, Lincoln. Bramah Poutra Fowls — Cock and two hens. The prize 21. to the Rev. F. Thursby, of Abington Rectory, Northampton. Game Fowls — Cock and two Hens. First prize 5/. to Henry Won-al, of Knotty Ash House, near Liverpool, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 113 Second prize 21. to G. C. Adkins, of West House, Edgbas- ton, Birmingham. Third prize II. to William Cox, of Brailsford, near Derby. Game Cocks of any age. The prize £2 to Henry Marshall, of Cotgreave, Nottingham. Hamburgh Fowls— Golden Spangled Cock and two Hens. First prize £2 to Wm. Sylvester, of Stamp-office, Lincoln. Second prize £1 to John Andrew, of Waterhouses, Ashton- under-Lyne. Hamburgh Fowls— Silver Spangled Cock and two Hens. First prize £2 to James Dixon, of Westbrook-place, Bradford. Second prize £1 to Jeffrey Ashcroft, of Waterloo -place, A shton-under-Ly ne. Malay Fowls — Cock and two Hens. First prize £2 to James Oldham, of Long Eaton, Derby. Second prize £1 to the Eev. T. Lyon Feilowes, of Beightoa Kectory, Acle, Norfolk. Poland Fowls — Cock and two Hens. First prize £3 to G. C. Adkins, of West House, Edghaston, Birmingham. Second prize £2 to G. C. Adkins, West House, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Third prize £1 to C. Rawson, of the Hurst, 'Walton-on- Thames. Turkeys — Cock and two Hens. First prize £3 to Viscount Hill, of Hawkstone, Shrewsbury. Second prize £2 to C. Pocklington, of Boston, Lincoln. Third prize £1 to H. Lister Maw, of Tetley, Crowie, Lincoln. Geese — Gander and two Geese. First prize £3 to Mrs. Towneley Parker, of Astley-hall, Chorley, Lancashire. Second prize £2 to Mrs. Harriet Hill, of New House, Walton-on-Thames. Third prize £1 to Christopher Rawson, of the Hurst, Walton-on-Thomas. Aylesbury Ducks — Drake and two Ducks. First prize £3 to W. G. K. Breavington, of Vicarage Farm, Hounslow. Second prize £2 to H. D. Davies, of Spring Grove-house, Hounslow. Third prize £1 to G. A. Gelderd, of Aikrigg-end, Kendal. Rouen Ducks — Drake and two Ducks, First prize £3 to Geo. Bothara, of Wexham Court, Slough. Second prize £2 to Thomas Teanby, of Ulceby, Hull. Third prize £1 to Charles Punchard, of Blunt's Hall, Haverhill, Suffolk. Ducks of any other variety — Drake and two Ducks. First prize £2 to Henry Worrall, of Knotty Ash-house, near Liverpool. Second prize £1 to T. M. Keyworth, of Cottesford-place, TJncoln. LIST OF PRIZES FOR IMPLEMENTS. The judges who awarded the prizes in the implement de- partment were Messrs. R. W. Baker, 11. B. Caldwell, John Clarke, J. H. Nalder, William Owen, J. J. Rowley, Joseph Druce, J. V. Gooch, Thomas Huskinson, Thomas Scott, Wm. Tindall, and O. Wallis. PRIZES. For the plough best adapted for general purposes 51. — Ransomes and Sims. For the plough best adapted for ploughing more than ten inches deep 51. — James and F. Howard. For the best machine for making draining tiles or pipes for agricultnral purposes 5?. — Thomas Scragg, For the best cultivator, grubber, and scarifier, 51. — E. H, Bentall. For the best drill for general purposes 10?. — Richard Hornsby and Son. For the best corn and seed drill lOL — R. Hornsby and Son. For the best and most economical com drill for small occu- pations 51. — James Smyth and Son. For the best and most economical small-occupation seed and manure drill for flat or ridged work 51. — Richard Garrett and Son. For the best turnip drill on the flat, with manure, 57.— Richard Hornsby and Son. For the best turnip drill on the ridge, with manure, 51. — ■ Richard Hornsby and Son. For the best liquid manure or water drill 51. — Hugh Carson. For the best manure distributor IQl. — Thomas Cham- bers, jun. For the best horse hoe on the flat 57. — Richard Garrett and Son. For the best horse hoe for setting out or thinning turnips 57. — Richaid Garrett and Son. For the best reaping machine 207. — Wm. Dray and Co. For the best portable steam engine, not exceediug 8-horse power, applicable to thrashing or other agricultural purposes 207. — Hornsby and Son. For the second best ditto 107. — Ransomes and Sims. For the best fixed steam engine, not exceeding 10-horse power, applicable to thrashing or other agricultural purposes 207. — Ransomes and Sims. For the second best ditto 107. — Wm. Dray and Co. For the best portable thrashing machine, not exceeding 6- horse power, for larger occupations, 107. — R. Hornsby & Son. For the best portable thrashing machine, not exceeding 8- horse power, with shaker, riddle, aud winnower, that will best prepare the corn for the finishing dressing machine, to be driven by steam, 207. — Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co. For the best fixed thrashing machine, not e.xceeding 8-horse power, with shaker, riddle, and winnower, that will best pre- pare the corn for market, to be driven by steam, 207. — Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co. For the best grinding mill for breaking agricultural produce into meal 57. — Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co. For the best chaff cutter, to be worked by hand power 37. — James Cornes. For the best turnip cutter 37. — Bernhard Samuelson. For the best machine to reduce roots to a pulp 37. — Frederick Phillips. MISCELLANEOUS. For a useful farmer's cart, medal — William Busby. Ditto, medal— Thomas Milford. A cottage stove and cooking apparatus, medal — W. N. Nicholson. A useful and economic drainage level, medal— Henry Atwood Thompson. One-horse cart, medal — William Crosskill. For corrugated piping, medal — Burgess and Key. Improved mode of screening clay, with a high commenda- tion of his tile machines, medal — John Whitehead. Patent steam draining plough, medal — Fowler and Fry. SPECIALLY COMMENDED. For combined thrashing machine — E. and T. Humphries. HIGHLY COMMENDED. Drill for general purposes — Richard Garrttt and Son, Corn and seed drill — Richard Garrett and Son. 114 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, Turnip drill on the ridge, with manure— Richard Garrett and Son. For the plough adapted for ploughing more than ten inches deep — Ransome and Sims. For the plough adapted for general purposes — J. and F. Howard. Haud chaff-cutter — Barrett, Exall, and Andrewea. Ditto — Ransomes and Sims. A useful applicitioa of tubular iron to agricultural pur- poses— W. N. Nicholson. Stoves for cottage bed rooms — W. N. Nicholson. Improved patent horse rake — J. and F. Howard. Improved horae drag rake — Ransomes and Sims. Bruce's patent stable fittings — Ransomes and Sims. Hay-maker — Smith and Ashby. For a useful p'ank-s'ded cart — John Cook. For models connected with drainage— J. Bailry Denton. For his improved cauldron for preparing asphalte — John Woods. For a usefid three-ton cart, and cattle weighing machines- Richard Forshaw and Co. Farm and village fire engine — Richard Forshaw and Co. COMMENDED. Horse hoe for setting out and thinning turnips — Richard Garrett and Son. Portable Patent Iron Housed Steam Engine — Tuxford and Sons. Reaping machine — William Crosskill. Subsoil plough — William Smith. Hand chaff-cutter— Dray and Co. Ditto — Garrett and Co. Improved cart-saddle — James Dunlop. Seed and corn separator — John Gillara. Useful one-horse cart — John Barker. IroQ gates — Barnard and Bishop. Fixed Steam Engine — Tuxford and Sous. Farm and village fire-engine — Dray and Co. Useful stable furnishings — Mapplebeck and Lowe. Improvement in snythe plates — Mapplebeck and Lowe. Corn and seed dril' — Williaoi Walker. Combined thrashing machine — R. Garrett and Sons. Ploujh for general r urposes — Wiliam Busby. Screw jack — Jol:n Eaton. Plough for general purposes — William Ball. Ditio — Burgesa and Key. Cultivator, grubber, and scarifi>:r— R, Coleman. Ditto— William Crosekill. Ditto— Charles Hart. THE DINNER Took pkce at the north end of the show yard, in the pavilion already described. The arrangements of Mr. Holt, of Radley's Hotel, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars, London, were, as usual, excellent ; and an abundance of glass, china, and earthenware was furnished for the occasion by Mr. W. R. Fish, of Lincoln. The doors of the pavilion were opened at three o'clock, and the rush for seats continued until the whole building, with seating for 800 persons, was nearly filled. A few minutes after four o'clock the chair was taken by the Right Hon. the Earl of Chichester (in the absence of Mr. Pusey, the President of the Society, through the severe indisposition of Mrs. Puaey), and his lordship was supported (on the right and left) by the Mayor of Lincoln (J. T. Tweed, Esq.), the Right Hon. the Earl Yarborough, the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby, the Right Hon, R. A. Christopher, M,P., James Banka Stanhope, Esq., M.P., the Peruvian Minister, a deputation from the Em- peror of the French (consisting of the Due de Meille, M. Yvart, M. de St. Marie, M. Chambellan, M. Boitell, and M. Lefour), the Right Hon. the Earl of Carlisle, the R:ght Hon. the Earl of Mansfield, the Right Hon. Lord Dacre, Mr. Daubeney, Col. Sibthorpe, M.P., G. F. Heneage, Esq., M.P. The vice-chair was filled by Wdliam Miles, Esq., M.P., supported by A. Wilson, Esq., the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire (M. Collignon), the ex-Mayor of Lincoln (R. G. Hill, Esq.), the Town Clerk (Rd. Mason, Esq.), — Thompson, Esq., of Kirkby Hall, the Baron Laffart, of Mecklenburg Schwerin, T. G. Dale, Esq. ; while amongst the general company were the Right Hon. Lord Feversham, the Right Hon. Lord Berners, Lord Doneraile, the Right Hon. Lord Wenlock, Hon. A. L. Melville, Sir C. H. J. Anderson, Bart., Sir M. J. Cholmeley, Bart., Sir H. Dymoke, Bart., Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P., Sir J. Villiers Shelley, Bart., M.P., W. Barrow, Esq, M.P., the Rev. G. B. Blenkin (Boston), the Rev. W. L. Edwards (Sib- sey),theRev. H. W. Sibthorp, the Right Hon. C. T. D'Eyn- court, G. H. Packe, Esq., General Reeve, F. Cook, Esq., (Mayor of Boston), Rd. Milward, Esq., Braudreth Gibbs, Esq., F. Hobbs, Esq , J. Hudson, Esq. (Castleacre), Jas. Hall, Esq. (Scarboro'), A. Boucherett, Esq, Capt. Boncherett, Capt. Smith, Capt. Sibthorp, Geo. Legard, Esq., the rev. T. Livesey (Stourton Hall), M. P. Moore, Esq. (Sleaford), J. Clarke, Esq. (Long Sutton), W. Skelion, Esq., S. Vessey. Esq. (Halton), H. Foley, Esq., M.P., Chandos Wren Hoskyns, Esq., Thos. Greetham, Esq. (Stanfield), the Rev. W. D. Butterfield (Nettleham), Theodore Trotter, Esq. (Sheriff of Lincoln), N. G. Barthropp, Esq., C. AUix, Esq., 11. Toynbee, Esq., — Hopkins, Esq., Australia, — Mc Vicars, Esq., W, Norton, Esq., W. Bartholomew, Esq., H. G. Skipworth, Esq., M. Redman, Esq., J.Martin, Esq , W. B. Webster, Esq. (Great Malvern), C. Clarke, Esq., Thes. P. Thirkell, Esq., J. Cole, Esq., Professor Simonds, J. Hudson, Esq. (the Secretary), and a number of noblemen and gentlemen, whose names it was impossible to obtain. At 10 minutes past 5 o'clock. Col. Sibthorp, M.P. for the City of Lincoln, entered the pavilion, when the company gave the gallant Colonel a greeting which must have been highly gratifying to him. The dinner being concluded, thanks returned, and the usual loyal toasts having been drunk with enthusiasm. The CiiAiKMAN proposed " The health of the distinguished foreigners who had honoured the Meeting by their Presence " (cheers). It had ever been the object of the Society to culti- vate habits of friendly intercourse with foreign States, which might both give them information and receive it in return. He believed that in doing so they were promoting the general improvement of England and of the world, and in this object he was proud to say that they had at various times been as- sisted by various foreign Ministers. It was now universally allowed that to promote not only the interests of agriculture/ but the great brotherhood of nations, ought to be the object of every honest and patriotic diplomatist and statesman (cheers). On the present occasion they were only honoured with the attendance of one member of the diplomatic corps — his Excellency the Peruvian Minister (cries of " Guano !" and laughter) ; yet there were several distinguished foreigners present, and especially M. Yvart and other French gentlemen, who had been sent over by the Emperor (cheers) for the pur- pose of obtaining some information as to the best mode of conducting a society like the present, with the view, he be- lieved, of forming a similar institution in France (cheers). He need not say that to them and to all intelligent foreigners who might honour the meeting with their presence^ the Society THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 115 gave a hearty welcome (cheers). With respect to the Minister of Peru, he trusted that his Excellency, during his short stay in Lincoln, would take an opportunity of examining the beau- tiful green crops that were to be seen iu the county, one great cause of which was the contribution of guano from hia Excel- lency's country (cheers). If he might interpret the thoughts of the farmers cf Lincoln at the present time, he believed it would be comprised iu this sentiment, " more guauo," which meant guano at a cheaper price (laughter and cheers). They were all aware that t'nia product did not depend on the skill or industry of man (laughter) ; it was the product of the birds that rode on the waves of the Paciiie, and had their homes on the rocky islets of Peru. If his Exce'lency could remove political obstructions towards its easy attainment, and if after that he should again visit Lincoln, he would find not a more hearty welcome, but his eyes would be gladdened with still more luxuriant crops ; and he v/ould behold the turnips greener and more abundant than they were even at present (cheers). The noble Earl concluded by proposing " The Health of his Excellency the Peruviau Minister and the Foreign Guests present." His Excellency the Pekuvian Minister returned thanks and apologized for the difficulty he had in speaking in the English tongue. Through the rough crust of his poor words, however, he had no doubt the company would perceive the true and lojal feelings of his gratitude for their hospitality (cheers). One of the first elements of agriculture was climate, and truly the British nation was not much obliged to nature in that respect, though he spoke on the point as a native of the south ; but the English farmer, calling to his assistance science, and, confident in the help of such an ally, was not afraid to begin a struggle against nature, and i n that struggle it could not be denied that he had conquered (Hear, hear). The proofs and trophies of his conquest were in that wonderful exhibition, which could only be witnessed in England, and where the produce of distant countries and tropical climates were grown in greater perfection than in their native regions. This conquest over nature was, to be sure, the great boast of the human intellect, and at the same time supplied the best school of agriculture for other countries. He begged leave to propose as a toast, " Prosperity to English Agriculture" (cheers). With respect to what the noble chairman had said on the subject of guano, he would assure them that, for his own personal part, and as far as his duties to his own country, as a loyal patriot, would allow him to realize the wishes of their president, all that he could do he would (cheers). Monsieur Yvart, the head of the deputation from the Minibter of Agriculture in France, apologised for having to address them iu Freuch. He said from the present happy auspices, and the near relations in which the two countries were placeJ, it was very probable that the time would soon coaie when they could clearly understand each other's language. He, with six other friends, had been sent by the Minister of Agriculture to report upon the various implements and gpleu'lid animals which had been exhibited at this great meet- ing. From their first entrance into the city, they had met with the greatest kindness and courtesy from the mayor of the city, and indeed from every gentleman with whom they had been brought in contact, whether connected in any way with the society in the city of Lincoln, or neighbouring agricul- turists on whose laud and farms they had been permitted to have a vie* of matters which might be of service to them in the object for which they were sent. He begged in the name of the deputation to thank the Royal Agricultural Societ.y, for tho reception they had given to them, and to assure the meet- ing that if any members of the society should go to France, he could promise them a not less hearty welcome (cheers). The Earl of Carlisle, who was received with loud cheers, said that he esteemed it a very high honour to have been re- quested to propose the toast which had been set down oppo- site his name, and which had been so emphatically recommended to their notice by their friend behind the toastmaster (Laugh- ter). He could not flatter himself that he bad earned any title to such a distinction by any great addition to his stock of agricultural knowledge which he had acquired during his recent travels iu the eastern parts of Europe. On the con- trary, though the inhabitants of those regions had shown that they could exhibit very considerable prowess in military matters, and though they occupied some of the finest and most capable districts of the world, yet their farming processes and implements did not exhibit much resemblance to those which were to be seen in the show-yards of Lincoln, and he believed had undergone very little change since the days of the poet Homer (Cheers and laughter). But he felt that they ought not to despond on that account, for it did happen to him in a very extensive farm, being brought into cultivation by a most enlightened and excellent English Consul, Mr. Calvert, with his own eyes to see on the classic plains of Troy imple- ments inscribed with the respective names of Garrett of Sax- raundham, and Crosskill of Beverley (cheers). He believed that this was the real solution of the Eastern question, of which they heard so much, and that neither our fleets, how- ever well manned, nor our armies, however valorous, nor our diplomatists, however skilful, could do so much as the plough, the spade, and the draining-tile to revive exhausted provinces, and to recruit a failing population (cheers). Very gratifying indeed was the spectacle presented iu the show-ground at Lincoln, as compared with some of the scenes which he had lately witnessed (Hear. hear). They all knew, and they had been reminded that day, that they were at present in a state of war, and true it was that the coast cf that very county of Lincoln might have to bear the first brunt of a Russian inva- sion. Indeed, he had been informed that the enemy had been detected in the harbour of Grimsby (Laughter). However, he trusted that the English and Freuch Baltic fleets would pre- serve them from any great annoyance on that score, and he could not say that they were now assembled at Lincoln with anything like the appearance of a war congress (duers. Those lat loamy flats and sunny slopes which surrounded them need not fear being exposed to the angry tread of an armed invader. The cattle which now filled the show — the sleek short-horn, the brawny Hereford, and fleecy flocks, ran no risk of falling the prey of hungry Cossacks or fierce Bashi-Bazouks ; and though all knew the implements of husbandry exhibited — the reaping-machines and clod-crushera — couid cleave knotty obstacles and make sharp incisions, their action was not followed by blood, and no tears bedewed the furrow (cheers). He was right, then, in thinkii-g that the sight in the field around them was a very pleasant one, both in actual contrast with the spectacle exhibited elsewhere, and as exhibiting a proof that though the nations might still be occasionally plunged into strife and discord, yet the tendency of the times was to foster and promote the arts and pursuits that followed in the wake of peace, and extend the triumphs of civilization (cheers). It would not become him to debate on all the merits of the present exhibition. He heard it most highly spoken of by the best informed judges, and it would even require the ingenuity which was displayed iu that new machine, the dynamometer, to measure the degree of excellence to which it had reached (cheers and laughter). There was one reason which made him glad that he was on IIG THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the pratent occasiou the orgau, however uaworthy, of wishing success to the Koyal Agricultural Society. He had learnt that the place appointed for its next year's meeting was the city of Carlisle (cheers). Though in many respects the county of Cumberland could not — as, indeed, what county could ? he had almost said what corner of the globe could — present equal attractions to the critical eye of the farmer with the county of Lincoln, with its almost unbroken continuation of rusthng corn and glistening green crops (cheers) — though the county of Cumberland exhibits over a large proportion of its surface only such unfarmable crops as heath and granite, yet aa it had some specialties in its scenery, there might be some also in its modes of cultivation not wholly undeserving of notice, and its agriculturists might have something to show as well as much to learn (cheers). At all events, of one thing he could assure them— that the Royal Agricultural Society could nowhere have received a more hearty warmth of welcome than he was persuaded would greet it along the whole line of the northern border, and within the walls of merry Carlisle (cheers). He had now only to add his hope that in whatever track the future progress of the Royal Agricultural Society might conduct it over the breadth of fair and prosperous England, it might in every county impart and receive fresh impulses towards the improvement and perfection of that noble science of agriculture, wliich perhaps was the most ancient and indispensable of all the pursuits that ministered to the welfare and insured the continuance of our race (cheers). Hoping that they would receive the toast as he should wish, he begged leave to propose " The Royal Agricultural Society of England" (loud cheers). The Earl of Yarborough next rose, and was received with loud applause. He said the council of the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England had requested that he would, on this occasion, propose the health of the president for this year (cheers). He had, therefore, undertaken that duty, and he could only say that he was sure he expressed the feel- ings of all present when he said they were exceedingly sorry that he (the president) had not been able to come to this meeting, wlien he believed and felt justified in saying that he would have had peculiar gratification in visiting a county the merits of which, in a farming point of view, he had himself been the special means of making known to the rest of Eng- land (cheers). He felt that his friend Mr. Pusey had been the means of letting the farmers of England know that, in his opinion, having visited this county, it presented less waste ground than any other of a similar size ; and, to the honour of the tenant farmers of Lincolnshire, he had stated in his report, which appeared in the Journal of the Royal Agricul- tural Society, that not only were there to be found here one or two farms well managed, but large districts which displayed the superior cuUivatiou which exists in this county (applause). They in Lincolnshire naturally felt proud of this testimony ; and, as he was speaking in an assembly of farmers from all parts of England, he thought he might say, on the part of the farmers of Lincolnshire, that he hoped they (the farmers of England), on this their visit to the county, would avail themselves of the opportunity of judging whether the praise bestowed upon the county by Mr. Pusey had been well given, and was fully justified (Hear, hear). He felt exceedingly glad, as no doubt all the farmers of the county did, that this meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society had been held at Lincoln ; and his only regret, and their only regret, would be that Mr. Pusey had been unable to come among them. It was almost needless for him to remind the members of this Society that that gentleman was one of its earliest friends, and that they owed to him a very deep debt of gratitude for the success which had attended it ; because, important aa these meetings are, he thought they could not over-rate the importance of the Society's Journal, of which, from its commencement, Mr. Pusey had acted as honorary editor, the publication of which had been under his superintendence, and but for which, he felt quite sure, there would not have been that general im- provement in farming which had become so perceptible through- out England since the formation of this Society. The Journal had been the means of diffusing successful experiments, and of encouraging persons in carrying them out ; and, if the So- ciety's operations had been confined merely to the holding of its annual meetings, unassisted by the care and attention be- stowed upon the Journal by Mr. Pusey, he believed the Society would not have met with the success which had so satisfactorily marked its progress (applause). He hoped that Mr. Pusey would be able to attend the next meeting, at Car- lisle, when he was sure he would be received in such a manner as would show him that the feeling of regret which he had expressed, on the part of the farmers of Lincolnshire, in this instance, was fully shared in by the farmers of England ; for it ought not to be forgotten that the Royal Agricultural So- ciety was first originated by one of the most distinguished men in this county, the late Mr. Handley, and that Mr. Pusey was introduced by him into this county, the farmers of which there- fore felt, perhaps, more attached to that gentleman than they might otherwise have done (applause). " The President of the Society, Mr. Pusey" (three times three cheers, and one cheer more). The Noble Chairman said he found it was his duty, as their president on this occasion, to acknowledge the toast which they had just drunk; and he assured them that, in doing so, he felt more than he did at first how very unequal he was to occupy the place of his honourable friend. He was almost tempted to say — in alluding to Mr. Pusey's position in connection with the Society, and in reference to the wise, and scientific, and practical remarks that would have fallen from him on this occasion— he was almost tempted to say, " If I were Brutus, and Br\itus were Antony" (laughter) ; but he felt that his hon. friend might be angry with him for suppo- sing either of him or of himself that they were distingnished orators, still more that they were capable of saying anything that was likely to stir up their hearts to mutiny (Hear, and laughter). But he would say this, and he could say it honestly, that if Mr. Pusey had been present, they would have heard from him the result of much research, of much scientific acqui- sition, of much supervision of practical experiments; and, therefore, as he was addressing a body of British farmers, he might say with truth that there was scarcely one among them who deserved more of their attention, as well as more of their gratitude, for the services he had performed towards the cause of agriculture, than Mr. Pusey (applause). As it was his business to respond to the toast, it was not his province to praise his honourable friend ; but he could, and did, join with them most heartily in wishing good health to Mr. Pusey, and that his life might be long spared for the advancement and the benefit of this great society (cheers). The Earl of Harrowby, in rising to propose the toast of "Agriculture,Manufactures, and Commerce," said: Agriculture, manufactures, and commerce were all sisters of one family ; and, like the sisters of families.a littledisagreement occurred amongst them at one time. Happily that time had gone by, and they were now united together without any feelings of jealousy or distinction. What could agriculture do without commerce, or commerce without agriculture ? Thirty years ago they would have required a text to prove it, but it was not so now. Why the agriculturist was a manufacturer of a most important cha- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 11: racter; he manufactured beef aud biead for us to eat (cheers). How much commerce had to do with it, the Peruvian Minister had told them. They all thrived together, and were dependent on each other — those who provided and those who consumed. To secure prosperity, agriculture, commerce, and manufactures must go hand in hand; for it was obvious to every one that there could be no'prosperity for agriculture unless they had a large consuming population (cheers). He was confident they would heartily drink the toast of " Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce" (loud cheers). Sir John V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P., said, that in simple obedience to the orders of the Council, he rose to pro- pose the toast set opposite to his name, namely, " The Mayor and Corporation of Lincoln" (loud cheers). However great the exertions of the Council and Members of the Royal Agri- cultural Society might be, and however well seconded they might be by their agricultural friends, still they would fall far short of securing those glorious results which they had so often witnessed, if it were not for the cordial co-operation which they always met with from the municipal authorities of the different places where the Society held its annual meetings (Hear). The city of Lincoln presented many claims to a visit from the Society besides those of a strictly agricultural nature. In the centre of a rich agricultural county stood a city dating from the Conquest, with a magnificent cathedral placed on a hill, which presented peculiar charms to the eye of the agriculturist. The cultivation of the land surrounding presented an example for every other county in England. On all previous occasions they had been well received by the municipal authorities, but never with a more hearty welcome than at the present show (cheers). The exertions of the Mayor and Corporation of Lin- coln had been unceasing to render every assistance in their power to the Society and its officers. They had never met with a Mayor who united all the essential qualities requisite for affording help to them, to such a degree as they had found them in the Mayor of Lincoln (cheers). He heartily congra- tulated the Society that they had met with such a gentleman, and he congratulated the citizens of Lincoln on having made choice of such a Mayor. Not only had he rendered the Society every facility, but he had opened his purse strings to an extent which had hardly ever been known before (cheers). The Society had a deal to undertake, and therefore had to impose on the towns where their annual meetings were held, what might sometimes be thought hard terms. They were compelled to do this from their poverty. To the Mayor of Lincoln they were peculiarly indebted, inasmuch as he had given special prizes for competition at the present show amounting to lOOl. Two of the prizes offered were for objects characteristic of the excellence for which the county of Lincoln is noted — horses for hunting purposes, and improved Lincoln sheep. Since the time that he (Sir J. V. Johnstone, M.P.) hunted in the county of Lincoln twenty years ago, the plough and the harrow had made great ha^oc, and the Mayor had given a prize for likely horses. He gave prizes also for sheep; and the local com- mittee, desirous of having good wool, offered prizes for the best fleeces — a combination most suitable. He should content himself with begging them all to join him in drinking with the greatest cordiality the healths of the Mayor and Corporation of Lincoln, and many thanks to them for their united endea- vours to facilitate the Society in their arduous undertaking (loud cheers). The Mayor op Lincoln (J. T. Tweed) said : I rise to respond to your cordial reception of the health you have just drunk, and on behalf of myself and the corporation, I beg to tender you my sincere thanks. It is with feelings of pleasure that I thank you for that genuine burst of feeling, which will ever ring in my recollect iou, aud tend to rivet those ties of friendship which have commenced under such auspicious cir- cumstances (cheers). You do not know, nor can you imagine, the swollen feelings of pride which I have experienced at the result of this great meeting, pregnant with events which I venture to say must ever live in the joyous memory of eveiy tiller of the soil within this county, to find that its agricultu- ral position and its productions have vied with and equalled every other (loud cheers). The superbly cultivated heaths, wolds, and feus of the count}', and the enterprise, energy, and industry displayed in their reclamation and culture, afford the most brilliant and striking proofs of the triumphs of science over ignorance, energy and intellectual power over supiueness and lethargy, and a liberal expenditure of capital over heartless neglect and covetous frugality. This society was conceived aud born for the purpose of consolidating and developing great principles, and of accomplishing great achievements in practice. It has reared its mighty and stupendous head upon the ruins of ignorance, inertness, unskilful and bigoted practices, and barbarous customs. Its trophies can nowhere be more appro- priately exhibited aud displayed than, when scanning the range of this county, you behold every inch of its varied soil smiling in all the luxuriance of productive nature, bidding defiance to that element which, by the aid of science, has been chained within its narrow limits, and left to perform its allotted functions of fertilizing and moistening the arid soil, instead of breeding pestilence and corruption to the beast, death and destruction to vegetation (loud cheers). Never did the Corporation of Lincoln and its inhabitants greet with such signal satisfaction and pleasure the congregation of so nume- rous, noble, and conspicuous a company as upon the present memorable occasion. If the exhibition has afforded that amount of gratification which from its merit it was calculated to do, we need not fear that it will increase in popular estima- tion aud esteem, and be as much admired and appreciated by our visitors as it has been welcomed by us (cheers). Mention has been made by the worthy proposer of the toast of my having added to the list of prizes on this occasion. I should, indeed, have been wanting in that spirit which ought to characterize an officer holding my position, if I did not do my utmost to promote the interest and welfare of those who are my neighbours and friends, especially as this city is the county town, and representative of one of the largest and most flourishing, as well as the best cultivated districts in the world. The Mayor sat down amidst loud and long-continued cheering. The noble Chairman here called upon Mr. Brandreth Gibbs to read the judges' awards of Prizes, which that gentleman did, in a good clear tone, occa- sionally interrupted by a cheer for some fortunate exhibitor or county man. Mr. Thompson, of Kirby Hall, gave the "Labouring Classes." He had never seen a better show, or one more worthy of the county in which it was held, than that exhibited to-day. It was a proof of the wisdom of the farmers, and of their judicious employment of capital aud skill. But did it not also speak of the energy and industry of the working classes? (cheers). In noticing the crops as he journeyed from Peterborough to Lincoln that day, he thought the crops were perhaps too uniformly beautiful. Their appearance told him the farmers of Lincolnshire had capital and that their labourers had skill. It would not be thus if instead of having intelligent labourers they had to drive ignorant serfs. The conquests over the fen and bog were accomplished through the labouring classes, and by their aid we were enabled to repel the Russian aggressor of freedom through the willing thousands found in 118 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. our armies, It would be presumption in him to dictate as to how farmers should treat their labourers, but the triumph which the latter achieved was aufScient to show that employer and employed were on the best terms. He believed the se- cret of this happy issue was, that the Lincolnshire farmers treated their labourers with justice and set them a good example (loud cheers). He gave in all sincerity the " Labour- ing Classes." Sir John V. Shelley, Bart., M.P., said a duty had de- volved upon him, which, until a very short time since, he hoped would have been fulfilled by Lord Hardwicke ; but as he had not appeared, he (Sir John) had to perform the duty the council had allotted to Lord Hardwicke. If that nobleman had been present he would have addressed them in his usual eloqueut manner; while he (Sir J. V. Shelley) should be ex- tremely brief, and confine his remarks strictly to the toast he had the honour to propose — "the Agricultural Societies throughout the World" (cheers). There was an elderly society —an elderly sister, he should say — the Highland Society, for which the Royal Agricultural Society felt much sisterly affection. All other societies of a similar description they regarded with parental feelings, as children of their own, be- lieving that they conferred inestimable benefits to the world at large (cheers). At their meetings, landlord and tenant met, and mixed their ideas together, and thus their experience was made available for the benefit of the community. They were now beginning to see the advantages of such societies as these. From the French deputations they had heard sentiments which must find an echo in every breast. It showed that agricul- tural societies were likely, at no distant day, to extend throughout the world. Such intercourse as this is more likely to produce peace and good-will amongst men, and all nations of the earth, than all the armies of the world, or all the pro- tocols and wisdom of statesmen (cheers). The Earl of Mansfield rose to reply in behalf of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, lie said that the difficulty which he experienced in addressing so numerous and iiifluential an assembly as that which he saw before him, was much enhanced by his having to reply to a toast of so large dimensions. Had he been a commercial man, he should have said, " This is a large order " — (a laugh) — for he had not only to anssver for the society with which he was himself connected, but for all agricultural societies throughout the world. That difficulty had, however, to some extent, been removed by Sir J. V. Shelley, because he had stated that the toast extended to the Highland Society rather than to others of which they had not so minute a knowledge. Sir John had also informed them that the Highland Society was the parent of that (the Eoyal English) Society, and the other societies had sprung from that. Here, then, he felt sufficiently confident in himself to render them an acknowledgment of his thanks — there as representing before them that society ^hich they had at first imitated, but now far excelled; because his country (Scotland) was a small country in comparison with theirs, and because they (the Scotch) had great difficulties to contend with and to overcome. They, in England, had a more favourable climate, were more fertile in resources, and possessed the capability of effecting that which, after almost a century of exertion, they had not been able to accomplish in Scotland. But if these had been great advantages to them in England, they had not been little to the members of the society in Scotland ; for societies in a state of prosperity always wanted a little brush- ing up ; and if their exertions had been great, still they had not been so great as they might have beeu, and the success of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society in Ireland, as well as that of this society, had furnished them in Scotland with fresh stimulant, and they were now assuming a different aspect. In a few days they would have a show at Berwick- upou-Tweed. He did not know whether they would have a room as large as that pavilion for their accommodation — but he would at least give them all an invitation (cheers and laughter). And if they should not have room enough for them all, their hearts were slill open to receive them (loud cheers). He had heard much at the begiumng of the evening of the merits of a short speech, and would therefore not detain them any longer than by expressing his warm acknowledgments. (The noble Lord sat down amidst much applause.) The Hon. Alexander Leslie Melville said, that a discussion occurred in one of Sir Walter Scott's novels, he thought the "Fair Maid of Perth," as to which was the finest county in Scotland, each of the disputants of course maintaining that was his own, though it was conceded that after going over all the others, Perth was certainly the second. That evening he might claim for Lincoln that it was in like manner the second agricultural county of England. If so, let them put to themselves the question. Why was it that Lincoln stood so pre-eminent in agriculture ? The first poiiit to which he must attribute this was, that there was found in the county so great a variety of soils ; they had their fen land, their wold land, and their heath land. They were at present on the border of one ; they were, moreover, in the midst of the heath ; and on going on Friday to the station of the Great Northern Railway at Stixwold, they would there see the engiiie which had beeu prepared to exhibit the ope- rations connected with their drainage, and show how they pumped out the water. Although he had been told that they might be carried into other districts, and shown an agricul- ture superior to their own ; althousb, if they were to take Scotland as an example, they might not be able to go three miles out of town, and find themselves in a wrong direction ; although in other countries, perhaps, they might see better herds of cattle; although Yorkshire might try what it could to heat them in horses ; let them put all together the tillage, the cattle, sheep, and the horses — and there they would find the true secret of the pre-eminence of Lincolnshire. Their real profit lay in the mixture of these different classes of agriculture ; the amalgamation of one thing with another brought out the true merits of each individual part. An old friend of his, and one of the best experimentalists of Great Britain, the late Mr. Fleming, of Barrocban, when he had said to him, "Give me in a nut-shell what you have learned in the course of your scientific investigations," had said to him in reply, " Mix your manure — do not trust to your guano, or to your farm-yard manure, exclusively — but put small portions of each together — admixture is the thing, I say." Much as they had gratified themselves at the present meeting, the greatest compliment which, as Chairman of the Local Committee, he had heard paid them was, when he had met a gentleman who said that yesterday he had come down to see the show, and had yesterday driven along the heath land, and returned, saying that he had seen quite enough to repay him without once entering the show-yard. He would entreat them not to leave the district without seeing the state of the surrounding cultivation. A walk up the hill enabled them to see enough. In this county, when they got hold of a slovenly fellow, they said to him, " look over the hedge" (they did not raise their hedges very high), " see what your neighbour is doing, and learn of him." The toast which he had to propose related to the name of a gentleman known and respected for years in the district, and who was president-elect for the future year ; and he had the greatest pleasure in proposing "The Health of Mr. Miles, M.P., their president-elect." (All the honours). THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 119 Mr. Miles, M.P., who officiated as Vice-Chairman, was re- ceived with great applause, thanked thetn very much for the honour they had done him. It was true he had seen Lincoln- shire in different times. Other counties could boast of having a century back adopted advanced cultivation — but Liucolnshire dated its agricultural improvement but 50 or 60 years back. He himaelf recollected 20 or 30 years ago seeiog the first cargo of bones ever landed at Hull, and the Custom House officers not knowing what duty to charge, a deputation waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the purpose of showing how necessary it was that access should be afforded to these substances in such manner as would contribute to the improve- ment of agriculture and commerce throughout the world, and suggested that no duty should be imposed; and in point of fact no duty was imposed (cheers). What he had formerly known as rabbit-warrens he now saw waving with crops of corn, adorning the land (cheers). What had that been owing to ? To nothing but the conduct both of tenants and land- lords throughout Lincolnshire. The tenants knew the men they had to deal with as landlords, and the landlords knew their tenants (cheers). They had been told that the Scotch society had been a parent to them ; but he would succumb to no county in England (cheers), and would say to the visitors of that show that, as friends, they were happy to meet them, asking them to look at our cultivation and say whether it was not better than their own (cheers). He differed in so far from his hon. friend who bad preceded him, and begged to state that, as his own conviction, as well as that of their president, who unfortunately was not amongst them, that Lincolnshire bore away the palm not only over every county in England, but of Scotland also, if he might so state it (loud cheers and laughter). He returned bis thanks to the council of the Society for the honour they had done him by appointing him next year to take the station of president in the county described by the noble Earl (Carlisle), where agriculture was not so successful, where the bracken stdl lingered on the hills, but where they should have beautiful scenery, much to admire, and, he felt convinced, a hearty welcome. Then let him entreat them, as president elect, to visit them at their meeting next year, and to associate with their brother farmers of that district, and in that spirit which prevails when farmer and farmer meet. He congratulated them as having been for many years a work- ing member of the Society on the exhibition of the day ; he had never seen a finer exhibition of working implements. He had not yet seen the other yard, but what he had heard read by Mr. Brandretb Gibbs from the table regarding the competitors and the classes of animals exhibited, assured him sufficiently that the cattle-show was not less worthy of commendation than the implements. The science of agriculture had been progressing favourably year by year betwixt 1850 and 1853. The best steam-engine that could be produced for agricultural purposes in 1850 was con- sidered to consume 7-50 odd decimals of coke per hour, but this had been reduced year after year until it was now only 4.35. He also directed particular attention to the instrument which had on this occasion been so well applied in measuring the forces exerted by the engines, and he was very proud to say that, by the ability and great energy of his friend, Mr. Amos, they had at last effected what had been long desired, in obtaining a dynamometer, and in at last being enabled to measure the effective force of implements ; whilst in a few years he had no doubt they should find themselves possessed of a dynamometer which would equally well measure traction. If so, they would have only a simple arithmetical sum to do, and implements would be adjudged, not by the opinions of members, but by means of a mechanical invention, which could not err. Alluding to the foreigners of distinction whom he saw both on the right and left of the chair, Mr. Miles then said he could not but call to mind, that in the last number of the Society's Journal, which had just appeared, a paper by a distinguished botanist had found a place, in which the author had shown that by cultivating for six or seven years a weed common in the South of France and on the shores of the Mediterranean, they might be able by such cultivation to pro- duce wheat. He alluded to the paper of M. Barbier on chylops oraca. He trusted that the communications of this gentleman to the Society's Journal would be long continued; and that we, in England, would be found always ready and willing to give every facility to foreign gentlemen, and foreigners equally willing to contribute to us whatever they knew (apfilause). Whatever might be the state of agricul- tural science in the county, there was undoubtedly much for the farmers still to know ; and he was proud to think that the farmers were becoming a reading community, not only prepared to work with their hands but with their heads. Before sitting down he would beg leave to propose the health of the nobleman who had done them the honour of filling the chair during their present meeting (great applause). That nobleman had generally been a contributor of stock to the meeting. He did not know whether that was the case in the present instance or not, for he had hoped to have been enabled to congratulate him as one of the successful competitors. Having the honour of Lord Chichester's acquaintance, he was certain they would only require his name to be given to insure his health being drunk with all those plaudits which he felt sure the ability he had shown to-day entitled him. (The toast was drunk with great applause.) The noble Chairman returned thanks, and said that he felt obliged for the kind manner in nhich his health had been drunk, as well as for the manner in which his honouraWe friend had so kindly, but so much beyond his merits, alluded to the ser- vices he had rendered the society. He felt it quite unnecessary to say more respecting the past; but he might allude, as having been an original member of the society, and as having formed sanguine expectations both of its usefulness and success, to the fact that his opinion was not altered, and he felt that the san- guine expectations of the first founders of the institution had already been more than realised. He could assure them that, however little help he might be able to give, he should take care to promote every object they had in view, and also endeavour to give everysupport in his power to the society. He should be an exhibiter of stock whenever he was able to send any, or willingly adopt any other means of being useful, whether as a member of their council or of the society, or in carrying out their great and various objects (applause). Mr. Charles Wren Hoskyns, amidst considerable signs of impatience, said he had the misfortune to appear before the meeting after every other topic, either for a short or deficient speech, had been exhausted, and therefore he would only throw himself on their energy in endeavouring to do justice to a sub- ject which far exceeded his powers, or those of any man to do it justice ; yet he was thankful to say that it came home to the cherished feelings of their hearts and minds, and he would therefore throw himself into it, as this would enable him not only to say what he wished to say, but while he did so to convey the thanks of the society to the directors of those splendid lines of railway wliich had been the primum mobile of their assembling there, and without which they could not have been there at all. By a singular chance or accident (although all chances of acci- dent were singular) the railway system, and the whole liistory of their society, had been coeval, and had gone on supporting and assisting one another. They would go on enlarging and iis^i>ting each other until he hardly knew what they should do with the superincumbent weight. The whole system of railways would advance to such an extent that he himself would require to put the high pressure on, even in making an ineffectual attempt to speak 120 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, on the subject. S}'miitoius of impatience having been frequently manifested, being here renewed, Mr. Hoslsyns feared he was tres- passing upon old ground ; havin? already written a book on this subject, he was perhaps only repeating many things which he had already expressed. In regard to the beautiful little dynamome- ter alluded to by Mr. Miles, he might mention that the inventor, accustomed to commercial activity in travelling, had left behind him the parcel to be taken care of, and that it had been lost in coming to the show, and the perseverance and courtesy of the railway ofEcial, who had recovered it, had therefore added mate- rially to the comfort and advantage of the judges, of the re- porters of the society, and of all others interested in the trials — so much so, that their task could hardly be called work at all. In short, the Dynamometer had constituted the subject of in- terest and attention from early till late, " from morn till dewy eve" (murmurs of impatience), the judges of the trial yard having employed it in testing sixty of the most beautiful engines that could have been manufactured. He concluded by proposing "The Railway Companies, and thanks to them for their co- operation in promoting the objects of the society." As the meeting was about to separate, and after the noble Chair- man had vacated his chair. Col. SiBTHORPE, M.P. for the city, rose, and explained the cause of his late arrival, which was that he had been to London in order that he might have his regiment of militia embodied. He concluded, to the great amusement of every one present, by a melo-dramatic expression of his wish that tiie Russians would only land on the coast of Lincolnshire, in order that the corps (the trumpeter of which aided Mr. Kiggs, the toastraaster, by sounding the bugle calls behind the chair) might have an oppor- tunity of cutting them to pieces. CONSECUTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STOCK. We have endeavoured to make this report as con- cise as possible, consistent with the requirements of so splendid an exhibition. Many animals of great merit we are compelled to pass unnoticed, and but slightly to allude to some of surpassing excellence. We have neither time nor space for a comparative analysis of every ani- mal, nor do we think any really useful purpose would be attained by it. We did last year, in one or two supplements and otherwise, give a more extended report than usual ; but the time it took, and the few words that could be used to keep within any reasonable limit in the notice given to each animal, necessarily made the anal} sis incomplete. We shall this year take them in order, as they appear upon the prize sheet — i, e., cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. CATTLE. SHORTHORNS. This is a somewhat singular designation, and a total stranger to the breed is to be found noticing any pecu- liarity about the horn. From whence this most fashion- able and most valuable breed derived its name, we know not ; but its great improvement, if not creation, dates from the bull " Hubback," on the one side, and the Teeswater, Holderness, Lincoln, and other like coarse breeds, on the other. Hubback was calved in 1777, and was bought by the Messrs. CoUings, out of a bye-lane ; from him descended Favourite (the sire of "The Dur- ham Ox"), Comet, and other bulls, &c. It was from this stock that the breed of cattle known as " The Im- proved Shorthorns" was established. We believe that jt now " carries the palm." No breed has attained like celebrity, and this is proved by some of the late sales ; none so early reach a ripe state of maturity, and but few exhibit better milking qualities. The nobility of their appearance is superior to that of any other breed, and the prices realized by some of the most popular herds and best bloods exceed belief — the celebrated Duchess tribe, for instance : nine animals from this tribe were sold at the Tortworth (Earl Ducie's) sale for 4,160 gs., or 462 gs. each. The county of Lincoln has been long celebrated for its breed of shorthorns ; we were there- fore prepared to witness a splendid collection of animals, and the result has fully answered our anticipations. The show was a first-rate one as a whole, but to take indivi- dual specimens of this breed we have occasionally seen them surpassed. The classes of cows and heifers we think were never better filled up, and many first-class animals are amongst them. We make honourable men- tion of these classes first, because we think they have the first claim. The classes of bulls, good as they are, do not equal the cow and heifer classes. We do most heartily commend them as a whole, but what we looked for was one or two specimens of still greater merit than are to be found ; some " Duke of Northumberland," or one equally surpassing his fellows. We know how great is the difficulty to commend one without implying some slight censure upon another ; this is not what we mean to do ; but having our own prepossessions as to form and feature, we choose to make our own selections. We begin with No. 3 in catalogue. Class 1. — Bulls calved previously to the Istof July, 1852, and not exceeding 4 years old. 3 William Sanday, of Holme Pierrepont, near Nottingham, and Henry Smith, of The Grove, Cropwell Butler, near Bingham, " Vatican," roan, 3 years 2 months 2 weeks and 5 days, bred by the late Earl Ducie, of Tortworth Court ; sire Usurer, dam Virginia, sire of dam Petrarch. (First prize of £40.) — This is a finely formed animal, of great merit ; beautiful chine and chest, with level back and good hips, his head full, good, and handsome, except a little prominence above the eye, nice neck, ribs not sufficiently springing, leaving the form less cylindrical than we like, beautiful level sides, good loin, hips wide, thighs long and full, twist full, flank and ripping parts not quite full enough in proportion, nor is he quite so noble in appear- ance as some of our first-class bulls of former years. 5 Richard Booth, of Warlaby, near Northallerton, " Windsor," white, with red at end of the ears, 2 years and 9 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Crown Prince, dam Plum Blossom, sire of dam Buckingham. (Second prize of £20.) — This is a beautiful animal, very cylindrical in form, plenty of good lean flesh, fine appearance, head and muzzle small, good horns and well set, neck thin and short, chest very deep, with full, well thrown out shoulders, beautiful level wide chine and back, ribs well springhig, forming a fine cylindrical shape throughout, hips rather too close, but good rump, thighs and flank very superior, twist good, tail fine and well set, legs rather short and fine ; a very good animal. 12 William Fletcher, of Radmanthwaite, neat Mansfield, " Champion," roan, 2 years 3 months and 3 weeks old, bred by exhibiter ; sire Lord of Brawith, dam Gaudy, sire of dam Prince Albert. — Was highly commended. His bone is thin, and general frame acceptable. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 121 13 Messrs. Edward and Cbarles Marfleet, of Bassiogham, uear Newark, " Trajan," roan, 3 years and 7 months, bred by exhibitera : sire Trajau, dam Princess, sire of dam Prince. —This is a bull possessing great substance and many very good points, but, as we think, but little beauty, and his general character borders upon a coarse animal ; such, however, is the quantity of lean flesh denoted, that we think him worthy of notice here. This class is very ably sustained, notwithstanding the absence of any animal of really surpassing merit ; the general character was so good that we cannot do other- wise than give it our best commendation. Class II. — Bulls calved since the 1st of July, 1852, and more thau 1 year old. 23 John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, near Spilsby, "Marmion," red, 1 year 3 months, and 3 days, bred by exhibiter ; sire Usurer (9763), dam Music, sire of dam Shamrock (7488). — A very compact, prettily formed animal. 24 John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, near Spilsby, " Albion," roan, 1 year 5 months and 19 days, bred by exhibiter; sire Usurer (9763), dam Alice Hawthorn, sire of dam Neptune (7273). — Similar description of animal to No. 23 ; excel- lent chest and good girth. 34 Messrs. E. and C. Marfleet, of Bassingham, near Newark, " Baronet," roan, 1 year and 2 months, bred by exhibiters ; sire Son of Baronet, dam Beeswing, sire of dam Waveiley. : — Was highly commended, and very deservedly. 86 William Odhng, of Baslingthorpe, near Market Kasen, " Comet," roan, 1 year and 6 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Sir No Name, dam Rosemary, sire of dam Prince. (First prize of £25.) — This is well formed, and of good substance, but stands rather too low : head rather ordi- nary, horns fine and pointing forward, neck too thin and not quite right adjoining shoulder, back and chine very even, hips good and standing out well, ribs fairly spring- ing, with good chest, and flank rather thin, but good thighs, tail rather high, and tuts bare; beautiful colour. 39 Charles Towneley, of Towneley Park, near Burnley, " Ho- garth," red, 1 year and 8 mouths, bred by exhibiter ; sire Harbinger (10297), dam Rosa, sire of dam Baron of Eavensworth. (Second prize of £15.) — This is a beauti- fully formed good animal, very pleasant head and horns, full neck, full good chine and back, but not quite level, hips rather short and too narrow, twist too light, thighs long, but rather thin, flanks and lower parts all good, tail rather high, tuts broad and short, ribs nicely springing, and deeply, but not quite cylindrically formed ; a deep good red colour. Class III. — Bull Calves above 6 and under 12 months old. 44 Charles Towneley, of Towneley Park, near Burnley, " Mas- ter Butterfly," rich roan, 11 months, bred by exhibiter; sire Frederick (11489), dam Butterfly, sire of dam Jeweller (10354). (Prize of £10). — This has a good and propor- tionate frame ; fine horn, fine neck, chine rather narrow, even back, hips fair, tuts good, twist good and fuU, and colour good. 47 John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, near Spilsby, " Sultan," red and white, 10 months and 1 day, bred by exhibiter; sire Usurer (9763), dam Sarah, sire of dam Shamrock (7488). — This is a very finely proportioned young bull. 50 William Sanday, of Holme Pierrepont, near Nottingham, " The Pope," roan, 11 months, bred by exhibiter; sire Vatican (12260), dam Foggathorpe 4th, sire of dam Duke of Northumberland. — This is a good young animal, de- Dotin; many escelleuces. This class was so well contested, that it would appear invidious to select maay animals for observation and remark. Class IV. — Cows in milk or in calf. 57 Richard Stratton, of Broad Hintou, near Swindon, " 3rd Duchess of Gloucester," roan, 3 years and 3 months, in milk, bred by exhibiter ; sire Red Duke, dam Elegance, sire of dam Lottery ; and 53, " Matchless the 2nd," roan, 3 years and 5 months, in milk, bred by exhibiter; sire Red Duke, dam Old Mossrose, sire of dam Phosnix.— These are two exceedingly good and well matched cows, having every recommendation of colour and beauty, and were most properly highly commended by the judges. 63 John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, near Spilsby, " Coronation," white, 4 years and 9 months, in milk and in calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire Lord George (10439), dam Carnation, sire of dam Post Captain (4738). — This is a very good cow, with a very large hind quarter ; her neck is thin, showing a somewhat abrupt shoulder ; she is a large fine made cow in every other respect ; she is long in frame, and hipa and tuts surprisingly large. (Commended). 64 W. B. Wiugate, of Hareby, near Spilsby, " Trim," light roan, 8 years and 9 months, in milk, bred by exhibiter.— Broad hips and good chine ; neck rather shght in pro- portion. 65 Thomas Robinson, of Burton on Trent, " Buttercup," roan, 6 years and 6 months, in milk, bred by E. Lakin, of Powyke, near Worcester; sire 2nd Duke of Lancaster (5951), daraBanksia, sire of dam Crichton (3516). — Is a large, good cow ; her neck is thin, but her chine is very wide ; her chest and breast extraordinary. (Commended). 66 Thomas Robinson, of Burton on Trent, " Vapour," roan, 6 years and 4 months, iu calf, bred by Sir Charles Tempest, of B rough ton Hall, nearSkiptou; sire Tom of Lincoln (8714), dam Lady Valentine, sire of dam Rockingham (2550) — This is a good animal, with exceedingly broad hips, almost amounting to a deformity. 70 John Booth, of Killerby, near Catterick, " Venus Victrix," roau, 3 years and 10 months, in milk, bred by exhibiter ; sire Vanguard, dam Bloom, sire of dam Buckingham (second prize of £10). — A good, well formed animal; muzzle too dark, heavy and wide breast, thighs good ; her whole frame exceedingly good. 71 William Fletchsr, of Radmanthwaite, near Mansfield, " Jenny Lind," roan, 5 years 2 months and 1 week, in milk, bred by exhibiter ; dam Lily, sire of dam Fitzwalter. — A very good cow, well formed and large frame. (Com- mended). 72 William Torr, of Aylesby Manor, near Grimsby, " Glisten," roan, 4 years and 6 months, in milk, bred by exhibiter ; sire Vanguard (10994), dam Gleam, sire of dam Baron Warlaby (7813) : and 73, " The Flower," roau, 6 years and 7 months, in milk, bred by exhibiter ; sire Baron Warlaby (7813), dam Flower Girl, sire of dam Londesboro or Lord A. Fairfax. — Two very good cows, particularly No. 73. 74 Charles Towneley, of Towneley Park, near Burnley, " Beauty," roan, 6 years and 9 months, in milk and in calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire Victor (8739), dam Mamie, sire of dam Marcus (2262). (First prize of ££0).— A very fine animal, with hips astonishingly large and fat ; the cow herself very fat, and almost a perfect cylinder ia form, except her wonderful tuts and hipa ; neck rather light, but breast exceedingly good ; her great top causes her arms, legs, and flank to logk thin ; colour very good. 123 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 80 J. S. Tauqueray, of Hendou, Middlesex, "Lady Barriugtou the Eighth," roaD, 7 years and 7 months, in calf, bred by Robeit Bell, of Kirklevington, near Yarm ; sire 2ad Duke of Oxford, dam Lady Barrington the 5tb, sire of dam 4th Duke of Northumberland. — A very large, well made ani- mal ; long body ; fore quarter not quite proportioned to the hind quarter, which is very good. This is a very superior class, and fully keeps up the reputation of the Shorthorned cow. Class V. — Heifers in milk or in calf, not exceeding 3 years old. 85 Charles Towneley, of Towneley Park, near Burnley, " Ves- tris," light roan, 2 years and 9 months, in calf, bred by exhibiter; sire Hudibras (10339), dam Venetia, sire of dam Tom of Lincoln (8714) : and 86, " Butterfly 2nd," red and white, 2 years and 5 months, in calf, bred by ex- hifeiter; sire Garrick (11507), dam Butterfly, sire of dam Jeweller (10354).— Two well proportioned fine animals, and large. No. 85 takes the second prize of 10?., and is a beautiful animal, having a nearly perfect form and sym- metry ; broad and full in every part, with fine beautiful bead and horns. 88 James Douglas, of Athelstaneford Farm, near Drem, East Lothian, Haddington, " Rose of Summer," red, 2 years and 2 mouths, in calf, bred by exhibiter; sire Velvet Jacket (10998), dam Rose of Autumn, sire of dam Sir Henry (10834). (First prize of 15Z.)— Very good and well made, but rather small ; of cxceedmg fine quality, short and thick; neck she has none, her ears aud shoulder nearly meeting ; frame very deep, chine surprisingly good, hips not wide, tuts narrow ; but her general form is won- derfully compact and full. Class VI.— Yeakling Heifers. 92 Richard Stratton, of Broad Hinton, near Swindon, " Graceful," roan, 1 year and 4 months, bred by exhi- biter ; sire Waterloo, dam Stately, sire of dam Hero of the West— is very finely proportioned, and received commendation. 94, 95 Charles Towneley, of Towneley Park, near Burnley, " Blanche 6th," red and white, 1 year and 10 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Frederick (11489), dam Blanche 5th, sire of dam Duke of Northumberland (19 iO); and "Roan Duchess 2nd," roan, 1 year aud 9 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Frederick (11489), dam roau Duchess, sire of dam Whittington (12299)— two beautifully- formed heifers, particularly No. 94, which takes the 1st prize of 10/. She has a beautiful head, and fine horns, a prominent good shoulder, fiue chine, wide hips, and ribs well out, flank and under parts all right, tuts great and good ; very fine in offal. She is of fine symmetry and quality. No. 95 is a beautiful heifer. 97 George Sainsbury, of The Priory, Corsham, near Chip- penham, " Countess 4 th of Gloucester," red and white, 1 year and 7§ months, bred by exhibiter ; sire the Duke of Gloucester, dam Countess 1st, sire of dam Antonio- takes the 2nd prize of 51. She is rather too narrow in chine, back, and hips, but, as a whole, a good heifer, long in frame, and high standing, 100, 101, 102 John Kirkham, of Hagnaby, near Spilsby, " Singwell," roan, 1 year 8 months 21 days, bred by exhibiter ; sire Hamlet (8126), dam Songstress, sire of dam Baronet (6763) ; " Susan," white, 1 year 9 months and 27 days, bred by exhibiter ; sire Hamlet (8126), dam Snowdrop, sire of dam Neptune (7273) ; and " Ata- lanta," white, 1 year 7 months and 2 days, bred by ex- hibiter; sire Usurer (9763), dain Amy, sire of dam Burglar (10007) — three very creditable animals to be shown by one breeder. No. 101 is a very prettily formed animal. 103 J. V. Machin, of Gateford Hill, near Worksop, " Hip- sipyle No. 2," roan, 1 year and 5 months, bred by ex- hibiter; sire Sir Plume, dam Lady Bountiful, sire of dam Rodolph (9569). 105 Richard Booth, of Warlaby, near Northallerton, " Orange Blossom," white, 1 year and 3 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Vanguard, dam Hawthorn Blossom, sire of dam Leonard — a very good yearling. 106, 107 William Fletcher, of Radmanthwaite, near Mans- field, " Flora," red, 1 year 6 months and 2 weeks, bred by exhibiter ; sire Prince of Wales, dam Flower, sire of dam Prince of Wales ; and " Janette," red, 1 year 4 months and 3 weeks, bred by exhibiter ; sire Prince of Wales, dam Jenny Lind — two well formed, good animals. HEREFORD S. We now come to the classes of Herefords. The Ilere^ ford cattle are now universally known by their peculiar colour and form. The colour is usually red, either light or dark, with white face, and a white streak along the back ; generally some marks of white about the neck and along under the body : there is a grey or roan variety with similar white marks. Their form is singu- larly compact, full, and symmetrical. The origin of this breed of " white faces " is yet a mystery, but it is affirmed that they were introduced from Flanders near 200 years ago, and fac-similes of them are to be found in old Flemish paintings ; be that as it may, it is certain that they have undergone immense improvement within the last fifty years. Many attain a large size, and the breed stands pre-eminent for that rotundity of shape, that fulness of chest, and breadth of chine so essential to a good constitution; their general contour and vivacity of look are admirable. The cow is a good milker, giving large quantities of milk upon moderate provender. This department of the show has been a very circumscribed one, the number of animals altoge- ther shown in the various classes not exceeding nineteen, and few of them of first-rate character. Class L — Bulls calved previously to the Ist of July, 1852, and not exceeding 4 years old. 112 Edward Price, of Court House, Leominster "Magnet," red and white, 2 years and 10 months, bred by Thomas Yeld, of Bodenham, near Leominster ; sire The Knight, dam Spot, sire of dam Big Ben (first prize of 40l,). — He is of great substance in little room, stands wide, good form. This is a good and profitable animal, without many marks of great superiority. 114 John Carsvardine, of Stockton Bury, near Leominster, " Malcolm," dark red, 3 years and 6 months, bred by John Turner, of Court of Noah, near Pembridge ; sire The Knight, dam Nutty (second prize of 20l.) — A fiue animal of great substance, head fair, neck large, chine very deep, great length, good hips, rump not good, thighs large. Class IL — Bulls calved since the 1st of July, 1852, anp more than 1 year old. 118 James Rea, of Monaughty, near Knighton, " Guardian,'' red with white face, 1 year 7 months and 1 week, bred THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 123 by exhibiter ; aire Attraction (892), dam Spot, aire of dam Cholatrey (217), (first prize of 25l.).— Tliis bids fair to make a good heavy auimal, having plenty of good lean flesh. 115 William Styles Powell, of Castle Street, Hereford, "Bre- con," red brown with white face, 1 year 7 months and 23 days, bred by Walter Maybery, of Brecon ; sire Young Dewsall, sire of dam Henry the Second (second prize of 15l.). — This has a good fore-quarter, and fair cylindrical form ; hind-quarter rather defective. The other bulls shovyn in this class were very credita- ble animals. No. 117, the property of the Earl of Rad- nor, evidenced some very good points, and is a good and profitable animal (highly commended). Nos. 119 and 120, the property of Lord Berwick, are beautiful specimens of the breed, and show good breeding through- out (highly commended). Class III. — Bull Calves, above 6 and under 12 mouths old. In this class only one animal was shown, this was the property of Mr. Edward Price, of Court House, near Leominster, ''Magnet the Second," red and white, 8 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Magnet, dam Windsor, sire of dam Pembridge (the prize of IOl.) . — A very use- ful, well-formed calf; and the prize was properly awarded. Class IV. — Cows in-milk or in calf. 122 Philip Turner, of The Leen, Pembridge, near Leominster, " Nell Gwynue," brown with white face, 3 years and 6 months, in milk and in calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire The Knight, dam Belle, sire of dam Sir Walter (first prize of 20l.) 123 Lord Berwick, of Cronkhill, near Shrewsbury, "Miss Lewes," red spots ou white face, 3 years 6 months and 2 days, in milk and in calf, bred by his Lordship ; sire Wonder, dam Duchess of Norfolk, sire of dam Tom Thumb (second prize of IOl.). — She is well filled out in every part ; large and heavy, with beautiful countenance. In this class only two animals competed, which, how- ever, were good representatives of the breed. Class V. — Heifers in-milk or in-calf, not exceeding 3 years old. 124 WUliara Perry, of Cholstrey, near Leominster, " Fancy," red and white, 2 years and 8 months, in calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire Noble Boy, dam Gloucester, sire of dam Harden (first prize of 15l.). — A very fine broad-framed heifer, with excellent points and plenty of lean flesh. 125 The Earl of Radnor, of Coleshill House, near Highworth, " Stately," red and white, 2 years and 3 months, in calf, bred by his Lordship ; sire Venison, dam Young Sove- reign (113), sire of dam Jeff'ries (second prize of IOl). — A large useful heifer. In this class also the competition was confined to two animals. Class VI. — Yearling Heifeks. 130 John Walker, of Westfield House, Holmer, near Here- ford, "Lady," brown with white face, 1 year 8 months and 10 days, bred by exhibiter ; sire Widemarsh, dam Windsor, sire of dam Governor (first prize of IOl.) — This heifer denotes fair substance, length, and good frame. 128 Philip Turner, of The Leen, Pembridge, near Leominster, " Gazelle," brown with white face, 1 year and 7 months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Andrew the Second, dam Vesta sire of dam Sir Walter (second prize of 5l.).- A very pretty little heifer. This was a rather better class-competition, though only five entries. DEVONS. The variety usually shown in these classes is the North Devon cattle. The South Devon is far inferior to the North Devon. He is generally of slender make, and altogether is considered a mis-shapen animal, and the quality of his flesh coarse and unprofitable. The North Devon, on the contrary, is probably the hand- somest and hardiest of the English breeds, as also one of the oldest native herds. The flesh is of excellent quality, and it is produced in larger quantity on the most valuable joints than other breeds. They fatten rapidly, and their beautiful appearance and symmetrical proportions are nearly perfect. They do not come to so large weights as the Short-horns or Herefords ; but their adaptation for ploughing and to thrive on inferior pasturage is so remarkable, the peculiarity of their cha- racter is so distinct, and the extent to which they are bred so great, as to fully entitle them to a distinct class in the Society's exhibitions. The cows are proverbially good milkers, and Devonshire cream and Devonshire butter are of all kinds most popular. The show this year is not equal to some of former years, but de- cidedly good, comprising thirty-eight animals in the different classes, and those of a character fully cal- culated to keep up the reputation of the breed, and the celebrity of the breeders. The prizes have been pretty equally distributed between those gentlemen whose names have long appeared before the public as breeders of Devons — Somersetshire once more coming into formidable competition. Class I.— Bulls calved previously to the 1st of July, 1852, and not exceeding 4 years old. 138 Samuel Farthing, of Stowey Court, near Bridgewater, " Baronet," red, 3 years 2| months, bred by exhibiter ; sire Baronet, dam Dairymaid. (First prize of £40).— This is a very heavily loaded animal, possessing great substance, of good quality, in little compass, his shoulders are rather high, his back not even, good rump, capital ribs and thighs. 131 George Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, " Abd-el-Kadir," red, 2 years and 4 months, bred by Richard Moggeridge, of Holland, near South Molton j sire Earl of Exeter, dam Prettymaid, sire of dam Baronet. (Second prize of £20). This is a very prettily formed animal, with deep chest and great beauty, of exceedingly good quality, but rather small ; his offal not much heavier than some of the large pigs. Class II. — Bulls calved since the Ist of July, 1852, and more than I year old. 140 Robert Wright, of Hoor Farm, near Taunton, " Pro- tector," red, 1 year 11 months and 20 days, bred by ex hibiter ; sire Young Miracle, dam Fancy, sire of dam Fat Ass. (First prize of £25). — This is a bull of very even proportions, deep chest, ribs not sufliciently springing, good level back, but not wide, very handsome, and of fine quality. 143 James Quartly, of Holland House, near South Molton, " Napoleon," red, 1 year and 6 mouths, bred by exbi- K 2 124 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. biter; sire Duke of Devonshire, dam Rosebud, siie of dam Baronet. (Second prize of £15).— This ia a finely pro- portioned and compact animal, of great merit ; head not very pleasant looking. Class III. — Bull Calves above 6 and under 12 months old. la this class the competition was limited to two animals. 144 George Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, "Th.e Czar," red, 7 months and 1 week, bred by eshibiter ; sire Earl of Exeter, dam Sontag, sire of dam Baronet. (Prize of £10). Class IV.— Cows in-Milk or in-Calf. There was a good competition in this class — the animals equal to former years. 153 Samuel Farthing, of Stowey Court, near Bridgewater " Lovely," red, 4 years 2^ mouths, in-milk and in-calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire Wonder, dam Lofty. (First prize of £20). — This is a cow of very great beauty, even, deep, and full throughout, pleasant looks, capital shoulders, a perfect cylindrical frame, of excellent quality. 155 The Earl of Leicester, of Holkham, near Wells-next-the- Sea, Norfolk, " Beauty," red, about 8 years, in-calf, bred by R. Merson, of Brinsworthy, near North Molton. (Second prize of £10). — A cow answering in every respect to her given name, Beauty. Class V. — Heifers In-milk or In-calf, not exceeding 3 years old. Only three competitors in this class, the animals very creditable. 157 George Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, " Dahlia," red, 2 years and 5 months, in-calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire Earl of Exeter, dam Julyflower. (First prize of £15). — This is a fine specimen of the breed as a young heifer, de- licate in make, of superior quality, very proportionate frame, of great beauty. 159 Jamea Quartly, of Holland House, near South Molton, " Graceful," red, 2 years and 6 months, in-calf, bred by exhibiter; sire Duke of Devonshire, dam Curly (93), sire of dam Quartley's Prince of Wales. (Second prize of £10). — This really accords with her name, " Grace- ful ;" capital tuts and twist, very pretty. Class VI. — Yearling Heifers. This was an interesting class, and several good ani- mals were exhibited. 165 George Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, " Garcia," red, 1 year and 7 months, bred by John Halse, of Moll and near South Molton; sire Earl of Exeter. (First prize of £10). — This is a very pretty specimen of the breed, and well worthy the distinction, exceedingly well made, being a full aud beautiful cylinder. 13'J George Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, " Daphne," red^ 1 year and 6 months, bred by William Baker, of Bishop's Nympton, near South Molton ; sire Earl of Exeter. — Was highly commended, which she richly deserved, being deeply formed, but of fine quality. 137 Thomas Webber, of Halberton Court, near Tiverton, " Jenny Lind," red, 1 year 7 months and 2 weeks, bred by exhibiter ; sire Sir Robert, dam Rosebud. (Second prize of £5). — la a beautiful little heifer, nicely propor- tioned, with flanks somewhat slight. The classes 4 and 6 were generally commeuded. OTHER BREEDS. This is a class combining all breeds, except those just named. We have before expressed our doubts respecting this class. We doubt the feasibility of bringing ail "other breeds" into one general competition : in order to improve the whole, every variety of Irish, Scotch, Welsh, and English, not included in the three favoured classes, are here sought to be shown in rivalship ; the re- sult is, that very few ever come at all. These classes might embrace, or be composed of upwards of 100 varieties- breeds aud subvarieties of breeds. Every district of the three kingdoms lays claim to peculiar distinctions inbreed, and each has as strong advocates in its favour. This can- not be right : Judges crnnot adjudicate properly amidst so many kinds, and designed for so many purposes. We should prefer offering prizes for the best animals suited to certain districts or particular purposes. We might thus have put before us for decision the best breed for mountain pastures, hilly districts, moorlands and other inferior herbage ; or, again, the best milkers or most prolific breeders, &c., &c. We might thus from time to time gain knowledge ; but to have such a mingled class, in order that the judges may tell us which is the best animal amongst them, can answer no very useful end ; the show of this year fully bears out our views, for while we have some splendid specimens of Longhorns, we have standing beside them, as if intended to excite the ridicule of a public not always considerate enough to look to the design for which they are bred. We want a designation analogous to the above, in order to pro- mote the most good. We do not complain of individuals sending inkrior-lookinff animals for competition in this class : we highly approve it : many are very valuable for certain purposes which are not surpassingly good in our eyes as animals ; and if such were not shown, the public would remain uninformed respecting them. All we ask for is, a more extended and better classification, which we trust the liberality of the public will enable the Council to adopt. The show in this class was a great improvement upon some past years. Although in Class I. for Bulls calved previously to the 1st of July, 1852, and not exceeding four years old, there was no entry, and consequently no competition, the cow class was very good. Class II. — Bulls calved since the Ist of July, 1852, and more than 1 year old. This was but a moderate class. 173 Samuel Burbery, of Wroxhall, near Warwick, long-horned breed, "Brind," 1 year and 4 months, bred by exhibiter; sire Chasleton, dam Primrose, sire of dam Blucber (Prize of £10). — A fair useful bull. Class III. — Cows in-Milk or in-Calf. This was a good class, and the long-horned cows very good. 184 Captain Inge, of Thorpe Constantine, near Tamworth, pure long-horned breed, " Favourite J 2," red and white, 9 years 3 months and 22 days, in-milk and in-calf, bred by exhibiter ; sire White Thighs No. 25, dam Fillpail J 1 (Prize of £10). — A very fine specimen of the long-horned breed ; very good, aud cylindrically proportioned. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 125 179 Samuel Burbery, of Wroxhall, near Warwick, long-horned breed, " Violet," brind and white, 6 years and 4 months, in-calf, bred by exhibiter; sire Blucher, dam Daisy (Second prize of £5). — This is a very good animal; more compact than the former, with exceedingly good frame and fine condition. Class IV. — No conapetition. Class V. — Yearling Heifers. 188 Captain Inge, of Thorpe Constantine, near Tamworth, pure long-horned breed, "Buffalo E 6," red and white, 1 year 5 months and 2 days, bred by exhibiter ; sire Roll- right X 50, dam Bashful E 2, sire of dam White Thighs No. 25 (Prize of £5). This class was confined to two animals. HORSES. We now come to the class of horses, which is a great improvement upon some former years. All kinds are now included in one general term, " for agricultural purposes," in which even the roadster stallion very fairly takes his place. The large " agricultural" horse is the London dray-horse : he is good for both purposes, so that the Society have no improper limit ; he may, how- ever, be rather too heavy for ordinary farm uses. We again demur as to the expediency of including all breeds of horses indiscriminately in this class — farm-horses of every breed ; the Lincoln and Clydesdale dray-horses against the Suffolk punches ; and these in competition with the almost innumerable varieties of farm-horses throughout the country. These must necessarily be adjudged in a great degree in accordance with the pre- vailing taste of each individual judge (and in "horse- flesh" who has not his peculiar taste?) We do not impugn judges : they may act with the strictest impar- tiality, notwithstanding. Here all are to be judged by one standard — " for agricultural purposes" : it must be much a matter of taste. We should prefer some divi- sion of breeds, as in the cattle and sheep classes. The Suflfolk Punch is probably unequalled as a farm-horse ; the Clydesdale and Lincoln dray-horses are more valuable on sale; these might be kept quite distinct in class, and so with any other kind that denote such manifest distinction in breeding ; if not, as in pigs, our judges must define them. The show has fully equalled our expectations, and many fine horses have been ex- hibited. The agricultural stallion classes are well sus- tained, though not so numerous as we expected to see them. The Society should have bethought them of the character of the county, and provided for it. A class should certainly have been organized for hunters, and a prize ofi"ered. Happily, the Mayor of Lincoln and the gentlemen of the local committee supplied this lack from their own means. The result has proved their wisdom, and is very worthy of the occasion. The yearling show surpassed, in some instances, anything we before remember. The mares and foals were well worthy of notice ; but without giving further time to a preliminary notice, we will pass forward, and devote a cursory re- mark to such animals as commend themselves to our judgment. In Class 1, devoted to stallions for agricultural pur- poses, foaled previously to the 1st January, 1852, we find a very noticeable improvement. Those animals that have received prizes quite deserve them, and those that are commended suflSciently merit commendation ; while we fancy that, had the judges possessed more tickets for distinction, they would have put them more frequently than they have done. Mr. James Stockdale and Messrs. Edward and Mat- thew Reed bore away the prize in this class. The property of the latter gentleman was a fine old bay farmer's horse, more commendable in many points than Mr. Stockdale's. Mr. Biddell's Suffolk stallion ex- celled the prize horse in girth. There was a fine horse we noticed, the property of Mr. Hemmant, with ex- ceedingly deep fore-quarters — a great carcase, but some- what out of fashion. Mr. llenton's horse was well made up in his loin ; and Mr. Matthew Berridge's, although a fine useful fellow, was, we thought, rather too short- backed— an almost excusable fault. We noticed the same defect in Mr. Savage's horse, which possesses at the same time considerable merit. We thank Mr. Gilbert for the sight of his " Leicestershire Hero," a splendid animal, with few defects, and a very superior chest. He received commendation. The Suffolk stand- ing next the second prize, Mr. Wilson's property, i§ too fat, and has bad hocks. This good point, however, quite redeems these defects. The Suffolks certainly make a good show. Mr. Bickell's stands well up on his fore legs, and is admirably topped. The Duke of Manchester's "Boxer" is a very beautiful animal, perfect in symmetry, but too small — possibly too fine also. Mr. Gant's, a Lincoln-bred animal, has a bad back, and too much hair, but is commended. In passing to Class 2, wherein are the two-year-old stallions for agricultural purposes, we notice that Rutlandshire and Suffolk take the prizes. Mr. Bran is the owner of the first prize horse, and Mr. Wilson of the other. Mr. Wilson exhibits also another two-year- old chesnut stallion, which is most deservedly com- mended. Mr. Cottingham's, another Suffolk, is, we think, deserving of commendation, albeit he does not obtain it. For all that the horse is something short in his neck, he seems as though he could not get anything wrong. For getting powerful, active plough-horses, he stands scarcely second to any in this class. The most remarkable animal, in our opinion, in the yard, or at any rate amongst the horses, may be seen in the 3rd class. We need not say that we allude to Mr. Robert Howard's prize yearling. Every one mentions it with a glow of enthusiasm. It stands out alone in the class, and the other competitors suffer by the com- parison, although there are some fine colts too. And Lincolnshire bears the belt. Never did we see a yearling so furnished : his points excel those of some four-year- olds. The first prize could not have been more pro- perly awarded. Although the other yearlings are dwarfed by comparison with this peerless creature, we may notice that Mr. Catlin's is deservedly commended. Mr. Tebbet exhibits a colt also, that stands nobly on his fore legs. Mr. Eno and Mr. Haselwood must have 126 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. been rather misled as to the value of the animals they exhibited. With roadster stallions we were much pleased. The road horse is more difficult to meet with in perfection than either the hunter or courser. He must be a horse of all worlf : and so rarely is he to be met with, and so much is the demand increased for him, that we wel- come any stallion likely to supply a want so universally felt and expressed. Mr. Innocent stands foremost in this class with his " Calton," a six-years-old, dark bay stallion. The judges have judged wisely, we think. '•' Sir Charles," the property of Mr. Taylor, is an ex- ceedingly fine animal. His formation denotes strong constitution and good running properties. He seems peculiarly adapted for his work. Considering his age, and the work he has done, his legs are in a capital state. Our eye was also attracted to Mr. Ramsbottom's 15 years old " Fire-away," an admirable horse, with splen- did quarters, and faultless legs. Mr. Daubney's "Grey Thornton" is deserving of attention. Seldom have we seen so beautiful a head and neck. Mr. Gant's " Merry Legs" is a strong, useful horse, rather too heavy in the fore-hand. He seems so well built, however, as not to be able to get anything other than useful stock. Mr. Savage's displays good breeding, boasts a good carcase, but is light on his fore-legs. Passing to the mares and foals, we remark that the prize mare exhibited by Dr. Timms is too light on her legs. We must say that we could not see wherein Dr. Timms' mare and foal were superior to the mare and foal that won the second prize, exhibited by Mr. Page. The best foal, in our opinion, was Mr. Barratt's. Mr. Bading shows an excessively fine mare, with splendid quarters. The foal is short, but useful. Amongst the fillies, Suffolk bears off the palm. The first prize is awarded to Mr. Barthropp, and the second to Mr. Bayles, for a Lincolnshire bred filly. Mr. Gothorp exhibits a fine animal. Mr. Catlin shows three in this class. One of them is well backed, with short legs, and good quarters, and is most deservedly commended. Another has a good carcase, but is defi- cient in his legs. Mr. Timms has a good horse, which would be no worse if his quarters were rather lower. A Suffolk filly, exhibited by Mr. Wythes, is commended. And now we pass to a class of especial importance, held as the present meeting is, in the midst of one great hunting county, and upon the borders of another. Mr. Tweed, the Mayor of Lincoln, and the members of the local committee, have come forward with prizes of their own, and their call has been promptly responded to. It was very desirable to have a display of hunters, and most praiseworthy was it on the part of these gentlemen to have foreseen this necessity, and arranged for it. The contest seems to us to be a very hard-run one be- tween Mr. Denison's " Loutherbourg " and Mr. V/at- son's " Drayton." The former is certainly a splendid type of a horse, but seems to us somewhat more adapted to get carriage- horses than hunters. From age and work he is shaky on his forelegs. He bears away the prize of ^40. "Drayton" is a fine specimen of a steeple-chase horse. He struck us as being in eveiy way adapted for the purpose for which he is intended : he is a good horse all over, save his head perhaps, which may be a little too coarse. There is one point in which he is assuredly superior to " Loutherbourg;" it is this — he is, as we hear, a better getter. " The Red-Cross Knight" (the Messrs. Marfleei's property) is a really valuable farmer's horse, and cannot we should judge, get other than useful stock. This horse was placed second by the judges, the preference between him and " Loutherbourg" being a matter of much debate. Mr. Welfit exhibits two horses in this class. His "Rat-Trap" is very strengthy in loin and quarters, but capped-hocked. His " Stone Plover " is thick in the fore- quarters, has straight thighs, and does not display much breeding. Certainly one of the most splendid and stylish horses in the yard was " Maroon," although not so distinguished here as he has been. Mr. Denison appears in the next and last class, for the exhibition of three-year-old hunting geldings, or filhes. But his bay filly is too heavily topped. The first prize is awarded to Mr. Richard Stockdale, for a brown gelding (who exhibits also another brown, well- bred gelding, with very fine hocks) ; while the second is given to Mr. Morris, for a chestnut gelding. The latter horse has a superior neck and head : his hind- legs would be better for a little more bone ; and his shoulders, had they not been quite so prominent, would have induced less remark. Mr. Slater showed a bay gelding, with good thighs and famous carcase. SHEEP. The show in all classes is very large, particularly of Leicesters and long wools ; while the number of im- proved Lincolns far exceeds that of any previous in- stance, when a local class has been provided by the society. Leicesters. Class I. — Shearling Rams : In spite of close competition, one exhibiter was here able to carry off both prizes. The prize shearlings were bred by Mr. T. E. Pawlett, of Beeston, Beds, and are remarkable for their long and level backs, broad spring- ing chines, good rumps and thighs, and deep plates. The rams of Mr. J. Barton, of Bartou-le-street, York- shire, are deservedly famed ; but in the present instance, we think, that although possessing good fore quarters, and being well fleshed, they have not quite sufficient depth (two of these are commended). There are some very useful animals exhibited by Mr. G. Radmore, of Court Hayes, near Collumpton. Mr. Turner, of Barton, near Exeter, also shows some very compact, well-made sheep. The rams of Mr. Sanday, of Holme Pierrepont, near Nottingham, are broad, with good good chines and plates, but rather too small in frame, and with a deficient quality of wool. The sheep shown by Mr. S. Wiley, of Barnsby, Yorkshire, have nice frames, but rather narrow shoulders, and too little wool. Lord Berners exhibits a large and heavy -woolled ram. Those of Mr. H. Mann, of Lighthorne, Warwick, are more of Cotswold than Leicester character. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 127 Class II. — Rams of any other age : Mr. J. Borton takes the first prize, for a very handsome sheep, with good chest ; and Mr. Abraham, of Barnetby-le- Wold, Lincolnshire, takes the second, for a sheep with wide and straight back, heavy neck, broad chine, and good wool. Mr. Turner and Mr. Wiley's rams, com- mended, are very useful animals, especially the latter, which is certainly very fine and compactly formed. Mr. Sanday's, sheep, in this class, have very good uniform frames and firm mutton, but their backs not well covered. Class III. — Pens of Five Shearling Ewes : The first prize is awarded to Mr. G. Walmesley, of Rudstone, Yorkshire, for a lot with uncommonly good flesh, compact forms, and very fine bone. The second prize to Mr. Abraham, for a good pen of well-made ewes, though scarcely deep enough through the chest. Mr. Sanday's pen, commended, are beautiful, and have plenty of wool, but are not large enough in frame. Short Wools. In this class there is very considerable merit, notwith- standing the absence of Mr. Jonas Webb's splendid animals from the show ; but we must condemn the practice of some exhibiters, in trimming their sheep to such an extent, as often to hide very serious defects in form, particularly high loins. Class I. — Shearling Rams : The prize Ram of Mr. U. Lugar, of Hengrave, Suffolk, is a finely formed animal, neck good, back level, wool fine. The second prize ram, of the Duke of Richmond's, is also of great merit, having a level broad back, and full shoulders and chine. Mr. Lugar's sheep we much admired, though a shade darker in colour than some others, and perhaps a little too high-loined in some cases. Mr. Sainsbury, of West Lavington, Wilts., has some good sheep, though some rather light at the shoulder. We consider that the commended ram of Mr. Rigden, of Hove, Sussex, is well entitled to its honour. Lord Walsingham shows a heavy good sheep, with very deep flank; and Mr. H. Overman, of Weasenham, Norfolk, has here some beautiful animals, large, with thick and deep frames, but with very much wool. Class II. — Rams of any other Age, — Mr. Sainsbury takes the first prize, for a 29 months' old ram, of great length and yet well formed, and with good back. The second prize goes to Mr. Rigden, for a 28 months' old ram, with lev3l back, good rump, good chine, heavy thighs, but perhaps a little failing in the chest. Mr. Lugar's highly commended ram has a level back, great girth, but rather narrow twist. Mr. Rigden receives anoher commendation in this class. Class III. — Pens of Five Shearling Ewbs. — Mr. Overman's prize ewes are remarkably fine and well- made ; and the Duke of Richmond's second prize ewes are certainly beautiful animals, though somewhat small, and with less wool. We noted Mr. Lugar's two pens as uncommonly well formed and beautiful ewes ; both well worthy of commendation, though but one lot ob- tained it. Long Wools. As we might expect, in Lincolnshire, the show of long wools is unprecedented as regards the number of specimens ; and we find from the catalogue that one- fit'th of the exhibitors in this class are men of this county, notwithstanding that a special class has been prepared for them. Class I. — Shearling Rams.— Mr. G. Fletcher, of Shipton, near Andoversfbrd, takes the first prize. His ram is of amazing length and size, finely-proportioned and grand-looking, though with a head somewhat too short for some tastes. Mr. G. Hewer, of Laygore, near Northleach, shows his very superior breed of animals, celebrated not only for their great size and spacious form, but equally so for their very firm mutton and pleasing countenances. Number 462 has the second prize. Mr. W. Lane, of BroadfieldFarm, near North- leach, exhibits some really marvellous shearlings, of im- mense size and weight for such young sheep. He has obtained three commendations for them. We specially noticed as very meritorious animals the shearling rams of Mr. W. Game, of Aldsworth, near Northleach; those of Mr. W. Cother, of Middle Aston, near Wood- stock, Oxon ; and three exhibited by Lord de Mauley, of Hatherop Castle, near Fairford, Gloucester. Class II. — Rams of any other Age. — The first prize ram of Mr. W. Lane, 28 months old, is an animal possessing many good points, combined with unusual size ; and the second prize ram, 40 months old, belonging to the same breeder, is quite as extraordinary. Mr. E. Handy, of Sierford, near Andoversford, shows some first-rate rams in this class. A very superior sheep of Lord de Mauley's breeding is highly commended. Class III. — Pens of Five Shearling Ewes.— Mr. W. Game's beautiful ewes take the first prize ; Mr. Lane's take the second ; and we must say that these are really surprising animals, their size being that of some rams, and their breadth of chine and loin, and fore-quarter and rumps, is as great as their heads and bone are fine. Mr. Garne receives also a commendation for another good pair of ewes ; so does Mr. Fletcher ; and a high commendation is bestowed upon a lot of fine ewes, bred and exhibited by Mr. J. Walker, of East- ington, near Northleach. We were sorry to observe in this class a pen of poor narrow-loined and thin- scragged ewes, shown by Mr. J. Peel, of Lincoln, as they contrasted so unfavourably among the magnificent animals which the Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire breeders have brought, to dispose of to Lincolnshire customers. Improved Lincolns. This class has been aopointed, according to the cus- tom of the Society, to test or develope the breeding capabilities of the district in which the meeting is held ; and we may say, that on no former occasion has the local class of sheep been so numerously filled with good animals, or so well characterized by good mutton and fine qualities. The Improved Lincoln occupies a very extensive district of the country, and, from the fact of producing a longer and heavier fleece than any other sheep, forms a very important breed. We cannot say that all the sheep exhibited in this class were of peculiar merit ; indeed, from what we know of the various Lin- 128 THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE. cola flocks, we anticipated a still better show : but we can safely afiirm that many of the animals possess great beauty, extraordinary substance and symmetry, good looks, fine quality of flesh, and a long thick-set staple of very good wool. Without the amazing proportions of the Cotswold or New Oxfordshire breeds, they have hitherto failed to succeed in competition with them in the same class ; but as animals profitable to both breeder and grazier in meat and wool, they are abundantly able to enter the field against the broader framed but lighter skinned Cotswolds. Class I. — Shearling Rams. — The first prize is awarded to Mr. John Clarke, of Long Sutton, Lincoln- shire, for a good well-made sheep, with good mutton and plenty of wool. The second prize to Mr. Thomas Greetbam, of Wragby, Lincolnshire, for a useful far- mers' sheep, fairly proportioned, and of considerable merit. There are two commendations for the very useful shearlings of Mr. Percival Richardson, of Horkstow Villa, near Barton upon Humber, Lincolnshire, bred from the long celebrated stock of Mr. J. Kirkham, of Hagnaby, near Spilsby, Lincolnshire, who also exhibits two good sheep. With the exception of two capital rams shown by Mr. J. B. Colton, of Eagle Hall, near Newark, and two good sheep of Mr. Abrahams', unfor- tunately disqualified in consequence of wrong entry, there is nothing else in this class worthy of special remark. Class TL — Rams of any other Age, Both first and second prizes are taken by Mr. John Clarke. Both animals of great size, breadth, and depth ; good rumps, loins, and legs ; firm, beautiful meat, and very heavy wool. The first prize sheep is ex- ceeded in girth, we believe, by only one sheep in the yard — viz., one of Mr. Lane's Cotswolds, and he clipped in three years no less than 51f lbs. of wool. One of Mr. John Clarke's rams is also highly commended. In this class is a very superior Leicester ram, bred by Mr. Abraham, but disqualified from having been entered in the wrong class. Class IIL — Pens of Five Shearling Ewes, Mr. John Kirkham obtains the prize for a lot of very good ewes, having plenty of wool. The ewes of Mr. Henry V. Grantham, of Scawby, near Brigg, Lincoln- Bhire, are highly commended; they are well formed, and well made up, but their wool is perhaps a little too light for long-wool sheep. A commendation is be- stowed upon the pen of ewes exhibited by Mr. W. Dud- ding, of Sax by, near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire ; they are a good lot, with a nice quantity of wool. In the Class of Improved Lincoln Sheep ENTERED FOR THE SPECIAL PrIZES OFFERED BY J. J. TwEEDS, Esq., Mayor of Lincoln, we do not notice any peculiar excellencies, with the exception of those mentioned above ; most part of the foregoing class having also entered in this. For shearling rams, and for older rams, both the first prizes, together with the second prize for older rams, are all taken by Mr. John Clarke, for the same sheep that are winners in the Society's Class. ^P° A notice of the pigs and poultry will appear with that of the implements in our next. CATALOGUE OF IMPLEMENTS, &c., EXHIBITED AT THE SHOW, Thomas Bigg, of Great Dover Street, Southwark, Surrey. A sheep dipping: apparatus, invented, itiiproved, and manu= factured by the exhibiter, price £5 to £3, ia sizes. William Crosskill, of Beverley, Yorkshire. A patent clod crusher, or serrated roller, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter (received the prize of £iO and a silver medal at Southampton, £10 at Shrewsbury, the special gold medal from the Council after the Newcastle meet- ing, and was included ia the sward of the great Council medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851), price, for cash, £16 12s. 6d., to £12 7s., in sizes ; an improved Norwegian harrow, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiter (received tiie prize of £5 at the Royal meeting at York, and included in the award of the great medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851), price £15 15s. ; a Ducie drag harrow, or Illey cultivator (received prizes amountiug to £45 at various meetings of the Royal Agricul- tural Society), price £13 13s. ; and an improved horse rake, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £7 lOj. ; a Hussey's reaping machine, invented by Obed Hussey, of Baltimore, United States, improved and manufac- tured by the exhibiter (this implement was highly commended by the judges of the Royal Agricultural Society, at the Lewes meeting in 1852), price £21 ; a Bell's original reaper, in- vented by the Rev. Patrick Bell, of Carmylie, Scotland, im- proved by Mr. George Bell, of luchmichael by Errol, nianu- lactured by the exhibiter (received the £20 prize at the adjourned trial at Pusey, from the Gloucester meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1853, the £10 prize and the gold medal of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, £40 prize at the great trial at Stirling, and £10 prize of the North Lan- cashire Agricultural Society), price £45 ; (new implement) au improved Bell's reaping machine, invented by the Rev. Patrick Bell, of Carmylie, Scotland, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £42 ; a pair horse spring waggon, price £36 ; and a pair-horse waggon (received the head prizes of the so- ciety at Norwich, Exeter, and Lewes, and included in the award of the great Council medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851), price £27; an improved pair-horse waggon, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter (received the prize of the Royal Agricultural Society at Gloucester, in 1853), price £27; a Newcastle or model one-horse cart, for general purposes (received the prize at the Newcastle meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society), price £13 lis. ; an improved Newcastle cart, price £12 7s. ; and a Lewes prize cart, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter (received the prizes at the Norwich, Lewes, and Exeter meetings of the Koyal Agricul- tural Society, price £11 7s. 6d. ; a York prize cart, price £11 78. ; and an improved one-horse cart, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £11 7s. 6d. ; a light Scotch cart, price £10 93.; and thiee pair of patent cart wheels and axles, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £6 3s. 6d. to £7 16s. 6d ; specimens of CrosjkiU's port- able farm railway (received medals from the Royal Agricultural Society, at the Norwich and Exeter meetings), price of the rail- way complete, to carry 15 cwt. loads, 4s. per yard; specimens of trucks for Crosskill'a portable railway, price of each truck £5 10s. ; and an improved iron liquid manure cart, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter (received a medal at the Cambridge meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society), price, with the pump and leather pipe, £22 15s. ; an improved iron pump, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £7 7a. ; a sanitary or tumbler cart, invented by Richard Strattou, of Bristol, improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price £28 lOs. ; a portable four-horse thrashing ma- chine, price £50 ; a coru dressing machine, price £9 ; a six-horse power portable steam engine, price £220; a portable thrashinff, shaking, and dressing machine for steam power, price £95 ; a portable corn mill for steam or water power, price £55 ; a six-horse power patent eccentric mill, price £95 ; and a three-horse power patent eccentric mill, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £45 ; a hand mill for critshing corn, invented, improved and manufactured by Rich- mond and Chandler, of Manchester, price £5 53, ; a portable THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 129 saw mill, price, including 18 inch saw, 181. lOs. ; and a small cake breaker, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 41. 