TtlE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



81 



last year, and I must agaia express my astoaUhmeut at 

 the enormous weight most of the pigs have attained in 

 an incredibly short period. One pen of these animals, 

 only five months and a few days old, were estimated by 

 two butchers to weigh 12 stone long weight, each. 

 This is making good use of their time with a vengeance. 

 The pigs-royal were not so successful as last year, but I 

 can assure the royal breeder and feeder that this was 

 from no fault in the stock, which is as lovely as ever; 

 and we are sure his royal highness will feel more plea- 

 sure in witnessing the perfect impartiality of the Judges 

 than ae would have done in receiving the first prizes. 



I noticed one improvement , which appeared to me 

 somewhat too refined. Several of the pens were fur- 

 nished with pillows for the pigs to lay their snouts on 

 when they were sleeping. What would the Highland 

 chief of the last century (mentioned by Walter Scott), 

 who kicked a snow-ball from under his son's head, 

 calling him ''an effeminate young rascal, not to be able 

 to sleep without a pillow" — what, I repeat, would the 

 old chieftain say to pigs being furnished with such 

 luxuries ? 



I must reserve my observations on the machinery, 

 &c. Yours, &c., 



An old Norfolk Farmer. 



London, Dec. 9. 



PLATE II. 



TWO LABOURERS' COTTAGES, 



ON THE ESTATE OF SIR GEORGE N. BROKE, 

 BART., C.B., AT BROKE HALL, NEAR IPSWICH, 

 SUFFOLK. 



Upon the present Baronet succeeding to the 

 picturesque property of the Broke family, running 

 for some distance along the south side of the Or- 

 well, one of the prettiest rivers in England, he 

 determined to effect considerable improvements in 

 the dwellings of the farm servants and other peas- 

 antry on his estate. In furtherance of this object, 

 he has erected, on various parts, model cottages, 

 according to the accompanying view and plan. 



These are constructed of red brick, relieved with 

 black, worked in different patterns. The roofs are 

 of high pitch, and covered with plain tiles, the best 

 and most durable covering that has yet been dis- 

 covered, effectually excluding from the upper 

 rooms heat in the summer and cold in the win- 

 ter. 



The cottages have an abundant supply of water 

 from a well sunk at the back of each pair, in 

 addition to as much soft water as can be caught 

 from the roofs. They are also thoroughly well 

 drained. 



The two front rooms on the ground-floor are of 

 wood ; the others have pavements and bricks laid on 

 a good thick bed of concrete. None of the wood 

 work is painted, but merely slightly stained and 

 varnished, by which process the grain of the real 

 wood is preserved, and the material itself sufficiently 

 protected. 



The height of the lower rooms is eight feet three 

 inches, and the chambers (of which there are three 

 to each cottage) six feet nine inches to the spring- 

 ing of the roof, and ten feet nine inches to the collar, 

 to which they are ceiled. Every bedroom has a 

 fireplace and stove. 



Each cottage is provided with a good-sized 

 baking oven, copper, sink, and well fitted up pantry, 

 besides the requisite outbuildings for wood, coals, 

 and other conveniences. 



The glazing of the windows is done with quarry 

 lead lights, in iron frames and casements. 



The cost of each pair of cottages has averaged 

 about ,£300, and the occupiers seem greatly to 

 appreciate the boon that has been thus conferred 

 on them. 



A good-sized piece of garden ground has been 

 allotted to each, fenced off with low wood fencing. 



The cottages have been erected from the designs 

 of Messrs. Morgan and Phipson, architects. 



CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. 



This month is often very stormy, especially 

 in northern latitudes, where snows and frosts pre- 

 vail. In hard weather, carting will form the chief 

 attention of the farmer — stones to drains and 

 roads, fuel to the dwelling-houses of the farm, and 

 of dung from the cattle-yards to the fields, where 

 it will be wanted for the fallow crops. Lay the 

 heap in a lane, or in a convenient place in the field ; 

 make it oblong square in shape, sloping at the 

 ends to allow the loaded carts to pass upon and 

 over it; spread each load evenly over the heap of 

 six feet in height, dress it neatly, and lay earth on 

 the edges. The heap should have a dry lair and 

 level. 



The ploughing of lands for Lent crops will be 

 forwarded in fresh weather, and very advan- 

 tageously during this month, as a time is given 

 before sowing for effecting a pulverization, and it 

 does not, by a lengthened exposure of the land, 

 reduce it into a hard and battened condition. The 

 ploughing of leys for grain crops, and of stubbles 

 for fallows, must be vigorously pushed in this 

 month. 



In fresh weather, continue the cutting of copses 

 and underwood, the cutting and splashing of 

 hedges, the scouring of ditches and road sides, and 

 clear water-courses ; cut drains to half the depth 

 to be finished in summer. Float water-meadows, 

 and lay dry occasionally. Sow winter and spring 

 wheats on lands cleaned of turnips, and on fallows 

 left in autumn. 



Collect and prepare artificial manures of every 

 kind, and keep them under a dry, open shed. 



The Uve stock on the farm of all kinds will 

 require the most constant and unremitting attention 

 of the farmer, if he would rear the animals to profit, 

 and derive advantage from his labours, never for- 

 getting the great effects of minute care in increasing 

 the produce of a farm. Supply the cattle in the 

 yards and horses with fresh straw daily, and give 

 turnips or other roots early in the morning, that 

 the animals may eat during daylight, and be seen 

 when choked or swollen. Turnips are better fresh 

 drawn from the field daily as wanted ; but the dan- 

 ger of heavy snows covering the roots from use, 

 renders necessary a heap at the homestead, con- 

 taining a few weeks' supply. The yards must be 

 littered with straw frequently — thinly and evenly. 



