THK FARMKR'S MACiAZIiNE. 



123 



I lie opposite side U!^cd up, and tlic manure accuuui- 

 lated, the engine could pull the building opposite to 

 another part, and begin afresh ; the hay and corn- 

 ricks affording a supply ad libitnni, and the roots 

 being fed close to where they grew. Thus, by stacking 

 the produce in tlie field (thereby making the most of 

 valuable time in harvest), the manure being left in the 

 right place, and the roots brought in by the engine, an 

 amount of hauling would bo saved quite unpre- 

 cedented, and it will bo found to be much less cost and 

 trouble to move the buildings than the produce !" 



The tanks, or a self-acting supply of water, are to bo 

 wells in the field, dug and d'scoverod on the principle 

 of Lord Berners' test-holes — to whom, by the way, the 

 pamphlet is dedicated. The grubbing of hedgerows, 

 and the filling up of pits, arc matters that at once sug- 

 gest their own remedy. Important as they are, in the 

 way of obstacles, we need not follow the writer 

 in the means for their removal. Of the next 

 cause or impediment, he says truly enough : — " There 

 are very few parishes in which a beneficial exchange of 

 land between neighbours might not take place, to the 

 mutual benefit of all parties ; but the expense has 

 hitherto put a stop to such a desirable object. As 

 steam cultivation becomes more general, so will the in- 

 convenience ofau acre-field belonging to one individual, 

 intercepting a good long field of his neighbour, and 



causing him to make two of it, become more apparent. 

 In all probability the other party can give a piece in 

 excliange. Crooks and angles often lie close to lands 

 of the other, which again would lienefit both, by making 

 each a straight outside ; for however picturesque in 

 appearance the crooked boundaries might be (and one 

 would think such must have been the object of our 

 forefathers), they are quite out of the question now that 

 the steam-engine is brought into the field." 



And, he adds, " I have legal authority for asserting 

 that under recent acts an exchange of land may ef- 

 fected on an average at one-fifth, and in some instances 

 at one-tenth of the expense incurred in times past." 



We repeat that the now great riifliculty in the way of 

 steam culture is its proper application. The onus thus 

 shifts itself from the inventor to the employer of such 

 an agent. With none, however, does the due perform- 

 ance of this rest more than with the landowners. It 

 has been our lot of late to hear many a country gentleman 

 cry up the steam plough. It is, indeed, a very popular 

 theme to go on. But, in doing so, he must ask himself 

 a home question or two. Is he individually doing any- 

 thing to assist its progress ? Has he volunteered to 

 help his tenants to adapt their lands to this new state 

 of things? We have had some rare examples of en- 

 thusiasm on the one side : let us look for a little 

 welcome on the other. 



THE BABRAHAM RAM-LETTING, 



If Mr. Jonaa Webb were a citizen of the United States, he 

 would probably be referred to by exultant Yaokeea as an 

 ' institution." As, however, a kind Providence has cast his 

 lot in Old England, he is simply a "great" agricultural " fact." 

 For tliirty-two yeara hia fame as a breeder of Southdowu rams 

 has been steadily maintained and extended throughout Eng- 

 land, and one may almost add, throughout the world. Dis- 

 tinguished agriculturists from various European states, the 

 Transatlantic Republic, and the Australian colonies have 

 sought to improve their stock from his reserves. That the 

 result has been mutually profitable is proved by the steady 

 and continued support which Mr. Webb has received, and that 

 the cause of agriculture generally has been advanced by his 

 perseverance on the one hand, and the enterprize of his cus- 

 tomers on the other, can admit of no doubt. Happy the 

 country which is benefited by such ardent disciples of useful 

 pursuits! 



Mr. Webb met his friends for the thirty-aecond time on 

 Friday, and greeted them with the same cordial, yet simple 

 hospitality which has always distinguished his gatherings. 

 The visitors on entering the trim grounds and comfortable 

 house could scarcely dissipate the impression that it was 1857 

 or 1856 over again. Wavy corn crops and beautiful rams met 

 the eye as usual, and the new-comer received the same cordial 

 shake of the hand, and the same friendly invitation to " fall to" 

 immediately, on the good cheer provided for his entertainment. 

 But a closer examination showed that the weather, a most im- 

 portant matter in agricultural out-door meetings, was not so 

 propitious as on former occasion?, while from various circum- 

 stances, to which it will be seen Mr. Webb made allusion after 

 dinner, the atteudunce was not so numerous, or the proceedings 

 quite so auimsted. About elcveu o'clock the taiu commeflceJ 



falling heavily ; but two commodious marquees, erected on the 

 field appropriated to the rams, sheltered the company from the 

 annoyance to which they would otherwise have been subjected. 

 The clouds afterwards cleared off a little, but the hopeful pros- 

 pect proved delusive, and several other showers more or less 

 heavy fell at intervals during the afternoon. Englishmen's 

 spirits are not generally improved by a "juicy day ia the 

 country," and the superabundance of moisture certainly did 

 not encourage speculative tendencies. In fact, a well-con- 

 ditioued spectator was heard to remark, that " it took the go 

 out of him," and it is not altogether unlikely that others ex- 

 perienced the same feeling. Moreover, the gradual reduction 

 of wheat prices to an unduly low point has a great tendency to 

 confine enterprize which would have free scope under more 

 favourable conditions. 



To revert to Friday's proceedings : There were altogether 

 140 rams offered for competition, viz., foui- S-year-olds, six 4- 

 year-olds, twenty-four S-year-olds, thirty-seven 2-year-old8, 

 and sixty-nine yearlings. 



About two hours having been devoted to their iuspection, 

 the public letting commenced at half-past two. 



Mr. S. Carter Jonas, of Cambridge, officiated as auctioneer 

 — for the first time here— with much ability and promptitude. 

 His rostrum was a carriage placed in the usual spot under the 

 lee of one or the hedges. The rams called for were brought 

 one by one into a space fenced off, the company ranging them- 

 selves round the ring formed by the railings. The rain was 

 falling rather smartly when the auctioneer made his appear- 

 anc?, but it did not subsequently interrupt business. Mr. 

 Jonas having read the conditions of letting, he made a few 

 appropriate and telling remarks on the business of the occa- 

 sion. The Brsbraham flock enjoyed a world-wide reputa- 