10s. ; three chaff-cutiing machines, invemed, im- proved, and manufactured by Richmond and Chandler, of Mancheater, price 41. lOs., 71., and 9/. ; (uew implements) two chaff cutting machines, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 7Z. and 151.; a machine for breaking oil-cake, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 71. lOs. ; an Archimedian root washer ; invented by Captain Carr, of Tuacheubeck, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter (received a silver medal at the York meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society), price 51. lOs. ; a patent fixture pig- trough, invented by Wm. Torr, Esq., of Aylesby, Lincoln- shire, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 41. ; and a circular iron pig-trough, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 153. F. M. McNeill and Co., of Buahillrow, London. The patented asphalted felt for roofing houses and every description of farm buildings, price Id. per square foot, or 8d. the yard of 3 i inches wide ; models of roofs and specimen framings, illustrating various cheap constructions of roofs for the application of the felt. James Dunlop, of Haddington. A bridle for cart or farm harness, price 17s. 6d. ; and a neck collar for cart or farm harness, improved and manufac- tured by the exhibiter, price IBs. 6d. ; a patented self-adjusting saddle for cart or farm harnes?, invented, improved, and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price £1 7s. 6d. ; a breeching for cart cr farm harness, price £1 4s., and a shaft belly band for cart or farm harness, improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price 83. 6d. ; a set of hames for cart or farm harness, improvt'd by the exhibiter, and manufactured by Wm. Hendry, of Edinburgh, price 8s. 6d.; aback baud for plough harness, price 83. 6d., and a bridle for cart or farm harness, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 9s. 6d. ; a neck collar for cart or farm harness, invented, improved, and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price £1 5s. 6d. ; a saddle for cart or farm harness, price 18s. 6d.; a breeching for cart or farm harness, price 18s. 6d., and a bridle for cart or farm harness, improved and manufactured by the exhibitor, price I63. 6d. ; a model of patented self adjusting saddle, and a model of saddle, with the boards and bearings fixed to the crib. Isaac James, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. (New implements) four patent liquid manure distributors or water carts, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price from £9 to £22. William Boulnois, the Baker-street Bazaar, London. Three patent steel meal or flour mills, invented and manu- factured by S. and C. Adams, of Oldbury ; price. No. 1, £4 123. 6d.; 2 (size exhibited), £5 123. 6d. ; 3, £6 15s.; stand £1 Is. extra; a flour dressing machine, manufactured by W. Norwood, of London, price £2 2s. ; a hand seed drill, manu- factured by Hunt, of Earl's Colue, Essex, price £1 123. 6d.; a farmer's steaming apparatus, invented by John Medworth and W. P. Stanley, of Peterborough, and manufactured by W. P. Stanley, of Peterborough, price £14 ; a portable poultry house and yard, manufactured by W. Stower, of London, price £7 7s. ; two registered poultry troughs and fountains, price 1 Os. and 15s., and a poultry trough, price 2s. 3d. ; a half circular poultry trough, price 4s. 6d., and a quarter circle poultry trough, price 33, both manufactured by Barnard and Bishop, of Norwich ; a 2-^ inch and 3^- inch long barrel patent lift pump, price £2 and £2 I83. ; several specimens of patent lift pumps, invented and manufactured by John Warner and Sons, of 8, Crescent, Jewin-street, London, price £1 15s. to £5 16s.; a small wood tub garden engine, price £5 15s.; a twelve inch alaruna bell in iron frame, price £5 5s. ; a fourteen gallon gal- vanized iron tub garden engine, price £4 15s.; a conservatory pump, with patent spreader, price £110s. ; several conserva- tory syringes, all manufactured by John Warner and Sons, of 8, Crescent, Jewin-street, London, price 78. 6d. to I63. ; a metal hen coop, invented by Joseph Hardmeat, of Lynn, and manufactured by Robert Hunt, of London, price 128. Gd. ; two wire feed guards and feeders for chickens, manufactured by Robert Hunt, of London, price 4a. 6d. to 63. 6d. ; a portable hens' nest, price 63. 6d. ; a hopper feeder for corn for poultry, price 53. 6d. ; a lime box for poultry, price 33. 6d., and a zinc conical fountain for water for poultry, invented by Joseph Hardmeat, of Lynn, and manufactured by G. Hunt, of London, price 3s. tid. ; a zinc conical fountain, manufactured by G. Hunt, of Loudon, price Is, 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; a circular cast iron poultry trough, iuven'ed and manufactured by Barnard and Bishop, of Norwich, price 63. ; an economical feeding trough, invented by Joseph Hardmeat, of Lynn, and manufactured by G. Hunt, of London, price Ss. 6d.; and a box of models and papers. Frederick J. Wilson, of 32, Cadogan-place, Chelsea, Middlesex. A patent cottage allotment and coal barrow, price SI.; two garden and stable barrows, price 21. 6s. and £2 2s , and a general purposes navvy barrow, price £2, all invented by the exhibiter. Matthew Gibson and Son, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A revolving cultivator or grubber, for cleaning, aerating, and pulverizing the soil, price £21 ; and (new implement) a re- volving subsoiler, for stirring the subsoil without bringing it to the surface, invented by Robert Hall, of Prudhoe, North- umberland, improved by M. Gibson, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £20 ; (new implement) a two horse cultivator or grubber, price £4 IO3.; and two improved Northumberland clod crushers, to one of which was awarded a nrize medal at the Exhibition of all Nations at London in 1851, and was commended at Gloucester in 1853, price £17 lOs. and .£15 lOs., all invented and improved by Matthew Gibson, and manufactured by the exhibiters. Freeman Roe, of 70, Strand, London. An hydraulic ram, improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price £l5 153. ; a farm fire engine, price £12 12s. ; a garden engine, price £4 10s. ; a liquid manure distributor, price £2 10s.; a common pump, price £1 153, and a liquid manure pump, with suction 70 feet long, price £3 5s , all ma> nufactured by the exhibiter ; a milk syphon, invented by Lord Camoys, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 9d. ; a sluice valve, 3 inches in diameter, price £2 14s., and an hydrant or fire plug, with stand pipe, invented and manufactured by the eshibiler, price £3 17s. 6d.; a lift pump, manufactured hy the exhibiter, price £3 15s. ; garden hose of various kinds, with jet and spreader, price from 6d. per foot, jet and spreader from 73. 6d. ; a Scotch cart, manufactured by G. and C. Tiller, of Damerham, Wilts, price £14, and a model ram with cisterns and pipe, manufactured hy the exhibiter, price £4 43. Holmes and Sons, of Prospect-place Works, Globe- lane, Norwich. A six horse power improved portable steam engine, price 2101., if with wooden wheels 51. extra ; an improved portable combined thrashing or bolting, straw shaking, riddling, winnowing, and chaffing tnacliine (to this machine the first prize medal at the Great Exhibition was awarded), price 951., and a five horse power improved portable steam engine, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 190^.; an improved thrashing, straw shaking, and riddling machine, price 63L; a small occupation corn and seed drilling machine, price 151. 4s. ; the Bath and West of England Society's prize economical manure, mangel wurzel, and turnip drilling ma- chine (to this drill the Bath and West of England Society's prize was awarded at Taunton, 1852, and at Plymouth, 1853), price 14Z. ; an improved four- row lever manure, mangel, and turnip seed drilling machine, price 20Z. ; the prize manure dis- tributor, price 131. IO3. ; an improved steerage horse hoe, price 5/. lOs., and two corn dressing or winnowing machines, in- vented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 101. lOs. and 51. IO3.; an improved chaff cutting engine, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 11/. ; a one- row lever hand mangel wurzel and turnip drilling machine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 11. 178. 6d. Bernhard Samuelson, of Banbury, Oxford. Six sizes of Samuelson's patent Gardner's turnip cutter, for cattle and sheep (double action), invented by the late James Gardner, of Banbury, improved by Alexander Samuelaon, of 130 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Banbury, and manufactured by the exhibiter (this imple- ment obtained the prize medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851, and the 51. prize at the Royal Agricultural Society's show at Lewes in 1852), price from 31, 19s. to 61. ; two patent turnip cutters, invented by Edmund Moody, late of Maiden Bradley, improved by Hugh Carson, of Warminster, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price Al. 8s. each ; a Samuel- son's patent forking or digging machine, invented and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price al; Banbury, 24L lOs. ; a rising mouth chaff cutter for hand power, manufactured by the exliibiter, price 31. I63.; two sizes of Richmond's improved No. 1 A chaff cutting machines, manufactured by Messrs. Richmond and Chandler, of Salford, price 71- and il. 10s. ; a universal crushing or bruising mill, invented by the late Mr. Stratton, of Bristol, improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price 51. 4s. 6d. ; a beau splitting mill, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 21. ; an oil cake breaker, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 2L 3s. ; a five tine horse hoe, price 31. 6s. 6J., and a three tine horse hoe, invented by AVilliam Busby, of Bedale, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 21. 13a. ; two sizes of Anthony's patent American churn, invented by Charles Anthony, of Pittsburg, United States, improved by W. Burgess, of London, and manufactured by the exhibiter (it took a silver medal at the Society's meeting at Exeter, a prize medal at the Great Ex- hibition, 1851, and the 31. prize at Gloucester, 1853), price II. 15s. and 21. Os. 6d. ; a registered atmospheric churn, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price II. lis. 6d. ; six sizes of Kase's patent force and suction pump (double action), in- vented by Kase of the United States, improved and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price 7^.193. to 26Z. lOs.; seven sizes of Budding's lawn mowing machine or grass cutter, with Samuelson's registered improvements, invented by E. Budding, of Dursley, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 51. lOs. to 91. 10s.; two sizes of a garden roller, designed and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 21. 83. GJ. and 31. ; a patent horse hoe and turnip singler, invented by Thomas Huckvale, of Chipping Norton, manufactured by the ex- hibiter (a prize of 31, was awarded to this implement at Liverpool, 1841), price with singling and hoeing blades 6Z. 15s. ; a single-row turnip drill for small occupations, invented by G. Billing, of Haseley, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 21. 53.; a case of patent wrought iron folding camp stools, invented by Brown Brothers, of London, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 10s. 6d. each ; a bundle of cast; steel digging forks, invented and manufactured by Francis Parkes, of Sutton ColdQeld, price from 5s. each upwards ; a cast iron pig trough with semi- circular bottom, mannfactured by the exhibiter, price 2s, 6ii. per running foot. Burgess and Key, 103, Newgate- street, London. A patent reaper, invented and maimfactured by Cyrus Hall MeCormick, of Chicago, United States, (this implement re- ceived the council medal at the Great Exhibition, 1851 ; the first prize at the North Lancashire Agricultural Society, 1851; first prize at the East Cumberland Agricultural Society at Carlisle, 1851 ; first prize at the Great Yorkshire Show at Sheffield, 1852 ; first prize at Durham, 1852; award of the Driffield Farmers' Club, 1852; av/ard of the Jury appointed at the nine days' trial of reapers at the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, 1852; highly commended at the Royal Agricultural Society's trial of reapera at Pusey, 1853), price £30 ; seven sizes of a patent churn (American), invented by C. J. Anthony, of Pittsburg, United States, improved and mannfactured by the exhibiters, (received the Society's prize at all their meetings since its introduction in 1850), price £2 2s. to £3 2s. ; six sizes of a patent lift and force pump, invented by C. A. Kase, of America, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £14 14s. to £25 ; two lift pumps, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £3 and £4 4s. ; a patent lift and force pump, invented by Robert Urwin, of Stepney, manufactured by the exhibiters, price £12 123.; three bundles of five-tined, four-tined, and three-tined digging forks, invented and manufactured by Francis Parkes, of Birmingham (awarded the prize of the Royal Agricultural Societ^r, and numerous others), price, each fork, 63. 6d., 63., and 4s.; a bundle of hay forks, price, each fork. Is. 9d. and upwards, and a bundle of pitching forks, invented and im- proved by Francis Parkes, price, each fork, 4s. 9d. and upwards; an assortment (one of each) of forks of every kind, price, each fork, 3s. and upwards ; a bundle of steel spadea, price 4s. 6d. and upwards, and two complete sets of draining tools, invented and manufactured by Parkes, of Birmingham, price £1 lOs. and £1 15s. ; (new implement). Grant's patent American winnowing machine and blower, invented by Grant, U. S. of America, manufactured by Barrett, Exal!,and Co., of Reading, price £7 lOs.; a farm fire engine, mvented by Kase of America, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £25 ; coils of different size patent corrugated gutta percha suction pipes, invented by William Burgess, of Loudon, manufactured by the Gutta Percha Company, of London, price 3s. per foot and upwards ; coils of gutta percha tubes of various sizes, invented and manufactured by the Gutta Percha Company, prices from 5d. per foot to Is. lid. ; coils of flax tubing, of various sizes, woven without saam to stand great pressure, invented by B. Brown, manufactured by Waithman, of Bentham Mills, prices Is. to 23. 6d. per yard ; a length of corrugated suction, covered vfith canvas, invented by W. Burgess, of London, manufactured by the Gutta Percha Company, of London, price, per foot, Ss. 3d. ; three sets of patent four-beam diagonal iron harrows, invented by Lawrence Taylor, of Cotton End, improved and manufac- tured by William Williams, of Bedford (these harrows obtained a prize at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at Derby, 1843; at Southampton, 1844; at Shrewsbury, 1845 ; at Northampton, 1847 ; at Norwich, 1849; at Exeter, 1850; the prize medal was also awarded for these harrows at the Great Exhibition of 1851 ; also a prize at Lewes meeting, 1852 ; also at Gloucester, 1853), price £3 Ss. to £4 4s. ; a machine for making drain pipes and tiles, invented by Sanders and Williams, of Bedford, improved and manufactured by William Williams, of Bedford (a prize of £25 was awarded to this machine at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at Northampton, 1847 ; and at Dublin, 1851), price £17 17a.; four sizes of a small chaff engine, with two knives, price £3 to £12 12s., and a chaff engine, with three knives, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by William Williams, of Bedford, price £14 14s.; a patent horse rake, invented by Samuel Taylor, of Cotton End, improved and manufactured by William Williams, of Bedford (a prize was awarded to this implement at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at South- ampton, 1844 ; also at Norwich, 1849 ; and at the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland meeting at Dublin, 1851), price £7 10s.; a combined expanding horse hoe, scarifier, and moulding plough, improved and manufactured by William Williams, of Bedford, price £4 10s.; three sizes of a patent wrought-iron plough, with two wheels, suitable for two horses, improved and manufactured by William Williams, of Bedford, price £4 to £5 lOs. ; (new implement), a patent revolver or liq\iid-manure and water cart, invented and manufactured by CoUinson Hall, of Prince's Gate, Navestock, Essex, price £25; (new implement), a portable steam engine, adapted for self- locomotion, invented and manufactured by Thomas Charlton, of Stratford, Essex, price £450 ; two garden syringes, invented and manufactured by Tylor and Sons, Warwick-lane, price £1 5s. and £1 ISs. ; a grain cradle, invented by J. G. Grant, of Junction, United States, price £1 53. ; a bundle of five-tined digging forks, price 63; Cd. each, and a bundle of four-tined digging forks.price 63. each; a bundle of forks, prices from 4s. 6d. upwards; a bundle of steel spades, prices from 4s. 6d. upwards, and a bundle of tools, various, all invented by F. Parkes, of Birmingham, prices from 3s. 6d. upwards ; a suction pipe, in- vented by W. Burgess, of London, and manufactured G. P Company, of London, price £1 Ss. ; a roll of leather hose, price, two- inch in diameter, 2s. 6d. per foot; a brass jet for delivery, price £1 123.; a set of guttapercha pails, manufac- tured by the Gutta Percha Company, London, prices from 63. Gd. upwards. Richard Rea.d, of 35, Regent Circus, Piccadilly, London. A pateut subsoil pidverizer, invented by the late John Read, of 35, Regent Circus, manufactured by the exhibiter (a prize of £10 was awarded for this implement at Southampton in the year 1844, at Shrewsbury in 1845, at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 184G, and at Northampton in 1847, price £5 5s.; two patent double action agricultural fire-engines complete, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £18 18s. and £45 ; apateut watering engine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £7 10s,; a patent injecting instrument, and tube complete, for horses, cattle, &c., invented by the late John THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 131 Read, improved aud manufactured by the exhibiter (this in- strument was highly commended by the judges at the Lewes meeting-, July, 1852), price £2 lOs. ; two sizes of a hollow prohang, for relieving hoven or choked cattle, &c., invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 10s. and £] lOs. ; a patent hand v/atericg machine (this machine was highly commended by tbe judges at the Lewes meeting, 1852), price £2 123. 6d., and a patent double action greenhouse pump, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter (this machine was highly commended by the judges at the Glou- cester meeting, July, 1853), price £4 10s.; (uew implement), a patent machine to reduce roots to a pulp (for steam-power), invented and manufactured by Messrs. Nye and Gilbert, of 79, Wardour-street, London, price £7 7s. ; a patent mincing ma- chine, for mincing meat, vegetables, and other substances, invented and manufactured by Messrs. Nye and Gilbert, of 79, Wardour-street, price £2 10s. William Smith, of Kettering, Northamptonshire. An improved double-blasted winnowing machine, price £13 ISs. ; two sizes of an improved steerage horse-hoe with double bar, price £6 10s. and £7, with lever affixed £1 extra ; an im- proved steerage horse-hoe with single bar, price £5 10s., and a two-horse scarifier or skim plough, all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £5. Bahrett, Exall, and Andrews, near Reading, Berks. A sLx-horse power improved portable steam engine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters (this engine ob- tained the commendation of the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Exeter, the prize medal of the Great Exhibition of All Nations, aud the prize of 201. of the Royal Agricultural Society of England held at Lewes), price, if with wood wheels, 210/.; an eight-horse ditto, price 240?. ; (new implement) an eight-horse power horizontal fixed steam engine, price 186/., if erected 12/. extra; an eight-horse power cylindrical steam engine (this engine obtained the first prize of 20/. at the Royal Agricultural Society's show held at Lewes in 1852), price, in- cluding boiler, but exclusive of connections between engine and boiler, 186/. ; (new implement) a six-horse power portable combined thrashing machine, price 88/. ; (new implement) a new portable combined thrashing machine, for thrashing, dress- ing, and weighing the corn for market, price 120/. ; a three- horse power patent iron thrashing machine aad patent horse gear, price 40/. 173.; and a two-horse portable patent thrash- ing machine and patent safety horse gear, price, as a fixture, 34/. 43., all invented, improved, and manufactured by the ex- hibiters ; a pair of Derbyshire portable millstones, in iron frame complete, invented by the exhibiters, price 42/. ISs. ; (new implement) a steam power paragon or universal mill for crush- ing corn, &c., price 25/.; (new implements) two sizes of a paragon grain crushing mill, for hand power, price 5/. 10s. and 71. 7a.; (new implements) two sizes of a patent iron chaff cutter, price 5/. and 5/, lOs.; (new implement) a patent iron chaff cutter, for horse or steam power, price 14/. lOs. ; a bar- ley aveller or hummeller, price 5/.; and a barley aveller, for horse or steam power, price 71., all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters ; a patent horse rake, for hay, &c., invented aud manufactured by the exhibiters (it had awarded the prize of the Great Yorkshire Society at Sheffield ; also the first class medal of the Royal Improvement Society of Ireland at Galway), price 7/. 12s.; a registered hay-making machine, price \5l., aud a portable circular-saw bench, price 14/., invented, improved, and manufactured by tbe exhibiters ; a patent subsoil plough (this plough obtained the following prizes awarded by the Royal Agric. Society : 10/. at Southamp- ton, Shrewsbury, Newcastle, Northampton, and York), price 5/.; a Chandler's patent liquid manure drill, invented by Mr. Thomas Ciiandler, of Aldbourue, improved and manufactured by Robert and John Reeves, of Bratton, near Westbury, Wilts (the following prizes have been awarded to these drills by the Royal Agricultural Society of England : silver medal at York, the prize lor the best liquid manure distributor at Nor- wich, also the prize for the same at Exeter, and the prize of 10/. for the best liquid and seed drill at Gloucester, given by P. Pusey, Esq.), price 27/. lOs. ; aud a smaller size, price 24J. Thomas Grimsley, df Oxford. ("New implement) a new patent brick and tile machine, in- vented by the exhibiter, and manufactured by Charles Lam- pett, of Banbury, Oxon, price 150/. John Wphteiiead, of Preston, Lancashire. A No. 0 tile machine, price 14/. 10s. ; a No. 1 tile ma- chine (prizes were awarded for this machine at the Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting at York, 1848, 20/.; at Nor- wich, 1849, 20/.; at Exeter, 1850, Judges' commendation; at the Exhibiuon of All Nations, 1851, the Prize Medal ; was not exhibited in 1852 ; at the Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting at Gloucester, 1853, £10 ; besides a number of prizes at local meetings), price 21/. ; and another size, price 28/., all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter; a patent socketing apparatus, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 71. 7s. ; an improved brick making and pressing machine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 6/. 16s. ; a roll of machine-made hare- proof netting of iron wire, manufactured by the exhibiter, prices per lineal yard from 4d. upwards ; a set of improved cast-iron stable fittings, price 1/. 18s.; a set of iron mangers, price Ss. and upwards ; and a set of iron hay racks, price 53. and upwards, all manufactured by the exhibiter ; a set of draining tools, price 1/. 123.; a mangling and wringing machine, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 3/. 15s. James Hayes, of Elton, near Oundle, Huntingdon« shire. Four sizes of a grinding mill, invented, improved, and ma- nufactured by the exhibiter, price £13 15s. to £25 lOs. Marie Pierre Amaranthe Ferdinand Mazier, of L'Aigle (Orne), France. (New implement) a reaping machine, invented by the exhi- biter, and manufactured by Lesieur, of L'Aigle, price £32. Richard Garrett and Son, of Leiston Works, near Saxmundham, Suffolk. A drill for general purposes, invented, improved, aud manu- factured by the exhibiters (prizes were awarded for this drill at Liverpool, 1841, £10; at Derby, 1843, £30; at Southampton, 1844, £20; and a medal at Northampton, 1847, £15; at Exeter, 1850, £10 ; at the Great Exhibition of 1851, included in the award of the Council Medal; and at Gloucester, 1853, £10), price with seven jointed levers and ten corn levers and tins, £47 53., if with improved fore carriage steerage £4 extra ; a drill for turnips and manure on the flat (prizes were awarded for this drill at Cambridge, 1848, £10; at Northampton, 1847, £10; at York, 1848, £10; at the Great Exhibition of 1851 included in the award of the Council Medal; and at Gloucester, 1853, 10/.), price complete 26/. 5s, ; a drill for turnips and mangel wurzel with manure on the ridge, im- ])roved and manufactured by the exhibiters (prizes were awarded for this drill at Bristol, 1842, 20/.; at Northampton, 1847, £10; and at Norwich, 1849, 10/.), price 24/. 73. 6d.; (new implement) a two row economical drill for turnips, mangel wurzel, aud artificial manures on the ridge, price £19 ; a patent drop drill for turnips and other seeds, with manure on the flat or ridge, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhi- biters (prizes were awarded for this drill at Norwich, 1849, £10; at Exeter, 1S50, £10; at Lewes, 1852, £10; and at Gloucester, 1853, £10), price 27/.; a three row economical seed and manure drill for turnips, &c., with manure on the flat or ridge (prizes were awarded for this drill at Lewes, 1852, £5, and at Gloucester, 1853, 5/.), price 14/. ; (new implement) a three row economical drill, witii improved jointed levers, for turnips, mangel wurzel, aud artificiil manures on the flat or ridge, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £16 16s.; a broadcast manure distributor, invented by IT. E. Blyth, Esq , of Sussex Farm, Burnham, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters (a prize of £5 was awarded for this machine at Lewes, 1852, and of 10/. at Gloucester, 1853), price £16 lOs. ; two sizes of a patent liquid manure drill, in- vented by Thomas Chandler, of Aldbourn, Hungerford, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 27/. lOs. aud £35; a ten row lever corn and seed drill (to this drill a prize of £10 was awarded at Norwich, 1849), price £?5 15s.; an eleven row lever corn drill, price £31 ; and a thirteen row lever corn and seed drill, improTed and manufactured by the exbibi- 132 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ters, price £29 ISs. ; (new implement) a twelve row Norfolk corn drill, price £23 10s. ; a seven row lever cora and seed drill (a prize of lOl. was awarded for this drill at Exeter in 1850, aud of 5/. at Lewes in 1852), price 17/. lOs. ; a five row turnip, mangel wurzel, and vegetable seed diill, invented, im- proved, aud manufactured by the exhibiters (a prize medal was awarded for this drill at Gloucester, 1853, price £17 lOs.; a patent liquid aud manure drill, invented by W. C. Spooner, Esq., of Eliug House, Southampton, manufactured by Tasker Powie, of Andover, price £35 10s.; ahorse power seed engine, price £18; and a hand barrow drill, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £4 ; (new implement) a mauure distributor, invented by Mr. Hastings, of Longhara, Norfolk, manufactured by the exhibiters, price £10 ; a No. 5 Gdrreti's patent horse hoe (prizes were awarded for this imple- ment at Liverpool, 1841, 5/. ; at Bristol, 1842, 10/. ; at Derby, 1843, a medal; at Southampton, 1844, a medal; at North- ampton, 1847, a medal; at York, 1848, a medal; at Norwich, 1849, 10/. ; at Exeter, 1850, 10/. ; at the Great Exhibition of 1851, council medal; at Lewes, 1852, 10/. ; and at Glou- cester, 1853, £10), price 17/. lOs. ; and a No. 9 Garrett's pa- tent horse hoe, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 23/. 10s. ; a patent revolving horse hoe, in- vented by John Martin, of Barmer, near Eakenham, improved aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price 31/. 10s. ; a patent horse hoe aud turnip thinner on the ridge and flat, invented by Thomas Huckvale, of Chipping Norton, improved aud manu- factured by the exhibiters (a prize of 3/. was awarded for this implement at Liverpool in 1841), price 6/. ; a patent fixed com- bined thrasliiag machine, for steam power, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters (this machine obtained prizes at Lewes, 1852, 20/.; at Norwich, 1849, 25/.; in the Great Exhibition of 1851 was incliified in the award of the council medal ; and at Gloucester, 1853, prize medal), price 72/.; a patent portable combined thrashing machine, for steam power, pace 110/. ; a patent portable combined open drum thrashing machine for steam power, price 85/. 10s.; a portable combined thrashing machine, for steam power (the prize of 25/. was awarded for this machine at Norwich in 1849, and it was in- cluded in the award of the council medal of the Exhibition, 1851), price 66/. ; a four horse power open drum thrashing machine (this machine obtained the prize of 20Z. at the Lewes Meeting in 1852), price 61/.; a two horsepower portable thrashing machine barn work (this machine obtained the prize of 10/. 8t the Lewes Meeting in 1852, price 40/.; a four horse power bolting thrashing machine (prizes were awarded for this machine at Newcastle, 1846, 25/. ; at Northampton, 1847, 20/.; aud at York-, 18i8, 20/.), price 33/.; and a corn dressing machine, fitted with a rotary corn separator, all invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 25/. ; a barley aveller or hummelling machine, improved and manu- factured by the exhibiters, price 10/.; a set of corn elevators. With maiu driving shaft aud pulleys, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 50/. ; an improved self acting weighing apparatus, price 7/. 73. ; a seven horse power portable steam engine, price complete 235/. ; a six horse power improved portable steam engine, price 234/.; a five horse power portable steam engine (a prize of 50/. was awarded for this engine at Norwich, 1819, and it was included in the award of the council medal, at the Great Exhibition of 1851), price com- plete 200/. ; an eight horse power fixed steam engine, price 210/. ; a powerful mill, on an improved principle, for crushing bones, coprolite, &c., to be driven by steam power, price with driving pulley and hopper complete 90/. ; and a circular saw bench, price 25/., all improved and manufactured by the exhi- biters ; a corn dressing machine, price 8/. 10s., and a corn dressing machine, fitted with powerful blast, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 14/. ; a linseed, malt, Bi:d oat crusher, price 11/. lOs. ; a rape aud linseed cake crusher, price 11/., a smaller size 4.1. 15s.; a chaff cutter for horse or steam power, price 15/.; a chaff cutter for horse or hand power, price 11/.; and a chaff cutter for hand power, all improved aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price 71. ; an improved turnip cutter, adapted for either hand, horse, or steam power, price 71. ; (new implement) a Garrett's im- proved reaping machiue, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 35/.; an Atkin's automaton or self- raking reaping machine, invented by Jearum Atkins, of Chi- cago, Illinois, United States, improved and manufactured by the eshibiiera, price 50/, ; an improved corn reaping machine, invented by Obed Husse)', of Baltimore, United States, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiters (this machine had a silver medal awarded it at Lewes, 1852), price 21/. John Keable, of Lamboura, near Hungerford, Berks. Two sizes of a registered guard frame pig trough, invented by the exhibiter, and manufactured by Arthur Silcock, of Chippenham, Wilts, price 1/. 15s. and 21. 15s. William Pacey, of Lincoln. A set of one-horse harrows, price 21. ; a set of two-horse harrows, price 21. 5s. ; a set of one-horse harrows, price 1/. 15s. ; a set of two horse harrows, price 21. ; a set of three- horse harrows, price 21. 5s. all invented and manufactured by the exhibiter. William Pierce, of Cannon-house, Queen-street, Cheapside, London. (New implement) a reaping machine, invented, improved, and manufactured by Obed Hussey, of Baltimure, United States, price 21/. ; (new implement) a steel mill, invented and manufactured by Thomas Buxton, of Malton, Yorkshire, price 10/. 10s. ; a corn bruiser, invented, improved, and manufac- tured by Richmond aud Chandler, of Sallord, Manchester, price 5/. 5s. ; a corn crusher, improved and manufactured by K. Porshaw and Co., of Liverpool, price 6/. lOs. ; a corn crusher, invented and manufactured by Messrs. Whitmee and Co., of London, price 71. ; three sizes of a small chaff-cuting machiue, invented by John Cornea, of Barbridge, Cheshire, aud improved and manufactured by James Cornes, of Bar- bridge, Cheshire, price 3/. 6s. to 6/. 15s. ; a new turnip cutter and root slicer, with cylindrical motion, price 5/. lOs. ; and. a turnip cutter with vertical motion, both invented and manu- factured by John Kealy, of 369, Oxford street, London, improved by Evan Davis, of London, price 4/. 4s. ; a rotary screening machine, invented and improved by Alexander K. Smith, of Exeter, manufactured by Francis Arding, of Ux- bridge, price 6/.6s. ; several sets of stable fittings, invented, improved, and mjnufactured by Samuel Hood, of Thames- street, London, at different prices ; three new ornamental cast- iron seats, price 2/. 23., 21. 12s. 6d. and 21. 3s.; and three ornamental cast-iron revolving tables, invented aud manufac- tured by Barwell and Co., of Northampton, price 1/. 14s. 6d. ; a turnip cutter and root slicer, invented and manufactured by John Kealy, of 369, Oxford- street, London, improved by Evan Davis, of London, price 17/. 17s.; several ornamental rustic flowef stands and tables, at different prices, invented and manufactured by John Curran, of Cheshire ; four sizes of a poultry trough, price 2s. 9d. to lOs. each ; and an improved Norfolk pig trough, invented and manufactured by Barnard and Bishop of Norwich, price 93. 6d. ; several bundles of steel digging forks; invented, improved, and manufactured by Fiancis Parkes, of Birmingham, at different prices; a patent self-adjusting scythe, invented and improved by Boyd, of Lou- don, manufactured by William Dray and Co., of London, price 10s. 6d.; Cogan's patent glass churns, price from 33s. each; glass butter or pastry slabs, price from 10s. each ; and glass tiles and slates for farm buildings, price from lOJ. to 23. each ; Lord Camoy's sypboos for separating milk from cream, price Is. 6d. each; Cogan's glass poultry fountains, price from 2g. each ; glass milk pans, and a variety of dairy glass, price from 6d. to 5s. each. John Gillam, of Woodstock, Oxfordshire. A seed and corn separator, invented and improved by the exhibiter (obtained a silver medal at Gloucester, July, 1853), price 13/. 13s. Williams and Mowle, of Egerton-street Foundry, Chester. A six-horse power portable steam engine, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 205/. John Barker, of Dunnington, Yorks. A burnished one-horse cart, price 18/.; a painted one-horse eart, price 13/. 10s.; a strong one or two horse Yorkshire cart, price 13/. 10s. ; an improved winnowing machine, price 10/. IDs. ; a deep-breasted wheel plough, price 5/.; an iron wheel plough for general purposes, price 41, Ss. ; a light iron THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. l:?3 wheel plough for light land, price 3i. 15s. ; a double-breasted expanding iron plough for making ridges, price 31. lOs. ; a subsoil pulverizer, price 6/. lOa. ; a five tined drill grubber, price 51. ; a five tined horse hoe or grubber, price 21. lOa. ; a three tined horse hoe, price 21. ; a three sheared iron horse hoe, price 21. 2a. ; (new implement) a parallel expanding hoise hoe, price 41. is. ; a set of improved serpentine seed harrows, price 31. 10a. ; a set of improved 'serpentine harrows for general purposes, price 3Z. 10s.; a set "of atroug jointed serpen- tine or zigzag harrows, price il. lOs. ; a pair of circular ridge harrows, price IZ. 123. 6d. ; a set of equalizing three horse draughts, price II. lOs. ; and a set of iron box whippletrees, all invested, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price II. Is. Braggins and Chester, of Banbury, Oxfordshire. A double acting turnip cutting machine, price 4L 16s. ; and four sizes of a single acting turnip cutting machine, all invented by James Gardner, of Banbury, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 31. 7s. to il. 4s. ; two rising mouth lever chaff cutting machines, price 31. 12s.; a bean mill, price 11. 13s. ; an oil cake breaker, price 21. 10s. ; and an atmospheric churn, on stand, all manufactured by the exhibiters, price 1/. 12s. Hugh Carson, of Warminster, Wiltshire. (New implement) a Chandler's patent liquid manure or water drill, invented by Mr. Thomas Chandler, of Aldbourne, improved and manufactured by Robert and John Reeves, of Bratton (the following prizes have been awarded to these drills by the Royal Agricultural Society of England : — Silver medal at York, 1848, prize for the best liquid manure dis- tributor, at Norwich, 1849, prize for the best liquid manure distributor, at Exeter, 1850, and the prize of lOZ. given by P. Pusey, Esq., for the best liquid and seed drill, at Gloucester, 1853), price 271. lOs. ; a horse hoe and scuffling plough, price 31. 33 , and a chaff cutter (to be worked by horse or steam power), invented, improved, and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price 101. 10a. ; two sizes of a chaff cutter (to be worked by hand power), invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price il. lOs. and 51. 10s. ; a Moody's patent turnip cutter, invented by Edmund Moody, late of Maiden Bradley, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter (this machine obtained the prize as the best turnip cutter for sheep at the meiting of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, at Taunton, 1852, and as the best turnip cutter for cattle at the meeting of the same society at Plymouth, 1853 ; it was also highly commended by the judges of the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Gloucester, 1853), price 41. lOs., other sizes 4Z. 4s. and 51. ; a double cheese press, with double lever (this press obtained the prize at the meeting of the Batfi and West of England Agricultural Society at Plymouth, 1853), price 5Z. ; and a single cheese press, with double lever, both invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 21. 10s. John Cook, of Eagle, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. A Lincolnshire wheel plough, with long mould board, in- vented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter (has taken several prizes at various ploughing-mectings in the counties of Lincoln and Nottingham, price 31. ISs. ; a wheel plough, with short mould hoard, manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price 31. 3s. ; a swing plough, price 21. 73. ; a one horse plough, price 21. 2s.; a scarifier, price 31. 15s.; a Lin- colnshire waggon, price 36 L; a Lincolnshire plank-sided cart, price 14Z. lOs.; and a one horse plank-sided cart, all improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 131. lOs. Robert Hunt, of Earls Colne, near Halstead, Essex. An improved engine for drawing clover and trefoil seed, price on wood frame for steam power 251. 5s., on iron frame for ditto 271. 5s., if made portable for wheels and draughts 41. 43. ; a chaff engine, for steara or horse power, price 131. 13s.; an improved chaff engine, for horse or hand power, price 12/. Os. 6d. ; an Essex improved scythe, for mowing wheat, &c., price lis. 6d. ; three sizes of a hand seed drill, for drilling turnips, mangels, &c., improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price 11. 53., 1/. lOs., and 31. 3s.; (new implements) two sizes of a Joseph Warren's new patent expanding plough, invented and manufactured by Joseph Warren, of Maldou, price 21, ISa. 6d. and 31, 13s. 6d. Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co., of Lincoln. A twenty horse power portable steam engine, price 4501. ; a six horse power patent portable steam engine (this engine received a prize of 25?. at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting held at Norwich, 1849, 25/. at Exeter, 1850, a prize medal at the Great Exhibition of All Nations, 1851, and the first prize of 20/. at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting held at Gloucester, 1853) price 220/.; a five horse power patent portable steam engine, price 200/. ; a lour horse power patent portable steam engine, price 180/.; a six horse power fixed steam engine (this engine had the first prize of 20/. awarded to it at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting held at Gloucester in 1853), price 175/. nett; an eight horse power fixed steam engine, price 210/. ; a combined portable thrashing, straw shaking, riddling, winnowing, chaff separating, and barley horning machine (this machine was exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting held at Lewes, 1852, and had a prize of 20/. awarded to it), price 95/. ; a combined portable thrashing, straw shaking, riddling, winnowing, chaff separating, and barley horning machine, price 95/. ; a set of fixed barn works (a silver medal and 10/. were awarded to this piece of machinery when exhibited at the Society's meeting held at Lewes, 1852, and a silver medal at the Society's mett- ing held at Gloucester, 1853), price 150/. nett; a pair of registered portable Derbyshire millstones, driven by steam power (this grinding mill received the prize of 10/. at the Royal Agricultural Society's meetinir held at Norwich, 1849, also at Exeter, 1850, and again at Gloucester, 1853), price 48/. ; a portable circular saw bench, price 15/.; a portable cir- cular-saw bench, price 35/. ; a fixture circular-saw table, price 150/.; a portable thrashing, straw shaking, and riddling ma- chine, and all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 65/. Frederick Phillips, of Downtam, near Brandon, Suffolk. (New implements) two sizes of a patent turnip and general root pulping machine, invented by the exhibiter, and manu- factured by Charles Burrel, of Thetford, price 11/. lis. and 18/. 18s. Thomas Scragg, of Calveley, near Tarporley, Cheshire. A single- action tile machine (the prize of 20/. was awarded to this machine at the Lewes Show in 1852), price 16/., and (new implement) a brick press, price 3/., both invented and manufactuied by the exhibiter. William Hunter, of Binbrook, near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. A drill for general purposes, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 31/. 10s. ; a corn hoe for ten rows, invented by Mr, Bourn, of Fulston, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 10/. 10s. ; a blower, price 3/. 10s., and a culti- vator, grubber, or scarifier, price 21. 10s., both invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiter ; and a horse-hoe on the flat or ridge, improved and manufactured by the exhi- biter, price 21. Ann Simpson and Thomas Simpson, of Lincoln. A set of steam cooking apparatus, price 16/. ; an improved wrought-iron cylindrical boiler, price 71. ; a powerful cylindrical steam generator, price 12/. 10s. ; au improve.! heating appa- ratus, price 5/. ; and an improved hot water heating apparatus, price 5/. lOs., all improved by Thomas Simpson, of Lincoln, and mar ufactured by the exhibiters; (new implements) three sizes of a patent pulping machine or root grater, price 3/. 10s., 41. 10s., and 51. lOa., and (new implenient) a patent turnip cutter, price 3/. 103., all invented and improved by R. H. Bushe, Esq., of Glencairn, and manufactured the exhibiters ; a set of iron harrows, price 21. 5s. ; three sets of three-beam two- horse iron harrows, with whippletree complete, price 21. 15s., 3/. 10s., and 3/., improved and manufactured by John Smith, of Heighington ; two sets of strong three-beam iron harrows, with whippletree complete, improved and manufactured by William Covin, of Wellingore, price 3/. and 3/. 10s. ; a barley awner or hummelling machine, invented, improved, and manu- factured by Lucas and Wright, of Lincoln, price 4/. lOs.; a single row drill for small occupations, improved and manufac- 134 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. tared by the exhibiters, price 21. 5a. ; several specimeng of an irou hurdle, inauufactured by the exhibiters, price 4s. to 13s. 6d.; an iron field gate, price 11. 6s. ; a wrought iron carriage gate, price £3 ; a wroiight iron garden gate, price 21. 5s. ; and a pair of wrought iron gates, price 41., all improved and manu- factured by the exhibiters ; a strong field gate with cast iron posts, manufactured by the exhibiters, price 21. ; several coils of galvanized wire netting, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price per yard 7d. and upwards ; several lengths of ornameutal iron fencing, manufactured by the exhibiters, price per yard 5s. and upwards ; a pattern length of five-wired strained wire fence, with posts and standards, price per yard Is. 6d. ; a pattern of twisted coil-wire fencing, with improved posts and standards, price per yard 23. 6d. ; an economical cottage range, price 21. lOs. ; and a cottage range, price 31. 10a., invented and improved by Thomas Simpson, of Lincoln, and manufactured by the exhibiters ; a patent prize kitchener or cooking apparatus, invented and improved by Sidney Havel, of Leamington, and manufactured by Sidney Flavel and Belts, of Leamington, price 251. ; a patent prize cooking apparatus, invented, improved, and manufactured by Henry Goddard, of Nottingham, price 151. 15s. ; several specimens of an improved chaff-cuttiug machine, price 4Z. lOs. to Ml. 10s.; three specimens of a newly improved corn crasher, price from 51. 5s. to 14Z. 10s., invented, improved, and manufactured by Richmond and Chandler, of Salford, Manchester; a Northum- berland clod crusher, invented and improved by John Richard- son, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and manufactured by John Richardson and Son, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, price 161. lOs. ; a bean-cutting machine, price 3Z. ISs., and an universal mill, price 81. Ss., invented by Biddell, and manufactured by Ran- sorae and Sims, of Ipswich ; a Hurwood's patent metal mill on stand, manufactured by Ran somes and Sims, of Ipswich, price 14?. 143. ; three sizes of a weighing machine, manufactured by the exhibiters, price 21. 2s. to 31. 15s. ; two specimens of an improved blowing machine, price 61. to 61. 10s., and a dress- ing machine, price 12L, invented and improved by Thomas Bartholomew, of Langton, and manufactured by Joseph Dixon, of Lincoln ; a blowing machine, price 4.I., and a single-row drill for drilling turnips upon ridge, price 71. 10s., invented, improved, and manufactured by W. Edwards, of Welliugore ; an improved turnip grubber or horae-hoe, improved and manu- factured by the exhibiters, price 31. ; a patent lever horse-rake, invented, improved, and manufactured by W. and J. Wright, of Stamford, price 71. ; an improved draining level, invented, improved, and manufactured by W. B. Webster, of Houns- dowD, price 21. 10s. ; a set of patent spring links, invented, improved, and manufactured by Wm. Rice, of Boston, price from 7s. 6d. to IZ. 5s. per pair; an improved horse-hoe, in- vented, improved, and manufactured by AVm. Walker, of West Ash by, price 21 lOs. ; two specimens of an improved tubular iron aud wood swathe rake, invented and manufactured by Warren Sharman, of Melton Mowbray, and improved by Thos. Simpson, of Lincoln, price 18s. and 11. ; an improved tubular iron and wood swathe rake, invented, improved, and manufac- tured by Warren Sharman, of Melton Mowbray, price 16s. 6d. ; an improved tubular iron and wood hand rake, invented, im- proved, aud manufactured by Warren Sharman, of Melton Mowbray, price 3s. 6d. ; a platform weighing machine, invented, improved, and manufactured by W. T. Avery, of Birmingham, price il. 4s. ; a light one horse four wheeled waggon, price 261, and a wood beam wheeled plough, price 21. 2s., invented, improved, and manufactured by Vincent Dawson, of Lincoln ; two seta of cast steel Lincolnshire hay forks, invented, improved, and manufactured by William Curdill, of Legsby, price 11. lOs. andlL16s. ; a set of Lincolnshire hayforks, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price from 5s. to 68. 6d. each, or 11. 3s. per set; a set of two swathe rakes, in- vented, improved, and manufactured by Walker, of West Ashby, price 15s. ; a Chubbs' patent barn or granary door lock, price 11. lYs., and a set of Chubbs' padlocks, price 51. lOs. per set, invented, improved, and manufactured by C. Chubb and Sons, of St. Paul's Churchyard, London ; a seven horse power portable steam engine, invented, improved, and manufactured by Watkinson aud Roby, of Lincoln, price 2201. ; two sizes of an oilcake breaking machine, invented, improved, and manufactured by William Newzam Nicholson, of Newark- upon-Trent, price 31. Ss. and il. 10s. ; a turnip cutting machine, invented by the late James Gardner, of Banbury, improved aud manufactured by Messrs. Ransomea and Sims, of Ipswich, price 4K lOs. ; a double action turnip cutting machine, invented by the late James Gardner, of Baubury, improved and manufactured by Bernard Samuelson, of Baubury, price 51. lOs. ; a patent churn, invented and improved by Mr. Drnmmond, of Stirling, and manufactured by C. D. Young and Co., of Edinburgh, price 31. 12s. 6d.; (new implement) a patent churn, invented, improved, and manufactured by Philip Hunter, of Edinburgh, price IZ. 16s. ; two sizes of a patent fire proof iron safe, invented by Thomas Milner, of Liverpool, improved and manufactured by Thomas Milner and Son, of Liverpool, price 51. and 71- 10s.; astrong holdfast iron fire proof safe, invented, improved, and manufactured by Thos,- Milner aud Son, of Liverpool, price 15 Z. ; astrong solid iron bedstead, for farm servants, &c., manufactured by the exhibi- ters, price 17s. 6d. ; four specimens of a strong solid iron bedstead, manufactured by Peyton and Harlow, of Birming- ham, price £1 6s. 6d. to £3 8s. 6d. ; a superior tubular pillar iion bedstead, manufactured by R. W. Winfield, of Birming- ham, price 8/. 4s. ; a set of four American hayforks, invented, improved, and manufactured by Batchelor and Sons, of Wal- lingford, Massachusetts, United States, price 3s., 4s , 5s. 6d., 7s. each, or 19s. 6 d. per set of four. Thomas Buxton, of New Malton, Yorkshire. (New implement) a twelve inch mill, price £10 ; (new im- plement) a nine inch mill, price £8 ; (new implement) a six inch mill, price 6Z. ; and (new implement) a 5ft. 6in. roller or clod crusher, for crushing clods, rolling wheat or seed land, price ISL, all invented aud manufactured by the exhibiter, RicHAiiD HoRNSBY and Son, of Spictlegate Iron Works, near Grantham, Lincolnshire. An eight horse power improved patent portable steam en- gine, price 2551. ; a seven horse power patent portable steam engine (this is the engine which was made for the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in Hyde Park in 1851, and to which was awarded the Great Council Medal), price 37 ol. ; two six horse power improved patent portable steam engines (to one of which the council medal was awarded at the Great Ex- hibition in Hyde Park in 1851, also the first prize of 401. as the best aud most economical engine exhibited at the Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England held at Lewes, July, 1852; of 50L at Exeter, July, 1850; SOL at York, July, 1848; and 101. at Gloucester, July, 1853), price 220Z. each; a four horse power improved patent portable steam engine, price 180Z.; a ten horse power improved fixed steam engine, price 265 Z. ; a nine horse power improved horizontal fixed steam engine, price 240Z. ; two improved patent portable combined thrashing, shaking, and dressing machines, price 901. and lOOZ.; a four horse power improved portable thrashing machine, price 75Z. ; a patent corn dressing or v/iunowing machine (the coun- cil medal was awarded to this machine at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851, and it has also received the first prizes from the Eoyal Agricultural Society of England at their meet- ings : 51. at Gloucester, July, 1853 ; lOZ. at Lewes, July, 1852; lOZ. at Exeter, July, 1850 ; 10/. at Norwich, July, 1849; 101. at York, July, 1848 ; aud 3Z. at Newcastle, July, 1846), price 13Z. lOs. ; an improved corn dressing machine, price 12Z. ; a blower machine or corn rectifier, price 5Z. ; a drilling machine, for corn and general purposes (this drill received the first prize of lOZ. from the Royal Agricultural Society of England at the Lewes Meeting, July, 1852; 15Z, at Norwich, July, 1849; 15Z. at York, July, 1848 ; 15Z. at Newcastle-ou-Tyne, July, 1846 ; 15Z. at Shrewsbury, July, 1845 ; lOZ. at Derby, 1843 ; 30Z. at Bristol, July, 1842; and 25Z. at Liverpool, 1841), price 38Z. ; a patent corn and seed drill, on an impioved prin- ciple (for this drill the exhibiters received the council medal at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851 ; also from the Royal Agricultural Society of England the first prize of lOZ. at their meeting at Gloucester, July, 1853 ; lOZ. at Lewes, July, 1852 ; lOZ. at Exeter, July, 1850 ; aud also a prize medal for the introduction of the patent India-rubber tubes for con- ducting the seed to the ground, and for patented improvements in the fore carriage steerage), price 30Z. ; an improved patent fore carriage steerage, price 4Z. 10s. ; an improved patent corn and seed drill, price 29Z, ; a patent small occupation corn drill, price 18Z. ; a patent drill for turnips or mangel wurzel, with manure (this drill received the first prize of lOZ., as the best exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England held at Lewes, July, 1852; of lOZ. at Exeter, July, THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE. 135 1850 ; of 10/. at Noi-wich, July. 1849 ; and IQl. at Shrewsbury, July, 1845), price 261. 10s. ; a two row patent ridge drill for turnips and mangel wurzel with manure (this drill received the council medal at the Great Exhibition, Hyde Park, in 1851, and also the first prize of lOl. at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Gloucester, July, 1853; of lOl. at Lewes, July, 1852 ; of 10/. at Exeter, July, 1850 ; of lOZ. at Norwich, July, 1849 ; of lOZ. at York, July, 1848; of 10/. at Shrewsbury, July, 1845; the prize medal at Derby, July, 1843; and lOL at Liverpool, July, 1841), price 24/. ; a patent drop drilling machine for ridges or flat ground (this drill received the council medal at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, 1851), price 28/, 10s., all the above are invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters ; a patent clod crusher roller, invented and manufactured by W. Crosskill, of Beverley, price 20/. ; a patent press wheel roller or clod crusher, invented and improved by William Cambridge, of Bristol, manufactured by the exhibiters, price 18/. ; an improved laud pressor (this presser received the first prize of 10/. at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting at Northampton, July, 1847; of 10/. at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, July, 1846 ; and of 10/. at Southampton, July, 1844), price 8/. ; a double cake breaking or crushing machine (this machine received the council medal at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, 1851; also the first prize of 5/. at the Lewes Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, July, 1852 ; of 5/. at Shrewsbury, July, 1845; of 5/. at Southampton, July, 1844; of 5/. at Derby, July, 1843), price 10/.; an improved cake breaking or crushing machine, price 5/. 5s. ; and a single cake breaking or crushing machine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhi- biters, price 4/. 43.; a Comes' improved chaff cutting machine, price 13/. 10s.; and a two knife Comes' improved chaff cutting machine, price 10/. 153., invented by Comes', of Nantwich, Staffordshire, manufactured by the exhibiters. J. T. Knapp, of Clanfield, near Bampton, Oxfordshire. A patent winnowing or corn dressing machine, invented by Mr. Naton, of Alvescott, Oxon, and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price 14/. 14s. Edward Hammond Bentall, of Heybridge, near Maiden, Essex. Several sizes of Bentall's patent iron beam broadahare and subsoil plough (as a pair horse scarifier, a prize of 5/. was awarded at the Show of the Royal Agricultural Society at Exeter in 1850 ; as a cultivator, a prize medal was awarded at the Great Exhibition of 1851 ; as a subsoil plough, a prize medal was awarded at the Great Exhibition of 1851), prices various, from II. 4s. to 7/. 17s.; two of Bentall's patent man- gel or ridge hoe, price 21. 'Js. and 21. Vis. 6d. ; a set of four horse, three horse, and two horse whippletrees, manufactured by the exhibiters, price lis., 1/, 23., and 1/. lis. 6d.; a hand turnip cutter for sheep and beasts, improved and manufactured by the exhibitor, price 1/. lis. 6d.; a Bentall's oilcake mill, invented and manufactured by the exhibitor, price 21. 23. ; a small chaff cutter, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 3/. 3s. j two oblong cattle feeding or water troughs, price 98. and Ss. ; several hog troughs and sheep trough, price 7s. 6d. to 183. ; and two stack pillars and caps, price Ss., all ma- nufactured by the exhibiter. James Comins, of South Molton, Devon. A horse hoe, price 21. 23. ; a Great Exhibition prize medal horse hoe, price 3/. ; a subsoil pulverizer (it was awarded the prize of 5/. at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting held at Norwich, July, 1849), price 41. 12s. 6d. ; a paring plough (it received the prize of the Bath and West of England Agri- cultural Society's meeting held at Taunton, June, 1852), price 4/. 153.; (new implement) a new pattern turn wrest plough, price 5/. 10s., and a plough for filling-in drains, all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 6/. lOs.; two sets of whippletrees, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 4s. each. J. Bailey Denton, of 52, Parliament- street, London. A relief map of a drainage area, being a specimen of mechanical modelling of a ground surface, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price per acre Sa. ; (new implement) an improved " A" level, invented and improved by the exhibiter, manufactured by Messrs. Jones and Co., of High Holborn, price 4/. 4s.; (new implement) outlets for main drains, price lOs. and upwards; (new implement) inlets for drains, price 15s. and upwards ; (new implement) wells or sumpts (three sorts), price 1/. 23. 6d. and upwards; and (new implement) air vents in connection with iron piping, all in- vented by the exhibiter, and manufactured by Stanley and Bower, of Peterborough, price from 12s. William Procter Stanley, of Peterboiough, Northamptonshire. A Stanley's registered roller mill, for crushing linseed, oats, barley, malt, gold-of-pleasure beans, and Indian corn, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter (prizes were awarded to this mill at the Pi.oyal Agricultural Society's show at York, Exeter, Lewes, and Gloucester; Royal Irish Society's shows at Gal way and Killarney ; at the Bath and West of England's Society's show at Plymouth; and also at the fol- lowing local shows : — Peterborough, Huntingdon, Wisbech, Boston, Lincoln, North Stafford, North Lancashire, North- umberland, Durham, Cleveland, Brigg, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Farnhani, and Yorkshire; also the reward of a medal at the Royal Exhibition of 1851), price 13/.; three specimens of a Stanley's registered roller mill, price 6/., 8/., and 16/. lOs. ; a Stanley's oat, bean, and universal null, price 4/. 4s. ; three sizes of Stanley's registered farmer's steaming apparatus (prizes were awarded to this apparatus at the Royal Agricultural Society's shows at York, Exeter, Norwich, Lewes, and Gloucester ; Royal Irish show at Galway and Killarney ; Bath and West of Englajid Society's show at Plymouth ; and at the following local shows : — Peterborough, Huntingdon, Wisbech, Northampton, Boston, North Stafford, Lincoln, Brigg, North Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Northumber- land, Durham, Cleveland, and South Lancashire), price 12/. lOs. to 35/. ; and two of Stanley's improved chaff machines, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 3/. 3s. and 11/.; a Bentall's iron beam broadshare and subsoil plough, cultivator, or scarifier, combined in one, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by E. and H. Bentall, of Heybridge (the prize of 5/. was awarded to this implement at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at Exeter, also at Gloucester, Killarney, Roval Irish Society's at Galway, and the Bath and West of England Society's show at Plymouth, as the best pair-horse scarifier ; a prize medal was awarded to it at the Great Exhibition as a cultivator, and at the same time a prize medal to the same implement as a subsoil plough), price 5/. 5s.; a Stanley's improved vertical dash churn, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 71. ; three sizes of Cambridge's patent press wheel roller and clod crusher, invented by Mr. Cam- bridge, of Bristol, improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter (a prize of 5/. was awarded it at Preston for preventing the ravages of the wircworm and slug, a prize at Exminster for rolling pasture or meadow land, ditto at Exeter for pre- paring turnip land for barley, at North Lincolnshire for clod crushing, at Edinburgh for producing good crops of swede turnips, &c., and at many other local societies for its general uses), price from 11/. to 14/. lOs. ; a cast cylinder land roll, in three parts, price 8/., and a wrought cylinder land roll, in two parts, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 7/.; a Stanley's wheel roll, invented by Mr. Gilson Martin, of Goose Tree Farm, March, Cambridgeshire, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 18/. lOs. Warren Sharman, of Melton Mowbray, Leicester- shire. Several pairs of registered tubular iron hand hay or corn drag rakes, price 8s. 6d. to 163. 6d. each; and {new imple- ments) several bundles, containing half-a-dozen of registered tubular iron twitch or stubble rakes, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 33. each and upwards ; three bundles of sheet iron root or chaff scuttles, price 2s. 6d. each and upwards ; several bundles of sheet iron corn or chaff scuttles, price 2s. 6d. each and upwards ; (new implement) four sizes of a poultry fountain, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 93. and upwards ; several sack trucks, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 12s. each and upwards. Thomas Johnson, of Leicester. (New implement) an improved linseed cake breaking ma. chine for beasts and sheep, price 3/. lOs., and (new implement) 136 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ati improved moulding and ridging plough, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price il. ; a strong wrought iron scuffler and scarifier, price with two seta of tines 4.1AS.; an improved turf and stubble paring plough.inveuted and manufactured by theexhibiter, prices/. lOs.jamachine for crush- ing malt, invented, improved,and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 61. ; a cast iron stack pillar, with spike at top, price 6s.; a strong wrought iron wheelbarrow, price II. 43.; a cast iron circular revolving pig trough with five divisions, price 10s. 6d., a ditto with six divisions, price 15s. 6d., and a ditto with eight divisions, all manufactured by the exhibiter, price 17s. 6d. ; (new implement) a hand seed drill for turnips and mangel wurzel, price 4.1. ; and (new implement) a drill for ground or dissolved bones, and all kinds of artificial and pulverized manures, invented and manufactured by William Goulding, of Leicester, price 4Z. 10s. ; a portable iron mangle, with hori- zontal spring pressure and mahogany linen press, invented and mauufactured by E. O. Tiudall, of Scarboro', price 51. 15s. ; (new implement) a patent diagonal churn, invented and manufactured by Lorenzo Tindall, of Scarboro', price from 21. upwards; a contracting weighing machine, invented and mauufactured by W. and T. Avery, of Birmingham, price 31. 10s.; several weighing machines, price IL ISs. and upwards; a twenty-atone set of improved iron weights (adjusted and stamped), price IZ. Ss. 6d.; and several ornamental cast iron rustic garden chairs, manufactured by the exhibiter, price II. 12s. 6d. and upwards; an ornamental cast iron hall table, price 31. 12s. 6d.; a handsome cast iron hat, coat, and umbrella stand, price 21. 3s., and an ornamental cast iron vase and pedestal with loose earthenware pot, designed and manufac- tured by the Coalbrookdale Company, price 4/ 15s.; a large cast iron vase, price 21., and an ornamental cast iron hall chair, manufactured by the exhibiter, price ISs. ; two orna- mental cast iron hall chairs, price 11. 7s. 6d., and a massive cast iron Berlin black door scraper, with brushes, designed and manufactured by Marsh and Son, of Dudley, price II. 2s. ; an ornameutal circular cast iron table, with massive pedestal, designed and manufactured by the exhibiter, price IZ. 14s. ; a black register grate, with ground front and ornamental back, price IZ. 15s.; a cast iron Berlin black fender, with bright top aud standards for fire-irons, price 11a. 6d., and a black register grate, with ground canopy front, ornameutal iron back, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 21. 48. James and Frederick Howard, of Bedford. Several specimens of the famous patent iron plough with two wheels (marked P No. 2), invented aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price £4 5s. aud upwards ; a patent iron plough with two wheels (marked I A No. 1), invented and manufac- tured by the exhibiters, price £4 5s., with skim coulter 5s. extra (thia is the exhibiters' original " Champion" plough, which gained nine first premiums at the annual meetings of the Royal Agricultural Society); a patent iron Kentish plough with two wheel (marked PPP). price £6 ; two kinds of a patent double- furrow plough, price £7 73. ; two improved Northumberland ridge or double-breast ploughs, price £3 15s. and £4 5s. and a patent subsoil plough, or subsoil pulverizer, invented and mauufactured by the exhibiters, price £6 lOs. (the Royal Agri- cultural Society awarded the first prize of £5 to this imple- ment at Gloucester, 1853) ; a Read's patent sub-pulverizer, or subsoil plough, invented by the late John Read, of Loudon, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £5 53. (the following premiums have been awarded to this implement by the Rojal Agricultural Society : the firJt prize of £10, at the Smthamptou meeting, in 1844; the first prize of £10, at the Shrewsbury meeting, 1845 ; the first prize of £10, at the Newcastle-on-Tyne meeting, in 1846 ; the first prize of £10, at Northampton, 1847; and the first prize of £5, at the Exeter meeting, 1850) ; several seta of new patent jointed iron harrovrs, invented by James Howard and W. Armstrong, of Bedford, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price from £3 10s upwards (the following premiums have been awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society of England : Derby meeting, 1844, first prize of £5 ; York meeting, 1818, first prize of £5; Exeter meeting, 1850, first prize of £5 ; Lewes meeting, 1852, first prize of £5 ; and the first prize of £5 at the Gloucester meetiug, 1853) ; an improved wrought-iron scarifier, invented and mauufactured by the exhibiters, price £7 ; a set of im- proved trussed whippletrees, invented by Egerton Harding, Esq., and manufactured by the exhibiters, price lis. 6d.; two sets of improved equalizing whippletrees, price £1 68. each, and three sizes of an improved one-rowed horse hoe, invented aud mauufactured by the exhibiters, price from £2 15s, to £3 (the Royal Agricultural Society awarded the prize to this im- plement at Lewes, 1852, and at Gloucester, 1853) ; two sizes of a patent horse rake, invented and manufactured by the ex- hibiters, price £8 lOs. to £10 lOs. (the Royal Agricultural Society awarded the prize to this implement at Exeter, 1350, and again at Lewes, 1852 ; at the Great Exhibition of All Nations, Messrs. H. also gained the prize medal for this im- plement) ; two sizes of an improved Bedfordshire one-horse cart, price £11 lis. and £14 5s., and samples of improved plough-wheels and case-hardened shares. Selby Hand, of Glinton, near Market Deeping, Lin- colnshire. A chaff-cutting machine, for horse power, price £12 123., and a chaff-cutter, for one, two, or three men, invented by Comes, improved aud manufactured by the exhibiter, price £10 ; a chaff-machine, improved and manufactured by the ex- hibiter, price £2 16s.; two sizes of a scarifier or cultivator, invented by Coleman, of Chelmsford, improved and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price £8 lOs. and £11 10s. ; (new implement), a cake breaker and corn crusher combined,inven ted and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £8, or either separate £4 ; an iron plough, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £4. Charles Hart, of Vale of White Hoi'se Iron Works, near Wantage, Berks. A pair horse scarifier or cultivator, price 91. 12s. 6d.; and a seven tine cultivator, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 14L ; a six horse steam engine, invented, improved, and mauufactured by Clayton and Co., of Lincoln, price 230/. ; a combined seveu horse power portable thrashing machine, &c., price 120Z. ; and a five horse power combined portable thrashing, straw shaking, aud winnowiug machine, invented, improved, aud manufactured by the exhibiter, price 130/. George Hunter, of Ulceby, Lincolnsliire, near Hull, Yorkshire. A drill, for general pxirposes, price 33/. ; a corn and seed drill, pries 23/. : a corn and seed drill, for small or grass seeds, price 30/.; and a small occupation drill, for seed and manure, for flat or ridge work, price 18/. lOs., improved by Thomas Hunter, of Ulceby, and manufactured by the exhibiter ; a two horse cart, improved by Mr. William Torr, of Aylesby, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 12/. 10s. ; a turnip drill on flat, with manure, price 21/.; (new implement) a guano drill, for depositing the guano in the ridges, invented by Thomas Hunter of Ulceby, improved by Wm. Torr, of Aylesby, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 8/. ; (new imple- ment) a light wooden roller, invented by Wm. Torr of Aylesby, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 3/. 10s. Joseph Lee, of Stonnall, near Walsall, Staffordshire. A portable steam engine, invented, improved, and manufac- tured by the exhibiter, price 170/. Joseph Long, of Meriten's Wharf, Dockhead, London. Thirty five casks of nonpoisonous sheep dipping composi- tion, termed " Long's specific," price 6s. per gal.; thirty five casks of nonpoisonous sheep dressing composition, termed " Long's preservative," or lamb dressing, price 2a. 8d. per gal. ; and ten cases containing two dozen bottles sheep dress- ing composition, termed "Long's foot rot or general lotion," discovered and mauufactured by the exhibiter, price 2s. 6d, per pint bottle ; a case of Long's foot rot knives, invented by the exhibiter, and mauufactured by Messrs. Thomas Turner and company, of SheSield, price Is. 6d. each ; twelve pouring cans of size and shape most convenient for use, price 2s. 6d. each ; three dressing bowls of size and shape most convenient for use, price 23. 6d. each ; and two dressing forks of the size and shape most convenient for use, invented and improved by the exhibiter, price 1/. lOs. each ; a cask of artificial manure, termed "nitro phosphate or blood manure," price 6/. per ton ; and a cask of artificial manure, termed " concentrated night soil and blood," manufactured by W. Swanton aud Co., of London, price 3/. lOs. per ton, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 137 John Paterson, of Beverley, Yorkshire. A full size and small size patent washing, wringing, and mangling machine, price "il. lOa. and \Ql. lOs. ; and a patent self cleaning clod crusher, or land roller, invented and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price 19L lOs. ; a CrosskiU's clod crusher, improved by the exhibiter, price 5Z. lOa. ; a patent reapidg machine, improved by Peter, of Beverley, and the ex- hibiter, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 35Z. Michael Penestan, of Lincoln. A seven horse power portable steam engine, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 175Z. ; a four horse power portable steam engine, price 155Z.; and a portable thrashing, shaking, riddhug, and winnowing machine, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 70Z. ; two sizes of a Cambridge wheel roller or clod crusher, invented by William Cambridge, of Bristol, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 13Z. and 16i. ; a flat sole wheel roller, for rolling spring corn, placed one inch apart, invented by Thomas Tapholrae, of Horncaatle, and manufac- tured by the exhibiter, price 14i. ; two sizes of a plain iron roller, in three parts, manufactured by the exhibiter, price Ql. and \.2l. William Shephard, of Hoveringham, (near Notting- ham) Nottinghamshire. A plough with steel breast and four shares of different sizes, price 3Z. 16s. ; and a cart adapted for the purpose of a miller or maltster, with patent axle, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 17?. Smith and Ashby, of Stamford, Lincolnshire. A Smith and Ashby's patent improved double action hay- making machine, on Smith and Ashby's patent wrought iron wheels, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhi- biters (first prizes were awarded to this implement at the Royal Agricultural society's meeting at Newcastle, 1846, £5 ; at the Great Yorkshire meeting, 1846, £5 Sa. ; at the Derby- shire meeting, 1846, £5 5s. ; at the great Yorkshire meeting, 1847, £5 ; at York, 1848, the Royal Society's medal ; at the great Yorkshire meeting, 1849, £3 3s. ; the Royal Society's prize of £5 for the best haymaker, at the Norwich meeting, 1849 ; the Royal Society's prize for the best haymaker at Exeter, 1850; the first prize of the North Lincolnshire So- ciety, 1850 ; the first prize of the Royal North Lancashire, 1850 ; the first prize at the great Yorkshire, 1850 ; the prize medal at the Great Exhibition of all nations, 1851 ; first prize at the Bath and West of England Society's meeting at Taun- ton', 1852 ; at the Royal Society's meeting at Lewes, 1852, the judges' commendation (no prize being offered that year) ; the prize of the Bath and West of England at Plymouth, 1853 ; the prize of the North Lancashire meeting at Black- burn, 1853 ; and the medal of the Royal Society at Gloucester, 1853), price £15 15s. ; two sizes of Smith and Ashby's patent improved horje rake (this rake took the prize medal of the Great Exhibition of all nations, 1851, and has also taken thirteen prizes from various agricultural societies), price £7 10s and £8 ; patent lever wheel hand rake, price £2 ; five sizes of Smith and Ashby's exhibition prize patent safety chaff and litter cutter, with two knives (this powerful and effective machine received the prize medal of the Great Exhibi- tim of 1851), price from £5 lOs. to £17; an improved prize culiivaior, grubber, or scarifier (No. 2) (to this implement was awarded at the meeting of the Royal Society at Newcastle, 184f), the prize medal ; ditto at Norwich, 1849, £10 ; at the Great Yorkshire, 1849, £5 5s. ; at the Exeter meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, 1850, £10 ; at the great York- shire, 1850, £5; the prize of the Royal North Lancashire, 1850 ; and at the great Yorkshire, 1852, £5). price £13 ; a patent park or luggage cart, price £13 lOs. ; and a newly in- vented patent one horse cart for harvest work and general purposes, all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £11 lOs. Edward R. Turner and Co., of St. Peter's Iron Works, near Ipswich, Suffolk. A four horse power horizontal cylinder fixture steam engine, price \2Ql. ; several sizes of Turner's roller mill, for crushing linseed, oats, malt, barley, &c., and grinding beans (obtained the prize of 5'. for the best linseed and corn crusher at the Royal Agricultural Society's Gloucester Show, July, 1853), prices from 5Z. 153. upwards ; a metallic grinding mill, price i4Z. 148.; and an oilcake breaker for foreign or English cake, price Zl. lOs., all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters ; an iron oilcake breaker for English cake, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 2Z. 2s.; a chaff cutter with two convex knives, invented, improved, and manu- factured by the exhibiters, price lOZ. lOs. ; a hand chaff cutter with two convex knives, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 3Z. 17s. 6d. ; a small hand bem mill, price 21. 5s., and a hand roller mill, for oats, linseed, and beans, price 5Z. 15s. 6d., invented, improved, and manufactured by the ex- hibiters. J. Tylor and Sons, of Warwick-lane, Newgate- street, London. A fire engine, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price complete 228Z. 15s. William Walker, of East Bridgford, near Ratclifte, Nottinghamshiie. A corn and seed drill, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter. price 46Z. lOs. Edward Weir, of 16, Bath-place, New-road, London. An irrigator, liquid manure pump, and fire and garden en- gine, price 8/. 83. ; (new implement) a double cylinder irri- gator, liquid manure pump, and fire and garden engine, price lOZ. lOs. ; (new implement) au irrigator for steam or horse power, price 16Z. I63.; (new implement) a hose pipe reel, price Tl. 7s ; a draining level, price \l. lOs. ; (new implement) a workman's pendulum level, for use in the drain, price ISs. ; t*o descriptions of a portable wrought iron liquid manure pump, tripod stand, and flexible pipe, price 4Z. 53. and 4Z. 15s. ; speci- mens of canvass hose pipe for conveying liquid manure or water, price 4d. per foot, and upwards ; (new implement) an improved hose joint for connecting lengths of canvas hose pipe, price 43. 6d. and upwards; and (new implement) a length of portable wrought iron pipe for liquid manure or water, price Is. per foot and upwards, all invented and manufactured by the exhibiter. James Woods, of Stowmarket, Suffolk. Two kinds of a Gloucester broadshare and cultivator, price 6Z. I63. each, and a two horse Suffolk scarifier or skim, price 6Z. 63., improved and manufactured by the exhibiter; an im- proved power for one horse, price 12Z. 12s. ; an improved two horse power portable thrabhing machine, price 3tiZ. ; ami an improved cart, price 12Z. 10s., invented, improved, and manu- factured by the exhibiter ; three of Hall's patent new cabinet mangles, invented by John Halls, of Bedford, and manufac- tured by the exhibiter, price 6Z. IO3. and 8Z. lOs. ; a portable asphalte cauldron and working tools, invented and manufac- tured by the exhibiter, price 17Z. ; a specimen of asphalte flooring ; an improved double roll with furrow roll, for spring corn, price 8Z. Ss. ; and three sizes of a registered crushing and grinding mill, price 7Z. 15s. to 13Z. 138., invented, im- proved, and manufactured by the exhibiter ; a Comes' chaff engine, invented by J. Comes, of Barbridge, and improved and manufactured by the exhibiter (this article has gained the Royal Ai;ricultural Society's prize several years in succession) price lOZ. lOs. William Allchin and Son, of The Globe Works, Northampton. (New implement), a six-horse power patent portable steam engine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhi- biters, price £215. Francis ARDiNG,of The Albert Iron Works, Uxbridge, Middlesex. (New implement), four sizes of a patent combination chaff cutting machine, price £6 63., £8 8s., £10 lOs., and £14 143., and {nf^ implement), a four-horse power portable Mono- gram bolter thrashing and dressing machine, with patent straw shaker attached, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £65; a corn winnowing and dressing machine, price £9 93. ; a blowing machine, price £4 lOs., and a oue-horse works improved and manufactured by the exhiiiter, price £10 lOs. ; (new implement), two patent beau mills, invented au manu- 138 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. faetured by the exhibiter, price £a iOa. ; a barley humraeller, price £3 10s. ; an oil cake mill or breaker, price £2 lOs. ; a cylindrical iron sifter, price £6 6s., and a cyliudrical iion sifter, all improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £7 Vs. John Caborn, of Denton, necar Grantham, Lincoln- shire. A corn dressing machine, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 131,; a two-horse power, for working cliaff- cutting or other agricultural machinery, invented and manu- factured by the exhibiter, price 15L Jasper John Capper, of The Falcon Engine V/orks, near Loughborough, Leicestershire. A horizontal eight-horae engine, manufactured by the exhi- biter, price laOl.; (new implement), a combined thrashing midline, price 801., and (new implement), an improved win- nowing and dressing machine, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 121. Barnard and Eishop, of Norwich, Norfolk. Several handsome specimens of strong wrought-iron garden chairaand stools, at prices from 4s. 6d.upwards,audseveralshapes and sizes of registered poultry troughs and fountains, invented and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 2s. 3d. and upwards; t'.'.'O circular cast-iron troughs for dogs, improved and manu- factured by the eshibiters, 10 inches' diameter, price 2s. 6d. and 33. 6d. ; several rolls of light and heavy japanned wire netting, invented snd manufactured by the exhibiters, price, per lineal yard, 6d. to Is. 2d., suitable for povJtry, hares, and rabbits ; three rolls of japanned wire sparrow-proof netting, price 3d. per superficial foot ; two rolls of galvanized wire sheep netting, 3 feet wide, price 9d. and Is. per lineal yard ; an iron stake for wire sheep netting, price Is.; a sample of strained wire fencing for horses and heavy cattle, price 2s. per lineal yard ; a three-bar iron hurdle, price 4s. ; a four-bar iron hurdle, price 53. ; two five-bar iron hurdles, price 6s. and 6s. 6d. ; au iron hurdle for cattle and sheep, price 8s. ; a hare and rabbit jiroof iron hurdle, price 7s. 6d. ; an ornamental wire game hurdle, price 5s., end au iron hurdle, all invented and manu- factured by the exhibiters ; a wrought iron sheep-fold hurdle on wheels, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 11. Ss. ; a roll of ornamental garden border, manufactured by the exhibiters, price 7d. per foot ; three wire net plant or tree guards, price Is. 9d. and upwards; a rick-stand pillar of wrought and cast-iron, price 6s. ; six double Norfolk pig- troughs, price 23. 6d.to 16s.; nine single Norfolk pig-troughs, price 7s. 6d. to £1 73., and au iron hutch pig-trough, made of cast and wrought iron, invented and manufactured by the ex- hibiters, price £2 153.; two iron pig-troughs, improved and manufactured by the exhibii era, price 4s. and 63.; (new im- plement), a patent turaip grater, invented by C. Bushe, Esq., of Lismore, and Dr. Barter, of Blarney, Ireland, improved aud niftuufaclured by the exhibiters (obtained Royal Irish Agri- cultural Society's tirst-elass medal at Killarney last August), price £4 lOa. ; a patent self-rolling mangle, invented by Charles Barnard, 01 Norwich, manufactured by the exhibiters, price 71. 7s. ; a cottage mangle, price 31. lOa. ; a table mangle, price 21. IO3. ; a wrought iron portable or folding bedstead, price ] 93 , and four sizes of a cast-iroa window frame and case- Eienr, invented and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 12s. and upwards; several ornaoiental wrought-iron garden gates, designed and manufactured by the exhibiters, suitable for hang- ing on stone, wood, or iron posts, price 21. and upwards ; a wrought-iroa fan-braced field gate, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price"?.; two sizes of a si.x- bar wrought- iron field gate, price 11. 23. and 1/. 7s., and a seven-bar strong wrought-iron field gate, invented and manufactured by the ex- hibiters, price 11. 2s. Thomas Catchfool, Jan., of Colchester, Essex. A portable thrashing, shaking, riddling, and winnowing machine, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 75?. Humphrey Chamberlain, of Kempsey, near Worcester. (New implement) a patent solid brick making machine, in- vented by the exhibiter, aud manufactured by John Jackson, of Worcester, price ] 001. ; and a sample of bricks made by the above machine, manufactured by the exhibiter. TiiOMAs Chambers, Jua., of Colkirk, near Faken- ham, Norfolk. (New implement) a broadcast manure distributor, invented, improved, aud manufactured by the exhibiter, price 15?. 15s. William East, of Spalding, Lincoln. (New implement) a patent dropping machine, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 45?. John Eatojj-, of Tvcy well Works, near Kettering, Northamptonshire. An " Eaton's patent " one horse cart, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter (a prize of 5?. was awarded to this description of cart at a meeting held at York, 1848), price 9?. ; a registered economical and ornamental sheep crib, invented by Y/iUiam Knight, Esq., of Titchmarsh, improved and manufactured by the exuibite?, price 1?. 2s. 6d.; a mill for grinding beans and peas, price 2?. 10s., and a hand power lifting jack, price 3?. 5s., both invented by John Blockwell, of Twywell Works, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter; (new implement) a hand seed dibbler, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 15s. Fowler and Fry, of Bristol. (New implement) a spring waggon, invented by the late Richard Stratton, of Bristol, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 42?.; a Gloucestershire waggon, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 40?. ; an harvest cart, invented by J. Hannam, Esq., of Barcott Park, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 15?. 15a. ; a manure cart body and axle, price 8?. 8s,, and (new implement) an im- proved farm cart, price 16?. lOs., improved and manufactured by the exhibiters; (new iajiplement) a registered farm cart, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 15?. lOs. ; a single horse agricultural cart, price 14?. 143. ; a spring bullock cart, price 32?. ; and a light cranked-axle spring cart, price 19?., improved and manufactured by the exhibiters; (new implement) an iron body crank-axle cart for vfater or liquid manure, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 24?. ; a Cobourg or family cart, improved aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price 38?. ; (new implement) a single row seed and manure drill, price 0?. lOs., aud (new implement) an oilcake crusher for light cake, price 3?. 53., in- vented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters ; (new implement) a turnip grater, invented by Messrs. Bush and Barter, of Lismore, Ireland, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 3?. lOs. ; (new implement) a pipe and tile machine, invented by Alfred Tuckett, Esq., of Siston, Glou- cestershire, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 25?. ; a Norwegian harrow, invented by Edward Frere, Esq., of Roydon, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price IS?. IO3. ; a brick and tile machine, invented by Randell and Sanders, of Corsham, Wiltshire, improved and manufac- tured by the exhibiters, price 45?.; a collection of cast iron drain mouths, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price from 2s. each upwards ; (new implement) a patent steam draining plough, invented by John Fowler, of Bristol, manufactured by the exhibiters, and by Clayton and Shuttleworth of Lincoln, price 2,000?. James Hart and Son, of Brigg, Lincolnshire. Two sizes of a portable steam engine, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 200?. and 2251. ; three sizes of Cambridge's patent press-wheel roller, invented by William Cambridge, of Bristol, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 10?. to 14?.; a corn dressing machine, prices?.; a blowing machine or corn rectifier, price 5?. Ss. ; and a hand cake breaker, price 3?. 59., invented, improved, aud manufactured by the exhibiters; a Gardner's turnip cutter, invented by Gardner, of Banbury, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 4?. 10s. ; and a hand barley horner, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 5?. Clark and Green, of Lincoln. A dressing machine for corn, price 8?. 83. ; au hariflf blower, price 61. ; a barley chopper, price 5?. 5s. ; and a ridge drill, price 7?-, all improved and manufactured by the exhibiters ; a chaff cutter, invented by Sawdon of Lincoln, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 6?. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 139 William Dray & Co., of London, Middlesex. A aix-horse power steam engine, for fixture, iavented, im- proved, aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price £165 ; (new implement) a patent draining machine, invented by the Earl of Duudonald, of London, and improved aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price £175 ; three of the patent reaping machines, invented by Obed Hussey, of the United States, America, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibitors, price £21 each ; four sizes of au improved chaff cutting machine, price £4 lOs. to £14 10s.; three sizes of an improved corn crnsher, price £5 53. to £10 lOs.; and two sizes of a grain and linseed crusher, all invented, improved, and manu- factured by Richmond and Chandler, of Salford, Manchester, price £6 lOa. and £14 lOs. ; two si'.cs of a registered chalf cutting machine, price £3 Ss. and £14 143. ; a chaff cutting machine, price £2 18s. ; two registered winnowing and blowing machines, price £11 lis. ; a grinding mill, for breaking agri- cultural produce into meal, price £32 ; a flour mill, with dress- ing apparatus attached, price £7 ; and three metallic churns, all invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £1 to £1 5a. ; two sizes of an American churn, invented by J. Dalphin, of the United States, America, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £2 to £2 15s. ; a one- row drill, for turnips and manure, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £11 lis.; a field roller, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £12 10s. ; an iron plough, invented by J. Comes, jua., of Loudon, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £4 10s.; a patent iron plough, invented, improved, and manufactured -by J. and F. Hoifard, of Bedford, price £4: lOs. ; a patent iron plough, invented, improved, aud manufactured by Rausoraes and iSivna, of Ipswich, price £4 10s.; a patent iron plough, in- vented, improved, aud manufactured by W. Busby, of Newton- le-Willows, price £4 lOa. ; a patent iron plough, invented aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price £3 10s.; a set of iron harrows, invented, improved, and manufactured by W. Williame, of Bedford, price £3 15s.; au iron subsoil plough, invented, improved, aud manufactured by Gray aud Co., of Uddingston, price £6 15s.; au iron grubber, invented by J. Teunant, of Monkton, improved aud manufactured by the exhibiteis, price £5 5s.; a cart for agricultural purposes, price £18 18s. ; a patent mail axle, price £1 15b. ; a pair of arms aud boxes for agricultural carts, price £1 5s. per pair; a rick stand, price £o 10s.; a portable forge, for farm use, price £3 lOs. ; a set of forge tools, price £1 Is. ; a portable farm vice-bench and vice, price £2 10s.; au iron wheelbarrow, price £1 6s.; and two wrought-irou galvanized liquid manure pumps, all invented, improved, aud manufactured by the exhibiters, price £3 15s, each ; two coils of flexible delivery hose, invented and manu- factured by Hooper and Co., of London, price 7d. per foot ; a water or wash carrier, on wheels, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £4 10s. ; two lawn mow- ing machines, invented by Budding, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £6 5s. and £6 153; several ornamental garden seats, price £2 23. ; and two bronzed iron tables, im- proved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £1 Ids.each ; two circular iron pig troughs, inveuted, improved, and manufac- tured by the e.'ihibiters, price 128. 6d. aud £1 Is. ; three iron pig troughs, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price 8s. 6d. upwards ; two poultry fountains, price fa's. 6d. and 10s. 6d ; a poultry trough, inveuted, improved, aud manufactured by Bar- nard and Co., of Norwich, price Ss. 6d. ; a bundle of galvanized wire netting, invented, improved, aud manufactured by the ex- hibiters, price from 2-id. to 7d. per yard ; three bundles of wire fencing, inveuted, improved, and mauufactured by Musgrave, of Shields, price 2d. and 3d. per square foot ; a farm fire en- gine, price £8 lOs. ; and two weighing machines, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £3 15s. and £4 ; an iron lever weighing machine, improved and manu- factured by the exhibiters, price £5 ; two iron mangers, rack, and trough combined, price £3 IGs. each; and an enamelled iron manger, invented, improved, and manufactured by the ex- hibiters, price £1 lOs.; an iron manger, price 123. 6d.; and two iron hay racks, manufactured by tl\e exhibiters, price Ss. 6d.; three galvanized iron paila, price 53.6d. each; two sets of painted stable pails, price 4b. Cd. aud Ss. 6d. each ; a set of galvanized iron buckets, all invented, improved, and manufac- tured by the exhibiters, price 4s. 6d. each ; three bundles of steel digging forks, inveuted, improved, and manufactured by Lyn- don, of Sheftield, price 48. 6d., Ss. 6d., and 6s. 6d, each ; a light spring cait, invented and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £18 18s.; three of Boyd's patent self-adjusting scythes, invented by J. Boyd, of London, and manufactured by the ex- hibiters, price lOs. 6d. each ; an iron screw cheese press, price £3 15s.; a wrought iron screw lifting jack, price £3 3s. ; a patent circular-saw table, for hand power, price £16 lOs. ; and a circular saw table, for steam power, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £15 ISs. ; two sizes of a portable iron piggery, price £9 each ; a patent portable shoot- ing box, price £8 8s. ; and a patent portable farm building, all invented and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £62. Richard Forshaw aud Company, of Liverpool. A three-ton cart and cattle weighing machine, invented by John Craig, of Liverpool, improved and manufactured by the exhibters. Highland and Agricultural Society's prize weighing machine, price £22; a tweuty-cwt. platform weighing machine, invented by Fairbank, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £10 lOs, ; a five-cwt. sack-weighing macbiriC, invented by John Craig, of Liverpool, improved and manufae. tured by the exhibiters, price £5 5s. ; a three-cwt. single lever weighing machine, improved aud manufactured by the exhibi« ters, can be fitted with an enamelled plate for domestic pur- poses where great cleanliness is required, price £3 14a.; three specimens of an oat aud beau crusher, invented by Cartmel;, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £5 5s. to £6 lOs. ; a post kibbling mill, for oats, beans, &c., manufac- tured by the exhibiter, price £2 1 as. ; a wheat mill and flour dressing machme combined, invented and manufactured by the exhibiteis, price £7 lOs. ; a patent sack-holder and barrow combined, invented by Henry Gilbert, of St. Leonard's, price £1 133. 6d.; an iron sack-truck or barrow, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 123. 6d.; a turnip or root cutter aud slicer, invented by Kealy and Co., of London, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £5 15s.; a Kase's patent fire engine and liquid manure spreader, invented by Kase, of the United State.% improved aud manufactured by Burgess and Key, of London, price £8 8s. ; a set of iron whippletrees, price ISa. 6d. ; and a letter copying press, manufactured by the exhibiters, price £3 10s. Edward Hernulewicz, of No. i, Bothweli- street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. (New implement) an oblong iron corn-rick stand frame, ic» vented and mauufactured by the exhibiter, price £6 10s.; (new implement) a turnip cutter and slicer, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £4 ; (new implement) au iron sheep fodder rack, invented and manufactured by the exhibiter, price £5 10s. ; (new implement) a piece of improved portable iron and wire sheep-feeding hurdle-fecce, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price 5s. 9d. each ; a piece of strong wroughtiron hurdle cattle fence, price 6s. 6d. each ; a piece of ornamental hurdle fence, hare and rabbit proof, price 6s. 9d. each ; aud a piece of plain hurdle fence, hare and rabbit proof, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 4s. 9d.each; two kinds of an ornamental self-shutting gate, price £1 15s. to £7 10s. ; three kinds of a strong wrought iron field gate, improved and mauufactured by the exhibiter, price £1 10s. to £1 183. 9d. ; a web of strong hare and rabbit proof wire netting, price per liuealyardls.; a set of iron stable fittings, consisting of rack and manger, price £1 Is. per set; and a cast-irou revolving pig trough, with five divisions, manufactured by the exhibiter, price 133. 