THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



323 



around the tub, placed in the middle, and the plate 

 again applied until the whey is thoroughly removed, 

 when the dry curd is broken and vatted in the usual 

 manner. An increased weight and greater uniformity 

 of quality are obtained by this new method of per- 

 forming old processes. The tub or vessel is made cither 

 of brass or tin, and of any size up that holding ninety 

 gallons. Messrs. Griffiths and Co., of Birmingham, are 

 the manufacturers. 



Another cheese-making apparatus, invented and 

 manufactured by Edward Cockey and Sons, of Fromc 

 Selwood, comprises excellent arrangements for effecting 

 the desired end. As exhibited at Chester by Messrs. 

 Reeves, of Bratton, Wilts, it consists of a heating- 

 boiler, inclosed in an iron case lined with fire-brick, 

 and a patent cheese-tub with hollow chamber beneath 

 the bottom lor hot or cold water. This chamber is 

 formed of copper, and the sides of the tub are strong 

 tin plates. The boiler and cheese -tub are connected 

 by iron pipes, with cocks for regulating the How of hot 



water, the pipes being so arranged as to provide means 

 for a circulation of hot water to the cheese -room. A 

 supply of cold water to the chamber beneath the tub is 

 obtained at pleasure, so that any requisite temperature 

 may be secured. 



The cheese-making apparatus invented and manu- 

 factured by Mr. James Corncs, of Barbridge, Cheshire, 

 is very much simpler and cheaper than either of the 

 foregoing. The curd is lifted from the cheese-tub into 

 this apparatus ; the whey being filtered and run off 

 through a strainer and pipe without labour. Tlie curd 

 can be cut and turned over wilhout being lifted out, 

 which avoids all waste ; and the apparatus can be ustd 

 with or without pressure on the curd. The curd is dry 

 and fit for vatting in a short time, and will retain all 

 the fine qualities and flavour of the cheese, which is 

 so frequently injured by the old mode of heaping a 

 large quantity of curd in small baskets. The appa- 

 ratus is mounted on wheels, in order to be conveniently 

 moved to any part of a dairy. 



THE AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF IRELAND. 



While a hostility is still evinced to the col- 

 lection and publication of Agricultural Statistics for 

 England and Wales, we are unable to form any 

 decided estimate of the progress of agricultural opera- 

 tions. It is, therefore, refreshing to be able to turn 

 to ascertained data with respect to agricviitural progress 

 in other parts of the kingdom. 



We have before us now the agricultural statistics of 

 Ireland for the past year, which are as full and com- 

 plete as could be desired, and well serve for comparison 

 with former years. We have gone carefully through 

 these returns, with the view of enabling our readers to 

 perceive the remarkable contrast between the present 

 and the past state of Irish agriculture. 



The entire number of holdings in Ireland now is 

 nearly 600,000, and from all of these returns have been 

 obtained. The number of enumerators in 18.58 was 

 about 4,000: they were selected from the constabulary 

 and Irish metropolitan police, and, as on former occa- 

 sions, seem to have discharged their duties in a very 

 efficient manner. The Registrar-General expresses his 

 thanks to the landed proprietors, the tenant-farmers, 

 the clergy of all denominations, and to the public press, 

 for their continued and generous assistance in reference 

 to the collection of these important statistics, the suc- 

 cess of which is mainly due to the good feeling and 

 confidence that prevail on this subject. This is 

 creditable to all ranks and classes in Ireland, and cer- 

 tainly affords an example not undeserving of considera- 

 tion in England. 



It is pleasing to find what an alteration is taking 

 place in the social condition of Ireland, from the ex- 

 tended growth of valuable crops and the large increase 

 of live stock, adding, as these do, to the material wealth 

 of the country. Emigration has indeed carried off 

 large numbers, the population having decreased two 



millions since 1841, and more than half a million souls 

 having left Ireland within the last seven years. The 

 price of labour has, consequently, advanced ; and, as 

 employment increases with an extending area under 

 tillage, the means and prospects of the working classes 

 of Ireland must be permanently improved. If those 

 who have left have also improved their condition, as 

 all reports would lead us to believe, the general result 

 must, on the whole, be favourable. 



In ten years the number of paupers in the work- 

 houses and on the poor-books in Ireland has been re- 

 duced from 620,000 to about 62,000. The note cir- 

 culation of the Irish banks and stock of bullion has 

 doubled in the same period. Large tracts of land have 

 also been broken up for the pasture by plough and 

 spade. The holdings have been reduced about 60,000 

 in the ten years, showing a larger class of farms. In 

 that period the cattle have increased 1,000,000, sheep 

 2,000,000, and pigs 500,000 ; and the present value of 

 the live stock, proportionately to the population, is 

 nearly £6 per head. The general total of land 

 under culture with crops in Ireland now is one 

 million acres less than it was in 1849; this is to bo 

 accounted for by the decrease of population, and the 

 high ruling rate of wages; hence more attention is 

 paid to stock-raising — a fact also shown by the in- 

 crease of 400,000 acres in meadow and clover. 



The land under wheat culture is also advanced again 

 to the former ratio when the population was so much 

 larger. There is one remark of the Registrar General, 

 which does not speak well, however, for Irish farming. 

 " As regards the condition of Irish agriculture" (he ob- 

 serves) " I beg to state that I continue to receive com- 

 munications from various quarters relative to the per- 

 nicious growth of weeds, which is unfortunately so 

 prevalent throughout the country, and an anxious de- 



