282 THE COMPARATIVE VALUE OF OllDlXAEY MAXUKE, 



There was a most decided difference hereto referred. The Xo. 1 

 looked certainly best ; ISTo. 2 lot considerably better than No. 3. 

 They were all got in good order at the same time, and stacked 

 and well kept till the month of February 1880. When thrashed 

 and measured separately, ISTo. 1 thrashed out 4 quarters 1 bushel, 

 weighing 15 stone 10 lbs., at 40s. per quarter, making £8, 5s. ; No. 

 2, 3 quarters 7^ bushels, 15 stone, 10 lbs. at 40s., £7, 17s. 6d. ; 

 Xo. 3, 3 quarters 2 bushels at 40s., £6, 10s. Xo. 1 thereby 

 showing an increase on the others, of IJ bushels per acre on 

 Xo. 2, or 7s. 6d. more money, and about 7 bushels more than 

 Xo. 3, and £1, 15s. more money per imperial acre. As regards 

 the straw there was also considerable difference, but as I had it 

 all thrashed at the same time with the travellino; mill, I did not 

 keep it separate. The barley was all much the same quality, and 

 was put through the fanners altogether and mixed. The whole 

 produce of the field was sold in Edinburgh market as one sample 

 on the 18th February 1880 at 40s. per quarter. Even the second 

 year there was an advantage. ' Some people may think there is 

 not very much difference, perhaps not worth putting up houses 

 for; but if they have 200 or 300 acres arable land it will pay 

 itself the first year. Of course we cannot expect that the tenants 

 should put up buildings, especially in these hard times ; but if 

 some of the landlords in this country would build feeding-houses, 

 they would thereby assist the tenant both in feeding and manure- 

 making, improving their own property at the same time to a 

 great extent, besides keeping up the condition of the land. 



An experiment like this might be of great advantage to many 

 people who really take an interest in agriculture. It might 

 encourage landlords to build, and assist their tenants considerably. 

 Should the landlords not assist their tenants in one or other way, 

 most farmers may require to give up their farms altogether 

 if there is not some change soon. It appears as if it would be 

 ^' the man with the largest purse who will stand out the 

 longest." The hay crop the third year I could scarcely make any 

 comparison, as I tried two different kinds of artificial manures on 

 the ground referred to ; but I could not help thinkiug that the 

 oats this year when growing, were heavier where the manure was 

 brought straight from under cover ; a good many were lying 

 down and twisted, while the rest of the field had only spots here 

 and there. 



In conclusion, I would like to recommend farmers to make 

 and keep as much of their home-made manure under cover as 

 possible until applied to the land. They would soon come to 

 see for themselves the great advantage of covered courts. In 

 wet weather the best of the manure is washed away. Of course 

 many people collect the liquid manure and apply it in a different 

 manner, but that is still reducing the quality of the farmyard 