6d. ; and an iron and wire folding chair, improved and manufactured by the exhibiter, price ISs. 6d. E. and T. Humphries, of Pershore, Worcestershire. A four-horse portable patent steam engine, price £180 ; and a five-horse power portable patent steam engine, invented, im- proved, and manufactured by Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co., of Lincoln, price £200 ; two combined thrashing, shaking, riddlinff, winnowing, and elevating machines, improved and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £70 ; a complete set of petfcrated plates or riddles, for combined and winnowing machines, manufactured by tlie exhibiters. John aud William Midworth, of Newark-upon» Trent, Nottinghamshire. (New implement) a one-horse hoe on the flat, invented by John Revell, of Barnby, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £3 ; an iron plough, adapted for general purposes, in- L 2 140 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. vented, improved, and manufactured by Henry Archer, of Barrowby, Grantham, Lincolnshire — the first prize was awarded to it at the North Lmcohishire Agricultural Meeting, held at Gainsborough, July 27th, 1353— price £i lOs. ; an improved swing plough, for light and heavy lanri, improved by the ex- hibiters, and manufactured by Henry Archer, of Barrowby, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, price £1 15s.; a steam cooking range, invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiters, price £17 5s. Ltjcas and Wright, of Lincoln. A winnowing machine, price £8 ; a corn blower, price £3 10s.; (new implement) a barley homer, price £5; a barley chopper or horner, without fans to finish, price £4 10s. ; and a bean and cake mill combined, improved and manufactured by the 5 The best shearling ditto, Mr. G. Sexton 5 The second best ditto, Mr. G. Sexton 2 The beat tup of any other pure breed, of any age, Mr. Moses Crisp, Letheringham 5 The best shearling ditto, Mr. Moses Crisp 5 The best pen of 5 shearling pure southdown ewes, Mr. G. Sexton 5 The best pen of 5 shearling ewes of any other pure breed, Mr. Moses Crisp 5 The best pen of 3 shearling ewes, not pure breed, no entries 3 The best boar, Mr. S, Wolton 3 The second best ditto. Sir F. Kelly's premium, G, D. Badham, Esq 2 The best sow and pigs, Mr. Thomas Crisp 3 The second best ditto. Sir F. Kelly's premium, Mr. W. Threadkell 2 The best breeding sow ; the premium not to be paid until after the sow has pigged, Mr. T. Crisp 2 The best pen of 3 young sows pigged since 1st January last, Mr. T. Crisp 2 The best fat ox or heifer, bred by a member, uuder 4 years old, Mr. R. Garrett 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 161 Highly Commended. — Entire horse Marquis, foaled 1850, sire Catlin's Duke, belouging to Mr. C. Cordy. Entire colt, f. 1852, s. Catlin's Duke, belonging to Mr. T. Crisp. Mare Matchett, with foal at foot, f. 1847, 3. Catlin's Boxer, belonging to Mr. T. Catlin. Gast mare, f. 1850, a. Newcastle Captain, belonging to Mr. N. G. Barthropp. Cart filly, f. 1852, s. Catlin's Duke, belonging to Mr. T. Catlin. Hackuey mare, f. 1847, belonging to Mr. M. Keer. Commended. — Entire horse. Prince f. 1850, s. Catlin's Captain, belougiug to Mr. T. Crisp. Entire colt, f. 1852, 3. Newcastle Captain, belonging to Mr. E. Cottingham. Mare Doughty, with foal at foot, s. Catlin's Boxer, belong- ing to Mr. J. Williams. Cart filly, f. 1852, s. Benhaia's horse, belonging to Mr. F. Keer. Kiding foal, f. April 1854, 3. Robinson, belonging to Mr. H. Toller. Riding colt, f. 1851, s. Man Friday, belonging to Mr. J. Flatt. Boar, p. March, 1852, belonging to Mr. T. Crisp. Sow, p. March, 1S53, belonging to Mr. T. Crisp. Three black sows, p. 1854, belonging to Mr. S. Wolton. THE DINNER. Soon after four o'clock about 20O gentlemen partook of an excellent dinner, served up by Mr. Crowe, landlord of the Bell, in the Market Hall. The Right Hon. the Earl of Strad- broke took the chair, supported on the right by Sir E. S. Gooch, Bart., M.P., the Rev. R. Gooch, and T. Waller, Esq., and on the left by Sir F. Kelly, M.P., N. Barthropp, Esq., Capt. Barlow, and J. Southwell, Esq. J. G. Shepherd, Esq., and Lieut. Col. Adair otfieiated as Vice-Presidents. After the usual loyal toasts. The Earlof Stradbroke said that he was about to pro- pose one to them which might be thought rather curious — it was that they should drink their own healths (laughter). Such an occasion as that upon which they were assembled certainly justified the proposition. At all events, the question placed before the meeting was this — whether they felt that, during the 23 years the society had been established, each and every one of them had, in his particular position, done his best to improve the industry and promote the happiness of his own district (Hear, hear). It was an historical fact that, in the earlier days of this country, the eastern portion of England was that which was most distinguished for growing corn for the English people. But from the improvements which had taken place during the last twenty years, it was a matter of doubt whether or not other parts of the British em- pire had not proceeded in advance. He read that in Scotland, in tlie Lothians, there was scarcely to be found an occupation of 300 acres upon which there was not a thrashing machine. He was tolJ there was hardly one farmer in that part of the country who did not take advantage of steam apparatus, not only for thrashing corn, but as an auxiliary in the feeding of stock (Hear, hear). Now he wished to ask the meeting whe- ther that was the rule in the county of Suffolk, or whether it was the exception ? (cheers). He wa? well aware that there were living now in many parts of Suffolk, men who are quite as competent to farm in the best possible way, and who did furm as acientificully as men iu any other part of the country ; but the next question was this, was that system of farming general ? Did the occupiers generally of 200 acres, or of a smaller quantity of laud, make the most of the soil which they hold under lease or otherwise? (Hear, hear). He was not there to attribute more blame to them than was their due, but he wished to ask the landlords whether they felt that they had performed their part upon all occasions, in making build- ings as commodious and as comfortable as they ought to do for their tenants ? (cheers). He wished to ask the tenants whether they felt they had taken advantage of the different publications which had appeared during late years much to the public benefit, written as those publications had been by men of great practical knowledge ? for he was confident of this, that if the tenants had read these works, and carried out the suggestions which they contained, they must feel that, iu many parts of the county, the system of farming which had been carried on had done the greatest possible credit to the respective districts. He feared, however, that he could point out many places even in this county where neglect was shown by the smallness of the fields, by the badness of fences, by the want of draining, and by the absence of arti- ficial manures; for it was by the careful observance of of all these, that they were enabled to cultivate the land to the best advantage (cheers). If this were so, as he had de- scribed, it was their duty in every pariah, wherever they had the slightest authority, to use their utmost exertions upon all occasions to get rid of the faults which had arisen from the omissions to which he had alluded (cheers). There were many subjects that might be touched upon with more propriety in private meetings, or discussed, perhaps, with more advantage through the medium of the farmers' club, than they could be touched upon or discussed on a public occasion like the pre- sent. He felt that, amongst many advantages which had been derived in this county, it had been the system for many years to use a large quantity of oilcake. He believed, he repeated, that this had been done with great advantage. But, upon looking to the price of oilcake, it certainly had been so high of late years that it had become a serious question with many with whom he had conversed, whether or not it would be of greater advantage to make a greater use of artificial manures for the purpose of increasing the quantity of corn, than to use so much oilcake as food for beasts ; admitting, at the same time, that the whole question depended entirely upon the price of each, and also upon meeting with what, he was afraid, they could not always avoid as regarded artificial manures — he alluded to being taken in by those articles which were often adulterated (cheers). He was now about to touch upon an- other point, which concerned the machinery used in agricul- ture : he alluded especially to that improved machinery which it was their happiness every day to see in operation (Hear hear). He certainly was one of those who felt much gratified whenever any new implement was introduced for use amongst the farmers of Suffolk, and it was with the deepest regret when he saw any new implement so introduced afterwards turn out to be a failure. And yet we knew it was impossible even for the most clever men to introduce implements, constructed with the greatest mechanical skill, without witnessing some of such efforts occasionally ending in such results. It would be remembered that, one or two years ago, at their annual meet- ing, they were all extremely pleased with the introduction of a reaping machine (Hear, hear). Certainly men of the greatest science in the country looked upon this machine as likely to be productive of immense advantage. However, it appeared that, upon being tried, like many other things, it was not brought to such a state of perfection as to render it being employed advantageously upon the land. He hoped the time would come when the defects now apparent would be effec- tually got over, so that all might derive the benefit which had been anticipated (cheers). He introduced this subject, be- 1G3 THE FARMER'S MAGA2INE. cause he found that many excellent people in different parts of the kingdom had looked upon these reaping machines as machines which ought not to be introduced ; that they had looked upon them as something which was cal- culated to be detrimental to the farmers and to the best interests of the Country at large (Hear, hear). He did confess, however, that for his own part, it was not only impossible for him to participate in such feelings, but he even carried his conviction further, by asking these questions: V/hat would be said if the farmer was obliged to carry home his wheat upon the backs of his men instead of upon his wag- gons? What would be said if the farmer had to undergo the trouble of hoeing with his hands, instead of by means of the impletnent used by his labourers ? Surely if the one mode were objectionable and absurd, the principle applied equally to the other (cheers). The fact was this: every improvement in machinery, if good for the landlord, was of advantage to the tenant, and particularly so to the poor man who had to gain his livelihood upon the soih Indeed, he defied any man in that room, or elsewhere, to show him the farm, upon which much machinery was used, where there was not at the same time more employment for the labourers than before (cheers). He alluded to this question because he hoped the time was coming when the ideas often entertained against the introduc- tion of machinery would vanish, and when it v.'ould be tlie object of every man to use his utmost exertions to encourage the introduction of machinery upon his farms (ioud cheers) The next point to which he should shortly allude was one upon which he felt he must touch with more delicacy, because he knew that in connection with it there were differences of opinion: he alluied to the education of the lower classes of this co'.uitry (Hear, hear). A little reflection would show it was impossible, in a country which was increasing in wealth, and where the upper and middle classes were every day in- creasing in knowledge and inteUigence, to say you will resist education for the lower classes of the people (cheers). But if it were impossible to say this, he was anxious to add that if it were possible it would be unwise (cheers). He should like to ask thern all this question : supposing that, by the activity and zeal of talented men who are constantly at work in im- proving the machinery of th.e country, more machinery is introduced, how could that ma'^hinery be used to advantage unless the labourers were men of intelligence and of sound education? (cheers). He should wish also to ask this ques- tion— for there were present many geutleraen who could answer it — Which amongst their labourers were those whom they most valued ? which amongst them were those in whom they most trusted ? which amongst them were those ia whom they placed the greater confidence, and to whom they could leave their farms with more satisfaction than they eould to others ? Was it not the fact that the labourers in whom they most relied, and in whom they had the greatest con- fidence, were those who were men of the greatest intelligence and of the most education? (Ch?ers). He certainly bad anticipated no other than an answer in the affirmative. The education which he alluded to was that which fitted a man for the performance of all his duties ; which taught the boy those obligations which he would have to perform when he grew up to maul ood (cheers). Such was the com- prehensive system which he advocated ; entertaining, as he did, the opinion upon all occasions, that the best men were those who had had a reasonable and sound education, satisfied too as he was that such men were the most trust-worthy and the most intelligent (cheers). He was old enough to remember the introduction of machinery, which, it was thought at the time, would interfere with labour; the results were the breaking of a great deal of that machinery so Introduced, and the prevalence in some districts of riots. But now in all dis- tricts where education had been properly attended to, they found a most salutary change in the fact that the most intel- ligent labourers were anxious to see machinery introduced. Such was one of the great benefits which this and other dis- tricts had derived from education (cheers). He was aware it had been said, if education were extended, it would be difficult to find people to fill the humbler situations of life. He was, of course, aware that these subordinate positions must be occupied for the benefit of society generally; but as that was a question which turned entirely upon the surplus or deficiency of the population, and depended in no way whatever upon education and knowdedge, he should leave the subject and proceed to another topic. As regarded their proceedings upon the present occasion, certainly the weather had not been favourable to the exhibition, but he believed there had been no drawback as regarded the stock. A great many horses had been exhibited of first-rate quality, and of perfect symmetry and form (cheers). Though there had been a great deal of stock generally, yet it had not been so large in extent as had been witnessed on some former occasions ; but still it was of ex- cellent quality, and he should listen with pleasure to the report of the Judges. He hoped that these meetings would continue to prosper (cheers). He hoped that all would do the best in the pa- rishes where they resided to improve the agriculture of their re- s;;ective dibtricts, because it would be of advantage not only to themselves but to their neighbours (cheers). With these remarks, he should conclude by proposing Prosperity to the East Suffolk Agricultural Association." His Lordship subsequently returned thanks for his own health, proposed by Mr. Rowley, and very flatteringly se- ceived. Sir E. S. Goocii, in returning thanks as one of the mem- bers for this division of the county, said — They had been rather unfortunate as far as regarded the rain ; but he should say as a farmer that the show geuerallj^ was a tolerably fair one, which he had beea very glad to inspect. The horsss were very fine specimens, and they had a right to be proud of the breed. The shorthorns, he thought, had been very much improved. As regarded the riding stock, he was glad to observe that they were getting a better description of animal (Hear). He would exhort them to pay particular attention to the animals from which they bred. This should always be kept in mind. As regarded the show generally, v/ith respect to sheep it was very short, while, with regard to shorthorns, there had been a very fair show indeed. No doubt the show of shesp would have hem greater, if they had but the benefit of raibvay communi- cation (cheers). Such means of transit would be one of the greatest boons possible to the county of Suffolk, as well as a very great boon also especially to the tradesmen (loud cheers). But to return to the former subject. At th.e last meeting at Ipswich, a very distinguished agriculturist, Mr. Fisher Holbs, made a suggestion which he thought well worthy of being at- tended to, and that was upon the shoeing of horses (Hear, hear). The horses in Suffolk were often very badly shod, as from the want of pains taken the animals got what was termed oyster feet. He recommended attention to the suhject, com- mending the practice pursued in cavalry rej^imeats as a made for remedying the evlL As he had always said, they could not boast of very good ridiog horses. It was most advisable to attend to this subject, so as to effect an improvement in the breed (cheers). There was another subject upon which he would say a word. Artificial manures had been r-.commended, and the noble lord had endeavoured to draw out the laudlords upon the subject (laughter). From what he had done his THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 103 pockets had become light, and they had been so from the same cause for some time past. He did not regret this by any meaus ; but as farming was altogether altered, they had need of better manures than before (Hear, hear). The same remarlis applied to stables, and he could speak most feelingly upon the subject. The practice had been to build great stables ten feet high, the forage being placed above the horses. The result was that the forage was completely spoiled, while they cou'd not expect their liorses to be kept in health when there was neither light nor ventilation (Hear, hear). If it were put simply as a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence alone, there must be good stables for their horses ; repeating, as he would, that as regarded the breeding, whether of cart or riding horses, they could not take too great pains in the selection of animals (cheers.). Sir FiTZROY Kelly, who was received amidst loud and prolonged applause, in answer to this toast, said, he had now upon more than one occasion — he thought this was the third — had the pleasure of meeting those who v/ere assembled to promote the interests and prosperity of agriculture. He was one of those who, in times of the darkest adversity, when others looked forward with dread and alarm to the conse- queiices of certain recent legislative measures, ventured, all inexperienced as he was, to call upon them not to despair. He ventured to tell all assembled last year, upon an occasion similar to the present, that, ifthsy would but be true to them- selves, and exert the energy which belongs to the character of Englishmen, they might defy all measures of adverse legisla- tion— that if they trusted in themselves they would be sure at last to prevail (cheers.) It was no'.v with unfeigned gratifica- tion he had risen to remark how well they had responded to the call made upon them by their best friends. Tliey bad realized the expectations of those who thought and who felt that their energy and their exertions would present an effec- tual counterpoise to whatever adverse circumstances might be brought to bear upon their interests. They now found that, notwithstanding recent events, to which, in that meeting, it would not become him more pointedly to allude—they found such was the state of things at the present moment that he might with fervency and sincerity congratulate them upon their improved position and upon the brightening prospects of agriculture (Hear, hear). And why should they, under any conceivable circumstances, whether arising from political or from legislative acts — why should they despair of the ultimate stability, of the ultimate prosperity of the agriculture of this country ? If they would only consider that which indeed most of them, whom he now had the honour to address, were far more practically familiar with than he could be— if they would only consider some few real and undoubted facts affect- ing the agricultural position of this country, he thought they would come to the conclusion that they had only to continue to use in the furtherance and promotion of their own immediate interests, that enterprize and energy which belonged to their character, to be assured that there was yet in store for those whose talents were embarked in agriculture, a greater, a much greater degree of prosperity than even any that had yet been attained (Hear, hear). They had only to look to one particular fact — indeed, in the ordinary language of the day, he might call it a " great fact" — a fact of the greatest importance, as the result of calculations by all capable of coming to such a conclusion — that in England, at the present moment, the entire production of the soil was not more than one-half of what that soil might be made capable of producing — that, whatever mny be now the entire produce of the soil of Great Britain, it may be doubled by the application of enterprise, energy, skill, science, capital (Ciieers, and " How?" from a voice). When they considered the means at their command, for making this 'vast addition to the wealth and prosperity of agricul'aire, why should they dread anything within the ordinary compass of ordinary casualties ? He trusted the time was arriving when they would uot only be again pre- pared, as they had been in times past, by their own diligence, and by their own energy, to promote not only their own and the general interests of agriculture, but that they would dis- cover— as he trusted they would soon find from those legis- lative measures which alone could benefit them, a regular annual statistical return of the state of agricnlture throughout the country — he trusted they would find, from year to year, that they were constantly enlarging and improving, and in- creasing the value of the land which they occupied and possessed (cheers). They had only to consider the difference between an inefficient and ineffective system of agriculture, and a system which it was in their power to adopt, and which, to a great extent, had been carried on with great success, not only in some parts of Suffolk already, but in many counties throughout Great Britain (Hear, hear). They had only, he repeated, to consider the difference between the bad system and the good system, to be anxious stiil to continue those exertions by which the agriculture of the country had been improved, so as to place themselves beyond all the risk and all the dinger of adverse times similar to those under which they had so long suffered (Hear, hear). Mr. SpoOiN'ER, in returning thanks to " The healths of the Judges," expressed the gratification which he had derived from having been called upon to act as judge, and the more especially of such horses, which stood unrivalled through- out the world (cheers). If any proof were wanting as to the excellence of the stock, he would mention a fact which had come before his notice. Upon being called upon to decide upon the merits of the horses, his tv/o fellow judges stated to him that, as they knew the owners, and that as he (Mr. Spooner) was from a neighbouring county, they would conse- quently be obliged if he would undertake the office, in the first place, of pointing out the two best animals. He felt the responsibility to be certainly very great, and he at first felt disposed to shrink from the challenge. He was rejoiced, how- ever, to find that, in selecting the best animals, the confi deuce of his two fellow judges was fully justified by the striking fact that each of the horses which he selected had received a prize from the Royal Society of England (cheers). Taking the show of stock altogether, they had abundant reason to rejoice, for the class of two-year-old stallions, the class of two-year- old mares, rivalled the excellence of the best animals on the ground (cheers). While he and his fellow-judges sought shelter in a tent to escape the rain, he put a question to them, as they were residents in Suffolk. He asked them this, " How is it that when we see so many excellent Suffolk horses in the county, we see so many bad ones out of it?" (Hear, hear). The reply was, " It is because the best are kept at home, and the bad ones are sent away" (Great laughter). Notwith- standing, however, the superiority of the Suffolk breed, there were still many farmers who gave the preference to inferior animals, which tended to bring disgrace on the breed— a prac- tice which he for one should always deprecate. He begged of such breeders to recollect the fact that a bad horse required aa much to keep him up as a good one — that the same amount of feed v/as required to keep each animal in condition. It was, therefore, a matter of policy to strive to promote the excellence of the breed. He appreciated the observations which had fallen from the Hon. Baronet. What had been pointed out, V. as one of the most crying defects in breeding, and could uot be disputed. He considered it to be a national evil not to 164 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. take proper care, and it was a duty incumbent upon all to see that evil removed as speedily as possible. In conclusion, he could only trust that the society would go on and prosper (Loud cheers). Mr. Parkinson also returned his acknowledgments, trust- ing that the decisions had given satisfaction. With regard to some of the stock which he had had to decide upon, he wished he could offer the same congratulations as Mr. Spooner had been able to do upon the horses. They had, no doubt, had some useful animals, particularly in the shorthorns, and also in the pigs ; but with regard to the original stock of the county, he wondered that a county with the intelligence that Suffolk possessed, together with its stud of horses, and its first-rate implements — he wondered that they should still keep on breeding that kind of animal known as the polled beasts. They might be hardy, and they might be good milchers ; but he really thought that, from the celebrity which the short- horns had acquired, at any rate it would not be long before the whole would be superseded (cheers and laughter). Mr. A. Eansome returned thanks for the Committee, stating it had been their zealous desire to promote the in- terests of the society, as well as the interests which attached to the agricultural labourer (cheers). As regarded the show of stock, he remarked that the Association was lamentably de- ficient in that valuable animal called " the hack." To him it was a matter of astonishment that so few animals of this kind should have been exhibited. He quite agreed in what had fallen from the honourable baronet, when he stated that in the breeding of animals more attention should be paid for the fu- ture. He concluded by suggesting that an adequate premium be offered for the best riding horse. He hoped that three or four members would join in the object, towards which he would offer a contribution of £5 (cheers). A large premium, as he need scarcely remark, would insure a larger amount of competition (cheers). The other addresses following, " The Army and Navy," as well as " The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese," bore chiefly on our present relation with foreign powers, and indeed, during the earlier part of the evening, the meeting assumed a very warlike tone and character. BREEDING STOCK— THE CONDITION IN WHICH THEY SHOULD BE EXHIBITED. We will assume that when the late Lord Ducie, in his official position as President of the Royal Agricultural Society, complained of the condition in which breeding-stock were but too often ex- hibited, he was attacking an evil that really existed. The general cheers which greeted him when at the Lewes meeting he addressed himself to this abuse, the reiterated approval which followed his remarks wheresoever they were promulgated, and the readi- ness with which the Council of the Society met his wishes for amendment, all warrant us in supposing that his Lordship did not speak without a cause. The evil, in fact, was only too apparent ; while the difficulty of treating it was but equally evident. It was well known that a continued negligence as to this point had brought the system of over-feeding to be considered something like an established custom. It was so feared, and not without rea- son, that exhibitors might submit with no very good grace to a restriction, which prevented them showing their stock in any state they thought proper, however injurious to the animal, or contrary to the real object of the Society. In a word, we were on delicate ground. The application of the remedy, however, was well devised, and as discreetly carried into effect. Timely warned that they must sin no more, the majority of exhibitors at once pi-epared to meet the intentions of the Council. The result, too, was in every way gratifying and encouraging. We missed at Glou- cester much of that excess so prevalent at Lewes ; while we have the records of the Society to assure us that the meeting, even on this first trial, suffered but little indeed from the caution which had been issued. In only one description of cattle was any falling off observable ; and of this one we had heard rumour on rumour as to how in certain quarters a pampered and highly-artificial condition had been made to pass as the best recommendation for a breeding animal. The index pointed at once to where the offence had been most systematic, and to where, accordingly, we might expect to find it most obstinate. We must repeat, then, that Gloucester gave us every encouragement to persevere in the good be- ginning that had been achieved. The juries per- formed the duty imposed upon them with a most commendable discretion, only making an example where example was absolutely necessary ; and yet on the issue of what these gentlemen did, the whole plan is after one brief trial to fall to the ground, and we are to go on again as we have been going on so long. In an otherwise most encouraging report just published in the new number of the Society's Journal, we find the following conclusions on this point : — • " The council last year appointed a committee to report suggestions on the subject of that over-fed condition of animals, which in many instances at previous meetings had been animadverted upon as being inconsistent with their value as stock intended for breeding purposes. The arrangements, however, made by that committee have not attained the object in view. The disqualifications pronounced at Gloucester were not eventually confirmed in every case : animals apparently over-fed at the time having subsequently been proved to be breeding stock. The council have, therefore, reverted to the society's original rule of placing on the judges of the show the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 165 responsibility of awarding the prizes to those animals which in their opinion are the beat adapted for the purposes of breeding." Here is the grand argument against the jury system. We are afraid to say how often it has been used, or how little there really is in it when it comes to be closely examined. " The disqualifi- cation at Gloucester, which was not eventually con- firmed," is more distinctly given ixs in a previous number of the Journal. In the stewards' report of the stock exhibited at Gloucester, we learn " that the sow belonging to Mr. Northey, which was disqualified for over-fatness, has since pro- duced eight young ones." Admitted it was so ; but what, after all, does this prove ? Surely no one will go so far as to say that over-feeding will in every instance — although it does in too many — result in thorough impotency or barrenness ! True, that this sow did afterwards produce eight pigs ; but will any one who saw her at Gloucester be hardy enough to affirm that she was shown there in proper breeding condition, or that the Jury did that which they ought not to have done in condemning her ? "\\'e hear of prize cows being physicked, exercised, and gradually brought down again, after a meeting in order that they may be fitted for breeding purposes. Then, strange to say, some of them do breed. And it is with such logic as this we ai'e to rest satisfied that they were exhibited "in proper breeding condition." The same with bulls, which, after two or three months' reducing, are found in some measure fit for use, and do get stock. It is well known, though, that many of them lose their colour and tone in this process, and that they are never again the animals they were previous to being fattened up for a breeding show. With all the good they are, and have accom- pUshed, let the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society not forget that they have already admitted this in their proceedings as a growing evil. It is one, too, so thoroughly fundamental in its effects, as to claim their most serious attention. In meet- ing it, they may no doubt give some temporary of- fence to a few exhibitors whose success may be endangered by amendment. The community, however, cannot but profit by some such whole- some regulation as that their late excellent Presi- dent advised, and which his talented succes- sor has endorsed. The man who, then, is desirous of improving the character of his stock will buy or use a prize animal with some chance of that advantage implied in the award. May we hope to see the Royal Agricultural Society of England give all their aid in arriving at so de- sirable a warranty! As it is, how often are the powers of an animal injured by the pernicious kind of competition he has to encounter ! We care not how this limit is enforced, so that it is still held out in terrorem. Whether by judge or jury we will not stop to question. It appears now that the duty is to be again, as it has been from the first, with the judges of stock. We shall be bold to say that it is a duty never yet impressed upon them, and never even affected to be performed. To the judges, however, we have now to look to keep up the character of the Royal Agricultural Society as an exhibition of breeding stock. During our recent visits to different parts of the kingdom, we have noticed with pleasure the invitation given to the judges to suggest anything which might strike them as improvements, or to denounce what they might consider detrimental. We have further been gratified with the straightforward manner in which this appeal has generally been responded to. It is from such authorities as these we should learn to know and keep the right road j and it is in these we are quite willing to put our con- fidence at the Lincoln meeting. Let them bear in mind the duty they have undertaken, as defined to them in this last report — " to award the prizes to those animals which in their opinion are (physi- cally and symmetrically) the best adapted for the purposes of breeding." The words in italics are our own ; but we will undertake to say they only convey yet more distinctly the real intention of the Society. THE TIMBER TRADE OF AMERICA.— Ship timber of late years has become exceedingly valuable, as the demand for ships has increased, and at the present time that demand is greater than ever before, and in the upward tendency of freights is not likely to slacken. We have seen the greatest change in the commercial affairs of the world in the last five years, since the California trade opened, that has ever taken place. The spirit of traffic seems to have seized upon the whole world, and notwithstanding the great number and size of ships, the fastness of their sailing, and the shortening of the distances, we are far from being supplied with vessels, and much further, than when the trade to the Pacific first opened. We formerly had shipyards at the mouths of the river, that the materials might be floated down the streams; but the ship- timber forests have long since disappeared. Then the railways made the woods of the interior accessible ; and by them now are most of our shipyards supplied. Trees that are worthless in the interior of New Hampshire and Vermont have gone up in value; and even to the wilderness of Canada the landholder, in estimating his lands, will mark all the trees, and perfectly well knows their worth for spars or ship-building. The hunt- ing up of knees and keel pieces away back upon the hills a hundred miles is what the last generation of carpenters never thought of ; and to have agents constantly employed for that purpose would have seemed ruinous to our fathers ; it is not only done for these parts, but from our coasts they are trans- ported to Maine, and yet they are not supplied. Lately, more than heretofore, the carpenters have looked south for the ma- terials for the construction of first-class ships, to the immense piue and oak fields from Virginia to Florida. The felling of Boutheru forests for our shipyards, by northern labourers and 168 THE FARMER*S MAGAZINE. northera capital, is a great business, aud speculators are all over the lands now, as some twenty years ago thay were in Maiue. These laud? will ba ample for tlie next century's uses at least ; aud, being' where the warm winters will allow of the cuttiu^, whcu it is difficult to work here, will ever call for northera mtn. Some of our cai'peuters have recently been sauth, anci, we understand, mide extensive purchases of lands. To those who pursue the business of ship-building', and properly select their lands, these must be profitable investments, their value increasing every year. — Newhiiry-port Herald. FOOD FOR THE MILLION RICE Rice, although the food of a larger number of the in- habitants of the globe thaa any other kind of corn, is yet scarcely included in the daily bill of fare of the English labourer. This no doubt arises fronn the fact of its not being the produce of our clinaate. But such is no reason — seeing that we have become so dependent upon foreign produce — but the contrary, if its merits recommend it ; for it frequently occurs that when a deficient harvest is experienced in one climate, another has an abundant one, so that it manifestly becomes the interest of the inhabitants of the two to reciprocate with one another in tlie consumption of food, each ac- customing itself to use so much of that of the other as circumstances may require. And we m'iy just remind our readers that habit is necessary to reconcile the stomach of communities to this or that species of food. Rice is deficient of gluten and fat, two of the most important elements of food for a hard-working man — a circumstance greatly against its introduction and use in this country. From infancy we ourselves have been rather partial to it, in puddings of every kind, and, by way of experiment, used it one year during nearly four months, dining wholly upon it daily ; but it will not do to work upon, for we not only lost weight, but strength, and were glad to get hold of a beefsteak or mutton chop again at dinner. It was cooked for us in various ways, but principally plain, the rice being boiled whole, and eaten with sugar, marmalade, jam, butter, cream, olive oil, or palm oil. When the rice is boiled with milk, and then baked with eggs, and eaten with cream and sugar, it proves a more substantial pudding, but too expensive for the table of the labourer, both as to cooking and nutritive value. We also used rice-meal porridge to breakfast for nearly fourteen days in succession, cooking and eating it with milk the same as oatmeal porridge, with this ex- ception, that we used a little ground nutmeg, ginger, and sugar, along with salt, for seasoning. But, although eaten with milk, it has not stamina for a working man ; otherwise it is a very cheap diet, and easily cooked, not requiring one-third of the time which whole rice does. Rice is frequently eaten along with curries or fricas- sees, made either of fish, fowl, game, or butcher-meat, or any compound of them— or, in short, any hash of animal food ; and this is probably the best plan in which it is now brought to table. Eaten in this way it sup- plies the place of potatoes, with which it corresponds in chemical analysis, and makes a sufficiently savoury and substantial diet for a ploughman. On this he can per- form his task daily from one year's end to the other without reason to complain, The following is a com- parative analysis of dried rice and potatoes, from " The Chemistry of Common Life," in proof of what we have just said of them : — Rice. Potatoea. Gluten 7.V 8 Starch &c.. 92i 92 100 100 From this it will be seen that the nutritive value of rice is rather under than above potatoes ; but so near equality that the difference would be immaterial in prac- tice, were other things equal. Other things, however, are not quite equal, being more in favour of the latter, we believe, than the former. The mechanical construc- tion of the two, for instance, is very different ; the granules of the one being angular, and the other glo- bular. Those of rice, for instance, are angular, and not half the size of the irregularly globuse-like granules of the potato ; and besides, there are other chemical differences than gluten, tor rice is rather constipating, while potatoes are the opposite. The investigation of this subject, however, is yet in ft very imperfect state, for both chemistry and physiology have much to do before we possess accurate information as to the constituent elements, cookery, and nutritive qualities of rice. We ourselves have had several years' experience of potato-fed labourers, but none of rice ; and the experiments we have made personally for our own information are not sufficient to establish the question as to the superiority of the one over the other. Our opinion, however, has been generally con- curred in, and is also corroborated to some extent by physical evidence. An Irishman, for instance, is not so " pot-bellied" as a Hindoo, which proves, as some have argued, the soundness of the conclusion ; for the reason why the latter has been obliged to distend his stomach to a greater degree, arises from the fact that his diet — rice~~\s less nutritive, and he therefore must consume a larger quantity of it, while the former is capable of per- forming a larger amount of work. This latter conclusion may be qualified to some extent by the difference of climate under which the two labourers have to work ; and it may also be said that the Hindoo has a more liberal supply of rice— «. e., is better fed. Rice is found growing wild around the edges of many lakes in Hindustan. What is thus grown is smaller than any of the cultivated kinds, but superior in quality, fetching a high price, and is principally used by the higher classes, who esteem it a " dainty dish." The different varieties of rice are cooked much after the same manner, but in various ways. It may be THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. boiled, for instance, or stewed, or steamed ; and in Java a practice prevails of half-boiling half-steaming. It is sometimes boiled loose in an iron pot or pan, or vessel of stoneware ; and when sufficiently done, the water in which it is boiled is strained off, and the rice allowed to steam for a short time over the fire, prior to being dished. Currie, sweetmeats, olive, palm-oil, or sauce of some kind is sometimes poured over it, and in other cases the natives dip the rice in the oil, &c., or eat it along with fish, fowl, or meat of some kind. It is in other cases tied loose in a cloth, and then put into boil- ing water. The Javanese rice-pudding already referred to is cooked thus : — " Thsy take a conical earthen pot, which is open at the large end, and perforated all over ; this they fill about half full with rice, and putting it into a larger earthen pot, of the same shape, filled with boiling water, the rice in the first pot soon swells, and stops the perforations, so as to keep out the water ; by this method the rice is brought to a firm consistence, and forms a pudding, 'which is generally eaten with butter, oil, sugar, vinegar, and spices." We quote the foregoing from Dr. Hooper's Medical Dictionary, and the same author adds that " the Indians eat stewed rice with great success, against the bloody flux ; and in most inflamm.atory diseases, they cure themselves with only a decoction of it." In this country numerous recipes are given for the cooking of rice. " Domestic Cookery, by a Lady," for instance, gives no fewer than twenty-two of them, be- sides various other dishes, in which it forms a part. But out of this long list, few are fit for the table of the hard- working man, principally owing to expense, but in some cases to too watery a form. We quote one or two of the most likely to be useful. " Carrole of Rice. — Take some well picked rice, wash it well, and boil it five minutes in water ; strain it, and put it into a stew-pan, with a bit of butter, a good slice of ham, and an onion; stew it over a very gentle fire till tender ; have ready a mould lined with very thin slices of bacon ; mix the yolks of two or three eggs with the rice, and then line the bacon with it, about half an inch thick ; put into it a ragout of chicken, rabbit, veal, or anything else. Fill up the mould, and cover it close with rice ; bake it in a quick oven an hour, turn it over, and send it to table in a good gravy or curry sauce." Divesting the above of artistic ceremony and outward appearance, our readers will perceive that more than a labouring man may make a comfortable dinner of the odds and ends of cold-meat of any kind, stewed with rice and eggs ; for, if properly done in the stew-pan, the latter process of moulding and baking will add little to its nutritive value. Rice, bacon, and eggs, in the pan, would make the heart of many a poor man glad, before he got the length of his own cottage door to dinner ; and if he could afford rabbit, veal, or fowl — then, dividing the bacon and eggs, and making two or more dinners with the necessary quantity of rice to each, would be a very great improvement. When parties do not like onions, any other of the many articles for seasoning may be added, according to taste. " Rice PaDDiNG with Fruit. — Swell the rice with a very little milk, over the fire ; then mix fruit of any kind with it (currants, gooseberries scalded, pared and quartered apples, raisins, or black currants) ; with one egg in the rice to bind it, boil it well, and serve with sugar." "Baked Rice, Pudding. — Swell rice as above; then add some more milk, one egg, sugar, allspice, and lemon peel ; bake in a deep dish." Miss Leslie, of Philadelphia, the author of " American Domestic Cookery," gives the following recipe for mak- ing a baked rice pudding, without eggs, viz : — "Half a pint of rice, a quart of rich miUc,fQur heaped teaspoonfuls of brown sugar, a heaped tea- spoonful of powdered cinnamon. Pick the rice clean, and wash it through two cold waters, draining it after- wards till as dry as possible. Stir it into a deep dish con- taining a quart of rich milk ; add the sugar and ground cinnamon. Set the dish into the oven, and bake the pudding three hours. It may be eaten warm, but is best cold. This is a very good pudding, and economical when eggs are scarce. Some fresh butter stirred in just before it goes to the oven, will improve the mixture." We are not insensible to the use of an oven, but many poor people are minus such a privilege ; and even if they had one, they have not the means of heating it three or four hours daily. Ground rice, boiled from five to ten minutes in rich milk , with sugar and cinna- mon, will just make as nourishing a pudding as the above American. If eggs, butter, or fruit are added, so much the better. The latter will require a little more boiling ; but any cottager's wife can easily tell when a gooseberry is boiled. Made in the manner we propose, it will require constant stirring, and should be thick and croquant. After being put into a deep pudding-dish, if it be placed on hot ashes before the fire for a few minutes before being sent to table, it will make it more firm and palatable. It should never be touched until cooled to blood heat throughout ; and many, if not the majority, as Miss Leslie observes, would prefer it cold. The great objection to rice, as we have already hinted, is the small quantity of nitrogenous matter which it contains, reducing it to competition with potatoes. No doubt, in this sense, it is even invaluable to a country like England, so much dependent upon foreign pota- toes and other produce. It is on this account alone that we have thought it worthy of this lengthened notice ; and the following analyses of the two, in their natural state, will enable our readers to calculate which is the cheapest : — Rice. Potatoes. Water 12 .. 75 Husk and Fibre 3 .. 3 Starch and Sugar ... . 75 .. 16 Gluten 7 . . 2 Fat f .. i Ash 1 .. 1 In every lOOlbs. of rice purchased from the grocer's shop you have only 881bs. of dry rice, the balance being water; and of lOOlbs. of potatoes only 25lbs. of dry food — equivalent in value, according to the preceding analysis, to 251bs. of dry rice, or 281b3. in its natural THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. state. If 281bs. of rice, therefore, cost more money than iOOlbs. of potatoes, the latter is the best bargain to the poor man, and vice versa if otherwise. In other words, lib. of rice is about equal to 41bs. of potatoes. Now, at present we are paying 4d. for the latter and only 3d. for the former ; consequently potatoes are one- fourth dearer food to us for eating along with ,butcher- meat, fish or fowl, than rice ; so that more rice may be advantageously consumed, and fewer potatoes. In the above calculation we have said that one pound of rice is about equal to four pounds of potatoes ; and that we are paying threepence for one pound of the former, and fourpence for four pounds of the latter. This our readers will perceive is not quite correct ; but if we had said that three pennyworth of rice is equal to four pennyworth of potatoes, the statement would have been strictly true. So that the conclusion at which we arrived as to the economy of food is sound. Another objection may be made as to the price of potatoes and rice. The country labourer, it may be said, can have potatoes at less than the half of what has just been stated, or a halfpenny per pound, and in not a few cases at one-fourth, or a farthing. In other words, a pennyworth of potatoes is equal to three pennyworth of rice ; while ground rice, as recommended for economy of time in cooking, cannot be had for even threepence itself. The objection is good, and cannot be refuted ; but what we said had only reference to ourself, so that each party must just judge for himself. Rice caa be had at less than threepence per pound, if taken in quantities ; and the grinding of 1 cwt. should not cost much. When boiled or stewed along with meat of any of kind, whole rice will be done as soon as the meat ; so that such may be preferred : and the same will be the case with fruit. In economical cooking this is a most important point for consideration — one which should never be lost sight of ; and also the working-up of the whole of the raw ele- ments purchased. In the cookery books to which we have alluded, for instance, we frequently find 12 yolks and only 6 whites of eggs used, being a waste of 6 whites —the most important part of the egg, too, for a hard- working man. In this respect it is but justice to ob- serve that the mother country is greatly more extrava- gant than her colony ; and when this is applied to cottage cookery, it will appear in its true light when the incomes of the two labourers and prices of provisions are contrasted. The English labourer, with his small wages and high-priced provisions, obviously requires more economical modes of cookery rather than more ex- travagant. But when eggs, sugar, butter, or fat of any kind are only used in the cooking of rice, it is manifest that ground rice, which may be boiled in five minutes, is preferable to whole rice, which will require at least half an hour, or from three to four hours in an oven when baked. During the winter months, again, when the cottage fire is kept continually burning, whole rice may be advantageously boiled, stewed, or steamed in a pot or pan with a perforated moveable bottom, as pota- toes are frequently done. Or cheap ovens may be constructed, so as to bake a pudding, bread, or any other thing ; keeping the cottage warm at the same time. Boiled rice is sometimes mixed with wheaten flour in the making of bread — or, what is better, ground rice. We know a metropolitan baker \^ho always has rice loaves ticketed in his shop window, and also Indian-corn bread. We have had several of him ; but, although ex- cellently baked and promising as to appearance, they have nothing to recommend them to the outdoor labourer. Mixed with oat, lentil, pea, or bean meal, it has more to recommend it, when cooked in puddings along with a liberal allowance of fat ; and also with cabbage. We have tried several experiments with various mixtures of these articles, and can vouch for the increase of sub- stantiality easily accounted for by the increase of gluten. We have also mixed ground rice and Indian- corn meal, but cannot say so much in favour of the mixture, the latter being better without it. In all these cases rice still finds a strong opponent in the potato. Pea and potato pudding, potato bread, kol-cannon (potatoes and cabbage), for instance, are well-known dishes in cottage cookery. From these observations it will readily be perceived that when rice becomes cheaper than potatoes, as it is to the labouring population of our large towns at present, it may be very profitably used along with meat of any kind, as the curries of the East, where it is so largely used ; and that the cheapest and readiest mode of cook- ing is, probably, stewed rice, eggs, and bacon ; stewed meat and rice, with seasoning according to the taste of parties, as it requires the least time and fire from the cottager's wife. Some stomachs, however, object to stewed meats; so that for exceptions of this kind pro- vision will have to be made. LONDON CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB.— The anniversary dinner of this club took place at the Crown and Sceptre, Greenwich, on Monday, July 3. — J.Thomas, Esq., of Lidlington Park, Beds, in the chair, supported by upwards of forty members and their friends, includ- ing Messrs. R, Baker, of Writtle, Essex ; T. Owen, of Clapton, Berks; J. H. Sawell, of Muching, Essex; H. Trethewy, of Silsoe, Beds; S. Skelton, of Sutton Bridge, Lincoln ; R. Caparn, of Holbeach, Lincoln ; Henry and Cheslyn Hall, of Neasdon, Middlesex ; T. Knight, of Bobbing, Kent; L. A. Coussmaker, of Westwood, Farnham; G. Wool, of Ulwell, Cambridge; W. Bullock Webster, of Malvern, Worcester ; J. Cres. singham, of Carshalton, Surrey ; J. Wood, of Croydon, Surrey ; J. G. King, of Budon, Berks ; E. Purser, of New Bridge-street ; T. Slater, of Kensington ; F. J. Wilson, of Fenchurch-street, &c., &c. In the course of the evening the chairman gave " Success to the Far- mers' Club," with which he coupled the name of Mr. Robert Baker, who, in responding, congratulated the members on the good he believed the club had effected. Following this, Mr. Trethewy proposed the health of the chairman— a very efficient one, to whom the com- THE FARMER S MAGAZINE, 169 pany did due honour. Mr. Caparn subsequently gave " The Royal Agricultural Society," expressing his hopes, as a Lincolnshire man, as to the success of the forth- coming meeting. Mr. Henry Hall returned thanks on behalf of the Society; and Mr. Cressingham, of the Croydon Club, for " The Local Farmers' Clubs," pro- posed by Mr. Ow^en. Mr. Corbet replied to " The Secretary," and Mr. Slater, the eminent butcher, to "The Visitors," proposed by Mr. Bullock Webster. The dinner and wines were in every way worthy of the repute Mr. Quartermaine has obtained in his many years' experience of that refined luxury — a white-bait feast. THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW LEICESTER SHEEP. Sir, — Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, Leicestershire— the great luminary, whose rays vivified every branch of agriculture they fell upon — was the founder of the New Leicester barrel-formed sheep. A highly-talented gentleman, Mr. James Ganley, of Dublin — in answer to my letter, whether small or large sheep were the most profitable, and which I leave to the public to decide— remarks- : " Your friend, ' S. A.,' says Mr. Ward's sheep are styled by many Old Leicesters, because they have more wool and size than the pnre-bred New Leicesters, and have a great semblance to the best long-wool Lincolns. Keally, sir, this is new to us in Ireland; for we thought the Old Leicesters were founded on Bakewell's breed, and continued small." If the highly-talented gentleman will look into the " Farmer's Magazine" of August, 1842, page 83, he will find it says that "Mr. Bakewell stood alone; and to him we are solely indebted for that beautiful and useful animal, the New Leicester sheep." In the same page it says — " Conjectures have been various : some have considered that the principal crosses were made be- tween the old long-woolled Leicesters and the ill-formed animal that in those days fed upon the grassy hills of Char- wood Forest. But, after all, conjecture is not proof. It may be taken as a fact, denying dispute, that all his crosses were made from the best individuals of the different flocks, and these he in all probability crossed again with some of another breed." In the "Farmer's Magazine" of December, 18-41, page 436, it says — " His sheep were smaller than those of his neigh- bours, but they retained every good point, and had got rid only of the bad oues. The alteration was rapid as well as great in his own flock ; and the practice which he introduced, of letting some of his rams, quickly extended the benefit of his system far and wide. The first ram which he let was in the year 1760, at 13s. 6(1. for the season. In 1 789, he let one ram for 1,000 gs., and he cleared more than 6,000 gs. in the same year by the letting of others. After that — so great was the mania, or, rather, the desire for improvement— that Mr. Lawrence cal- culates that £100,000 were annually spent by the midland far- mers in the hiring of rams. Such loas Ike origin and the eventful triumph of the New Leicester breed of sheep. They have spread themselves in every part of the United Kingdom." I beg to inform the Irish gentleman that a breed of great long-woolled, large-boued. Old Leicester sheep existed before Mr. Bakewell or his father was born. I saw, 55 years back, an Old Leicester ram, bred by Mr. Moses Miller, of Smeeton, Leicestershire, that weighed, alive, 30 stone (of 141bs. to the stone), and cut IGlbs. of coarse wool. As to the weight o* Mr. Ward's sheep, I have seen three-shear rams, fed upon famous grass lard and turnips, that have weighed 601bs. per quarter — capable of being made to weigh much more. It appears that the heaviest Lincolnshire sheep on record was fed by Mr. Healy, of High Risby, and was slaughtered at Brigg about fiifteen years back, that weighed 761bs. per qr. — and weighed publicly, because there were many wagers about his weight. The heaviest Cotswold sheep on record was a three years and nine months old sheep, bred and fed by Mr. Cother, and exhibited in Mr. Hardcastle's shop in Kmg-street, Baker- street, at the Great Chrisimas Cattle Show two years back, that weighed 841bs. per quarter ; and thousands of people saw him. As to Mr. Ward's sheep being clifted through their backs, a lean sheep, of course, is never clifted through his back; and all a gigantic sheep weighs above SOlbs. per quarter is fat flesh, and not lean, I have seen Leicester sheep cut very thick of fat down their backs, and not clifted. Mr. Ward's sheep have plenty of lean flesh in proportion to the fat, and his wool is about the same quality and weight as the best Lincolns. By the appearance of the long-woolled Ijincolnshire sheep upon Lincoln Heath and the Wolds, the Lincolns wiU thrive in any county upon clover and turnips, or they would not suit Lincoln Heath ; and the Wolds, a century back, was as wild as the deserts of Arabia — nay, a wilderness, a rabbit-warren. lam perfectly aware that the Leicester rams have done wonders for the Lincolns and Cotswolds, when put to gigantic ewes of each kind. The greater part of the Cotswold sheep are bred upon poor weak land. I conceive there are very few flocks in the kingdom but what have had a dip, direct or indirect, of the Bakewell New Leicester sheep. The celebrated and far-famed Mr. Bakewell ended his valuable life the 1st of October, 1795, at the age of 69 — too early for the good of his country. 86, Vauxhall-slreet, Vauxliall, Surrey, June 29. S. A. PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL STOCK.— The last of the principal herds of cattle in the hundred of Bassetlaw, of which the late Earl Spencer's was the type, was disposed of by public auction, by Mr. Strafford, of London, on Tuesday last. It is calculated that, within the last 50 years, not less than 70,000 guineas have been taken in the district in question for animals bred in it by the late Earl Spencer, the Hon. J. B. Simpson, Messrs. J. Parkinson, H. Watsou, J. Hall, H. Champion, and others of less note. It was the stock of the latter gentleman which was brought to the hammer on Tuesday last, in the presence of a numerous company. The cows and heifers realized a total of £1,252, giving an average of about £43 each. The best lots sold were the following : — Sylphide, roan, 1849, by Pestalozzi, purchased by Mr. Tainter for 130 guineas ; Cyprus, aed and white, 1852, by Lord of Brawith, purchased by Mr. Tainter for 100 guineas ; Lady Millicent, roan, 1847, by Laudable, purchased by Mr. Tainter for 94 guineas; Seraph, light roan, 1851, by Lord of Brawith, purchased by Mr. S. Foljamhe, of Osberton House, Notts; Cerentola, roan, 1849, by Faugh- a-Ballagh, purchased by Mr. Foljambe for 69 guineas. The five bulls realized 174?., giving an average of nearly 351. each. The principal were General Bates, rich roan, 1852, by Lord of Brawith, purchased by Sir T. White, of Wallingwells ; and Lord of Brawith, roan, 1849, by Em- peror, purchased by Mr. Armstrong for 52 guineas. After the cattle sale 288 fat ewes were sold in pens of five each. These went off heavily at from 5d. to 6d. per lb. After this 62 fat gimmer hogs were sold in pens of five each, and brought from 6d. to 7d. per lb, — The Times. W 170 Tlili FARMER'S MAGAZINE. AGRICULTURAL REPORTS GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR JULY. In our last month's report we alluded to the very favoursible accounts which had come to hand from most of our large grain districts in reference to the general appearance of the grain crops ; and this month we have to confirm the statements then made as regards the probable amount of food which will be secured for consumption. Compared with many previous corresponding periods of the year, our local advices ai-e less conflicting on a subject of such vital importance than we almost ever recollect. It is true that some of our correspon- dents state that blight has made its appearance amongst the wheats, and that the produce in some counties is not likely to turn out so extensive as was at one time anticipated; nevertheless, we may ciafely venture to observe — and we here deal in (/eneralities, leaving isolated cases to deal with themselves, because they cannot have any decided influence upon the total yield — that a finer prospect was never presented than at this moment. The crop of wheat, with the aid of fine weather, is therefore, in our opinion, likely to prove a full average one, and certainly considerably in excess of that produced last year, or even the year before. When we consider that we have been deprived of our accustomed supplies of grain from Russia, and that a considerable decline has taken place in the shijiments from the United States, and further, that consumption has continued large, we regard this feature as a most important one, because we have now the prospect before us of abundance, when for some time past we have laboured under the disadvantage of a comparative deficiency. The deficiency, however, has not extended to foreign grain : in other words, we have had an importation of wheat and flour from abroad, more than equal to our wants ; and it is evident that, notwithstanding there is every reason to anticipate further depressed currencies, we shall continue to receive large im- portations of grain and flour from various parts of the globe, and which eventually may lead to heavy losses on the part of the importers. As regards spring corn, we feel justified in saying that we are on the eve of a most abundant return. In Essex, Kent, &c., the cutting of winter oats and rye has already been commenced, and no doubt rapid progress will shortly be made in other dis- tricts. With the exception of beans and peas being likely to turn out a light crop, the total yield of spring corn will, we are of opinion, prove unusually large. We have now to consider the potato crop. On this point, a great difference of opinion prevails. In some quarters blight has extended itself, but the loss hitherto has not been serious ; indeed, we see no reason whatever to look forward to a dis- astrous period when the crop arrives at maturity. The same observations as regards wheat, may be applied to potatoes : for instance, the breadth of land under cultivation is immense, not only in England, but likewise in Ireland and Scotland. In the two latter countries, an immense surplus pro- duce is expected, and which, no doubt, will find its way to England. We have now glanced at present prospects, and have given what we consider a faithful report of the progress of agriculture. It may not, perhaps, have the effect of keeping up prices ; but on this point we have been equally clear in preceding months. That the present value of food will not be sup- ported, is clear from what is passing in the trade ; and we regard the rapid decline in prices as merely the forerunner of even a greater fall, though it may not be so rapid as that which has occurred during the past month. The advices from our hop districts have been most unsatisfactory. The whole of the plantations exhibit a wretched appearance, and it is clear that the growth will be miserably deficient. The duty has been done as low as £45,000 up to £60,000. The high prices paid in the Borough have induced heavy shipments from the continent, and which have checked what may be termed a serious ad- vance. The growth in Holland and Belgium, last year, must have been very large. The whole of the crop of hay has now been secured; but we regret to observe that a large portion of it has been stacked in very middhng condition. The crop has been by no means heavy. There has been a slight improvement in the demand for English wool, owing, in some measure, to the firmness with which the colonial wool sales are progressing. Prices, however, have shown no disposition to advance, and the immense arrivals from Australia have tended to check all confidence in the article as one of investment. The fat stock markets have been fairly supplied with beasts, sheep, &c., but their general condition has proved very inferior. The general demand has THE FAiUv]£R'S MAGAZINE. 171 been rather inactive— in many instances heavy — and prices have had a downward tendency. In Ireland and Scothind the corn trade has been very dull, and prices have given way to some ex- tent. We learn that the stock of wheat, barley, and oats, now in the hands of the growers, is larger than has been generally anticipated. REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. Notwithstanding that the cattle trade has not been quite so firm as to price as in the previous month, it has continued in a healthy state ; and we may add that the returns, as a whole, have been tolerably remunerative. It has, however, been a general subject of conversation that the stock as yet derived from the northern grazing districts has fallen considerably short, both in weight and con- dition, of some previous years. This circumstance may, in some measure, be attributed to the com- parative scarcity of pasture food in Lincolnshire, and the high prices paid for linseed cake. As regards the health of both beasts and sheep, we may intimate that no serious cases of disease have been met with, and that, consequently, the graziers have not much to complain of on this head. The future state of our markets is looked forward to with much anxiety,both by graziers and breeders. The former have unquestionably paid very high rates for their depastured stock, and the latter are by no means anxious sellers, except at a further imi)rovement in the quotations. In former reviews, we have intimated that low prices were wholly out of the question. We are still of the same opinion, because we perceive that the aggregate imports of beasts and sheep from Holland have this year fallen considerably short of some former seasons, although our markets have offered a great tempta- tion to the foreigner. Much of course will depend upon the ability of the English breeders to meet consumption ; but our impression is, that they are not in a position to supply the markets with an adequate number of stock to have any material effect upon value. Evidently the number of both beasts and sheep in our large grazing districts is not in excess of corresponding periods ; conse- quently, in the event of any positive deficiency in our imports from the continent, even higher rates may be anticipated. The following are the imports of foreign stock into London during the month : — Head. Beasts 4,274 Sheep 12,249 Lambs 1,309 Calves 3,112 Pigs 1,288 Total 22,242 Ditto in 1853 38,793 Ditto in 1852 ....... 27,008 Ditto in 1851 24,082 At the out-ports, the arrivals have exhibited a corresponding, if not a greater, decline ; and we are of opinion that those of August will be smaller than in July. Annexed are the total supplies shown in Smith- field :— Head. Beasts 19,740 Cows 540 Sheep and lambs 1 57,970 Calves 4,123 Pigs 3,110 SUPPLIES AT CORRESPONDING PERIODS. July, July, July, 1853. 1852. 1851. Beasts. 21,199 18,404 18,492 Cows 560 680 470 Sheep and lambs .... 169,920 1G0,190 188,170 Calves 4,315 3,476 2,520 Pigs 2,820 3,067 2,800 The bullock supplies from Lincolnshire, Leices- tershire, and Northamptonshire, have amounted to 6,700 short-horns ; from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, 2,200 Scots and short-horns ; from other parts of England, 3,000 of various breeds ; and from Scotland, G60 horned and polled Scots. Beasts have changed hands at from 3s. 2d. to 5s. ; sheep, 3s. 4d. to 5s.; lambs, 4s. 4d. to 5s. Sd.; calves, 3s. 2d. to 5s.; pigs, 3s. to 4s. 8d. per 8 lbs., to sink the offal. COMPARISON OF PRICES. July, 1853. July, 1852. July, 1851. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef.. 3 2 to 5 0, . 2 4 to 3 10.. 2 4 to 3 8 Mutton 3 6 5 4.. 2 8 4 0..2 6 3 10 Lamb 50 6 4.. 42 5 2.. 40 50 Veal ..3 6 5 0. .2 6 4 0.. 2 6 3 8 Pork.. 30 4 2.. 26 3 8.. 26 38 There have been several arrivals of stock into London direct by sea from Ireland, and we under- stand that the shipments have paid remarkably well. The arrivals from Scotland have been of very prime quality for the time of year ; but we have observed no improvement whatever in the general condition of the foreign imports. This is somewhat remarkable, considering the lengthened period which has elapsed since the passing of the present tariff laws. Newgate and Leadenhall have been very scantily supphed with each kind of meat throughout the month ; nevertheless, the demand has been in a very depressed state, and prices generally have had a downward tendency. Beef has sold at from 3s. to 4s. 6d. ; mutton, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 8d.; lamb, 4s. 2d. to 5s. 8d.; veal, 3s. 2d. to 4s. lOd.; and pork, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. per Bibs, by the carcase. N 2 172 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. The general aspect of the county is good. Our pastures, which at one time were eatea bare, have been refreshed with the late rains, and have very much improved ; the hay harvest is a tedious affair, the crop has fallen very light, and but little has been secured in good condition. Some fields we saw yesterday, in the neighbourhood of Newark, are fit for nothing but litter; as a counterbalance to this, the eddishes (after- maths) will be good, and may in some cases be mown a second time. The turnip crop also will be good ; we have not seen an indifferent crop in the county, where properly cultivated. Some few there ytt are, wlio take a short cut, and manage slovenly, and consequently crop slightly : too much labour can scarcely be applied, and the more, generally, the better the re- turn. [Of the potato crop we hear few complaints ; the breadth planted is as great as in the average of seasons : we trust we may be spared the evil. The wheat crop is partially good; the breadth sown, as in our former remarks, is great, but in some localities very thin ; it must cut up in such situations light, but the ear on all soils is good, and the crop, we have no hesitation in stating, will, with favourable weather, be found an average one. Spring corn has a good appearance, and pro- mises, taken as a whole, an average return. Our corn markets are heavy, and will be now for a time, what they always are at this period of the year— extremely vacillating ; we do not calculate on much decline before the harvest is secured, for the stocks of wheat in hand are very light; high prices naturally reduce stores, and what we have on hand will all be wanted. Our cattle markets are heavy; and both fat and lean stock have suffered some decline in value. The labour market still maintains its position, and good able bodied labourers are scarce. Wages 15s. per week — of course there is some variation from that point ; the hay harvest absorbs a good amount, and raises it in some localities. — July 18. LAUNCESTON, CORNWALL. We have bad rain more or less, some days very heavy, for the last two months ; and with the exception of last Saturday afternoon, which was very clear and fine, have had little or no sun; the consequence is that fruit of every description is taste- less and watery. The wheat, more especially the white, has the yellows in it, in some cases very bad. The barley haa grown so rapidly that it is exceedingly long and weak ; and the heavy rains on Monday last lodged a portion of the crop. With regard to the hay, some fields after the grass had been cut upwards of three weeks are cleared, but the produce is only fit for litter; the other portion now on the ground, from present appearances, will share the same fate; and of the grass remaining, much is really rotting in the bottom. Swedes are at a stand-still, and the weeds are overcoming them, the land being so very wet that it is next to impossible to prevent their growing : a vast quantity of land intended to be sown with white and yellow turnips remain untilled, and all the work of the farm is thrown out of its regular course by the very un- favourable and serious weather. Harvest must be later than we have had it for some years past. The stocks of home grown grain is nearly exhausted, and in the face of all this every article of produce is declining in price. — July 19. CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE This is the general harvest month in Britain, e.x- cept in the most northern parts, where it is pro- tracted into next month. Cut grain crops full ten days before a dead ripeness takes place ; the straw will be more juicy, and the flour will be whiter and more doughy. Wheat is most generally cut by sickle, set in shocks of 12 sheaves, and built in ricks. Oats and barley are more generally cut or mown by scythe, carried loose, or tied into sheaves some days after being mown. Peas are cut by sickle, and laid into heaps. In fine weather, spare neither pains nor expense in getting the crops cut and housed ; hire plenty of hands, and allow plenty of beer to the poor labourers. A sparing parsi- mony in harvest is the worst-judged economy that can be imagined. Clean thoroughly by hoeing and scuffling all drilled and green crops ; earth up potatoes, and pull by hand the tall weeds that may afterwards arise. Lay lime and dung and composts on wheat fallows; harrow the lime immediately, and cover the dung by ploughing; both operations, dunging and ploughing, going on together, or the one follow- ing the other as nearly as possible. Continue draining, the folding of sheep, and the soiling of cattle, as before directed. Keep the lambs always in forward condition, by putting thera on the best pastures. The drafted flock of last year will now be fit for the butcher, and ewes may be put to the ram for early lambs. Sow on well-prepared grounds, in a warm sheltered situation, the seeds of drum-head cabbages, kohl rabi, savoys, and broccoli, for plants to be used next spring. Sow rye and winter vetches for early spring use. Use dung for the vetches ; or what may be better in many situations, summer-fallow the land, using dung at the same time, thus adopting every possible known means to secure so valuable a crop in the spring. Burn ashes, and prepare constantly all kinds of artificial manures for the drop-drill. Gather dung of all kinds, earths for composts, and vegetables for the manure pit. No man will ever do much in farming, who does not apply manures with a con- stant, a lavish, and an unsparing hand. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 173 METEOROLOGICAL DIARY. Barometer. Thermometer. Wind and State. Atmosphere, Weat'r, 1854. 8 a.m. in, cts. 10 p.m. Min. Max. lOp.m. Direction. Force. 8 a.m. 2 p.m. 10p.m. June22 30.10 in. cts. 30.11 56 72 62 W. by South gentle cloudy sun fine dry 23 30.15 30.16 60 76 64 W. by South fresh cloudy sun cloudy dry 24 30.18 30.11 56 7Q 63 W. by South gentle cloudy sun cloudy dry 25 30.02 29.90 58 82 68 W. by South gentle cloudy sun cloudy dry 26 29.76 29.71 64 70 55 S. West forcible cloudy cloudy cloudy dry 27 29.81 29.76 51 63 55 S. West V. brisk fine sun fine showery 28 29.69 29.61 51 68 54 W. S, West gentle cloudy sun fine rain 29 29.62 29.62 53 69 55 W. & S. West var. cloudy sun clear rain ■ 30 29.65 29.83 50 66 58 W. & N. West gentle haze cloudy cloudy showers July 1 29.86 29.94 54 58 57 W. by South calm cloudy cloudy cloudy rain 2 29.94 29.94 52 66 59 S. West gentle fine cloudy cloudy dry 3 29.88 29.69 56 71 62 S. West lively cloudy sun fine drops 4 29.65 29.63 58 69 57 S. West airy cloudy sun cloudy showery 5 29.65 29.73 51 62 53 S, West Hvely fine fine fine showery 6 29.77 29.74 53 63 52 S. West gentle fine cloudy fine showers 7 29.78 29.73 49 &6 57 S. E. & N. E. gentle cloudy fine cloudy showers 8 29.77 29.74 54 69 58 Variable, S.W. calm cloudy fine cloudy dry 9 29.75 29.80 51 66 57 Variable, S.W. gentle fi:ne cloudy cloudy dry 10 29.87 29.91 52 69 58 Var.,West gentle fine cloudy cloudy rain 11 29.92 29.88 53 63 56 East, var. gentle cloudy cloudy cloudy showery 12 29.85 29.86 52 56 54 N. W. & N. E. gentle haze cloudy cloudy wet 13 29.88 29.81 49§ 66 59 W. N. W. gentle fine sun cloudy dry 14 29.SI 29.77 52 61 57 Westerly gentle cloudy cloudy cloudy dry 15 29.77 29.97 56 69 58 Variable calm fine sun fine show e 16 30.10 30.11 55i 71 60 S. West gentle fine sun fine dry 17 30.11 30.05 51 69 61 5.S.E. & S.W. airy cloudy fine cloudy dry 18 30.05 30.00 56 75 60 S. West fresh fine sun fine dry 19 30.00 30.05 58 70 59 S. West fresh fine sun fine dry 20 30.09 30.11 55 72 62 S.W.,W.byN. calm fine sun fine dry 21 30.17 30.22 54 80 65 Westerly, var. airy fine sun clear dry Estimated Averages of July, Barometer. Highest I Lowest. 30.30 I 29.390 Real Average Temperature of the Period, Highest, 66.433 Lowest, 54.0 Mean. 60.216 Weather and Phenomena. June 22. The first real summer day. 23. Heat increased. 24. Same. 25. Extreme sultry heat. 26. High wind and rapid change. 27, 28, 29. Showery, chiefly by night. 30. Singular thunderstorm, re- ports like artillery, 1.2 inch of rain in June, Lunation,— New Moon, 25th day, 0 h, 2 m. afternoon, July], Overcast and rain, 2. Sunny intervals. 3, 4. Early sprinkle ; good hay days. 5, 6, 7. Showery. 8, 9, 10. Wind varying continually. 11, 12. Rainy. 13, 14. Gradual improvement. 15. Genial day ; one sudden shower. 16. Genial ; cirro s^ra/ws at sunset. 17- More overcast. 18 to 21 inclusive. Summer temperature, 20, Singulai* smoky atmosphere ; clearing oiF, 21. Most beau- tiful. Lunations. — First quarter, 3rd day, 0 h. 51 m, morning. Full, 10th day, 0 h. 25 m. morning. Last quarter, l7th day, 0 h. 23 m. morning. Remarks connected with Agriculture. The table will explain the fickle state of the wea- ther (sadly unpropitious to the hay harvest), till the unexpected favourable change which occurred on the 15th the far-famed and dreaded Swithin. He I failed again, notwithstanding the rain that fell here, ! at least, in the afternoon. People ought to be ashamed j of such idle superstitions. The splendid weather of the last week is already working out [tsownprovideii- tial consequences; the supereminently magnificent cereals are already changing colour, and though the public may be terrified or amused by the tulk^ j of blight, rust, mildew, &c., &c., it may rest confi- I dent that, unless some untoward change occur, the prospect now will be, as it has long been, of high promise. J. Towers. Croydon, June 2\st. 174 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c. ST. BOS WELL'S FAIR.— The sales of sheep stock fveraged Is., 23., and ia some iustaLces 23. 6d. a-head below (he prices of last year. EXETER FAIR.— The atteadauce at the cattle market was large, but the amount of stock driven iii was decidedly sniall. Fat beef was well ini}viiied for, and prices must be raised to from lOa. 9d. to lis. per score. We saw uothlug exhibited particularly worthy of attention. There was a few lamb-i shown, and sold at 7d ver lb. Barreners were 6i. to Gs. 6d. per score ; cows and calves from £11 to £16 each; and workiuff oxen £25 to £.3.5 per pair. FORT-WILLIAM SHEEP AND WOOL MARKET.— This market, for the sale of black-faced stock and wool, was well attended. Business was stiff, and except iu lambs, little was done durin;^ the day, the buyers not beinj; disposed to meet the views of the sellers ; however, towards night a good many transactions took place both in wedders and ewes, which have not transpired. The black-faced stock sold at about the same rate, with reference to last year, as at Inverness. A large number of sales took place at, say, wedders Is., ewes Is. 6d., and lambs Is. under last year. Wool was hardly offered, and little was done in it ; of what was sold, the prices were not fixed. The following are a few of the transactions : — Mr. Ronald Macdonell, Gleiifinuon, sold his wedders at Is. 6d. below the Falkirk price last year ; Mr. Macdonatd, Inver- aladale, sold his wedders at 2Si., bis ewes at 121. 15s., and bought lambs at 91. 10s. and 71. 5s. ; Mr. Grieve, Landale, bought lambs at 6d. below last year's prices ; Mr. Macintyre, Chines, sold his ewes at Ul, and bis lambs at 10/. 10s.; Mr. Maccoll, Appin, sold a lot of lambs to Corrychoillie at 71. ; Corrychoillie also bought the Ratagan wedders 2Sl. 10s. Mr. Fiulay Macrae, Carr, Kintail, sold his Cheviot laid wool (on the Edinburgh Castle steamer) to Mr. Turner at 13s. Mr. Macrae, Morvicb, sold (in ditto) his Cheviot ewes at 201., to J. and W. Roan, Liverpool, his wedders at 261. ISs. to a Fi'e- shire dealer, and his shot lambs at 9Z. 10s. Tallisker wedders sold, at Inverness, at SOL, ewes 201. IDs. Kenneth Kennedy, .1<;sq., sold his Glen-Turrit top wedder larahs at 111. Mr. Stewart, Acheutie, sold his wedders at 2il. lOs.; Cramachan eves, 13Z. Mr. Bain, Inverness, sold a lot of very superior tups at from 21. to 3Z., with luckpenny. Mr. Macuonald, Keppoch, sold his Fersit wedders at 23Z. GARSTANG FAIR— The quantity of wool pitched was not so great as in former years, neither was the supply of lambs by any means abundant. The heat wool at from 8Jd. to 9id. per lb. (very few fleeces, however, at the highest figure), and wool from half-bred sheep at from 4^d. to fc'd. per lb. Best manure lambs ranged from 21s. to 203. each, and those of inferior breed from 10s. to 13s. each. Ihe demand for v/ools and lamlis was good, and little of the former and few of l!ie latter were left unsold at the close of the day. IIELMSLEY FAIR.— There was a good siiow of all kiuds of lean stock at this fair, and jubbers bought rather freely. J,amb3 were in great demand, and sold well, one prime let f-i,ching 2G3. per head. lu-calving cows were ranch wanted, but only a few were shown, which sold at high prices. There was a very scanty supply of liorses, which were of an inferior description. _ HORSHAM FAIR.— We had a large fair ; about 12,000 siiecp and lambs were penned, the greater part being in excel- lent condition. Early ia the day there was little disposition to buy, in consequence of the high prices asked, but towards tlic afteriiooa sellers dropped 2s. to os. a he ad, when the greater part was cleared off; the few sheep which were offered fetched from 343. to »8s. The greater portion of the lambs realized 18s. to 21s. ; a few parcels, very fine, fetched 253. to 27s,, and a few ii.ferior sold from 15s. to" 173, Gd. The quan- tity exceeds by about 2,000 the number offered hist July, and prices may be quoted 3s. lower thin at that period. There has been a good business done ia beai^ts ; about 1,500 to 2,000 were offered, and all sold ; several hundred foreigucra (very gmall) fetched about £5; a few inferior .sold aslow as £4; gorae Devous and other sorts realized from £8 to £14. Pigs were rather plentiful, and chesp ; a few parcels, in ^ery good condition, sold from 23s. to 24s. Horses sold pretty well, considering their condition, though it is ditficult to quote prices. We heard of £15 103. being paid for 10-year-old cart- horses. NEWTON-STEWART MONTHLY MARKET.— The entire stock exhibited, of all kinds, numbered 547 head of cattle. The following is a list of the ruling prices of the market for the different kinds, according to ages : — Three- year-olds, from £10 to £14 each (one lot was said to have realized £15 10s,, but we believe it was an exaggeration) ; two- year-olds, from £7 to £10 ; stirks, from £3 to £6 lOs. ; Cud- haghs, from £5 to £7; milk cows, £7 to £9; and bulls, £9 to £10 each. There were only four carts of pigs in the market, which were readily sold at prices varying from 7s. to lOs. each, according to age and quality. OVERTON FAIR.— A rather short supply was penned, notwithstanding wliich the sale was extremely dull, especially for lambs. The prices were considered to be for ewes about 2s., and for Iambs and wethers about Ss. per head lower than last year ; ewes, from 323. to 42s., extra 45s. The prize lot for killing realized £3 per head, wether lambs 21s. to 32s., extra 358. to 37s., wethers 32s. to 45s. The ewe and ram stock was very superior, particularly the ewes of Mr. Budd, and the ram lambs in Class 6, belonging to Messrs. Child, Tasker, and Eduey. Mr. Hart's (from Wiltshire) ewes were much admired. The wether lambs generally were not so good in condition as usual. PERTH LAMB FAIR.— The amount of business done here was very limited. The general price asked for lambs was 18s. a-head. There was only one lot of Cheviots on the ground, for which IDs, a-head was sought ; 17s. 6d. was offered, but no bargain was effected, and they left the Inch unsold. So far as we could learn, 0)ily two lots of cross-breeda were sold, viz., one lot, 100 in number, belonging to Mr. RuthDrford, Muirhall, were disposed of to Mr. Paton, Bridg- end, at IGs. a-head, and the other, belonging to Mr. Stark, Coi-ts of Fingask, were sold to Mr. Thomson, Montague, at 15s. 6d. The lambs owned by Mr. Bell, Balthayock, Mr. Stewart, Craiglocliy, Mr. Lamoi'.t, Limepotts, and Mr. Came- ron, Logiealraond, and other parties, left the ground unsold. We observed, also, on the Inch, a lot of Highland two-year- old stots, belonging to Mr. Rattray, Logiealmond, and which were bought by Mr. Wilson Creitf, at 61. lOs. a-head. SIJERBORNE F.^IR.— There was a large )iumber of sheep and other stock shown, bat prices for every kind were con- siderably lower. The horse fair was also a very small one, and the quality of the animah was inferior. The price of wool ranged from lOd. to 11 id. ST. SAIRS FAIl!.— The market is the largest market for cattle held in Aberdeen and Banffshire, and the largest for horses north of Bicoiiiu. Some idea of the msigiiitudc of the tiausactions may be formed from the following stafcuient of the number of cattle, horses, and sheep, and the quantities of wool brought into the market for the jiresent and past three years : — Year. Cattle. Horses. Sheep. Wool. 1S51 1120 939 141 ]53stones. 1852 103'i 70O 255 126 „ 1853 1(;24 799 27S 91 1854 1127 726 800 93 „ Cattle: We sulijoin a few sales : Three-year-olds — five very fine cross stots, wide horned, possibly the best lot in the market, oOl. a-head ; a stot, very heavy, 28Z ; eight queys, 171. 10s. each. Two-year-olds— six heifers, 14L each; a prime qney, 19/.; a pair of queys, pretty fat, 311. for the pair. Year-olds — the prices got for those sold varied from 5/. to lOZ., according to quality. Cows: In the cow market Iheie waj a fair supply of beasts. The demand was good, and a large number sold. A cow was sold for 20/ , probably the host cow in the market; a small farrow cow brought 9/. lOs., and another 10/. lOs. Work oxen — a pair sold at 40/. ; an ox, 25/. ; a pair, very heavy, but in rather lean condition, at THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 175 55Z. the pair. Horses: A grey Work horse broKglit 52/. 10s., and several ethers from 28/. to 40?. ; a mare, si.K years ol J, 31 Z. ; a pair of grey draught mares, 661. for the pair. Sheep : Seventy cross hoggs sold at 18s. 9d. each; for tups 38s. each; seventy blackfaced wedders 1?. Is. a-heai. SALISBURY SHEEP FAIR.— There were 10,000 sheep penned, showing an increase of 1,000 upon the last October fair, but which met with a dull sale at from Is. to 23. per head lower than last year, or about the same prices as were realized at Slockbridge Fair. The stock was vtry good, especially ewes and ram lambs. Mr. Moore, of Littlecot, exhibited a pen of rams and a pen of fat ewes, which were particularly admired. There were five prizes for competition, awarded as follows : — A silver cup, value five guineas, to the largest penner, Mr. James JelTery, of Donhead ; do. to the largest buyer, Mr. Parr, Petersfield, Sussex; do. for the best 100 wether lambs, Mr. John Hart, Fisherton Delamere ; do. for the best 100 ewes, Mr. Edmund Olding, Ratfiu Farm, Ames- bnry; do. for the best 10 ram lambs, Mr. James Futcher Fovant. SEAMER FAIR. — Owing to the great demand (or beasts during the spring months, for graziug purposes, a smaller number were exhibited than on preceding occasions ; the stock was mostly sold at good prices. Amongst horses of every description, and especially those suitable for cavalry, a great number of salea were effected. STAGSUAW BANK FAIR.— There was not more than an average show of stock, hut there v.ere scarcely any jobbers present, and the demand was exceedingly dull. Indeed a large quantity of sheep were not sold, and either returned to their pastures in the valley of the Tyue and the Keildar, or, if in dealers' hsnds, driven oif to other markets. Nor was the owing to prices having been maintained by the holders ; sales were made at lower prices than were current at Appleby, and at a loss of 2s. and 3s. per head, besides expenses. Cheviot hogs sold from ISs. to 203,, and wethers from 20s, to 25,3. One lot of Cheviot hogs was sold for only Is. per head more than was given for the stock when lambs. Theie was a fair demand for shorthorn cattle, but all other descriptions were difficult to sell even at lower prices. BISHOPSTOKE, (Thursday last )— The supply of Cheese was about as usual, for which there was a steady trade at late rrtes. CHIPPENHAM GREAT MARKET, July 14.— The market was fidly attended to-day by factors and farmers, and dealers in cheese and wool — this being our first Wool fair and Earn show. These were upwards of 120 tons of cheese pitched, which was all sold, at tlie* following prices. There was one splendid lot of upwards of 6 tons from one dairy, which was quite an attraction. Broad doubles, 50s. to COs. per cwt. ; old ditto, 58s. to 6Ss. ; Prime Chetidar, 6O3. to 75a. ; Tliin, 453. to 52s.; Loaves, 503. to 61s. ; Skim, 203, to SOs. GL.A.SGOW, (Wednesday last.) —The supply of new and old cheese at market to-day was fully better than on Wednes- day last, and the liernand for it was active. All sold at former quotations. Best old, 58s. per cwt, ; second quality, 53s.; and inferior, 48s. per cwt. New cheese at 41s. to 44s. per cwt. IRISH FAmS. — Tagiimon was well attended with stock of all kinds, except fat cattle, of which there was none. Store cattle and sheep in better demand than at our last fairs. A good deal of business done both in sheep and cattle. Fat pigs 54s. per cwt,; store pigs, from 35s. to 50s. ; creel pigs, from 263. to 30s. per couple; milch cows, from £8 to £11 per head ; springers in good demand ; ewes and lambs, 30s. to 373. 6d. ; fat lamb?, 123. to ISs, — Kilrea : Few cattle were otfered for sale, and almost none exchanged owners. The horse fair hill was also badly attended. Sheep cud pigs, principally sucklings, were the only ready sale. There were about 10 tons of flax — the greater part of bad quality, one half of which remained unsold. Business in every part of the town was dull, and the fair may, in all truth, be called a poor one. ALNWICK ADJOURNED WOOL FAIR presented the same dull and languid appearance which marked its transactions last week. A number of d.-alers from the manufacturing dis- tricts in attendance willing to buy, bat the farmers were irresolute and doubtful as to the prices offered. Many of the large clips of last year held over, and their holders bewildered and disappointed at the falling off in value from th:;t time. Some has been sold at the contingent average of this season, but with the certainty of a difference of at least 25 per cent, on the prices easily obtained in 1853. Staplers careless of ex- tensive purchases at this time, and only taking selected parcels fitted to mix with the stock they have on hand. The very choicest clips of all hog would scarcely exceed 243, The higheit authenticated sale of a mixed lot was 233., but a large portion would not realize that figure; while ewe and Cheviot wool would only range from ISs. to 20s. per stone of 241bs. AYR WOOL FAIR,— There was a pretty good attendance, but a general disinclination was manifested on the part cf holders to transacted business, farmers being uuwdling to se'l till the rates ruling in the Highland markets should be ascer- tained. There were no sales worth mentioning, and no prices can be quoted. Something depends upon the approaching Bute and luvcrary mftrkets, but there is a general impression that the late duluess at Inverness will extend over the prices of the season. On Tuesday tht same clip of laid that sold last year at 12s. 9d. was bought at 9s,, and the rates pointed at were from ^'5 to 30 per cent, below thoae of last year. LEEDS (ENGLISH) WOOL, July 21.— The improve- ment in the weather has caused a better feeling in these dis- tricts this week. Prices quoted the same as last week. NEWTON STEWART WOOL MARKET.— There was some little business done, but nothing like what used to be at the same market of former years. Owing to the immense reduction in tlie price of wools, farmers being utterly im- willing to submit to so great a length (abotit one-third) be- neath last year's currencies, and merchants remaining equally inflexible in the upward tendency, a considerable time elapstd before any bargains were struck. However, in the course of the day a few " clips " changed hands at the following ralfs : — Laid Galloway wool, 8s. 6cl, to 9a. per stone of 26 or 28!bs. as agreed on ; black-faced white, lis. to 12s, per do. ; washed hal.f-bred hog and ewe, 9d, to lOd. per lb. THETFORD WOOL FAIR.— About 100 gent^emen sat down to dinner under the presidency of P. Bennet, Esq., M.P., and the company included Sir R. Buxton, Bart., Col. Fitzroy, Messrs. Keary, B. Caldwell, H. Blyth, J. Hudson, E. Overman, H. Overman, H. A. Bartlett, H. Woods, Everard, Fyson, J. Musket!-, S. K. Gay ford, G. Gayford, H. J. Hitchcock, W. Beck, Mcyse,Sherringham, K. Cooper, Buck, G. H.Nunn, J. Nunn, F, Nunn, T. Pooley, Robertshaw (Bradford), Suteliffe (ditto;. Palmer (ditto), Thompson (ditto), Fyson, Butcher, Gittcns, Youngman, Sailer, H. Jdlings, Flanders, Ferguson, Constable, H. Webb, Itobinsoi), W, Hatvey, Muraford, G. B. Ireland, Abbott, Neal, Cooke, Tyrrcl, Steel, Simpson, Waddilovr, Phillips, Gates, Webb, Hailstone, Mainprice, Featherstcnc, Jeffrey, &c. The following is a summary of the business trans- acted : Sold by Col. Fitzroy to Mr. Sherringham, 40 tods of ewe wool and 7 tods of Down hogget ditto, at 25s. 6d. per tod; by Capt. Caldwell to Mr. G.' Gayford, 520 fleeces of ewe wool, and between 80 and 100 fleeces of hogget ditto (the prc- perty of Mr, Baring, M.P.), at 26s, per tod all round ; by the Chairman to Mr. Everard, 103 fleeces of hogget wool, and 133 fleeces of ewe ditto of this year's growth and 171 fleeces of ewe and hogget wool of last j ear's growth at lid. per lb, all round; by Mr. G.Nunn to Mr. Ilitchc: ck, 37 score ewe fleeces and two score hogget ditto, at 27s. per tod all round; by Mr. J. S. Nunn to Mr. Everard, 100 tods of hogget woo" and 95 tods of ewe, at 283. per tod all round ; by Mr, Hinde to Mr. Hitchcock, the wool of Mr. Wilson of Stowlaogtoft (quantity not stated), at 28a. per tod all round ; by Mr. Buck to Mr. Everard, 300 ewe fleeces, and 60 hogget ditto, at 283. per tori, the bargain not to be finally concluded till tlie expiration of two months; and by Mr. Roper to Mr. Hitchcock, 500 ewo fleeces, and 100 hogget ditto, at 27s. per tod all round. YORK WOOL MARKET, July 20.— At this our tenth market for this year's clip we had about 224 sheets of wool, 197 of which were sold, leaving about 27 sheets on hand. The transactions of the day have ruled upon the prices cf last month. The quality of the good-bred wools shown to-day was admitted to be superior, which, in the absence of any rise in price, would give a turn in favour of Ihe buyers. Scotch and Moor wools, of good quality and in rlenn condition, were in demand at from 5d. to 6d. per lb. ; inferior ditto, in dirty condition, were almost unsaleable at any 'price. — Yorlcshhc Gazplte. 176 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE DURING THE MONTH OF JULY. The weather, which had not been of the most favourable nature during June, continued cold and wet until nearly the middle of the present month ; but since then we have had hot sunny days, with a high range of temperature at night. This change has wrought a great improvement in the prospects for the ensuing harvest, and has consequently given rise to anxiety on the part of those holding stocks to clear out the same previous to the period when supplies of the new crop may be expected to make their appearance in the market. Something like a panic has, consequently, arisen in the trade, and for the moment the desire to realize is so great that prices have become very irregular. Reaping will perhaps be partially commenced the first week in August, but harvest cannot be general much before the middle of the month ; a great deal must, therefore, still depend on the weather ; but opinion is now so strongly in favour of a further reduction in quotations, that unless anything very untoward should take place, the downward movement will not be easily arrested. The prevailing impression appears to be that some- thing very Uke what took place in the autumn of 1847 is about to occur. Most of our readers will recollect that in May of the year named the average price of wheat for the kingdom had risen to 102s. 5d. per qr. : fine weather subsequently setting in, and the importations from abroad continuing on a very liberal scale, prices began to give way, and by the middle of September the average had dechned to 49s. 2d. per qr. That prices of food will be much lower during the next twelve months than they have been since the harvest of 1853, we are prepared to expect; but we do not look for so great a reaction from present rates as took place in the year above alluded to. The position of affairs then and now being widely different, similar results can hardly follow. During the present year, the operations of those engaged in the trade have been characterized by more than ordinary caution ; whilst in 1847 a few individuals, whose means were wholly inadequate to carry out the undertakings in which they had embarked, speculated to an enormous extent. Everything which could be collected on the conti- nent of Europe and in America had been bought up at extravagantly high prices, and large supplies continued to be poured into this country during the summer and autumn ; the bills drawn ao-ainst the same had to be provided for, and to do this forced sales had to be made. Under these circum- stances, prices rapidly declined, the principals in the speculation were speedily ruined, and many old and respectable houses were involved ; general distrust ensued, and the result was a fall of more than fifty per cent, in the value of wheat. A very diff'erent state of affairs prevails at present. Our own farmers have all along viewed the prospects for the forthcoming harvest as promising, and have con- sequently sold out in time. Merchants and millers having distrusted the continuation of so high a range of quotations after harvest as that which has prevailed, have gradually prepared for the anti- cipated fall, and are almost to a man out of stock. A large proportion of the comparatively moderate stock held by the principal import houses here, at Liverpool, &c., is held on account of foreign ship- pers, who have only been permitted to draw to an extent deemed safe ; there is, consequently, no pro- bability of any ruinous losses, and we consider the trade to be altogether financially in a healthy state. In case, however, the present splendid weather should continue, and the outstanding crops should be favourably secured, prices might, and probably would, undergo a further fall; and we should cer- tainly not be surprised to see good wheat down to 60s. per qr. after harvest. It is yet too early to say much in regard to the probable yield of the different crops ; but we are inchned to think that a somewhat too sanguine estimate of the same is indulged in. Wheat is, in many districts, thin on the ground, and is not so free from defects as could be desired. The bloom- ing time was not altogether auspicious, heavy rain and high wind having prevailed about that period. This in some cases caused an imperfect setting of the corn ; and in addition to this, we fear blight will be found to have done rather extensive injury. On the other hand, there are some splendid crops in different localities, and the breadth of land under wheat is certainly greater than in ordinary seasons. We are, therefore, inclined to think that the pro- duce would, should we be favoured with fine weather for harvesting, be fully an average, pro- bably rather over. The quality must of course depend in a great measure on the manner in which the crop may be secured. Of barley, there is, we think, about the usual breadth, and though some of the heavy crops were THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 177 beaten clown by the rain which fell early in the month, the general appearance promises a full average quantity. In regard to quality, it is too early to speak positively ; but the great heat of the last fortnight may, we fear, render the grain steely, and wanting in the kindly properties so much esteemed by the maltsters. Oats are less and less cultivated from year to year in England ; but in proportion to the breadth sown, a fair return may be calculated on. In Ire- land and Scotland, the crop is highly spoken of. Beans have suffered from blight and fly, and will not yield well. Peas vary materially : in some districts they will give an excellent produce, and in others altogether as unsatisfactory ; the genei'al result may be about an average. Potatoes, until within the last fortnight, appeared to be perfectly free from disease ; but we much regret to state that a decided change for the worse has since then taken place, and we greatly appre- hend that a large portion of this valuable root will again be lost this year. Within the last eight or ten days we have received very unfavourable re- ports on this subject from various parts of Ireland, and some of the large potato growers in the neigh- bourhood of the metropolis state positively that there can be no doubt that the disorder prevails in a very virulent form to a great extent. This is likely to prove a serious drawback to the otherwise cheering prospects for the future. The hay harvest has been very protracted and expensive; indeed, some quantity even now remains to be secured, though cutting was commenced in the middle of June. A small portion of that cut very early was well got up; but the major part was exposed to nearly a fortnight's rain, and is conse- quently of wretchedly bad quality. Where cutting was delayed till the second week in July, the whole has been well carried ; but in every case, the yield is found to be exceedingly light, and good meadow hay is likely to command high prices during the next twelve months. We are now about to enter on a fresh epoch in the trade. The harvest of 1853 was decidedly de- ficient in this country, and over the greater part of continental Europe; that of 1854 is likely to prove satisfactory, though not superabundant. Stocks, it is true, are exhausted to a greater extent than has been the case for many years past ; still they have held out to the present time, and are likely to last until the new produce can be rendered availa- ble. Those who look to a very low range of quo- tations will, we think, be mistaken ; but that lower prices than those consequent on so deficient a year as the last will prevail is tolerably certain. The full from the highest point obtained is already 15s. to 20s. per qr.— on some qualities ]more, on others less; a further decline of 5s. to 10s. per qr. is perhaps warranted by circumstances, but if the reduction should exceed that, we should, we think, speedily have a reaction. That we are at war with Russia — the largest corn-growing country in Europe — should not be overlooked, when the probable future range of prices is under consideration. The Black Sea ports alone have for years past afforded Great Britain a very large proportion of the entire imports, and so long as the war continues this supply, if not wholly cut off, must at least be greatly inter- fered with. Previous experience has proved to us that when those engaged in the corn trade once take up an opinion they usually run to extremes; and we should not be surprised to witness a greater decline than may, after matters shall have been examined more coolly, prove warranted by the actual state of affairs ; but in case the fine weather continues, there will probably be no return of confidence until after harvest. We shall now dismiss this part of our subject, and endeavour to give an outhne of what has taken place at Mark Lane since we last addressed our readers. At that time it had already become pretty evident that quotations would, under the influence of fine weather, be sure to give way; indeed, so strong was the impression that prices would not be main- tained, that the heavy rain and boisterous weather with which July commenced failed to check the downward movement. Meanwhile but little wheat of home-growth was brought to market; indeed, up to the period at which we write, there is no in- crease deserving notice in the supplies of English, and it is evident that farmers have long since sold the bulk of the last crop. The show of samples on the Essex, Kent, and Suffolk stands on Monday, the 3rd inst., was trifling in the extreme ; the millers appeared, how- ever, to be perfectly indifterent about buying, and, unimportant as was the quantity for disposal, it was found impossible to place the same, except at a decline of fully 2s. per qr. on the rates current on that day se'nnight. During the succeeding week the depression increased, and on the 10th prices again gave way Is. to 2s. per qr. ; this was previous to the setting in of fine weather; Shortly after this the temperature rose, and the rain ceased; the effect of this change was greatly to increase the anxiety of sellers to realize, and to render buyers more cautious than ever. The fall from the 10th to the l7th instant was variously estimated at from 38. to 5s. per qr. ; and on the succeeding Monday sellers appeared to be seized by a complete panic, and ac- 178 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. cepted almost any price that was offered : notwith- standinpf which, few purchasers came forward, and at a reduction of 8s. to 10s. per qr. on the rates of that day week only a partial clearance could be made. The total fall since the close of last month has. amounted to very nearly 20s. per qr. ; and jjresent appearances seem to indicate a further aljatement rather than any immediate rally. The arrivals of foreign wheat into the port of London have not hitherto fallen off to the extent expected, and about 100,000 qrs. have been re- ceived during the four v/eeks ending 22nd of July. Meanwhile the country demand has become lan- guid, and the town millers have not manifested the least inclination to add to their stocks. Importers have consequently had no alternative but to ware- house, as it has been quite impossible to effect large sales from on board ship. The quantity of foreign wheat in granary has increased rather than diminished, and it has become difficult to obtain room, A large proportion of what is on hand con- sists of secondary and inferior qualities from the Black Sea ; to dispose of these in the present posi- tion of affairs is altogether out of the question, and holders will be obliged to wait for something to turn up in their favour. Even fine Baltic wheat has i-eceded nearly as much as English ; and Black Sea sorts have within the last week or two become v/holly unsaleable. The decline since we last ad- dressed our readers up to the present time may, taking all qualities one with the other, be estimated at about 15s. per qr. Very good Lover Baltic red wheat, weighing 61 to 62lbs. per bush., v/as sold on Monday last at 65s. per qr. This may afford some guide for forming a judgment as to the value of other descriptions. If the out-standing ciops should be secured in dry and good order, the sale of old wheat is not likely to improve m.uch after harvest; still some quantity will be needed for mixing; and as there are hardly any stocks, except here, at Liverpool, and one or two other ports, there is still a chance of what is left being wanted. The arrivals of wheat off the coast from ports cast of Gibraltar have been quite moderate during the month ; in the early part a few cargoes were taken for the continent at full terms, but this de- mand has since ceased completely, and during the last eight or ten days scarcely a bargain has been closed. The last sales reported were a couple of cargoes of Egyptian wheat, at 41s. to 43s. per qr. A lot of 2,000 qrs. of Syrian wheat arrived in Lon- don at 50s., and a cargo of Odessa Ghirka from Marseilles at 5Ss. per qr., cost and freight. These terms would now no longer be obtainable, the sales named having been made previous to the heavy fall in prices on the 24th inst. The value of town-manufactured flour has of course been influenced by the decline in wheat, but the millers have not as yet given way to the extent of the fall in the raw material. The nomi- nal quotation is still 65s. per sack, which being relatively above the rates at which household flour has been freely offered, the latter has been used instead of the former, as far as has been practica- ble. The reduction in the price of Norfolk house- hold flour has been even more rapid than that which has taken place in wheat at the close of June ; good marks could hardly be bought below 55s. to 56s. per sack, whilst the same may now be had at 43s. to 44s. per sack. The arrivals of flour from America have not been large, but there have been pressing sellers of parcels in warehouse at rapidly receding rates ; such qualities as were worth 3Ss. to 40s. per brl. a month ago have within the last week been sold at 33s. to 34s., and 37s. per brl. may be considered the extreme quotation for extra fme brands. The stocks remaining on hand are not heavy, and the imports from the other side of the Atlantic will— for a time at least — be comparatively small. Spanish flour has given way quite as much as any other description, and at Liverpool some very low sales have been made during the last week or two, Enghsh barley has come very sparingly to hand, and seems to be nearly exhausted in all parts of the kingdom ; as, however, the maltsters and dis- tillers are not generally buyers at this period of the year, and the feeding demand having scarcely com- menced as yet, v/hat has been brought forward has proved amply sufficient to provide for the inquiry, and prices have receded Is. to 2s. per qr. Tlie arrivals of foreign barley, though not large, have been more than has been immediately needed ; and as there has not been the slightest in- clination to pui^hase, except for present use, anxious sellers have had to give way. Good heavy Danish barley v/eighing 53 to 54lbs. per bush, may now be bought at 35s., and for some of the inferior southern sorts 26s. per qr. has been ac- cepted. Some quantity is, we believe, on passage to this country from Egypt and Syria, on which heavy losses are likely to be incurred. The demand for malt has throughout the month been languid in the extreme ; the brewers appear to have sufficient for present purpose, and do not seem inclined to add to their stocks. Quotations have, within the last fortnight, become somewhat irregular; the tendency has been decidedly down- wards ; but too little has been done to allow of prices being given with much accuracy. The oat trade has participated in the general de- pression ; and we are bound to acknowledge that THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 179 we have been greatly deceived in regard to the ex- tent of the supplies of this grain from abroad. Notwithstanding the absence of the usual arrivals from Riga, St. Petersburg, and Archangel, the imports of foreign oats into the port of London during the first six months of the year have in round numbers exceeded the quantity received during the corresponding time last year by 200,000 qrs. ; and even now we continue to have good supplies weekly from Denmark, Sweden, and Holland, though we had been assured months ago that these countries would be unable to afford Great Britain further aid. In addition to this, it appears that the Government have not as yet en- forced the blockade of Archangel, and we learn that shipments to some extent were in progress for England by vessels under neutral flags. The deductions drawn from the belief that the want of the annual Russian supply of oats would occasion a scarcity of old corn to be experienced, seem, therefore, to have been fallacious j and we must confess that matters have taken a very diiFer- ent turn to what we were led to expect would have been the case. The prevaihng opinion now is that the quantity of oats remaining on hand, with what may yet reach us from abroad, will amply suffice to provide for our wants up to the period the new shall have become available; and under these cir- cumstances, buyers are not inclined to purchase more than needed for immediate requirements. The partial failure of the hay crop has had little or no effect on prices, and the tendency has been steadily downwards since the commencement of the month. The first step in the decline took place on the 3rd inst., and amounted to about Is. per qr. ; for about a fortnight afterwards, prices remained nearly stationary, but the arrivals of foreign con- tinuing to exceed expectation, a further fall of fid. per qr. occurred on the 17th. This concession failed to lead to a more active demand, and on the 24th inst. (iSIonday last) oats did not escape the influence of the general depression, and were freely offered Is. to Is. Gd. lower than on that day se'nnight. The total reduction since the close of last month has consequently amounted to 3s. per qr., and very good Danish and Swedish feed, such as were then worth 30s., may now be bought at 27s. per qr. Of Eflglish none have come to hand and the receipts from Scotland have been quite insigniiicant, whilst the Irish arrival,-; have been only moderate ; the connunption has therefore been almost wholly thrown on foreign; but having, during the four weeks ending 22nd July, received 90,000 qrs. from abroad, the smallness of the home supplies has not been felt. Though the reports in regard to the })ean crop are more unfavourable than those of other articles. and the arrivals have l;een moderate coastwise, as well as from abroad, no disposition has been shown to speculate on higher prices — on the contrary, the demand has slackened, and the value of both Eng- lish anably have the effect of preventing so low a range of prices as might otherwise have taken place. Up to the period of the last advices, quotations of flour and wheat were relatively higher there than with us, and the shipments in progress for Great Britain were no* important. CURRENCY PErT IMPERIAL MEASURE. BhiUin^s per Quarter Wheat, Essex and Kent, white 67 to 69 extra 71 77 Ditto ditto — — ,.77 79 Ditto ditto red 65 69 ,,70 73 Norfolk, Lincoln. &Yorkali., red.. 63 67 „ 71 Barley, malting, new. .39 40 ... . Chevalier Distilliug . . 36 38 Grinding. MALT,Essex,Norfolk,and Suffolk, new 70 71 Ditto ditto old 68 69 „ Kingston.Ware, and town made,new74 75 „ Ditto ditto old 72 74 Oats, English feed . , 27 30 Potato. . 30 Scotch feed, new 31 32, old 33 34 .. Potato 34 Irish feed, white 29 30 Ditto, hlack 22 28 Beans, Mazagan 41 43 ,; Ticks. 43 45 , Harrow 45 47 , Pigeon 45 51 ,, Peas, white boilers 56 57. . Maple 46 48 Grey Flour, town made, per sack of 280 lbs. — — » Households, To-j/n 563. 58s. Country — , Norfolk and Suffolk, ex-ship .... — — , FOREIGN GRAIN. Wheat, Dantzic, mixed. . 71 to 72 high mixed 73 Konigsberg 73 65 „ — Rostock, new 69 71 fine American, white. ... 72 78 red Pomera.,Meckbg.,andUckermk.,red 67 SHesian „ 66 40 35 extra fine fine 46 47 49 53 43 63 50 48 42 38 73 72 76 75 33 36 32 30 49 51 53 61 45 65 55 50 per Quarter 77 extra 79 73 75 71 72 71 „ .. 71 ., 69 70 extra . . 70 white 71 73 Danish and Holstem „ 67 71 „ none Rhine and Belgium „ — — old — — Odessa, St. Petersburg and Riga. . 61 63 fine 65 68 Barley, grinding 34 36 DistiUmg.. 37 38 Oats, Dutch, brew,and Rolands 27s., 29s. .. Feed ,. 24 26 Danish & Swedish feed 26s. to 2Ss. Stralaund 28 SO Russian 28 29 French. . none Beans, Friealand and Holstein 40 46 Konigsberg.. 47 50 Egyptian.. 43 45 Peas, feeding 48 52 fine boilers 53 56 Indian Corn, white 35 38 yellow 35 38 Flour, French, per sack (none) — — none — — American, sour per barrel 33 34 sweet 35 38 I M P E R I A For the Wheat. Week Ending June 10, 1854. June 17, 1854. June 24, 1854. July 1. 1854. July 8, 1854.. 76 July 15, 1S54., 74 Aggregate average of last six weeks 77 Comparative avge. same time lastyear 46 Duties 1 s. d. 78 9 78 3 77 11 77 8 L AVERAGES. LAST Six Weeks. Barley. Oats, i Rye. iBeans s. d. i s. d. I s. d. 3. d. 1130 8,49 3,49 1 5 Us ll'49 10 6152 2 50 3 36 10 48 0,49 5 48 248 7 51 148 10 37 0 30 2 29 4 1 19 11 10 10 I Peas. s. d. 147 4 l46 6 J46 10 47 5 !47 1 45 9 49 7!49 547 2 33 7(39 735 3 1 Ol 1 01 1 0 DIAGRAM SHOWING THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE AVERAGE PRICE OF WHEAT during the six weeks ending July 15, 1854. July 15. !»-;:., Price. June 10. June 17. June 24. July 1. July 8. 78s. 9d. 783. 8d. .. L """— T ^ , " ,, 77s. lid. .. •- i..>_>_^ ., .. 77s. 8d. ., .. «■ "~"1 .. 76s. 6d. ai_>Bv.| 749. fid. .. .. 0. » THE FARMER S MAGAZliNE. 181 COMPARATIVE PRICES AND QUANTITIES OF CORN. Averages from last Friday's Averages from the correspoud- Gazette. Av. ing Gazette in 1853 Av. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. 8. d. Wheat. . .. 41,808 . . 74 6 Wheat 86,290 , . 49 8 Barley. . .. 2,615 . . 36 10 Barley.. .. 2,285 .. 2^ 11 Oata .. . 6,447 . . 29 8 Oats 10,951 .. 20 11 Rye.... 27 . . 51 1 Rye 159 .. 34 10 Beaus . . . 1,680 . . 48 10 Beans 2,849 .. 40 5 Peas . . 191 . . 45 9 Peas 274 . . S6 8 PRICES OF SEEDS. BRITISH SEEDS. Liuseed (per qr.). . sowing — s. to 763. ; crushing 60s. to 643. Liuseed Cakes (per ton) £10 Os. to £10 10s, Rapeseed (per qr.) > 683. to 743. Ditto Cake (per ton) £6 ISs. to £7 5s. Cloverseed (per cwt.) (nominal) .... 00s. to 00s Mustard(perbush.) wliite . . — s.to — s.,. . brown old lOs.to 13s. Coriander (per cwt.) new — 3. to — 3., old 10s. to 153. Canary (per qr.) 48s. to 523. Carraway (per cwt.) ,. new — s. to — s., old 44s. to 483. Turnip, white (per bush.) — a. to — s Swede 00s. to OOj Trefoil (per cwt.) OO3. to OOs. Cow Grass (per cwt.) 00s. to OOs. FOREIGN SEEDS, &c. Unseed (per qr.). . , . Baltic, 64s. to 68s.; Odessa, 66s. to 703. Tjnsced Cake (per ton) £9 10s. to £10 lOs. Rape Cake (per ton) £6 15s. to £7 53 Hempseed, small, (per qr.).. — s., Ditto Dutch, 44s. Tares (per qr.) new, small 58s., large 64s. Rye Grass (per qr.) 28s. to 35g. Coriander (per cwt,) 10s. to 133. Clover, red 46s., 50s,, Sis. to 56s. Ditto, white 683. to 8O3. HOP MARKET. BOROUGH, Monday, July 24. In some few quarters a slight improvement in the ap- pearance of the crop is spoken of, but on the whole the accounts of the blight and vermin are gloomy in the ex- treme. Our market is firm ; and the duty ranges from i;'50,000 to £-'60,000. Hart and Wilson. POTATO MARKETS. BOROUGH AND SPITALIELDS. Monday, July 24. These markets are extensively supplied with home-grown potatoes ; but the receipts of foreign are very moderate. We have a fair demand* for most kinds at full prices. English, 6s. to 73., and foreign 4a. to Ss. per cwt. Last week's im- ports were 161 tons from Jersey, 132 baskets from Guernsey, and 24 baskets from Rotterdam. ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET. July 24. Our trade is very dull at a rather serious decline in prices. Borsei, fine weekly 98s. vcet,pcrlb.,2s.to2s.ed. Wain., dried, p. bush., 12s. Nuts, Bar., perbush.,22s.to2ig. ,, Brazil, p. bush., 16s. to20s ,, Spanish, per bush. ,20s. „ Cob, per bush., 12s. Asparagus, per bundle, 2s to is Rhubaib, per bund.,Sd.to6d Potatoes, per ton, 115s. to 120s. ,, per cwt., Is. to \0s. „ per bush., 3s. to is. „ frame, per lb., dd. to Is. Carrots, French, ^Jer bunch, id. to 6d. Turnips new, do., 2d. to 6d. Cucumbers, each, Zd. to Qd. Spinach, p. sieve, ls6dto2s.6d. Beet, each, 3d. to 9d. Celerij, per bundle, Qdtols 6d Tomatoes, per punn, Is, 6rf. Lettuce, Cab., p. score,9dtols6d. ,, Cos, per score, 6d. to \s. Small Salads, 2}. pun., 2d to '3d. Horseradish, 2). bundle, 2s.toit. Mushroo?ns,p.pott.,9d. to \s6d Sorrel, 2}. hf. sieve, 6d. to Is. Artichokes, each, 6d. to 9d. Fennel, 2ier bunch, 2d. to 3d. Savory, green,perbunch,4d.to\s Thyme, per bunch, 6d. to 8rf. Parsley, p. bunch, 2d. to id. Basil,green, per bunch, Cd.to9d. Marjoram, green, do., id.fo6d. Watercress, p. 12bim.,id to 6d CHICORY. LONDON, Saturday. July 22. The supply of foreign Chicory is but moderate, of English large. All kinds move oflF slowly, as follows : — Per ton. Foreign root (in £ s. £ s. I £ t. £ 1, bond)HarUngen\0 10 10 15 I Roasted i^ ground English root( free) I English 15 0 20 0 Guernsey 9 10 11 Oj Foreign 30 0 86 0 Tork 9 10 11 Ol Guernsey 26 0 28 0 HAY MARKETS. Saturday, July 22. SMITHFIELD.— A modeiale supply, and a sluggish demand. CUMBERLAND.— Supply rather limited, and trade dull. WHITECHAPEL.— Trade dull, at barely late rates. ^ew meadow hay sold at from 60s. to 80s. ; and new clover, 70s. to 90s. per load. At per load of S6 trusses. Smithfleld. Cumberland. 508. to 96s. [ 5.'s. to 100s. 65s. 116s. 65s. 115s. 36*. 40s. 36s. 40s. Meadow Hay Clover..,.,., Straw ,,,,,, Whitechapel. 48s. to 95s. ■70s. 118s. 34s, 40s, 162 I'HlL f AKMiiiVS MAGAZINE. d. £ j. d. OtoO 0 0 0 . . 7 0 0 0 . . 54 0 0 0 . . ()3 0 0 3 . . 0 0 (i 0 . . Si 5 6 0 , . 2 2 6 0 . . 40 0 0 0 . . 42 10 0 0 . , S8 0 0 0 107 10 0 0 . .106 0 0 0 . . 35 0 0 0 . . 42 2 0 0 . . 2 10 0 0 , 2 7 6 0 . .200 0 0 0 . 190 0 0 0 . . 0 0 0 0 . . 0 0 0 0 . . 0 0 0 0 . . 0 0 0 0 , . 0 0 0 0 . . 0 0 0 0 . 2 1 9 0 . 2 0 0 a , 0 0 0 0 . . 0 0 0 6 . . 0 (1 0 OILS. £ s. Ulive, Florencehalf-chesis ..•'■.^ »." 1 0 Lucca .,.,......> 6 10 OallipoU {252 gallons).,,. ■,, ^,.... > 03 10 Spanish 60 0 Linseed {cmt,) o>.... 1 16 Rape, Pale.-, 2 4 Brown „,,..,. 2 2 Cod{tun) 39 10 Seal, Pale .,., '10 0 Ditto, Brown, Yelloiv, ^-c = ...»... 34 10 Sperm ., .=.,,... ,.,,.....106 0 Mead Matter .......105 0 Whale, Gree7iland.....,..^ ...34 0 Southern = 39 10 Cocoa Nut {cict.) 2 10 PaZw, .....„=>» ..,,.. 2 5 WHALEBONE. Greenland, fall size {per ton) 190 0 South Sea.. , 180 0 PITCH. BrHis7i(per cwt.)..., 0 7 ArcJta^i(!cl .,,.,.,,,.,.. , 0 9 Siockholm 0 10 TAH. American {British) , = .- . . 0 19 Archangel .i., ... ...,., 1 19 Stockholm...... 1 8 TURPENTINE. Spirits {per cwt.) .. 1 19 l7i P%t,ncheons, , ,.....,.., ,,,. 1 19 Hough.... 0 10 RESIN. Tcllow (2>cr CKt.) .... 0 8 Transparent 0 7 HIDE AND SKIN MARKETS. a. Market Hides, bQ to (Ulbs.. 0 3 toi) S\ per lb Bo. 64 1-^lbs 0 ■ * Bo. 72 80i* • . 1 15 6 „ „ 1703 „ • . 1 16 0 „ „ 1753 ,, • . 2 4 8 „ „ 1803 J, • . 2 17 1 „ „ 1853 5, • . 2 13 0 „ When this paper comes before the English farmer, wheat harvest will not only be just over, but wheat-sowing will have commenced. Now there are one or two facts which have been pro- duced within the last two or three years, which are well worthy of the farmer's attention — not as offering certain rules for our imitation on all soils and in every situation, but as affording valuable suggestions for new experimental courses of inquiry. It is pretty certain that the best state to which the soil should be brought for the reception of the seed- wheat, is not in all cases well determined. At the July gathering at Mr. Mechi's farm, some fine specimens of wheat ears were produced by Mr. Piper, of Colne Engaine, grown on land which had not been ploughed for several years, and yet had, with the aid of top-dressings of soot and other artificial manures, produced good crops of wheat every year : here was the result from an undis- turbed soil. On the other hand, we have the equally successful, yet opposite practice of Mr. Smith, of Lois Weedon, who fallows for wheat every other year — still growing wheat and wheat only, year after year. His practice he thus briefly THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 187 describes— (see also his "Word in Season/' pub- lished by Ridgway) : — " I divide my field into lands 5 feet wide. In the centre of each land I drop or drill my seed in triple rows, 1 foot apart, thus leaving a fallow interval of 3 feet between each triple row. When the plant is up, I trench the in- tervals with the fork easily, taking my spits about 3 inches from the wheat ; and at spring and during summer I clean them with the blades of the sharp- cutting horse-hoe, and keep them open with the tines of the scuffler. Every year, in short, I trench and cultivate 2^ feet out of the 5 for the succeeding crop, and leave the other 2^ for that which is growing. One moiety of each acre is thus in wheat, and the other moiety fallow ; and the average yield of that half acre is 34 bushels, surpassing the aver- age yield of a whole acre on the common plan." Why wheat should be thus grown for a series of years on the same land with success in Essex and in Northamptonshire, and in one place by con- stantly stirring the soil, and in the other locality by never ploughing, but by merely hoeing the seed in, and hoeing it afterwards for the removal of weeds, certainly seems to be phenomena worthy of our careful study, when we are considering the state of the soil the best adapted for the growth of wheat. Such, then, are a few of the facts relating to the wheat crop, which have appeared during the present year. May this little sheaf of knowledge thus gathered together be useful at the present season to the great farmers of my country. They, I well know, are ever wisely alive to every suggestion which points to an onward road ; and the difficulties which they have had to encounter, the storms through which they have successfully persevered, have long since convinced them that it is only by following out the suggestions which nature offers, or man occa- sionally stumbles upon, by attending to her hints, that the increased prosperity of agriculture can be secured. THE IMPLEMENT DEPARTMENT OF OUR AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. The "Implement Department" is unquestion- ably not only the safest, but the most satisfactory evidence we have, to the advance of modern agri- culture. The breeding of stock, however laudable the pursuit, may become too often, like the breeding of poultry, but an amateur business after all. Or, if not this, it grows, when accompanied with any- thing like continued success, into an occupation of itself; and one more or less independent of the common business of the farm. The use of im- proved machinery, on the other hand, is more di- rectly practical in its application. There is not one of the many hundreds and thousands of inventions which we see brought out, and bought up, but the sole and immediate object of the designer's is the better cultivation of the soil. It is possible for a crack breeder to preserve a long line of short-horns, or to remain in vogue for a famous breed of sheep, and yet be really no model agriculturist, either. It would be strange, though, to find any one armed with a proper complement of our best implements, without quickly recognising their effect upon him- self and on his acres. It is not too much to say that they improve the mind of the man who has brought himself to appreciate them, almost as much as they do the land to which he has applied them. It is gratifying to record what the Royal Agricul- tural Society of England has done towards arriving at this happy consummation. With some obstinate anomalies existing still in the management of its show of stock, and with a lamentable feebleness in dealing with the abuses so long associated with the conduct of this department, the con- trast becomes but the more striking and agreeable. The Royal Agricultural Society has ably done its duty here ; in meeting after meeting has it directed that advancement we have achieved. Year by year has it, in its awards and its conditions, compelled the inventor and the manufacturer to adopt the genius of one and the powers of the other to the real wants and uses of the agriculturists. The Societ}', in this instance, has been nearly all it should be— the pioneer to improvement, instructing its judges what to encou- rage and impressing upon its exhibitors what to strive for. A year or two since, and we were even then supposed to have done quite enough. All our readers may, perhaps, not have heard of a cer- tain agitation, which never came to a head, amongst some of the most renowned of our agricultural im- plement makers. They were quite satisfied. The Royal Agricultural Society had worked wonders in the way of perfecting their machinery. They had, in a word, done quite sufficient ; and henceforth the best plan would be to save their funds, and have no more premiums for machinery. Let every firm that wished it have a stall in the exhibition ; but let them be at no further trouble or expense in opposing the merits of one article on this stand to 188 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. those of another a little furthei* on, constructed and offered for the same object. They were either of them quite good enough. We are all old enough to remember what a pace the coach travelled when there was no opposition, and how the proprietor or coachman made the customers suit themselves to his convenience, instead of him to theirs. Fortunately for them- selves, the implement makers, or this portion of them, never brought their wishes to hearing—for- tunately for themselves, as well as their patrons, they still enter for premiums, and engage on trials that tend more than anything else possibly could to keep the world alive to what they are doing, and what they have to sell. The prize list of the Royal Agricultural Society, as now gradually coming to perfection, is the best advertisement for the good genuine maker, as the best security for his cus- tomer. It would have been a bad day for either, had these well-satisfied gentlemen had their desire. Is there anything so likely to encourage or dis- cover excellence as legitimate competition ? How are we to arrive at it, in any pursuit or condition, without pitting one against another? And what would the Royal Agricultural Society have done without its premiums— its orders, in fact, in other v/ords, for what was wanted ? Strange as it may sound, the opinions which a fewof the manufacturers once owned to, but afterwards so discreetly aban- doned, have now again been taken up in high places. In the Times' report of the Lincoln Meet- ing, one is startled to find such a commentary as this : — Tlie Council of the Royal Agricultural Society cannot surely imagine that their premiums of £5, £10, or £20 have any influence whatever in inducing business men, the employers of hundreds of mechanics and artisans, to come to their shows to exhibit large quantities of goods there, and, even where the railways are most liberal, which we understand has not been the case with some in this district, to incur considerable expense in doing so. The obvious truth is, that they come because space in the Society's show-yard has a commercial value without any award of excellence upon trial, and because that commercial value is immensely enhanced by a decision of the judges in favour of any article ex- hibited. Why, then, should a voluntary association, which works for no pecuniary profit itself, and is bound only to pro- mote the public good in a specified direction, cripple its means of usefulness by money payments to people who are so well o.fT .already ? If a little exhibitor, deserving encouragement, stands in need of funds, and the society don't know what to do with their money, by all means let them consider such a case; but to be pelting with their £5, £lO, and £20 notes large and prosperous manufacturers is a manifest absurdity ; and the same arguments apply equally to the breeders of stock. whose tendency to over-fatten their animals, if it cannot be reached in one way, might, perhaps, be controlled in another. At present the Council, by its management, exposes itself to the imputation of being a mere stalking-horse for the imple- ment makers on the one hand, and the breeders on the other." The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society must surely be satisfied that their premiums — even in the shape of the five and ten pound notes, which they have been pelting about — Jiave had wonderful influence in inducing business-men to come to their shows. How else the commercial value of the space in the show-yard ? Is not this not merely enhanced, but actually created by a decision of the judges ? If, on the other hand, the Society's ground was let as nothing but a bazaar or a market, would it not become that very " stalking horse" which it now is not ? Would not every business- man say at once : " I have the best of everything"? It is difficult to imagine what the writer can be aiming at, without he wishes to deprive the Society of that influence which experience has shown us to be the most practically beneficial of any power it possesses. Would he mean to assure us that "pelting five- pound notes " at people is a mistake ? Would he have them contend only for medals and ribbons ? Our own experience assures us that even in such an excitable part of the kingdom as Ireland, nothing has proved less effective than offering mere medals, instead of "pelting the people with five-pound notes." Mr. William Ton*, one of the judges at Armagh, says : — " He would now make an observation with reference to one portion of the show which required improvement — he al- luded to the exhibition of implements. The show of imple- ments, at Armagh, did not come up to the show of animals in any way whatever ; and he thought it behoved the Royal Improvement Society to bestow some little portion of their funds towards effecting an improvement in this respect, for it was his opinion that instead of giving medals and commen- dations for implements, a portion of their funds should be appropriated to giving prizes. It was very well for the exten- sive implement manufacturer who could procure skill and labour in the market to get a medal when money was not a matter of moment to him; but with the small manufacturers a meJal did not repay their labour, and a lOZ. note was more acceptable than any such token of superiority." We shall press no opinion of our own, but let the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society rest assured, on the authority of so good a man as Mr. Torr, that it is long since they have had any such " manifest absurdity" to encounter as this stricture of our powerful contemporary. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 189 THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION. The educational question is making progress — just that amount of progress which justifies the expectation that the grandchildren of the present rising generation may derive some benefit from it. The usual parliamentary grant has been voted, with some increase, to be expended chiefly on the na- tional schools, in which the instruction given is very inferior, both to what it ought to be, and what it might be, for the money. Schools of design, and schools of mines, in connexion with the Marlljo- rough House Establishment, have been liberally provided for; but for agricultural schools there -is not a sixpence allotted. The magnitude of the grant, and the little which there is to sliow for it, are beginning to attract attention, and the leaders of the daily press are calling out for that which has been long and frequently advocated in the Mark Lane Express — a searching investigation into the revenues of our numerous endowed schools, and the mode of their administration. There are evi- dent symptoms that the time is approaching when the abuses which have overrun them will be re- formed, and that they will be remodelled, so as to bring them into accordance with the spirit rather than the letter of founders' wills, and to adapt them to the altered state of society and the requirements of the age. Deans and chapters are beginning to see that they will be compelled to augmentthe salaries of the mas- ters of the schools of which they are trustees, and the exhibitions of the scholars, in proportion to the increased value of the property with which they are endowed, instead of appropriating the surplus to other channels. Dulvvich College is tln-eatened with becoming something more than a luxurious sine- cure for some bachelor of the name of Allen, with a picture gallery attached to it, and an establishment for giving, from its splendid income, an apology for an education to twelve poor boys. The University of Oxford is to be thrown open, and greater en- couragement is to be given to the study of the modern sciences in that venerable seat of ancient learning. This last will be a great point gained towards re- moving opposition to the diffusion, among the in- dustrial classes, of knowledge that will be useful to them in their respective calhngs. When another generation shall have arisen, more conversant with chemistry, geology, and botany, and other phy- sical sciences, these will no longer be deemed dangerous, and there will be less dfead of farmers, tradesmen, artizans, and even ploughboys knowing something of them. Towards the establishment of primary schools, to be supported by local rates, little or no progress has been made. Sectarian jealousies forbid it. We will neither teach secular nor religious knowledge, because we cannot agree about the forms of rehgion. Lest the labouring classes should imbibe doctrinal errors with the horn-book and the multiplication- table— lest the children of churchmen should be made dissenters, and the children of dissenters churchmen, both are left to grow up in brutal igno- rance and heathenish irreligion. That all education should be accompanied by religious instruction does not admit of a question ; but that is no reason v/hy secular and religious instruction should be given to- gether by the village schoolmaster, why the church catechism should be forced upon dissenters, and why our youth should be taught the Bi])le, by its being made a task-book. There are but five solutions of the question — to leave the children of the poor uneducated ; to leave them to be educated by voluntary efforts ; to promote the separate education of the children of each rehgious denomination by grants of the pubhc money to each ; to give that amount of rehgious instruction in the schools, on which all churches and sects can agree, which will consist of Christianity so pared down as to be divested of its distinctive characters ; or lastly, to separate the secular and the religious instruction — the state furnishing means for the former, and requiring the ministers of each rehgious denomina- tion to perform the latter. The conditions of a religious education will be fulfilled, if all pupils attending the secular school shall be required to attend the place of public worship to which their parents belong, and to receive religious instruction, on stated days, from their respective ministers. Of all these plans, the last appears to be the most prac- ticable, under the diversity which unhappily exists in religious belief. In the meantime, while this question has been in dispute, another' generation has grown up in ignorance ; and much may be effected for their benefit by private exertions for the instruction of adults. The attention which capitalists are bestow- ing on the improvement of those whom they employ, is one of the best features of the present day. We observed, in a recent article, that nowhere are greater exertions being made to meet the social evils attendant on the manufacturing system, than 190 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, in the great centres of manufacturing industry. Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham are honour- ably distinguished by their zeal in the cause of education, and in establishing reading rooms, circu- lating libraries, baths, museums, places of public recreation, and other institutions, tending to improve the moral, intellectual, and physical condition of the working classes. A most interesting description was given, a few years since, in Fraser's Magazine, of a school esta- blished at the manufactory of Child's night-lights, and recently of Price's candle manufactory in the Mark Lane Express, for the benefit of the numerous boys employed in those establishments, of the success which has attended the undertakings, and the improvements which they have effected in the morals of those employed, even in so unpromising a neighbourhood as the purheus of Lambeth. Many similar cases might be mentioned. Among the most recent which have come to our knowledge is that of the news-room and library established by the Poynton and Worth CoUiery, for the use of their pitmen. Nor must the attempts which have been made to raise the intellectual character of the militiamen during the period of their training, and to withdraw them from the contaminating influence of the beer-shop, be passed over unnoticed. At Bodmin, an evening school was opened for the benefit of such men of the Royal Cornish Rangers Militia, as chose to avail themselves of it. The pay- master-serjeant of the regiment acted as school- master, and the average number of scholars was thirty. Why is not something of the same kind attempted among the wealthy farmers of some of our agri- cultural districts ? In the cases to which we have alluded, of a manufacturing and mining population, and of a militia regiment, their concentration doubt- less gave great advantages, which are not possessed by the inhabitants of the rural districts. Never- theless, there is in most parishes some central point to which the farmers' men resort, for such recreation as the beer-shop and its skittle-ground afford ; and it is certainly worth the trial, whether the combined exertions of the clergy, the gentry, and the farmers cannot supply them with a rendezvous of a better description. From the Tom-and- Jerry to the even- ing school would perhaps be too abrupt a transition; though it is not altogether certain whether the means of acquiring a capability of measuring land and timber, and of making those other calculations rendered necessary by the very general adoption of task work in farming operations, wovild not have its attractions. We know by experience that lec- tures about "foreign parts " are eagerly attended. At all events, a reading room, where news might be learned respecting the Russian vi^ar, would at the present time most certainly be frequented. If arrangements could be made, by which the labourer might refresh himself with a cheap cup of coffee, and even occasionally smoke his pipe, without which he appears too often to think there can be no enjoyment, there are good hopes that such a place of resort might prove a formidable rival to the beershop. This would be a good step in advance, and the transition vi'ould be less difficult to more refined and more intellectual pursuits. The evening school and the village library would follow. Adults who are unable to read, might be stimulated to the acquisition of a taste for literature by meetings, at which some entertaining volume might be read aloud. The statistics of the Manchester Library indicate the class of books which would be most popular. We knew an old farm labourer who could not read, but who was, never- theless, well versed in the history of Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday. He believed both of them to have been real personages, and it would have been cruel to undeceive him. Sir John Her- schell has pointed out, in a tract which he published on the occasion of the establishment of a village library at Slough, the benefits which the poor may derive even from the reading of a novel, as a sub- stitute for less innocent amusements. He men- tioned the case of a village, in which the blacksmith, who was the only man who could read, had become possessed by some accident or other of" Pamela;" the villagers were accustomed to resort of an even- ing to the smithy to hear it read by him; and such interest did they take in the narrative, that when they found that the hero and heroine had sur- mounted all their difficulties and were married, the assembly were so delighted that they rushed to the church, and rang a peal in honour of the bride and bridegroom. THE POTATO DISEASE. There cannot now remain a doubt as to the recur- rence of the potato disease ; and, further, that it has commenced with all its virulence. The reports from Ireland are more discouraging than those from other districts ; from thence it appears to have re- turned rather earlier than usual. lu the east of this THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 191 country, and in otlier parts, it did not show itself so early as some preceding years ; and till within the past week or two, sanguine expectations were in- dulged that this direfnl visitation had passed away. We are sorry to say it is far otherwise ; an untainted field cannot now be found ; the disease is everywhere rapidly spreading. The only thing to be done is to modify and curb its effects. Taking this view of it, and finding there is no time to lose, I request your indulgence to the inser- tion this week of the few facts and observations I have to offer upon the subject. I have, as a practical farmer and constant grower of potatoes to some considerable extent, watched the progress of this disease with great interest ; and my inquiries have been extensive both as to the pre- vention of the malady itself, and also the best means of preserving the crop from its fui'ther ravages when attacked. I wish now to give the substance of my inquiries and observations, hoping it may lead to extended experiments, and, I trust, and indeed confidently hope, to great and beneficial results. Uespecting the prevention of the disease, I shall at this time say nothing, but confine myself to the means to be used to preserve the bulbs from further decay, when once the plant is affected ; in doing which, I shall take a few facts which can at any time be fully authenticated. No 1. Has for six years invariably planted his crop early, and so soon as the peculiar specks show themselves on the haulm, giving unmistakeable signs of the existence of the disease, proceeded to pull it up ; and in this manner : the workman proceeds down the row, having one foot on each side of the haulm, and from between his feet he draws it up, at the same time pressing down the soil and consoli- dating the ridge. He has in this way preserved his crop entirely from further injury, and taken it up in a very satisfactory state. No. 2. Has followed the same plan five years with the same result. He has also carefully covered up any stray tubers, and repaired the potato ridge, so as to prevent either rain or air from penetrating freely : is fully satisfied that this is the most effective plan for the preservation of the roots. No. 3. Has practised early planting, and as the disease appeared he has, for the past four or five years, taken up the crop, " dressed " them (cleaned the potatoes by riddling, &c.), and carefully graved them down in graves about 4 J feet high. By this means his crop has been fully preserved. At this time this year's crop is in grave. No. 4. Plants early {i. e., March) for the past four years. As soon as the usiial specks confirm the ex- istence of the disease, he has immediately cut off the tops, repaired the ridges (so as " to keep out rain"), and left them till the usual time for taking up. His crop has been the theme of conversation through- out the neighbourhood ; it has been invariably saved. Last year he (as a proof) left two rows un- cut. The result was that one-half of the potatoes of these rows were affected ; but not more than half a peck in two acres were touched on those deprived of their tops. All his neighbours are this year follow- ing his example. No. 5. He is not so early in planting. When the disease appears, he moulds up the potatoes as securely as he can with a moulding-plough, leaving the tops on. He has derived great benefit, but has not wholly stayed the disease. No 6. Same as No. 4, and tried the same experi- ment on a smaller scale. He had no loss where the tops were cut and the rows again " hilled up," but full half bad ones on the untouched rows. No. 7. Has cut his tops off as soon as tainted, " hilled up" his rows, and preserved his crop nearly entire. No. 8. Same as No. 5, is fully satisfied of its utility ; but it is by no means so ef&cacious as taking off the tops and closely " hilling them up" again. I might go on enumerating many more cases ; but these, I think, will suffice to show that, if the potato haulm is taken off before the root itself is tainted, they may be preserved by careful covering. The exclusion of air and moisture appears indispen- sable. The practice is fast gaining ground in the district from which I write ; and as it is so simple, and really effective, I cannot too strongly recom- mend its immediate adoption to every grower of this most useful root. I would urge you to lose no time ; if your^haulm abounds in specks or the brown spots so universally known, off with them at once ! Never mind how, but take them off, and mould up the ridge to a narrow and close top ; and, as a well known writer says, " I'll stake my agricultural repu- tation" as to their safety. Be careful on this point. It is of very little service to adopt this practice if the haulm is in an advanced state of disease ; the sooner the haulm is off, when the disease appears confirmed, the better. It may be prudent to wait a short time, provided the progress of the disease is carefully watched, as the bulbs will scarcely improve after the haulm is removed ; but in no case must the stalk be left long enough to decay. It is then too far gone for the tubers to be saved under this experi- ment. P. F. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, "A MAN OF THE WORLD." British Agriculture is becoming quite a man of tlie world. All his friends — and he has a good many anxious to be acknowledged as such in a business-like kind of way — are found to be the more and more ready to own it. He is no longer the selfish, shy, exclusive it was once so common and so safe to account him. Whethei' exactly of his own seeking or not, he has, in fact, been brought rather prominently before the public, where he offers his opinions, debates his rights, and gives and takes with all the now tried discretion and experience of that most desirable of qualifications to a character — a thorough knowledge of the world. He is, indeed, according to the conventional ac- ceptation of the term, a farmer no longer. The farm, as he was wont to call it, is his shop ; the soil his raw material, and himself a manufacturer, tradesman, or whatever title may sound best to the ear of so practical an authority as " the commercial man." He buys and sells like other people — of course the one in the cheapest and the other in the dearest market — providing only he knows how to do so. If he does not, there are many now on the list of his acquaintance who will be happy to show how to achieve this grand desideratum. They have more than volunteered this already, anxious only to instruct him in every art and science that may enable him to keep his standing as " a brother tradesman." And does the British agriculturist reject this handsome offer of assistance ? As a man of the world, he most assuredly does not. He welcomes his friends. Manufactures and Commerce, whenever he has an opportunity. The healths of two such distinguished visitors stand amongst the most pro- minent of those in his toast list. He feels the weight they should have in a society of Enghsh- men, while he has personally to thank them for so much good-will expressed by them towards him- self. It is true that at times, without the semblance of anything like a real quarrel, there has been some little difference, and may-be consequent coolness between them. We will imdertake, however, to say that this has rarely been the fault of the agri- culturist. Take him either as landlord or tenant, and you will seldom find him now offering inten- tional offence to others. It is well known enough that he will occasionally help to " put down" a noisy orator who is arrogating all to himself, and nothing to others. It is true he may ask for the evidence to some such a fact as this : " Is it quite certain, as this gentleman so energetically states, that I am as simply a dolt as he is surely a Solon ? Have I, or is there any right, Messrs. Manufactures and Commerce, that I should be treated in this manner by one of your side ? I am quite willing to keep friends. I am ever ready to acknowledge you as very good customers ; while I hope I may do something in return. I am very much obliged to you for all the hints and advice you have given me ; but just ad- mit for a minute that I know something more, per- haps, about my own business than you do. And so caution our noisy friend here to say what he has to say, as the henpecked husband begged of his wife, ' with a little less nonsense about it, ray dear, if you please.' " We may rest assured that it is not the agricultu- rist— either landlord or tenant, we repeat — whose acts are tending to lessen the happy union between their own class and others in the state. There is scarcely a meeting now passes but that speaker after speaker turns himself to this point. Practical men, whose chief if not whole interest has been associated with the soil, advocate what they feel must be to the advantage of all. There is a great amount of caution against anything like the appearance of insult. The intention is to cement as well as to honour ; and they thus cheerfully ask a reciprocity of feeling and assistance, on terms to which neither side need reflect upon but with satis- faction. Who are the farmers' friends ? What are the farmers' chief props and pioneers ? Points often enough put, in cross-examination. Practice with science— full and free use of capital— a thorough understanding between landlord and tenant — a hearty union with manufactures and commerce — a becoming regard for those we employ. These, and some few more, are old stories, but they are very true ones, and mark how happily, how with a kind of artless art one of the class of speakers we have referred to has contrived to mingle all, one in with the other. We quote the Honourable Octa- vius Buncombe, chairman of the meeting of the Cleveland Agricultural Society : " He trusted that agriculture and commerce would be long united, and that they would see around them on each successive triennial occasion of their assembling there or elsewhere the repre- sentatives of those two great interests, combining together landlord and tenant, manufacturer and artizan, so as to prevent at all times anything like THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 193 discord between all these parties (applause). He had lived long enough, and had studied sufficient of the history of the country, to know how important the well-being of each of those interests is to the other. He trusted that in future this combination would be so complete, that no spirit of rivalry or distrust might be created, and that the two interests, on the contrary, would be found united for the achieve- ment of one common object, viz,, that of promot- ing the general interests of the district, and the happiness and prosperity of the country at large." How often might we multiply such addresses as these ! and how much do they speak to the credit of the country ! Were the farmer that dolt, or mere piece of prejudice, he is sometimes painted as, he would never listen or give the authority of his " applause. " He is, on the other hand, we must repeat, a man of the world, ready to give and take in the same spirit in which he is treated, and in reality as anxious as any one can be for the lasting union of " agriculture, manufactures, and com- merce." HARVEST PROSPECTS, Oar country is always, at this season of the year, in a most anomalous position : every one is on the utmost stretch to gather correct information as to the coming harvest, and notwithstanding much in- dividual effort is brought to bear upon the subject, much statistical data is sought for by the agricultural journals, and great conibiuatiou in giving reports from different districts has resulted, yet nothing definite or conclusive can be arrived at : all is yet conjecture, though somewhat nearer tlie truth. A co- temporary has this week a long list of contributors to this desideratum: but we only gather from it the ap- pearances at a certain time, in given districts; and all we arrive at is this -. — A promising wheat crop ; a fair crop of barley and oats ; that beans and peas are in- jured by fly, &c. ; that peas are a fair average, pota- toes much tainted, hay very light, and green crops promising. I repeat, all we arrive at is this, and in the present state of our agricultural statistics it may be useful ; but it is most unsatisfactory as a guide to agri- culturists or to their customers. We want a regular system for the collection of such statistical informa- tion ; and I trust no effort will be wanting on the part of the producers to induce the Government to accede to it. In the absence of such information, any reasonable opinion is of some value ; and, as it has been my pleasing privilege this season to visit several districts extending over a considerable surface of the kingdom, I will venture to give mine. In passing I would observe, that some of the districts visited are yet in a wretched state of cultivation : I trust it only needs a notice to lead to correction, I will further say, that I remarked that properties mider able agents were admirably farmed ; and I regret to say that I noticed the reverse of this. Let landlords look to it as it belioves them : " Like priests like people." I will take the crops consecutively, and as briefly as possible. Wheat. — Previous to the late rains, we had upon all good loams and the lighter soUs a highly satis- factoiy prospect. How beclouded now ! Witliia the past week or two these crops have suS'ered very severely, not only from being beaten down, but from actual blight : scarcely a field has wholly escaped. It does not take off large breadths, but patches here and there, and single ears and roots almost every- where. On all heavy stiff soils the crop is not satisfactory : in many parts it is thin ; in others, it evidently shows the drought of March and frosts of April. On those soils where badly farmed, it is scarcely worth harvesting ; on the better soils the crop is notv remarkably varied, and will produce an uneven sample of dou!)tful quality: the bulk is great, and, should the weather prove propitious, the yield of grain will be good, but I think not a full average. The breadth sown is, no doubt, extensive ; and, talcing this into consideration, the produce of wheat for the season may be taken at a general aver- age of years, but not more ; and the quality will be coarse, and not heavy : the yield of flour not in pro- portion to the weight of grain. I venture to say that the wheat crop will disappoint very greatly the sanguine anticipations formed of it a very short time ago. Barley. — On all the barley soils the crop is good, and, notwithstanding it has been much lodged by the late storms, it still looks promising. The plant was not too thick, and consequently retained much strength in stem, so as not seriously to retard its progress. The yield will be fair, and the grain will make good serviceable malt, but very little of really fine quality. The grain will weigh well, but be coarse. On strong adhesive lands it was almost im- possible to get in the seed owing to the drought, consequently many crops are thin ; but they have borne the storms bravely, and I think the best bar- leys will be from these soils. Eah- quality, but light yield. Oats. — I never knew the crop so varied and unequal; some splendid, others wofully thin and weedy ; the height and bidk of some crops are as- tonishing ; the produce on good loamy or open soils 194 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, must be very good. On strong lands, where the tur- nips were late in feeding oIF, it was a trying task to get in the seed ; the crop, of course, is in accordance. For several weeks no rain came, and a most uneven plant is the result, and the growth equally so. This crop cannot be a fall average one, and the sample must be uneven ; indeed much must be cut before ripening — the difficulty being to decide as to cutting the early or latter growth in the crop. Bea^s. — On aU strong loams and open soils this crop surpasses those of former years ; and the flower- ing season was all we could desire, giving evidence of a most productive crop. It has continued pro- gressing till within the past three weeks, when it was attacked by the aphis fly or bean-dolphin, which are at the present time making sad havoc. I greatly fear that most serious injury wiH result — the in- crease is astonishing. Eields comparatively free a week or two since are now almost covered. On strong clays the crop is nearly a failure, and many fields have been ploughed up. The bean crop, as a whole, cannot be an average one, nor is the breadth sown great. Peas. — This crop is now very generally sown early ; the plant, consequently, came up before the drought, and has passed through the most astonish- ing season for flowering ever known ; the podding was enormous, but small. They progressed favour- ably till the late storms beat them down, and now every symptom of premature ripening shows itself, and the crop is scarcely recognizable from weeds ; and the green fly or aphis is greedily at work ; so that, notwithstanding such a splendid prospect, it will, like the bean crop, in all probability be an in- ferior one in yield, and the quality must be defective and very irregular. Potatoes. — The early growth of this crop was much retarded by a dry sterile season, and the growth of top has been slight, which leads to the supposition that the crop will not be productive, and further, it will be late. The disease has held off rather longer than usual, and the bulbs from suspicious plants are yet right ; and from extensive examination, I know this to be the fact. However, it is certain the disease has manifested itself in many districts ; large breadths arc tainted, and great fears are entertained as to the result. A less breadth has undoubtedly been planted ; and should this great source of food prove scanty, it would soon show great influence in the corn market. Why are we not to be made acquainted with the breadth sown ? We cannot go on properly without statistical information. The crop cannot, as a whole, be a satisfactory or an average one. Seeds. Turnips. — This has been the most precarious season I have known. The dry winter and drought in March made sad havoc with the bulbs, and when in full flower the frosts in April did irreparable injury. Many crops were destroyed, and many al- lowed to stand proved very unprofitable. The de- fective ones have been about three-fifths of the whole. This will make some varieties of turnip- seed dear. Even now much seed is selling at from 40s. to 50s. per bush. The common varieties are yielding badly. The Red Globe, the best of the common varieties, is a poor crop. Swedes prove better. Coleseed. — The dry spring was very unfavoura- ble to this crop, and few were able to make head against it. Many intended to stand were ploughed up. The yield will be bad from a small breadth of land. MusTABD (brown). — The breadth sown this spring was trifling, but it has proved well, and the result is likely to be good ; but as the quantity is less, the average crop cannot be that of former years. Mustard (white). — The high price of the past year induced many sowers to supply the market. I do not remember to have seen a larger breadth de- voted to this crop, and appearances are highly fa- vourable. The supply will be considerable. Canary-seed. — The low prices comparatively offering for this article have almost forbidden its growth. The breadth sown this year is small. The crops are fair, but the average supply must be much less than usuai. Chicory. — This has latterly come largely into agricultural cropping. The breadth sown this year is less than usual, and does not look very promising as a whole. Some good crops appear. The supply, however, cannot be an average one. Plax. — This is becoming an important crop, and more extensively grown. The crops look very pro- mising, but more profitable for seed than fibre. The crop wiU far exceed the average for the kingdom, and we wish the growers and dressers every success, as being a novel feature in our agricultui'e. Hay and Green Crops. Hay and Grass Seeds. — The crop of mea- dow hay is a truly bad one in almost every dis- trict. The months of March, April, and May were peculiarly dry and ungenial for the prosperity of the hay crop, as uideed for all grass crops, the grazing lands not feeding the usual amount of stock. Clovers and grass seeds, although better, have turned out a short crop ; the whole, with few exceptions, have been fairly secured — nothing has been got up in first-rate state ; but little however is spoilt. The abundance of the straw crop may (with a good sup- ply of cake) in a measure make up this deficiency ; otherwise our winter provender would be a matter for very grave consideration : as it is, every effort and economy must be used to eke it out. Green Crops.-— These, as a whole, are very good, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 195 and will aid much to supply the want arising from a defective hay crop. Mangolds. — This is by far the worst of the green crops. I never knew such an ii-regular plant, and so unaccountable in its growth — from the same seed it is equally so. There will be but few good crops of mangolds ; they came up badly ; much effort was used to fill up the spaces, but still it is an unsatis- factory crop, many running to seed ; and latterly the green dolphin, or apliis, has done it much injury. The leaves are curling, and discoloured. A con- siderable breadth is soavu, but the crop will not far exceed a modicum. Swedes. — This is a splendid crop, and retains as yet its full vigour, colour, and promising appearance ; the crop is a full one throughout. The sowing was accompanied by frequent showers, and the land was in fine condition. Proper artificial aid was put in with the seed, and the early growth was unexampled. Should it escape mildew, it will be the finest crop on record. Turnips.— These are not quite equal to swedes; but they are growing very luxuriantly, and we have every prospect of an excellent crop. Perhaps it is too forward, and may cause some lo?s in the winter. Plock-masters must sec to it, and, to make up for defective quality in the bulb, give plenty of corn or cake. Coleseed. — This is progressing rapidly, and will prove well ; a large breadth is not sown, but the quantity of food will be great for the autumn — the time when this crop is, according to modern prac- tice, fed off to be sown with wheat. Cakrots. — The breadth sown with this crop is, I think, very short, and they are backward and weedy. it cannot reach a full average crop, but as it is not much grown for our winter supply, as such will not make much difference in our provender. THE PAST SESSION. It is rarely now that the agriculturist turns out of his way to see what Parliament is going to do for him. He is nearly tired of relying upon others, and has come more and more to act and think for him- self. The most he would ask at present, of those in high places, is but fair-play in that race he has to run against the world. Let him only enjoy those faciUties so readily conceded to others, and we shall find him even less troublesome than he has been. Few classes, after all, have submitted more readily to change of circumstance. Fev/, indeed, that would have fought their way more honestly through a difficulty, considering how much they have suffered, and what little compensation they have received. We are here at the close of another session, with one grand, unanswerable reason for any work still undone, or any promise yet to be performed. It is an excuse, too, an Englishman is willing enough to admit. The careful preservation of our honour must ever be the first consideration of a state, as it is of an individual. Before this, all domestic comforts or amendments necessarily await a more seasonable opportunity for their considera- tion. It has been so here. Every man, with a grievance still unredressed, sees plainly enough " the reason why." Any one, with a hope directly encouraged at the beginning, needs not to ask why his wishes are no nearer fulfilment at the end. Sel- dom has a minister lived through the labours of his half-year with less call to explain the cause of his having accomplished so little. It was but little comparatively, we repeat, the farmer had to look for ; and even this could have resulted no more in an advantage to himself than to the community. That passage in her Majesty's opening speech which told us to prepare for an ex- tension in the law of poor-law settlement, con- templated but another consistent improvement in the condition of the labouring man. It was one, moreover, which this time would serve him without in any way threatening to injure his employer. On the other hand, it was admitted and prayed for by both as a piece of free-trade long wanted, and with- out which no such system could be ranked as perfect. The Government evidently had something more than a mere leaning to the wishes of these two powerful classes, and it can scarcely be put down to the fault of those in office that more was not done with the measure. In the game of question-and-answer henceforth to be played at the hustings, let us not forget to inquire as to "What is your opinion on the law of settlement ?" There is another one the cultivator of the soil has been asking often enough— another stone to be laid in the solid foundation of a liberal fine of policy, the adjustment of which just now looks rather worse than ever. It would seem, indeed, that the less the farmer has to say the more is he cared for. The more, on the contrary, he complains, the more is he oppressed. There must be something radically wrong in this, and let him ask himself what it is ? Are these really ills which he talks of as such ? Is it only justice, after all, that he is praying for ? And if so, how is it that he is treated with so little consideration ? How l96 I'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. comes it that, when he prays for relief from a bur- den, he has but to wait patiently and — see it in- creased ? It is the same echo-answer still— the war. This may be something, but this is not all. Speak it out, and there is no class so poorly represented as the agriculturist— none whose battles are fought with so little energy, and none who consequently go so surely to the wall under "force of circumstance." The experience of the past session furnishes us with but further proof of this. Somebody must suffer — the war requires it. This is amply sufficient, and under such force of circumstance who can afford to suffer so handsomely as the farmer? He is used to it, and we all know how well he bears it. There is no one of course present to say such an argument nay; and as the malt duty is about the heaviest and most unfair imposition he has to contend with — as it is one above all others from which he has so long petitioned for relief, let us increase it forthwith. This will raise so much : the war demands it, and he will pay it. There is no resisting such reasoning, and so home go the farmers' friends to tell their admiring constituents how ably they have fought their cause. It is true there are some honourable exceptions here; but how many, on the contrary, who have professed to go right with the farmer have gone as directly against him ! Men who take to them- selves high positions as agricultural authorities, and as the leading champions of the cause. Staunch farmers' friends and consistent free-traders, let ns record them — who vote for an increased tax upon malt, in evidence of their attention to their brother farmers' wants, and their own appreciation of that unrestricted system to which they stand engaged. The war can be hardly made to answer for all our evils ; and our readers, if they so choose, may learn, again, from this past session, how much may be made to depend on themselves. THE WHEAT TRADE Sir, — The season has come round when it is desirable to take a review of the wheat trade during the past year ; and by referring to the statistics we entered upon a twelvemonth ago, and comparing them with the results of the year's com- merce, ascertain how far they served us correctly in making an estimate of the resources at our command for supplying the acknowledged deficiency in the home produce. It is im- possible to take a step in this inquiry without feeling the want of those data which would be supplied by the establishment of district inspectors, who would collect certain information on the subject : and until such an institution is established, we must be contented to grope along in the dark, judging from analogy, instead of actuality, and leaving it to the conditions of the present and future to rectify the errors of the past. Upon referring to my letter of the 29 th of September, 1S53, I find that I estimated the aggregate deficiency in the growth of wheat that year as follows : — ars. Deficiency in breadth sown one-fifth, or 3,200,000 Do. in produce on what was sown two-sevenths, or 3,657,143 Add to this the average annual importation 6,857,143 5,000,000 Total 11,857,143 Upon referring, again, to the Gazette returns of the sales of wheat in the various towns in the United Kingdom, I find that the falling off during last year, as compared with previous years, was 33 per cent. Now, taking the annual growth of wheat at 16,000,000 qrs., a deficiency of one-third gives 5,300,0G0 qrs., or thereabouts. If, therefore, the surplus of 1^ million quarters, which I estimated was in excess of the average stock of wheat at that season of the year, be admitted, the account will stand thus : — Qrs. My estimated deficiency 6,857,143 Less a surplus of 1,500,000 5.357,143 Actual deficiency of 33 per cent, on 16,000,000, say 5,300,000 I shall next turn to the entire deficiency of the season, which I estimated as follows : — ars. Deficiency in crop 6,857,143 Average importation 5,000,000 11,857,143 Deduct surplus stock , 1,500,000 Total deficiency 10,357,143 This enormous deficiency has been met in two ways, namely, by an increased importation, and by a reduction of the stock of English wheat, under the stimulus of high prices. By a reference to the monthly letter of Messrs. Sturge and Co., of Birmingham, it will be seen that they estimate the present stock of English wheat at five millions less than usual ; and on the other hand, the importations of wheat, and flour as wheat, from the 5th July, 1853, to the 5th July, 1854, according to the Board of Trade returns, amount to 6,869,430 qrs. The year's account will, therefore, stand as follows : — Qis. One year's importation 6,869,430 Reduction of stock 5.000,000 11,869,430 Estimated deficiency 10,357,143 Surplus in hand 1,512,287 This surplus is about the actual quantity of foreign corn THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 197 now in granary, chiefly in London, Liverpool, and Gloucester, and constitutes the principal part of the stock of old wheat that the trade will have to work upon at the commencement of the next season. Thus, the scarcity which, under the cir- cumstances- of the country, was apprehended as the conse- quence of the war, has been averted by the stimulus of high prices, influencing both the foreign and the home groweis; the latter having been induced, under an apprehension of the war being speedily terminated, to bring their whole stock of wheat to market, without any reference to the future. One word respecting the sources from whence the bulk of the supply has been obtained. It was feared last year at this time, that in the event of hostiUties, the supplies of wheat from Russia would at once be cut off. Two circumstances, however, have intervened, which were not then supposed likely to prevent this — Nicholas had plenty of wheat which he wished to turn into money, and John Bull had plenty of money which he wanted to convert into wheat; and thus, in spite of war, the mutual wants of the hostile nations have operated more powerfully than their mutual animosities, so as to keep the Russian ports open for exportation to the last minute. What may be the case the next year, it is impossible to conjecture. In regard to America, my estimate of her exporting power, founded upon the past, was considerably under -rated. I have had some intercourse with a respectable merchant of New York, who has explained that, although my statements would apply strictly to the eastern states of the Union, the exporta- tions no longer rest with them ; that large tracts of prairie land in the western states, rich, fertile, and free from timber, have been broken up and sown at once, and the produce can now be conveyed (by railway or canal) to the eastern ports or New Orleans for shipment ; and that, consequently, they would in future be able to supply us with largely increasing quan- tities, whilst they are sure of a market, subject, however, to the common fluctuations of the crops in America, as well as here. Under the stimulus of high prices, the American farmers, like our own, have shipped largely, and reduced their stocks to the minimum. It appears that we have imported from thence, in the eight months up to the 1st of May, nearly a million and half of wheat, and flour as wheat, which, with the exception of 1847, is more than we ever imported from thence in any year. From Prussia, too, and other of the countries bordering on the Bailie, an extra quantity has been exported on account of the war, and an apprehension that the stocks might not be safe. From France, the supplies have probably been, as near as possible, balanced by our exports to that country, nor is it likely we shall have much from thence the next season ; but this must be discussed in a future letter. Yours truly, London, 15(/t August, 1854. S. C. FORESTALLING AND JOBBING IN SMITHFIELD MARKET. MEETING OF MASTER LONDON BUTCHERS. On Friday evening an important meeting of master butchers and others connected with the trade, which did not terminate until a late hour, was held at the George Tavern, Commercial-road East — Mr. J. Horton in the chair — to take into consideration the present ruinous practices of "forestalling" and "jobbing," so much pursued in the Smithfield Market, and the necessity of petitioning the Corporation of the City of London for its suppression. The Chairman opened the proceedings by stating that the subject which brought them together deeply interested three classes, viz., graziers, butchers, and the public (Hear, hear)_ The object sought was to put down a set of men known as " forestallers " and " jobbers," who for years had been the greatest enemies to the three classes mentioned, and especially to the purchasers at shambles ; for when they compelled the butchers to pay a higher price than the cattle would cost in a fan: market, the butchers in turn were obliged to charge their customers the extortion price ; and here was the whol e secret of the present high price of animal food (Hear, hear). These «' forestallers " and " jobbers " awaited the arrival of cattle trains at the stations, where they bought up the cattle from the graziers, aud then compelled the butchers to pay some- times 30 per cent, beyond the fair marketable price (Hear, hear). It was an important question, in which the public were deeply interested ; for by uprooting the pernicious system they could be supplied with meat at three-halfpence, twopence, and threepence a pound cheaper than they were now paying Hear, hear). Indeed, it was as important as the great bread, question ; for it seriously involved the interests of the poor beyond whose reach animal food was to a great degree put by its exorbitant price (Hear, hear). Mr. Collins (purveyor to the Royal Family) said that it would be unnecessary for him to enter into twenty-five years' experience which he had of the baneful results of the trickery of "forestallers" and "jobbers," for they were almost self- evident, and should be at once met and averted by the proper authorities (Hear, hear). The infamous system was progress- ing year after year from bad to worse, and its effects had been more keenly felt during the present year than on any previous occasion in the high price of meat (Hear). Notwithstanding the great influx of visitors in 1851, when the London markets were deficiently supplied with meat, it was then three-halfpence to twopence cheaper than during the present year, when the de- mand was much less and the supply greater (Hear, hear). If he happened to be in the market before 5 a.m., he found it wholly in the hands of "jobbers," v,'ho had the butchers at their meicy, and made them pay what price they pleased (cries of " Shame, shame," and of " It's too true"). Was that legi- timate trade ? (Hear, hear). If not, why did the authorities tolerate it? (Hear, hear). That being the case, they should at once petition the Corporation against its being allowed in the new market, which they would prevent, unless they (the Cor- poration) wished to close the market against the butcher and the public in favour of the unfair illegitimate dealer (Hear, hear). It was well known that these forestallers purchased the cattle, and even sold them again, at the railway stations before they reached the market, thereby defrauding the Co"poratiou of the market tolls (Hear, hear). During February, March, April, and May, through this system the fair market prices were abolished, and many master butchers wers thereby reduced to bankruptcy (Hear, hear). He himself had thus lost £30 in one month, which his books proved. As the Lord Mayor con- fessed himself ignorant of the existence of such abuses, they (the master butchers) were bound to expose the abominable 198 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. aad intolerable grievance (Hear, hear). The public as well as the butchers were bound to seek its removal, as the price of provisions was the great question of the day. The evil was heavily felt by the poor, who had to go without meat diet through its exorbitant price, which, by the abolition of the forestalling system, would be reduced twopence and threepence a pound (Hear, hear). Mr. Collins, who is the promoter of the present crusade against forestalling and jobbing in Smithfield Market, moved the adoption of the following petition, signed by 600 of the trade, and which was headed — " The Petition of Master Butchers to the Lord Mayor« Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London : — " Your petitioners beg to call the attention of your Honour- able Court to an evil of no ordinary character, and which, if not speedily prevented, cannot fail to raise the price of animal food to an alarming extent. Your petitioners allude to the disgraceful system of forestalling and jobbing which prevails, not only at all the principal railway stations, but in the Great Metropolitan Cattle Market of Smithfield. Your petitioners beg to state that thousands of head of cattle which are sent to London for the purpose of being submitted to fair and honour- able competition in the open recognized market are intercepted by a class of men known as forestallers, and frequently pass through several different hands (especially on Sunday and Thursday evenings) before being sold in a legitimate manner to the regular butcher in Smithfield. By the prevalence of this system large quantities of cattle are divided and sub- divided amongst numerous jobbers, till the ordinary rule of conducting a public market has become grossly perverted, and the whole reduced to a system of irregularity and imposition. The system not only inflicts a serious injury upon the original owner of such cattle, who is thus prevented from receiving the proper market price, but is alike injurious and unjust both towards the retail butcher and the public at large ; the former being deprived of his legitimate profit, and the latter compelled to pay the most exorbitant prices. Your petitioners would re- spectfully suggest there should be a fixed time for the ad- mission of stock for each day's sale (except legitimate foreign arrivals), as well as a fixed time for the market to be cleared out, or closed. Your petitioners beg to state they are fully prepared to prove the allegations contained in this petition," &c., &c., &c. The petition was adopted nem.con. Mr. Aldbekt, in alluding to the petition, said that by the forestalling system the butcher had to pay lOs. for bullocks, 7s. for calves, and 5s. for sheep, beyond their hona fide market value. Messrs. Hick son, Potter, and Rippington also exposed the vile, ruinous working of the forestalling system, and earnestly called upon all master-butchers, and also the graziers and public, to join in the efforts making to crush the system. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the night's proceedings. MR. CULLEY'S DESCRIPTION OF A NEW LEICESTER SHEEP IN THE DAYS OF MR BAKEWELL. Sir, — ^The just and wise remarks made in your journal, in the description of the sheep shown at Lincoln, has caused me to send you the far-famed and celebrated Mr. CuUey's descrip- tion of the New Leicester sheep in the days of Mr. Bakewell of Dishley. " The head should be hornless, long, small, tapering towards the muzzle, and projecting horizontally forward ; the eyes prominent, but with a quiet expression ; the ears thin, rather long, and directed backwards ; the neck full and broad at its base, but gradually tapering towards the head, and particularly fine at the junction of the head and neck — the neck seeming to project straight from the chest ; so that there is, with the slightest possible deviation, a con- tinued horizontal line from the rump to the poll; the breast broad and fall ; the shoulders also broad and round, and no uneven formation where the shoulders join either the neck or the back, particularly no rising of the withers, or hollow be- hind the situation of those bones ; the arm fleshy through the whole extent, and even down to the knee ; the bones of the leg small, standing wide apart, no looseness of the skin about them, and comparatively bare of wool ; the chest and barrel are at once deep and round in the ribs, forming a considerable arch from the spine, so as in some cases, and especially when the animal is in good condition, to make the apparent width of the chest seem greater than the depth ; the barrel ribbed well home ; no irregularities of line on the back or the belly, but on the sides the carcass very gradually diminishing in width towards the rump ; the quarters long and full, and as wide as the fore legs ; the muscles extending down to the back ; the thighs also wide and full ; the legs of a moderate length ; the pelt also moderately thin, but soft and elastic, and covered with a good quantity of white wool — not so long as in some breeds, but considerably finer." " Such is the Leicester sheep, as Bakewell made him. He found him as different an animal as it was possible to conceive — flat-sided, large-boned, coarse woolled, slow to fatten, and his flesh of little value." — Taken from the Farmers' Magazine, Dec, 1841, page 436. Mr. Hewitt, the owner of the Dodford flock, has been aiming at the above cast of a Bakewell sheep all his life, with a little thicker collar. His father began breeding rams by pur- chasing some ewes bred by Mr. Bakewell. 86, Vauxliall-street, Vauxhall, Surrey, S. A. July 26, 1854. COTSWOLD SHEEP v. LINCOLNS, Sir, — It is plain by the great royal show of stock at Lincoln, that the Cotswold sheep stand pre-eminent in the weight of mutton, and width of frame; and that the Lincoln sheep stand unrivalled in the weight of wool. It appears that Mr. Lane's old prized Cotswold sheep girthed 5 feet 11^ inches ; and Mr, John Clarke's old sheep, of Long Sutton, in Lincolnshire, which has taken two prizes in the Improved Lincoln class, girthed 5 feet 8 inches, and he clipped in three years no less than 51|lbs. of wool. Of course such a sheep, taking his wool into consideration, must be of immense value, to produce sheep upon all land where clover and turnips can be grown. The wool cut from Mr. Lane's sheep in three years is not stated. Common sense says that a dip of the Cotswold with the Lincoln would widen the frame of the Lincoln ; and a dip of the liincoln would increase the weight of wool in the Cotswold. Some of the Lincolnshire breeders say that the two abo?e-named breeds will not amalgamate so well as the Leicester with the Lincoln. Let it be judiciously tried, and grub-up by the roots all old deeply-grafted prejudice before they begin. While the Lincolnshire men have made wool their great object, the Cotswold breeders have made the Bakewell barrel form, with gigantic size, their study to obtain, until the Cotswolds, as they proved at Lincoln, are the best great sheep for carcass upon the face of the earth, and the Lincolns are unequalled for wool. The said Mr. Clark, of Long Sutton, says — " I keep my Lincoln long-wooUed character, and have the substance and rapidity of growth of the Cotswolds." A good example for others to follow, 86, Vauxliall-street, Vauxhall, S. A. August 9, 1854, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 199 GROWTH OF FLAX. To Mr. Warnes, of Trimmingham, belongs tlie merit of having introduced tlie feeding of cattle with linseed raised upon the farm. Flax-growing, however, has made little progress, even in his own neighbourhood, in the long period during which he has been cultivating it, and that for two reasons. One of these is the reluctance of Norfolk farmers to deviate from the regular and celebrated four- course rotation, which takes its name from the county. The other is the want of a market for the flax in the straw. The former objection might in time have been obviated but for the existence of the latter. Many farmers are convinced of the feeding value of the flax crop, who are disgusted with the trouble of becoming manufacturers during a part of the year, in order to prepare the tibre for sale, and who were disappointed at the low price offered them for their straw, if perchance a purcha- ser for the crop in that form could be found. That very low price arose, in most cases, from some slight neglect of the minutise of cultivation, on which the quality of the fibre depends. The admitted value of the linseed for feeding purposes tempted some to persevere for a time in the cultivation with no other object. They either littered their yards with the straw, or used it for thatching. On the whole, however, the advantages of flax-growing, thus conducted, were not found so great as to compensate for deviation from estab- lished routine ; and men have given it up who would have extended their breadth of this "golden crop" of Belgium if they could have found a m&rket for the straw as well as the seed. The result is, that, so far from the growth of flax having made much progress in Norfolk, it has retrograded from the point which it had attained a few years ago. Mr. Warnes himself was partly the cause of this failure, by attempting too much, and riding his hobby too hard. A pamphlet of his is now befoi'e us, bearing the title of "Flax versus Cotton, or a Double-edged Sword against Pauperism and Slavery." In this 6?'oc/2Mre he deprecates the estab- lishment of that intermediate interest between the grower and the spinner, for which we contend, and which is so generally considered essential to the extension of the flax culture. He designates it as a removal of everything, root and branch, from the land ; adding a hope that landlords will not permit their tenants to fall into jilans so deteriorating to the soil and their dependents. He proclaims war to the knife with the steam-engine. The steam- thrashing mill is a " monstrum horrendum that tramples upon the privileges of the husband- man"— an iron man that eats not, and therefore does not consume the farmer's produce. It displaces the labour of the poor, and indirectly muzzles the ox which treadeth out the corn. All processes, whether of agriculture or manufacture, are to be conducted without the aid of machinery. There is to be no division of labour. The farmer is not to be satisfied with raising the flax ; he must prepare the fibre, and, if possible, carry the manu- facture to its last stage, and sell his flax crop spun and woven into linen cloth. In preparing the fibre, he is to scutch it by hand, though anyone who will take the trouble of looking into the Belfast papers may see that hand-scutched flax bears a lower price in the market than that prepared by machinery. Scutching mills are as great an abomination as steam thrashing mills, to Mr. Warnes. Inventions such as those of Schenck, Watts, and Buchanan, for dispensing with the tedious process of retting, are in equal disfavour with him. The only deviation which he will tole- rate in this matter is, that the Belgian method of steeping in running water shall supersede those which have hitherto prevailed in Britain. Flax is with him what a pickled herring is to the Dutch- man—a sovereign remedy for everything; a panacea for all the evils, social, moral, and political, which afflict the world. Pauperism in England, and slavery in America, are to disappear before it. It is to empty our prisons and depopulate our work- houses : it is to be taken up as a profitable specu- lation; but is to serve two masters, by having philanthropy engrafted on it. Industrial schools are to be established, with farms of 200 and 300 acres attached to them, which are to be cultivated by boys, who are to raise and prepare flax, which the younger portion of the female inmates are to spin, and to knit into stockings, gloves, and socks, and the elder portion are to weave into towels and sheets. The refuse is to be manufactured by some of the boys into rope-yarn and sacks. Mr. Warnes would have us not rest content with growing on our own soil a portion of that annually increasing flax produce which our steam-driven spindles consume — and for which, by the way, they have created the demand; we are to eradicate flax from Russia and cotton from America. " Cheap hnen," he tells us, " would do more towards the abolition of slavery in the United States than armies and navies ever can." 200 THE MKMliR'S MAGAZINE. By the emijloyment of our own people in the pro- duction of cheap linen, we are to put a final ex- tinguisher on pauperism, and thus to lay the axe at once to the root of the two nnost inveterate evils linder the sun. These are pleasing visions, but they are nothing more. All this anti-commercial and anti-machinery feeling is but a fighting with windmills— a running of races against railway-trains — a putting back of the hands of the clock, while the shadow on the dial is advancing. For good or for evil, the use of machinery is ex- tending itself in every direction ; it is the life and soul of our manufacturing prosperity. Of the economic advantages of our manufacturing system there can be no question ; that it has its moral and social evils no one can deny. It is in vain, how- ever, to think we can meet them by pulling down our tall chimneys, and attempting to return to domestic manufactures. True practical wisdom consists in going with the current, and at the same time steering clear of the rocks, and the shoals, and the whirlpools, on which, without due precaution, it m.ay carry us. We must accept machine-spun flax and cotton as a fact accompHshed. We must endeavour to suck the honey of those indus- trial hives, and escape their stings— to avail our- selves of their economic advantages, and to meet their evils by appropriate remedies. Nowhere are more zealous efforts making to remedy those evils than in our most busy marts of commerce, and amidst the densest masses of our manufacturing population. Those efforts have every prospect of success, from the energies of the men who make them, and the power of combined action which, from habit of co-operation and concentration of position, they possess. The labouring population of our rural districts suffer under social and moral evils quite as great as those which affect the opera- tives of our factories. It is for the owners and oc- cupiers of land to remedy these evils, by improving the relations between themselves and their depen- dents. Flax growing is no more a remedy for them than hop gardens or apple orchards. The prosperity of agriculture is to be promoted not by making the farmer a Jack-of-all-trades, but by extending to it that division of labour which has proved so suc- cessful in manufactures. The use of machinery in the culvivation of the soil has increased, is in- creasing, and will increase, as any one might have convinced himself who attended the late exhibition at Lincoln. Some may deprecate it, but they cannot prevent it ; and its extension is quite compatible with an improved condition of the agricultural labourer. The least instructed, even among the labourers themselves, are laying aside their preju- dices against it as a displacer of the poor man's labour. Times are changed, also, since the pam- phlet of Mr. Warnes was written. One of his objects in promoting the growth of fiax was to find employment for the unemployed labourers of the rural districts. Scarcity of hands is now the com- plaint among the farmers, and the necessity for an extended use of machinery in the work of cultiva- tion admitted, however reluctantly, by those most opposed to it. It is invading even the least ad- vanced of our agricultural districts. We have drawn attention to what is visionary in the advocacy of flax-growing by Mr. Warnes, with no unfriendly feeling, but because there are those who confound it with that which is valuable and practicable in his system. The valuable and practicable part ^is the box-feeding, and the feeding with linseed grown on the farm ; and to render this more generally available by the farmer, all that is requisite is such a division of labour as we advocate, by which he shall be the grower only of the flax, and not the preparer of the fibre, and such a farther division of labour in the work of cultivation as we shall point out on some future occasion, which will relieve him from much of the trouble and risk attending the flax crop, and prevent it from interfering with the regular routine of the system of farming which he adopts, whatever that system may be. The sulphur employed in the manufacture of sul- phui'ic acid is derived so largely from Sicily, that Naples possesses a virtual monopoly of the trade ; and when, a few years ago, the King of the Two Sicilies involved himself in some dispute with this country, he was very near losing this valuable monopoly. The interruption of the trade occa- sioned no little stir among those manufacturers — and they are many — whose business depends on the abundance and cheapness of sulphuric acid. Our farmers then knew nothing of the virtues of superphosphate of lime ; but, had the stoppage of the sulphur supply taken place now, when sulphuric acid is so largely used for the solution of bones and mineral phosphates, the excitement would have ex- tended to the agricultural interest. As it was, the prospect of the loss of the Sicilian sulphur stimu- lated our miners, chemists, and manufacturers to make every exertion to fill the vacuum from other sources. No less than fifteen patents were taken out in England in one year for recovering sulphur from the sulphuric acid used in the manufacture of soda. The cessation of the dispute postponed the prosecution of the attempt to some future period ; but an impulse was given to research, which had the obstruction continued a little longer, might have caused the total loss of the sulphur trade to Naples. Veins of iron pyrites were beginning to be worked solely for their sulphur. The sulphur of our sulphurets of lead and copper, which is THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 201 now dissipated in the roasting process of the smelt- ing of those ores, would have been collected, and means would have been devised for manufacturing sulphuric acid from the native sulphates of lime and barytes, which abound in our island. In like manner, the hostilities in which the am- bition of Nicholas of Russia has involved the world, may deprive his people of the English mar- ket for their flax. Important as several articles of the raw produce of Russia are to our manufactures, there can be little doubt that in the event of a pro- tracted war, substitutes for them will be obtained from other quarters. The blockade of the Russian ports has already reduced the Custom-House revenue of St. Petersburg to one-fourth of what it was at this time last year, but even that blockade is not rigorous enough to please our shipping interest. They have memorialized the Government on the necessity of its being rendered more stringent, in order that neutrals may not enjoy advantages, from which they, as belonging to one of the beUigerent nations, are debarred. The manufacturers of paper have likewise urged, and the Government have pro- mised, that the attention of our consular and colo- nial authorities shall be directed to the search for substitutes for flax and hemp, among the fibrous products of other parts of the world. Necessity is the mother of invention; and the ingenuity of those dependent on the manufacture of flax is at present taxed to discover processes which may render it capable of being spun without going through the process of steeping, technically called retting. Sanguine expectations are enter- tained by some of the practical men engaged in flax-spinning, that scutching without retting may produce an article which will answer for those purposes to which the greater portion of the flax imported from Russia is applied ; that is, for the manufacture of the coarser fabrics, and it is of these that there is the greatest increase of con- sumption. Twine, sail-cloth, packing bags, and coverings for railway waggons, are move in demand, and ever must be, than cambric pocket-handker- chiefs. If all flax must be retted, it is quite clear that it cannot be produced in Britain, with a profit both to the grower and preparer of the fibre, at a price of less than £60 the ton — Russian flax ave- rages about £40. English flax, scutched in the green state — that is, without being retted — can be sold at that price, and it is expected that it will be of superior quality to that of Russia, for the manu- facture of the coarser goods. For the finer fabrics, it will probably be impossible to dispense with the steeping process in some form or other ; though at- tempts are now making to supersede it, by boiling the roving or partially spun flax, or by the use of chemical preparations to free it from the resinous substances which at present are got rid of by retting. If green scutching shall succeed in producing a good description of flax for the commoner purposes, it will greatly facilitate its growth in this country. The cost of preparing the fibre will be diminished by one-half; and as it requires eight tons of straw to produce one ton of fibre, the distance from the flax-spinning centres of Leeds, Belfast, and Dun- dee, at which flax can be successfully grown, will be increased eightfold. A scutching mill, too, can be erected for two or three hundred pounds, whereas one of Schenck's retteries would cost ten times that sum. The crop would also be rendered more rapidly marketable ; for the steeping, in whatever way it may be performed, is the most tedious part of the process of preparation. Among the attempts now making to discover methods by v/hich other fibrous materials than flax m.ay be employed for the purposes to which that alone has hitherto been applied, Dickson's patented machine and liquid may be mentioned. We have now before us the patentee's account of the substances on which he operated in the presence of gentlemen connected with the flax and hemp trade, and the results which were obtained. " I have made," he says, " the Himalaya hemp so soft, fine, and white, that it will not only take the place of Petersburg flax— now £60 per ton, the best of v/hich can only make 40s. warp yarn — but it can be used in place of Dutch flax at £80 per ton, and I speak from twenty years' practical ex- perience when I say it is capable of being spun into 60s. warp yarn. I first cut it up into two lengths, and so break it and clean it by my patent machines, as to allow my patent liquid to penetrate it. By this process it is so softened and divided, that it will split, when drawn over the fine hackles, as fine as any Dutch and Belgian flax. "The Rhaia fibre or Assam grass, when so pre- pared by the machines and liquid, is a finer and consequently more valuable fibre. It is equal in strength and fineness to China grass at £lOO per ton. The Vercara, which very much resembles Belgian flax, is also well calculated for prime warp yarns, and worth £100 per ton. The Nielgherry nettle is a most extraordinary plant; it is almost all fine fibre, and the tow is very much like the fine wool of sheep, and will, no doubt, be largely used by wool-spinners. The pine-apple and jute, for fine purposes, cannot be questioned ; and nothing can, for strength, come up to the Calcutta hemp. The Yucca rjloriosa (Adam's needle) produces a white fibre, that will, when made into I'ope, lift a fourth greater weight than rope of similar size made from Russian hemp. The Madras hemp and Bombay and Sunn hemps will at all times command a p 2 202 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. market, when properly cleaned out, at £45 to £50 a ton, for twines or common purposes. The plantain requires no comment, its value being known in the market. But then there is one other fibre more worthy of remark than all the others — the fibre ob- tained from the Ananassa sativa (wild pine-apple), would command any price from £150 per ton upwards, for the spinning of yarn for the fine cam- bric manufactures in Ireland, as the fibre is finer than anything yet discovered." Mr. Dickson does not confine his pretensions to the improvement of these foreign fibres : he pro- poses to prepare British flax in the green state, as it comes from the field, by scutching alone, or some similar process, without retting. He professes to obtain more fibre from a given weight of straw, and of better quality, the tow double the value of retted tow, and the long flax strong, white, more silk-like, and finer than if prepared by any other process, and worth from £100 to £200 per ton. If these results are attainab! e on the large scale, they are of the highest importance. A letter is given from Dr. Royle, dated February 28th, and expressed in the following terms :— " I have received the spe- cimens of East Indian fibres which you have been good enough to put through your machines and liquid. The effect is marvellous on many of them; and I feel, from what I have seen, that your ma- nagement must be admirable to convert such ugly, rough-looking fibres into silky, hair-like material, Messrs. Noble have by accident sent the other flax fibres also, which I have looked at and admire much. There is a great abundance of fibres in India well worthy the attention of merchants." The real questions, however, are how will these fibres and flax, thus prepared, stand the ordeal of the factory, and can they be prepared economically on the commercial scale ? Patentees are always sanguine. They are possessed with one idea, and without intending to deceive others they frequently deceive themselves. We must be contented, we believe, to employ retted flax for the finer ])urposesj but we have good hopes, that for the coarser kinds of goods, green-scutched flax may be used instead of Russian, and that the growth of this crop in Britain may, by these means, be greatly extended. It is not only our textile manufactures of flax and hemp which are likely to suffer inconvenience from a dearth of fibrous materials : the manufacture of paper is nearly in the same predicament. The war has by no means originated this state of things, however it may aggravate it. The reduction of the duty on paper which took place a few years ago has exercised an important influence. The intro- duction of a cheap literature also, and the diffusion of a taste for readmg, which act and re-act on each other, as cause and effect, have so increased the consumption of paper as to render it very pro- blematical whether the repeal of the remaining taxes on knowledge, as they are called, would much reduce the cost of diffusing it. Unless new sup- plies of the raw materials of paper can be dis- covered, it may be expected that an increased demand will so raise their price as to neutralize the reduction which would otherwise take place on the finished and printed article, in consequence of the repeal of the remaining paper duties, and any modi- fication of the stamp duties which would extend the circulation of newspapers. We adverted, in a recent article, to the repre- sentations which have been made by the paper manufacturers to the Government on this dearth of materials ; and the promise of the latter, that our colonial and consular authorities shall be instructed to collect information as to the practicablity of obtaining new fibrous substances from our own dependencies, or from foreign countries. While that article was in the press, a letter from Mr. Samuel Gregson to the President of the Board of Control, on the resources of this kind which our Indian Empire affords, has made its appearance. It con- tains many details respecting the statistics of the paper trade ; so interesting to our readers, as well as ourselves, that no apology is required for directing attention to them. It is well known to those most ignorant of common things, that old rags are used for the manufacture of writing paper, and that for this pur- pose linen rags are superior to those of cotton. It would be interesting to trace back the metamor- phoses of the paper on which we write. We might speculate on the native country of the flax from which its parent rags were made; whether it was grown in Russia, or Ireland, or Belgium ; or whether it formed a portion of that much smaller flax contingent which is contributed by English agriculture. We might question it as to what it was in the first complete stage of its manufactured existence, whether cambric, or shirting, or canvas. We might follow it through the different stages of its downward career ; we might see it clothing the fair and the wealthy and the mighty ; we might trace it from the most aristocratic class of old clothes shops to those of the lowest grade — now forming part of the holiday wardrobe of the shabby-genteel — now pawned to purchase a dinner — now hanging in tatters on the back of the beggar, till its tatters will do duty as a garment no longer. Then we might see it in the shape of a bundle of rags en- tering one of those establishments which abound in the back-slums of all our great towns, which delight in such questionable neighbourhoods, and are themselves of so questionable a character, that their occupants have been dignified with the title THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 203 of " Dealers in marine stores," honoured with a license from her Majesty to exercise their calling, and recommended to the particular care and atten- tion of the police. Had we seen that which now constitutes the snow-white sheet before us, entering one of these receptacles, where it is announced by placard that the best price is given for old rags, for bones, and for kitchen-stuff, or where the mysterious black doll, and the large blade bone, announce the same facts in the language of hiero- glyphics, and intimate to the initiated that "bones," in more senses of the word than one, are bought and no questions asked, we should have been re- luctant to believe that any connexion could here- after exist between those rags and ourselves. Still less should we have been disposed to acknowledge any possibility of a future acquaintance with them, had we examined the strange and miscellaneous companions with which they were associated ; had we smelled the foetid odours which the collection exhabled, and breathed the atmosphere with which they were surrounded. But brighter days are in store for those old rags. This is but their temporary resting-place, on their way to a better country, a purer atmosphere, and a higher destiny. They are bound for the banks of the Medway, the Cray, or the Darent, or some stream equally clear, flowing through fields and by woodlands equally lovely. It was on the Darent that the first paper mill that ever existed in England was established. There they will be purified and renovated, and come forth in a new form, to minister once more to the wants of civilized life, and to be applied to the noblest of purposes or the vilest, to the improvement or the corruption of the mind of man. It would be interesting to follow them through the course of their renovation, which is now ren- dered so rapid, by means of the application of machinery to paper-making, that it appears more like an operation of magic than a manufacturing process. We might, again, moralize on the subject, and compare the present and the future state of man to rags and paper, as they have been compared to the caterpillar and the butterfly; but our subject is the statistics of the paper trade, and to that we must hasten. It appears from the statements of Mr. Gregson, that by far the greater portion of the rags employed in the manufacture of paper are of home production, quoad rags, from whatever country their raw material may have been origin- ally derived. The rags imported are chiefly from Germany and Italy, and they amount to no more than one-twelfth part of the entire consumption. Our transatlantic brethren are such large con- sumers of paper, that the internal supply of rags in the United S*^^ates is unequal to the demand, and they are extensive purchasers of them in this country. Some may regard this as a proof of the absence of poverty in that land of liberty and equality. There are fewer wearers, it may be said, of rags there than in England ; but on the other hand, where there are no beggars and no paupers, old clothes will go into the rag-bag at an earlier stage of their existence, and make their enti'ance sooner into the paper mill. No argument, there- fore, can be drawn from this fact respecting the superior ])hysical condition of the population of the United States, whatever it may prove respecting their intellectual superiority over the masses of the old country. It appears, likewise, that whereas the annual average quantity of paper made during the five years 1830-1834, prior to the reduction of the duty from 3d. to l^d. the pound, was upwards of seventy millions of pounds ; the average annual consumption for the five years 1849-53 was one hundred and fifty-seven millions, or more than double its ainount before the reduction of duty. The consumption of the year 1853 was more than one hundred and seventy-seven millions of pounds, showing- an increase, in one year, of about twentj'- three millions of pounds, or nearly eleven thousand tons. The total quantity of materials employed in the manufacture of paper is estimated at from one hundred and ten to one hundred and twenty thou- sand tons, or about a ton and a half of material to a ton of paper. The increase of paper made in 1853, over that of the average of five years pre- ceding, would require more than sixteen thousand tons of material. If this were all made from flax in the state of fibre, without the intervening pro- cesses of conversion into linen, and then into rags, sixty-four thousand acres of land would be required for its production. The average annual increase of the flax consumed by our flax-spinning mills is the growth of eighty-three thousand acres, as we have stated in a former article. Comparing this with the hiatus in the supply, caused by the Russian war, we find the flax-spinners estimating the total importation from Russia at fifty thousand tons per annum, of which we know that they ex- pect about one-half to find its way hither, by some circuitous channel, but considerably enhanced in price. There will still be a deficiency of the growth of one hundred thousand acres. It may, and pro- bably will, be supplied by other fibrous materials than flax, from India and other countries, though not very rapidly. Whether those materials shall require to be collected or cultivated, each must be a work of time. Before the cloud appeared in the east, the scarcity of paper-making materials was attracting attention, and our botanists were looking in all 904 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. directions, within our own islands, for new fibrous materials. Patents have been taken out for making paper from wood like the wasp. The cultivation of nettles, mallows, broom, furze, and a variety of other things, has been recommended. If the weeds of our waysides, and hedges, and wastes, can be converted into paper, by all means, we should say, let them be collected, and thus the double object gained of keeping down weeds and making thera a source of profit; but if fibrous materials must be cultivated, it will be better to cultivate flax instead of weeds. We know the former will answer the purpose: the utility of the latter has yet to be proved. As to nettles, their stings are a formid- able objection, if there were no other. The scutch- ing of flax is no pleasant employment ; but who would work at the scutching of nettles ? For flax there must be an extensive demand, were the war brought to a close to-morrow; and with this we take leave of the subject for the present. THE SHOW OF HORSES AT LINCOLN, We recur to the show of horses with the utmost attention and zealous interest : the subject is replete with importance to all classes — to the breeders, as affording them encouragement to exhibit specimens of excellence for which this country has been so long celebrated, and from which they may expect to raise a progeny still more perfect ; to the purchasers, in whose employment these valuable creatures are con- ducive to emolument and pleasure ; to the nation, as an impetus to the production of those noble animals which are destined to bear our brave soldiers in the battle-field. The increase in the demand for horses which has taken place during the last few years, has very necessarily enhanced their value, and ensured a m.arket for all kinds posscssiug those cjualifications which render them in reality usefid. This will prove a powerful stimulus to breeders, by inducing them to rear those which are in request ; and a great effort in a meeting of this nature should be, to present models. On this point the Royal Agricultural So- ciety of England have it in their power to confer in- estimable advantages, by offering prizes for compe- tition calculated to attract horses of the most valua- ble description. It must be held in remembrance that the country exhibitions of this society have only been recently introduced, comparatively with the shows in London, prior to the festive season of Christmas, of the Smithfield Club, where fat cattle, sheep, pigs, roots, grain, and implements form the principal features — where horses form no part of the category. At the time when these summer meetings were established in the rural districts, it was gene- rally anticipated that breeding horses for aclive ser- vice would be an unprofitable speculation, and in- deed a useless venture, in consequence of the nume- rous railways which had been formed or were in course of formation: it was supposed these would so thoroughly supersede the use of horses for travel- ling, that a very limited demand would exist. Thus the attention of the Society was diverted from the subject, and the prizes offered were mostly for horses adapted to agricultural purposes. The few which were given for the higher classes were insignificant both with respect to number and amount ; conse- quently failing to attract horses of pretension, with other causes, which we will notice as we proceed, the exhibitions have fallen into bad odour with many proprietors of superior animals. Affairs have now assumed a very different aspect : the use of horses has been augmented through the increase of railway travelHng ; there is a great demand for exportation ; and the prosperous condition of the country enables many persons to keep horses for pleasure who were unable to do so previously. War has, unfortunately, become imperative, and horses ai'e in requisition for the troops. These circumstances cannot fail to in- duce the Royal Agricultural Society to take up the subject with the zeal it demands. The recent meet- ing of the Driffield Agricultural Society affords assu- rance of the success which would not fail to attend well-concerted measures. Although the prizes indi- vidually were small, they were numerous ; in fact they extended to almost every description of horse, from the hunter, hack, carriage-horse, to the ladies', we may say childreus' pony, consisting of sixteen classes and one hundred and fifty-two competitors, exclusive of five classes adapted to agricultural pur- poses. Yorkshire, it may be urged, is the land of the horse ; and a meeting held in that county would inevitably be patronized by breeders. Lincolnshire is so nearly connected by proximity and similar occu- pations, that no doubt can exist that it would have commanded an equal share of popularity if similar attractions had been offered. At the Lincoln exhibition the premiums offered by the Royal Agricultural Society for cattle amounted to twenty- three : for horses there were only six, and those were confined to animals suited to agricultural purposes, with the exception of one prize to roadster- stallions, and the special premiums given by the Mayor of the City.- There are as many varieties of horses as there are of cattle, and each variety is worthy of attention. The objects to be attained by tiie exhibition of stock at agricultural meetings are THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 205 priucipally competition, which engenders improve- ment, the consequent fame attached to those breeds which are considered entitled to prizes, and the pre- cepts afforded to all classes of agriculturists, espe- cially to young beginners. The study of domestic animals, with their various points of excellence liighly developed, is a worthy and interesting thesis; and in this category the horse is unrivalled. The kind of stock which a su-e begets is a subject of vast importance to breeders, and should form a portion of the estimate whereby iiis merits are determined : the exhibition of his progeny for this purpose be- comes a subject for consideration. Under any circumstances it is highly improbable that thorough-bred stallions of great fame for racing purposes would ever be attracted to the show-yards of agricultural societies ; neither is it at all desirable they should. The rate .at which their services are obtained is too high for breeders of less costly stock, and many of them are not calculated to become the sires of those useful animals which it is the object of the farmer to breed. It is no libel on Bay Mid- dleton to say that if he were shown at an agricul- tural meeting he would not have a prize aw"arded to him — his celebrity as a sire of racing stock being so thoroughly established; but he possesses defects which are transmitted to his progeny, and which would be fatal to the value of a hunter or a hack. The kmd of horses which are adapted to produce first-rate hunters, hacks, and also carriage-horses of the greatest value, from a certain description of mares, are thorough-bred ones, with power, sym- metry, action, temper, and constitution — neither the most speedy on the turf, nor the worthless weeds. Owners of these horses very commonly entertain a prejudice against offering them for competition. Two ostensible reasons may be adduced for tliis : the one already mentioned, namely, the inadequacy of the amount, and want of confidence in the opi- nion of the judges. It is an unpleasant office to impugn the decisions of gentlemen who undertake such onerous duties, especially in cases wherein matters of opinion, not positive facts, are involved. But it is not transgressing the bounds of the most scrupulous courtesy to observe, that it is scarcely possible to select competent judges of the higher breeds of horses, who are equally capable of forming opmions on the merits of cart-horses. A man who is to judge of the capabilities of horses calculated to become the sires of hunters, must have acquired great experience in the breeding department, and he must likewise be in the constant habit of riding to liounds, or he can never become acquainted with those points and qualifications which are essential in a hunter intended to carry a hard rider. Knowledge of pedigree, and of hereditary or family propensities, is another very important item in the selection of sires. Those which are descended from horses whose stock has been distinguished in the hunting-field, are especially worthy of approbation, and greatly to be preferred to those which have merely gained notoriety for speed on the race-course. The action which they transmit to their progeny may be regarded as one of the first causes of supe- riority. In connection with that great accomplish- ment the judges have a far better opportunity of deciding than the public, inasmuch as the former see each horse in motion during their inspection, while the latter only see them in their stalls or boxes. When deciding on the merits of a number of horses, the superior qualifications and defects of each must be critically compared, and estimated in proportion to tlieir individual importance ; and there are some fatal imperfections, which the most experienced eye cannot detect, imless the horse is led out for inspec- tion. It is highly amusing to hsten to the ludi- crous opinions expressed by spectators, many of whom fancy themselves judges. There are many qualities and defects which the horse possesses, that are hidden to the eye ; they can only be discovered by actual trials, which judges of stock have no means of putting to the test. It is the reluctance which owners of really good and valuable horses entertain against these impediments which prevents them from exhibiting their horses : the difficulties are by no means insurmountable, and, when once removed, there is no doubt the show of horses at future meetings will assume that high character of importance to whieh it is so justly entitled. The judges should be considered as holding the position of confidential friends, who kindly counsel the inexperienced which horses and mares are the most valuable in their re- spective kinds for the purposes of breeding; and, con- cerning the young stock, that which is the most pro- mising to purchase. We maintain that the breeder who is desirous to rear horses of the highest value, either as hunters or hacks, or indeed for any other purpose under the saddle, must have recourse to thorough-bred sires. And here it may be necessary to introduce a few brief remarks explanatory of the term. It implies a class of our domestic animals, whether it be of horses, cattle, sheep, or pigs, which is derived through a long race of ancestors, !;each of which has been selected with the utmost care for those superior qualifications which render them most useful and valuable. The tho- rough-bred horse undergoes the most severe proba- tion in training, and in racing, where his powers of endui'ance, constitutional stamina, and soundness are unequivocally tested. It is the breeder's fault if he selects an animal for the purpose of pro- creation, which has proved himself defective in the most important qualities. The thorough-bred horse can sustain a greater share of labour and hardships 206 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, than any other of the species. We sometimes see, but with regret, the worn-out racer doiug duty in a London cab ; or sustaining the abuse, and performing the drudgery of a village butcher's hack ; sometimes carrying his inconsiderate master on the road, or his still more inconsiderate boy, who too frequently indulges in a gallop against any one who will accept liis challenge ; at other times fastened to the gate, and shivering in the cold, while his master is closing a bargain at the farmer's hearth : after his day's work is over, the cold, bleak common is his resting-place. In this pitiable condition he bears the hardships of his fate with courage, and withstands the variable effects of the elements to an extent far beyond what the mongrel can endure. The proposition made by Mr. Spooner to breed from three-parts-bred sires capable of carrying sixteen stone with the fleetest hounds, as a means of regenerating our horses, was noticed in these columns at the time : it may fur- ther be observed, there is not such an animal in existence. No horse, unless he be much more highly bred than that which Mr. Spooner describes, can live with hounds when running. There is another impediment in all cases where horses are used for breeding which are not thorough-bred— it is im- possible to discover wii;h accuracy worthy of de- pendence how such horses are descended ; and to grovel on in the dark, in that respect, is a chance to which an experienced breeder of valuable stock would be reluctant to expose himself. The risk in this respect is often conspicuous with mares ; and it is folly to render the probability of incestuous breed- ing doubly hazardous. It is universally understood by all practical and observant breeders that the male must be of pure descent if an approach to perfection is anticipated. Would His Grace the Duke of Rich- mond seek to improve his beautiful flock of South- down sheep by the introduction of rams from the Welsh mountains ? or would the late Earl Ducie have brought his herd of short-horns to that per- fection at which they had arrived when they were sold, if the common bulls of the county of Gloucester had been substituted for the highly-bred short-horn ? The mountain sheep and the common bulls more nearly represent the primitive animals of uncultivated nature than do the southdowns and the short-horns ; and the mongrel-bred horse is in a similar position. It may be said that for many pur- poses more bone and power is required than are ge- nerally found in thorough-bred horses. This can only be admitted to a limited extent. If we were to select the most powerful of that class, very few, if any, of inferior breed could be found to equal them for any kind of labour in which the combination of strength and activity is required. It is obvious that thorough-bred horses endowed with those powers cannot be brought into use for ordinary oc- cupations, in consequence of their value for other purposes ; but they are the models to be taken as standards, and the nearer other classes of horses re- present them, the nearer will they arrive at per- fection, and the more serviceable and valuable will they be. Thorough-bred mares cannot be brought into general use to supply the country with their stock, because we do not possess a sufficient num- ber of those which are endowed with the necessary qualifications ; and they are mostly engaged in the costly service of breeding for the turf. To employ light, weedy, powerless animals is folly in the ex- treme. The recommendation of Mr. Spooner that the Royal Agricultural Society should take mea- sures with Government for the encouragement of breeding horses for cavalry purposes, is a most laudable intention; but at the present regulation prices, farmers will not be inclined to devote atten- tion to the subject. Premiums may be offered for breeding horses of a certain description; and if those premiums are sufficiently valuable, they will no doubt induce farmers to breed horses with a view of gaining them ; but if those horses are cal- culated for the cavalry, they will be stiU more valu- able for other purposes, and will therefore never find their way to the regiments. If Government will make the regulation prices remunerative, the ranks will soon be filled. The term roadster is one of such expansive com- prehension that it might be sulxlivided into four or five classes with good effect. It may signify a horse IG or 17 hands high, fit to draw a carriage, brougham, or any vehicle; and for pleasure or business it may signify the powerful, active, beautiful cob, not exceeding 14 h. 2 in., for which a portly gen- tleman of heavy weight would sign a blank check upon his banker, to be filled up at the discretion of the fortunate breeder ; it may signify the speedy hack, nearly or quite thorough-bred, adapted to a light weight ; it may signify the lady's graceful palfrey, or even the child's pet pony — all of which are so dissimilar in their characters, that the horse Avhich is calculated to be the sire of one kind cannot be expected to fulfil the same duty in the production of the other, however extensive the diversity of mares. The horses exhibited on this occasion were principally calculated to breed carriage-horses, and for that purpose there were some fair specimens. It is impossible too often to reiterate the praises which are due to Mr. Tweed, the worthy mayor of Lincoln, and his friends, for having rescued the meeting which took place in their city from the im- putation it would otherwise have fallen under, of not offering any premiums for hunters — a class of horses for which the immediate neighbourhood is cele- brated. Surrounded as the city is by the most fashionable and influential hunts in England, it THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE- SOT would have been a reflection, truly, had the sporting stranger visited the place, and returned home with- out some memento that he had been in the land where fox-hunting flourishes, where the farmers par- ticipate extensively in the amusement, and where many of our first-class horses are bred. Mr. Tweed has unquestionably taken a step in the right direc- tion, and shown to the Royal Agricultural Society that premiums of sufHcient value will attract horses calculated to produce hunters, and also valuable youiig stock adapted for the chase. The vicinity of Lincoln could have supplied horses of higher reputation than those which were entered, of which there were nine, and Loutherbourg was the successful candidate. It is an ungracious task, under any circumstances, to differ from the opinions which gentlemen form who undertake the onerous duties of deciding upon the merits of animals ; and where it is matter of opinion, we should in most cases avoid any dissentientremarks. On this occasion they are matters of fact, andso materially connected with the important subject of breeding horses, that we cannot shrink from the public duty. Upon examining the pedigree of Loutherbourg, it will be found that he combines none of that blood so highly prized and distinguished for hunting purposes — such as the Sir Oliver, Tyledener, Orville, Master Henry, Muley, Eelzoni, and some others. He is by Mameluke — a very in- different stock-getter ; dam by Smolensko — a sort never famed for endurance, stoutness of constitution, or substance ; but the reverse. Mameluke was by Partisan, notorious for the badness of his fore legs, and which his stock generally inherited. With lively reminiscences of the Smolensko and Partisan de- fects, he must be a sanguine man who can expect to breed hunters impressed with that stamp of cha- racter which will command high prices, from such ancestors. With hereditary bad fore-legs, very nar- row hips, and exceedingly light thighs, such an animal is certain to transmit some, if not all, liis im- perfections to his progeny. Tt is breeding from such stallions as these which occasions loss to the breeder, fills our fairs with rubbish, and people's heads with the idea that our horses have deteriorated When such animals are selected for the purpose of pro- creation, it creates no surprise that suggestions should be offered of introducing some other class of horse supposed to be more free from those defects — possessing substance with well-formed legs ; but these desiderata will seldom be found in mongrels, and, where found, will not be transmitted to their progeny. Why thorough-bred horses free from the most important defects should be passed over, it is difficult to determine. The prize for three-years -old hunting geldings or fillies could not occasion vast trouble to the judges. It was awarded to a brown gelding by Robinson, and, as we were informed, was out of a half-sister to Lottery, the steeple-chase horse, whom he very greatly represented both in shape and colour. Cecii,. TIPTREE HALL FARM One of our Essayists has told us with much humour how the edge was taken off the critic's appetite. He had fallen foul of a translation of one of the ancient poets, which he found on the coun- ter of a considerable tradesman. He was " really grieved to see so much money wasted in such a way." He was " sorry a man of so much repute should give his countenance to such a series of egregious blunders." He was but the yet more acute bookseller at once interrupted him : " They were just going to dinner — plain, humble fare enough ; but Mrs. Tonson would be too happy to see the gentleman, if he would only step in." And he did step in. The entertainment was far beyond the modest promise given of it ; and, thus gra- dually worked on, the censor ultimately declared, with his mouth full, " that the poem was com- mendable, and the pudding was excellent." Surely our friend Mr. Mechi has read this story with advantage. Can any one be cruel enough to play the critic after partaking of " the plain, homely fare" he sits down to at Tiptree ? Can any caustic observer dare to talk of " capital wasted" when he sees such signs of prosperity before him ? Would any one grieve to give his countenance to any such " series of egregious blunders" when he experiences what pleasant meetings they result in ? Common gratitude, self enjoyment, at once forbid it. We have walked from the counter to the par- lour, and, but arrived here, we declare, with all the authority of a mouthful, that there " the farming is commendable, and the pudding is excellent." It is, indeed, a hard task to have to criticise Mr. Mechi. The genuine hospitality of the man, his no less characteristic good humour, and the ex- quisite tact and taste with which he manages his company, all demand our best consideration. The owner of Tiptree, however, is essentially a public man. There is not an experiment he makes, not a shilling he lays out here, but he courts, or rather demands, the expression of public opinion upon it. He openly announces himself aa an example for 208 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. others. He is a new edition of the ancient masters, demonstrating with copious notes where they were wrong, and where he is right. Like Abernethy, everybody must read his book : he spreads it open before them for that sole purpose. If they do so, and only follow his advice, they v/ill all become like himself, hale, heart}^ prosperous men : if they do not, they can but continue the valetudinarians he has so long had to deal with. It is curious, though, to observe how he essays to bring these recipes into practice. He well nigh shuns the testimony of those who, after all, it is must use them. Year by year, and we see yet less still of the practical man. He is gone, and with him the balance-sheet. No such indecorous persons or proceedings as these now interrupt the triumphs at Tiptree. It is science, and professors, and frater- nity, and foreigners that now deliberately pronounce Tiptree Hall Farm to be the best farm in the world. It is gentlemen with their mouths full, who, as one speaker dared to say on Wednesday, declare, on the strength of" not knowing wheat from barley," that liquid manure is astonishing in its effects, and that draining, in all sorts of ways, is a most remunera- tive recreation. The world, however, knows all this already. It would be rather odd if it did not. Independently of what Mr. Mechi may have to say for himself, lie is very well supported. The plan of showing the farm on a show day may not even yet, though, be known to all our readers, and so we make no apology for even enlarging a little farther upon it. Mr, Mechi himself appropriately enough leads the way ; as he himself remarks, " they would never get on if he didn't." Occasionally he halts here and there, to explain what wonders have been done, and how he did them. He has of course a very willing and sympathetic audience, though he treats them very like Nicholas Nickleby's brother strollers did the same gentle public on something of a similar occasion. A London manager was discovered in the house, and everybody straight- way did everything to the London manager. The lover, instead of warbling his pastoral to his lady fair, wafted it direct to the London manager. The comic countryman, in place of telling his best story to his admiring comrades, gave it word for word to the London manager ; while the heroine of the play died outright with her ej'e still fixed on the London manager ! So it is with Mr. Mechi. He has his London manager in the recognized authority of a contemporary. To this gentleman it is Mr. Mechi, in all arcadian iimocence, warbles forth his lo triumphe. For this visitor he more especially rattles out his best joke — in his favourite character of the comic countryman ; and with an eye still steadily fixed on him, does he bring down the curtain on the hero, or the Martyr of Tiptree Heath. The gentle public catch what they can of the interesting plot; while continued cries for Mr. Somebody proclaim how much of the success depends upon the London manager. In a word, there never was anything more systema- tically puffed. On this occasion there was not only one gentleman, note-book in hand, to write it up, but another as well prepared to speak it up. Mr. Mechi's object may be a good one — Mr. Mechi may have spent large sums in at least attempting to advance the practice of agriculture — and Mr. Mechi is a hospitable energetic man. Still, to prove all this good intent, it must be tried in some- thing of a ditTerent fashion. Let Mr. Mechi have courage enough to hear his failings told him by those v,'ho are best qualified to do so, and let him be content to take his meed of praise from the same authority, instead of sinking his proceedings into an advertisement as palpable as it is partial. He is reviev/ed now by the Yankee Colonel of Militia, who, whether his men obeyed him or not — went right or v/ent wrong — never had but one comment to oiFer — that it v/as " done liansiim !" The English farmer is now all but ignored at Tiptree. His incessant calls for proof — the gua- rantee that he required for every new discovery he was told to adopt, rendered his interference any- thing but desirable. His place has been supplied from a more distant quarter; and Scotchmen and Scotch farming had, after the worthy host's own sayings and doings, the rest of the day nearly all to themselves. Mr. Caird, already somewhat no- torious for what he has done in this way, was more energetic tha.n ever on the wonders of the north ; and Mr. Caird, and Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Telfer, and Myre Mill and Ayrshire, swim pleasantly enough on the top of that stream which flows over Tiptree Farm. One of the feats duly proclaimed by Mr, Caird was the growth per annum of tvv^enty-five tons of dried hay on a Scotch acre of land. A local report says this was received with cries of " Oh ! oh ! and laughter ;" while one of our own contemporaries, the Gar- deners' Chronicle, adds — " It was not believed in consequence of being too abruptly announced." There are many things one has heard of, at Tiptree, which have been, perhaps, a httle "too abruptly announced." The farm itself never looked better than it did on Wednesday, the wheat and oat-crops being particularly good, and the management of the land and stock more imiform and judicious than has yet appeared. We are quite willing to admit that Mr. Mechi has done much for Tiptree; what he may have accomplished, however, has little real bearing, so fai*, upon practical THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 209 agricultui'e. In place of slighting and taunting the English agriculturist on all occasions, our Professor has much still to learn from him. It is this "manner" we have to quarrel with. It is this brief authority his over-eager friends would make of him that one has to guard against — the " done hansum" verdict that would have ruined every farmer in England had he only relied on it. We thank Mr. Mechi for his hospitality; we appreciate his energy j but we deny his right to a position he is so little qualified to claim. None have or con- tinue to speak with more self-confidence, while none have greater errors to confess, or more need to learn. ON THE ADULTERATION OF MANURES. It is not many weeks since we urged the im- portance of applying the sewage of towns as a ma- nure in the liquid form, by means of the steam engine and underground irrigation. We urged it on two grounds. The first was, the hopelessness of its economical conversion to the solid form, and the absurdity of making this conversion, if it is again to be rendered liquid for use with the water drill. The second was, that, if it were applied in its ori- ginal state, the farmer would escape the risk of falling into bad hands among the manure dealers. On the latter point, we quoted the statements of Professor Johnston, as to the adulteration of ma- nures. On both, we have now the sanction of another eminent agricultural chemist — Professor Way. To begin with the diflSculties attending the conversion of sewage to the solid form. On this head we remarked, that deodorising was one thing, and conversion into manure another : what says Professor Way to this ? In a recent lecture before the Royal Agricultural Society, on peat charcoal, he stated that, besides the noxious gases engendered during the putrefaction of animal substances, each substance possesses a peculiar odour, strongly perceptible to the senses, in many cases almost in- exhaustible in quantity, and yet inappreciable by weight. He enumerated the list of deodorisers — such as the chlorides of lime and zinc, sulphate of iron for decomposition of sulphuretted hydrogen, and sulphate of lime, by which ammoniacal atmo- spheres are converted into sulphate of ammonia and carbonate of lime. Having shown the action of these substances, he proceeded to consider that of charcoal as a deodoriser, pointing out the errors which have arisen from \vant of knowledge of its efiFects on ammonia. He shewed that fresh burned charcoal will absorb ammonia in its pores ; but, so far from having it in its power to extract it from a liquid, it permits gaseous matters which it has ab- sorbed to be expelled by water. He considered peat charcoal not availaljle, of itself, as a manure. It had been long before the public as such, and had not advanced in market value, as it would have done had its application proved successful as a vehicle for sewage. It will take up a large pro- portion of water — 50 to 60 per cent. — and this gives a fallacious appearance of a dry state, to ma- nures with which it has been mixed as a water- carrier. Peat charcoal, then, is neither valuable as a manure of itself, nor has it the power of sepa,- rating manure from sewage ; it only renders sew- age portable. Of Mr. Stotherd's process for reducing sewage matter, by a dovible action of purification, into clear water and an inodorous pre- cipitate, Pi-ofessor Way observed that, though ad- miralily adapted for sanitary purposes, it has little agricultural importance, as all the most valuable portions remain in solution, and are carried off in the clear water, while the precipitate is compara- tively an inert mass. Deodorising, therefore, as we remarked on a former occasion to which we have alluded, is one thing, and conversion into manure another. On the matter of adulteration of guano. Professor Johnston flogged the fraudulent manure- dealers pretty severely ; but Professor Y/ay, in a second lecture, literally flayed them. This adultera- tion, he said, had this year reached a height which it had never attained before. He could speak con- fidently on this point, from the number of analyses he had been called upon to make. The process of adulteration had been accelerated by various causes. In the first place, there was the limited supply from Peru, which obliged the importers to refuse orders, and caused guano to be selling, in many parts of the country, for £12 and £14 the ton. Secondly, there v/as a falling off in the sup- ply of materials for making superphosphate of hme, the manure next in importance to guano, and the first to which the farmer resorts as a substitute ; bones, likewise, have become scarce in the market ; guanos of the phosphate kind, which have always been valuable to the maker of superphosphates, have almost disappeared ; and coprolites, or fossil phos- pholic nodules, which reallyform our natural source of phosphoric acid, have so fallen ofF, that their price has almost doubled. " Here then," said Pro- fessor Way, " was a glorious opportunity of making money, which the dealers in adulterated manure 210 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. were not likely to let slip— farriiers rushing into the market, only too glad to get supplies of manure, and too many of them not over careful, if the truth must be told, whether it were good or bad ; and, on the other hand, the nefarious dealer, not even driven to the necessity of adopting a low price to obtain a sale, but revelling in a ready market and enormous profits. In this way, many a ton of good guano becomes three or four of a manufactured article." Professor Way then entered into a description of the raw materials used by dealers in adulterated guano. Gypsum is the favourite, particularly that produced artificially in several manufacturing pro- cesses, because it is finely divided, does not require crushing, mixes readily with the guano, and is not so liable to detection as fragments of the rock, which may have been imperfectly ground. It has other advantages— it burns white, and, even when perfectly dry, gives oflF water, and so loses weight at a red heat. As good guano burns white when heated sufficiently long, and loses weight also, the farmer who tried his gypsumized guano by this test, would most hkely be deceived into the belief that he Ijought the genuine stuff. Common salt and sulphate of soda are other adulterating ingre- dients. The former burns white, but does not lose weight; the latter, unfortunately, possesses some advantages to recommend it. Coprohtes also, finely powdered, form another source of adulteration. They are particularly adapted to the conscientious adulterator; because, being phos- phates, he may flatter himself he is not doing the farmer any great harm by giving them for guano. Putting out of the question, however, the fact that they are comparatively inert till heated with sul- phuric acid, they are only half the price of guano, and adulteration is adulteration, as Professor Way observes, all the world over. The increasing prices of coprolites are acting as a bar to their use, and, as they burn red, have the additional advantage of being liable to detection. The thoroughgoing ma- nufacturer, however, scouts all these refinements, and goes in a straightforward way to the sand and the loam pit. Sand does not answer the purpose unless very fine. A loam, or clay, so mixed with sand that it will dry and work well, is v/hat is wanted. There was, a few years ago, a regular factory near Bow Common, with drying kilns, furnaces, and grinding mills, in full work for the special use of the manufacturers of guano. There loam or clay might be had of every shade of colour. to suit the wants of the adulterator, and the taste of the purchaser who scouted the assistance of the chemist, and rehed on empyrical characters for de- termining the quality of his guano. If this manu- factory was not still at work, others are ; for Profes- sor Way finds abundance of loam in the guano brought to him for analysis, in the ordinary way of business, and without any solicitation on his part. In support of these statements, we are furnished with analyses of three groups of guano, consisting of six samples each. The first group consisted of genuine Peruvian guano, as a standard of com- parison ; the second, of guanos which had been adulterated with gypsum alone ; and the third, of those to which sand or loam had been added as well as gypsum. The results will be best exhibited in the following table, in which we have given the average of each group : — Moisture Sand Gypsum Organic matter and "i salts of ammonia j Phosphates of lime"i and magnesia • • • j Nitrogen equal to Ammonia • . . . Group 1. Genuine Peruvian, Group 2. Adulterated witli Gypsum. Group 3. Adulterated with Gypsum & Sand. 14.89 1.59 10.55 2 04 36.30 9.83 28 51 20.61 51.42 23.89 14.34 30.20 20.93 .73 13.90 6.86 3.04 16.76 8.82 3.69 One of the samples in group 3 was not worth more than £2 per ton at the highest estimate, " though, no doubt, if the truth could be got at, it had been bought as a great bargain at £11." Such are the penalties which farmers pay for buy- ing cheap guano — for relying on their own judgment in such matters, instead of on chemical analysis, and for being deficient in that amount of chemical knowledge which would enable them to compound artificial manures for themselves. Professor Way has withheld names, but says that each case can be authenticated if necessary. Farmers should have no such delicacy. Let them have whatever guano they purchase analyzed, and let them pubUsh the analysis and the name of the vendor. Nothing checks imposture so much as the dread of ex- posure. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 211 FARM BUILDINGS. " Property lias its duties as well as its rights." This is a principle so firmly impressed upon every reflective mind , that a person must be possessed of no small degree of self-confidence, or else be destitute of the higher and nobler feelings of our nature, who will venture to deny its truth. But irrespective of the claim which thus exists, we may presume that the agriculturist who enters into a treaty with a landowner for the occupation of his estate, duly agrees that these duties shall be fully per- formed, so far as he is personally interested. For in- stance, the land would be of little use to him, destitute of that accommodation for his residence, the proper care and management of his stock, and for the preparation of his crops for market, which constitutes the home- stead of the farm ; and in proportion as this is suitable and convenient, will the value of the land be increased, and consequently worth a higher rental. Thus " the performance of a duty brings its own reward ;" it is therefore an impartial argument which inforces this duty, for self-interest prompts to its performance. It is very evident to every one acquainted with the tillage of the soil, that the farm buildings requisite must depend upon the character and quality of the soil, the system of agriculture adopted, and the stock kept on the land. No plan therefore can be of general applica- tion ; but there are certain principles which invariably hold good ; and it is only by modifying and applying them, that a homestead can be erected so as to be con- venient and useful in the highest degree. The extent of the occupation must necessarily influence the buildings required ; and here, as in most points of agricultural economy, the cost per acre is in higher proportion as the farm becomes of smaller extent. The course of farming pursued also influences the accommodation re- quired. The same farming which under one system maintained a certain number of sheep and cattle, and required the labour of so many horses, might, by adopt. ing a quicker course of croppinff, combined with the growth of green crops, and their consumption in stalls, &c., support three times the quantity of stock, and in- crease the demand for horse-labour 50 per cent. It is therefore of the greatest importance for the interest of the landlord, that he should be guided by a discreet and competent ailviser, in the erection of buildings for a farm. The course adopted by one tenant might be un- suited to the character and quality of the land, and con- sequently would not be adopted by his successors ; and thus accommodation might be provided which is not only unnecessary, but an incumbrance. Inconsequence of not being used, they soon get out of repair ; and as the tenant is not willing to be at any expense for that which is of no use to him, the dilapidations increase. Thus unnecessary buildings are annoying to the landlord, be- cause they do not bring him any i-eturn for his outlay in their erection ; whilst from the tenant allowing them to go out of repair, they eventually cost him a considerable sum of money, in consequence of their dilapidated con- dition. Hence great judgment is necessary to draw the line between that which is necessary and that which is not required, so that the tenant shall have every neces- sary accommodation, but DO superfluous buildings. The agent therefore holds a responsible position ; for whilst on the one hand he has duly to consider the require- ments of the tenant according to the system of farming he is going to pursue, he must on the other hand protect the interest of the landlord by approving a plan which will be oi permanent utllily to the property. The inquiry may arise as to who is the right party to make the outlay. Undoubtedly the landlord should do it ; and having done so, let the tenant pay a per centage upon the outlay. There are many objections to the tenant doing these improvements, even if he is re' imlursed — chiefly because the tenant's capital employed upon his farm would repay him fuH three times as much interest, as a landlord would receive for his outlay. The tenant's time and judgment being given up to the management of his business, enables him to realize (say) 15 per cent, on his capital employed ; whilst with the landlord, the outlay is an ordinary investment, for which he would probably receive 5 per cent. If a tenant builds he cannot be expected to make such substantial work as the freeholder would for his own property. If, however, the tenant agrees to pay his landlord 5 per cent, on the outlay for a proposed set of farm buildings, it is but just towards himself that a plan and contract should be prepared for their mutual approval. The cases will be very few in which a landlord will not be crippling his tenant's means, by allowing his capital which should be expended on the land to be sunk in the erection of farm buildings. Here again, we have the satisfaction of ob- serving, that the interests of landlord and tenant "go hand in hand." It is a very common practice for the tenant to be re- quired to draw the materials, because he has horses and carts at his disposal. Now, this appears very inconsistent. Thehorses upon his farm are just sufficient to carry out the regular tillage of the land ; and consequently, if this addi- tional work has to be done, the ordinary farm labour is neglected. It would be equally consistent to require him, because he has a certain number of men in his em- ploy, to raise the stone required, or to do the excava- tions, &c. ; for these men have the duties of the farm to attend to, and the horse labour is required for the same purpose. The cost for carriage of materials should be added to the other expenses of the buildings, and let the tenant pay interest on the amount. The tenant should be required to keep and leave the premises in proper repair, and consequently it will be to his interest to give prompt attention to all dilapidations. It is the opinion of many persons that the farm-house 212 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. is of secondary importance, compared with the other buildings, and that an outlay of money for increasing the comfort of the farmer's dwelling is little else than an extravagant investment of money. But in this we differ ; for although we fully advocate the importance of good and suitable accommodation for the stock of the farm, yet at the same time we do not overlook the advantages which result from farms having residences upon them suited for men of capital. The example of one of our most enlightened and liberal landowners in the east of England has proved most clearly the importance of having respectable residences attached to farms. When his property came into his hands, the tenantry were poor, and becoming poorer every year, and their dwel- lings were in an equally pitiable condition. The course he adopted was to erect residences suitable for men of capital, and hence he soon got men of respect- ability and property for his tenants. A professional man, or a tradesman, insists upon having a house suited to his circumstances ; and we conceive it equally due to the agriculturist that his dwelling should possess those accommodations and comforts which are admitted to be necessary for others who have less capital at their dis- posal. No peculiarity of arrangement is necessary, differing from other houses of equal i-espectability. The situation should be healthy and pleasant ; and if with a commanding view of the farm, it will enable a more con- stant oversight to be maintained. EPIDEMICS, TOWN DRAINAGE, AND MANURING THE LAND, No. V. Sir, — There is a Cjuestion that has long engaged the attention of the scientific world, and which should have formed part of No., 3, but it was inadvertently over- looked ; and that is, what is termed oxone. This sub- stance, supposed to be generated in the atmosphere, is eonsidered by Delarue and Berzelius to be an " allo- tropic modification" of oxygen, occasioned either by electricity or by the " catalytic action " of certain sub- stances ; and Scoubein considers it as a higher stage of the exidation of hydrogen ; and to detect the extent to which it pervades the atmosphere, an association has been formed in the medical vv'orld (one of the observers residing within a few miles of this place), the amount being indicated by the shades of blue which is imparted to a piece of test-paper shut up in a box. Some months since, when in this gentleman's dispensary, I suggested to him whether this " oxidation of hydrogen " was not nitric acid ; when be moistened a bit of the_ paper, ex- posed it to the fumes of nitric acid, and immediately produced a deep blue tint ! Removal of error being the first step towards eliciting truth, I am induced to refer to another subject of much greater importance to the agriculturist, on whom must ultimately devolve the solution, or at least the investiga- tion, of all subjects in connection with natural phi- losophy. That evapor?ition constitutes the life-springs of vegetation will readily be admitted ; and those who take the trouble to read my papers, can be no strangers to the fact that evaporation has hitherto been identified with "heal," on which principle is based the hy- grometer; and therefore temperature and evaporation shoul* nearly keep pace with each other. To test this and other no less important questions, in 1845 I mounted a pair of ordinary grocer's scales, and put into each of them about a quart of water : one I connected with the earth electrically, the other insulated from it ; and the beam of these scales being suspended to the end of a second beam, counterpoised by weights, I had no difficulty in determining the relative evaporating in- fluence of the atmosphere and the earth, and the in- fluence of what is termed heat. The difference in the two vessels, and the total from both, I register every morning and evening at 9 o'clock, and the information for 1853 will be found in the following table; the two first columns showing the difference or excess of evapo- ration in the respective vessels, the third that from both. The reading of the thermometer I have reduced 32 de- grees, that being our barbarous freezing-point, instead of 0, as the addition of 32 degrees to the temperature of February, or to that of June, could not fail in creating a serious error. My rain-gauge is a square box 8 inches deep, with a sloping bottom of 2 inches and 10 inches diameter, mounted on a pole above the shed in which I keep my other apparatus, and into which the rain is conducted by a small tube ; it was made here, of zinc, and cost me 2s. 6d. : — 1853. 13 g-g d 3 « S rolahle, if not the inevitable, consequences that must result from the co7ubustion of smoke ?" Smoke from sea and pit coal in general consists mainly of a vast quantity of carbon, distilled and expelled from coal by a degree of heat not sufficiently great to ignite that carbon ; it therefore passes off, combined with other matters (which need not here be noticed) in the black column so much complained of. Now, in order to consume the quantity of vaporized carbon thus passed into the atmosphere, it would require, in round numbers, ticlce the quantity of oxygen gas to be electro -chemically combined with it, and the product would be carbonic acid — a gas which, according to Pro- fessor Brande, " is perfectly unresplrable, for on at- tempting to breathe it in a pure state, the epiglottis is spasmodically closed, and, no air entering the lungs, suffocation is the direct consequence. When it is so far diluted with air as to admit of being received into the lungs, it then operates as a narcotic poison, and this even when a candle will burn in the mixture. Assuming the specific gravity of carbon vapour to be 0'84, and that of oxygen gas I'll, and that a volume of carbonic acid consists of one volume of oxygen, and half a volume of carbon vapour, its specific gravity should be — 1-11 + 0-42 =- 1-53; or Grains. 50 cubic inches of carbon vapour, weighing 12-7 100 ,, oxygen gas, ,, 34'6 100 cubic inches of carbonic acid should weigh 47'3 It is therefore specifically heavier than atmospheric air, 100 cubic inches of which weigh STOl grains, and must descend and mix with the air to be respired. Con- sidering the vast quantity of smoke which pervades the whole atmospheric volume of London, and of other large cities and towns, and admitting the possibility of con- verting the carbon therewith combined to carbonic acid, does it not become an imperative duty to contemplate the enormous risk that might be incurred by so degrad- ing, if not actually poisoning, that vital respirable air, which, discoloured as it now is (by smohe, yet sustains the life of above two millions of human beings? Another great chemical phenomenon must not be overlooked ; for not only would the conversion of black smoke into carbonic invisible acid be attended with the fearful risk above alluded to, but by the abstraction of oxygen from the air itself, four-fifths of the entire volume of that air would remain as azote or nitrogen — a gas equally unresplrable as carbonic acid itself. Much more might be said, but it is to be hoped enough has been stated to induce serious reflection, and, if possible, a pause, even at this critical moment. Croydon, July 27. THE LAW OF SETTLEMENT. No. XL Prejudice stops tlie way, gentlemen : let reason have room. But when prejudice does stop the way, there is little chance of reason getting past ; for with eyes inaccessible to light, she is blind, and with ears inaccessible to sound, she is deaf. I have read of a vast natural cavern in Hungary, which presents a labyrinth so intricate, that when a man is once lost in it, it is almost impossible that he should ever find his way out. I have, too, read of vast districts of land in Persia, once covered with grain, which the impolitic rapacity of the govern- has converted into tracts for half-famished flocks to wander and graze over. Li these two facts, I find striking resemblances to certain prejudices — and prejudices that we find op- posed to us in our present investigation. The Preuch writer displayed very good sense when he classed all prejudice under one head — tme oj)mio)i sans jufjement. I am not disposed to quarrel with men because they cannot discover truth for themselves ; for an amount of effort has to be put forth in the pursuit of truth, for which men generally are incompetent, or, at any rate, disinclined. But when truth has been discovered, and placed as conspicuous an object as the Pyramids on the plains of Egypt, or St. Paul's (whan the designed improve- ments are effected) from Elect-street, there are men who will solemnly assure you that they do not per- ceive it. And such individuals as these, although they are shown over and over again that there is no part of the policy of the Law of Settlement and Removal maintainable, will yet stick to it that it is necessary for the welfare of the country that it should be maintained. Reason has been employed in discovering the truth with regard to the operation of the law, times and times. Adam Smith denounced its " impolicy and injustice." Commissions of enquiry were sent out again and again, and piles of evidence were accumu- lated at Somerset House. Mr. Charles BuUer hesi- tated even upon such a foundation to pronounce condemnation on the law of settlement : he would make assurance doubly sure. The result of this determination was the Committee of 1847 ; a further enquiry was instituted into the working of that law on the welfare of all classes of the community, and the opinions of the Boards of Guardians upon it were obtained. I have before me the reports that resulted from the enquiry. The Select Committee of the House of Commons reported from time to time the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 215 evidence tliey had heard, aud ultimately agreed in ophiious embodied iu the following resolutions, which, however, were not reported to the House. 1. Resohcd — "That the law of settlement aud removal is generally productive of hardship to the poor, and injurious to the working classes by im- peding the free circulation of labour." 2. Resolved — "That it is injurious to the em- ployers of labour, aud impedes the improvement of agriculture." 3. Resolved — " That it is injurious to the rate- payers, by occasioniug expense in litigation and removal of paupers." 4. Resolved — " That the power of removing des- titute poor persons from one parish to another in England aud Wales be abolished." The first three of these resolutions were passed unanimously ; aud the majority that passed the fourth contains representatives of all parties, from the friends of political progress to the members of the old Tory school — now nearly extinct. I shall pass over the statements of the inspectors themselves, iu order to exhibit the feeling of the Boards of Guardians upon this subject. A few ex- tracts will suffice. The Stowmarket Union resolved — " That in the opinion of this Board it is expedient that the law of settlement should be abolished, and any person re- quiring relief should be provided for, w^herever he may require assistance." The Bosmere and Claydou Union resolved — " That the law of settlement and removal operates injuriously for the poor, aud that its abolition would be very desirable ; but that such an alteration would render necessary a more extensive and equitable distribution of the burden of maintaining the poor." The Ipswich Union resolved — "That it is the opinion of this Board that it is expedient to repeal the laws relating to the removal and settlement of the poor, and that the poor be relieved by a general rate made upon the entire property of the kiugdom." The Mildenhall Union resolved — " That the law of settlement, as at present existing, is extremely op- pressive to the poorer classes, by frequently com- pelling tlieir removal in old age to a distance from their families and connections, to spend their remaining years among strangers. "Tiiat the said law has always been found preju- dicial to the interests of ratepayers, from the great amount of litigation, &c. " That for the above and other reasons, the Board of Guardians are of opinion that the law of settlement should he tolalhj and absolutely abolished. " That in lieu thereof, some means should be devised for equaliziiic) the tax for the relief of the poor, by an improved and uniform system of rating through every union, combined with an Act rendering com- pulsory the relief of destitution, wherever it may exist, without reference to any local circumstances of previous residence, or otherwise, of the applicant for relief." So truth does progress ; but prejudice, with the tenacious hold of a death-grasp, yet keeps the way — that same prejudice that made Galileo choose between the contradiction of his senses and death. And though priests of prejudice and superstition extorted from the philosopher the assurance that the earth was not round and did not move, it was round and did move for all that, and he knew it ; and when the people caught the notion and adopted it, then the prejudiced sanctioned it, and pledged their faith upon it. The English people arc not addicted to change. We wear our political garments till they are long past fashion, and threadbare, and cease to have any claim to be called decent. We seem content with precisely the same institutions that served our forefathers, and present ofttimes a very ludicrous appearance as we try to riggle our feet into the high- heeled, red-leathered clogs of a past race, called shoes, with the intention of walking. Eree locomotion is a tiling not to be attained under such circumstances, and a high political wind is often as dangerous to our equilibrium, as a boisterous breath of Boreas up the streets of Pekin to a nicely-balanced Chinese lady. It is perhaps avcU that we love not change, aud that all change amongst us must necessarily be pre- ceded by the strong and expressed conviction amongst the people, showing that individual thought and attention have been directed to the subject, and concluding that change is necessary to the welfare of the nation. The Legislature, following the pro- gress of public opinion, records and substantiates this idea when it is matured and can make itself fdt. Two years have now passed since the Select Com- mittee resolved, as we have seen above — two years have elapsed since the Boards of Guardians spoke out iu the manner we have noticed — and the law of settlement remains as much a fact as ever ! And why ? Simply because you and I, and thousands of others like us, good reader, manifest no peculiar interest about the matter, and care not, so little do we think or care about the law of settlement, whether it is repealed or retained in force. By far the largest majority of the clearcit thinkers — all our inspectors and statisticians— concur in the opinion tliat the law in question should be repealed. The fear of change, and tlie uncertainty and difficulty of agreement about a substitute, forms, I feel satisfied, the principal stick- ing point, except prejudice, which, as I said before, prefers the shoes it wore when a child, to those better fitting a grown person. A few words may be said on this subject in another Q 216 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. letter, If we can but agree ou vi'hat is to be doue, the snpiueuess of Government will cease ; and when- ever the people of England once understand this question, and form an opinion upon it, such an opinion will prove a sure warrant for the reraoyal of pauper settlements " from the region of legislation into that of history, there to serve with 'Wager of Battel,' and other now abrogated absurdities of ' Father Antic the Law,' as memorable examples of the slow progress of reason and justice among the rulers of a just and reasonable people." No. XII. The law of settlement, without a leg to stand upon, like some other political anomalies, yet stands. As I said before, the EngUsh people are nowise addicted to change : they hold tenaciously to an old institution, until they see it in all respects well super- seded. And, considering that the power of vision is with some people very limited, or impeded by in- terest, it is often that an innovation has to wait long in the ante-chamber before admission is granted to it. Now those who only look straight forward, and only behold one or two points of the case before us, without regarding its manifold bearings on the right hand and on the left, may be expected to decide that a solution is easily arrived at. But we have to deal with what, in my opinion, amounts to a covflict of evils j and common sense suggests that we should take all reasonable pains to be sure we choose the least, aud that whatever course we take we keep sounding our way from time to time. A simple solution of this question is not possible. No course is free from difficulties of considerable magnitude, and no foresight can descry with cer- tainty what new mischief may arise. Here lies the reason for the demurrage that we complain of. But, surely, it is false policy to stand still. We ascer- tain that we are wrong — that our present course is an injustice to the whole body of the working com- munity, and a great charge upon the ratepayers ; and we must not be deterred from an attempt at re- formation by the risk of failure. Having made up our minds that this state of things cannot con- tinue, we must look with the utmost care at the whole case, " and labour, by prudence and careful amendment, to avoid the most urgent incouveniencies resulting from the present law, and to impose on society the smallest practical amount of new ones." By maximising the advantages and minimising the disadvantages inherent in the subject, we shall have secured ourselves from failure, as far as human ability wiU allow us to do so. Every one will admit that in any change affecting the law of settlement the following points ought to be steadily kept in view : — In the first place, as little restraint as possible should be inflicted upon the poor on the one hand, and upon the employer of labour on the other. In the next, the incidence of the poor-rate, like that of any other tax, should be equally and fairly distributed over the whole com- munity, avoiding any unreasonable interference with existing rights of property, or any material diminu- tion of those securities for economy and good management which we now possess. We have aj^plied this test to the question. Is a/ij/ pari of the 'policy of the law of removal maintainable ? and have found that there is not ; for all legislation, avowedly for the protection of the poor, is in reality for the oppression of the poor, aud tends to shackle the free industry of our country. And if we apply this test to another question, namely. Are there any objections, then, to the entire abolition of settlement and removal? we shall in time receive the same answer — No. There are, I admit, some very plausible objections to this entire abolition. Eor instance, it is urged that there w^ould be a danger of insufficient checks upon pauperism and vagrancy. But this danger I have proved to be imaginary, as shown by the expe- rience of the 35th Geo. III. It is again objected that upon the entire aboli- tion ofsettlemeut audreraoval, a deterioration aniongst unsettled labourers would ensue. It is only in view of this danger that the commis- sioners of 1834 make any defence for the law in question. And the argument they use 275^//'m;?/;/2>5 a condemnation of settlement ! For the b(meiit of a few unsettled labourers, whom the fear of removal affects, all society is to be kept under the injurious law of settlement and removal. If it is desirable to pro- mote a fear of removal, as a means of making relief ineligible, we can effectuate it by less injurious means. As I have previously shown, this means is indirect, partial, temporary, while the hnrtful operation of the law is coiistant and universal. Besides, the sup- posed effects of this fear have disappeared with the improved administration of the poor laws ; and the safeguard is virtually abandoned by provision for residential irremovability. Then comes the danger of relaxing the hard con- ditions of relief. The commissioners say : — "With respect to the hardship on those who may be re- moved, that a person who applies to be maintained out of the produce of the industry and frugality of others must accept that relief on the terms which the public good requires." Aud in reference to this, Mr. Coode, in his supplemental report, says: — "This evidently relates not to the moral and industrious labourer, whose independence is preserved by the fear of removal, and who under that fear abstains from applying for relief, but to those who do in fact THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 217 apply, and are in fact removed ; and the wliole pas- sage is a supposed justificatiou of the hardship actually incurred in their removal. It is wholly another question from that of maintaining the inde- pendence, industry, and morality of the non-settled labourers who abstain from relief, though perhaps it may involve the approval of the principle of George Buchanan's practice of whipping one scholar for the improvement of the other, and may be understood to justify the hardship on those who are removed, for its moral effects on those who are not." I quite agree with the commissioners that appli- cants for relief must be content to receive it in such a way as the public good shall direct ; but we have again and again seen that the law of removal is not identical in any way with this public good. It has earned for itself rather the epithet — public evil. The good supposed to be produced upon the un- settled labourer by witnessing the hardships suffered by those who accept relief is partial. It only operates on the unsettled : the settled have not this fear before their eyes ; and it forms no hinderance, therefore, to their application for relief. We want a motive that may act on all — the unsettled and the settled, and save both from degradation. The work- house supplies this blank (at least, it is the best sup- ply we have at present), and therefore the hardship of removal is quite superfluous. Besides, as I re- marked before, the safeguard too is now abandoned by residential irremovability. There are some other less defined objections to the abolition of removal; but they are altogether unworthy of much notice. In my past letters, most of them have been remarked upon and answered, and as they are not material, it is not worth while to refer to them again. Difficult as it is to foresee the evils that might ac- crue from the abolition of removal, we can foretell these positive advantages : There wiU be an improved use of labour and capital — a dissolution of parish bondage. The change will be in accordance with the spirit of the age, and the improved spirit of public charity. The abolition of removal must necessarily aid a sound admiaistration of the poor-law in aU its de- tails. It would more unerringly expose the indis- criminate and unlimited demand of strangers and vagrants, and would enforce an admiaistration of relief on broader and sounder principles. The abolition of removal would materially aid to the eaforcement of the vagrancy-laws (provided those vagrancy-laws are founded in justice). Settlement has never touched vagrancy, save to increase it ; for the removal of vagrants was always found to be inoperative, and therefore never attempted. The abolition of removal would also facilitate the formation of unions for rating, or raising a common fund — which are improvements impossible with the present obstacles. Anxious to sift the subject to the bottom, I have sought to ascertain whether there is any middle ground. Can any course be adopted between the absolute retention, and the entire abolition of the settlement-laws? How, for instance, would it be to abolish all settle- ments but birth-settlement, and to have a residential irremovability ? Why, birth-settlement, in the first instance, is veri/ remote i)i its origin ; that is quite a sufficient difficulty, and would lead to much litiga- tion. But it is also most cruel in its operation ; and that will not accord with our test above. It; is, moreover, disastrous hi its effects and very alarming to all the poor. Under such a regulation, about five- sevenths of the whole population would be shifted to their birthplaces, so many having acquired settle- ments. " Such a disturbance," says a writer on the subject, "would exceed in numerical effect, as well as in violence, all the changes ever made, from the origin to the last modification of the settlement- laws." xind if we propose to balance such mischief by a residential irremovability, we are met by the extreme opposed mischiefs of a birth and subsistory residence, and the special evils of settlement and ir- removability founded on residence. Well then, giving up that idea as hopeless, would it be desirable to merge the parish settlement in a union settlement ? Such an arrangement would certainly counteract the motive to dispeople parishes ; but would aggra- vate the objection to settling; and the balance of loss and gain to the poor man would be difficult to determine, since his whole gain would consist of a greater area wherein to take his labour and fix his residence — namely, the union — combined with a much increased difficulty of obtaining a residence in any other union; and the benefit of union settlement would, in this case, be inferior to that of abolition. It appears not to me, either, that it would open a new field to labour, nor would it facilitate dis- peision. And v/ith respect to union-settlement diminishing removals and litigation, authorities on the subject seem to agree in saying that when unions were formed (1834;), union-settlement might have been deemed desirable ; but that now it would effect very little diminution — not one-eleventh, apparently not one-eighteenth. My own experience tells me that a diminution of removals is not really effected; and that removals are by no means harmless and inex- pensive within the unions. It is obvious that a union-settlement M'ould sepa- rate the interests of unions, and raise a perpetual con- flict of the boards of guardians. Those who have given much attention to the subject say that "coa- Q 2 il8 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. testa would bo more inteuae throiigli the greater directness of the personal interests of guardians, aud more frequently through their greater facilities." There will be strong parties formed, and personal in- terests wdll become apparent at quarter-sessions. I cannot, thei'efore, say that union-settlement is a good step towards the abolition of settleuieut. And no other intermediate ground is to be found. All pro- ])Osals between the law of settlement and its entire abolition are weighed in the balance, and found wanting. Nothing is efl'ectual — nothing can be effectual — save national freedom. E. 1\. S. HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND. MEETING AT BERWICK-ON-TWEED. The good old town of Berwick-upon-Tweed has been once more in a state of siege. It has encoun- tered this, too, with a success which quite echpses all the glories of tb.e past. That high authority, "the oldest inhabitant," has fairly struck his colours, and confessed that, in the whole history of the time and place, he remembers nothing like it. Never were there seen such continued crowds invading it ; and never were they gathered together with a better object. Their presence came as a grateful tribute to the blessings of peace, instead of — as of yore — a forced homage to the horrors of war. They met now on a field where the strife was only as to who should do most for the general good. For this. North and South once more prepared their forces ; and here, for a second time, they brought the contest to an issue. They did so at the bidding of a society somewhat curiously entitled " The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland." Under this comprehensive claim, the members essay to represent the agricul- ture of the north ; and it is only fair to add that, through this channel, they do their country every justice. It is rarely that any public body has con- tinued to enjoy such an uninterrupted course of success. Established now for upwards of seventy years, it only further increases in importance and utility. The secret of this long career is, that its object has not only been well directed, but that, as the instrument of good, it has been well supported. There is no institution in which landlord and tenant have together demonstrated with more effect the advantage of a long pull and a strong pull, than the history of the Highland Agricultural Society. Avowedly the parent of ail similar associations, the Highland has a somewhat wider range than any of those which have still taken it as example for their construction and proceedings. It now, in fact, combines in itself something of the Royal English Agricultural Society, v/ith something further of the Smithfield Club, having a show of breeding stock in the summer, and of fat stock at Christmas— a nice distinction, perhaps, which it is at scarcely more pains to define than its younger brother in the south. There were many animals at Berwick which might have passed muster with the butcher, without any complaint as to their condi- 1 tion. The Scottish Society, however, has never yet, we believe, held two of these meetings in one I year. The winter show is a new feature, while the 1 summer or breeding one is at present only arranged for biennially; the meeting at Perth in 1852 being the immediate precursor of that at Berwick in 1854. From our growing intimacy with the past history of the Society we are inclined to believe it has seldom had a more thoroughly successful day than this first Tliursdayin August. Therewere many things which, happily, conduced to this. In the first place, we had once more to thank that railway accommodation which brought visitors, from even very neighbour- ing districts, who otherwise might not have been present. The fineness of the day was another inducement with these, and one wdiich served, as is now the fashion, to convert what was wont to be considered a mere class-meeting into a general festival. Though lacking the evergreen arches and floral display of the south, the occasion was kept as a kind of general holiday — the shops closed, with everybody alive only to the one en- grossing business before them. So far, the m.anagement must have good reason to feel satisfied with the manner in which their object is appreciated by all classes. As we have said already, they are well supported. The innate merits of the meeting, as a display of agricultural produce and ability, depended upon something more than this. The locality was esj^ecially well adapted to court the competition of both sides of the Border. We might even have expected some- thing of a trial between the two; and any one, in fact, who started with this assumption, could have found little cause for disappointment. Through all the best classes, the reader will gather even from the prize-list that t,h3 Highland Show did not de- pend solely on Scotland for its attractions. Cer- tainly, by far the strongest of any variety of animals THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 219 exhibited were the shorthorns generally, both bulls and cows. It is only fair to say that the Scotch breeders made a very good stand here, and that, if beaten, they were conquered only by those who might show with equal advantage against the world. The premium for the best bull, as well as that for the best cow, it will be found, were both carried off by Mr. Booth, of Warlaby, long re- nowned as a breeder of the shorthorn. The strongest man against him was Mr. Douglas, of Athelstaneford, a comparatively young beginner, who is, however, rapidly and deservedly gaining a celebrity for his stock. His efforts have already been recognized in England, at the late Lincoln meeting, with a remarkably clever heifer, and, in a lower degree, for a young bull. They were both almost necessarily distinguished at Berwick. Mr. Booth, too, as the careful observer could remark, had been content to bring only his very best animals. Almost co-equal with the shorthorns we may rank the show of Leicester sheep. It is seldom indeed that one now sees so excellent an entry as was made here. Whether estimated for their pure quality, or for the size to which they may be brought, the show was a remarkable one. The former of these recommendations had, of course, most weight with the Judges ; and here, again, the award was chiefly in favour of the Southron— Mr. Douglas once more heading the ranks brought down to dispute it. Justice still must declare that the Scotch farmer has done his duty with the Leicester sheep. The exhibition from the north alone was most com- mendable, while many considered that, for the locality they were bred in, they were even superior to others placed above them in the fortunes of the day. Disposing of these two celebrated animals— the Shorthorn and the Leicester — and we have the meeting of the Scotch Society more national in its character. The Polled, Ayrshire, and Highland breeds of cattle had each his separate class, with little or no competition beyond the Border. So, too, was it with the Cheviot and horned sheep and the Clydesdale horses. The Southdown sheep had scarcely any more immediate assistance from the Southern breeder. Mr. Aitcheson, of Alderson, is the Jonas Webb of these parts ; and when we say that he fairly beat the Duke of Richmond, we give something of a guai'antee as to the excellence of his flock. Of the genuine Scotch breeds the long-tailed Cheviot showed to the greatest ad- vantage. A well-formed animal with a good deal on it, the breed says much for the care that has been taken with them. They had a very uniform cha- racter, and Mr. Brydon's tups and ewes especially were the object of much well-merited approval. The picturesque curling-horned " black -faced" promised in no way so well, in the way of profit at least; while his companion in rough weather and hard fare, the shaggy-coated and equally picturesque-looking Highland ox, we never re- member to have seen so poorly represented. We have had far better specimens of him at Birmingham and Baker-street. Of the Polled and Ayrshire, on the other hand, there was a very good muster — the former kind with the feeder would have a very decided pre- ference; whereas the Ayrshire are recommended for their milking quaUties. The Ayrshire cows, indeed, as shown here, partake very strongly of the Alderney both in shape and colour. They have, too, famous udders, and are no doubt all they are represented to be for dairy purposes. Compared, though, with the long and even " Polled" cattle, they make but a poor figure in a show-yard. In nothing, however, should a Scotch show be more celebrated than in its exhibitions of horses adapted for " agricultural purposes." To this, indeed, the Highland Society confines itself. It recognizes in the prize list neither hunter, hack, nor harness horse : all its premiums are strictly for " agricultural purposes." The sort here shown is supposed by many, not merely in Scotland, to be the best draught horse in the world. With a won- derfully compact and powerful frame he unites capital hght action -stepping as true and as active as a Welsh pony. It is only right to say that their exhibitors are quite aware of this accomphshment; for, though all numbered and classed in stalls, there were some half-dozen or so of stallions and others out at a time, going at all sorts of paces, and threading their way through a by no means despicable crowd with remarkable instinct. Our only wonder is, there was no collision or accident ; after all, there are none of our countrymen, north or south, can manage a show of horses like the Yorkshireman. We must candidly confess we were rather disap- pointed in this branch of the meeting. The horse show was certainly allowed to be " unequal" by those who had most experience of what the Society had hitherto done in this way. The mares and young stock were thought to be the best part of it ; but even these hardly " passed" after Ripon. The Clydesdales, from what we saw, seldom "furnish" so quickly as some of our breeds in the South. Of the stallions, the best was an aged horse already distinguished in the records of the Society, and so no longer quahfied to compete for the first prize — which, as it was,, created some considerable dis- cussion as to the award, whether first and second were properly placed. There were many clever horses, no doubt, but some with a good deal of 220 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. " day-light" about them ; and altogether, we fancy the Clydesdale horse, like the Highland ox, has had more justice done him on former occasions. A short entry of both pigs and poultry requires but proportionate comment. There was little of the admirari in either. The implement department, on the contrary, was thought to be a great way in advance on what has been. Here, too, the presence of the Englishman had much to do with the success of the occasion, many of our most celebrated manufacturers sending specimens of their work- manship. They were rather surprised to find these arranged in the yard, class for class, like the Shorthorns and Ayrshire. All the ploughs in one row, drills in another division, chaff cutters in a third, and so on. The "make-up" of a stall was consequently destroyed, and some good-natured grumbling a natural consequence. It is question- able to us whether the English plan be not the preferable one. There are few implements whose merits and object do not require continued exposi- tion for those who bring them ; while this at Ber- wick was, of course, an utter impossibility. Briareus himself must have had far more heads than Cer- berus, to have attended to so many people looking at so many pieces of machinery as some of our great firms bring together. The now great feature in the trial list, that of the reaping machines, was set over for Stirling, in con- sequence, it was said, of there being no corn fit. As it was, Crosskill's Bell \yas the only one on the ground. The postponement must have been some disappointment to Messrs. Crosskill, their machine having been considerably improved and " eased" since last season. Commencing on the Wednesday, the first day of the Ripon Show, we were unable to be present at the Berwick trials ; but, we hear, of all those implements put to woik, Howard's general purpose plough seems to have created the greatest impression on the minds of the Scotch agriculturists. A local contem- porary thus speaks to the "impression" it made : — " Consideraljle discussion took place amongst the general spectators as to the merits of the several ploughs, and the feeling among them seemed to be in favour of those which combined, with other qualities, simplicity of structure. A very admirable wheel plough was exhibited by Messrs. Howard, of Bedford, and it attracted greater notice than any other implement on the ground, so that up to the close of the trials it was kept in constant employ- ment, and was attentively watched by many prac- tical men, who seemed to take great interest in its performances, by which the prejudices of most on the ground in favour of the superiority of the Scotch plough were severely shaken. The only drawback from its complete approval arose from an appre- hension that its machinery was not so simple but that if disarranged or out of repair it would not be easily put right again. We should not omit to re- mark that this plough is fitted with shifting moulds, so that it may be adapted to the land on which placed. Its draught, too, was but three to three and a half, which was less than any other plough whose draught we heard of — some of them rising to five and five and a half." We must now return to the prize list and dinner report already published, to furnish " fur- ther particulars" of the meeting at Berwick- upon-Tu-eed. The gathering, in many respects an important one, was rendered yet more in- teresting from the attention the Highland So- ciety is giving, and has given, to the question of agricultural statistics. It is allowed on all hands, by the Government especially, that what has been done here has been well done; and it appears, moreover, to be determined that the collection of such information shall, at least as far as Scotland is concerned, result in something more than a mere experiment. With this object, Mr. Hall Maxwell, the secretary of the society, calls meetings and delivers lectures, resolves himself into a working committee, and really does a great deal of work, too. Mr. Maxwell, in fact, is a wonderfully energetic man. At Berwick he was busily engaged all day in the yard, taking money v.'hen things went well, and vehemently assuring the crowd they should not come in at all when they threatened to come in all at once. In the council-room at one minute, on his hack at the other end of the yard the next — explaining to the people of Scotland generally on one evening how they should arrange the statistical returns required of them, and demonstrating to the good folks of Berwick, on the next, how it was he could not afford to deal with them. He went through all this, too, v/ith a success on which we can sincerely congratulate him as the most efficient representative of that most efficient association — " The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland." This society, uov/ in its 70th. year, was instituted in 1784, and received a royal charter in 1787, its objects being cora- paratively few and of a purely local character. But the exertions of the society, instead of being restricted to the Highlands, were early extended to the lowlands of Scotland, and directed to the promotion of the science and practice of agriculture in all its various branches. In 1834 it received another royal charter, in accordance with its enlarged sphere of operation. Premiums amounting to upwards of 2,000?. are awarded for reports on every subject connected with the improvement and cultivation of the soil and the rearing and feeding of stock. Encouragement is offered for the management of the dair}% the growth of timber, and useful inventions in agricultural machinery, while the comforts and convenience of the labour- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 231 ing classes are promoted by stimulating proprietors to improve the construction and increase the accommodation of their cottage dwellings. LIST OF PRIZES. SHORT-HORNS. JuBGES. — John Grey, Dilston, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Cha». Lyall, Kincraig, Brechin ; John Outhwait'e, Biiinesse, Catterick, Yorkshire. Attending member, Sir John Stuart Forbes. Best bull, cftlved before 1st January, 1852, SOL and the silver medal, Richard Booth, Warlabj', Northallerton ; second best, 15^., Thomas Simson, Blaiuslie, Lauder; third best, cer- tificate of merit, George Shepherd, Shethiu, Tarves, Aber- deenshire. Best bull, calved after 1st January, 1852, 30L, William Campbell, Tillichewan Castle, Dumbartonshire ; second best, 15Z., Andrew Longmore, Rettie, Banff; third best, certificate of merit, John Marshall, Chatton Park, Alnwick. Best bull, calved after 1st January, 1853, 201., James Douglas, Athelstaneford, Drem ; second be&t, lOZ , Nicol Miloe, Faldonside, Melrose ; third best, certificate of merit, F. H. Fawkes, Farnley Hall, Otley, Yorkshire. Best bull, calved after Ist January, 1854, 10/., Richard Booth, Warlaby; second best, 5Z., Thomas Willis, Manor House, Carperly, Bedale ; third best, certificate of merit, Thomas Willis. Beat cow of any age, 201., Richard Bcoili ; second best, lOZ., William Tod, Elphiuatone Tower, Tranent ; third best, certi- ficate of merit, Thomas Clirisp, Hawkhill, Alnwick. Best heifer, calved after 1st January, 1852, 15Z., James Douglas, Athelstaneford ; second best, 81., R. W. Saunders, Nunwlck Hall, Penrith ; third best, certificate of merit, W. Campbell, of Tillichewan. Best heifer, calved after 1st January, 1853, lOZ., Richard Booth, Warlaby ; second best, 51., James Douglas, Athelstane- ford ; third best, certificaLe of merit, John Haig, Cameron House, Kirkcaldy. Best heifer, calved after 1st January, 1854, 81., James Douglas, Athelstaneford. POLLED BREEDS. Judges. — John Collier, Panlathie, Carnonstie; George Brown, Aberdeenshire. Attending member, R. Hodgson, of Carham. Best Bull, calved before 1st January, 1852, 20/., Sir James Carnegie, Bart., Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, and the silver medal to Alex. Bowie, Mains of Kelly, Arbroath, as the breeder ; second best, 10/,, Alex. Bowie, Mains of Kelly ; third best, certificate of merit, Sir A. Burnett, Bart., of Leyes, Crathes, Banchory. Best Bull, calved after 1st January, 1852,10/., Alex. Bowie, Mains of Kelly ; second best, 5/,, William M'Combie, Til'y. fuur, Aberdeen. Best Cow, of any age, 10/., William M'Combie, TiUyfour; second best, 10/,, Sir James Carnegie, Bart. ; third best, cer- tificate of merit, W. M'Combie, Tillyfour. Best Heifer, calved after 1st January, 1852, 8/.. W. M'Combie ; second best, 4.I., Sir James Carnegie, Bart. ; third best, certificate of merit. Sir A. Burnett, Bart. AYRSHIRE BREED. Judges. — Patrick Graham Barns, of Lime-kilns, East Kil- bride; William Forrest, of Treesbanks, Lanarkshire; John Macfarlane, Faslane, Helensburgh. Attending member, Captain Campbell. Best Bull, of any age, 20/., Robert Paton, Cloberhill, New Kilpatrick, and the silver medal to William M'Kane, Lumlock, Cadder, as the breeder ; second best, 10/., James Stark, Rose- bank, St. Roliox, Glasgow ; third best, certificate of merit, William Kerr, Barrodger, Lochwinnoch. Best Cow, of any age, in milk, 10/., Alex. Murdoch, Hall- side, Cambuslaug; second best, 5/., A. Findlay, Mainhill, Baillieston, Glasgow ; third best, certificate of merit, James Robertson, Hall of Caldwell, Neilston. Best Cow, of any age, in calf, 10/., and second best 51., to James Robertson ; third best, certificate of merit, John Stewart, Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Best Heifer, calved after 1st January, 1852, 8/., Johu Stewart ; second best, 4/., Robert Kirkwood, Highlongmuir, Kilmaurs; third best, certificate of merit, James Wilson, Wester Cowden, Dalkeith. HIGHLAND BREED.— (Same Judges.) Best Bull, of any age, 20/., Neill Malcolm, of Pollalloch, Lochgilphead, and the silver medal as the breeder. Best Cow, of any age, 10/., Allan PoUok, Ronachan, West Tarbet. Best Heifer, calved after let January, 1851, 8/., and second best 4/,, Allan PoUok, Ronachan. HORSES FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. Judges — Robert Findlay, SpringhiU, Glasgow ; John Gibson, Woolmet, Edinburgh ; Alexander Rennie, Craigburn, Fal- kirk ; Professor Dick, Edinburgh. Attending member, Captain Falconer. Best stallion, thirty sovereigns, Charles Phillips, Cracrop, Brampton, Cumberland ; and the silver medal, as the breeder. Second, fifteen sovereigns, John Murton, Lambolethan, St. Andrews. Third, certificate of merit, John Smith, Grass- market, Edinburgh. Best entire colt, foaled after Ist January, 1851, twenty sovereigns, Robert Findlay, of Easterhill, Glasgow ; second, ten sovereigns, Thomas Muir, Bowhouse, Lanark. Third, certificate of merit, John Young, Niddry, Winchburgh. Best entire colt foaled after 1st January, 1852, ten sove- reigns, John Pattie, Dalrisken, Tinwald, Dumfries. Second, five sovereigns, James Douglas, Athehtaaeford. Third, certi- ficate of merit, F. T. Bryan, Knossiugton, Oakham. Best entire colt foaled after 1st January, 1853, £8, Andrew Allan, Clerance, Dundonald. Second, £4, Robert Murdoch, Hallside, Cambuslang. Third, certificate of merit, William La\vrie, Ferny flat, Edinburgh. Best brood mare, £20, Andrew Logan, Cropflat, Kilbarchan. Second, £10, James Douglas, Athelstaneford. Third, certifi- cate of merit, Robert Findlay, of Easterhill, Glasgow. Best filly, foaled after Ist January, 1851, £10, David Wright, Southfield, Preston-pans. Second, £5, Andrew Logan, Crossflat. Third, certificate of merit, John Slate, Sunnyside, Prestonkirk. Best filly foaled after 1st of January, 1852, £8, Robert Jack, Balcurroch, Campsie, Stirling. Second, £4, Thomas Smith, Chilliugham Newtown, Alnwick. Third, certificate of merit, James Douglas, Athelstaneford. Best filly foaled after 1st Januarj', 1853, £6, William Kerr, Wester Causewayeud, Midcalder. SHEEP. LEIC ESTERS, Judges.— William Parker, Yanwath Hall, Penrith; Alex. Scott, Craiglockhart, Edinburgh ; John Buckley, Norman- ton Hill, Loughborough ; and Wm. Sanday, Holme Pierre- point, Nottingham. Attending Members: William Aitchison, of Linhope ; and John Beatson Bell, of Glenfarg. 222 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Best tup, not more than four shear, £20, Samuel Wiley, Brandsley, York ; second best, £10, James Douglas, Athel- staneford ; third best, certificate of merit, Samuel Wiley. Best Jinmont or shearling tup, £20 ; second best, £10 ; and third best, certificate of merit, S.Wiley. Best pen of five ewes, not more than fovir shear, £10, S. Wiley ; second best, £5, James Douglas, Athelstaneford ; third best, certificate of merit, James Douglas. Best pen of five shearling ewes or gimmers, £10, John Collie, Ardgay, Elgin ; second best, £5, James Douglas ; tliiid best, certificate of merit, Thomas Simson, Blainslie. CHEVIOTS. Judges. — John Graham, younger, of Shaw; Andrew Eastou, Todrig ; John Marshall, Chattoii Park, Northum- berland; William Patersoii, Twiglees, Dumfriesshire. Attending Members : John Miller, of Leithen ; and Fiulay Dun, V.S., Edinburgh. Best tnp, not more than four shear, £15, and second best £8, Jara3s Brydon, Moodlaw, Langholm ; third best, certifi- cate of merit, Thomas Elliot, liiudhope. Best dinmont or shearling tup, £15, second best £8, and third best certificate of merit, John Carruthers, Kirkhill, Mofiatt. Best pen of five ewes, not mors than four shear, £8, James Brydon, Moodlaw ; second bes £4, Thomas C. Borthwick, Hopsrig, Langholm ; third best, certificate of merit, T. C. Borthwick. Best pen of five shearling ewes or gimmers, £8, James Bry- don, Moodlaw ; second best, £4, T. C. Borthwick ; third best, certificate of merit, Thomas Elliot, Hindhope. BLACKFACED BREEDS. Judges. — John Archibald, Duddingstoue, and James Stodart, Waltson, NoblehouJe. Attending member, Robert J. Thomson, Hangingside, West Lothian. Bfst tup, not more than four shear, £10, Robert Patterson, of Birthwood, Biggar ; second best, £5, James Tweedie, Nether Abington, Lanarkshire ; third best, certificate of merit, Robert Patersou, of Birthwood. Best dinmont or shearling tup, £10, James Tweedie ; second best, £5, John Watson, Nisbet, Biggar; third best, certificate of merit, James Tweedie. Best pen of five ewes, not more than four shear, £6, James Brydon ; second best, £3, Adam Blacklock, Minnygap, Moffat. Best pen of five shearling ewes or gimmers, £6, Allan Pollok, Ronachan; second best, £3, George Proudfoot, Stid- riggs, Moffatt. SOUTHDOWNS, Judges. — George Willis, Keithock Mills, Forfarshire ; and Hugh Watson, Keillor, Forfarshire. Attending member, James Fairbairn, Kelso. Best tup, not more than four shear, £10, James Aitchisou, of Alderston ; second beat, £5, the Duke of Richmond, Gor- don Castle; third best, certificate of merit, Wm. Forster, Burradon, Rothbury. Best Dinmont or shearling tup, £10; second best, £5; and third best, certificate of merit, Mr. Aitchison, of Alder- ston. Best pen of five ewes, not more than four shear, £6, the Duke of Richmond ; second beat, £3, Robert Oliver, Lochside, Kelso ; third best, certificate of merit, James W. Hunter, of Thurston, Dunbar. Best pen of five shearling ewes or gimmers, £6, Wm, Tod, Elphinstone Tower, Trauaut ; second best, £3, Robert Oliver, Lochside; third best, certificate of merit, James Aitchison. PIGS. Judges : John M'Laren,Mlll Hill, Perthshire; John Smith, Kniblethmont, Forfarshire ; George Willis, Keithock Mills ; and John Wilson, Nicolton. Attending member, Mr. A. Bethune. Best boar, large breed, lOl., Jonathan Brov/n, The Height, Wigtou ; second best, 5/., George Hay Plummer Melville, Dalkeith ; third best, certificate of merit, Col. Ferguson, of Raith, Kirkcaldy. Best boar, small breed, 10/., Jonathan Brown, The Height ; second best, 51., R. H. Watson, BiltonPark, Wigton ; third best, certificate of merit, R. II. Watson. Best sow, large breed, 61., Henry Atkinson, Alnwick ; second best, 3?., George Murray, Mount Pleasant, Berwick ; third best, certificate of merit, Edward Makins, Auchincrow Mains, Ayton. Best sow, small breed, 6/., Jonathan Brown, The Height ; second best, 3/., George Moore Dixon, Netherwitton, Mor- peth ; third best, certificate of merit, 11. H. Watson, Bilton Park. Best pen of three pigs, not exceeding eight months old, 4/., R. H. Watson ; second best, 21., Nicol Milne, of Faldonside ; third best, certificate of merit, R. H. Watson. COMMENDATIONS. EXTRA STOCK. Commended. — Short-horned cows belonging to George R. Carnegie, Edrom Newton, Ayton. Strongly Commended. — A cow in-calf, belonging to Mr. Malcolm, of Poltalloch. Extra Sheep. Commended. — A Southdown tup, Jas. Aitchison, of Alderston. AWARDS OP PREMIUMS FOR IMPLEMENTS. For the best two-horse plough for general purposes, £3, J. and F. Howard, Bedford. Best trench or deep furrow plough, £3, G. Ponton, Lin- lithgow. Best subsoil plough for two hordes, £4, James Kirkwood, Tranent. Beat subsoil plough for moor and stony land for three or four horses, £4, Robert Law, Shettlestou, Glasgow. Best double mould-board plough for forming drills, £3, G. Sellar and Son, Huntly. Best improvement on or substitute for the common plough in lifting potatoes, £3, G. Ponton, Linlithgow. Best two-horse grubber or cultivator, £4, G. Ponton, Lin- lithgow. Best drill grubber for green crops, £2, Wm. Purves, Linton- burnfoot, Kelso. Best Norwegian harrow, £4, James Kirkwood, Tranent. Best consolidating land roller, £5, W. Crosskill, Beverley. Best land ptesser for preparing seed-bed for grain, £5, Scoular and Co., Haddington. Best pulverizing land roller, £5, Matthew Gibson and Son, Newcastle. Best harrows for heavy land, £3, J, and F. Howard, Bed- ford. Best harrows for light land, £3, J. and F. Howard. Beat common swing-trees or draught-bars, £1, W, Gray, Stane, Shotts, Motherwell. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 223 Best drill Bowing-macliine for graiu, £6, Thomas Sheriff, West Barns, Dunbar. Best horse hoe for drilled grain crops, £6, T. Sheriff, West Barns, Dunbar. Best liquid manure distributing machine, £4, R. Forshaw and Co., Cornwallis-street, Liverpool. Best turnip cutter for sheep, £2, William 'Wilsou and Son, Berwick-onTweed, Best turnip cutter for cattle, £2, R. Forshaw aad Co., Cornwallis-street, Liverpool. Best turnip cutter for sheep, adapted for attachment to a cart, £3 — James Kirk wood, Tranent. Best linseed bruiser for hand labour, £2 — R. Forshaw and Co. Best graiu and linseed bruiser for power, £4 — R. Forshaw and Co. Best root washer, £2 — Wm. Crosskill, Beverley, Yorkshire. Best steaming apparatus for preparing food, £3 — Andrew Thompson, Berwick. Best sheep fodder-rack, £2 — James Kirkwood, Tranent. Best one-horse farm cart, £4— John Walker, Coldstream. Best stone or iron stack pillars, with framework, £2 — Young, Peddie, and Co., Edinburgh. Best bay tedding machine, £4 — R,ichard Hodgson, of Car- ham, Coldstream. Best scythe for general purposes, £1 — James Smith, Law- hill, Auditerarder. Best improvement on any part of the thrashing machine, £5 — Peter M'Lellan, Bridge of Earn. Best dressing fanners, £4 — W. Crosskill, Beverley. Best weighing machine, indicating from 1 lb. to 2 tons, £4 — R. Forshaw and Co. Best churn worked by hand, £2 — Peter M'Lellan, Bridge of Earn. Best churn worked by power, £3 — Philip Hunter, Nicolson- street, Ediubargh. Best field gate, constructed entirely of iron, £1 — Young, Peddie, and Co., Edinburgh, Best six iron hurdles for a fence to retain cattle, £2, and best set of traverse divisions, rack and manger, for farm sta- bles, £2 — Hernulewicz, Main, and Co., Glasgow. Best set of farm harness — the premium divided equally between James Duulop, Haddington, and Hunter and Allan, Kelso. Best machine for making drain tiles or pipes, £6 — William Brodie, Seafield Tile Works, Dunbar. Best set of tiles and pipes for field drainage, £1 — William Brodie, SeaSeid, Dunbar. Best set of tools for cutting field drains — £1, Wm. Cadell, Sons, and Co., Cramond. THE DINNER Was held in a pavilion erected for the occasion. There were above 500 gentlemen present, many of whom were tenant- farmers. The Earl of Dalkeith occupied the chair, and was supported by Mr. P. Clay (the mayor of Berwick), the Duke of Roxburgh, the Earl of Haddington, Earl Grey, M. Yvart (President of the Imperial French Commission of Agriculture), Lord Melgund, Lord Blautyre, Lord Neaves, &c. Sir JoliQ Forbes and Mr. Baillie, of Millersteio, were vice- presidents. After dinner the " Health of the Emperor Napoleon" was given with the usual loyal toasts. The Chairman, after stating that the Duke of Hamilton had been unable to preside, owing to the death of a very near relative, and explaining the circumstances under which he had been called to take the chair on very short notice, pro- ceeded to propose " The Highland and Agricultural Society and the agricultural interest." The Highland Society, he said, had now been in existence for 80 years, and, instead of in- creasing ill infirmity as it grew older, it was increasing in vitality and energy (cheers). As a proof of this, he might stiite that, on a recent occasion, no fewer than 153 pwsons had been admitted members of the society in one day. One cause of its great su^ccess had, undoubtedly, been the influx of the tenant farmers of the country into the association. These tenant farmers had taken a great interest in the society, and the local agricultural societies in connexion with it had contributed much to its success (cheers). As a proof of the very high position which the body now held, he might mention that only last year it was entrusted with the management of the statistical inquiry then instituted. That inquiry had been most successfully conducted, and its success was no doubt greatly owing to the services rendered by the farmers of the country. As to the occasion which had brought them toge- ther, he felt that it was uunecessary for him to expatiate on the character of the show; in the presence of so many men of much greater experience than himself, he would not pre- sume to point cut its particular features, but he was sure all would agree with him in thinking that it had been a moat successful one (cheers). The toast was drunk most enthusiastically. Earl Grey, in proposing the next toast, said, I have been requested by the committee of the society to give you "The Agriculture of France and the Imperial Deputation present" (cheers). I have gladly asseuted to the request made to me by the society that I should give that toast, because I see that it will require very few words indeed from me to recom- mend it to your acceptance. It is one which you would gladly drink at any time, but particularly at the present moment (applause). Our noble president has already adverted to the circumstances in which the country is now placed, to the peril which our brave soldiers and sailors are now sharing with those of France in the war in which it is the calamity of both countries to be engaged — a calamity which, while we all deplore it, I am sure we all feel is greatly mitigated by the circumstance that it has brought us into our present relations with that great and powerful nation which is our nearest neighbour (cheers). While the nations are engaged in this struggle, it is interesting that we should upon an occaaiou like the present wish prosperity to the efforts of France in that agriculture which is the basis of her greatness as it is of our own. (Hear, hear). Gentlemen, you will also, I am sure, rejoice with me to have this opportunity to give a cordial welcome to the Imperial deputation which is present on this occasion (cheers). I hope and trust that they have been pleased with what they have seen, not only here but elsewhere, particularly at the recent show of the Agricultural Society of England. Gentlemen, I feel that it is quite unnecessary that I should say more in recommending this toast to your notice, and I will therefore now conclude by asking you to drink " Success to the Agriculture of France and the Imperial De- putation now present." The toast having been drunk with all the honours, M. YvART, in rising to acknowledge the toast, was re- ceived with loud and long-continued cheering. He spoke in French, to the following effect : — I have to express in my own name, and on behalf of the deputation sent by the French Government, our sincere thanks for the kind reception we have met with, and for the facilities afforded to the deputation to prosecute its inquiries at the Agricultural Exhibition of the Highland Society at Berwick. We have had the privilege not 224 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. only of viewing your cattle and implements, but of studying your regulations and usages, that we may usefully imitate them in the agricultural shows of the French Government. The toast, " To the Prosperity of the Agriculture of France" will be received by my countrymen with gratitude. No coun- try is more deeply connected with agriculture than France. No country has mere agricultural labourers. This fact results from the great variety of cultivation in France. In the south the farmer adds to the grain crops the cultivation of grasses and the silkvrorra ; in the north, the cultivation of grain goes along with that of the oleiferous plants from which we get oil, and the cultivation of beetroot, from which we get sugar. These numerous and various occupations continually give work to the people ; and that is certainly one of the reasons which keeps the labouring classes in Fra;;ce from going abroad. Thus, while ia England emigration is diminishing your population, in France the population increases at home. Should cny of the British farmers come to France, the French would have great pleasure in showing th.em the high degree of fertility obtained in French Flanders by the system of sscall holding?. Not very far from the small holdings they would see ia the northern departments large holdings, where the cul- tivation of the beetroot and the iiranufaelure of sugar are found to combine mechanical science with chemistry and hus- bandry, and to unite skill in field labour with skill iu the work- shop. For a long time the mangel-wurzel, or beetroot, has furnished us with sugar and the means of fattening our cattle. The last year was an unfortunate one amoog the vigne (grape trees). The production of spirits was very much diaiinished, and the loss was great ; but, happily, by the beetroot, the French were able to cover a certain part of the deficit. The farming of the centre of France, where the agriculturists are growing wool and rearing sheep, is also worthy of the attention of the British farmer. But there is no feeding with turnips there ; the dry and hot climate does uot allow the farmers of that part of France to grow turnips on a large scale. Tbey feed their sheep with lucerne, with green phnls which grovv' to the length of some feet. In the west part of France, near the sea-coast of the Atlantic, our farmers can imitate their neigh- bours of Great Britain. The British farmer would see also, with interest, the cattle of France, and take a deep interest in our mode of rearing them. Tlie horses of France, for agricul- tural purposes, are not of such a large size as those of Britain, but they are full of energy. The merino sheep have been im- proved to such an extent that they can now be fed usefully for the butchers' shops. Their wool is always very fine, of high quality. Every year American and Australian agriculturists are coming to France to purchase tups and ewes of this useful breed. And we are improving with your Leicester t'jpa, some of our flock fhrmers finding this to be profitable, although they find it more so to improve with this breed for the butchers' purposes. As regards the cattle, seme of the native breeds are kept pure, being found useful for dairy purposes and for farm v/ork ; but m some parts of France the short-horn bulls, imported from Britain, are now n use for improving the breed of cattle ; and at the agricultural exhibitions which are held in France, British farmers would see British breeds with con- siderable interest. Should the British farraer come to France to see, next year, the Universal Exposition and the Cattle Show of 1853, 1 can assure him that he will meet with a hearty welcome from his agricultural brethren there. I again return my sincere thanks for the very kind and hearty manner iu which you have received us (loud cheers). Mr. Baillie, of Mellerataiu, proposed " The Tenantry of Scotland." Taking them as a body, they had obtained for themselves a high character throughout the world for their skill, enterprise, and perseverance ; and whether on the bor- ders of the silver Tweed, or in the more remote districts of that which had been called the "land of brown heath and shaggy wood," he believed that their skill and success in the cultivation of the soil was, notwithstanding the cold and fickle climate they had to contend with, unsurpassed in any part of the civilizsd world (cheers). Mr. AiTCHisoN, Li.ihope, returned thanks. The farmers of Scotland, he said, had always been distinguished by their steady loyalty, tlieir integrity of character, and their patient endiuatice in adversity. The noble chairman and others had alluded to our close alliance with France in the war in which we were embarked; but, while proud of that alliance, he believed they would not the less be ready to admit that union at home was power abroad, and that nothing was more cal- culated to consolidate that union than landlord and tenant competing for the same honours in the same show-yard, and celebrating that competition in the same parlour, and ex- changing sentiments of confidence and respect (applause). He was sure there was nothing more calculated to produce congeniality of sentiment and reciprocity of conduct than a union of this kind, or more calculated to give an impulse to agricultural improvement, which this Society had of late years carried on at a rate that br.ffled description, and almost rebuked comparison. Now that the tenantry of this country are no longer locked to law- givers but to lease-givers, he hoped that lease-givers would remember that, if they were the lords of the soil, it was the tenantry who were the producers ot its treasures ; that, though the former were the Corinthian capital of polished society, the latter were the pillars who supported the fabric, and that thfse pillars, if overburdened with taxation or by other means, would fall, involving all above them in a common ruin (applause). The Dul;e of Roxburghe proposed the health of the Earl of Dalkeith, whom he complimented for having iu so able a manner, after so short notice, discharged the duties of the chair. The toast was received with great cordiality. The Earl of Dalkeith briefly replied, and thanked the meeting for the indulgence extended towards him in the position to which he had been unexpectedly called. He then briefly proposed the he^dth of the Duke of Roxburghe, to whom the S jciety owed a deep debt of gratitude for the great interest he had takan iu its progress, and the exertions he had made to promote its welfare, especially when occupying the distinguished oflioe of PresiJent. The toast was also received with loud applause. Trie Duke of Roxburghe, in reply, said he could only ascribe the warm reception the toast had met with to no merits of his own; he looked on it rather as a recognition of that office which he had for some years the honour to hold in this Society. It had always appeared to him that the chief among the many benefits resulting from the Highland Society was that there was no member of the community who did not par- ticipate iu its advantages, and who might, in some degree, not advance its welfare. This was the point which he had always endeavoured to keep in view when he was more oflicially con- nected with this Society ; and it was with feelings of much pleasure that he looked bsck on the meeting which was held in this town thirteen years, when he had first the honour of becoming one of the Vice Presidents of the Society, and re- flecting on the great progress made by the Society since that time. They had for many years seen it taking the lead in all matters of agricultural improvement. They had seen it ever ready and willing to lend a helping hand to all who wanted its assistance and advice. They sslw no falling off, as the Show and the prizes of to-day testified, in its more important ex- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 223 liibitions; and, from the excellence of its organization, and the skill, judgment, and order which characterized its manage- ment, they now found it employed by Government to prepare a complete report of the agricultural statistics of the country — an honour which had yet been conferred on no similar body, and a duty as yet undertaken by no similar society in the United Kingdom. He trusted the Society would continue to carry on the work of agricultural improvement ; and that, while they extended their operations, they w'ould yet more securely strengthen the basis on which the Society rested. Lord Melgund next proposed " The Commercial and Manufacturing Interests," to which the Mayor replied ; Lord Blantyre gave " The Directors and Office-bearers of the Society," which Sir J. S Forbes acknowledged; the Earl of Dalkeith gave " The Judges of the Show," which was re- sponded to by Mr. Watson, of Keillor. " The Successful Competitors" were toasted by Mr. Milne Home; Sir John Majoribanks proposed " The Committee," on behalf of whom Sir George Douglas replied; Mr. Robertson, of Ladykirk, proposed "The Strangers"; Lord Neaves gave " The Pea- santry," and the proceedings were terminated by Sir John M'Neill's proposing the health of the Secretary, to whose zeal and ability he mainly attributed the success of the Show. Mr. Hall Maxwell replied, and three cheers having been pro- posed for the Earl of Dalkeith, the meeting sepat-ated. YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. MEETING AT RIPON. The Yorkshire show of this year had to suffer frora a drawback, which it is hardly too much to say the exercise of a little forethought might have altogether avoided. It so immediately preceded, as to clash with the Highland Agricultural So- ciety's meeting at Berwick; and consequently many visitors and exhibitors, who under more con- venient circumstances might have been at both, had, as it was, to take their choice of one. The Ripon show, however, scarcely felt this antagonism so much as might have been expected. Only one, indeed, of the old supporters of the society deserted it, in favour of going farther north. This was a very old friend and near neighbour, Mr. Booth, of War- laby, who sent his famed short-horns into Scot- land— with what success our report v/ill speak to. As it was, he was not much missed at Ripon. By the aid of Lord Feversham, Mr. Towneley, Mr. H. Vyner, Mr. Stratton, Mr. Lister Mawe, and others, a very strong display of the breed once almost peculiar to Yorkshire was brought together. Many, in fact, of the prize animals here were the prize animals at Lincoln, Mr. Towneley's and Mr. Stratton's cows amongst the most prominent of those already distinguished. Mr. Towneley, again, had it all his o',vn way with " Beauty," and some other really beautiful beasts. It was further gratify- ing to see Mr. Stratton, who had the courage to face the Yorkshiremen on their own ground, taking the first and second premiums in their class with two cows, similarly placed at Bath, both "highly com- mended" at Lincoln, and that we spoke of on their first appearance, as being sure to hold their own in any company. The management had little to regret then, in this one of their chief features, while the show of stock generally was a very good one ; though per- haps not equal to what it at times has been. It would certainly not rank quite up to that we saw at York last year. The horses, a stronger at- traction than even the shorthorns, were well re- presented in every department, and in some were more than usually excellent. We never remember to have seen better mares and foals, for instance, than were to be found in the hunting and coaching classes. There were many heavy draught mares too, doing full justice to their county, and one or two cart fillies yet better still. The weakest part of this section was unquestionably the stallions, those for agricultural and coaching purposes being a little below the average. The hunters— thorough- bred of course— and roadsters, on the other hand, were very good; some of the old-fashioned Yorkshire sort to be found among the latter, and a well known race-horse or two in the former. The award here was not made until the day after we left, but having ourselves placed the handsome and useful old St. Bennett as first, and The Anchor second, we see no reason to quarrel with the opinion of the judges on this, or indeed on any other of their decisions. It is only right to say that these gentlemen generally were very liberalin their commendations— of the horses, shorthorns, and pigs, roore particularly, f o much so indeed, that we have been compelled to limit our list to the prizes actually given. Of pigs, again, there was a very capital collec- tion, one of the strongest we have ever seen at a local show. " Large" and " small" breeds, as they are called. Lord Wenlock's and Mr. Wiley's amongst them, all run to a great size, the prevail- ing colour for either being white. There were very few blacks in the yard ; though it is only right to add that such as ther- were, showed to great ad- vantage, and had unquestionably the look of being the finer bred. If we say that the exhibition of sheep did some- 2213 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. thing more still for the returning reputation of the Leicesters, the Southdowns being terribly out- voted— though, thanks to Lord Walsingham, there were some good sheep of this sort — with this, we think we must close our ramble through the Ripon grounds, and start for Berwick. For the poultry, we confess we had little time to spare ; " the Leeds Intellujencer," however, thus kindly supplies the deficiency: — " There was a numerous collection of birds, but on the whole we scarcely think the quality was equal to some of the preceding shows, whilst in one or two instances the specimens exhibited suf- fered from a defective classification, for which most probably the exhibitors were more to blame than the committee of management. The Cochin China and Polish breeds were an indifferent show, both as regards number of birds and qualitj', and we are glad to learn that a more healthy tone appears to be prevailing in respect to poultry, and that the " rage" for the all but monstrosities, which have re- cently obtained such fabulous prices, is giving way to more sober judgment. The best classes were the Spanish and game birds, of which there were some beautiful specimens ; and there were some good geese, turkeys, and ducks of the various breeds." We may avail ourselves still further of the opinion of the local press, touching a subject on which our own is tolerably well known. However little supported by others, however unpalatable such a course may be to some of our friends, it must still be the duty of this journal to denounce any evil or absurdity it may find to exist. In pursuance of this, we have already shown the palpable contradiction involved in over- feeding stock for a breeding-show. ^Ye shall not repeat ourselves here, but turn to evidence on the Ripon Show — testimony which, if it can be sup- posed to have any bias, must be in making in every way the best of the meeting under con- sideration. The Doncaster Gazette, a paper of de- servedly high position in the county, speaks out in this wise : — " The attention of visitors was di- rected to the short-horned stock, the first prizes for which were almost entirely monopolized by Mr. Towneley, the obesity of whose stock was generally condemned ; although without some degree of fat- ness, it was admitted, it was all but impossible to obtain the favourable notice of the judges. Of the superior quality and general symmetry of the Towneley herd there can be no question ; but it is also true that, had many of the other competitors been as highly fed, they would have shown equal superiority in the eyes of the adjudicators of the premiums of the sociely. There can be no ques- tion that this high degree of fatness is extremely unprofitable, since the animals become almost worthless for breeding purposes. One fact in re- lation to this subject we heard of. An eminent breeder, whose cattle have taken prizes in all classes at the royal and sundry provincial shows, has obtained from seven cows, now nearly seven years old, the large produce of two calves! More need not be said of the absurdity of the present system." Mr. Towneley, it will be remembered, is the gentleman who refused to exhibit last year at Gloucester, in consequence of the attempt there made to check "the absurdity of this piesent sys- tem." The YorJcshire Gazette is perhaps even stronger still, for the conviction here clearly does not come too easily. In an introduction, written of course in anticipation of the show, we are as- sured, that " of late years the system of over-feed- ing which at one time prevailed has greatly gone out of vogue." A piece of information which we only wish our experience of this year alone would have enabled us to corroborate. By our friend of the Gazette's own experience, after seeing the ani- mals, we learn that "the show of cattle was larger than that at York in 1853, and although the quality was good, yet we cannot say it v.^as altogether superior. The prize animals were very admirable in many essential particulars, but we were sorry to observe what we thought, when we were writing some of our introductory remarks, had been done away with — the practice of over-feeding, which was too evident not only here, but also among the pigs; Among the latter, especially, we observed in several instances a degree of obesity about the poor creatures which was painful to behold. The animals were absolutely in suffering from the enormous weight of fat about them. We hope this society will not encourage any further progression in this direction, but rather increased attention to the make, symmetry, and a tendency to fatten, which are clearly the points to be observed at these shows, which are totally different to the great Smithfield Show at Christmas, and others of a similar character." It is not our practice to find fault without good cause for doing so ; and we look to the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England to set the local societies a better example, even though Mr. Towneley's support may be no longer afforded them. Amongst the novelties of the implement depart- ment was a jjrize of £50 for fixed barn- machinery, " won cleverly" by those very enterprising makers, Messrs. Clayton and Shuttlewoith; and sundry premiums for flax and wool offered by the merchant- men of Leeds. We are glad to hear that Mr. Dav)'^, whose flax-dressing machine received so much en- couragement at Lincoln, is nov/ perfecting his in- THE FARMERS MAGAZINE. 227 vention at Leeck. Another step towards the more hearty union of the now popular toast, " Agricul- ture, Manufactures, and Commerce." We should hope this was set down for the Ripon dinner, a part of the proceedings that appears scarcely to have gone off so well as the show itself. The after-dinner discussion, which at these gather- ings takes the place of " empty compliment," clearly broke down. We give what there was said on a subject that one would have thought might have had more in it. In concluding this notice of the Yorkshire Agri- cultural Society's Meeting for 1854, we must not omit to record the general feeling of regret ex- pressed for the loss of the secretary, Mr. Milburn. It would be difficult to find any man so fully quali- fied in every respect for the office he held, although we believe we have good reason to congratulate the council on their selection of his successor, Mr. Hannam — a gentleman, who as a practical farmer and successful writer on agriculture, enjoys many of those advantages which so distinguished his lamented predecessor. LIST OF PRIZES. The Judges for Cattle. — Mr. Charles Stokes, Kingston- on-Stowe; Mr. William Hunt, Wortley, Sheffield; and Mr. T. Crofton, Holywell, Durham. SHORT-HORNED CATTLE. Best bull of any age, 2ol., Mr. C. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley; second, lOL, Mr. Henry Vyner, Newby Hall, Ripon. For the best yearling bull, 20?., Mr. C. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley; second, 5Z., Lord Eeveraham, Duncombe Park, Helmsley. Best bull calf, upwards of five months old, lOZ., Mr. C. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley. Best cow of any age, iucalf or milk, 15^, Mr. C. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley; second, 51., Earl De Grey, Foun- tains, Ripon. Best three-year old cow, in-calf or milk, and having had a calf, 101., Mr. R. Stratton, Broad Hinton, Swindon ; second, 5^, to ditto. Best two-year old heifer in calf, 101 , Mr. T. C. Constable, Burton Constable, Hull; second, 5/., Mr. C. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley. Best yearling heifer, 101., Mr. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley ; second, 51., Mr. T. C. Constable, Burton Constable, Hull. Best heifer calf, upwards of five months old, TL, Mr. C. Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley ; second, 31., Mr. G. Wentworth, WooUey Park, "Wakefield. CATTLE OF ANY BREED. Best cow for dairy purposes, 71, Mr. C. Cradock, Hart- fortb, Richmond. EXTRA STOCK. First prize, Mr. A. L. Maynard, Bartoa-le-Moor, Ripon ; second prize, Mr. H. Vyner, Newby Hall, Ripon. Judc.es for Subiir and Pigs. — Mr. W. Sauday, Holme Pierrepont, Notts ; Mr. Valentine Barford, of Foscott, Towcester ; and Mr. Harwood Mackinder, Laughton Grange, Spilsby, Lincolnshire. LE'^CESTER, OR LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP. Best shearling ram, £20, Mr. W. Abraham, Barnetby-le- Wold, Brigg ; second, £5, Mr. J. Borton, Barton House, Malton. Best ram of any age, £10, and second prize £5, Mr. W. Abraham, Barnetby-le-Wold, Brigg. Best pen of five ewes, £7, Mr. G. Walmsley, Rudston, Bridlington. Best pen of five shearling wethers, £5, Mr. G. Walmsley, Rudston, Bridlington. Best pen of five shearling gimmers, £12, Mr. W. Abraham, Barnetby-le-Wold, Brigg; second, £5, Mr. G. Walmsley, Rudston, Bridlington. SOUTHDOWN SHEEP. Best shearling ram, £10, Mr, G. S.Foljambe, Osbertou Hall, Worksop. Best southdowu ram of any age, £10, Lord Walsingham, Merton Hall, Thetford. Best pen of five southdown ewes, £5, Lord Walsingham , Merton Hall, Thetford. BLACK-FACED SCOTCH OR HIGHLAND SHEEP. Best ram, £5, Mr. R. Pearson, Markenfield Hall, Ripon. Best pen of five ewes, £1 (the prize offered being £5), Mr. R. Pearson, Markenfield Hall, Ripon. Extra Stock — Sheep. First prize, Mr. J. Borton, Barton House, Malton ; second prize, Mr. E. Eddison, Ileadingley, Leeds. PIGS. Best boar, large breed, £5, Mr. T. M. Richardson, Hibald- stow, Kirton-iu-Lindsey ; second, £2, Mr. T. Craven, Man- ningham, Bradford. Best sow, large breed, in pig or milk, £7, the Earl Fitz- william, Wentworth House, Rotherham ; second, £2, Mr. P. Sturdy, Ingleby Mill, Stokesley. Best boar, small breed, £5, Mr. G. Mangles, Givendale, Ripon ; second, £2, Mr. W. B. Wainman, Carhead, Skipton. Best sow, small breed, in pig or milk, £7, and second £2, Mr. G. Mangles, Givendale, Ripon. Best three store pigs of the same litter, from four to nine months old, £5, Mr. S. Wiley, Brandsby, York; second, £2, Mr. A. Fawkes, Leathley, Otley. Best sow of any breed, £5, Mr. Thomas Craven, Manning- ham, Bradford; second, £2, Mr. J. Dean, Oatlands Lodge, Leeds. Best boar of any breed, £5, Mr. G. Mangles, Givendale, Ripon. Extra Stock— Pigs. First prize, Mr. G. Mangles ; second prize, Mr. Mark Bar- roby, Dishforth, Thirsk. Judges .FOR Horses.— Mr. Edward Davy, of Hagnaby, Spilsby ; Mr. Charles Garfit, of Tabley Hall, Knutsford ; and Mr. J.Nainby, jun., Barnoldby-le-beck, Lincolnshire. HORSES. For the best stallion for hunters, £10, Mr. H. S. Waring. Darlington; second, £3, T. Groves, PI umpton Hall, Knaresbro'. For the best stallion for coach horses, £10, Mr. A. Hairsine, Holme, Hayton ; second, £3, Mr. T. Denby, Rawcliffe, Selby, For the best stallion for roadsters, £10, Mr. J. Crompton, 2-28 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Thoriiholme, Bridlington ; scconci, £3, Mr. G. Long, Kearby, Wetlierby. For the beat stallion for agricultural purpoaea, £10, Mr. G. Chapman, Thorphill, Whixley; second, £3, Mr. J. Stead, Bishop Thornton, Eipon. JFor the best stallion for agricultural purposes, to attend at Ripon on every market-day for the season of 1855, and to travel in the district, £20, Mr. R. EmBley, Markington, Ripley. For the best mare and foal for hunting, £7, Mr. T. Swar- breck, Sowerby, Thirsk. For the best marc and foal for coaching, £7, Mr, J. Lee, Thirsk. For the best roadster mare and foal, £5, Mr. J. T. Robinson, Lcckby Palace, Thirsk. For the best mare and foal for agricultural purposes, £7, Mr. T. Wetherell, Kirkbridge, Darlington. For the best three years old hunting gelding, £5, Mr. R. Stockdale, Skerne, Driffield. For the best three years old hunting filly, £5, Mr. T. Batty, Wallerthwnite, Ripon. For the beat three years old coaching gelding, £5, Mr. T. Wethercll, Kirkbridge, Darlington. For the best tliree years old coaching fitly, £5, Mr. W. Morton, Ainderby Quernhow, Thirsk. For the best two years old coacliing gelding, £5, Mr. B. Johnson, Frodinghara Bridge, Driffield. For the best two years old coaching filly, £5, Mr. J. Dods- worth, Seamer, Stokesley. For the best three years old hackney gelding or filly, £5, Mr. II. Vyner, Newby Hall, Ripon. For the best hackney gelding or mare, not less than four years old, nor exceeding six, £5, Mr. T. Swarbreck, Sowerby, Thirsk. For the best pair of horses of either sex, for agricultural purposes, worked during the season, £5, Mr. J. Batty, Bishop Monkton, Ripon. For the best two years old agricultural gelding or filly, £7, Mr. J. Bennett, Snargill, Skipton. For the best yearling gelding or filly for agricultural pur- poses, £5, Mr. J. Batty, Bishop Monkton, Ripon. Extra Stock, Horses. A medal was awarded to Mr. R. Gaunt, Wetherby. IMPLEMENTS. Jt'DGES.— Mr. J. Brown, Wrangbrook, Pontefract; Mr. C. Lambert, Sunk Island, Hull ; Mr. G. Legard, East Thorpe, Malton ; Mr. Peter Stevenson, Rainton, Thirsk; and Mr. C. E. Amos, C.E., The Grove, Southwark. Prizes. For the best assortment of ploughs, £10 ; and for the best assortment of harrows, £3 ; Mr. J. Palmer, of Stockton. For the beat cultivator or scarifier, Messrs. Coleman and Son, of Chelmsford, £3 . The prize for the reaping machine was withheld. For a waggon, Mr. Crosskill, £5. For a single horse cart, Mr. Banks, of York, £5. For the best fixed thrashing machine, Messrs. Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co., Lincoln, £50. For the best corn drill, £5 ; for the best turnip drill on the flat, £5; and for the best turnip drill on the ridge, £5; Messrs. Hornsby, of Grantham. For the best manure distributor, Mr. Palmer, £5. For the best grinding mill, Messrs. Clayton, £5. For the beat tile machine, Mr. 11. Kearsley, Ripon, £4. For the best Norwegian harrow, Mr. Kearsley, £2. For Bentail's broad share plough, Mr. W. Busby, £2. For the be.st roller mill for corn bruising, &c,, Mr. F. Tur- ner, Ipswich, £2. For a mortising machine, Mr. W. Coulson, York, £2. For a corn dressing machine, Messrs. Hornsby, £2. For Nicholson's cake breaker, Mr. W. Dove, York, £?. For a useful collection of articles, Mr. George Meyncll, Northallerton, £1. For Howard's horse rake, Mr. W. Busby, £2. For models for horse shoes, Mr. M. Pratt, Ripon, £2. For Malthouse's (of Ripon) general purpose drill for small occupations, £2. For a chaff cutier, by Turner, Messrs. Burgess and Key, London, £2. Medals. — For a traversing web and turnip drill, Mr. P. Stevenson, jun., of Rainton, Thirsk; Brinsmead's straw shaker, Mr. Busby ; and washing, wringing, and mangling machine, Mr. John Patterson, of Beverley. Highly Commended. — Mr. Crosskill's improved self- cleansing clod crusher; quadrant regulator in drill, Mr. W. Moore ; Smith's haymaker, Mr. J. Palmer ; and Hornsby's portable engine. Commended. — Mr. Crosskill's clod crusher; Cambridge's roller, Mr. B. Stead, Barnaley ; single horse cart, Mr. John Barker, Dunnington, near York; barley homer, Messrs. Lucaa and Wright, Lincoln ; and Chandler's liquid manure or water drill, exhibited by Mr. Jesse Kemp, Thurlby Grange, Aldford, Lincolnshire. FLAX. Judges (For Scutched Flax). — Mr. John Wilkinson and Mr. W. B. Holdsworth, botli of Leeds. (For Flax Straw).— Mr. H. Ludolf, Leeds ; and Mr. Beilby, Fairfield, York. For the best specimen of scutched flax, not less weight than 2 cwt., £10, Mr. J. Boyle, Whitebeck Mill, Leeds ; second ditto, £5, Mr. R. Beilby, Fairfield, York. For the best specimen of flax straw, not leas than 5 cwt., £10, Mr. J. Atkinson, Shaw Mill, Ripley ; second, £5, Mr. J. Boyle. LONG WOOL. For the beat five ewe fleeces, £5, Mr. C. Barrowby, of Bal- dersby, Thirsk. For the best five hog fleeces, £5, Mr. J. Batty, Bishop Monkton, Ripon ; second, £2, Mr. J. Booth, Killcrby, Cat- terick. SHORT VroOL. For the best five ewe fleeces, £5, Lord Wenlock ; second, £2, Mr. J. Ellison, AUerton House, Knareabro'. For the best five hog fleeces, £5, Lord Weulock ; second, £2, Mr. J. Ellison. THE COUNCIL DINNER Took place in the Town Hall, when about 140 gentlemen sat down to an excellent repast. The chair was occupied by Earl de Grey, the president of the society : and Sir J. V, B. John- stone, Bart., M.P., was in the vire-chair. On his right, the chairman was supported by the Earl of Carlisle, the Dean of Ripon, the Hon. E. Lascelles, and Col. Smyth, M.P. ; and on his left by H. Morton, Esq. (Mayor), W. Beckett, Esq., M.P., and O. Harcourt, Esq. After the usual loyal toasts, the Earl of Carlisle proposed the health of the noble Chairman, who duly responded, Mr. Han nam, the Secretary, then read a list of the prizes awarded (which will be found elsewhere), after which The noble Chairman introduced the subject appointed for diacuBsion at the present meeting, viz., " The best way to ob- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 229 tain yearly aevvants in agriculUire, tiiiil to obvialc the evils arising from the present system of hiring without character." Hia lordship observed tliat these were questions of great and essential importance connected with tlie agricultural interest and if any gentleman was prepared to speak on the subject, he should be happy to hear him. Mr. RuTSON said, as one of the Council who had issued the notice alluded to by the noble chiirmaii, he begged to say a few words, by way of introduction rather than otherwise, with a view of inducing other gentlemen, who were better acqutiintcd with the matter than himself, to offer such remarks upon the subject in hand as might, he hoped, be calculated to lead to a system of hiring servants very dilYerent to that which at pre- sent exists (Hear, henr). Now he did not expect that they would treat the question precisely as it had been laid down in the notice for discussion ; or, at all events, he would ask tlicm to treat it not in that limited way in which it might be inter- preted; that is, not only that masters should be shown the best way of obtaining agricultural servants, but rather that they should consider how they might best improve alike the conditiDn of the farmer and the labourer, but more particularly the con- dition of the latter (applause). He felt quite sure that to those gentlemen who had the opportunity of witnessing the exhibitions which occur in our market-places, he need not say anything to commend this subject to their serious consideration. The scenes which take place there, and likewise in the magis- trates' rooms and elsewhere, seem to be inevitably consequent upon that kind of irregularity which always occitrs where both parties are not exactly agreed as to the terms of the agreement between them; the one expecting, perhaps, too much, and the other promising or performing too little (Hear, hear). And after the effects produced by drawing particular attention to improvements in the construction of farm implements, and to better systems of breeding and feeding cattle, probably we cannot be said to be too quick or too precipitate in at least making an attempt to do something towards advancing the condition of our fellow-men (applause). He would not occupy their time longer than to raise the questions, is the time now come when man is to have a profit from character as well as from his bodily strength and exertion ? and is the time come when the master shall have that security which character will give him ? All he could say was that it must be a joint effort, or it would be a failure ; they must, landlords, tenants, and all join, or nothing would be done (applause). Mr. Crompton said the subject appointed for discussion ou this occasion was one upon which he had looked with much interest, from time to time, and probably his conviction of the importance of the subject had been much strengthened en account of the numerous cases in which farm labourers were concerned which had come before him during the last thirty years, for a considerable portion of which time he had acted as a magistrate of the West Riding (Hear, hear). He did not exactly agree with Mr, Kutson, who said they should hire persons with a characlcr, because that seemed to convey the impression that the agriculturists generally hired servants without characters. Now his impression, arad indeed he might say his practical knowledge, with respect to these matters, was, that there are but few women of good character and few men of high character, so far as proficiency and character go, who are not quickly hired when they are at liberty, and who seldom attend the public hiringa at all, except for their own amusement (Hear). This class of servants are so well known that they generally either retain their former Bltiiatious, or if they remove, in order to ameliorate their position, they do not pass away to any great distance from the neighbourhood in which they were before located. Aa a general |/rinciplc, it was true, he thought, that good labourers were seldom without good employment and remunerating wages. But before the present inconveniences connected with the hiring of servants could be removed, it appeared to him that some alteration must be made in the statute law bearing upon the differences as between master and servant. If the law were curried into effect by magistrates who would exert a kindly interference in such cases, they might often have a very beneficial influence in ameliorating the condition of men and women servants employed in the agricultural districts. Cases of great hardship had come before him in hia magis- terial capacity, on different occasions : for instance, take the case of a man servant who is hired by some one at a consider- able distance from the place where he was last in service. Not knowing what his new situation may be, or what tlie duties he may be required to perform — knowing nothing either of hia master or mistress, or of the extent of the farm, and so on, he finds the situation when he gets there very different, perhaps, to hia expectations ; the master also may be disappointed, and when he requires this man to do something which he (the man) did not suppose or understand he would have to do, and he refuses, the master says, " I engaged you with a 'god's-pcuny,' and if you do not do as I require you, I will summon you before the magistrates, and they will compel you to obey me." The man very naturally replies, "You hired rao under false pretences; I find the place very different to what you said, and, as there is no agreement in writing, I defy you to do your worst." The man, however, is eventually summoned before the magistrates, and in some cases this is a matter of great hardship. (Hear, hear.) He found, and he had no doubt that many of those whom he now addressed had also observed, that the same complaints arose, year after year, from the same farm-houses. Tlie fact is, that some masters, and also some of their wives, are so bad to please — (laughter) — that it requires a man to be a very good servant to please both ; and if he endeavours to do this to the best of his ability, it docs appear hard that he should at last be driven to prefer some complaint before the magistrates, who in many cases cannot mend the matter. (Hear.) As affecting such cases, he thought the law might undergo some salutary alterations. A magistrate cannot put aside an agreement, unless both parties wish it ; and if the man would have the agreement cancelled, and the master is not willing, the magis- trates cannot alter or break that agreement ; and all that they can do is either to tend the man back to his situation or to the house of correction; and surely it is not desirable to send a willing agricultural labourer to a place where he must lose, more or less, bin moral character, if it only be on account of the fact of his having been in prison (applause.) Under such circurasfancca, he felt that before they commenced any other operations with a view to amend these matters, the statute rauit be altered which regulated the hiring of servants (Hear, hear). He wished also to say a (ew words in reference to the bistardy laws, in which tlicre appeared to him to bo one of the most unjust tlausea that was ev^r enacted. He alluded to the requirement that a fcnihlc, in order to affdiate a child, must have her evidence corroborated by a witness. He remarked how easily it might happen, in some farm-houses, that there could not possibly be any such witness, and how unsatisfactory was the accommodation provided for men and women servants in many instances. The consequence of the law upon this subject making this requirement is, that even if a magistrate feels convinced of the justice of the complant made by the woman, yet he cannot make an order against the putative father upon her oath alone. On the general question, he was quite convinced that characlcr would always have its weight. 2'JO THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. aud that those seivants who were known for their good cha- racters would never have to go far in search of good situations (Applause). Mr. Wells, of Booth Ferry, thought that the subject under discussion was one which materially affected the farmer. He regarded the question as a farmer's question, principally. He was well aware that character was, or ought to be, the great standard as between the farmer and the labourer. Character should be the essential part of the contract between them (applause). He had ten or twelve men engaged yearly, and he had experienced very considerable difficulty in re'erence to the point first alluded to by Mr. Crompton. With respect to fe- male servants, there was no difficrdty in the matter. Good female servants living in good families could always be en- gaged without going to ariy public statutes. If a woman- servant had a good character, and she did not stay in her situation, there were always plenty of farmers who would send over to inquire into that character, and would engage her without her having to go to any statutes at all (Hear, hear). But with regard to boys it was a very different matter, as most of them seem to like a change, thinking that two years at the utmost is quite a sufficiently long period to remain in one situation. Farmers hired their boys at statutes, and it some- times unfortunately happened that in an agricultural district two or three statutes were held before Martinmas Day. He thought that the adoption of the principle of a god's-penny was of no use whatever. If they gave a servant a god's- penny, and the contract between them was not in writing, the person hiring the servant could not compel him to serve out his time, unless he had actually entered upon his service ; and servants were now perfectly alive to that point (Hear, hear.) It had happened to himself that he had hired servants, who had afterwards gone to other statutes, and who, finding that they could obtain higher wages, had returned him his god's penny. He had been served in this way with four or five boys, and after all the statutes were held he was obliged to fill up the vacancies with boys without a character, all those who had a character having been engaged in the meantime. He con- ceived that this was a matter which lay entirely in the hands of the farmers, and he felt quite convinced that, if every farmer would use his influence with his brother farmer, and refuse to take a servant without a character, and without having an agreement in writing, the evils now so loudly com- plained of would be very materially obviated. At the same time he did not wish that they should take any advantage of their servants, who should have a counterpart of any agreement that might be signed between the parties (applause). The discussion then terminated, and the noble chairman and other principal guests withdrew. DURHAM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY The thirteenth annual meeting of this Society was held on Friday, Aug. 4th, at Darlington. LIST OF PRIZES. SHORT-HOB,NED CATTLE. For the best bull, calved since the 1st Jan., 1852, £15, Mr. Robert Thornton, of Stapleton. For the best bull calf, not less than 6, nor more than 12 months old, £5, Mr. Thoa. Barber, Sproat'.ey, near Hull. For the best cow in-milk or calf, having had a calf within the last 12 months, £5, Mr. George Davison, Rudby, near Yarm ; second prize £1, Mr. John Emraerson, Over Dinsdale. For the be«t two-years-old heifer in-calf, £4, J. C. Constable, Esq., Burton Constable, near Hull ; second prize £1, J. C. Constable, Esq. For the best one-year-old heifer, £3, second £1, J. C. Constable, Esq. Short-horned cattle belonging to tenant farmers within the county, whose rental is under £200 per annum, and not assessed to the income-tax : — For the best two-years-old heifer, £2, Mr. Jeffrey Bulmer, jun., of Aislaby Grange ; second prize lOs,, Mr. George Hutchinson, Woogra, Bishopton. For the best yearling heifer, £2, and second prize lOs., Mr. Jeffrey Bulmer, jun., of Aislaby Grange. LEICESTER OR LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP. For the best aged ram, £3, Mr. Joseph Simpson, Spofforth Park, near Wetherby. For the best shearling ram, £3, and second-best £1, Mr. J. Simpson. For the best pen of 5 ewes, £3, Mr. Thomas Crofton, Holly- well, near Durham. For the best pen of 5 shearhng gimmers, £2, Mr, J. Wood, j un., Stanwick Park, Aldbro', BLACK-FACED SHEEP. For the best shearling tup, £2, Mr. William Vickers, Snow- field, Stanhope. For the best pen of 5 ewes, £2, Mr. J.Wills, Farewell Hall, near Durham. For the best pen of 5 shearling gimmers, £2, Mr. William Yickers, Snowfield, near Stanhope. PIGS. For the best boar, large breed, £3, Mr. Peter Sturdy, In- gleby Mill, Stokesley. For the best boar, small breed, £3, Marchioness of Ix)ndoa- derry. For the best sow, large breed, £2, Mr. Peter Sturdy, Ingleby Mill, Stokesley. For the best pig, the property of a cottager, £2, Mr. W- Braithwaite, Darlington ; second prize £1, Mr. Charles Hardy, Headlam. HORSES. For the best mare for breeding saddle horses, with a foal at her foot, £3, Mr. C. Pybus, Catterick ; second best, £1, Mr. J. Jackson, Lackenby, near Redcar. For the best mare for breeding harness horses, with a foal at her foot, £3, Mr. James Storey, Seamer ; second best £1, Mr. J. G. Grace, Sockburn, Darlington. For the best mare for breeding cart horses, with a foal at her foot, £3, Mr. T. Wetherell, Kirkbridge ; second best £1, Mr. Philip Longstaff, Stainton, near Barnardcastle. For the best three-years-old colt for the field, £2, Mr. John Emmerson, Over Dinsdale ; second best £l,Mr. Joseph Dent, Neasham Hall Farm. For the best three-years-old filly for the field, £2, Mr. Bryan Harrison, junr.. West Newbiggin ; second best £1, Mr, John G, Grace, Sockburn. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 231 For the best three-jeais-old colt foi' harness, £2, Mr. T. Wetherell, Kirkbridge ; second best £1, Mr. John Alkinsou High Beaumont Hill, Darluigtou. For the best three-years-old filly for harness, £2, Mr. W. Mowbray, Newbottle ; second best £1, Mr. John Reed, Park Hill, Coxhoe. For the best three-years-old cart colt, £2, Mr. Michael Raine, Niuistainton, near Bradbury ; second best, £1, Mr. John Atkinson, High Beaumont Hill. For the best three-years-old cart filly, £2, Mr. R. Emmerson, Eryholme. For the best two-years- old colt for the field, £2, Mr. C. Pybus, Catterick ; second best, £1, Mr. Robert Thornton, of Stapleton. For the best two-yeara-old filly for the field, £2, Mr. Jona- than Gill, Ayclifl'e Mill. For the best t\vo-years-old colt for harness, £2, Mr. Raine, Nuustaintou, near Bradbury ; second best, £1, Mr. John Harris, Woodside, Darlington. For the best two-years-old filly for harness, £2, Mr. Thomas Lawson, Stapleton Grange; second beat, £1, Mr. George Taylor, Midridge. For the best two-years-old cart colt, £2, Mr. W. Raine, Nunstainton, near Bradbury ; second best, £1, Mr. R. Emmer- son, Eryholme. For the best two-years-old cart filly, £2, Mr. John Pratt, SL'orton, bred by Jos. Crookes ; secoud best, £1, Mr. John Em- merson, Over Dinsdale. For the best one-year-old cart or filly, £2, Mr. Phillip Longstaff, Staiuton, near Barnardcastle ; second best, £1, Messrs. C. and J. Furness, Coxhoe. Extra Stock, — Mr. R. Thornton's (Stapleton) a three-years- old Heifer, highly commended. Mr. Allison's (Heighington) Heifer, Violet, commended. THE ROYAL AGRICULTUEAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY OF IRELAND. MEETING AT ARMAGH. This meeting at Armagh has been pronounced by those well qualified to judge, to be the best the Agricultural Society of Ireland has yet held. As one of the wits remarked at the dinner table, where this satisfactory announcement was made, " it would be very odd if it was not, for there never was a meeting of the society so far, but that it was sure to be the best ever known." Notwithstand- ing, however, the comment of the gentleman who thus sacrificed his patriotism to his joke, we are in- clined to believe the fact is strictly as he has put it. The Improvement Society of Ireland has gradually gone on improving ; exciting year by year more in- terest amongst those for whose especial benefit it was established, and furnishing in its proceedings something of an index to the more prosperous con- dition of the people and the country. "There is no society in Ireland," said one of the most practical of the speakers, " that has done so much for the welfare and improvement of Ire- land." There is certainly none whose object could be susceptible of so direct an application, or whose influence was generally so much required. Ireland has too long enjoyed the repute of associating the best land with the worst farmers in the world. Admitting this charge to be a true one, and there can be little doubt about it, we naturally proceed to ask who it is we are to blame ? The answer is a sufficiently comprehensive one. It is — or it loas — everybody. The owner of the soil neglected his duties, oblivious alike of his own well-doing as of that of his dependants. The occupier but too closely imitated an indifference so systematically offered him in the way of example ; while the labourer, with less inducement still to exert him- self, just lived on like superiors, mindful only to trouble himself as little as possible. The Agricultural Improvement Society has gone theright way to reform this. It is now laying the pro- per foundation for that improvement itessays to effect. It does this by securing the support of those from whom the initiative must proceed. It is not too much to say, that thus far the society owes nearly all its strength and success to the landed gentry of the country. To their credit must it be recorded, they not merely enroll their names and send in their subscriptions, but they give an active support and practical tone to the business of the meetings that can only tend to still more practical results. It is rarely we have seen any meeting more becom- ingly supported by the gentry of the country I ban was this, of the Irish Agricultural Societ/ at Armagh. The general effect of what they are engaged upon will no doubt be a work of time. It is true enough that travelling now from Belfast to the locality this year selected for the show, the visitor might find but little to speak to the influence of an Agricultural Improvement Society. The founda- tion, we must repeat, however, is being securely laid. He to whom all others should look for ex- ample is affording it, and with it he is proffering assistance that can scarcely fail to tell. The best stock in the United Kingdom, as the Armagh prize list and catalogue will show, is now to be seen in the home-farms of the Irish landlords. The best systems of cultivation are being in- troduced by the same means; and if the tenant does not now make some effort to advance, it will most assuredly be nobody's fault but his own. 232 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. It is sometimes urged as a complaint, even against the English Society, that the practical far- mer is scarcely as distinguished at the different shows as it would be desirable to see him. The power of purse is too strong, and it, so, often happens that he succumbs before it. However this is to be regretted here, it cannot, from what we have already said, be a cause for any great com- plaint in a comparatively young country like the sister kingdom. The management must have still heard or felt something of this difficulty ; and thus at Armagh, for the first time, came a series of " extra premiums," in addition to Mr. Towneley's Cup, to be competed for by bond fide tenant far- mers "not paying more than a hundred a year rent." The entry in any of these classes, it must be confessed, was not very numerous j in two or three sections there was none at all. We cannot but consider it a laudable endeavour, although under the present conditions not very likely to lead to any very great results. The hundred-a- year limit strikes us as a mistake ; surely far more good might be expected u'ere the competition ex- tended generally to bond fide tenant far-mers. Still with all classes, and it was evinced clearly enough in these hundred-per-annum holdings, there is one strong point in favour of agri- cultural improvement in Ireland. Seldom is it that less prejudice has been encountered ; or, if there had been any, never can it have given way more readily. An exhibition of the Society of Ire- land has now very little Irish about it. Without referring to our catalogue, we can scarely recollect anything but the useful little Kerry cow as peculiar to the country. The Irishman has gone boldly to work, and imported his improvements wholesale. Like the philosophical exquisite, he is easily satis- fied—with the best of everything. And he knows where to go for the best, too ; as this gathering amply proved. The Durham ox, the Leicester sheep, the Berkshire pig, and the Clydesdale horse were the great attractions of his show-yard. To these he has given in his adhesion, as with these he purposes working out the agricultural improve- ment of Ireland. More or less, this must for some time yet be a matter of importation. Some of these breeds, how- ever, are already sufficiently established in the country to furnish the material for a very excellent display without any direct aid from England or Scot- land. This was the case in a very capital entry of Leicester sheep, as well as of Berkshire pigs. A large majority of the exhibitors were Irishmen, with, we beheve, chiefly Irish-bred animals. Even in the Durham or Shorthorn classes, one of the best shows of the sort ever seen, the home exhi- bitor was able to make a very good stand. He had to contend here with the best bred stock in the world, descended from some of our most re- nowned herds, and against beasts themselves pro- nounced the most perfect of their kind. Mr. Booth, a name going far back in the history of the shorthorn, brought the prize stock of Lincoln and Berwick ; his famous bull Windsor, once more to lead off with. Mr. Towneley, an old friend to this society, sent the pick of his famous cows — Butter- fly and Beauty amongst them ; and Mr. Douglas his celebrated heifer, the first prize of every class she has been shown in, with two or three young bulls, whose merits, at least in one instance, were scarcely as satisfactorily admitted. High as these entries tended to rank the charac- ter of the Armagh show, they proportionately less- ened the opportunities of the resident exhibitors. The show, to be sure, as thus considered, was very uneven : with a number of excellent animals, there were some whose owners must have been more sanguine or less experienced, than one could have imagined. The good, though, greatly predomi- nated, as several well-deserved commendations will speak to ; while, in two or three instances, " the award of merit " even went beyond this. Lord Monck, for example, carried off the first premium for the two-year-old bull, beating, amongst others, both Mr. Douglas and Mr. Towneley. It is neverthe- the only fair to add that the decision here was one of the very few in which the opinion of the judges was much canvassed. Popular feeling was certainly in favour of Mr. Douglas's bull as being the best, and the white as only second to him. The award, it will.be seen, was the reverse of this. Messrs. Booth and Towneley were, we believe, the only ex- hibitors from England, and Mr. Douglas the only one from Scotland — at least, in the short-horn classes. They played it, perhaps, a little too much, like the bull in the china shop ; although, in addition to Lord Monck, many other of the home exhibitors were well distinguished. Sir Arthur Brooke took the second premium in a numerous entry of aged bulls, with a very superior beast, bred by Mr. Chaloner of Kingsfort ; and Mr. Richard- son of Lisburne, the first prize for yearling heifers, with another of Mr. Chaloner's stock. Lord Monck's bull was, indeed, bred by this same gentle- man, whose herd appears to have a high and in- creasing reputation here. The many commenda- tions we have mentioned will say yet more for the Irish agriculturists' appreciation of the short-horn. There was an evident desire, more- over, to retain some of the extraordinary animals Messrs. Booth and Douglas had brought over, and many nibbles made for them; but prices ranged high, and rumours of four or five hundred a piece were freely circulated. Eight hundred THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 233 guineas, indeed, was said to be " the reserve " on Mr, Douglas's celebrated heifer "The Rose of Summer." Mr. Towneley, it will be observed, has now ap- propriated the Purcell Challenge Cup, having won it three years in succession, much to the regret of the members of the society. This gentleman, how- ever, has very handsomely offered to present one to be competed for on similar conditions, in addition to the Tenant Farmers' Cup, which already bears his name. An objection to Butterfly, with whom he won it, as having already obtained a first prize at these meetings, was of course over-ruled. We had some hopes, when we first heard of it, that the over-feeding question was to be brought to an issue. The objector in such a case might have had something more to go upon. With the exception of the Devons, of which there was a moderate show, both in number and quality, the other breeds were indifferently represented. Be- yond one or two prize animals, it was too far from home for the Kerrys to make up much of a feature ; while in the larger breeds we counted one Hereford bull, one Sussex cow, one Sussex heifer, and three Sussex bulls. The Polled, Angus Galloways and West Highlanders had not always an entry in each section into which they were divided ; and though the Ayrshires were at least by comparison better, there was anything but a strong display of them. The manner in which these " other breeds " were jumbled together was somewhat curious as well as amusing. First of all, you came on a Sussex or Hereford bull, then in the next section to the Devon bulls, and from them in another department to the Polled Angus and Galloways ; after this, your catalogue returned to the one Sussex cow, next introducing you to the Devon cows, and so on, in both large and small breeds, continually confusing one variety with another. Surely if it is worth while putting the Devons and Galloways into separate classes, it might be as well to keep them separate, and dispose of one sort, as with the short-horns, before proceeding to another. The show of Leicester sheep we have already re- marked as being very excellent — in its way, quite worthy of the Durham cattle. Mr. Torr, one of the judges on this occasion, as well as having a long experience of the society's meetings, declared it was the best sheep show he had ever seen in Ire- land. The Leicesters, a mixed entry of Irish and Scotch, were remarkable for being not only numer- ous, but almost all good ; and they were well sup- ported by the other long wools and Cheviots. The Southdown, on the other hand, does not seem to be in such favour : somewhere about half-a-dozen exhibitors made up the entry of what there was. Despite the first prize being awarded to the Cum- berland breed, we can only repeat our approval of the pigs, as depending mainly on the Berkshires. We much question whether, for general character, a uniform display of a very good sort, preserving all the best points of the kind, there have been many meetings in any part of the United Kingdom supe- rior to this. The competition was so close and so excellent, that a different set of judges would most probably have, in many instances, made a different award. The conclusion still would be still equally satisfactory. If our Irish friends will only go on as they have done, Irish bacon will soon have a far better reputation. We have said the Agricultural Improvement Society goes to Durham or Yorkshire for its beef, to Leicester for its mutton, to Berkshire for its bacon, and to Scotland for its horseflesh. In this last-mentioned article there are many sorts for which it need not travel so far from home. These, however, are not yet, at least, recognized in a prize hst closely confined to agricultural purposes. To im- prove here they must certainly take a wider rangje. With the exception of the Clydesdale mares and a stallion or two, we never remember to have seen a more ragged show of cart horses. Cart horses, indeed, many of them were not; but a weedy leggy animal, that it would be difficult to say what they were fit for. By way of encouraging something better, the Society offered an especial prize of thirty sovereigns for the best Suffolk; but neither of the two horses sent for it was consi- dered of " sufficient merit." Might it not be worth the while of some of our Suffolk breeders to devote a week or so and a good horse to our Irish friends? We fancy the visit might be made to answer in every way. A well-arranged poultry show brought together almost every variety the connoisseur could wish for —Dorkings, Spanish, Polish, Malays, Hamburgh, and Cochins; with ducks, geese, and turkeys, to complete this branch of the catalogue. Butter and eggs conventionally go together, and the merits of either were not omitted here. The dairy produce was very commendable ; the flax exhibition, on the contrary, scarcely so good as had been expected. The same may be said of the implement depart- ment, in which the falling off was the subject of very general remark. The most direct evidence of this is that some of our best English makers who were present at Killarney did not think it worth the ex- pense to visit Armagh. The Society give their premiums in medals only. They will have to give more, and, as they were assured, with a better effect, if they turn them into money. The prize list will speak to such manufacturers as were here — Kansomes, Garretts, Richmond and Chandler, Cottam and Hallen, and Smyth of R 2 234 THE FARMER'S MAGAZIiNE. Peasenhail, airjongst tliein. It would be super- fluous to go through a list, the different items in which have already been so fully descanted on at other meetings. It will be sufficient to say that " the Lion" of this department was Ransome's steam engine, to the merits of which the Lord Lieutenant made especial reference, in the very elaborated address which his lordship delivered at the dinner. We report as much of this as we can well find room for, and with it some very practical remarks from Lord Erne and Mr. William Torr. The latter assured the meeting with much emphasis that they had not only improved their cattle, but them- selves ; the breed of landlord and tenant was im- proving in Ireland, and he could tell them " the reason why." It is but fair to say that the meeting received this in the very best humour, and that Mr. Torr " resumed his seat amidst great applause." We must add our word of thanks to the Duke of Leinster as a most able president ; with not too much to say himself, anticipating, no doubt, as his Grace did, how well his friends, right and left, would make up for any deficiency in this respect. They had, alas ! nearly all, the same com- mon want of discretion ; and one or two had to be fairly talked down by their audience before they came to find " they had trespassed too long upon your attention." Lord Clancarty, with his "just one point more;" Lord Claude Hamilton, so emi- nently distinguished by what The Quarterly terms his " exuberant action," and so singularly con- trasted by the sober clerical manner of my Lord Talbot de Malahide, who followed him. Excellent as was much of what was here said, how much more effective would it have been, if only, like Mr. Kemble's Shakesperian readmgs, " a little com- pressed." In conclusion, we have to congratulate the Council on some manifest improvements on their arrangements at Killarney. It is true, though, they are even yet hardly perfect; and the Lincoln deputation might have profited a little more by what they saw there. Only one admission, for instance, to the whole yard, and that by as incon- venient a " way in" as it was possible to contrive. The crush was bad enough on the half-crown day; how they managed after that, we, fortunately for ourselves, have no experience. Then again, no dinner tickets for sale in the yard; and, of course, no return checks for those who went out in the town to buy them. The only plan was to request as a special favour that some official would keep your portrait in his mind's eye, and " know you when you came back again." Further than this, the district committee got to open war with the whole of the Irish press. by not making up their minds as to when these gentlemen should be admitted and when they should not, and thus keeping them for some hours hang- ing about the doorway. From what we saw, the Dublin, Belfast, and other papers, went to ex- traordinary pains to report the meeting day by day, and we cannot help thinking that their representa- tives were very indifferently received. It is for- tunately not necessary for us to seek any courtesies of this kind ; but, from what we have observed, they are by no means too gracefully accorded by the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ire- land. Some further improvement may be effected in this, by the example of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. The council here issue in- vitations some time before the meeting, enclos- ing passes, &c., and specifying the time when the yards will be open, to such of the press as they think would wish to report their pro- ceedings. This does away with all chance of in- convenience and annoyance, and no man gets soured by sour treatment. It will be to the ad- vantage of our Irish friends to look to this. PRIZE LIST. JUDGES. Short-horns. — J. Dale Trotter, Bishop Middletown, Dur- ham ; Thomas Parkinaoiij Leyfields, Notta ; Hugh Wataou, Keillor, Forfarshire. Leicesteks, other Long-woolled Sheep, and South- downs. — Charles Clarke, Aisthorpe, Lincoln; John WeUs, Booth Ferry, Yorkshire; William Torr, Aylesby Manor, Lincolnshire. Sheep (Cheviots or any other Mountain Breed). — Hugh Watson, Keillor; R. S. Skirving, Camptown, Had- dington ; Joseph Pacey, Newtown, county Clare. Swine.— Benjainia Swaffield, Pilsbury, Ashbourne ; Joseph Pacey. HoRSES.—Charles Garfitt, Mere Old Hall, Cheshire; R. S. Skirving. Poultry. — W. F. Black, Omagh ; Capt. Croker, Ballitore. Dairy Produce. — Wm. Murray, Lurgan ; John M'Loghliu, DuDgauuon ; James Wilkin, Armagh. Flax. — James Brown Boyd, Armagh ; Henry Dickson, Gilford, county Down ; John Wilson, Armagh. [We have not been able to obtain any list of the Implement Judges, but we believe many of the above acted in both departments.] CLASS A.— SHORT-HORNS. For the best bull, calved on or after the 1st January, 1849, and previous to the 1st January, 1852, 30 sova. — Richard Booth, Warlaby, Northallerton, England ; bull Windsor. For the second best, 10 sovs. — Sir Arthur B. Brooke, Bart., Colebrooke-park, Brooke-borough ; bull Rate-in-aid. The bulls shown in this section by Mr. J. Wood, of Castle- grove, Strathbane, by Lord Dufferin, by Mr. Babington, of Crevagh, and Mr. J. W. jMaxwell, of Finnebrogue, were commended. For the best bull, calved in the year 1852, 20 sovs.— Charles Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley; bull Hogarth. For the second best, 10 sovs. — Sir Frederick W. Heygate, Barfc., Bellarena, Newtowulimavady ; bull Nimrod. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 235 The bulls shown in this section by Mr. Owen, of Bleasington, and Mr. C. P. Leslie, M.P., were commended. For the best bull, calved on or after the Ist January, 1853, 15 sovs. — Lord Viscount Monck, M.P., Charleville, Ennis- kerry ; bull Cadet. For the second beat, 5 sovs. — James Douglas, Athelstane- ford, Drem ; bull Osman. The bulls shown in this section by Mr. Stanley, Mr. Clintock, Mr. Marcus, Mr. Causland, and by Mr. Towneley, were commended. For the best cow, in calf or in milk, of any age, 15 sovs. — Charles Towueley, Towneley Park, Burnley; cow Butterfly. For the second best, 5 sovs. — John Christy, Fort Union, Adare; cow Peach. The cow shown in this section by Mr. Anthony Babington, Creevagh, was commended. For the best heifer, in calf or in milk, calved in 1851, 15 sovs. — Richard Booth, Warlaby, Northallerton, England; heifer Bridesmaid. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Charles Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley ; heifer Vestris. The heifers shown in this section by Mr. Knox, of Jackson- haU, by Captain Borrowes, of Gilltowu (for two), by Mr. Rowland Campion, of Old-town (for two), by Lord Caledon and Lord Lurgan, were commended. For the best heifer, in calf or in milk, calved iu 1352, 10 sovs. — James Douglas, Athelstaneford, Drem; heifer Rose of Summer. For the second best, 5 sovs. — William Charley, Seymour Hill, Belfast ; heifer Countess of Eglinton. The heifers shown in this section by Mr. Stanley, Mr. Cluitock, by Lord Caledon, by Mr. Ball, of Robert's Walls (for three), and by Colonel Kane Bunbury, were commended. For the best heifer, calved on or after 1st January, 1853, 10 sovs. — Jonathan Richardson, Glenmore, Lisburn ; heifer Rosette. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Lord Lurgau, Brownlow House, Lurgan ; heifer Myrtle the Fifth. The heifers shown in this section by Mr. C. J. Knox (for two), by Mr. Douglas, by the Duke of Manchester, and Mr. Turner, of Newtown, were commended. CLASS B.— OTHER LARGE BREEDS. For the best Hereford or Sussex bull, calved on or after 1st January, 1849, 10 sovs. — the Earl of Caledon, Caledon Hall, Caledon ; Sussex bull. Captain Rix. For the best Devon bull, calved on or after the 1st January, 1849, 10 sovs. — the Earl of Cliarlemont, Marino, Fairview, Dublin ; Devon bull Chieftain. For the best polled Angus or Galloway bull, calved on or after the 1st January, 1849, 10 sovs. — Lord Talbot de Mala- hide, Malahide Castle, Malahide ; polled Angus bull, Monck. For the best Hereford or Sussex cow, in-calf or in-milk, of any age, 5 sovs. — the Earl of Caledon; Sussex cow Lady Rix. For the best Devon cow, in-calf or in-milk, of any age, 5 sovs. — Robert Quin Alexander, Acton House, Poyntzpass ; Devon cow Daisy, in-milk. For the best polled Angus or Galloway cow, in-calf or in milk, of any age, 5 sovs. — Sir Frederick William Heygate, Bart., Bellarena, Newtownlimavady ; Galloway cow Maid of Galloway. For the best Hereford or Sussex heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved on or after the Ist January, 1851, 5 sovs. — the Earl of Caledon ; Sussex heifer Miss Rix. For the best Devon heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved on or after Ist January, 1851, 5 sovs. — Roger Hall, Narrow Water, Warrenpoint ; heifer Red Rose. For the best polled Angus or Galloway heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved on or after 1st January, 1851, 5 sovs. — no entry. For the best Hereford or Sussex heifer, calved on or after Ist January, 1853, 3 sovs. — no entry. For the best Devon heifer, calved on or after lat January, 1853, 3 sovs. — no entry. For the best polled Angus or Galloway heifer, calved on or after 1st January, 1853, 3 sovs. — Adam Grierson, Ardsalla, Fethard, co. Tipperary; Galloway heifer. CLASS C— SMALL AND MOUNTAIN BREEDS. For the best Ayrshire bull, calved on or after 1st January, 1849, 5 sovs.— N. W. Roche, M.D., Fermoy, co. Cork. For the second best, 3 sovs. — Wellesley Preudergaat, Lis- terlin, New Ross, co. Wexford ; Ayrshire bull London. For the best West Highland bull, calved on or after 1st January, 1849, 5 sovs. — no entry. For the beat Kerry bull, calved on or after lat January, 1849, 5 sovs. — the Earl of Charlemont, Marino, Fairview, Dublin ; Kerry bull Rory O'More. For the best Ayrshire cow, in-calf or in-milk, of any age, 4 SOTS. — Alexander Hutcheson, Gosford Farm, Market Hill; cow Jenny. For the second best, 2 sovs. — Sir Frederick William Hey- gate, Bart., Bellarena, Newtownlimavady ; cow Beauty. For the best West Highland cow, in-calf of milk, of any age, 4 sovs. — Sir Frederick Wm. Heygate, Bart.; Kyloe cow Highland Mary. For the best Kerry cow, in-calf or in-milk, of any age, 4 sovs. — the Earl of Charlemont ; cow (in-milk) Lady Eglinton. For the second beat, 2 sovs. — John L. Gaussen, M.D., Crumlin, co. Antrim ; cow Gossip. For the best Ayrshire heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved on or after 1st January, 1851, 3 sovs. — Lord Clermont, Clermont Park, Dundalk ; heifer (in-milk) Bracelet, For the second best, 2 sovs. — Lord Clermont ; heifer (in- milk) Primrose. For the best West Highland heifer, ia-calf or in-milk, calved on or after 1st January, 1851, 3 sovs. — Sir Frederick W. Heygate, Bart.; Kyloe heifer Heather Blossom. For the best Kerry heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved on or after 1st January, 1851, 3 sovs. — Ralph S, Cusack, Bohomer, St. Douloughs, CO. Dublin ; pure Kerry heifer, in-calf. For the best lot of two Ayrshire heifers, calved on or after 1st January, 1853, 3 sovs. — W. M'Dowall, Auchteraclure, Wigtonshire. For the best lot of two West Highland heifers, calved on or after 1st January, 1853, 3 sovs. — no entry. For the best lot of two Kerry heifers, calved on or after 1st January, 1853, 3 sovs. — John L, Gaussen, M.D., Crumlin, CO. Antrim. For the best of all the prize bulls exhibited at the show, the Gold Medal— Richard Booth, Warlaby, Northallerton, England ; short-horn bull Windsor. To the breeder of the best prize bull, the medal — Richard Booth. For the best of all the prize cows or heifers exhibited at the show, the Gold Medal— Charles Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley ; short-horn cow Butterfly. To the breeder of the best prize cow or heifer, the medal — Charles Towneley. EXTRA PREMIUMS. To be competed for by hona fide tenant farmers of Ireland, not paying more than £100 a-year of rent. For the best cow, in-calf or in-milk, of any age, 8 soys, — Thomas Horan, Armagh ; Durham cow Chester. 230 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. For the second best, 5 sov3.— David Hamilton, Lowart, Glasslough ; short-horned cow Dandy. For the best heifer, in-calf or in-milk, calved in 1851, 5 sovs.— Joshua Wright, Mullaghmore, Caledon ; short-horned heifer. For the second best, 3 sovs. — William Running, Rich-hill ; heifer, crossed-breed — a Durham bull and Ayrshire cow. For the best pen of five shearling ewes, 4 sovs. — no award. For the best pen of five shearling ewes, not exceeding five years old, 3 sovs.— Joshua Wright, Mullaghmore, Caledon ; pen of five ewes, having had lambs in 1854. For the best breeding sow, over eighteen months old, 3 sovs.— Samuel Corrigan, jun,, Fairlawn, Moy; black sow (half Berkshire). For the best breeding sow, under eighteen months old, 2 sovs. — no entry. For the best lot of three breeding sow pigs (same litter), under ten months, 3 sovs.- — no entry. THE PURCEL CHALLENGE CUP, VALUE ONE HUNDRED SOVEREIGNS, Given by the late Peter Purcell, Esq., for the best animal in the neat cattle classes, possessing most merit of its kind in the estimation of the judges, to Charles Towneley, Towneley Park, Burnley ; short-horn cow Butterfly, calved May 1, 1849, bred by exhibitor, got by Jeweller, dam Buttercup, by Garrick, g.d. Burniton Rose, by Expectation, &c. Second, Richard Booth, Warlaby, Northallerton, with short-horn heifer Bridesmaid. THE TOWNELEY CHALLENGE CUP, VALUE FIFTY SOVEREIGNS, Presented by Charles Towneley, Esq., Towneley Park, Lan- cashire, to be competed for exclusively by bona fide Irish tenant farmers. For the best lot of three breeding cows or heifers, of any breed, for general purposes, in-calf or milk, not less than three years of age, the property of a bona fide teuant farmer— John Christy, Fort Union, A.dare, for three short-horcs. CLASS D.— HORSES. For the best Suffolk Punch stallion, foaled on or after the 1st January, 1847, and previous to the Ist January, 1852, 30 sovs. — not sufficient merit. For the best cart stallion of auy other breed, foaled on or after the 1st January, 1847, and previous to the 1st January, 1852, 30 sovs.—Charles Powell Leslie, M.P., Glasslough; Clydesdale stallion Chance. For the second best, 10 sovs. — Silvester Rait, Rathmoyle, Edenderry ; Clydesdale cart stallion Glancer. The Clydesdale shown in this section by Mr. Shaw, of Glastry, was highly commended. For the best cart stallion, of any breed, foaled on or after the 1st January, 1852, 15 sovs. — Lord Clermont. For the second best, 10 sovs. — John Ronaldson, Newcastle, Newtownmountkennedy ; cart stallion Alexander. For the best stallion in the above sections, the medal — Charles Powell Leslie, M.P. ; Clydesdale Chance. For the breeder, the medal — to C. P. Leslie, M.P. For the best cart mare, in foal or with a foal at her foot, or having reared a foal in the year 1854, TO sovs. — George Roe, Nutley, Donnybrook ; Clydesdale cart mare and foal. For the second best, 5 sovs.— the Earl of Annesley, Castle- wellan ; black cart mare, aged, with foal at foot. Three Clydesdale mares, shown by the Earl of Gosford, in this section, were commended. — one of them highly. For the best cart filly, foaled in the year 1851, 5 sovs.— Lord Clermont. For the second best, 3 sovs. — Nicholas M. Archdall, Ross- fad, Enniskillen ; Clydesdale filly. Best cart filly, foaled on or after 1st January, 1852, 5 sovs. — Thomas Butler, Priestown House, Clonee, co. Meath. For the second best, 3 sovs. — Lord Clermont. A Clydesdale filly, shown by Mr. Silvester Rait, in this section, was commended. The judges stated that the show of brood cart mares was very good indeed. CLASS E.-SHEEP.— LEICESTERS. For the best shearling ram, 15 sovs. — Frederick F. Hamilton, Windmill Farm, Edenderry. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Rowland Campion, Oldtown. The ram shown by Mr. Roberts, of Strokestown, in this section, was commended. For the best two-shear ram, 10 sovs. — John La Touche, Harristown, Branncxtown, Newbridge. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Rowland Campion, Oldtown, Mr. La Touche's ram commended. For the best ram of any other age, not exceeding six years old, 10 sovs. — Sir Frederick W. Heygate, Bart. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Rowland Campion. Lord Duiferin's ram commended. For the best pen of five shearling ewes, 10 sovs. — Rowland Campion. For the second best, 5 soys. — Frederick F. Hamilton. Mr. La Touche's ewes commended. For the best pen of five ewes, not exceeding five years old, 10 sovs. — Frederick F. Hamilton. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Frederick F. Hamilton, For the best pen of five ewe lambs, 5 sovs. — Frederick F. Hamilton. The ewes exhibited in this section by Sir F. Heygate and Mr. Douglas were especially commended, and the whole class highly commended. CLASS F.— OTHER LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP. For the best shearling ram, 10 sovs. — Silvester Rait, For the second best, 5 sovs. — N. W. Roche, M.D., Fermoy. For the best two-shear ram, 8 sovs. — Silvester Rait. For the second best, 4 sovs. — Silvester Rait. For the best ram of any other age, not exceeding six years old, 8 sovs.— N. W. Roche, M.D. For the second best, 4 sovs. — Frederick F. Hamilton. For the best pen of five shearling ewes, 6 sovs. — N. W. Roche, M.D. For the second best, 3 sovs., Thomas Ball, Robert's Walls. For the best pen of five ewes, not exceeding five years old, 6 sovs. — David Kerr, Clonia, Edenderry, For the second best, 3 sovs. — Thomas BaU, For the best pen of five ewe lambs, four sovs. — David Kerr, Mr. Thomas Ball's ewes in this section highly commended. CLASS G.— CHEVIOTS OR ANY OTHER MOUNTAIN BREED. For the best ram of any age, not exceeding five years old, 8 sovs. — Marquis of Conyugham, Castle Slane,Slane ; Cheviot ram. For the second best, 4 sovs. — Edard M. Barnes, Ardyne- park, Innellan, by Greenock ; Cheviot ram. Sir Frederick W. Heygate's, Bart., Cheviot ram highly com- mended. For the best pen of five shearling eives, 5 sovs. — Marquis of Conyngham. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 337 For the second best, 3 sov3. — Marquia of Conyngham. For the best pen of five ewes, not exceeding five years old, 5 sovs. Marquis of Conyngham. For the second best, 3 sovs. — Marquis of Conyngham. CLASS H.— SOUTHDOWNS. For the best shearlmg ram, 5 sovs. — Thomas Roberts, Strokestown. For the best ram of any other age, not exceeding five years old, 5 sovs. — William Owen, Blesinton, Wicklow. For the best pen of five shearling ewes, 4 sovs. — Duke of Manchester, Taudragee. For the best pen of ewes, not exceeding 'five years old, 4 sovs. — Duke of Manchester, Taudragee. For the beat ram in Classes E, P, G, H, The Medal— Fre- derick F. Hamilton, Windmill Farm, 'Edenderry ; shearling Leicester ram (imported). To the breeder of the best ram in the same. The Medal — Frederick F. Hamilton. CLASS K.— SWINE, For the best boar under eighteen months, 10 sovs. — John H. Peart, Bellurgan-park, Bally mascanlon, Co. Louth ; white Cumberland boar. For the second best, 5 sovs. — Andrew F. Knox, Urney-park, Strabane ; Berkshire boar. Lord Caledon's and Lord Clermont's Berkshire boars com- mended. For the best boar over eighteen months and under thirty-six months old, S sovs.— Sir James M. Stronge, Bart., Tynan Abbey, Tynan ; Berkshire boar. For the second best, 4 sovs. — the Earl of Caledon ; Berk- shire boar. Lord Lurgan's Berkshire boar MqJdy commended., and Mr. George Roe's Berkshire boar commended. For the best boar in the above sections, the Medal — John H. Peart ; white Cumberland boar. To the breeder, the Medal— John H. Peart. For the best breeding sow under eighteen months old, 8 sovs. — Rev. John Warburton, Kill, county Kildare ; Berkshire sow. For the second best, 4 sovs. — Hugh Anderson, Bushmills, county Antrim ; Berkshire sow. Sir Edward Borough's, Bart., and Mr, A. Warburton's Berkshire sows commended. For the best breeding sow over eighteen months old, 5 sovs. — Sir Frederick W. Heygate, Bart. ; Berkshire sow. For the second best, 3 sovs. — T. William D. Humphreys, Milltown House, Strabane; Berkshire sow. The Earl of Caledon's, and Mr. Harrison's Berkshire sows commended. For the best lot of three breeding sow pigs of the same litter> not more than ten months old, 5 sovs. — Henry L, Prentice, Caledon ; three Berkshire sows. For the second best, 3 sovs. — Charles William Hamilton, Hamwood, Dunboyne ; three breeding sows. Lord Lurgan's and Mr, Edward Croker's Berkshire sows liigldy commended. Class L was for poultry. CLASS M.— DAIRY PRODUCE. For the best firkin of butter, 70 lbs. weight, suited for the English or London Market, and made on the farm of the ex- hibitor, during the season of 1854, 5 sovs. — Thomas Archbold, Carnmoney. Second, 3 sovs. — David Patten, Glasslough. Third, 2 sovs. — James Farley, Clones. For the best coopered six butter firkins, suitable for the English and London market, £1 10s.— John Mackwood, Bel- fast. For the best firkin of butter, 70 lbs. weight, suited for the foreign market, and made on the farm of the exhibitor during the season of 1854, 5 sov. — J. Waring Fforde, Lurgan, Second, 3 sovs. — Thomas Archbold. Third, 2 sovs. — Anthony Babington. For the best of all the prize butter exhibited at the Show, The Medal.— J. Waring Fforde. CLASS N.— FLAX. For the best bundle, not less than 16 lbs. weight of mill- scutched flax, being an average sample of at least half an acre- first prize, 5 sovs. — David Patton, Second, 3 sovs. — Wm. Shaw, Baudon. Third, 2 sovs. — John Cargill, Glasslough. William Roberts, Tynan, new flax, highly commended. For the best bundle, not less thau 16 lbs. weight, of hand- scutched flax, being an average sample of the produce of at least half an acre— first prize, 5 sovs. — Wm. Running, Rich- hill. Second, 3 sovs. — Henry L. Prentice, Caledon. Third, 2 sovs. — David Patton. CLASS R.— IMPLEMENTS. The following prizes were given for implements best suited to the wants and circumstances of Ireland : — For the implement best calculated to turn up and expose to the air and frost of winter the deepest furrow, consistent with regularity of surface, first class medal — Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich. For the best instrument for breaking up the subsoil, capable of being worked by not more than four horses, first class medal — Robert Gray, Belfast. For the best grubber or cultivator, to be worked by two or more horses, first class medal — ^Robert Gray. For the best drill grubber for green crops, first class medal — Robert Gray. For the best constructed seed harrow, first class medal — Ransomes and Sims. For the best break harrow, or other implement for pulverzing the soil, first class medal. No merit. For the best roller or clod crusher, first class medal — Richardson and Son, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Robert Gray, Bel- fast, commended. For the best horse rake, first class medal— Ransomes and Sims, commended. For the best farm cart, first class medal — James M'Connell Armagh. For the best drill for sowing turnip seed in one or in two drills, second class medal. No merit. For the best drill for sowing turnip seed, &c., with apparatus for distributing light, portable manures, the gold medal- James Smith and Sons, Peasenhall. For the best and cheapest broad-cast manure distributor, first class medal. No merit. For the best machine for distributing liquid manure, first class medal. No merit. For the best machine for drilling grain — Richard Garrett Bud Sons, Saxmundliam, commended. James Smyth and Sons, Peasenhall, commended. For the best horse-hoe for cleaning between the drills of corn first class medal. Garrett and Sons commended. For the best machine for cleaning grain, first class medal. No merit. For the best machine for cutting turnips, first class medal — Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich, Gardener's Cutter, commended. 238 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. For the best chaff-cutting machine, first class medal — Eich- mond and Chandler, Salford. Ransomes and Sims, com- mended. For the best machine for crushing oats, beans, or other grain, first class medal — Ransomes and Sims. For the best apparatus for steaming food for cattle, first class medal — Richmond and Chandler. For the best and most economical root washer, second class medal. Richmond and Chandler, commended. For the best thrashing machine, suitable for large farmers, and worked by either horse or steam power, the Council gold medal — Ransomes and Sims. For the best thrashing machine, suitable for small farmers, first class medal — Ransomes and Sims. For the best churn worked by hand, first class medal — Wm. Hamill, Armagh. Second class medal. For the best churn, worked by power, first class medal — Richard Robinson, Belfast. For the best set of smaller utensils for the dairy, such as milk coolers, &c., second class medal— Richard Robinson, Bel- fast. For the best set of horse-power gearing, economically adapted to fit machines, churns, thrashing machines, &c., first class medal — Ransome and Sims. For the best lot of draining tiles, second class medal — Beresford and Kelly, Florence Court. St. John BlackettTar- bert, commended; Sir Arthur Brooke, Bart., Colbrook, com- mended ; John Wilkin, Caledon, commended. For the best assortment of hand implements used for the farm, such as draining tools, spades, sickles, scythes, hoes, rakes, wheelbarrows, sackholders, &c , &c., first class medal — John Edmonson and Co., 61, Dame-street, Dnblin. For the best and most economical set of farm harness, se- cond class medal — James M'Keuna, Armagh. For the best set of swing-trees or draught bars, second class medal — Ransomes and Sims. EXTRA PREMIUMS. Ransomes and Sims, four-horse portable steam engine, first class medal. Ransomes and Sims, haymaking machine, commended. Rausomes and Sims, Bruce's manger, commended. W. and J. Ritchie, Ardee, double mould-board plough, first class medal. Robert Gray, turn-wrest plough, first class medal. Arthur O'Heas, Ballymanab, Armagh, for ingenuity of ar- rangement in his grubber, first class medal. Thomas Egar, Portadown, portable steam-engine, com mended. THE DINNER Took place on Wednesday evening, in a pavilion erected for the occasion at the back of the Tontine Rooms, the Duke of Leinster in the chair, supported on his right by his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, Hon. Colonel Caul- feild, M.P., Lord Talbot de Malahide, Lord Naas, C. Leslie, M.P., the Earl of Mayo, and Lord Erne ; on the left by the High-Sheriff of Armagh, Major-General Thomas, Lord Lurgan, Lord Claude Hamilton, Lord ]\Ionck, Lord Dungannon, and Lord Clancarty. There were also present Lords Castlemaine, Bangor, Dunlo, and Annesley, Count de Sails, Sir R. Bateson, Sir J. Stronge, &c., &e. After the usual loyal toasts, the President gave " The health of his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, and prosperity to Ire- land." In responding, his Excellency said : It is very agreeable t me to be present at this meeting, and to witness the progress which agriculture is making in this part of the country. Much of that progress is, I think, fairly attributed to the labours of this society, by bringing together large numbers of the finest animals of every breed, aud by collecting, I am afraid not quite an equal proportion, but still many of the most ap- proved implements of husbandry, and also for enabling the farmer to see and to converse with experienced agriculturists from any part of the kingdom, and to confer upon the farmer a benefit, the value of which it would be difficult to overrate- But, gentlemen, much as has been done in this way, if the agriculturists of the country wish that it should retain its pre- sent proud position at the head of the agricultural countries of the world, they must redouble their exertions. A noble friend of mine, who is present at this table. Lord Claude Hamilton, placed in my hands, the other day, a very curious and interest- ing account of the proceediugs of a French commission appointed by the government of France, to visit the Great Ex- hibition of 1851, and afterwards to travel through the most important agricultural districts of Great Britain and Scotland. That account shows the attention bestowed by that country upon all the inventions and discoveries that are made in this empire. They give detailed descriptions'and drawings of all the most recent machines and implements that have been applied to the purposes of agriculture in this country, aud also draw- ings of the animals of various breeds which they conceive to be best adapted to the soil and climate of their country. I believe that other Continental states are travelling in the same direction, and are now convinced of the importance of increas- ing the quantity and improving the quality of the produce of the soil to the utmost possible extent. It must be borne in mind that in those countries they have the as3is!a\!ce of the government, and I believe the expense of the commission to which I have referred was entirely borne by the French government, and they also defrayed a considerable proportion of the cost attending on the introduction of new breeds of cattle, and of carrying into effect various agricultural ex- periments. Now, such an interference on the part of our government would be quite hostile to our feelings and wishes ; but we have a resource in the co-operation and union of agri- culturists among themselves, and to that resource we must look, if, as I said before, we would retain the position we now occupy as the first agricultural country in the world (Hear). I have adverted to the various ways in which the society has promoted the cause of agriculture in this country in the same manner as the sister societies in Scotland and England have furthered the same cause. But I trust my noble friend near me, and other gentlemen who are members of the council of the society, will not suppose I am in any way dictating to them, if I venture to offer one or two suggestions, which I hope will be received in the spirit in which they are made I have heard to-day, for instance, that the quantity of imple- ments on the ground did not quite answer the expectations which had been formed. Nothing, I believe, could exceed the beauty and the perfection of the implements which were ex- hibited, particularly the one which we all saw with so much pleasure. I speak of the moveable steam-engine and flax ma- chine of the Messrs. Ransomes, and some others'; but, on the whole, I am afraid that the number did not equal the expec- tations of the members of the society, and I would venture to offer for your consideration whether additional encouragement to the makers of the implements might not be given. It seems to me, at least, worthy of your attention, again, whetlier a premium for the best cultivated farm should not be offered. There may he difficulties in the way, of which I know nothing, but I believe it might have a beneficial effect upon agriculture THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 239 if a premium were given for the best cultivated farm. I say it with great respect, but I think I have seen in some parts of this district more rag-weed than is consistent with good farm- ing, and that some of the gentlemen upon whose ground I have observed it, would hardly compete with success for such pre- mium (laughter). I do not know how far it might be practicable to diffuse more generally, at a cheap rate, information among the practical farmers, by means of journals, tracts, and other publications, communicating the results of the experience of agriculturists in other parts of the kingdom. These are matters, I think, for the consideration of the council. There is one point, however, upon which I entertain [a very strong opinion — namely, how important it is that the society should exert itself to promote, to the utmost, the cultivation of flay, so that the Irish manufacturer should not want an adequate supply of the raw material. I have been informed, upon what I believe to be good authority, that the cotton- spinners of Lancashire are now engaged in producing an article of cotton by which they may or do compete with the productions of the linen manufacturers of Ireland. Now, gen- tlemen, I have a very great respect for the cotton-spinners of Lancashire. I conceive them to be a most intelligent and valuable body of men, and I am very far from speaking with jealousy of them, believing as I do that the prosperity of that great staple trade, the cotton manufacture of England, is moat important to the welfare of the country. It is, therefore, in no spirit of hostility to the cotton-spinners that I speak ; but I do say, that I should be so'-ry to see the extension of that manu- facture taking place at the expense of the linen manufac- ture of Ireland. I think, however, that that must inevita- bly be the case unless the Irish agriculturists provide the manufacturers with an adequate supply of the raw material at a reasonable rate. Before I conclude, may I, without touching upon ground which is most properly prohibited in this assem- bly, venture to congratulate you upon the state and prospects of agriculture ? I say not a word about the causes. I look merely to the state of things ; and I am happy to say that the accounts from all parts of Ireland respecting the condition of the three great classes of the country — the owners, the occu- piers, and the labourers — are most satisfactory. His Excel- lency concluded by proposing the health of the Duke of Leinster, briefly acknowledged by the Chairman. The Earl of Erne, in replying on behalf of the vice- presidents, said it afforded him pleasure to tell them that the society was flourishing beyond all expectation ; and he trusted and hoped it would continue to flourish, for he did believe no other body of men could prove so conducive to the welfare of this country; and therefore it became the duty of every man, let him be rich or poor, gentle or simple, peer or peasant, to come forward and assist the society in its endeavours to dis- seminate sound agricultural information. Ireland had been blessed by Providence with one of the best soils, he believed, in the world ; but they had not taken advantage of the gift ; they did not cultivate the land as they ought ; and one of the reasons, he maintained, why they were such bad agriculturists was, that their soil was too good. ITiey merely scratched the soil, without dipping deep into the bosom of the earth. In England and Scotland the soil was properly tilled, and why should not Irishmen do the same ? It made him rejoice to see that upon the whole the society was progressing rapidly in the estimation of the public, for within the last three years their numbers were increased by 700. When he advocated its claims he was frequently replied to in the following terms : — " It is no USB, for it never comes into Ulster, and it does little good in Ireland." These were two objections of a grave character, and he would show how he met them. With respect to the first, he thought they would agree with him that good breeding was one of the most essential requisites in a gentleman, in a beast, or in a society (laughter) ; and he told the objectors, that the society was too well bred to come into Ulster without being asked; but if they invited the society, he thought they would not be refused. With regard to the second allegation, he replied that this society had, during thirteen years, done much more than either the Scotch or Eng- lish society — that was to say, taking into account the amount of funds at their disposal. They brought over the best animals from the sister countries, and kept them here for breeding pur- poses for twelve months ;' and the result was, they were now able to compete successfully with English and Scotch agri- culturists. They had also established branch societies, and had used every exertion to impart good, sound information to the farmers of this country. It had done much for the welfare of Ireland. Mr. William Tore, in acknowledging the complement paid to "the Judges," congratulated the assembly on the very splen- did exhibition they had that daywitnessed. He had visited many exhibitions in connection with their society, but he could with sincerity say this was by far,as a whole, the best hehad ever wit- nessed ; and most decidedly it was the best exhibition of sheep he had ever seen in Ireland. The show of implements at Ar- magh, however, did not come up to the show of animals ; and he thought it behoved the society to bestow some little portion of their funds towards affecting an improvement in this respect ; for it was his opinion that, instead of giving medals and com- mendations for implements, a portion of their funds should be appropriated to giving prizes. It was very well for the ex- tensive implement manufacturer, who could procure skill and labour in the market, to get a medal when money was not a matter of moment to him ; but with the small "manufacturers a medal did not repay their labour, and a £10 note was more acceptable than any such token of superiority. He con- gratulated them on the great improvement which was now taking place iu agriculture throughout Ireland. By industry and attention they could excel both England and Scoltand in agriculture. The minds of the men of Ireland were improving — the minds of the aristocracy were improving ; and they had latterly been taught to take care of that land which their an- cestors had wasted. The other toasts included " The Memory of Peter Purcell," "The Army and Navy," "The Royal Agricultural Improve- ment Society of Ireland," — "The Highland Society of Scotland," " The Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Royal Dublin Society" (these three Societies thus placed in one toast), " The Royal Flax Improvement Society," &c., &c. ; among the speakers to which were Lords Mayo, Clancarty, Claude Hamilton, Talbot de Malahide, Naas, Monck, and Lurgan, Col. Caulfeild, M.P,, and Mr. Kirk, M.P. GLASS BRICKS. — Amongst the more recent inventions patented by manufacturers, we hear of one by Mr. Summerfield of the glass works, Birmingham Heath, for what are termed chromatic glass, or glass-faced grooved bricks. By Mr. Sum- merfield's process, red or other clay can be combined with glass, and this will secure durability, entire resistance to mois- ture, and give an ornamental appearance to the building. The form of the brick is also, by means of a groove at the side and end, made so as to add greatly to the strength of the erection, the joints by this means being brought close together, and the mortar acts as a dowel! from the shape of the groove. — Tlie Builder. 24 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. TIPTREE HALL FARMING, Sir,— As Mr. Mechi lives by agitation, he doubtless is obliged to you for an expose of his doings : by such means — in his own language — you " extend his shop- front, enlarge his advertising sheet, and assist him to puft' his commodity." What a pity that you do not follow in the wake of your cotemporaries : your sanity will be questioned, and a Tiptree bull will anathematize you. What ! find fault with the leader of the agricul- tural forces — the FalstafF of Tiptree, over whose body the agricultural battle has been fought, and who can still fight a whole hour by Shrewsbury clock, and return to the field unscathed, and ready for the wordy fray ! and for you to set up your opinion against the Times and the Daily Neivs, and the Scotch agriculturists, and great leading land-agents, gentlemen farmers, Cockney ama- teurs, whose experience settles Revett wheat to be barley ; but this is excusable, for the fashion of wear- ing beards makes all faces alike, and really Mr. Mechi should order his crops to be shaved for the occasion, or wait till his Revett's become polled, to allow his friends the possibility of discriminating rightly. Well, as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun ; and after all, this wind-and- water affair — this light meeting — would evaporate and fly off into evan- escent gases, .did you not give it solidity by your obser- vations, and thus yield it " a local habitation and a name ;" and therefore I will, with your permission, touch the proceedings lightly, and test their substance as I pass. And first, as to the progress from the luncheon to dinner : how delightful ! crops growing, sun shining, and champagne effervescing — how could the scene be otherwise than exhilarating ? What a stolid cal- culating being you must have been, not to have let your reason run riot with the rest I Had you been reading Senex, who says, somewhere, that "if you see a multitude of men following intently after another, that most likely they are wrong; for if one hound pick up a wrong scent, all the rest will follow" ? Well, I am not disposed to criticise without reason. There has been a false scent; possibly by a drag yearly over the same field ; and who can tell, when we are going it with noses breast high, and champagne impelling our speed, but that, after all, the leading hound may have challenged wrong, and the whole pack may again be out ? Well, 'twas nobly done ; and at dinner we found every one "had kept his place." The great tank, that absorbs guano by the freight and dead horses by the score, after all again casts them forth in the shape of real beef and mutton— real Tiptree beef and mutton board fed, and regularly streaked with fat and lean to grace the festive board for the occasion ; in fact, it was all Tiptree production, excepting the champagne, and that — allow me to suggest— may next year be derived from Tiptree rhubarb. But, did you see the imple- ments ? Some of them retiring, as if to shield their nakedness, amid the green leaves by which they were surrounded ; some all bright with colours, red and yellow, ready for the fray of cutting, thrashing, and harvesting ; steam puffing, and machinery sufficient for a county; then, the artificial supply circulating under- neath, carrying the very life-blood, in the shape of liquified manure, to the extremities of the farm — how edifying ! how scientific ! But, after all, it is unfortunate that this system of cast-iron arteries and veins is, like our mortal one, subject to derangement ; the larger vessels become choked, ossification deranges the functions of the smaller ones, and the disease being deep-seated, is difiiculfc to reach ; the pulsation at the heart denotes something wrong ; each pulsation reacting upon the centre, informs the physician that the circulation will cease to act unless relieved ; but, as the patient is unable to describe its feelings, what digging, what boring, what drilling follows, to remove the obstruction — and then again all is in full play, and not one of the motley group that inspect it but consider it as sound and healthy. The instruction, the example, the field teaching of Mr. Mechi, the Times says, is above all praise : sometimes discursive — always entertaining. " Look on this picture and on that;" see the starved crop of a neighbour, and see this of mine, that with " Hyperion brow" looks like a full five quarters to the acre ; and, although Jem Wood says " this farm grew four quarters per acre before T took it," that amounts to nothing: Tiptree Heath is barren — my farm adjoins Tiptree Heath, and therefore was barren too : my purchase of three thousand is increased by my improvements to ten or even twelve thousand pounds. What was let then at a rental of only 20s. is now valued at a rental of 35s. per acre : the encrease is ^97 per annum, and becomes the return by way of interest upon upwards of seven thousand pounds investment ; and, gentlemen, therefore if you have not got capital to do it yourselves, so long as you can borrow it at six per cent, you ought not to lose the chance, for if you only make a calculation you must see that it will pay you. " I am quite sure," says Mr. Mechi, " my farming is profitable." The old watchmen looked serious : they could not see with double, treble, nay quadrupled outlay, that the crops were better than others upon any well- cultivated farm ; many even went so far as to say that they had seen — indeed, that they had grown — better ; and even yourself was i-eady to acknowledge that the wheat and oat crops were particularly good, and the management of the land and stock more uniform and judicious than had yet appeared — evident and acknow- ledged symptoms of improvement. Mr. Mechi had of late had opportunities of inspecting some better manage- ment than his own, and, notwithstanding his disposition to appear original, he imbibes the opinions of others, and carries them out to some extent. Well, the round was delightful, the weather charming, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 241 and the dinner had an additional zest frooa the keen ap- petites that its guests brought to table; and you, Sir, was there. Did you find the dinner too good ? or did you experience it as too corrupting ? It is quite certain it did not get at your heart through your stomach, or you would not have eaten the bread and found fault with the host. No — everyone feels that himself ; but everyone does not represent a leading agricul- tural journal ; everyone is not called upon to hold up the mirror to nature — to reflect back truth in her own image ; and therefore your duty outstripped your kindly feeling to have painted the Tiptree doings as the host would have you paint them : but to shew to the censors of your judgment that, although your mouth was open to the good things of the table, that your eyes were not closed to things passing before you. I fear, however, I am becoming prosy — have " got an ingenious method of spinning a tough yarn out ot slen- der material," and therefore a few brief observations upon the events at the dinner shall bring it to an end. The bishop and clergy — the Huxtables, the Smiths, the Wilkins, and the whole of that distinguished class who have done so much for and received so much from agriculture, were replied to by their representative, the Archdeacon, whose figurative language pourtrayed that which was then the flourishing Tiptree Farm as a mere desert twenty years ago, which evinced to the company that the very reverend personage had never seen the farm beyond that period at the time when one Foster occupied it — who said, and as one James Wood confirmed he grew then an average crop of four quarters of wheat to the acre upon the whole breadth ; and may I suggest the possibility of Mr. Mechi never having exceeded that quantity? Well, I know the worthy Archdeacon too well to believe that he would ever exaggerate, much less misrepresent ; he only merely stated what somebody else had told him, what somebody else had said, what somebody else had somewhere read — that it had been so. Then Mr. Sheriff Wire presented himself ; as I am no, known to this gentleman, I presume Mr. Chig Wire, who has long figured politically before the world, and as he was of the London deputation, probably the same gentleman who so greatly extolled the Revett barley. He introduced Mr. Mechi as the pioneer of agriculture and of agricultural development — the man who had made two blades of grass grow where only one grew before ; and who had wiped out the original curse of mankind by eating bread without the least symptom of sweat upon his brow. What a happy idea — I might say a glorious conception, to farm so highly as to be able to eat one's bread so cheerfully and so much at ease ! I always fancied that the farmer lived by the sweat of his brow ; indeed I have on sundry occasions, especially when mowing and pitching barley, felt it must be so. And I have under such circumstances ejaculated that the tax upon barley was of all taxes most iniquitous ; and only wished to have the Chancellor of the Exche- quer at the same occupation without an allowance of beer, to convince him it was so. But I am rambling from my subject ; pray excuse me. Mr. Caird replied (Mr. Caird, the author of a certain book upon High- Farming and Great Profits), who grew all even quarters of corn, and whose expenses and returns came out in round numbers — a mode very peculiar in the prac- tice of these leaders of improvement in agricul~ ture. All their crops are free from blight — all their po- tatoes free from disease ; murrain and pleuro-pneumonia never aftect their herds, nor are their sheep liable to rot. Italian re-grass under their management becomes one of the most prohfic, one of the most magnificent of crops ; and it had in this very year before that me- morable 26th of July actually been grown, mown, made, and carried, to the extent of twenty-five tons of hay — dry hay from one single acre. The newspaper says, "(Impossible,)" by which I infer it was doubted, and Mi-. Caird continued : " It was done on a Scotch acre (Hear) , in the neighbourhood of Ayr (Impossible)" — I quote cor- rectly. Well reading this, and also knowing something of farming, and having never seen or heard of one fourth of that quantity produced from a single acre English, in any season previous to the time of this meeting, I have been led to inquire, and find that an acre Scotch is one-and-a- quarter acre English, reducing it to the rate of 20 tons of dry hay per acre English ; assume this at only ^3 per ton, and what a sum ! Well, we have neither Scotch land nor Scottish management. We southerns are considered as knowing little, I might say nothing of management, and indeed, it is made to appear so ; for even the editor of the Agricultural Gazette says that Mr. Caird was too abrupt with his announcement ; it was too overcoming ; in fact, it was in cant phrase such a stunner, that we could not recover it. Mr. Caird himself said we might won- der and be astonished, for it involved a question of from 5 to 50 sheep, and from 5 to 25 tons of hay per acre, as compared between the soil of Scotland and the soil of this country. It would really be satisfactory to learn who is the farmer that accomplished this astounding fact: his secret must be worth knowing ; and it would be well worth while for every one of Mr. Mechi's company to travel to the extreme limit of the " North Counti'ie," to wit- ness such a produce ; for even his own doings fall so far short of any such successful result, that it would more than overbalance all and everything he has hitherto brought before us. Two points especially should be ascertained — how such an enormous bulk could come to maturity without rotting as it grew ; and how it could be manufactured into dry hay on the same land three times before the middle of July. 0 tempora .' 0 mores f I ask, sir, what is the object that Mr. Mechi seeks to obtain by such a meeting ? A mere empty popu- larity ? If, on the other hand, he wishes to take the lead in agricultural progress and improvement, he must pursue another course to attain it. The farmers of this county live sufficiently near to him to become ac- quainted with his system, and to them who farm for a livelihood it is a very different matter than his farming for the purpose of obtaining popularity. When Mr. Mechi can show the public, especially the agricultural, that he can produce more corn and meat from a given area at a less cost, then he will be listened to ; but when there are hundreds of farmers who can and do obtain a THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. larger produce at little more than half the cost, he must expect that neither his society will be courted by them nor their company required by him at his future meetings. All those who have hitherto, of his school, proclaimed their ability to farm better than their neighbours, have singu- larly failed. It must require something more than mere assertion to convince us, of the south, of the great achievements of those of the north. We are too far distant to test them j and although not so credulous as to gulph down every statement, still we are not so stultified against rational observations, or sound principles of im- provement, as to reject them because proposed by strangers or carried out by amateurs. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Agricola. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. TRIAL OF IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINES AT LINCOLN. On entering the Trial-yard of this Great National Agricultural Society, we were pleased to find the arrangements for facilitating the objects in view greatly improved upon ; there also was considerable advance effected in the dynamometrical testing- machines used for proving the merits of the steam engines, both portable and fixed. We were again met by resounding praises re- sponding from all the intelHgent and sound practical mechanics and engineers to Mr. Amos, for the vast benefit that he had bestowed upon this Society by the invention of a dynamometer, that gives with considerable accuracy the amount of power ab- sorbed by the various machines under trial, per- forming a given quantity of work; and further, the amount of power required to work the machine while running idle. It also shows the irregularities of the feeding ; and therefore lets the judges see with certainty how much of the merit is due to the management, and how much to the machine. As the manufacturers only sell the machines, the public have a right to know the best machine minus the man's help. This tester, or dynamometer, gives the judges but hght duties, and makes them plea- sant, as the various manufacturers are allowed to see for themselves where their faihngs are. This machine, or dynamometer, is between the machine under trial and the engine. It is driven by the engine, and measuring off the power as de- manded by the machine under trial, at the close of the trial it gives up a slip of paper, with the whole power absorbed during the trial registered upon it. We think that the satisfactory way this dynamo- meter performs its duty ought to prompt the Council of the Royal Society to encourage Mr. Amos to invent and manufacture for them a traction dynamometer, that the field implements might be tested as well as the carts, v/aggons, &c., which, we have no doubt, would soon work a great change in the amount of power required to pulverize an acre of land a certain depth, the amount of power required to drill an acre a given width and depth, and also to reap it by machinery. Vast are the improvements that have been brought about in the portable steam engine since the introduction of Mr. Amos's invention, and the great amendments effected in the thrashing machine since the plan of testing them with a given number of horse-power measured oflT to them ; while, when this quantity of power did not vary, the man who fed the machine had a greater power over the machine for good or evil ; whereas now, that is detected, and a diagram of the man's management, with all its variations, is shown to him registered in black and white. We are convinced that, as long as the present imperfect way of trying and adjudicating upon the merits of the field machines goes on, we shall have a continuation of false steps taken, all to be re- traced hereafter ; whereas, if we had an unerring proof laid before us of the amount of power re- quired to draw one implement as compared with another for the same purpose, we should have rapid improvement take place ; indeed, when we reflect what a great difference of power there is absorbed by machines doing the same amount of work, such machines being stationary while at work, what must be the difference that would be brought to view as taking place in those machines that have to traverse over the land while performing their work? We would therefore impress upon the agricultural public the necessity of their joining the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and assisting in bringing the great objects in view to full develop- ment. We repeat our hope that the Society will put into the hands of Mr. Amos the bringing out and manufacturing of a dynamometer for testing ploughs, scarifiers, harrows, &c.; as also one for testing drills, carts, waggons, &c. : and we have confidence he will produce one at Carlisle that will keep the judges right. As the power is the bulk of the expense, it is of the greatest importance ; we are thus convinced that the amount of im- provement would, in a few years, be so great as to astonish the implement makers if just at present exposed to them. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 243 On Saturday, the 15th, we went early to the trial-field, to witness the ploughs, drills, horse hoes, &c. in compe- tition for the prizes. We were unfortunate in the wea- ther, which was showery, the road long and dirty, and the distance such as we had hoped never to have found again, after the inconvenience experienced at former meetings, attributable to the same defect. Some time after we got to the field, six gentle- men entered into competition with their ploughs for the palm of merit for the best plough for deep- cultivation on strong land ; the soil was a blackish mould, five inches deep, resting upon strong tenacious clay, that was cracked by the drought to a great depth. After drawing lots for places, these six champions arranged for action in the following order : — Barker, Busby, Ransome, Howard, Williams, Ball. The word given was to plough round four times, when the judges should expect them to be eight inches deep with four horses in each plough. After the second round, when they had got to the depth of the soil, the grand tug of war began. Here, six horses were given each, and Mr. Barker retired from the field of absurdity. But the other five champions, like the old Czar, would maintain the struggle, no matter how many horses or men might be required to gain the victory. The six horses managed to get six inches deep the next round : then, at eight inches deep, they came to a dead lock. Eight horses were next given, when proceedings went forward by im- pulses of a few steps at a time, with frequent breakage of swingletrees, chains, and harness, and the occasional refusal of the wiser horses to go farther with their im- possible task. At this time the makers nearly all found the want of a few more pairs of handles. As resistance was largely called into play, the masters and men, to keep the ploughs in the ground, put their whole weight upon the bodies. Here the first real outbreak of cries for fair-play took place : some complaining that Mr. Busby's weight gave him an unfair advantage, while Mr. Howard loudly called out for only one man to be allowed to hold the plough ; and the horses, after extra- ordinary struggling, managed to get the eight inches deep. Here all were stopped, until the judges could be with each plough as it proceeded with its ten-inches' deep furrow. This was an interesting point for Punch's own reporter ; for we believe that there never was anything like it attempted by sane agriculturists. However, it must be done, as the practical wisdom of the Council of the Society had offered a prize to the plough that would plough not less than ten inches deep on strong land, the trial to take place in July while the land is hard and dry. Mr. Ransome had the advantage of all the rest, as he had provided proper chains and swingletrees for such an undertaking ; therefore with him breakage was no barrier to proceeding, and the horses got on steadier. It was found that all the rest, from the want of proper tackle, were at a standstill. Here the judges asked Mr. Ransome to give the rest a chance of beating him by lending his tackle for common use, which was at once granted for the amusement of the company, and the play began, out of which was to come wisdom, by eight of the strongest horses in Lincolnshire being put to Mr. Ransome's plough, with three light-weights as ploughmen holding with all their might, and thus proceeding by a few yards at a time- getting one round at the depth required, making capital work, considering the circumstances, and occasionally even ploughing up the drain tiles. Mr. Williams's plough was next tried, making fair work, considering all things, but inferior to Ransomes' ; after this Mr. Ball's went through the same ordeal, doing very well, but the draught evidently more severe ; then Mr. Howard, whose plough went through its v« ork in good style, with the aid of only one ploughman ; last of all Mr. Busby had his turn, but, notwithstanding his own superior weight in aid of his man, his plough refused to stick to the ground, and he was ultimately obliged to give up. It was now evident that the palm lay between Ransome and Howard, who, with the judges, agreed to settle the point on the Monday on the light-land field, where both made very good work, but Howard's, it was evident to all, had the best of it. To this firm the prize was awarded, Messrs. Ransomes' being highly commended. The general-purpose-plough competition on the strong land took place on Saturday, there being thirteen started, when it was evident that none of the ploughs made by the local makers were equal to the old champions of former years. On Monday eight out of the thirteen started on the light land, where the work was all done well ; but on close inspection, and allowances for ground, it was quite clearly between Howard and Ransome, although the difference in favour of either of them over Busby, Ball, and Williams was only a matter of a few de- grees as far as the work went. On examining the ploughs, however, we were of opinion that for general arrange- ment of the working parts Howard's was the best, and Ransome's next ; the others are all very good and sim- ple. The judges having now reduced it between Howard and Ransome, they were started on the rye stubble where the reapers had been tried, when, after testing with the dynamometer, they awarded the prize to Ransome's, Howard's being highly commended, and Ball's and Busby's commended. Four tile machines were tried by the power tester, making tiles of the same size, when it was found that Scragg's machine did the work with rather less power, and was simpler, as also easily managed. To it, therefore, was awarded the prize. For the prize for the best cultivator, grubber, and scarifier there were the following in competition : Cross- kill, Hart, Coleman, Ransomes (Biddell), Bentall, and several others who had no chance. The competition was good, all working well as grubbers ; the palm was to be decided at the more severe test of scarifying on the rye- stubble. Thus for the first time have we had this work tried on legitimately prepared land ; therefore we may with the greater certainty look upon the winner as the best implement ; while as it happens to be the lower- priced implement, it will be more within the grasp of small, as well as large, farmers. After a thorough trial the prize was awarded to Mr. Bentall for his scarifier j Mr. Hart's and Mr. Crosskill's being commended, as we 244 THE FARMER^S MAGAZINE, thought, for their weight— aad solid, steady motiou through the soil. For the best general-purpose drill there was a numer- ous competition, but it was, after a trial, reduced to three — Smyth and Son, Garrett, and Hornsby. After a good trial, the palm of merit was awarded to Mr. Hornsby ; and Mr. Garrett's highly commended. We were not a little surprised to see these manure drills being tested with manure very little removed from the common farm-yard dung well prepared for use. This was the climax of unreasonableness, because the amount expended in the extra labour required to put in by drill a sufficient quantity to have any good effect is as much as would buy and apply a quantity of artificial manure that would give a much greater return. For the best corn and seed drill prize sevei'al makers entered the field, but after the trial it was soon manifest that the competition lay between the three champions of the row — Smyth, Garrett, and Hornsby ; all these gentlemen's machines doing their work in the most satisfactory way ; but as Mr. Hornsby's drill can be adjusted to accommodate all shapes of unsvenness of land, to it was awarded the prize. This is truly a master- piece of simple mechanical contrivances for the work required, and does great credit to the eminent firm who have carried away the prize with it on so many occa- sions. The peculiar advantages of this drill are the corn or seed box being supported in the centre, which by means of a screw at one end can be raised or lowered endways as the drill travels, so that the box is kept quite level when the drill is travelling on the side of a hill, at an incline of one foot in six, ensuring as regular a de- livery of corn or seed as if travelling on perfectly level ground. It has the patent India-rubber tubes for con- ducting the seed to the coulters, and also two coulter- bars to equalize the pressure upon each coulter. The great superiority of the exhibiters' patent India-rubber tubes over the usual tins has now been fully proved in their very extensive use for four years. It is obvious that the seed is first delivered by the seed-cups with perfect regularity; and the only possible cause of its reaching the ground irregularly, or in patches, as is so frequently the case, is, the very imperfect delivery afforded by the tins. The mere motion of the drill and the form of the tins cause the seed to rebound from side to side until deposited necessarily at varying intervals in the soil. The adoption of this patent entirely does away with the numerous tin cups working within each other, and substitutes simply the continuous and almost indestructible vulcanized India-rubber tubes, through which the seed passes, protected completely from both wind and rain, even in the most boisterous weather, directly and with unerring regularity into the channels made by the coulters. To this drill is fitted the exhibi- ters' improved patent fore-carriage steerage. Before the introduction of this patent, the fore-carriage steer- ages in general use required so much power to hold them, that when the wheels came in contact with a large clod or stone, even a strong man could not possibly pre- vent the drill from swerving. This defect is obviated by the use of the exhibiters' improved patent rack and piaion, obtaining such a leverage that a strong lad's command over the drill is so complete that the obstruc- tion of the v/heels by stones and uneven surfaces has no effect upon the steerage, which passes over almost im- perceptibly. Mr. Garrett's drill was highly commended. For the prize offered for the best drill for small occu- pations several competitors entered the field ; but, after full trial, the competition was again between Garrett, Hornsby, and Smyth ; they all three did their work in the most satisfactory way, while the simplicity and facility of altering the arrangements of Mr. Smyth's machine obtained him the award of the prize. For the best and most economical seed and ma« nui-e drill for fiat or ridge work there were only Messrs. Hornsby and Garrett competing, when, after a trial, the prize was awarded to Mr. Garrett. This is a cheap and efficient drill, for the purpose of drilling', in rows, on either fiat or ridge-ploughed lands, turnip and mangel wurzel seed, with rapecake dust, guano, Irish peat charcoal, or any light pulverized manure. The manure-coulters are fixed to a swing bar ; while those for seed are attached to levers, to admit of the manure being buried any depth in the soil, and the seed to be de- posited directly over it, with a portion of mould between t'lem, for which forks are provided. It is calculated for two rows from 20 to 28 inches apart, and three rows at 16 inches apart ; and the quantities may be delivered as required — say, for turnips, lib. to 61bs. per acre; beet seed, 3lbs. to 81bs. per acre. The manure may be regulated as required, from 2 to 16 bushels per acre. This drill is adapted for the draft of one horse, while its simplicity renders it easy of management, and therefore well adapted for the purposes intended. For the prize for the best turnip and manure drill on the flat Messrs. Garrett, Smyth, and Hornsby competed ; but as the work of the latter, as well as the arrangements of the machine, were the best, the award was made without trouble in Mr, Hornsby's favour. The simplicity of this consists in the India- rubber tubes for conducting the seed to the ground, a plain way of supplying the manure, which it will do, however rough or smooth, in large or small quantities, and in the double-action levers, by which the manure can be deposited deep or shallow, and covered up with any quantity of soil between the manure and seed. This is a most perfect article. For the best turnip drill on the ridge there were only Mr. Garrett's and Mr. Hornsby's, which were tried side by side, both doing the work well, but the latter without the help of an attendant, and to it was awarded the prize, Mr. Garrett's being highly commended. For the best liquid- manure or water drill prize there were three competitors — Carson, Garrett, and Tasker and Fowle. The latter acts as a liquid-manure or water drill, or can be used (which is the way really intended) as a dry-manure and water drill ; the water and manure apparatus being independent of each other, admits of the application of almost any amount of water (from one to twelve hogsheads per acre), which can be varied to any extent, whilst the distribution of the manure may remain the same ; or, on the other hand, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 245 the. manure may either be dimiuished or increased, so that a poor spot may be doubly dressed, whilst the dis- tribution of the water may continue uniform. 2ndly. The box is fitted with patent rotary tumblers, which deliver the manure with the greatest accuracy, every row, and indeed every plant, receiving the same. It is adapted for applying bones, superphosphate of lime, guano, and every kind of concentrated manure, in con- junction with water, or without, as situation and cir- cumstances will allow. Srdly. As the water is dis- charged on the principle of gravitation, no power is em- ployed in raising it ; and the wear and tear of buckets, &c., is dispensed with, whilst the simplicity of its con- struction secures it from getting quickly out of repair : it is assisted in this respect by the fact, that as the liquid is not impregnated with the acid properties of the ma- nure, the rusting and injury of the metai it comes in contact with is altogether avoided. 4thly. By removing the manure box and coulters the drill is converted into a water-cart, capable of holding 100 gallons, which will be of great utility at those seasons of the year when not required as a liquid- manure and turnip drill. However, as this drill was not furnished with the means of acting so perfectly when drilling thick fluid, the others came more within the wording of the prize. In the competition between Mr. Garrett and Mr. Caston, the prize with- out hesitation was awarded to the latter gentleman for his improved Chandler's liquid-manure or water drill. This implement will drill three or four rows of any kind of thick manure from cattle-sheds, piggeries, &c., or water mixed with all kinds of artificial manure, in any quantity varying from three to fifteen hogsheads per acre, either with mangels, turnips, carrots, &c., at any distance, or spread liquid manure broadcast. The re- cent improvements are in the cistern, which is divided into compartments to suit side-hill land, and the brackets, which are fixed with bolts and screws to a cylinder, instead of chains — thereby avoiding the wear and tear of the cups and chains. For the dry soils and climates this is an invaluable system of sowing root crops, as well as late barleys, as it gives a certainty of an equal braird of the crop sown : it so ensures an equal and fine sample fitted for malting. In fact, any season the braird will come up more even, and quickly, if sown with liquid manure ; the advantages of which are well known to every intelligent farmer. For the best manure distributor, there were three com- petitors— Garrett, Smyth, and Chambers. These ma- chines were tried, and all three acted very well ; but the great competition lay between Garrett's and Chambers, they being able to sow a small quantity (under three bush- els per acre) in the most perfect manner, however moist or dry the manure might be ; but as Mr. Chambers' ma- chine took about seven feet wide, while Garrett's took only about five, and the price that Chambers' can be pro- fitably made for being less, there is little difficulty in agreeing with the judges that Chambers' ought to have the prize. As this gentleman is a farmer, and will require to put his machine into the hands of some of our agricul- tural implement-makers to supply the market, we hope he will be sure that he entrusts those only who are | known to make a sound good article. We are the more desirous this machine should get into good hands because we think it is one that all farmers must have for sowing artificial manures, as it is now an estab- lished fact that there is nothing shortens the life of farm labourers so much as sowing artificial manure by hand ; it is therefore the duty of every employer of those manures to have this machine as a life-preserver, as well as aider in the produce of the staff of life. From the simplicity, sound principles of mechanics upon which it is arranged, the durability of its construction, and perfection of its action when in operation, we look upon this as one of the best implements in the yard. The means by which the quantity of manure is regulated can be suddenly acted upon, giving the power of instantaneously altering the quantity sown on one part and another even within a yard ; thus to thin spots and poor parts may be given more manure, and to more fertile parts less, with the utmost certainty and facility, varying from two to more than forty bushels per acre. For the best horse-hoe on the flat the competition ran between Nicholls, Garrett, Smith, and others ; but after a tolerable tiial, the prize v/as again awarded to Garrett's, which possesses ail the advantages that are required by a good horse-hoe for flat work, doing it in the most perfect way, considering the various motions it has to go through, to suit inequalities of surface, irregu- larities in the drills, &c. It is a simple, and at the same time substantial implement ; and no man who has a farm tolerably free from stones should be without it. The horse-hoe of Mr. Smith, of Kettering, is a useful economical implement, which possesses a simple, easy, and powerful means of steerage ; and to farmers whose land has a smooth surface, it is a capital simple, cheap implement, very easily managed, and acting well as a thinner of turnips (where drilled on the flat), by crossing the drills at such an angle as will leave the bunch of plant in one drill opposite the space left in those on each side of it. For the best horse-hoe for thinning or getting out turnip, mangel wurzel, carrots, &c., on the ridge or flat, there was but little competition, as all the hoes brought forward, except Martin's and Huckvale's, were of little use. We cannot see in Martin's implement enough different from Huckvale's, to justify its being considered a separate invention ; after trial it was soon proved that Huckvale's was the best, as well as the simplest, easiest managed, and most economical in price, being 60 per cent, lower — both being made by the eminent firm of Garrett and Son, who received the prize. We give these gentlemen great credit for the justice they have done to the mechanical arrangements used by each of the com- petitors, to put in action the same principle employed, to accomplish the object in view. That this implement may always be available, it would be necessary that the crops be sown with a liquid manure drill, so as to ensure a regular braird, thereby preventing the thinner making bad work by missing the gap or vacant space, and taking the plants, as might frequently happen where there was a bad and irregular braird. For the best reaping machine prize seven com- 246 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. petitors entered the field of rye, which was a good standing crop, with no grass in the bottom. This we consider a piece of bad management, as, to make a good test, there ought to have been sown grass seeds thickly on one-third of the field, while another third ought to have been sufficiently manured with some artificial manure, to have caused it to become laid ; then there would have been something for the machines to do, similar to what they would be called upon to perform on every farm in the kingdom ; and thus the Royal Society's prize would be of far more use as a promoter of improvement in this most desirable auxiliary to farming operations, in the time of scarce labour. However, we give the Society credit for preparing the land properly, by picking off the stones, and rolling, also having no high-backed ridges — thus having the surface as good farmers all have it^ tolerably smooth, that the machine or scythe may so work as to leave the stubble short, that the dunghill may be aug- mented by an increased supply of straw, for littering a greater quantity of stock, while the increased produce derived from heavier manuring will provide more food for such stock. No. 1 was Mr. Crosskill's, which he calls Bell's ; but the chief feature of Bell's invention left being the web set at a high angle. The knife is on M'Cormick's principle, namely, a serrated cutter, working by a reciprocating motion. The reel is Ogle's ; and the principle of work- ing— the horses propelling it before them — a Roman invention. This machine is greatly superior to Bell's that took all the prizes last season ; but there is still too much of it, and it is far too severe upon the horses. It further requires simplifying, which we have no doubt will be accomplished by the eminent firm in whose hands it is. No. 2 was Mr, Garrett's. This was a combination of the Hussey and M'Cormick modes of delivery, ac- complishing a side delivery by the aid of a man. The cutter was M'Cormick's, and it also had a reel like that machine — indeed, it was all but M'Cormick's reaper, substantially and well made. No. 3 was Dray and Co.'s improved Hussey. In all its parts this is a Hussey 's machine, with only this dif- ference— that it is perfectly made in all its mechanical movements, and the knife has the centre cut out, so that there is no danger of choking where grass, weeds, or twitch are present among the crop. This improvement has reduced the draft at least a third, and the tipping platform makes the work of delivery almost a sinecure ; in fact, the only objection that can be raised to this machine, is the back delivery ; but I'eally we think that its quality is quite a set-off against the minor dis~ advantages arising therefrom ; and the low price at which a first-rate machine can be sold is greatly in favour of this machine, as a farmer's available article. No. 4, M. Mazier's— a French gentleman. This possessed a new feature, viz., that of being used to cut backwards and forwards the same side, with the horses going by the side of the crop. The arrangement by which this was accomplished is very clever and ingenious, and we have no doubt will be brought to act well ; but it will take a long time, and much care and trouble, before it is fit to put into the farmer's hands : it only cuts 2| feet wide at a time. No. 5 was Bell's original, made by Crosskill. This is exactly the same as the most improved ones made last year, which won all the prizes during the season ; but from its unwieldiness and heavy draft, this machine can hardly come into general use, as well as from the extreme difficulty of keeping the cutters in order. No. 6, Mr. Ransome's automaton I'eaper (which we thought would never be brought to cut heavy or at all tangled crops) remainsnot altogether a perfect workman. It would be useless to say much about this machine, as its extraordinary ingenuity has brought it to the knowledge of almost everybody. No. 7 was Mr. Harkes' rotary reaper. This is on the same principle as the reaping-machine of the late James Smith, of Deanston, which he invented in 1811, and kept improving up to 1834 : in 1835 he was awarded a prize, we believe, of ^40 for it, at the Ayr Show of the Highland Society, after one of the most successful trials it has ever been our lot to witness ; and if Mr. Harkes had attached his horses with swingletrees to the end of the pole, and provided a steerage, we are not sure that this machine would not have surprised the multitude assembled, as well as the judges. The land, or rather the crop of rye was divided into equal parts or lots. After drawing lots for their places, each reaper was taken one bout, the judges following, and making their observations, and instructing the ex- hibitors when the delivery and stubble were as they liked it. No. 1, Mr, Crosskill's, went through this ordeal very well, thus proving that all things must be about right. No. 2, Mr. Garrett's, cut in capital style; but the work of delivery for the man was a Herculean task that few men would be equal to, even if willing. The delivery was tolerable, but not quite what would please good farmers. No. 3, Dray and Co.'s, went through this trial in the most perfect style, without requiring any adjustment whatever, and the man could vary the size of the sheaf to suit the caprice of the most eccentric farmer, let alone the most varied climate or condition of crop. The cutting was all that could be desired, and the draught easy for two horses : it was evident that an impression was made upon the judges, as well as the lookers-on. No. 4, the French machine, from the imperfection of its delivery, was a failure, although the cutting was fair. The cutter is the same as M'Cormick's. No. 5, Bell's original, made by Mr. Crosskill; this, after proceeding a few yards became choked, from two pair of the cutters being out of order. We were afraid that before it proceeded far something must give way, the draught being extreme against the hill. No. 6, Mr. Ransome's automaton reaper ; this ma- chine had M'Cormick's serrated cutter and cut well, but the automaton, though he showed great energy and exertion, wanted the eye of intelligence to render him equal to his task. No. 7, Mr. Harkes' rotary cutter and self delivery ; this machine was a failure, owing to its being unman- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ageable, for want of a means of steerage, which all pro- pelled machines require. In places where it happened to go somewhat straight, It cut and laid the crop well, and we have no doubt but this machine will do some good work this harvest. Now, the only reapers that performed like work were Messrs. Crosskill's, Garrett's, and Dray StCo.'s ; these three were therefore started to cut their lots out, so as to test their powers of dispatch — this was the exciting moment : off they started, Crosskill's reel getting out of order a little way up the field, then again in some other part coming down, and turning the scale against him ; the great draft had also so acted on the horses, that the sweat ran down their legs. Garrett and Dray were both done as nearly as possible together, and some length of time before the other, both going through their work without a single mistake, and cutting beautifully, but Dray's making by far the best de- livery ; we were here quite satisfied that the victory was in Dray's favour, as the price of his machine is less than half that of Crosskill's, and forty per cent, cheaper than Garrett's. Although a machine with self-delivery works ever so well when in order, yet if at all times liable to get out of order, we greatly doubt the economy of giving a large sum of money for them until they are more perfectly made, and able to combat with the various difficulties without going out of order. We therefore quite agree with the judges, that for the pre- sent, Messrs. Dray and Co.'s reaper is the best fitted to meet the farmer's requirements, as a safe thing to be depended upon, as an able assistance in the harvest field. We are quite convinced that the great cause of Hussey's reaper getting so much into disgrace, was the slovenly way in which the first machines were made, and the imperfect mechanical arrangements by which they were driven ; and further, the bad material the cutters were made of, as well as the want of the hole cut out of the centre of the cutters, which prevents choking when cutting grass or damp crops. On the whole, we were rather disappointed with the reaping machines, as we expected that there would have been more good self - delivery machines brought out this season. It has been said there is only one month in the year to test these machines ; we do not agree with this, as we know it is quite within any man's power who has twenty acres of land, to have a trial every day from the middle of April until the snow-storms come to lay the crop he has prepared prostrate. For instance, a few acres of land sown with white turnip, very thick, in the begin- ning of August would give the first cutting ; then pieces sown with rye and Italiaa rye grass at different periods, from August to November, would last until harvest, when there would be a plenty everywhere. After his turnip pieces were cut, the land could be sown with oats, the same with rye land up to the 1st of July, then the rest of the rye land sown with turnips as before for the following season ; so that there is no difficulty in implement makers getting plenty of trials upon green-stuff that is as high and thick on the land as any grain crops are grown ; while everybody knows that if a machine will cut, gather, and deliver such crops in a satisfactory manner, the same machine will do the work in a ripe crop of grain, with less danger of getting out of order. For the prize for the best portable steam engine, not exceeding eight-horse power, applicable to thrashing or other agricultural purposes, there was a larger number of competitors than ever has come forward at any former exhibition, while the testing of these was more accurate. Indeed, we now think that these tests are perfect, and the result of this year's trial is the yet more satisfactory, from the engines being plain every-day articles, such as the makers send out to their customers, and not that absurd class of engines of former years, technically termed racing engines, with a lot of expensive complicated expan- sion gear and other appendages quite unfit for the simple operations of the farm. The judges, after the unsatisfac- tory result last year, arising from the introduction of ex- pansion gear, and other expensive appendages, solicited the council of the society to consult Mr. Amos their engineer, when the following was enrolled as one of the conditions for the judges to observe. " In adjudicating on the merits of the portable steam engines, reference will be had to the price, simplicity of construction, the means provided for easy access to the working parts, economy of fuel, and to the portability of the engine, without losing sight of the strength required for safety, and which will be best secured by the free use of wrought iron instead of cast." This is an extraordinary stride in the right path, as now the awards of the judges will be a safe and sure guide to purchasers as to the merits of each manufacturer, as a maker of this now universally used auxiliary for the furtherance of the farmer's operations ; we hope it will soon be available in the field as well as it now is in the farm-yard ; indeed, we are very sanguine that next season will be the inaug- uration of steam, as an economical power for cultivating the soils of our level lands : here first, and on the hills afterwards. The trial of engines went on to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, who came there to meet and find out the best man ; for there was none of that dissatisfaction we heard in former years, of the man at the brake not doing that which was right, the brakes now being greatly improved, especially Mr. Balk's, made by Ransomes and Sims ; this is a perfectly self-acting machine, and there can be no doubt we shall have all these sorts in another season. We consider the quiet result of so many of the makers who could foresee where they would be placed by this, the first searching judge, and had so the good sense to withdraw, a great proof of the value of this tester, giv- ing the judges an easy task— for out of nineteen only nine competed, whose performances we have placed in the following diagram, meritorious as they were considered by good judges of machinery and engineers, as well as by ourselves. These engines were all tested with 141bs. of coals for each horse-power, the engine was nominally built to work up to, so that it did not matter what num- ber of horse-power the engine was, the tester being weighted in proportion ; the result of the time each engine ran is just the same as it would be if all the engines were at the same nominal power. THE FARMER'S MAC4AZINE. Makers' name. Hornsby and Son .. Ean?omes and Sims Clayton and Kliuttle- worih Tu>:ford and Sons., Holmes and Son AUchin and Sons .. Simpson Peneston Crossbill ^•ti »• o ai fe £ S e « S .= o - M " > S ° a a ,2 fe fH O ^ ?^5^- :3:i ;..S tiS 2 '■- t-s-ai oj p. ;3 -5 - K K 3 o'fe g p .^ mins. £ tons cv7t 8 144. 265S6 184. 6 32 6 2 7 150.67 24794 164. 5 33 6 16| 6 115. 20724 162. 36 0 19 6 136.32 176i4 129. 4 35 8 15 6 13.5.9'J 13590 lliO. 35 il 5 6 1 20.45 11857 93. 33 11 9i 7 123.69 88(!3 68.50 31 16 64 7 130.62 8260 62. 25 18 5 6 135. 840J 62. 36 18 5 It will be seen by the tabular form annexed that when the price and quantity of coals consumed by each engine per year (of three hundred working days of ten hours long) are considered, there was no chance of the judges making a mistake, especially as the first four are all first-rate firms, who use nothing but the best materials, and put the best and highest order of workmanship into every thing they make. It is a great proof of the want of knowledge on this subject, when men can sell engines that consume more extra coals in five years than would buy one of the best engines. Here the Royal Society has shed a light upon the agricultural world, that we hope will not be put under a bushel, but set on the high- est eminence, that it may serve as a beacon to warn the users as well as the buyers of steam-engines. We did not arrive in time to see anything of the fixed steam-engine trials; but, from what we could learn, some of them were too large for the Society's boiler, and therefore they were not tried. However, there were about half a dozen tried in a very satisfactory way ; Messrs. Ransomes and Sims carrying away the first prize, Dray and Co. the second, and Tuxford & Sons receiving a commendation. We will ofTer a few remarks upon these when we pass them in the stand, in our next impression. For the best portable thrashing machine, not to ex- ceed six-horse power, the competition was not large, but good—much better machines coming forward than used to be brought into the arena of competition when they were the only sort in use. It is rather strange that Mr. Hornsby, who was the first champion at our shows in this department, should be still the same. The horse-works of his machine are a perfect model of what horse-works ought to be ; and the work done was executed in the most masterly manner. Ransome and Sims' thrasher did its work well, also Garrett's. And a compact two-horse machine of Barrett, Esall, and Andrews performed well for some time ; but the man then over-fed the machine, therefore the thrash- ing was not quite clean ; when fed at a proper rate, this machine did well. For the best portable combined thrashing- machine, not exceeding eight -horse power, with shaker, riddle, and winnower, that will best pre- pare the corn for the dressing machine, to be driven by steam — for this prize there was a most numerous com- petition in thrashing wheat, which was very foul in many cases. We were delighted with the arrangements in this de- partment. As far as the test of the power absorbed by each machine went, that was accurately delineated by the pencil of the dynamometer upon the diagram it fur- nishes of the strain exerted by the power employed during every moment of time. This was most satisfac- tory to all parties, as each exhibitor could see for him- self what amount of power had been absorbed by each machine while running empty, and what when fully fed, as well as the variations that took place in the feeding by the man employed. This was as it should be, fair and above-board. But it was not so with regard to the other matters in connection with the recording of how iar one excelled another ; here were the secrets ; whereas the thrashing clean, shaking, riddling, and winnowing records should all be managed openly, so as to leave it out of the power of competitors to grumble, or the judges to give them cause. We do hope and think that this part of the business will be managed upon such sound and unerring principles, as will give satis- faction^ even to those whose machines are unfit for use. We see no difficulty in arriving at this by a little management. In the first place, a good thrashing machine, with a shaker and riddle, could be kept going, thrashing all the straw over again ; a dressing-machine could be employed to clean all up that was thrashed out of the straw ; and this weighed and entered in a column of a table properly arranged for the purpose. In the second place, there is nothing to prevent all the caving or riddlings from being riddled over again, so as to catch every corn that may have escaped, as well as the chaff; this, when put through the dressing ma- chine, can be weighed and entered in its proper column. In the third place, what is there to prevent the chaff all being slowly passed through a dressing machine, which would catch all the grain therein, to be entered after weighing in its place ; all competitors, at least, being allowed to know how each other's machine stands. Then the price, simplicity, durability, and minimum liability to go out of repair, would, with the power absorbed, form the sound basis to adjudicate upon, so as to give more universal satisfaction. After a test upon the thrashing of wheat, those ma- chines that performed their work properly were selected to compete in the more severe test of thrashing barley. The- prize was awarded to Messrs, Clayton and Shuttle- worth, Mr, Humphries had a special commendation for his machine, and Messrs. Garrett and Son had a commen- dation for theirs. The prize for the best fixed thrashing machine, not exceeding eight-horse power, with shaker, riddle, and winnowers, that best prepare the corn for market, to be driven by steam, was competed for by Messrs. Garrett and Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth. The prize was, after trial, awarded to Messrs. Clayton and Shuttle- worth. These two firms have been the only competi- tors these two exhibitions, and it has always been a close THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. S40 run ; but the prize still goes, or rather remains, at Lincoln. For the best corn-dressing machine there was a large number of entries, but few competed for the prize. The competition lay between Dray and Co., Knapp, and Messrs. Hornsby ; the last firm, as usual, carrying away the prize. Knapp's is a capital dressing machine to work after the combined thrashing machine ; it is not very expe- ditious, but gets the grain through as fast as a man can measure it up, making an excellent sample. Dray and Co.'s is a most useful machine, very expe- ditious, and making a capital blower by the most simple alteration. This machine is peculiarly adapted for ex- portation, as it can be unscrewed into a few parts, and packed into a small compass. For the prize for the best grinding mill for breaking agricultural produce into fine soft meal, a considerable number competed, but only two managed to perform — namely, Mr. Hayes, Elton, Huntingdonshire, and Messrs. Clayton and Shultleworth. It was found that they both took about the same amount of power to do a given quantity of work ; but Messrs. Clayton and Shut- tleworth's could be made to do nearly double the quan- tity of work in a given time, though it took about double power to do it. Their mill is also rather better arranged, the prize therefore was awarded them ; and Mr. Hayes had a commendation for his mill. This is a useful far- mers' barn machine. For the prize for the best linseed and corn crusher there was a numerous competition ; but none of the mills could come up to those with a large wheel driving a small one. Six of these were tried ; and, although to a common observer they appeared perfectly alike, yet the result of their trial abundantly proves how far the original maker still excels the rest. We have arranged the result of this trial in a tabular form, carrying out the result so as to show the amount of power each would take to crush twenty pounds of linseed, well breaking it, and what to crush seven pounds of oats in one minute. All these figures are either whole numbers or decimals. Linseed. Oats. Time taken Power Time Power Name of Total required 10 crusti taken to Total required to bruise exhibitor. crush 20lbd. absorbed iOlbs. in one bruise 7Ib. of power absorbed 7]bs. in one minute.' oats. rainute.t mill. rain. Tumeric Co. 5.0 ii.2Z 46.15 0.83 2.86 2.37 Stanley ... 3.10 17.79 60.48 2.13 3.83 S.13 Woods 7.25 15.07 113.60 1.02 2.48 2.52 Ban somes & Sims 7.89 IS.38 145.01 1.76 2.73 4.81 QaiTett and Son 7.45 24.43 172.0 2.80 2.54 5.84 • The lowest number in this column is the best for linseed. + The lowest number in this column is the best for oats. In awarding this prize there was but little trouble, as Turner's mill takes the least power both for linseed and oats, thus it easily gained the prize ; but for the second best there was more difficulty in deciding, Stanley taking nearly half the power to crush linseed taken by Woods, while Woods takes less than one-third of the power to bruise oats. These roller mills are so well known, that much com- ment on them is useless ; farther than it is evident that one man at least does thoroughly understand their manu- facture. For the horse or steam power chaff cutter prize fourteen competed, who all made capital chaff, but vary- ing a little in length, which renders the adjudication of this prize no sinecure for judges to satisfy themselves, it is therefore clearly a difficult matter to satisfy ths ex- hibiters ; however we think that the judges in this de- partment strained every point to arrive at a just award, and we feel convinced they have done so. It would be superfluous for us to detail the result of every machine tried, and we shall only give the first and second performance of the four selected for a second trial, which we shall also put in a tabulated form, stating the power required to cut a given quantity of chaff during two hundred revolutions of the power tester or dynamometer. We have added a column with the quantity of chaff a 100 lbs. of power would cut, which will at once show the superiority of one over the other in the first trial, and in the second trial we give the relative amount of power required to cut 100 lbs. of chaff of the same length by each machine. First Trial. StcoKD Trial. Quan- Weight Exhibiters' Weia;ht on dy- Chaff tity 01 ciiaff 1001b. indicat ed by the dy- Chaff' cut ill inal power Price. name. namo- cut. of namo- ed to meter. povTer meter tes. ciitlOO would as ab- cut.* sorbed. Ibs.t lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. £ s. Cornes , . . 23 33.5 145.6 7.83 54.5 14.36 14 0 Dray & Co. (Richmond's) 21 32 1-52.3 — — — 9 9 Garrett & Son 49 49 100 11.68 63.25 18.46 15 0 Barrett & Co. 47 45 91.8 1 lo.ns 50.5 19.90 16 15 * The highest is the best in this case. + Here the lowest is best. In the second trial Richmond's got choked by very careless and bad feeding, which looked as if done intentionally. The chaff cut by all these machines was first rate ; but that cut by Messrs. Garretts' was a degree longer than the others. Any one looking at these columns will see at once, from the result of the two trials, Cornes' takes the prize ; but in the first trial Richmond and Chandler's had rather the best of it. For the best hand power prize a large number competed, and the merits of several of them was as near par as possible ; the quality of the chaff was first rate, but there was a considerable difference in the price of the machines used. These were all well tested, and as there were a considerable number little worthy of notice, we shall only give those who had any pretensions to the prize. They will be found to be the old standard makers, all of whom may be trusted for making a good article. This we shall also put as before, showing the quantity of chaff 100 lbs. of power would cut when ap- plied to the dynamometer working each machine. s 2 260 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, Exbibiters' name. Power used on dyna- mome- ter. Chaff cut in a minute Quantity of chaff 100 lbs. on dyna- mometer would cut Price. lbs. 15 14.5 15 17 18 17 lbs. 15 14 16.75 17 15 100 96.5 111.6 100 £ s. d. 4 15 0 2. Ransomes & Sim3 .... 3. Smith & Ashby 4. Barrett & EKall 5. Dr.ay & Co. (Rich- mond's) 4 15 0 5 10 0 5 10 0 7 0 0 S. Garrett & Son 11 65.3 7 0 0 When the length of the chaff cut by each machine is considered, there is but little difference in their expedi- tion ; the cliafF of Nos. 1,2, and 4 being as near equal as possible, while No. 3 was a little longer, Nos. 5 and 6 somewhat shorter ; therefore the decision of adju- dication had to rest as much on the simplicity, durability; and cost of the machine as its performance. The prize was awarded to Mr. Comes, while Ransomes and Sims, and Barrett, E.xall, and Andrewes, were highly com- mended; and Dray and Co., with Messrs. Garrett, commended. We are at a loss to account for Messrs. Smith and Ashby being neglected. The price, quality, and performance surely speak well for them. For the best turnip cutter there was but little compe- tition, as most of the machines were Gardner's pattern. The only close competitor was Mr. Pierce's Kealy's uni- versal cutter ; but the result of the trial proved the old machine to have gained the prize, while Mr. Pierce was commended. For the best machine to reduce roots to pulp there were many aspirants ; but none who accomplished the task — some cutting into thin slices, and others mincing. The latter was the nearest to what was required, and the best machine for that purpose was oneby Mr. F. Phillips, of Downham, Suffolk ; the competition running between this, Kealy's (exhibited by Mr, Pierce), Nye and Gil- bert's, and Simpson's. These were all tried, and all performed well in their own way — Phillips' and Nye and Gilbert's making mince meat, while all the others cut or grated into very thin slices or shreds. None of these could be said to meet the meaning of the word pulp. No award was thought would be given, but the judges very properly ordered the prize to Mr. Phillips, for his most ingenious and efficient mincing machine, being quite a new principle, and tolerably expeditious. For the best oilcake breaker, for every variety of cake, the competition lay between Garrett and Son, Hornsby and Son, and Nicholson. These machines were delayed in trial for want of any cake of the hardest and thickest description ; but after a severe trial the prize was awarded to Messrs. Garrett and Son ; Mr. Nicholson's highly commended, and Messrs. Hornsby's commended. The prize for the best churn was perhaps the most exciting of any, as the competitors, though few, had all great confidence in their respective knowledge of dairy management. We just arrived at the scene of action when the first was done, therefore in time to see the butter weighed. There were five competitors, four with the same quantity, namely three quarts of cream each, and one with one quart. We enter the whole below, showing the time taken, the quantity of cream, and the weight of butter as it was weighed, without making any remarks one way or the other, as the judges did not agree to a decision on the matter ; but these are the facts, on which the public may judge for themselves. We believe they all started at eleven o'clock. Exhibiters' name. 1. Burgess & Key (Anthony). 2. Dray & Co 3. Ransomes & Sims 4. Handcock 5. Cojran's Glass Churn Quantity! of cream quarts. 3 3 3 Time each was done. h. m. lbs. oz. 11 37 2 11 Quantity of butter. 11 40 11 54 11 54 2 2 11 58 0 12 1. A shade better colour, than Nos. 2 and 3. 2 and 3. Both rather softer and paler than the above; but it was only just perceptible. 4. Best colour and quality. 5. This was managed badly, and does not do justice to the churn. The whole of the cream was well mixed together before measuring out to each churn, which renders this a most interesting trial, inasmuch as it matters but little whe- ther the immense difference of produce from the same quantity of the same cream arises from the action of the churn, or from the proper regulating of the temperature of the cream at different stages while being churned. With thisguide, the fact stares us in the face, that there was within a fraction of one-third of the quantity lost by one churn, or system, as compared with another. If such difference were to be general against butter dairies, there must be fortunes in better management, as well as a vast national benefit. We hope the Royal Agricultural So- ciety of England will appoint some more special, varied, numerous, and widely divided means of arriving at which is the best churn, as it appears to us there is not an implement of husbandry that requires more thoroughly sifting, to find its weak and strong points, than the churn, and none that has been played with so much by amateurs. In every land, and under every climate, this has been a toy for those who have little else to do. Now it is certain some of these, in their zeal to do good, must have hit the mark: let the search- ing inquiry be made to find him out of the heap, that all may benefit thereby. We have now done with the trials of implements, and in conclusion must congratulate the Royal Agricultural Society of England on the vast improvements that are accruing from the stimulus given by the various prizes already offered, and also on the great improvements in the means of coming at a correct judgment and decision upon sound principles. Some of our subscribers may perhaps think that we have already devoted sufficient space to this de- partment of the Lincoln Meeting of the Royal Agri- cultural Society. Beyond, however, the interest attached to the several trials, and the awards arrived THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 251 at, there is far more yet for the visitor to inspect, and the chronicler to report on. "When, indeed, we come to consider the great expense which the dif- ferent manufacturers must incur in so completely furnishing their stalls, we can scarcely deny them that notice which is no less a justice to themselves than an advantage to the public. In accordance with this opinion our correspondent will now pro- ceed to some further detail of the show, selecting, as he goes, the most useful inventions he may dis- cover in his round of visits. As we entered on our scrutiny, at the first Stand we met Mr. Biggs, of Great Dover-street, South- wark, Surrey, exhibiting his sheep-dipping appa- ratus. This is one of the most simple, substantial, and economical contrivances for the purpose ever pre- sented to the agricultural public. We hope that the flockmasters who visited the show took home with (hem some of his invaluable composition, so that comfort and quietude may pervade their flocks, the general influence of which will tend to the increase of both the flesh and the fleece. At Stand 2 we met the representatives of Mr. Cross- kill, of Beverley, so well known as the maker of clod- crushers, for which he has been long famed. He has introduced a new principle, which we believe to be an improvement — that of making this roller self-cleaning ; but we think, if it were possible, it would be far better if it were made so as to prevent the adhesion of damp earth at all, as then there would be no disease, therefore no cure required. We have no doubt, if this bint is worth anything, Mr. Crosskill will soon accomplish the work. On this stand we also saw the usual array of carts and waggons, of first class shape and make. We also observed his well known eccentric mill, which carried away the prize as the best bone mill, and Bell's reaping machine, with Crosskill's patent improve- ments. This important addition to the requirements of an arable farm possesses the self-acting side de- livery, so much desired. It has been further im- proved since last year (when it carried ofi^ the whole of the prizes it competed for) being now nearly two cwt. lighter ; and although at Lincoln it only re- ceived a commendation from the judges of the Royal Agricultural Society, we have since witnessed what it is capable of doing, having seen it fairly tested on the Yorkshire Wolds, at Mr. Edmund Riley's, a well-known farmer at South Dalton, where it certainly performed its work in so satisfactory a manner as must ere long en- sure its extensive if not general adoption. On Stand 3 was M'Neill and Co.'s asphalte for roofing houses, &c. We have no doubt, should the war con- tinue, and timber be dear, this will come more into use. At Stand 4 we found Mr. James Dunlop, of Hadding- ton, exhibiting his improved cart and plough harness. The general improvement in this is its lightness, com- bined with great strength. Another vast improvement Is the absence of that absurd instrument of torture, the bearing rein, for which Mr. Dunlop has substituted a leather rein, about two yards long, fastened to the bridle by a bright chain about a foot long, while at the loose end there is a buckle and tongue for fastening the horses back, if required, at plough. On Stand 5 Mr. Isaac James, of Cheltenham, exhi- bited one of the best liquid manure carts we have ever seen. It is built of timber, securely rabbeted together, and bound by a strong frame, the whole cart weighing only about 7 cwt., and holding 250 gallons. On Stands 6 and 7 Mr. Boulnois, of Baker Street Bazaar, London, exhibited an assortment of useful emi- grants' steel mills, with hand flour-dressing machines, worthy the attention of purchasers, and a capital cheap steaming apparatus on Stanley's principle. On Stand 8, Mr. F. J.Wilson, of Cadogan Place, Chelsea, Middlesex, exhibited his patent wheel barrows. This plan takes nearly all the weight off the hands of the user, but at; the same time renders it more diificult to balance than the old plan of barrow, and is therefore not so well adapted for wheeling on narrow planks. On Stand 9, Mr. Gibson, of Newcastle, exhibited a revolving cultivator, or grubber, which we saw work, but cannot say that we like it so well as any of the light grub- bers, such as Tenant's or Howard's ; also oneof Ransome's, for general purposes, for strong cloddy land an excellent implement, and worthy the notice of the clay-land farmer. On Stand 10, Mr. Freeman Roe, 70, Strand, London, exhibited an hydraulic ram, for raising water; this is an invaluable apparatus in many situations, as it will raise water ten feet where there is one foot fall, and so on in proportion. On Stand 11, Messrs. Holmes, of Norwich, had their portable engines and combined thrashing machine, for which they have been celebrated ; also their drills, of every variety, well made, simple, and useful ; as well as a very good manure distributor, that is extensively used and appreciated. On Stand 12, Mr. Samuelson, of Banbury, showed his Gardner's turnip cutter, which is so well known that we cannot spread its fame much wider, although we again are called upon to announce another prize is added to the long list of its achievements. Also, his far and widely talked- of, but rarely used, digging machine. On Stand 13, Messrs. Burgess and Key, 103, New- gate Street, London, exhibited (for the manufacturer, Mr. Williams, of Bedford) ploughs of all known repute ; and also his unrivalled harrows. On Stand 14, Mr. Richard Read, of 35, Regent Cir- cus, Piccadilly, London, exhibited all kinds and sizes of water engines, with power to discharge with great force from 70 gallons per minute, to the light and pretty syringe, intended for bedewing the rosebud and flowers that bedeck the greenhouse, wielded by the delicate hand of a lady. On Stand 15, Mr. Smith, of Kettering, Northampton- shire, exhibited his steerage horse hoe, which he has improved since we last saw it. This is a most useful, convenient, economical, little implement, worthy the notice of those who are desirous of being rid of weeds. On Stand 16, Messrs. Barrett, Exall, and Andrews, of Reading, Berks, exhibited a large collection of en- gines, machines, and implements, among which there THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. was a very useful barley aveller or hummeller, simple, convenient, and effectual in its working. Likewise a horse rake, with a capital contrivance for insuring its clearing itself effectually; also a simple, neat, strong, durable, and convenient circular- saw bench, moderate in price. On Stand 18, Mr. John Whitehead, of Preston, Lan- cashire, showed his well-known brick and tile machines, that have so frequently taken the prizes of this and other societies, as well as spread the blessings of drainage through many a wet and marshy district. On Stand 19, Mr. James Hayes exhibited his mills. These are useful little grinding mills, Derbyshire Peak stones, and do their work very well indeed, for which they were commended by the judges. On Stand 20, Marie Pierre Amaranthe Ferdinand Mazier, of L' Aigle, France, exhibited a reaping machine. This is more as a model than a machine for the farmer. It only cuts two and a half feet wide; the cutter is serrated, with a reciprocating motion. The novelty is that the machinery is in a small, boxed-up, two-wheeled cart, at the back of which, and in the centre thereof, the bar with the fingers or guards and the knife are fixed upon a joint, in the centre of which revolves the crank that gives motion to the cutters. This allows of the said bar being turned over from one side to the other, thus ena- bling it to come back on the same side that it went up. There is merit in the principle, but we fear it will never come to anything practically useful ; the self-delivery used was a complete failure. On Stand 21, Messrs. Garrett and Son, Leiston Works, Saxmundham, Suffolk, exhibited, as usual, im- plements, machines, and engines of every class and sort required on a farm, with nearly the whole of which they have from time to time taken this Society's prizes ; in fact, as we walked along his stand it appeared as if there had been a shower of prizes and high commendations falling there the day before. Messrs. Garrett are the men whose enterprize has brought Huckvale's horse hoe and turnip thinner prominently before the farmer, so that in those times of scarcity of labour this is the farmer's refuge that will save many a turnip crop from damage. On Stand 23, Mr. William Pacey, of Lincoln, exhibited a complete fit out of three sets of harrows, made of wood and steel teeth. These are made on the i-homboi- dal principle, the lightest set covering eight feet and a half and the heaviest eleven feet, that is, they finish that width ; for although the harrow is wider by two feet, it has to overlap that width to make equal work. On Stand 24, Mr. William Pierce, of Cannon Housr Queen-street, Cheapside, London, exhibited an extensive collection of implements of the best description, from the best makers. On Stand 28 Messrs. Braggins and Chester, of Ban- bury, Oxfordshire, exhibited a large assortment of well made turnip cutters on Gardner's principle, and a useful oilcake breaker. On Stand 29 Mr. Hugh Carson, of Warminster, Wiltshire, exhibited Chandler's liquid manure drill which received the prize j also hia chaff cutters, which took a tolerable position at the trial, and are useful stable appendages ; as well as Moody's turnip cutter, a useful cutter for slicing roots very thin, to mix with chaff. On Stand 30 Mr. John Cook, of Eagle, Nottingham, exhibited samples of the native breed of carts and waggons, which we feel sure his good sense will cause him to reduce in weight and lumber, as well as improve in shape and fashion, the next time he exhibits. On Stand 31 Mr. Robert Hunt, of Earles Colne, Essex, exhibited an improved engine for drawing or separating clover and trefoil seed from the husk. This is a capital machine for the purpose, being more ex- peditious than anything of the kind we have seen. It consists of the hollow frustrum of a cone, made of cast iron : within this is a drum of the same shape, which, by being drawn towards the small end, is set as close as may be required ; this drum is driven at great velocity ; the stuff being fed in at the small end, is carried to the wide end, where it enters a blower, which separates the seed. On Stand 32 Messrs. Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co., of Lincoln, exhibited a number of first rate engines, for one of which they were highly commended. These gen- tlemen, by the use of the best materials and workman- ship, have earned for themselves many prizes and a large share of public patronage. They also exhibited their combined thrashing machines, both portable and fixed, which were stamped with prizes, therefore we can add nothing more to raise them into the position they merit. On Stand 33 Mr. Frederick Phillips, of Downham, Brandon, Suffolk, exhibited what he calls a root pulping machine, but we should call it a mincing machine. However, call it what we may, this is a most ingenious thing, simple in construction, effectual in action, and rapid in its performance. The principle employed is that of the circular saw, cutting the root into saw dust, which is fine or coarse according to the speed of the saws, of which there are eight or ten fixed on a shaft, with a smooth disc betwixt each, the periphery of which is even with the bottom of the saw teeth ; this prevents the saws from cutting farther into the root than the depth of their teeth. On Stand 34 Mr. Thomas Scragg, of Calveley, Tar- porley, Cheshire, exhibited his simple, powerful, and rapid acting tile machine, to which the prize was justly awarded ; he also showed a brick press, an implement we are very sceptical about the value of. On Stand 35 Mr. Hunter, of Binbrook, Lincolnshire, exhibited drills, horse hoes, and grubbers that are used and thought well of by his farming neighbours ; they are a useful set of implements. On Stand 36 Mrs. Simpson and Son, of Lincoln, ex- hibited a capital assortment of engines, machines, and im. plements of agriculture. We congratulate the farmers in the neighbourhood on their having so spirited a firm to supply their wants. On Stand 37 Mr, Thomas Buxton, of New Malton, Yorkshire, exhibited, in addition to an assortment of new mills, his clod-crusher adapted for rolling wheat or seed lands. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. On Stand 38, Messrs. Hornsby and Son, of Grantham, Lincolnshire, exhibited their portable steam engines, for which they have taken every prize they have competed for, with only one exception ; and that was lost when such appendages were in action as no sensible farmer would use. This says much ; for, when men win annually, they must be the best. They, amongst these, showed their Great Exhibition prize engine, which was a treat for lovers of mechanics to feast their eyes upon. They also showed their dressing machine that has won the prize for many years. Also their horse-thrashing machine, for which they have been so long and justly-famed : this is now about out of demand for home use, though yet available for the foreign market. They likewise exhibited their combined thrashing machine, which, for the perfection of barley thrashing, shaking, and winnowing, was not excelled, if equalled, by any machine in the yard. On Stand 39, Mr. J. T. Knapp, of Clanfield, Bamp- ton, Oxfordshire, exhibited a corn-dressing machine — a combination of Cooch's dressing machine and the corn -separator : this is a very good contrivance, and accomplishes the work in excellent style — about fast enough for a man to measure it up. But that does not suit the great corn-growing counties : they like to see two men measuring up ; but for those who are de- sirous of making the best sample possible of what they grow, this is a capital implement. On Stand 40, Mr. E. H. Bentall, of Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, exhibited a large assortment of his broadshares or scarifiers, for which he received the prize. This implement makes a very good grubber and excellent subsoil plough • and one of its best properties is, that its price brings it within the reach of every farmer, and the power required to work it within that of every team of horses. On Stand 41, Mr. James Comins, of South Molton, Devon, exhibited his well-known and widely-used horse hoes, and his subsoil pulverizer, which is light, strong, and eificient ; also a new turnwrest plough, which has some good points about it ; and we think he has accom- plished a great improvement upon Locock's. On Stand 42, Mr. J. Bailey Denton, ot 52, Parlia- ment-street, London, exhibited a relief map of a drainage area, being a specimen of mechanical modelling of a ground surface ; invented, improved, and manufactured by the exhibiter. By the use of this implement, any appropriate system of drainage may be devised, so as not only to secure an effective discharge of injurious waters, but to suggest their profitable application when concentrated by drainage. The improvement consists in the mode of applying parallel slips of copper, so as to indicate contour lines or courses of equal altitude, for constructing the model mechanically. This is a simple means of getting over a complicated task, and will, we think, cause many gentlemen to have model maps of their estates, especially as the cost is so small an amount per acre. On Stand 43, Mr. Stanley, of Peterborough, ex- hibited an assortment of roller-mills and steaming apparatus, for which he has been so long celebrated ; also chaff-cutters, land-rollers, and pressers of various well known good sorts, with his wheel roller, invented by Mr. Gilson Martin, of Goose Tree Farm, Match, Cambridgeshire ; manufactured by the exhibiter. On Stand 44, Mr. Warren Sharman, of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, exhibited hand hay and corn- rakos, made of light tubular-iron. These are light, strong, durable articles, and as low priced as wood- framed ones ; also twitch-rakes of the same material, with steel teeth. These we can with confidence com- mend to the notice of all light-land farmers. His sheet- iron root, corn, and chaff- scuttles are capital things; they are made either of common or galvanized sheet- iron, and are light, strong, and very durable for filling corn into sacks, bushels, or machine in the barn, feeding cattle and sheep, &c. On Stand 45, Mr. Thomas Johnson, of Leicester, exhibited a large and well- selected assortment of agri- cultural and horticultural implements and tools ; among them we observed some excellent pig- troughs. His churn, invented by Mr. Lorenzo Tindall, is a first-class article, and completely gets over the great objection there was to the old barrel churn, namely, that if turned fast the milk or cream got fixed by the centrifugal force all round the churn in a state of quietude : to avoid this, Mr. Tindall puts the pivots it revolves upon, eccentric to the centre of the barrel, at opposite lines to each other, so that the churn hangs diagonally, thus giving two motions to the cream — one, caused by its gravity, finding its level ; and the other, by the centri- fugal force, throwing it from one end of the churn to the other, giving that differential movement that quickens the process of churning. On Stand 46, Mr. Howard, of Bedford, exhi- bited a series of his far-famed ploughs, in the working details of which he has made several improvements, which consist in greater elegance of design, and more equal proportions, the furrow turners being made pecu- liarly taper and regular in their curve, and formed upon exact geometrical principles ; the furrow slice is made to travel at an uniform rate from its being first cut until left in its final position, and the furrows laid moie evenly and in the best form for the reception of the seed, as well as working much cleaner on land inclined to adhere to the breast or furrow turner. After one of the closest contests ever known, the prize was awarded to Messrs. Ransomes and Sims, and Mr. Howard was highly commended for the general purpose plough, Mr. Howard winning the prize for deep ploughing, and Ransomes' highly commended. On Stand 47 Mr. Selby Hand, of Glinton, Lincoln- shire, exhibited a very useful chaff cutter, that choked by bad management when on trial ; also Coleman's well-known cultivator, of various sizes. On Stand 48 Mr. Charles Hart, of Wantage, Berks, exhibited his well-known scarifier, or cultivators, of different sizes, which were tried, and performed very well, receiving the commendation of the judges ; also his combined thrashing machine, which, since taking the prize last year, has been much improved. On Stand 49 Mr. George Hunter, of Ulceby, Lin- colnshire, exhibited his drills, of different kinds that are 254 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. used and approved of iu that neighbourliood ; also a very good two-horse cart, at a low price, which we think should have been about half the weight, and made for one horse. On Stand 50 Mr. Joseph Lee, of Stonnall, Stafford- shire, should have have had an engine, but was not forth- coming on the trial day. On Stand 51 Mr. Joseph Long, of Meriten's Wharf, Dockhead, London, exhibited 70 casks of his non poisonous sheep -dressing composition, which Is recom- mended as a remedy for scab in sheep, mange in horses and dogs, lice in all animals, without the least risk to the animal or the dresser. We hope that those requir- ing this will give it a fair trial, and make public its merits. He also showed 10 cases of his sheep foot-rot lotion, for the cure of that dreadfully annoying disease; it also destroys maggots, heals wounds of all kinds, and cures all cutaneous diseases. Stand 52 — Mr. John Patterson, of Beverley, York- shire, did not arrive in time. On Stand 53 Mr. Michael Penestan, of Lincoln, ex- hibited his portable steam engines, which upon trial were proved to be well suited for the coal mining dis- tricts, where coals are plentiful and cheap ; also Cam- bridge's rollers, of various sizes, moderate in price. On Stand 54 Mr. William Shephard, of Hovering- ham, Notts, exhibited his plough, which was tried and worked very creditably, showing that his neighbours need not go far for a useful plough ; also a miller's cart, well built, neat, and strong. On Stand 55 Messrs. Smith and Ashby, Stamford, Lincolnshire, exhibited their hay-making machine. This machine is far superior to all others. They also showed their horse rake, which is a useful implement, and a series of different sized chaff cutters, which, both as hand and power machines, were but a few degrees behind the winner, being well made substantial articles. On Stand 56 Messrs. Turner and Co., of Ipswich, Suffolk, exhibited their roller mills, of a variety of sizes. They have again carried away the prize with ease, which says all that well could be said, as it was a fair run trial, upon the soundest principles that could scarcely err. On Stand 57 Messrs. Tylor and Sons, of Warwick- lane, Newgate-street, London, exhibited a first class fire engine, equal to thirty men, throws 134 gallons of water per minute 120 feet high. We would commend this to all towns and villages, as its power is the great safe- guard against the spread of fire, when it breaks out among thatch, straw, or timber. On Stand 58 Mr. Walker, of East Bridgford, Rat- clifFe, Notts, exhibited his corn and seed drill. This is a nicely arranged and well made machine, and operated very satisfactorily, receiving a commendation from the judges. On Stand 59 Mr, Edward Weir, of Bath-place, New- road, London, exhibited a number of irrigator, liquid manure force pumps, worthy the notice of all parlies who have an opportunity of using sewage water ; also a hose pipe reel. This is a most valuable implement to those who use liquid manure by hose. His drainino' level is a simple, cheap, light instrument ; bat we thought most of his workman's pendulum level, for use in the drain. On Stand 60 Mr. James Woods, of Stowmarket, Suf- folk, exhibited a series of scarifiers, or grubbers. These are made upon a good principle; but we think that wrought iron would be much better than cast in every respect. Also a very good one-horse power gear-work, for driving chaff cutters, linseed crushers, bean and oats breakers. Even in this age of steam, we think this a thing there is much use for. On Stand 61 Messrs. Allchin and Son, of Northamp- ton, exhibited their portable steam engine. On Stand 62 Mr. Francis Arding, of Uxbridge, Mid- dlesex, exhibited his new principle of chaff cutter, in which there is some merit ; but through a defect in the feeding rollers, it choked when on trial. We expect to be able to say something more favourable of this another day. On Stand 63, Mr. John Caborn, of Denton, Lincoln- shire, showed a useful corn-dressing machine, that operated very well, making fair work and expedition ; but his chaff-cutter was not just the thing. On Stand 64, Mr. J. J. Capper, of Loughborough, Leicestershire, showed an eight-horse steam engine, and a combined thrashing machine ; but neither stood in the ranks of good performers ; his winnowing and dressing machine was better thought of. On Stand 65, Messrs. Barnard and Bishop, of Nor- wich, exhibited an assortment of wirework-seated iron garden seats and chairs, made of galvanized iron, with and without elbows to them. These are very neat and strong ; as are their unrivalled poultry-yard furniture, of all sizes and devices ; also an extensive assortment of galvanized and japanned wire netting, for all sorts of fencing and purposes ; and an assortment of pig- troughs of every variety, made of cast and wrought-iron. On Stand 68, Mr. Thomas Chambers, jun., of Col- kirk, Norfolk, exhibited a new implement, that has been much wanted — a simple broadcast manure distributor, manufactured by himself. The principle of this machine consists of a barrel formed of a series of rings, each having movable projecting pieces (for the delivery of either highly comminuted or rough manure), which come in contact with scrapers, so placed beneath the box that the manure falls directly off, thereby doing away with the certainty of setting fast the joints when the manure has to slide down them ; the pressure of the scrapers on the barrel being regulated also by moveable weights to the greatest nicety, according to the adhesiveness of the manure used. It is also fitted with a quite novel and excellent stirrer, of an horizontal movement, by means of a pair of bevil wheels and crank, which never fails to give a constant and regular delivery from the box to the bari'el, however moist the contents of the box may be. It will sow from two bushels to any quantity re- quired, and is so easily adjusted by the slide, that even when at work the quantity can be varied according to the quality of the soil to nearly the two extremes, which in other machines cannot be done to the same extent with- out the aid of change wheels ; it has, we hear, been per- fectly successful this spring in the regular distribution THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 235 of the most diflScult mixtures, such as guano, blood manure, and salt. We look upon this as a first-rate machine. On Stand 69, Mr. William East, of Spalding, Lin- colnshire, exhibited a drop drilling machine for grain of every description. The advantage of this is, that it drops the seed in the rows at any required distance apart, and therefore is equal to dibbling. We are very favourably impressed with this, and believe that the system would effect a great saving of seed. On Stand 70, Mr. John Eaton, of Twywell Works, Kettering, Northamptonshire, exhibited a capital one- horse cart on a good principle, and first-rate workman- ship and materials ; also a capital sheep -crib, very neat and ornamental, at the same time preventing waste of fodder; and an excellent hand power lifting-jack, ■which is worked with considerable ease, lifting three tons. This the judges very justly commended. On Stand 71, Messrs. Fowler and Fry, of Bristol, exhibited their patent steam draining-plough : it has been our good fortune to have seen this extraordinary imple- ment at work frequently before, and to have seen it cut through ash-tree roots four inches in diameter, without making any visible difference to its action. On the trial at Lincoln, it deposited the tiles about four feet deep in the most perfect manner : when passing through hollow or over heights, the depth was regulated with the utmost nicety, so that the tiles maintained an equal fall through • out ; the means for accomplishing this is very good and effective. The land this machine was tried upon was the same that eight horses could not plough ten inches deep ; yet the tiles were deposited about four feet deep by a six- horse steam engine with apparent ease. The drains were opened up, to examine how the tiles were laid, also whe- ther any were broken ; but it was found that none broke iu the drain, although some broke before they reached the entrance of the drain ; this we have invariably seen to be the case. On opening up and stripping the tiles, they were found laid as level as if done by the best workman, with the advantage that they were so tight together, that it was impossible to take up one without breaking the line. We are convinced that for draining all lands free from large stones, or loose gravel beds, there is no hand-draining equal to this. On Stand 72, Messrs. Hart and Son, of Brigg, Lin- colnshire, exhibited their two portable steam engines ; but feeling that they had some soft place about them, or too great an appetite for coals, withdrew from competition. They also showed some of Cambridge's rollers, of various sizes, which they seemed to be better at manufacturing. On Stand 73, Messrs. Dray and Co, of London, ex- hibited their fixture six -horse power steam engine ; this engine took the second place as to performance in the trial-yard, and for its simplicity, compactness, and ease of getting at all the working parts. This engine possesses the additional advantage of elegance, symmetrical beauty, and neatness of design, which, with the excellency of finish and workmanship combined, renders it one of the most profitable machines that those who require its power can obtain. They also exhibited their Hussey reaper, of which we have already spoken. They also exhibited their own power chaff cutter ; this machine has two knives and cutter, expeditiously making excellent chaff; it can by a very simple contrivance be quickly altered to cut straw into 4i-inch chaft' for litter, at the rate of one cwt. per minute ; this is a system that saves litter greatly, and makes the manure better. On Stand 75, Messrs. Forshaw and Co., of Liverpool, exhibited a three -ton cart and cattle- weighing machine ; a pen for cattle and sheep is attached, which can be removed at pleasure. The improvements since we last saw it consist in its portability and its capability of being fixed by any farm labourer. These gentlemen also showed some good small weighing machines, sack- barrows, crushing and kibbling mills, with Kase's fire- engine and liquid-manure spreader : this is a valuable adjunct to the farm for many important purposes, and a great safeguard in case of fire. On Stand 77, Messrs. E. and T. Humphries, of Pershore, Worcestershire, exhibited their combined thrashing, shaking, riddling, and winnowing machine. This machine, on trial, did its work in excellent style, though rather slow, both in thrashing wheat and barley. On Stand 78, Messrs. .John and William Medworth, of Newark, Notts., exhibited a very useful plough. Also a steam cooking-stove that appeared to have some ex- cellent principles about it. On Stand 79, Messrs. Lucas and Wright, of Lincoln, exhibited a lot of very useful little machines, among which was a neat, strong, and economical sack- barrow and a good Gardner's turnip-cutter. On Stand 80, Messrs. Mapplebeck and Lowe, of Bir- mingham, exhibited a large and well-selected assortment of agricultural and horticultural machines, implements, and tools, among which we noticed a bundle or set of splendid draining tools and digging forks made by Lyndon. On Stand 81, Mr, Robert Hawkins Nicholls, of St. John's, Bedford, exhibited his horse hoe, in which he has displayed a vast amount of ingenuity to make it overcome the difficulty of horse-hoeing crooked drills and unlevel surfaces ; though Hornsby and Garrett's steerages applied to drilling machines are doing away, in a great measure, with the want of the first prin- ciple in its purity as he has it ; and the use of Howard and Williams's harrows, improved grubbers and rollers, have almost annihilated the existence of the second. On Stand 82, Mr. Edmund Skins, of Metheringham, Lincoln, exhibited a horse-hoe, invented by Mr. Green- ham, of Blankney. This is an ingenious thing, and we have little doubt will be brought to what is desired after a little more experience. On Stand 83, Mr. Alfred Sparke, of Lincoln, ex- hibited a well got up, strong, and useful circular-saw bench, with a 32-inch saw, parallel gauge, and driving pulley complete. This is the most substantial and cheapest thing of the kind we have seen. On Stand 84, Mr. Thomas Taylor, of Edingley, Notts, exhibited a turnip drill for flat and ridge work, as well as a manure distributor and turnip drill combined, an improved straw cutter, and a corn-dressing machine. On Stand 85, Messrs. Tasker and Fowle, Andorer, 256 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, Hampshire, exhibited Spooner's liquid and dry manure drill. In this the water and manure are separate : one either can be used without the other, or both together, as may be required. This we like ; and hope the farmers, in dry climates and soils, will study their own interest by inquiring after its advantages, and so get satisfied before another season rolls on them unprepared. Oq Stand 86, Messrs. Tuxford and Son, of Boston, Lincolnshire, exhibited their portable steam-engines. These engines have always stood, and still stand in the front rank; they are on the most compact, simple, and durable principle we know of; the whole of the working parts being inclosed from the weather and dust, prevents an immense amount of wear and tear : the principle, too, of a vertical cylinder is the sound one. We feel that the judges did their duty when they commended these engines. On Stand 87, Messrs. Harris and White, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, exhibited an assortment of very useful ploughs, that cut a fair figure in the field of trial. Also waggons of a most unwieldy, ill construction, having more lumber than mechanical principle or common sense about them. Also a two-horse cart, after the same fashion. On Stand 88, Mr. James White, of 266, High Holborn, London, exhibited an assortment of steel mills for grind- ing all sorts of grain ; also hand flour- dressing machines. Among the rest, a neat little mill that grinds wheat or barley, and dresses the flour, at one operation. On Stand 89, Messrs. Wilson, of Beverley, York- shire, exhibited two of their corn-dressing machines, which are in extensive use, and do their work in a most satisfactory way : they are well made, and of good materials. On Stand 90, Mr. Thomas Allcock, of Kadcliffe, Nottingham, exhibited some chaff-cutters that per- formed, when on trial, very well, both as regards quan- tity and quality of chaff produced. He also had some very useful ploughs. On Stand 91, Messrs. J. and A. Armitage, of Bury, Huntingdonshire, exhibited hollow brick and drain-tile machines, which to all appearance were not liable to get out of repair, being simple, strong, and well made, and possessing, when well managed, the power of producing large quantities of a first-rate article of both kinds. On Stand 92, Mr. Wm. Ball, ofRothwell, Kettering, Northamptonshire, exhibited a number of his ploughs, for which he has been so long celebrated. These ploughs still rank among those selected for a second trial on all occasions, and either take the prize or are commended : at this meeting, after a severe contest, the latter was his position. On Stand 93, Mr. James Barton, ironmonger, 370, Oxford-street, London, exhibited several sets of stable- fittings of a useful and ornamental description, with enamelled mangers ; also a Itirge assortment of stable- hooks, brackets, and chains of almost endless variety. On Stand 94, Messrs. T. and H. Brinsmead, St. Giles, Torrington, Devon, exhibited their steam elevator and shaker. This invention produces three effects by one action, namely, first it tborouf^hly shakes the cora out of the straw ; secondly, it collects again the short straw that has dropped underneath with the grain, and sends it away with the long straw ; thirdly, it conveys the corn back into the body of the thrashing machine. It also facilitates the winnowing process. The combined thrashing machine is simple in contruction, and very easy of power. On Stand 95, Mr. Wm, Busby, of Newton-le- Willows, Bedale, Yorkshire, exhibited his carts, which were the only things of the kind in the yard that are made on the true principles of mechanics, both for the economy of manual and horse labour. They were well made, and of capital materials. The build of the wheels in these carts are a mechanical example to all in the yard. A medal was awarded to this cart. He also showed his celebrated plouglis, and the general purposa plough was commended. He also showed the Rev. W. F, Wharton's clodcrusher. This consists of a com- bination of the Norwegian harrow and the continental triune, and has the same effect as the Norwegian harrow followed by a roller, without consolidating the soil in the least. We consider this a good and economi- cal implement for the purpose on moderately stiff clay land and loams. On Stand 9G, Mr, Richard Coleman, of Chelmsford, Essex, exhibited his well-known and much-approved cul- tivators or gru'jbers. When on trial, these implements worked very well ; but we especially admired those made of wrought-iron, the simplicity and ease of repairing which far surpass those made of cast-iron ; the lightness, combined with strength, acquired by the free use of wrought instead of cast-iron, is a consideration that ought to teach every man the folly of buying cast- iron implements. We are aware weight keeps an imple- ment close to its work, and assists an ill-constructed one to perform work upon hard land ; but we know that, when made upon sound principles, so long as there is sufiScient strength, no grubber will refuse to per- form its office, when land is in a fit state for use. We are always puzzled to understand why it is that we find, in a great many districts where shallow cultivation suits the soil, the heaviest implements; while, where deep cultivation answers best, and is followed out, light, strong, simple implements are those in use. In Scot- land, where deep cultivation is the general rule, they will not have an implement that requires more than two horses, if possible, many of them preferring to plough the land rather than put four horses into a grubber. We have no doubt Mr. Coleman, by lightening his valuable implement, will give the Essex farmers the power of proving that an efficient grubbing is as good as frequent ploughing, and more economical. On Stand 97, Mr. James Comes, of Barbridge, Nant- wich, Cheshire, exhibited his chaff-cutters, of various sizes, the excellency of which has enabled them to take the prizes of this society for many years. He also exhibited a very useful farmer's bone-mill, on the old principle, which has not yet been superseded by any other, profitably, although there arc mills that can per- form wonders which astonish both judges and lookers-on. On Stand 98, Mr. William Crowley, of Newport Pag- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 267 nell, Bucks, exhibited a one-horse cart for general pur- poses, with -l-inch wheels, and with one of Love's skids or stides for hilly countries attached : this is an excellent contrivance, as it takes all the weight ofF the horses' back, and stops the cnrt, however heavy the load, when descending the steepest hills. On Stand 99, Mr. Richard Downs, of llyhall, near Stamford, Lincolnshire, exhibited some lii^ht useful ploughs for very light soils ; also a very good light scari- fier or grubber, for extirpating twitch out of light soils. This is an implement well-adapted for the purpose in- tended. On Stand 100, Mr. William Garner, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, exiiibited a great variety of Cambridge's rollers, from \i to 30 inches in diameter; also a press- wheel roller, composed of a number of discs with cylin- drical rims about 2.^ inches wide, and a space between of 2 inches : this we do not like, because when rolling along drilled grain, a row happening to fall in the space between these wheels, will rather be pressed out than into the soil. However, in rolling across there is less objection; yet, as a smooth roller, we think Cam- bridge's the best. On Stand 101, Mr. Thomas Milford, of Thorverton, Cullompton, Devonshire, exhibited his one-horse carts, to which the judges awarded a medal. These carts have been vastly improved since wc last saw them. On Stand 102, Mr. John Goucher, of Worksop, Notts, exhibited his thrashing-machine, which has a drum on a good principle for bolting machines, but from bad arrangements in the concave, absorbed too much power in its performance ; we yet hope better things of it in future. On Stand 103, Mr. David Harkes, of Mere, Knuts- ford, Cheshire, exhibited his parallel expanding horse- hoe, which is extensively used and esteemed throughout the northern counties, where ridge cultivation of roots prevails. This is an excellent implement, and the work- manship and material (wrought-iron) are first-rate. He also came forwaid with a reaping machine, on Glad- stone's principle, which consists of a circular knife fixed in segments to a drum or cylinder, with the necessary gearing inside the said drum, to give it a horizontal re- volvini^ motion, whicJi cuts the corn, carries it round, and lays it in a straight swathe. It is fitted with reverse motion, so as to throw it either to the right hand or left, or laying two swathes together ; and a lever, with a stone fixed in it behind, so that the man can lower it when the knife needs sharpeninfr, which makes it self- sharpening ; also a guard below the knife, and a small wheel inside of the drum regulates the knife for the height of the stubble. This machine will not, like many others, work crossing \\vj\\ rounded-up ridges and deep furrows. However, in this age of dry land, either naturally or by drainage, that objection is of little im- portance. This reaper in the trial-field was a failure, through the want of a means of steerage, and tlie horses being improperly attached; but were these two points attended to, we know that it would perform well, and make good work both as regards cutting and delivery. This is the same machine that the late James Smith, of Deanston, cut a great part of his crops with for many years, and which received the Highland So- ciety's prize (we believe of fifty pounds) in the year 183.5, at the Ayr Meeting, where we witnessed its per- formance ; and although we have since seen a great deal cut by various reaping machines, we think we have never witnessed anything better than its performance then. 'Tis true we may be harder to please now. On Stand 104, Mr. .\rthur Lyon, of 32, Windmill. street, Finsbury, London, exhibited a machine for cut- ting up sprats and other fish, or any soft substance, for manure. This we think a capital plan, and a very use- ful machine for the purpose. On Stand 105, Mr. Oliver Maggs, of Wincanton, Somersetshire, exhibited his combined thrashing, shaking, and winnowing machine, which on trial was found in some points wanting in efficiency ; but the shaking was good. There is an important advantage that this plan of shaker has over others; namely, that it can be simply and easily arranged, so as to be either set at a high or low angle, as the crop being thrashed is easy to shake or otherwise, or the straw re- quired to be delivered on a waggon or on the ground — thus never failing in performing its office. On Stand 106, Mr. Wm. Milton, of Lincoln, exhi- bited a single and a double-seated child's carriage, made of wire-work, with steel springs. These are exceedingly light, neat, strong, and ornamental, iind, if kept well painted, very durable ; while their price is moderate. On Stand 107, Messrs. Sheppard and Edwin Ran- some, of Essex-street, Strand, London, exhibited Fitch's economic oven. In this oven the heat is, by a traversing principle, equally diffused throughout a series of chambers, In which baking, boiling, and roasting are simultaneously going on, or individually, as required. This oven is worthy of attention and careful trial, as an economiser of fuel. On Stand 108, Messrs James Smith and Son, of Pcasenhall, Yoxford, Suffolk, and Witham, Essex, exhi- bited drills of every variety and size, for all purposes, which for simplicity, efficiency, and durability, wore but little surpassed by any in the show, when on trial being always close up to the winners ; and in that class where the before-mentioned principles must be prominent, they havecarried away the prize for the best drill forsmall occupations. They also showed a capital steerage horse- hoe, which can be made to follow any of his drills taking the same width. On Stand 109, Mr. William Newzam Nicholson, of Newark, Notts, exhibited a great variety of oilcake- breakers, which have far many years stood high at the shows of this Society, frequently carrying away the prize. At the trial this season for the prize for the best oilcake-breaker for cattle, sheep, or rapeeake for manure, this muchine did its work very well and expeditiously, and was highly commended. lie also showed a variety of implements wherein tubular iron was used, where still- ness as well as strength was necessary ; thus, also, ob- taining the additional intrinsically valuable principles, lightness and durabihty. For tliis applicationhe was highly commended by the judges^ which we heartily join in. 258 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. On Stand 110, Mr. John Henry Saunders, Abchurch- lane, London, did not show his reaping machine, which is on Gladstone's principle, and the same as that shown by Mr. Harkes. On Stand 111, Mr. Henry Attwood Thompson, of Lewes, Sussex, exhibited two useful one-horse earts, with Love's skid or slide for descending hills, sustaining the weight^ofF the horse's back, and checking the descent of the cart. He also showed a drainage level of great merit, which deserves the attention of those who are in any way engaged in taking levels, as a most simple and convenient investment. On Stand 112, Mr. John Whitmee, of 18, Fenchurch- buildings, London, exhibited his corn-crushers of diiFer- ent powers ; these are simple machines, and do their work in a very fair way. On Stand 113, Mr. Hancock, of Sandbach, Cheshire, exhibited his churns. On Stand 114, Mr. Charles Revell, of Lincoln, exhi- bited a very useful corn-dressing machine on a good and simple plan, which on trial worked very well, and de- served the commendation it received from the judges. On Stand 115, Messrs. Ransomes and Sims, of Ips- wich, Suffolk, exhibited an assortment of ploughs to suit every soil in the world. Their plough — under trial in competition for the best plough for going ten inches deep — after a severe and close contest lost the prize, but was highly commended. Their plough for general pur- poses— after trial on strong clay, and light land upon the limestone rock— ran Mr. Howard's Champion Plough so close, that they were then taken into a stubble field and tried, when again they were at par ; but when the dynamometer was applied, Ransome's proving the lightest draught, decided the prize in their favour, and Howard's was highly commended. We like this close running, as it ensures all the ability of these eminent firms coming fully into play to reduce the draught, which is of the greatest consideration next to a well-turned furrow. We observed on this stand their East Anglican cultivator or grubber. This is a light, strong, and effective scarifier or grubber, made (as all such things should be) of wrought iron. These gentlemen have this year made a great advance in the steam engine class, having gained the prize for the best fixture steam engine, and the second for the best portable steam engine. Here, too, we found Davy's patent decorticator, or, as we would call it, unsteeped flax hackling machine. This machine breaks the seed-bolls and woody part of the flax plant, without steeping. This long-wished-for and much-desired process separates the seed and woody part from the flax, as soon after harvest as the crops are sufficiently dry, without steeping, whereby the whole of the strawy or woody parts, seed and bolls, are saved as food for stock, nothing coming ofi' the land but the flax. The manner in which this machine did its work was truly astonishing. However, we are rather sceptical about scutching it as it leaves this machine. We are inclined to think that it will be found better to put it through some steep or retting process before scutching; however, experience will do the rest. This machine gets over the great difficulty of giving the farmer power to prepare this important crop so as, first, to retain all the refuse as food ; and, secondly, to reduce the weight almost to the minimum, and the power of compressing it into very small bulk, for transit by rail, &c. Great credit is due to this eminent firm for the care and per- fection of work displayed in bringing Mr. Davy's inven- tion out : we trust he will receive the reward such inge- nuity is entitled to. This machine^^is fairly entitled to the merit of being the greatest novelty of the year, and, if its benefits are equal to its promising performance, we may with safety say, the inauguration of a vast national advantage. On Stand 116, Mr. William Smith, of Little Wool- stow. Fenny Stratford, Bucks, exhibited his reaping machine. This has never been tried, and therefore is only in embryo. However, it is in the able hands of Messrs. Ransomes and Sims ; and if there is anything to be made of the principles laid down, we shall soon hear of its arriving at an efficient state. On Stand 117, Mr. Robert Cotgreave, Ipswich, Suffolk, exhibited a draining plough. This is on exactly the same principle as Mr. M'Ewing's, of Blackdub, Stilling, by the aid of which he drained his farm thirty inches deep, twenty years ago. We recollect seeing it working on his farm, taking out twenty inches deep at one operation, with twelve good horses drawing it. We know this will do well on subsoils like the Carse of Stirling, where a slone is a great novelty to fall in with ; but whei'e there are stones, we have no faith in it. On Stand 119, Messrs. Cottam and Hallen, of Winsley-street, Oxford-street, London, exhibited an assortment of sets of stable furniture, made of cast iron, enamelled ; also, harness-room fittings of the most complete and perfect kind. These are worthy the at- tention of gentlemen and horse-keepers generally. Also, pig and dog-troughs, garden-seats and stools, flower- stages, walk-borderings, with ornamental vases and pedestals, all well made to suit the purpose intended. On Stand 120, Messrs. Hill and Smith, of Brierley Hill, Dudley, Worcestershire, exhibited several sets of stable fittings, of handsome pattern and good principle ; enamelled mangers ; also, cast iron water-pipes, iron stable wheelbarrow. Budding's lawn-mower, game-proof and every other variety of wire netting, with an assort- ment of his iron fencing, so frequently awarded prizes of merit by this society and others. We admired an assortment of wrought iron ornamental garden- seats, folding camp-stools, and flower-stands, in which artistic taste was well developed. On Stand 123, Messrs. Gibbs, of Halfmoon-street, Piccadilly, London, exhibited, as usual, several hundred kinds of grasses and other agricultural seeds ; also, a large collection of dried specimens of grasses, and spe- cimens of roots, which were beautifully preserved. There was something admirable in the quiet, neat, me- thodical, and orderly way in which everything on this stand was, as usual, arranged. As we looked at it, a powerful feeling of confidence pervaded us, as it ap- peared to our mind that the simplicity and neatness of the stand gave a token that hoaour and integrity were the architects thereof. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 259 On Stand 125, Mr. William Bullock Webster, Mal- vern, Worcestershire, showed the model of a digging machine (from the Dublin Exhibition), invented by one of Mr. Dargan's Irish workmen. It is stated that this machine is intended to be used by steam or horse-power, for the purpose of digging the surface of the land to the depth of eighteen inches, by spade or fork. We have but little hope for the advance of agriculture in our Bister isle, if she is to depend upon this principle of digging machine for the furtherance thereof. On Stand 126, Mr. George Bruce, of 52, Nelson- street, James-street, Liverpool, exhibited black var- nish, represented to be better than paint, and more durable and much cheaper. We are aware that black paint is poor weak stuff, and a good cheap varnish is much wanted ; tlierefore, we hope this will have a fair trial. On Stand 127, Messrs. Tree and Co., Charlotte- street, Blackfriars-road, Surrey, exhibited a variety of Ewart's cattle-gauge, and key to the weighing machine, on the principle of the slide-rule, for ascertaining the carcase-weight of cattle, adapted in its use for various breeds, both sexes, and for different states of condition. We have used these rules, and found that they are an invaluable instrument to the farmer, who, in many cases, is for several months out of the habit of examin- ing fat stock, and therefore liable to be deceived in their weight, putting him in a very unfair position to cope with the everyday dealer or the butcher. On Stand 128, Mr. George Chivas, seedsman, Chester, exhibited specimens of his orange-jelly turnip. These were extraordinary bulbs, for the stage of ma- turity they had arrived to. They had been sown the first week in April, and were about four inches in dia- meter, on an average, with — as we were told — only fair cultivation. On Stand 129, Messrs. Lawson and Sons, of Edin- burgh, exhibited a selection of all the useful grasses, standing beside the sample of their seeds : also, the different varieties of twitch, standing beside their seeds : so that a farmer, finding any mixture in the seeds he was about to buy, could, by comparison, find whether it was bad or good. We are of opinion that less twitch would be sold among ryegrass, if this plan were more generally adopted by seedsmen. They also exhibited models in wax of all the agricultural roots and horti- cultural fruits of our country. On Stand 130, Mr. Wm. Thorold, Hamlet of Thorpe, Norwich, exhibited three boxes of models of portable farm-buildings — a plan that has at various times been discussed by calculating men. We quite agree with the exhibitor, that there is much sound reason in the plan of portable buildings ; but we rather think they would be moved at less expense, taken down in convenient parts, and fitted up again, than by any unwieldy crane. Although there is much feasibility in the proposition, we fear there is not that economical practicability about it which will induce any cautious man to try the experi- ment, although we think, by having them to take down and put up with facility, it would be great advantage in many cases. On Stand 131, Messrs. George Gibbs and Co., 26, Down- street, Piccadilly, London, showed samples of an immense number of grass- seeds, with the plants in many cases, and directions for their cultivation ; also, a collection of dried specimens of the cereal grass, wheat, barley, rye, and oats ; specimens of some of the natural grasses ; a large and capital collection of swedes, mangold, turnip, carrot, and various other agricultural roots, in splendid preservation, with excellent samples of the seed of each. This stand was very neatly and well arranged, their exhibition generally doing great credit to the taste of the managers thereof. We have now finished our task, and are pleased to give our congratulations on the success of this meeting to all parties who have in any way contributed to the exhibition we have endeavoured to review. At least, we have done our best to fulfil the duty we have under- taken ; and if we have been severe, or somewhat hard, it has been with a good intention, for, in a great matter like this, it is the national good, and not that of indi- viduals, which must be studied. We may congratulate the farmer— On the speedy establishment of the reaping machine as one of the implements of the farm ; On the production of Chambers' manure- distributor, which will with economy perform that work which was thinning our population ; On the production of Davy's unsteeped-flax hackler, which will now put the farmer in the easy and profitable way of growing and sending to market flax, which is of vast importance at this time, the war keeping our linen trade almost at a stand for want of the raw material ; On the grand means achieved by Mr. Amos, of fairly testing the amount of power absorbed by machines while at work, during any given time, which will be a powerful means of purifying our mechanical con- trivances, rendering them what they ought to be; and On the arrival of the time when we can mechanically weave a network of tubes through our stubborn clays (by the mighty monarch, Steam), rendering them dry, mellow, and free ; converting them from the production of twenty bushels to that of forty per acre. We con- gratulate Mr. Fowler on his success, and hope that his steam engine and draining plough may never stand still, as long as there is an acre of land to drain in the kingdom. THE EXHIBITION OE PIGS. The only classification adopted by the society is that of " Large Breed" and " Small Breed" ; and consider- able difficulty always arises in distinguishing between the two, so as to pronounce with certainty in which class some of the animals ought to be shown. For it is less the actual dimensions than the peculiarities of form that mark these groups of " large" and " small" breeds, the latter being found, in some instances, to exceed some of the former in size and weight. And although the judges are always directed to withhold prizes from any animal, however meritorious, if entered (according to their judg- ment) iu a wrong class, it frequently happens that a 280 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. " small breed" pig possesses such amazing frame and flesh as to exclude the really small from fair comparison. Perhaps a better way of ensuring equality of competition would be to follow an entirely different principle of clas- sification : for instance, take the purposes for which the animals are bred and fed, and give two or more sets of prizes for the individual specimens best qualified for these purposes respectively. Swine are employed for produc- ing two varieties of valuable meat, pork and bacon : one set of prizes might be offered, therefore, for boars and sows best adapted for breeding fine porkers, and another set for larger bacon hogs ; apportioned, of course, be^ tween boars, sows, and sow pigs, as at present. And now with respect to the show at Lincoln : we have certainly seen better — taken as a whole — but many of the animals were of a very superior order, particularly in the small-breed classes. Class I. — Boars of a Large Breed. — First prize to Henry Blandford, of Sandbridge, near Chippenham, Wilts, for " Jack," 2 years 3 months and 2 weeks old, a pure Berkshire, black, with white face and feet ; dam Star, sire of dam Pocock. This is a very large hog, but with rough hair, and a rather coarse quality of flesh. The second prize to Matthew flarvey and Joseph Branston, of Langford, near Newark, for a white boar, 2 years 11 months and 2 weeks old, of very great size, good quality, and little offal ; somewhat of small- breed character. The judges highly commended " Charley,"' a white boar, 3 years and 4 months old, belonging to Mr. Francis Frudd, of Bloxholm Manor, near Sleaford ; sire, a boar of the late Mr. Charles Mainwaring, of Coleby-hall, near Lincoln. This animal is of immense weight— no less than 74 stone, alive ; he has rather a small-breed character. We noticed also in this class a very well-made pig, of ex- ceedingly good quality, exhibited by Mr. Jonathan Brown, of Height, near Wigton, Cumberland. Class IL — Boars or a Small Breed. — First prize to Mr. William Northey, of Lake Lifton, near Launceston, for a 1 year and 3 months old black boar of the improved Leicester breed, having a very thick form and substance, and beautiful quality, though rather too short at the tail. The second prize to Mr. Solomon Ashton, of Peter-street, Manchester, for " Yorks," 1 year and 2 months old, of pure small breed, white with blue spot ; a remarkably well-bred and valuable hog. The 42 months old improved Oxfordshire black boar of Mr. Samuel Druce, of Eynsham, near Oxford, was highly commended ; certainly a compact, well-formed animal — very good, short, and deep. Besides one of Mr. Northey's and one of Mr. Turner's boars, which were commended, we were pleased with a boar, " The King of Hearts," exhibited by Mr. George Mangles, of Givendale, near Ripon, Yorkshire, a very large animal, but still quite in character. Class IIL — Breeding Sows of a Large Breed. —We have seldom seen so large a sow as the first prize one, shown by Edward Robinson, of Green Bank, near Lymm, Cheshire. "Amazon" is 2 years and 2 months old, white, with a few blue spots, immensely long, and having very deep sides. The Rev. Edward Elmhurst, of Shaweil Rectory, near Lutter*v-orth, Leicestershire, showed a remarkably fine sow (highly commended). W. B. Wainman, of Carhead, near Cross Hills, Leeds, is also highly commended for a white sow of large York- shire breed, having very great length and great sides. Mr. Peter Wiight, of Church MinshuU, near Middle- wich, Cheshire, Mr. William James Sadler, of Bentham Purton, near Swindon, and Mr. Moses Cartwright, of Stanton Hill, near Burton-on-Trent, exhibited animals remarkable for their symmetry and fine fattening qualities. Class IV. — Breeding Sows or a Small Breed. — In this Class, which the Judges have honoured with a "general commendation," Mr. Mangles takes the prize for the "Queen of Diamonds," 2 years and 4 months old, Yorkshire breed, white ; sire " Guy Fawkes," dam " Lucy," of beautifully fine quality. Mr. Northey showed some capital sows in this class ; so did Mr. Thomas Horsfall, of Burley Hall, near Otley, York- shire. Mr. Samuel Gill, of South Normanton, near Alfreton, Derby, showed a very pretty sow ; and the Earl of Radnor's white sow, of Coleshill breed, is very superior, with good back, and fine quarters. Class V. — Three Breeding Sow Pigs, of a Large Breed. — Mr. Sadler takes the prize for a pen of three sow pigs, 7 months and 1 day old, pure Berk- shire breed, dark spotted; sire "Wellington," dam " Duchess of Gloucester," sire of dam " Barrington." Mr. John Harrison, jun., of Heaton Norris, near Siockport, showed a pen of almost equally meritorious animals ; very useful, and uncommonly good in cha- racter. Class VI.— Three Breeding Sow Pigs, of a small Breed. — The prize was carried off by the Earl of Radnor, for three 5 months and 2 weeks old white pigs ^of his Lordship's celebrated Coleshill breed ; sire " Farringdon," dam " Old Bess." In this class we more particularly preferred the pens of Mr. W. B. Wainman ; of Mr. Thomas Crisp, of Gedgrave, near Woodbridge (of a Suffolk breed) : and of Mr. S. Druce. The judges commended the pigs of Mr. Thomas Greetham, of Wi-agby, Lincolnshire, which are cer- tainly very large for their age ; but rather deficient as respects the quality of their flesh. POULTRY. We are sorry to notice this year so comparatively poor a show. Lincolnshire seems not to have surmounted the old prejudice that it showed when it underated Mr. Handley's exertions. Lincolnshire is yet decidedly be- hind in attention to poultry : a department of farming in this respect from which, if properly conducted, a good profit may be derived. We should be glad to see a county so celebrated in other respects, take the lead in this also ; and we advise that the old motto, " What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well," be constantly kept in mind. The exhibition in question is, in our opinion, not nearly so meritorious as it might have been. True, the time of year is not very suitable to the show of birds in full feather ; because, after having performed the duties THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 261 of the spring, they are uecessariiy out of couditon. We venture to ask, then, whether it would not be well to give prizes for chickens — encouraging the production of early maturity ? Prizes for adult birds might be left for Birmingham to award at Christmas. The benefits of this annual poultry show are two-fold : it affords to amateurs an arena wherein to enter into friendly competition ; and to the landowner or occupier it affords an opportunity to judge of the comparative excel- lence of breeds. The eye will not alone decide which is the sort adapted especially to any locality : we must consult experience to come at this knowledge. We do not intend to diverge into any remarks in this direction how- ever ; and we only say, by way of introduction to some detailed notice of the fowls exhibited, that there may be three classes of profit — breeding for fancy, breeding for eggs, breeding for the table. The first change with fashion ; the second is certain profit ; while the third is, although the most neglected, the most remunerative of the three. Of the first we shall say nothing. The Spanish, Hamburg, and Polish fowls are respectively good layers, bad sitters, and consequently fitted for those who require large supplies of eggs. The Cochin China, Malay, Dorking, and Game fowls are good layers, good sitters, and good nurses. But while the Dorking and its kindred varieties are excellent for the table, the Malays and Cochin Chinas can seldom be served up except as roasted, because of bad colour. M. Soyer says that, as a rule to be observed in the kitchen, white- legged fowls should be boiled, and black-legged poultry are fit only for the spit. With these ends in view, our judgment may be aided ; and we may presume that they are the same as influenced the decision of those gentlemen who awarded the prizes. Amongst the Dorking fowls, Mr. Davis won the first and second prizes for two lots, severally consisting of a cock and two hens, chickens of 1854. The third prize was awarded to Mr. Joseph Smilh ; and the fourth to James Lewry, of Haudcross, Crawley, Sussex. For Dorking fowls more than one year old, Mr. Davis, of Spring-grove House, Hounslow, was again successful. Mrs. Townley Parker took two prizes, and Mr. Gelderd, of Kendal, brings up the prize list. This latter lady and gentleman are again successful competitors in Class III. — Dorking cocks of any age. Viscount Hill is a highly commended exhibiter of Dorking fowls. In Class IV. for Spanish fowls, Mr. Davis stands first and third, Mr. Bothan second, and Mr. Gelderd fourth. In Class VI. for Cochin China fowls, Mr. Gelderd bears off the two first prizes, Mr. Taylor, of Hounslow, the third, and Mr. Sandy, of Nottingham, the fourth. Lincolnshire for the first time successful in the class for Cochin China cocks of any age, in the property of Mr. Pocklington, of Boston ; wa thought a cock and two pullets, 4 months and 3 weeks old, exhibited by Mr. Fairlie, discovered marks of good breeding. Mrs. Walker's were commended. It did not strike us that the specimens for the ninth class — game fowls — were up to the mark. It is a valuable and beautiful species, and we hope that its perfect proportions and splendid plumage may not be lost to us, because those men who traded in its pugnacious propensities are becoming extinct. To Mr. Worrall, near Liverpool, Mr. Adkins, near Birm- ingham, and Mr. Cox, near Derby, were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes respectively awarded. Mr. Lowe sent from Tamworth some fair specimens. Prizes and commendations were withheld from the two first classes of Hamburg fowls. In the second and third, Mr. Sylverton, Mr. Andrew, Mr. Dixon, and Mr. Ashcroft were successful competitors. The lovers of these pencilled and spangled must have been very much disappointed. Mr. Oldham, of Derby, and the Rev. T. Lyon Fel- lovves, of Acle, Norfolk, took prizes of Malay fowls. Mr. Adkins, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, whose Polish Fowls were the admiration of the judges lastyear at Lewes, preserves his fame, and carries off the two first prizes ; to Mr. Rawson, of Walton-on- Thames, is awarded the third prize, for a pen of Poland fowls, consisting of one cock and two hens. Viscount Hill's turkeys merit great commendation, and he wrests the prize away from Lincolnshire, which thanks to Mr. Pocklington, of Boston, and Mr. Maw, of Crowle,yet maintains a fair position in this class. In geese, Lincolnshire is beaten. The first prize is adjudged to a lady (who succeeded both this year and last amongst the Dorkings) named Townley, of Lanca- shire ; the second and third are awarded to Mrs. Hill and Mr. Rawson, both of Walton-on-Thames. From the prize list for ducks, we take the following names— -Mr. Beavington, of Hounslow, Mr. Davis, of Hounslow, Mr. Gelderd, of Kendal, Mr. Botham, Slough, Mr. Teanby, of Hull, Mr. Punchard, of Suffolk, Mr. Worrall, of Liverpool, and Mr. Keyworth, of Lincoln. We avoid making any detailed critical remarks upon the inmates of the different pens. Our desire is not to improve by detecting and exposing faults, but by com- mending excellencies. As these excellencies do not by any means predominate, it is perhaps better to close our report now, hoping that the " celebrities" will fly to the rescue at Carlisle next year. We cannot close, however, without saying that the ex- hibition of Dorking fowls merits, perhaps, more indi- vidual notice than we have given it. Excellence was certainly more observable here than elsewhere. These observations were made under the rays of a broil- ing sun — wonder not therefore, O reader, at the high temperature of our remarks. A Monthly Council was held at the Society's house, in Hanover-square, on Wednesday, the 2nd of August. The following Members of Council and Governors of the Society were present : Colonel Challoner, Trus- tee, in the Chair ; Lord Southampton, Sir John Villiers Shelley, Bart., M. P., Mr. Raymond Barker, Mr. Hodg- son Barrow, M.P., Mr. Barnett, Mr. Barthropp, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Hamond, Mr. Fisher Ilobbs, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Milward, Mr. Sillifant, Prof. Simonds, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Turner (Barton), and Prof. Way. 262 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. The following new Members were elected : — Ahrens, Ernest, Neu-Schlagsdorf, Meeklenburg-Schwerin Barnes, Thomas, M.P., Quinton, Chirk, Denbighshire Bird, William, Crouch Hall, Hornsey, Middlesex Boote, James, Weston Hall, Nautwich, Cheshire Brunskill, Stephen, Kendal, AVestmoreland Byron, John, Mablethorpe, Alford, Lincolnshire Edwards, William, Crewe, Cheshire Elmhirst, Wdliam, Manor Ho., West Ashby, Horncastle Garbutt, Thomas, Yarm, Yorkshire Hall, James, Scarboro' Hall, Beverley, Yorkshire James, John Angell, Bridgetown Farm, Stratford-on-Avon Landor, Thomas Eaton, Shiffnal, Shropshire Lawrence, Alfred, Hengrave, Bury St, Edmunds, SuflF. Lawson, Charles, jun., Edinburgh Legg, Benjamin, Bexington, Bridport, Dorset Lynes, George Boulton, Hackleton House, Northampton Maiuwaring, William, Brinfield, Ludlow, Shropshire Meek, George, Braubridge Park, Crawley, Sussex Peel, Sic Robert, Bart., M.P., Drayton Manor, Staffordshire Smith, Edward W., Tickton Hall, Beverle}', Yorkshire Tunnard, Rev. John, Frampton House, Boston, Line. Wilson, Fuller Maitland, Langham Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Wilson, Frank, Biubrook, Market Rasen, Line. Finances. — Mr. Raymond Barker, Chairman of the Finance Committee, submitted the monthly report on the accounts, from which it appeared that the current cash-balance in the hands of the Society's London bankers was ,£776. Fines. — Mr. Simpson, Chairman of the Fines Com- mittee, presented the report of that Committee, when the Council ordered that immediate steps should be taken for the recovery of the fines for non-exhibition, and a list be laid before them at their next meeting of persons who should have failed to make those payments. Protests. — Mr. Barnett, senior steward of the cattle- yard at the Lincoln meeting, reported the protests made against awards of the judges on that occasion. The Council referred these protests to the investigation of the stewards, with a request that they would report upon them to the Council at their next meeting. The following communication was received from the Earl of Clarendon, with the best thanks of the Council : " Foreign Office, July 21, 1854. " Sir, — I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you a copy of a list which has been sent home by Her Majesty's Chargd d' Affaires at Lima, of those Islands and places in Peru where guano is to be found ; and I am to request that you will state to the President and Members of the Royal Agricultural Society that Lord Clarendon has transmitted another copy of this list to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and has requested that the Admiral in command of Her Majesty's squadron on the Pacific station may be directed to make such a survey of the places named by Mr. Sulivan as containing guano, as the means at his disposal will enable him to undertake. Lord Clarendon has also instructed Mr. Suli- van to furnish the Admiral with all the information he can obtain on this important subject. " I am. Sir, your most obedient humble servant, " E. Hammond." " To the Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society." Nitrate of Soda. — Mr. Pusey transmitted various communications received from the Earl of Clarendon in reference to searches instituted for natural deposits of the nitrates. At Mr. Pusey 's suggestion, Prof. Way had drawn up the following short memorandum of easy means by which saline depositions may be tested as to the amount of nitrates contained in them : — Characteristics of Nitrates of Polasli, Soda, ^c. — All the ordinary nitrates are readily soluble in water. The nitrate of soda crystallises in cubes. The nitrate of potash in long prisms. When exposed to a gentle heat the nitrates fuse, giving off oxygen gas. On this character is founded the moat simple and certain means of distinguishing these salts from all other natural saline deposits — namely, to throw a portion of the supposed nitrate on red hot fuel, when " deflagration," or a greatly increased and violent combustion of the fuel, will result. A mixture in which the quantity of alkaline nitrate is too small for the production of these phenomena, will hardly pay for importation into England. All nitrates are valuable, though not in an equal degree, for agricultural use. J. Thomas Way. French Agriculture. — The following letter from Mr. Herbet, Consul-General of France in England, was laid before the Council, acknowledging, on the part of the Minister of Commerce and Public Works in France, the attention paid by the Council to the deputation sent by the French Government to the Lincoln Meeting, and offering for the acceptance of the Society a selection of agricultural works published in Paris under his Excel- lency's auspices : — " Londres le 22 Juillet, 1854. " Monsieur, " Son Excellence M. le Ministre de 1' Agriculture, du Com- merce et des Travaux publics, voulant reconnaitre les precedes obligeants du Conseil de la Societe Royale d' Agriculture d'Angleterre pour les delegues du Gouvernement Imperial, et desireux en meme tems de temoigner du vif interet qu'il preud au travaux et au succes de cette honorable Societe, m'a charge de lui offrir, en son nom, divers ouvrages publics sous lea auspices de son ministere, et dont vous trouverez la liste ci- inclus. Je m'empresserai de vous la transmettre, dfes quils seront parvenus a Londres. " Ayant pu apprecier moi-meme a de nombreuses reprises la bienveillance du Conseil de la Societe Royale, c'est avec le plus grand plaisir. Monsieur, que je m'acquitte de la commission de son excellence M. Magne. II me reste a vous remercier person- nellement pour I'extreme courtoisie avec laquelle vous avez constamment accueilli les personnes que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous adresser et les demandes que j'ai ete charge de vous aoumettre. "Veuillez agre^r, Monsieur, les nouvelles assurances de ma consideration tres-distinguee. " Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur, "Le Consul General de France, "Ed. Hekbet. " J. Hudson, Esq., Secretary to the Royal Agricultural Society of England." On the motion of Mr. Fisher Hobbs, seconded by Lord Southampton, this communication was received with the liveliest satisfaction by the Council, and a com- plete set of the Society's Journal ordered to be offered for the acceptance of the French Government, in ac- knowledgment of the valuable donation then announced to the Council. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 263 His Excellency Lord Cowley transmitted to the Council, from Paris, a complete set of the Transactions of the Imperial Agricultural Society at Valenciennes, addressed to his care by the President of that body, for presentation to the Royal Agricultural Society of England, in acknowledgment of the set of Journals oflfered to the Valenciennes Society in the year of Lord Ashburton's Presidency, and transmitted through the Consul- General of France in England. Nature-Printing. — Messrs, Bradbury and Evans, of Whitefriars, presented to the Council a series of beautiful and striking specimens of their " nature- printing," or process by which vegetable productions may be printed off in their natural size and colour in almost perfect fac-simile. The objects selected for the series consisted chiefly of common wild flowers and well- known agricultural and other plants, of which both the strength and the delicacy of the details were given with daguerreotype exactness. These specimens were much admired by the members, and the value of such a pro- cess in an agricultural point of view fully recognised. Miscellaneous Communications. — From Col. Owen, conveying the thanks of the Board of Trade from the committee appointed by the Council to co-operate with Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, in reference to the French Exhibition j from Mr. Miles, M. P., President of the Society, transmitting a letter from the Agricultural Society of India ; from Miss Bannister, of Steyning, details of the successful results attending her cultiva- tion of the Dactylis glomerata, of which she forwarded to the council on that occasion various specimens, as well as of the hay made from it; from Mr. S. Clarke, of Crc'wkerne, on the Potato disease ; from Mr. Hill, Medical Superintendent of the Clifton Lunatic asylum, inquiries on the management of sewerage ; from Mr, Adderley, M.P., on the successful subsoil under- drainage of Mr. Dumolo ; and from Mr. PuUan, of Chester, suggestion for a prize for the construction of a domestic corn-mill. The Council having arranged that the prizes for Implements next year should be decided on the first Wednesday in December, appointed a General Carlisle Committee, and requested Mr. Fisher Hobbs to attend to the preparation of the land for the trial of imple- ments. They then adjourned over the autumn recess to the first Wednesday in November. POTTED BUTTER.— The following is Mr. Ballantine'a recipe. The butter is taken warm from the churD, and it is an invariable rule never to work it or dip into water when in- tended to be salted. The dairymaid puts it into a clean tub, previously well rinsed with cold water, and then works it with cool hands, till the milk is thoroughly squeezed out. Half the allowed quantity of salt is then added, and well mixed up with the butter, and in this state is allowed to stand till the next morning, when it is again brought up, any brine squeezed out, and the remainder of the salt added. It is then potted in kits, which, when full, should be well covered and placed in a cool dry stove. A small quantity of salt is usually sprinkled on the surface. The quantity of salt used is half a pound to 141b8. of butter. — Qmrterhj Journal of AgrkuUure, PRICE OF HALF-BRED DOWN AND LEI- CESTER HOGGET WOOL, SOLD FOR THIRTY-TWO YEARS. Dear Sir, — As the price of English wool is looking up, perhaps the statement of the price of half-bred Down and Leicester hogget wool for 32 years, sold off a large farm in this county, may be interesting to your readers at this time. Yours truly. Castle-acre Lodge, Aug. 19. John Hudson. 1822. Pert 8. 36 od d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 of 281bs. 1838 s. ,52 .45 .35 .33 .29 .26 .38 .38 .35 .33 .24 .28 .28 .34 .36 .43 d- n 1823. 1824. 1825. , 44 56 50 28 1839 1840 1841.. 0 0 n 1826. 1842., 1843 1844 0 1827. 1828. 35 39 31 0 0 1829. 1845 1846 1847 1848 n 1830. 1831. 1832. 41 37 35 58 6 0 0 1833. 1849 0 1834. 60 1850 n 1835. 1836. 1837. 52 56 42 Average for 32 years 1851 1852 1353 s. 3|d. per tod of 281b8 0 0 0 CAUTION TO FARMERS.— About a fortnight since, Mr. White, the much-respected tenant of "The Park Farm," near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, sustained a severe loss by the death of ^ye valuable cows ; all the exertions of two ex- perienced veterinary surgeons proving unavailing — death, in almost every case, occurring within twelve hours after the beasts were first attacked. The symptoms appearing so un- usual and extraordinary, it was thought that probably there might be some poisonous herb growing in the pastures which the cattle had eaten ; and, in order to satisfy himself upon the point, Mr. White sent one of the stomachs to Mr. Herepath, the eminent analytical chemist of Bristol, for examination ; but not finding any vegetable impurity of any kind, Mr. H. was induced to try for minerals, and found a quantity of green •paint in the stomach ; quite sufficient, he said, to cause the death of the animal. Now, as the cows were not known to have had access to any paint of any kind, it was a mystery to their owner as to when they could have eaten it ; but, remem- bering that the pasture where they had been feeding had some eighteen months since been dressed with the refuse of a scavenger-heap from Tewkesbury, the field was searched, and a quantity of paint (apparently the scrapings of painter's kettles) found. These the deceased cattle had, no doubt, hcked up whilst feedmg, and been poisoned thereby. Surely if painters generally were aware of the poisonous nature of their refuse, little persuasion would be required to induce them to hury it, instead of throwing it to their ash-heaps, and, as in this instance, causing so serious a loss to their neighbours. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS.- A question having arisen in several districts of South Wales as to the liability of farmers to pay duty upon riding horses, the commissioners, in order to save trouble and avoid appeals, directed the follow- ing queries to be put to the Board of Inland Revenue •, First, Whether any farmer keeping several horses — say four — and consequently riding, himself or family, one or more of such horses to fairs, markets, worship, &c. (such horses at othei: T Sdi 'fHK FARMER'S MAGAEllsM. t;iuc3 being kept for farming purposes only), would be liable to any, and what, duty? Secondly, Whether such person keeping one horse only for his calling, and occasionally himself or family riding such horse, would be liable, and, if so, to what duty ? The answers returned by the Board were— that only One horse is entitled to be kept for the purposes before men- tioned, at the duty of lOs. 6d. ; and if other horses are ridden by the farmer or his family, they are liable, according to height, to the duty of £1 Is. or 10s. 6d. If one horse only be kept, then the duty of 10s. 6d, is payable. AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR AUGUST. The appearance and prospect of the crops have formed the chief topic of discussion and con- sideration this month. It is most gratifying for us to be in a position to write most favourably on the subject. In the first place we may observe thatj notwithstanding that blight has made its appearance in some districts, the yield of wheat is turning out unusually large and of very fine quality ; that har- vest work, under the influence of remarkbly fine weather, has progressed with great rapidity ; and that farmers in general are well satisfied with their produce. The fact that a large quantity of wheat has been grown this 'year, and that, too, in the finest possible condition, has had considerable in- fluence upon the wheat trade. Prices have suffered a rapid decline ; but it has become a question in some quarters whether the fall is not rather pre- mature, seeing that not more than one-fourth of the crop has as yet been carried. However, it is clear that the growers are determined to take ad- vantage of present rates, seeing that over 4,000 quarters of new wheat were on sale in Mark Lane on the 28th inst. At present, our decided con- viction is that we have grown one of the best crops on record as regards acreable yield and general quality ; and when we bear in mind that the extent of land under wheat culture is far in excess of many former years, we are led to the conclusion that the total growth will prove enormous. There is, however, much yet to be done ere harvest work is brought to a close j and a return of wet and un- genial weather may have a very decided effect not only upon the condition of the new wheats, but like- wise upon their value. The growth of barley is certainly large, though we doubt whether it is equal to last season. The samples as yet sold at Mark Lane have been comparatively inferior. The oat crop, however, is good ; but that of peas and beans, especially the latter, is small. We have now com- menced the consumption of the new crop of wheat with an unusually small supply of old in farmers' hands; but we find that, notwithstanding the war with Russia, and the high value of wheat and flour at New York, there are nearly, or quite, 1,000,000 quarters of foreign grain and flour in warehouse, This is rather a significant fact, because, in the event of home-grown wheat continuing to fall in price, we shall have importers forcing the markets, even at a ruinous sacrifice, in order to realize. Much misconception prevails in some quarters on the subject of the supply of old wheat still on hand. We have been informed that in some por- tions of the country they are good, and further* that some of the growers have the whole of last year's crop in the stack-yards. These instances must be very rare ; indeed, for our part, we incline to the opinion that the actual supply was never smaller than it is at present. As regards spring corn, there is little or nothing on hand. The pastures have not exhibited that abundant supply of grass which we have witnessed ia some former seasons. However, depastured stock has fared tolerably well, and we have heard of very few cases of disease amongst either beasts or sheep ; but it is certain that the immense consumption of meat is rapidly draining the country of stock, and that prices will continue very high in consequence. Numerous conflicting statements on the subject of the potato disease have reached us almost daily. That it has extended itself throughout the country not a doubt can exist ; but we hesitate not to say, from personal observation, that many of the reports have been overcharged, and that the losses up to the present time are not so serious as has been re- presented. We make this statement advisedly, because we have every reason to know that some remarks on this important subject have been written for particular purposes. Out of the large supplies of new potatoes disposed of in London during the month, not one-tenth portion of them has shewn any signs of disease. When we con- sider the vast importance of the potato crop, bearing as it does directly upon the value of the better kinds of food, it "must be evident that mis-state- ments are calculated to produce uneasiness and un- certainty in the minds of the growers of wheat and other grain ; at present, therefore, we regard the crop as a large one, not forgetting that a very exten- sive breadth of land has been planted with potatoes this season. The markets for the sale of both hay and straw have been rather scantily supplied, Prime old hay tHE FARMER'S MAGA2i:sK< ^i^; has sold freely, and from its scarcity, prices liave ruled quite equal to last month. New meadow hay has realized 65s. to 85s., and new clover 70s. to 95s. per load. Most of the new hay disposed of has been in fair average condition. The wool trade has been tolerably active. The late public sales of colonial having gone off ex- tremely well, and at enhanced rates, viz., id. to lid. per lb., notwithstanding the large supplies brought forward — 55,600 bales. English wools have commanded more attention ; hence the trade has been decidedly healthy, and we may pretty safely calculate upon a higher range in the value of home-grown quahties. The growth of seeds, this season, has been a large one. The samples on show in our various markets have been in good condition, and we are informed that the yield of rapeseed in Holland is considerably in excess of last year. The imports of linseed have shewn a large arrival even from Russia. There are about 30,000 quarters now on passage from the Sea of AzofF, whilst the ship- ments from Calcutta have exceeded those of 1853 to this period by about 10,000 quarters. The abundance of the supply has produced rather an inactive sale for cakes, and, in some instances, prices have had a downward tendency. In Ireland, the cutting of wheat and oats has progressed rapidly, with remarkably fine weather for the in-getting of the crops. The yield is large and of fine quality, but our accounts relative to potatoes are decidedly unfavourable. In Scotland, harvest work has been commenced under the most favourable auspices. Farmers generally have ex- pressed themselves well satisfied with the prospect before them. The corn trade has been heavy, at drooping currencies. REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. Most of the leading markets held in the month just concluded have been tolerably well, though by no means heavily, supplied with stock as regards number ; but the general weight of the beasts, sheep, and lambs has continued very deficient ; indeed, the quantity of meat disposed of has been unusually small, the time of year considered. The primest animals have, therefore, been in great re- quest and prices have ruled very high, with little or no prospect of a decline in them for some months. Whilst on the subject of value, we may briefly allude to a meeting of butchers in the metropolis on the subject of forestalling in Smithfield market. No doubt they have had great difficulties to contend with, for some considerable period, in obtaining any- thing like a fair return for their outlay of capital in Smithfield. Those who give large credits are compelled to bring additional capital into their business, and those who are not good judges of live stock frequently purchase at a loss, arising from the deficiency in the weight of the beasts and sheep, compared with their bulk ; hence it follows that the present state of our markets offers a serious drawback to the butchers' interests, and has induced a spirit of opposition to the so-called " forestallers." At the meeting in question, we were informed that numerous jobbers are in the habit of meeting the cattle-trains on their arrival in the metropolis on Sunday evenings, and purchasing large droves of stock from the drovers at low prices, and thus they are enabled to rule the market on the following day. This statement can be true in only very few instances, because drovers in a general way have no power to dispose of property entrusted to their care to convey to certain salesmen. This statement then is not hkely to strengthen the cause of the butchers. But are they not aware that for the last fifty years at least the country is visited by those technically called "jobbers;" men who are possessed of a large amount of capital, and who visit the graziers in various distant locahties, and who buy extensively, not only for Smithfield, but likewise for nearly all the other great markets in the king- dom ? These parties invest annually many millions of money, and sometimes they make a considerable profit, at other times they are severe losers. These transactions, then, do not partake of the character of forestalling; they are merely speculative pur- chases, just on the same principle that corn and other articles are bought, in order to realize a profit. It is a system which no Act of Parliament can touch ; in point of fact, were it not for the operations of the speculative class the price of meat in London would be considerably higher than it is noio. Corn is a speculative article : as well endeavour to check the importation of wheat as to attempt to put down speculation in it and in fat stock. There is, however, one difference to be noticed, viz., in the event of a declining or losing market, corn can be warehoused at a trifling cost ; but the stock once in London must be sold in a few days, or the loss upon it would be enormous. The consumption of meat, arising from the great prosperity in our manufacturing districts, and the full employment afforded the operative classes, con- tinues on a most extensive scale. Such, indeed, is the extent of the demand, that it is with the greatest difficulty that it can be met. The falling off" in the importations of stock from the continent has contributed to give stability to prices, and we may safely conclude that any serious decline in the quo- tations is out of the question. Lean stock, as T 2 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 266 might be anticipated, is selling at enormously high rates— too high, in our opinion, to admit of small graziers extending their business; and another feature in connection with feeding is the comparative scarcity of good food in some parts of England. The yield of the hay crop has turned out very inferior to last year ; the supply on most farms being by no means so good or so fine as could be desired. We may observe, however, that the turnip and carrot crops are likely to be unusually large. Should they come up to present expecta- tions, the supply of winter food will be large. The presence of cholera in the metropolis has had a most depressing influence upon the veal trade, and a rapid fall has taken place in prices. The following are the imports of foreign stock into London during the month : — Head. Beasts 5,506 Sheep 19,770 Lambs 1,178 Calves 2,495 2,176 CORRESPONDING PERIODS. IMPORTS AT Aug. Beasts. 1847 .. .. 4,185. 1848 .. .. 2,526. 1849 .. .. 2,913. 1850 .. .. 4,277. 1851 .. .. 5,342. 1852 .. .. 5,316. 1S53 .. .. 4,929. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. .18,489.. 874.. 1,942.. ,14,266.. 871.. 2,135.. ,15,981.. 1,179.. 1,000.. .17,376.. 2,370.. 1,945.. .24,342.. 4,431.. 2,569. . .23,623.. 3,576.. 2,867.. ,22,436.. 2,579.. 2,908.. Pigs. 302 581 2,009 1,856 2,055 COMPARISON OF PRICES. At the outports about 4,000 head of stock have been landed, chiefly from Spain and Holland ; but they have been received in very middling condition. The annexed statement shews the total supplies of English and foreign stock shown in Smithfield : — Head. Beasts 21,384 Cows 530 Sheep and lambs 164,920 Calves 4,286 Pigs 3,870 STOCK SHOWN AT CORRESPONDING PERIODS. Beasts. Sheep & Lambs. 1849 18,133.. ..173,620.. 1850 19,390 181,490.. 1851 20,317 181,900.. 1852 21,049 165,770.. 1853 24,345. . . . 172,102. . About 10,000 short-horns have been received from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamp- tonshire. The arrivals from other parts of England have been under 3,000 of various breeds ; and from Scotland, 350 horned and polled Scots. Beef has sold at from 3s. 2d. to fully 5s.; mutton, 3s. 4d. to 5s.; lamb, 4s. 2d. to 5s. 6d.; veal, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 6d.; pork, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. per 8 lbs., to sink the offals. Calves. Pigs. 2,480.. . . 2,200 2,348.. ..2,291 2,648.. . . 2,732 3,350.. ..2,785 3,431.. ..2,990 August, 1850. August, 1851. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef . . from 2 6 to 3 10 0. . . 2 4 to 3 6 Mutton .... 3 2 4 2.. .. 2 10 3 10 Lamb 3 6 4 6.. .. 3 10 4 10 Veal 3 0 4 0.. ..2 4 3 6 Pork 3 2 4 0.. ..2 4 3 8 August, 1852. August, 1853. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef . . from 2 4 4 0.. ..3 0 4 6 Mutton .... 2 6 4 2.. ..3 4 5 0 Lamb 4 0 5 2.. ..4 6 6 0 Veal 2 8 4 0 . ..3 4 5 0 Pork 2 6 3 6.. ..3 0 4 0 The prevailing hot weather has operated as a serious check to the trade in Newgate and Leaden- hall, yet the general quotations have ruled high. Beef has sold at from 3s. to 4s. 8d. ; mutton, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d.; lamb, 4s. 2d. to 5s. 4d.; veal, 2s. lOd. to 4s. 4d.; and pork, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. per Bibs, by the carcase. M I D - K E N T . When I last wrote you, the staple crop of this district — "the hops" — looked very bad certainly, but not worse than they had been known to do on former occasions at the same time, and afterwards recovered. Unfortunately, however, there is no recovery this year, and those which were bad in June and July are worse now, with some slight exception of here and there a piece not severely attacked, which the fine weather ia July improved very much, while at the same time it was fatal to those which were much diseased — they being unable to bear again so much sunshine. The result is, that the crop of hops is calculated not to amount to more than one-fourth or perhaps one-fifth of an average one. Now it is easy to infer that being so much below the standard of consumption, the price must necessarily advance. This, however, has in a measure been neutralized by the late act of the Legislature reducing the duty of foreign hops, as well as other causes dif- ficult to explain, but, as will be known, the price of hops has always been fluctuating. Not unfrequently the same descrip- tion of hops will realize three times the amount at one season that they will command at another ; and the plant itself is also of that changeable uncertain character as to coincide with such fluctuations. Speculators on the crop therefore estimate its extent by the amount of duty, and a sort of gambling has sprung up, based on that source of revenue, and some of our speculating men calculated the crop to amount to no more than would pay £40,000 duty at one time, while a good season exceeds £200,000 ; however, the prospect has brightened a little, and £70,000 seems more likely to be the sum named. However, as my purpose is to describe the crop, I may say that it presents many features : those which were not very severely attacked by vermin in early spring, and had received judicious management during the summer, have turned out well since the hot weather set in; while many that were in the last stage of disease had their period of existence hastened by that change, and soon after looked as black as the autumn foliage of trees in a city. Some there are of a medium quality — the really good being the fewest of any. Speaking of corn, I may say that the wheat looks remarkably well everywhere, but it is very late — much of it being far from ripe yet (the 10th of August), while oats are still later, and 1 think hardly so good as the wheat. Barley is not extensively grown here, neither is it of the best quality, but it is tolerably good : straw, of course, being plentiful. Beans are far from good : a blight having affected the bloom, they have not set well, and an im- moderate amount of stalk is the consequence. Peas have been good, but the late rains have not benefited them much : thus THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 267 I hear of great losses in that crop. Our hay crop was various, and the getting of it in was equally so : the early and late seasons being good, while the middle was wet, and much hay was spoiled in consequence. However, the subsequent rains have kept up the feed tolerably plentiful, and been useful to other green crops. Turnips looking pretty well when they were down ; but the great bulk of that crop are those that are sown after harvest on newly ploughed up stubble, which this season will be late ; neveitheless, on the whole the season has been more favourable than the one last year, so that the fallows, fruit plantation, hop garden, &c., look much cleaner than they did then, and, if we be favoured by fine weather to secmre the corn, I think the season may, on the whole, be called a productive one, despite the hops, which are certainly bad, and just around here of more consequence than anything else — so much capital being at stake in their culture. Potatoes I had almost forgot to say are good, and but very few traces of disease : the crop is also very abundant — better than for many years past. The fruit, of which much is over now, has been various : the quality not being good, while the quantity was sufficiently large, except in currants, which have been thin. I cannot close the article without mentioning an incident in the way of cautioning some of your agricultural friends who may be in the habit of stacking hay in buildings ; for a neighbour of mine imprudently stacked some in his barn, which overheated, fired, and the whole farm-buildings, with a stack of beans and some old hay in a stack near by, was totally consumed. Such disasters are I am aware not solitary, but they ought to be less frequent, and the insertion of this may add another link to the chain of evidence against such pro- ceedings. I might also add that the tenant was not insured, and must consequently^be a heavy loser, * * DEKBYSHIKE. We are coming gradually into the throng ot our corn- harvest. Reaping has commenced in the south of the county. In some localities, corn will not be ripe within the month, so great is the diversity of soil and climate. The western and north-western districts are always late. Where reaping has begun, the wheat crop cuts up well — everywhere well headed. Some fields will cut up light for bulk, but all must yield well. Bailey is an excellent crop — perhaps, never better. Oats are more varied, but, taken as a whole, will be an average crop. The bean crop is deficient, and very filthy. We trust a gracious Providence may favour us with fine weather, to secure so bountiful a harvest. The hay harvest is nearly over. It has been a tedious affair, and some part of the crop has not been well secured. As regards bulk, the crop has been a light one. The potato crop promises hetter than it has done for several years last past. The complaints about the disease are very few, and what we have seen are splendid specimens. Should we be spared the evil, we shall have a most ample re- turn of this crop, which will tell upon the bread question. The breadth planted was very great ; and as far as we can now calculate, the return will be most abundant. The turnip crop is a good one. Some fields there are which form the exception. They have been managed in a slovenly manner throughout, and are now a disgrace to the owners. Those who mean to grow turnips must never begrudge the expense. We consider there is no great secret about them : we never have a failure. Plenty of manure and plenty of labour are the two main ingredients in the receipt. Our fat stock markets are without much variation. Lean stock lower, arising from the scarcity of food. The pastures are everywhere very bare, and the aftermaths will be very light. The demand for labour continues unprecedented. It has been, in many localities, a most difficult matter to get half a sufficiency to secure the hay crop ; and how the corn crop is to be gathered is no mean problem to solve. The crops in the locality where the writer resides will be ready to cut in a week, and now every hand is employed at high wages ; but where cne extra hand is to be had from, he knows not, to begin the harvest with. It will be doubtful if money wUl obtain a sufficiency. We thought the reaping machines were to have come in to our aid, with vast improvement ; but farmers now look on them as fancy traps. We examined those exhibited at Lincoln, but think the prin- ciples of all wrong. To state what wages are would be diffi- cult, but those you meet with modestly ask you 30s. per week The labour question is becoming as important a one as rent, and, on many arable farms, is equal to a rise of twenty per cent. We have always expressed our satisfaction at the la- bourers' prospect. It is cheering to have no complaining in our streets ; but how far this labour question will eventually affect other interests of the community, we are not able to define. We can only say we never knew it so scarce. — August 17. SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Upon the weather of the forthcoming month depends, in great measure, the successful labour, or otherwise, of the husbandman, during the past year. All things considered, a more gratifying period never presented itself. Corn crops are daily arriving at a state of maturity, and will henceforth gra- dually fall before the hands of the reapers. Pastures have received material benefit from late rains ; while turnips, in- fluenced by the same cause, generally look full of growth, and promise a satisfactory crop. Thus, with the blessing of Pro- vidence, we trust plenty will be everywhere found, and avert in some degree the horrors of famine and war. We have now written of the appearance of this district in general ; but, looking at matters separately, we find wheat extremely va- riable in condition, quantity and quality. On some lands, cutting has already commenced : on these, quality and quan- tity are alike good. On others, some time must elapse before it is ready ; consequently, it will be in a greater measure liable to atmospheric influences. In some few districts, it is seriously mildewed ; and the crop put down at from thirty to thirty- six bushels per acre is only now credited with six or nine. Hap- pily, such disastrous instances are rare ; nevertheless, they do exist. Rust has also shown itself with very injurious effect. We never saw less laid corn. The checks which the plant received in spring, rendering it thin upon the ground, has in- creased the strength of the straw, and so been the means of protecting it from the more than average fall of rain during the latter part of July and early days of August. We find very few really extraordinary crops, as we have sometimes done in former years. The prospect of sixty bushels per acre is this season, indeed, a very rare instance. On the whole, therefore, while we have known years when there were many heavier crops than this, yet we have seen none where there was so much land under wheat cultivation; and although covered with less than an average number of plants, yet the very favourable time for the flowering and feeding of the ears must ultimately, with a propitious harvest time, give a more than average yield. The crop of barley will prove decidedly the best of the year, although the last season will not be ready for the scythe for some time to come. The whole, or nearly so, of the early-sown will be ready to cut during the forth- coming week (August 14). In some districts, it is badly laid, and will require great care in harvesting, clover and seeds having grown through it, consequently requiring a greater length of time before it is ready for stacking. We have had one or two samples shown to us ; but their colour and quality did not come up to our anticipation, having evidently dried too quickly. Beans promise well ; and, although in some situations upon the limestone filth was at one time complained of, they have podded well, and will ultimately give a fair crop, but are good where they were sown early, but bad where sowing was deferred. The wet weather has been the preser- vation of the turnip crop. Previously to the rain, the " finger- and toe" disease was very generally manifesting itself to an alarming extent. In some instances, too, we also notice that they have come up only partially, although in these we believe their absence is much to be accounted for by careless and improper drilling, as well as by the use of artificial tillages, which prove certain destruction to the seed when placed in too great proximity. They, however, now manifest a healthy growth ; and in more minutely inspecting a crop of " Orange Jelly," we were much surprised to find such fine bulbs, and of a quality superior to anything we had before observed. Their hoeing, with the exception of those sown after tares, has been completed; and the workmen were never more generally ready for the commencement of harvest, the slight delay having enabled us to bring up all arrears of work, and make foldyards ready for autumn and winter feeding. JMauy have 268 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. bf e 1 adopting the plan of the East Riding farmers, by muck- ing their seeds intended for wheat with the uiafermented litter. Upou the Yorlishire wolds, this system has long been highly approved of, and attended with perfect success. Pota- toes generally look more healthy than of late years ; and, so fai, we see few indications of disease, which will, it is hoped, improve their yield. At present, they come to the markets in plenty, and realize from 2s. 4d. to 23. 6d. per bushel. The markets for grain are altogether influenced by the weather ; but the harvest is not sufficiently advanced at present to jus- tify any further material reduction in the value of old grain, as some time must elapse before new is in a proper state to grind by itself. Stocks of old in farraers' hands are iiuprece- dentedly low. Wool has shown an improved tendency in its value, and at the advanced prices many lots have changed hands. At our late fairs, little has been done in the sale of lean stock ; and although fat has shown a depressing value, improved pastures and a good aftermath enable sellers to hold on.— Aug, 14. EDINBURGHSHIRE. Since our last, favourable weather has preponderated, and the progress of the various crops towards m.aturity has been on the whole satisfactory. Harvest has now commenced along the coast, and in early localities, and would be prosecuted with vigour if the weather settle dry and favourable. The result of many inquiries and our own observation leads us to the conclusion that the wheat crop will be about an average one, while barley and oats will rather exceed an average ; but so little of the new crop has been thrashed out, that we are still unable to say anything in regard to quality ; and at all events this must yet depend in great measure on the character of the weather during harvest, as scarcely a sheaf is yet secured in the yards. Fortunately there are plenty of reapers, including a fair sprinkling of Bell's machines, which appear to do the work pretty satisfactorily. The potato crop still keeps tolerably sound, though of late unfavourable reports increase, and fears are entertained that more or less loss will again be sustained in this crop ; iu the meantime, however, it is satisfactory to the growers in this county that the disease baa not up to this time committed such ravages as in other parts of the country. The breadth of land under this crop is very large, and we should estimate it at a fourth more than in any year since 1846, and probably it was never exceeded previous to that year; consequently the individual interest iu the crop is very important, and the farmer's profit will be very much influenced by the issue of the crop. At present, though the market is well supplied at moderate prices, there is no semblance of a glut such as we have sometimes experienced about this period, when the farmers, frightened by the progress of disease, rushed their produce to market irrespective of price. Turnips are everywhere a luxuriant crop, and should they continue to grow as they have done, we may expect iu their maturity a very gratifying result. Grain markets have been seasonably well supplied by the farmers, especially with wheat and barley, and under the influence of dull reports and drooping currencies from the south, the trade here has been very lifeless, and the fall in the price of wheat and barley has rather exceeded the pace in Mark Lane. The stocks in far- mers' hands are now greatly reduced, indeed we never saw the yards so thoroughly cleared in this county as at the pre- sent moment. The imports from abroad are also falling off, and the stocks in the seaports must be diminishing ; so that millers will be of necessity thrown upon the resources of the new crop at an earlier period and in a greater degree than usual ; and much may depend on the scale in which faimers bring forward their new crop for regulating prices during the next three months. Stock markets have been very heavy, and the tendeiicy of prices has been decidedly downwards. At some of the principal provincial lamb markets held recently prices have ruled 23. to 43. a-head under those of last year. Wool is 30 per cent, cheaper since last year. — Aug. 25. BUCKWHEAT TO KILL QUACK (SWITCH?) GRASS. — Eds. Rural: — I have read with considerable attention your correspondents' articles on the subject of exterminating quack, and think they are very good, but think that we have a way here in old Herkimer that is better than under-draining or summer fallowing. Under-draining of itself will not kill the quack, but summer fallowing will, if it is well attended to. The way we take to exterminate it is simply to " choke it out," by sowing a grain that has a rapid growth, and which covers the ground so completely as to give the quack no chance for " breathing." This grain is buckwheat. The mode of pro- cedure is to plough the ground in the fall, and again in the spring; then harrow the ground two or three times, at in- tervals of two weeks, or oftener if the quack grows very fast : be sure to keep the quack down, so that the blades get no more than three or four inches long. Sow between the 12th of June and the 1st of July. Use half a bushel of seed more per acre than is usually sown. If the ground is not strong enough to bring a heavy growth of straw, use manure freely, as the object is to promote a heavy growth of straw, that will effectually smother any plant that is under it. The advantage this method has over that of summer fallowing is, that summer fallowing only kills what quack is brought on top of the ground by the plough and harrow, the rest is left free to sprout and grow again ; and as long as it has a chance to sprout, it will retain life. Buckwheat kills it by stopping its lungs (leaves) ; and the next year, the ground, when turned over, will have the appearance of a half decayed straw-stack, thereby giving it an excellent coat of manure, — J. A. W.— Mohawk, June 1854. GURISEYISM AS APPLIED TO GRAZING.— About two years since the spirited owners of the Pinchbeck Flax Rettery, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, requiring additional space upon which to dry their flax, applied to the proprietor of an adjoining arable field of 20 acres for its use. Being a thoughtful farmer, somewhat of the old school, and a clever man of business, he did not forget what " spreading flax" did for land forty years ago ; and desiring to retain his land, as also to accommodate his neighbours, he at length made a proposal which has proved advantageous to both. The land was let upon lease for 21 years, divided into four equal parts, and laid down to grass — the proprietor to retain the use of the grass. One of these divisions is at all times, and in alternate courses, to be cleared for the stock ; and no flax is to remain on the ground to dry longer than 14 days, so that the drying, clearing, and stocking shall proceed as uniformly as possible. In this way it frequently follows that more than one part is at liberty to receive the stock ; but more generally three parts are under the flax in its various stages, and only one stocked. The great fact, however, is this : that, notwithstanding tram- ways and trampling, laying out and gathering in, &c., this field of 20 acres has well and satisfactorily grazed during the summer no less than 267 large long-woolled hogget sheep. Surely this is great proof of the value of the system : it ought to be more extensively tried, and proper results given, both experimentally and scientifically. NEW WEATHER-GLASS.— For some years I have been in the habit of watching the condition of the gum in my wife's camphor bottle, which stands in our bed-room ; and when not disturbed, it makes a capital weather-glass. It answers my purpose as well as a barometer that would cost me twenty-five or fifty dollars. When there is to be a change of weather, from fair to windy or wet, the thin flakes of the gum will rise up ; and sometimes, when there was to be a great storm, I have seen them at the top. When they settle down clearly at the bottom, then we are sure of grand weather. Any farmer who will watch his wife's camphor bottle for a season, will never have occasion to watch the birds, or locusts, or ants, for indica- tions of a change in the weather. — Literary Journal. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. METEOROLOGICAL DIARY. Barometer. 1854. July 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Aug. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ^ 17 18 19 20 21 i a.m. in. cts. 30.22 30.22 30.16 30.11 30.12 30.11 30.19 30.21 30.03 29.84 29.69 29.73 29.83 29.92 29.97 30.06 30.06 30.06 30.00 29.90 29.93 29.98 29.92 29.76 29.86 29.87 30.00 30.10 30.16 30.05 29.90 10p.m. in. cts. 30.20 30.15 30.11 30.11 30.10 30.16 30.20 30.11 29.90 29.70 29.71 29.80 29.88 29.92 30.05 30.07 30.06 30.00 29.91 29.85 29.98 29.92 29.80 29.85 29.87 29.96 30.02 30.15 30.10 30.10 29.77 Thermometer. Min. 62 60 63 63 65 60 57 49 59 62 * 52 58 51 52 53 53 52 56 58 56 59 56 63 56 53 48 46 53 59 58 Max. 85 86 87 88 75 72 69 74 82 77 * 74: 59 56 59 6Q 65 73 72 75 72 70 80 73 69 67 62 69 74 7Q 69 lOp.m 66 70 63 63 56 62 67 64 58 62 57 52i 55 56 56 58* 61 63 62 60 70 61 55 55 53 58 64 69 62 Wind and State. Direction. S. West Every way East N. East E. N. E. E. N. E. N. N. E. S. East southerly S. West 3. Westerly W. N. W. N. N. E. N. N. E. N.,N. by W. North N. East Westerly South, var. W. by S. by N N.W., S.W. S. West South S. West S. West W. by N. N. West W. by N. W. by South S. West S. West Force. airy var. brisk lively strong brisk lively gentle var. lively airy airy airy brisk airy gentle gentle gentle gentle gentle var. lively fresh fresh gentle gentle gentle gentle airy gentle lively Atmosphere. 8 a.m. fine fine fine fine cloudy cloudy fine fine fine cloudy cloudy fine cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy fine cloudy cloudy fine cloudy fine cloudy fine fine fine fine fine cloudy cloudy 2 p.m.jlOp.m. clear smoky fine fine cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy fine cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy fine fine clear fine fine cloudy fine fine clear fine fine fine cloudy cloudy clear fine sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun cloudy fine sun cloudy cloudy cloudy sun fine sun cloudy sun sun fine sun sun cloudy fine cloudy sun sun sun cloudy Weat'r. dry dry dry dry dry dry dry dry dry rain showery showery wet wet showery dry dry dry dry dry dry dry dry dry showery showery showery dry dry showery showery Estimated Averages of August. Barometer. Highest I Lowest. 30.26 I 29.35 Real Average Temperature of the Period. Highest. 72.5 Lowest. 56.4 Mean, 64.45 Weather and Phenomena. July 22. Glorious day; sun heat, at 4.5 p.m., 124 degrees. 23. Beautiful till about 5 p.m., then a smoky haze. 24. Sun sets as a red globe. 25. Superb. 26. Strong current ; lower clouds rapid ; upper scarcely move. 27. Cold air. 28. The easterly \vind very ungenial. 29. Change ap- proaches : black stratus clouds. 30. Distant thun- der ; great heat again. 31. Rain commences late in the evening; 3-lOths of inch reported. Lunation.— New Moon, 25th day, 3h. 15 m. morning. * August 1. Fine till 4 p.m. ; close shower; heat not taken, being absent. 2, Showery p.m. 3, 4, 5. The easterly winds, as usual, this year have brought cold and rain. 6, 7. Much improved, 8, Summer day. 9. Heavy clouds ; clearing off, 10, 11, 12, Fine harvest weather; some clouds, 13. Very hot, close ; overcast evening. 14. A mere sprinkle. 15, 16, 17. Change of wind, again bringing showers and low temperature. 18, 19. Harvest days. 20. A shower early, but a perfect summer day. 21, Close and oppressive; a few light sprinkUngs, Lunations. — First quarter, 1st day, 10 h. 28 m, morning. Full, 8th day, 1 h. 17 m. afternoon. Last quarter, 15th day, 1 h, 50 m. afternoon. Remarks connected with Agriculture. — Our Comparative Prospects, In July, the entire volume of rain amounted to about 2^ inches. In the July of 1853, it measured 5 inches 90 cents. The total of August instant (to the 18th day) stands at 1 j inches, the chief of it on the 2nd and 3rd days ; that of 1853 (to the 18th) was below 3-lOths of an inch. But then rain came on just at the critical period of harvest, and nearly 2 inches of water were measured. The rains of the present month were mostly propitious for the fodder and root crops, without causing any injury to the corn. Reaping, weathering, and carrying proceed steadily, and our harvest-home is of rich promise. Croydon, Aug 22. J. Towers. 270 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c. BEDALE FORTNIGHT FAIR.— We had a small show of cattle, which was equal to the demand, and prices as before. A large number of mutton sheep had ready sale. Beef, 63. 6d. to 7s. per stone ; mutton, 6d. to 6^d. per lb. CARNWATH LAMB FAIR.— The show was comprised principally of blackfaced lambs, with a few lots of good Che- ■viots and greyfaced ; also a limited number of half-bred. There was an average show, at least, and the stock was good and fresh. The buyers were few — more especially from England and the Border counties. This market was considered to be the dullest ever seen here ; and one particular reason assigned is the unexpected number of north country lambs that are now shown here — being a new feature in this market — which had the effect, along with the short number of buyers, of making it a very dull one for stock brought from the Higlilands or the south of Scotland. ELGIN MARKET.— There was a large and excellent dis- play of all kinds of cattle, and a good attendance of dealers, but the market was remarkably stiff. The prices sought in the earlier part of the day were so high that purchasers would not listen to them, and the consequence was that scarcely a transaction took place until towards the afternoon, when sellers began to lower their tone a little. It required hard driving, however, to do business at even the following figures, which are very high : — Mr. Mackessack, Grangegreen, sold a lot of two-year-old crosses at £20 (the top figure of the market), and another lot at the same price ; Mr. Scott, Man- been, sold a lot of do., at £16 ; Mr. Cruikshank, Newfield, a lot of do., at £14 ISs., and another lot at £12 5s.; Dr. Ross, Linksfield, a lot of do , at £15 ; Mr. Cruikshank, Cloves, a lot of three-year-olds, at £14 ; Mr. Sellar, Westfield, a lot of two-year-olds at £13, and a lot at £8; Mr. Cruickshank, Lochs, a lot of three-year-olds (Highlanders), at £12 Ss. ; Mr. Leslie, Rothes, a lot of two-year-old stots £11 ISs. ; Mr. Mackessack, Miltonbrae, a lot of two-year-olds, polled, at £12 ; Mr. Macdonald, Hillside, a lot of do., at £11 5s. ; Mr. Anton, Coltfield, a lot of two-year-old polled stots, at £12 ; Mr. Hoyes, Kinneddar, a lot of two-year-old crosses, at £12 10s. ; Mr. Cruickshank, Barmuckity, a lot of two-year-olds at £9 lOs. ; Mr. Grigor, Findrassie, a lot of two-year-old queys, at £9 10s., &c. &c. The best beasts were all sold ; but a considerable number, not remarkable for good qualities, left the green with- out a purchaser. In milch cows very few transactions took place. The prices sought were very high — from £12 to £25. There were a few sheep on the ground, which were sold at a late hour at a pretty high figure. GLOUCESTER MONTHLY MARKET.— The supply of cattle and sheep was unusually small for the season of the year, consequently the trade was very brisk. Beef sold readily at from 6|d. to Id., mutton 6|d. to 7d., lamb 7^d. to 8d. per lb. ; pigs from 10s. to lis. per score. The market was cleared at an early hour. IPSWICH LAMB FAIR.— The number of lambs penned was above the average of the last seven years, there being at least 40,000 head. Trade throughout was exceedingly slow and uusatisfactory. On Tuesday there was scarcely anything done until the afternoon, when a few sales were effected by the holders slightly giving way. The lambs were not in such fine condition as last year by fully Is. per head, and compared with that date prices were from 3s. to 4s. per head lower. There was a fair inquiry for dark-faced ewe lambs for breeding pur- poses, which fetched from 26s. to 31g. each. Mr. Dakiug, of Washbrook, sold a fine lot at 28s., and Mr. Miller, of Boyton, realized 26s. for a pen of the same description, and 18s. for a lot of wethers. Mr. Everett, of Brightwell, had a tine pen of Downs, which were sold at 243. per head. Mr. WoUon, of Newbourne, exhibited a large pen of beautiful pure Downs ; but though many inquiries were made, there was no satisfac- tory offer, and they quitted the fair unsold. Of the flocks be- longing to Lady Harlaud, a pen of white- faced were disposed of for 27s. 6d. ; the other pens, consisting of Downs and half- breds, found no buyers at the prices demanded. At the re- sumption of business on Wednesday morning, no satisfactory change took place in prices ; in fact the sellers were obliged to submit to still lower terms before a transfer could be made. As on the previous day, the greater part of the stock remained un- sold. There was an unusual quantity of store sheep shown, but the demand was principally for dark-faced breeding ewes, for which from 38s. to 44s. per head were freely given. The show of fat sheep was the smallest ever known. There was, how- ever, much inquiry for this description of stock, and we believe one or two lots sold at 8d. per lb. by weight. As usual, the tups shown by Mr. Sexton, of Wherstead, were justly admired. There was a large show of Irish beasts, in poor condition, but very few sales were effected, and the fat beef was not worth mentioning. Mr. Edwick and other dealers brought a large number of serviceable ponies into the field, which met a ready sale at high prices. KILGERRAN FAIR.— This fair was attended with cattle and dealers, and much business was done for good prices. Although we cannot quote any advance,[yet the trade was active and in a healthy state, and not as it has been for the last two months ; yet young cattle and sheep were of a slow sale ; but every other kind of stock was selling well. LALESTON FAIR.— The attendance was small in conse- quence of the weather, and the fair being but little known, as it has been only lately established. The cattle were sold at lower rates than at previous fairs in the neighbourhood. LINCOLN FAT STOCK MARKET.— There was only a short supply of both beasts and sheep, and consequently prices were a trifle higher thau our last quotations. Beef realized from 7s. to 7s. 9d. per stone ; and Mutton, 6d. to 7d. per lb. LUDLOW FAIR was well supplied. Pork at late quota- tions; Mutton, 6 jd. to 7d. per lb. ; good store ewes in request at high rates. Beef of best quality from 6d. to 7d. ; prime steers sold exceedingly well. A large fair of horses and carters sought after at satisfactory prices, but at less rates than some few months past. MARLBOROUGH LAMB FAIR was well attended, and many of the pens were remarkable for symmetry and shape. A very large number were penned, trade ruled brisk, and prices took an upward tendency, realizing fully 2s. per head above the price obtained at Tan-hill. The following prizes were awarded ; and it was the subject of general observation that no prizes were ever awarded with more judgment, or were better deserved : — Prize 1. A piece of plate of the value of £7, for the best 100 wether lambs, bred by the competitor, and not having been fed on any artificial food, Mr. Vaisey, Grove-farm. Prize 2. A piece of plate of the value of £3, for the second best 100 wethers, bred by the competitor, and not having been fed on any artificial food, W. B. Canning, Esq., Chisledon. Prize 3. A piece of plate of the value of £7, for the best 100 ewes, good in tooth, bred by the com- petitor, and not having been fed on any artificial food, R. Canning, Esq., Ramsbury-park. Prize 4. A piece of plate of plate of the value of £3, for the second best ditto, Mr. Wentworth, Avebury. Similar prizes to the above will be offered at the fair on the 23rd November, but without restric- tion as to feeding. MARTOCK FAIR was well supplied with sheep, there being nearly 1,000 penned. Beasts and pigs were also plen- tiful. A good sale was effected at the following prices : — Beef, 10s. to lOs. 6d. per score; barreners, II. to 121. each j mutton, 5^d. to G^d. per lb. ; Pigs at former rates. NEW ROMNEY FAIR.— Up to two o'clock, the number of lambs sold was 8,759, in 93 lots, averaging 22s. 75d. each. Of old sheep there had been 1,995 sold in 37 lots, averaging 35s. lOd, each ; 101 ewe tegs in four lots, averaging SOs. 3d.; 2,256 wether tegs, in 11 lots, averaging 34s. 9d. ; 199 two-year old wethers, in 7 lots, averaging 573. ; 10 maiden barrens, in one lot, averaging 46s. The total number penned was 18,262 ; last year there were 12,500 penned. PENRITH FORTNIGHTLY FAIR.— There was the largest show of fat sheep and lambs, &c., we remember seeing this season. The butchers found fat a good deal better to buy, prices being 5^i. to 6d. per lb., sinking offal. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 271 PEIDDY FAIR was well supplied with all kinds of stock, but the sale was dull at downward prices. The horse fair was not so well attended as on former occasions, and the sale was bad ; a decline of full 20 per cent, on horses has taken place in the last three months. There were not many sold. — SJier- lorne Journal. RUGBY FAIR.— Beef, 6id, to 6id. ; mutton, 6d. to 7d. per lb. ; all sold. Stores dull of sale, at sinking prices. It was a large fair, and well attended. SHREWSBURY FAIR.— There were plenty of buyers, and a large supply of stock of all kinds, which were cleared off early at good prices. Beef made 6d. to 6|d., but the prevail- ing price was 6 Jd. ; veal 6d., wether mutton 6|d. to 7d., fat lambs 6|d. to 7d., porkets 5|d. to 6d. Store cattle and good cows and calves sold well ; store pigs unaltered. ST. LAWRENCE FAIR.— The supply of cattle was large, and the sale for all descriptions was remarkably good, at about the same prices as have been lately realized. THURSBY LAMB FAIR was well supplied with lambs, both of the Cheviot and half-breds, in good condition. Al- though the amount of business done was not so extensive aa on previous occasions, yet remunerative prices were obtained for those sold, the prices varying from lis. 6d. to 19s. each. YORK FORTNIGHT MARKET.— The supply of and demand for fat beasts were about equal, at from 6s. 6d. to 7s, 6d. per stone, as per quality. The show of mutton was above the demand, trade being heavy, at from 5|d. to 6|d. per lb., as per weight and quality. Grazing sheep and lambs were in great supply, with very heavy sale ; prices tended downwards, and many unsold. Lean beasts, in English, Irish, and Scotch, were in good supply, with slow sale, at prices in favour of the buyer. Calving and dairy cows were in about equal supply and demand, at lowering rates. REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST. Though the month of August has nearly been brought to a close, a very large proportion of the corn crops of Great Britain still remains unsecured. The commencement of harvest has this season been ten days to a fortnight later than the usual period, and the work has been interrupted from time to time by showery weather ; indeed, during the first week in the month, the rain was so heavy and general, as to put a temporary stop to carting ; and some mischief was done to the standing corn by wet. Notwithstanding the disadvantages alluded to, fair progress has been made during the last fortnight, and we have reason to conclude that the result of the harvest will, as a whole, prove satisfactory. It is yet too early to speak very positively as to either quantity or quality ; but a general idea may be formed from what is already known. We have spared no pains to collect information, and our friends in diflferent parts of the kingdom have readily responded to our enquiries. With regard to wheat, we are inclined to think that the estimate we ventured to give before cutting had been commenced, viz., 2i full average in quantity, will prove rather too low : we have heard of several instances where the yield to the acre has astonished the growers ; and though this may be the e.xception to the rule, still we are inclined to make some alteration in our previously offered opinion ; and we now believe that, as far as regards quantity, there will be a decided excess over ordinary average seasons. The quality must of course depend on the weather which may be experienced, as a con- siderable part — certainly more than one half of the entire crop — still remains in the field. That which has been secured presents great variety of quality, ranging from very inferior to very fine. No better proof of this can be given than the wide difference in prices, sales having been made on the same day, and at the same market, at 50s. and at 70s. per qr. Barley is a heavy crop. The proportion carried is probably rather more than of wheat ; but suflieient is still exposed to render the weather for the next week or two a matter of serious importance. The colour has suffered considerably by the wet weather in the early part of last week, and there will be a large portion of coarse quality. We have, however, seen some fine samples ; and even the discoloured parcels might be manufactured into good malt, the berry being large and plump, and the corn kindly and well-matured. Oats are quite as well spoken of as other sorts of grain ; but they do not appear to have been so ex- tensively cultivated on this side of the channel as in Ireland, and the result of the crop there will therefore, in a great degree, regulate the future range of prices. Of this we are not prepared as yet to report with accuracy ; but we may say that we have thus far heard few complaints, and we know that the breadth sown was large. Beans have suffered from blight, fly, &c., and will, we believe, give but an indiflferent return. Peas have yielded well, and are of handsome quality. With the single exception of beans (which crop is not very important), we regard the pro- bable result of the harvest as highly satisfactory. The three most important crops — wheat, barley, and oats — will, there is every reason to conclude, be con- siderably above an average, and the reign of high prices may therefore be considered as at an end. This our agricultural friends will, we are sure, not regret, so long as they have a prospect of obtaining something like remunerating rates for their produce, and we think that this will be the case during the 272 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. next twelve montiis. Stocks of old corn have been reduced into a very narrow compass in this country, as well as abroad, in consequence of the great defi- ciency in the harvest of 1853 in Great Britain, France, and some of the other continental states ; and it is not likely therefore that quotations will be reduced to the level which has prevailed since the first commencement of free trade. At the same time, farmers will have to be contented with much lower prices than those recently current ; good qualities of wheat will probably range somewhere between 50s. to 60s., barley about 25s. to 30s. per qr. ; and other grain and pulse in proportion. There is one matter of great importance to which we have not yet referred, viz., the potato crop. That the root has been attacked by the disease which has been more or less general since the year 1846, does not admit of doubt. As yet, it is im- possible to say to what extent the injury may spread; and when the effects of this visitation in 1846 is recollected, no surprise can be felt that considerable uneasiness should prevail on the subject, more especially as regards Ireland. The accounts from thence have, within the last few weeks, become rather alarming ; and making full allowance for the excitable character of our Irish fellow-subjects, still we fear that the loss of this useful article of food will be important. Should it prove as great as some of the reports from thence are calculated to make us believe, the prices of grain would no doubt be influenced thereby after awhile ; but thus far, the eflfect has been to depress rather than enhance the value of food, as large quantities of potatoes have been thrown on the markets, and forced oflf at the best prices obtainable. The uncertainty which still attaches to the final result of the harvest, the prospects of a partial failure in the potato crop in Ireland, and the ac- knowledged shortness of stocks of old corn, render it impossible to speak positively in respect to the future ; and we wish it therefore to be distinctly understood that what we have said in the foregoing part of this article as to the probable value of grain after harvest shall have been completed, must be subject to the proviso that the remainder of the corn crops shall be secured in good order, and the potato disease prove no worse than it has been for some years past. Before dismissing this subject, it may not be out of place to say a few words in regard to the relative value which old wheat is likely to maintain. That it will rule higher than new can scarcely be ques- tioned. For some time past, the deliveries from the growers have been so small, that the presumption is, that most of the farmers have been completely cleared out, and that we shall have to depend on granaried stocks of foreign for the required quan- tity for mixing with the new. London is nearly the only port in the United Kingdom at which any large quantity of foreign wheat is held ; and of what is held here, a great portion is of inferior quality. It strikes us there- fore that really fine parcels are not likely to recede materially in value, more especially as the receipts from abroad will be comparatively insignificant, the large shipments made throughout the summer having drained the different continental ports of old stocks. By the official accounts, it appears that the im- portations into the United Kingdom during the last three months have been, of wheat and flour, as follows — Qrs. Cwt. Month ending June 5 611,992 373,761 " Julys 357,104 ,...222,479 " Aug. 5 281,950 250,103 The falling off the last two months has, it will be perceived, been very great ; and at present, there is, we believe, very little on passage to this country. A comparison between the above imports and those in the corresponding months of 1853, may perhaps prove of some interest. The latter were in the if heat. Flour. Month ending June 5 525,000 .... 341,964 " July 5 .... 331,193 369,843 " ug. 5 691,000 .... 379,000 We shall here close our remarks as to the probable future, and proceed to give our usual retrospect of the course of the trade during the month, at Mark Lane. Until supplies of the new crop began to make their appearance, the arrivals of homegrown wheat into the port of London became smaller from week to week ; and with the addition which has been lately made by the deliveries of new, the receipts have thus far been on a very moderate scale. During the first eight or ten days in August, we had unsettled weather, with a considerable fall of heavy rain ; this was not without influence on the trade, and part of the depression which had taken place in July was recovered, the sales made on the fth inst. being at prices 3s. to 4s. per qr. above those current on that day se'nnight. A week of bright sunshine sufficed, however, to shake the returning confidence ; and on the 14th about 2s. per qr. of the advance was lost. On this day a few parcels of new wheat were exhibited, principally Talavera, the growth of Essex ; the best samples were taken by the town millers at 70s. to 72s. per qr.: the quantity brought forward up to this time was, however, too insignificant to allow an opinion to be formed as to the quality. On the 21st there was abetter supply, about 1,000 qrs. being shown altogether, of which THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 273 about 700 qrs. were the produce of Essex, 200 qrs. from Suflfolk, and only 100 qrs, from Kent. The quahty was extremely various ; some of the Essex white wheat was so coarse and ill-conditioned that it was difficult to find buyers for the same at 50s. to 55s., whilst a lot of Kentish red, also very damp, sold at 50s. per qr. The better-conditioned quali- ties brought from 60s. up to"70s. per qr. One lot of red, about 100 qrs., was exceedingly well-matured, almost perfect in the berry, and weighed 64lbs. per bushel : this was readily placed at 67s. per qr. Old wheat, owing to its extreme scarcity, brought relatively higher rates ; still, as compared with the prices of the preceding Monday, a decline of 2s. per qr. was pretty generally submitted to. From this period up to the 28th inst., very little change occurred in quotations : with an increased quantity of new wheat on Monday, and a want of activity in the demand, sellers had to make a further conces- sion; and the fall during the week may be fairly estimated at about 5s. per qr. The arrivals of foreign wheat have fallen short of ."0,000 qrs. this month, which is much below what we have for a considerable time been in the habit of receiving : we question, however, whether stocks in granary have been much diminished, as the country demand has been of a retail character, and local buyers have conducted their operations with extreme caution throughout the month. The fluctuations in prices have been nearly the same as those which have taken place in the value of English wheat. In the early part there was a rally of a few shillings per qr., which was, however, subsequently lost, and quotations are now lower than they were at the close of last month. Within the last week rather more anxiety to realize has been displayed by sellers, and very good red Baltic wheat has been offered at 66s. per qr. Danzig wheat may be said to range in value from 62s. to 72s."; but the latter price is only pro- curable for very superior high mixed, of which the quantity on the market is trifling. Quotations of Black Sea wheat are perfectly nominal ; no disposition having been shown to purchase these kinds, of which a very large pro- portion of our granaried stock consists. That the importers of the same will be very heavy losers cannot be questioned ; the principal part of what is held here belongs to Greek firms, who were large gainers by the high range of quotations last year, and are believed to be in a position to stand the consequences of the altered position of affairs. There has not been much doing in floating cargoes; still occasional sales have taken place from time to time during the month. Several cargoes of Egyptian wheat have changed hands within the last week or tvvo, at prices ranging from 36s. up to 38s. 6d. per qr., cost, freight, and insurance, whilst for Marianopli, Berdianski,and similar descriptions, relatively higher prices have been asked. The top price of town-made flour, which was put down at 60s. per sack towards the close of last month has since been reduced to 55s. The London bakers have acted as though they reckoned with confidence on a further fall, declining to purchase beyond what they have needed from week to week. The consumption of bread in the Metropolis has no doubt been diminish- ed in consequence of the reduced price of potatoes; and many of the bakers state that they are not doing nearly their usual amount of business. Norfolk household flour, after having been done as low as 43s., rallied to 46s. per sack ; subsequently a small reaction took place, and last week there were more sellers than buyers at 45s., which may be considered to be about the present value. The importations of flour from America have not been by any means large, and fresh qualities have gradually been reduced into a narrow compass. The ordinary kinds have met with comparatively little attention, though offered at low rates, whilst really good sorts have been much sought after, and have, notwithstanding the fall in wheat, rather risen than receded in value. Good useful brands may be quoted from 32s. to 34s., whilst for choice sorts 36s. per barrel has been realized. Supplies of old barley of home growth have for some time past ceased to come forward, and previous to the new making its appearance, quo- tations were perfectly nominal. The opening price for the latter was 32s. to 33s.; higher rates were at first asked, but the business actually done was, we believe, at about the terms named. With increased supphes, the value of the article has given way ; and on the 23rd inst., very good qualities sold at 30s. per qr. The weight of the new barley is generally heavy and the berry large, but the colour not so bright as could be desired. As yet, we cannot speak positively regarding its malting qualities ; but we are disposed to think that our maltsters will experience no difficulty in selecting samples well adapted for their use. The yield to the acre is well-spoken of, and the probability is, that prices will after awhile settle down somewhat below what they are at present. The fall in the value of foreign barley has been considerable since our last; and good Danish has lately been offered at 27s. to 28'S. per qr., without exciting much attention. We believe that the bulk of what is held at this port is the property of the foreign shippers who have held on too long, and will be severe losers. Egyptian barley has become almost unsaleable, though offered at 21s, to 22s. per qr. in granary. 274 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Floating cargoes on passage from Alexandria might now be bought below 20s. per qr., cost, freight, and insurance; the nett proceeds to the shippers will therefore be very meagre, freight and insurance from thence being heavy items. The malt trade has naturally been influenced by the depressed state of the barley market. Brewers, anticipating lower prices, have refused to purchase, and the operations have been on a very restricted scale; 70s. per qr. may be regarded as an extreme quotation, and excellent qualities of ship-malt might be bought at 65s. per qr. Though the arrivals of oats of home growth have been very small, and the importations from abroad only moderate, this grain has . partici- pated in the general depression. The down- ward movement which had already set in last month, was added to by the knowledge that ship- ments to a considerable extent had been allowed to be made from Archangel by neutral flags, and that we should in all probability receive 100,000 qrs. from thence. As yet, only about a third of that quantity has reached us ; but the effect has nevertheless been greatly felt ; the first cargo was retailed out at 26s. to 27s. per qr. Since then sales have been made at 20s. 6d, up to 25s. per qr, according to quality. Other sorts of foreign oats have receded in nearly the same proportion; good 40lbs, Swedes having been sold at 25s., and fine Danes at 26s. per qr. As yet, we have had no supplies of new oats, either coastwise or from Ireland ; but arrivals may be shortly looked for, and as the quahty is expected to be very fine, a further decline in prices of old foreign is confidently reckoned upon. Old oats are certainly very scarce ; and unless the new should prove exceedingly dry, so as to allow of their being used alone, prices of old cannot well be expected to give way further. The continued decline in the value of oats and feeding barley has naturally had its influence on beans ; and, notwithstanding the belief that the crop will prove defective, prices have given way 2s. to 3s. per qr. during the month. Egyptian beans in granary have lately been offered at 31s. to 32s. per qr., and purchases of floating cargoes on passage might be made at 30s. to 31s. per qr., cost, freight, and insurance. The quality of the peas of this year's growth is very satisfactory, and the yield is, we believe, good. Some of the samples brought forward at Mark Lane have been of very fine quality. The small lots which came forward early realized high prices ; and we believe that 60s. per qr. was exceeded for superior boilers. Since then, a material decline has taken place; and on Monday, fine breakers were obtainable at 48s. to 52s., and grey and maple peas at from 36s. to 40s. per qr. A fair extent of business has been done in Indian corn, and most of the cargoes close at hand have been disposed of; for Egyptian 25s. to 26s. per qr. has been paid, cost, freight, and insurance, whilst fine Galatz has not been oflTered below 35s. per qr. At Liverpool, considerable purchases have been made within the last week or two, on Irish account ; and the latest quotations there, were for good qualities 33s., up to 36s. for fine per 480lbs. Should the potato disease spread, Indian corn might perhaps rise in value ; but America will be enabled to furnish us with plentiful supplies ; and we do not, therefore, look for material improvement under any circumstances. Before we conclude our remarks, we shall take a brief review of the position of the corn trade, and the prospects for the harvest abroad. In the northern countries of Europe, the crops are not as yet wholly secured, though carting ap- pears to have made more progress on the continent than with us. Letters from Danzig state that there was still a good deal of corn in the fields in that neighbourhood ; and in Poland, harvest had not up to that time been con- cluded. Wheat IS almost universally described as a good crop, in quantity as well as in quality ; and spring corn will, we believe, give a large yield in all the countries bordered by the Baltic. Rye has also produced abundantly all over the North of Europe ; and the only complaint is, that of a partial failure of the potato crop. Old stocks of wheat, and indeed of all grain, appear to be nearly exhausted in the Baltic ; and no supplies of new having yet come forward, hardly any business has been done. The last sales re- ported at Danzig were at 52s. for ordinary old Polish wheat, weighing 58 to 59lbs., and at 55s. to 56s. for fair qualities of ditto, weighing 61 to 62lbs. per bushel. The Silesia and Uckermark wheats will, we be- lieve, be of fine quality, and give a good yield. The reports from Pomerania are also favourable ; and we have as yet heard of no well-founddd complaints from any quarter. Prices for new wheat have not as yet been fixed, though a contract is said to have been concluded at Rostock for a future delivery at 54s. per qr. free on board. "Whether this be actually the case or not, we are not in a position to determine ; but our belief is, that prices will have to recede below the figure named before business with Great Britain will become practicable. Next month we shall probably be able to speak more positively respecting the result of the harvest abroad, and the rates at which it may be expected that contracts for spring delivery may be closed at* THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 275 In France the crops have been for the most part secured. As regards wheat, we are inclined to think that the result of the harvest will be very similar in that country as in this. There will be great variety of quality ; but a fair propor- tion will be fine, and the aggregate produce superior to that of ordinary average seasons, as regards yield as well as quality. Prices have already fallen materially in the principal French markets ; and the decline would probably have been 'greater but for the smallness of old stocks and the pressing wants of millers and dealers, who have for months past been acting on the reserve. In Spain and Italy the crops have turned out excellent : from the former country we shall pro- bably hereafter receive supplies of wheat and flour, but from Italy exports continue to be prohibited. The latest advices from America inform us that harvest was fast drawing to a close even in the Northern States, and the general result was con- sidered to be favourable. No supplies of the new produce had yet come forward, and the quantity of old wheat and flour on hand having been re- duced into a very narrow compass, prices had risen, in the face of the dull English advices and the prospects of abundant crops. CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. Shillin{^s per Quarter Wheat, Essex and Kent, white. . old 61 to 63 extra 65 70 Ditto new 56 60 „ 62 64 Ditto red, old 58 63 „ 64 65 Ditto new 51 57 „ 58 59 Norfolk, Iincoln.&Yorksh., red.. 50 52 „ 56 Barley, malting, new. . 30 31 .... Chevalier.. 32 33 DistiUiug . . — — ' Grinding. . — — MALT.Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, new 66 67 extra 69 Ditto ditto old 64 65 „ 68 Kingston,Ware, and town made,new70 71 „ 72 Ditto ditto old 68 70 „ 71 Rye — — 38 40 Oats, EngUah feed .. 22 26 Potato.. 26 29 Scotch feed, new 28 29, old 30 31 .. Potato 31 33 Irish feed, white 25 26 fine 28 Ditto, black 18 24 fine 26 Beans, Mazagan 39 41 „ 44 47 Ticks 41 43 „ 45 49 Harrow 43 45 „ 47 51 Pigeon 43 49 „ 50 56 Peas, white boUers 45 50.. Maple 38 40 Grey 35 37 Flour, town made, per sack of 280 lbs. — — „ 50 55 Households, Town 478. 48s. Country — „ 47 48 Norfolk and Suffolk, ex-sliip .... — — „ 40 43 FOREIGN GRAIN. SbillingfB per Qaarter Wheat, Dantzic, mixed. . 65 to 67 high mixed — 69 extra 73 Konigsberg 61 67 „ — 67 „ 69 Rostock, new 65 66 fine 67 „ 69 American, white 63 67 red 62 65 Pomera.,Meckbg.,andUckermk.,red 61 65 extra.. 67 Barley, grinding 21 27 Distilling.. 28 30 Oats, Dutch, brew, and Polands 25s., 278. .. Feed .. 22 24 Danish & Swedish feed 258. to 27s. Sti-alsund 26 28 Russian 21 25 French., none Beans, Friesland and Holstein 40 42 Konigsberg . . 42 44 Egyptian , , 35 36 Peas, feeding 40 46 fine boilers 45 47 Indian Corn, white 35 38 yeUow 35 38 Flour, French, per sack (none) — — none — — American, sour per barrel 28 30 sweet 31 34 IMPERIAL AVERAGES. For the last Six Weeks. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Rye. Beans Peas. Week Ending: s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 8. d. July 15. 1854.. 74 6 36 10 29 8 51 1 48 10 45 9 July 22,1854.. 71 10 37 1 30 7 47 9 48 11 45 4 July 29, 1854.. 69 8 36 3 29 10 45 8 47 5 47 3 Aug. 5,1854.. 64 8 35 9 29 11 43 5 47 4 41 7 Aug. 12,1854.. 62 3 34 8 28 11 40 11 45 0 43 6 Aug. 19,1854.. 64 0 34 6 27 9 43 1 49 10 44 8 Aggregate average of last six weeks 67 10 35 10 29 5 45 4 47 11 44 8 Comparative avge. same time lastyear 52 0 29 6 21 11 35 6 40 8 36 6 Duties ' 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 COMPARATIVE PRICES AND QUANTITIES OF CORN. Averages from last Friday's Averages from the correspond Gazette. Av. ing Gazette in 1853 Av. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. 8. d. Wheat.. .. 45,925 . . 64 0 Wheat.... 76,976 .. 51 1 Barley. . .. 2,212 . . 34 6 Barley.... 1,896 .. 29 7 Oata .. . 7,492 . . 27 9 Oats .... 8,271 .. 22 0 Rye.... 43 . . 43 1 Rye 113 .. 34 10 Beans . . .. 3,457 . . 49 10 Beans.... 3,117 .. 40 11 Peas .. 197 . . 44 8 Peas .... 476 .. 34 9 DIAGRAM SHOWING THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE AVERAGE PRICE OF WHEAT during the SIX WEEKS ENDING AUG. 19, 1854. Price. July 15. July 22. July S9. Aug. 5. 74s. 6d. «>-._- .. .. .. 71s. lOd. .. *■ _••.—>, .. .. 69s. 8d. .. s- """l .. 64s. 8d. .. "1 64s. Cd. .. .. 62s. 3d. • • .. ,, L Aug. 12, n PRICES OF SEEDS. BRITISH SEEDS. Linseed (per qr.). . sowing — s. to 643. ; crushing 56s. to 60s, Linseed Cakes (per ton) , £10 Os. to £10 10s. Rapeseed (per qr.) , new 56s. to 6O3. Ditto Cake (per ton) £6 15s. to £7 5s. Cloverseed (per cwt.) (nominal) .... 00s. to OOs. Mustard (per bush.) white lOs. to 12s.,.. brown old 10s. to 133. Coriander (per cwt.) new — s. to — s., old IBs. to 20s. Canary (per qr.) 42s. to 48s. Carraway (per cwt.) ». new — s. to — s., old 44s. to 483. Turnip, white (per bush.) — s. to — s Swede OOs. to OOs. TrefoU (per cwt.) new I63. to 203. Cow Grass (per cwt.) OOs. to OOs. FOREIGN SEEDS, &c. Lmseed (per qr.). . , . Baltic, 64s. to 68s. ; Odessa, 66s. to 70s. Linseed Cake (per ton) £9 10s. to £10 lOs. Rape Cake (per ton) £6 15s. to £7 Ss. Hempseed, small, (per qr.). . — s., Ditto Dutch, 448. Tares (per qr.) new, small — s., large — 3. Rye Grass Q)er qr.) 28s. to 358. Coriander (per cwt,) 10s. to 133. Clover, red 463., 50s., 54s. to 563. Ditto, white 683. to 8O3. HOP MARKET. BOROUGH, Monday, August 28. The general account from the plantations of the state of the crop are unfavourable. The mould continues to make considerable ravages both in Mid Kent and Sussex, and the high winds of the last few days have been prejudicial to the hops. The market has exhibited much animation, and many speculators' purchases have been made at prices fully equal to last week's rates.— Duty £50,000 to £55,000. Hart and Wilson. ^M THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. POTATO MARKETS. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS. Monday, Aug. 28. The supplies of English potatoes continue seasonably good, and in excellent condition ; but those of foreign are very limited. The demand is steady, as follows : — Kegents 80s. to 95s., and Shaws 653. to 753. per ton. Last week's imports were 1 box from Lisbon, 60 from Amsterdam, 4 sacks from Guernsey, and 22 tons from Jersey. ~ ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET. August 28. We notice a dull opening of our Butter trade to-day, with every prospect of prices giving way. Dorset, fine 102s. to 104s. per cwi. Do., middling , 92s. to 96s. „ Devo7i Q3s. to 98s. „ Fresh, per dozen lbs., ...... 9s. to 13.s. per dozen. PRICES OF BUTTER, Butter, per ervt, s. s. Friesland .. ..d<. 100 . s. d. s. d. s. d. a. d. s. d. s. d. s. d, s. d. 1850.. 64 0 70 0 37 0 42 0 65 0 70 0 60 0 62 6 18.51.. 65 0 73 0 45 0 47 0 62 0 66 0 64 0 66 0 18.52.. 72 0 78 0 50 0 56 0 66 0 70 0 85 0 90 6 18.53.. 85 0 96 0 58 0 60 0 74 0 78 0 85 0 87 6 1854.. 88 0 92 0 54 0 60 0 68 0 74 0 89 0 93 0 OILS. We have had a very dull market for Linseed, at from 34s. to 34s. 6d. per cwt. on the spot. Rape Oil moves off slowly at our quotations. Palm is quiet, but not cheaper. There is a good inquiry for Seal and Cod Oils, at extreme rates. Sperm is wanted. The prices realized are £104 to £106 for mid. to fine. £ s. d. £ s. d. Olive, Florence hatf -chests 1 4 0